JP3809282B2 - Data processing apparatus, data processing method, and storage medium storing computer-readable program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a data processing apparatus, a data processing method, and a computer-readable data setting apparatus for setting print settings for data processed by a device that executes predetermined function processing via a graphical user interface including a plurality of sheet setting screens. The present invention relates to a storage medium storing a program and the program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, in an information processing device that can communicate with a printing device via a predetermined communication medium, when various settings are made through the user interface, there are a number of settings, such as when there are many setting items and there are complicated dependencies. Some items have a function of registering items as a whole and selecting and changing a plurality of items at once.
[0003]
For example, taking a Canon printer driver as an example, other than physical settings such as input paper, output paper, paper feed method, paper discharge method, number of copies, page layout, etc., for example, graphic mode, resolution, color, True Type Set the items related to print quality such as replacement as a set, register them in advance and associate them with icons, and change the settings at once by selecting those icons that match the printing purpose during printing It is configured.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above printer driver example, the physical such as input paper, output paper, paper feeding method, paper ejection method, number of copies, page layout, etc. other than those relating to print quality such as graphic mode, resolution, color, True Type replacement, etc. These settings must be made individually because they do not contain any specific settings.
[0005]
For example, when a bank or an insurance company handles printing in some specific formats, it is inconvenient to reset paper and paper feed information separately.
[0006]
On the other hand, considering that all items are to be registered, there are advantages in regard to the above-mentioned matters, but conversely, even if you want to change only the print quality, selecting the icon always resets the paper, paper feed, etc. This is inconvenient because it will eventually reset the related items.
[0007]
Although all necessary sets including paper, paper feed, etc. can be registered, the number of icons increases, and there is a possibility that the usability will be worse.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to group registered in the entire setting contents when the entire setting contents are selected through the graphical user interface. Set print settings for data based on a combination of unit settings, or if group settings are selected, set print settings for the data based on the selected group settings. Thus, the print settings set for each sheet can be retained as the setting contents for each group, and the combination of the setting contents registered for each group can be retained as the entire print settings, and each sheet can be retained. Group print settings for each group in which print settings belonging to A simple operation of selecting one of the entire print settings in which print settings consisting of a combination of these are registered, simplifying the print setting operations that need to be set each time, and printing setting operation load adapted to the user's print request The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus and a data processing method capable of greatly reducing the amount of data, a storage medium storing a computer-readable program, and a program.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first invention according to the present invention is a data processing apparatus for setting print settings for data processed by a device that executes predetermined function processing via a graphical user interface including a plurality of sheet setting screens. The first holding means for holding the setting contents of the group unit in which the print settings belonging to the sheet are registered, and the whole registered as a combination of the setting contents of the group unit held by the first holding means. When the entire setting content is selected via the second holding means for holding the setting content and the graphical user interface, based on the combination of the setting content of the group unit registered in the entire setting content If the print settings for the data are set and the group settings are selected, It characterized by having a setting means for setting a print setting for the data based on the setting of the respective selected group units.
[0010]
The second invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the first holding means holds setting contents of a plurality of groups for each of a plurality of sheets of the graphical user interface.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the setting means is capable of selecting a standard setting for each group via the graphical user interface, and based on the setting contents of the selected standard setting for each group. A print setting for the print data is set.
[0012]
A fourth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the setting means displays at least one sheet from the setting screen of the plurality of sheets and changes setting contents belonging to the sheet.
[0013]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first holding unit for holding a group unit setting content in which print settings belonging to a sheet are registered, and the group unit setting content held by the first holding unit. Second holding means for holding the entire setting content registered as a combination of the above, and for data processed by a device that executes predetermined functional processing via a graphical user interface comprising a plurality of sheet setting screens A data processing method in a data processing apparatus for setting print settings, wherein when the entire setting content is selected via the graphical user interface, the group unit setting content registered in the entire setting content Set the print settings for the data based on the combination of If the volume is selected, and having a setting step of setting a print setting for the data based on the set contents of each selected group units.
[0014]
The sixth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the first holding means holds setting contents of a plurality of groups for each of a plurality of sheets of the graphical user interface.
[0015]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the setting step, a standard setting can be selected in units of groups via the graphical user interface, and based on the setting contents of the selected standard settings in units of groups. The print setting for the print data is set.
[0016]
The eighth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the setting step displays at least one sheet from the setting screen of the plurality of sheets, and changes setting contents belonging to the sheet.
[0017]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a program for executing any one of the fifth to eighth data processing methods is stored in a computer-readable storage medium.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the data processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. For example, a keyboard 10 as an input device, a main body 20 in which a control board is accommodated, and a display corresponding to a case where the data processing apparatus is configured with a personal computer. It is composed of a CRT 11 as a device.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the data processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0020]
In the figure, reference numeral 30 denotes a host computer main body, in which a control board 20 is housed, and is configured such that a keyboard 10, a CRT 11, an external memory 12 and the like as peripheral devices can be connected.
[0021]
In the control board 20, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU, which loads a boot program, a system program, an application program, a driver, and the like stored in the external memory 12 constituted by, for example, a hard disk or the like onto the RAM 2 and performs various data processing.
[0022]
The RAM 2 is configured such that its storage capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM or the like. A keyboard controller (KBC) 3 controls key input from a keyboard 10 including a pointing device (not shown).
[0023]
Reference numeral 4 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC) which controls display on the CRT 11. A disk controller (DKC) 5 controls access to the external memory 12 such as an FD, HD, CD-ROM, MD, and MO that stores a boot program, various applications, data files, and the like. A main bus 6 connects the above 2 to 5 and the CPU 1 to perform data access.
[0024]
Unless otherwise specified in the present embodiment, the CPU 1 controls the RAM 2, KBC 3, CRTC 4, and DKC 5 via the main bus 6.
[0025]
The control program of the host computer is stored in the external memory 12 and is loaded from the program at the time of execution and expanded in the RAM 2 before being executed.
[0026]
In the host computer main body 30 configured as described above, when changing the setting of the detailed settings of the application and device driver by opening the user interface, the input from the KB 10 or a pointing device (not shown) by the user is accepted, and the state and process are determined. It is displayed on the CRT 11 as a display screen. In this embodiment, the setting contents of a plurality of setting items are registered in the icon, or the setting is reflected in data to be processed by selection of the icon. However, unless otherwise specified, the registration is performed in the RAM 2 or the external memory. It is assumed that this is performed for 12 memory resources.
[0027]
In this embodiment, it is assumed that user-set information (icons) created in the following procedure is registered in the memory resource. Hereinafter, a default for each group and an overall default are prepared in advance. In addition, arbitrary settings by the user are registered for each Darupa (named as an icon). Furthermore, a combination of arbitrary icons of each group is registered as “whole” (named with an icon).
[0028]
Moreover, this proposal demonstrates the part which selects an icon and uses the registered content.
[0029]
Hereinafter, an example in which various settings are executed by icon selection by one action will be described with reference to a user interface (UI) screen shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, taking a printer as an example of a device that can communicate with the host computer main body 30. . 3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating an example of a user interface (UI) screen displayed on the CRT 11 illustrated in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 corresponds to a main sheet that summarizes each group sheet. FIG. It corresponds to the detailed sheet of the paper sheet. In addition, in the main sheet MSH, already registered settings can be used by selecting an icon.
[0030]
In FIG. 3, TIC-1 to TIC-4, PIC-1 to PIC-4, LIC-1, OIC-1 to OIC-3, and GIC-1 are the corresponding icons, and the currently selected icon is highlighted. The All currently correspond to the default selection state.
[0031]
In the present embodiment, the icon list is characterized in that the entire and all groups are included in this sheet, and the selected icon is highlighted so that the current setting can be seen. .
[0032]
Note that when setting not registered in the icon shown in FIG. 3 is performed, the group sheet shown in FIG. 4 is opened.
[0033]
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a setting sheet in the data processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5A shows a second hierarchy including each group by pressing a detail setting button in the first hierarchy of the main sheet. FIG. 5B is a type to display, and (b) is a type in which all are placed on the same hierarchy and the main sheet is brought to the head. In this embodiment, the latter type (b) of FIG. 5 is adopted. .
[0034]
Next, an example of setting information that should be registered in advance will be described with reference to FIG.
[0035]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of setting information to be registered in advance in the external memory 12 shown in FIG. 2, and can be selected from the sheets of each group displayed as icons on the main sheet MSH shown in FIG. This corresponds to an example of simple setting data and setting data for each icon that collectively sets all the setting data. The default setting is not necessary. Note that the configuration may be such that the external memory 12 is loaded and stored on the RAM 2.
[0036]
In the figure, the paper is registered by setting “4UP” for the source list and the lower cassette (contains the back paper) as the paper feeding method, and the user-defined papers for the slip A / B and those sheets. This corresponds to a case where a paper feed method is registered.
[0037]
The overlay corresponds to a case where a form designated for each format is registered for the slip A / B.
[0038]
As a whole, the above paper and overlay settings are registered for default / source list / slip A / slip B (row in the figure) for paper / layout / overlay / graphic (column in the figure). It shall be.
[0039]
Hereinafter, the registration item automatic setting change processing operation according to the icon selection instruction shown in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0040]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and corresponds to a registration item automatic setting change processing (user interface operation shown in FIG. 3) procedure by an icon selection instruction. In addition, (1)-(9) shows each step.
[0041]
First, with the main sheet MSH shown in FIG. 3 opened on the CRT 11, an “all” icon list (default icon TIC-1, source list icon TIC-2, slip A icon TIC-3, slip B icon TIC) -4), it is determined whether any icon has been selected (1), and any of the default icon TIC-1, the source list icon TIC-2, the slip A icon TIC-3, and the slip B icon TIC-4 is selected. If it is determined that the selection is made by pointing device operation, the icon of each group is changed to the one registered in the icon selected in “Overall” (2), and the settings of each sheet are also contents corresponding to the icon of each group. (3), the process proceeds to step (9) and subsequent steps.
[0042]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step (1) that any one of the default icon TIC-1, the source list icon TIC-2, the slip A icon TIC-3, and the slip B icon TIC-4 is not selected by the pointing device operation. Determines whether any icon has been selected and changed from the icon list of the group other than “all” (4). If it is determined that the icon has been changed, the icon of the “all” icon is selected. The reverse display is canceled (5), the process proceeds to step (3), and the setting of the changed group sheet is reset to the content corresponding to the selected icon.
[0043]
Here, the reverse display of “whole” is canceled because the current setting becomes different from the one selected in “whole” by changing the group setting.
[0044]
On the other hand, if it is determined that the sheet has not been changed, it is determined whether or not an instruction to open another sheet has been issued (6). (7). If the setting is changed here, the reversed display of the changed group icon and the “whole” icon is canceled (8), and the process proceeds to step (9). Note that the release process in step (8) is because the current setting becomes different from the one selected in “overall” by changing the group setting.
[0045]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (6) that the opening instruction has not been given, it is determined whether the OK button BT1 or the cancel button BT2 in FIG. 3 is pressed (9), and the OK button BT1, If neither the cancel button BT2 is pressed, the process returns to step (1). If it is determined that the OK button BT1 is pressed, the current setting is left, and if it is determined that the cancel button BT2 is pressed, Discard the current settings, close the user interface, and end the process.
[0046]
As a result, when the source list is printed, if the “overall” source list icon TIC-2 is selected on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 3, the paper setting is as shown in FIG. The settings of other groups in the source list are all “default” as shown in FIG. 6, and the contents of each sheet are reset to the settings corresponding to the icon. If the user wants to use “4UP” and “back paper” with other settings remaining, the “paper” icon PIC-2 may be selected on the screen shown in FIG.
[0047]
In addition, when printing several types of documents using different formats, conventionally, the setting of related items such as paper, paper feed, and overlay forms had to be changed at the same time. For example, when the “overall” icon TIC-3 corresponding to “slip A” is selected on the user interface screen shown in FIG. 3, the “paper” setting is “slip A” and the “overlay” setting is “ The setting of the icon is changed with one action to “slip A” and other settings to “default”.
[0048]
Similarly, if the “overall” icon TIC-4 corresponding to “slip B” is selected, all necessary settings can be switched with one action, so that the operation instructions when using several types of documents are greatly reduced. Will be.
[0049]
The configuration of the data processing program that can be read by the data processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.
[0050]
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs that can be read by the data processing apparatus according to the present invention.
[0051]
Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.
[0052]
Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.
[0053]
The functions shown in FIG. 7 in this embodiment may be performed by the host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.
[0054]
As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.
[0055]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0056]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, an EEPROM, or the like is used. it can.
[0057]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0058]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0059]
According to the above-described embodiment, a desired setting can be made with a few aunts, and by selecting an icon of each group, all the settings belonging to the sheet can be performed with one action. Changes to items that belong to multiple sheets can be done with a few actions.
[0060]
Particularly frequently used settings can be made with one action, and all settings can be made with one action by selecting the entire icon. This is especially effective when there are many routine tasks.
[0061]
In addition, all settings can be made with one sheet. In other words, the icon selection screen fits into one sheet, so there is usually no need to open another sheet, and only when printing unregistered rare cases. The settings can be made on this sheet.
[0062]
Further, since the number of icons is small, that is, since the setting can be registered for each sheet, the number of icons is small. For example, when four icons are registered for each sheet and there are four groups as in the embodiment, the number of icons is 16, but 256 (up to the fourth power of 4) can be set with a maximum of four actions.
[0063]
Furthermore, the operation of returning to the default is simple. By having a default icon for each group and the whole, which is an individual icon, it is possible to easily return an arbitrary sheet to the standard setting or return the whole to the standard setting.
[0064]
Accordingly, detailed attribute setting can be easily performed on the data with a small number of icons and a small number of operations, and the work efficiency is improved.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the print settings set in each sheet can be held as the setting contents of the group unit, and the combination of the setting contents registered in the group unit can be set as the entire print setting. As well as group print settings for each group in which print settings belonging to each sheet are registered, or overall print settings in which print settings composed of combinations of each sheet are registered. This makes it possible to simplify the print setting operation that needs to be set each time, and to greatly reduce the print setting operation load adapted to the user's print request.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a data processing apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the data processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface (UI) screen displayed on the CRT shown in FIG. 2;
4 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface (UI) screen displayed on the CRT shown in FIG. 2; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a setting sheet in the data processing apparatus illustrated in the present embodiment.
6 is a diagram showing an example of setting information that should be registered in advance in the external memory shown in FIG. 2; FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the data processing apparatus according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 CPU
2 RAM
10 Keyboard 11 CRT
12 External memory

Claims (9)

A data processing apparatus for setting print settings for data processed by a device that executes predetermined function processing via a graphical user interface including a plurality of sheet setting screens ,
First holding means for holding setting contents in group units in which print settings belonging to the sheet are registered;
Second holding means for holding the entire setting contents registered as a combination of the setting contents of the group unit held by the first holding means;
When the entire setting content is selected via the graphical user interface, print settings for the data are set based on a combination of the group-based setting content registered in the entire setting content, and the group Setting means for setting print settings for the data based on the selected group unit setting contents when the unit setting contents are selected;
A data processing apparatus comprising: The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first holding unit holds setting contents of a plurality of groups for each of a plurality of sheets of the graphical user interface . The setting means can select a standard setting for each group via the graphical user interface, and set a print setting for the print data based on the setting contents of the selected standard setting for each group. the data processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the setting unit displays at least one sheet from the setting screen of the plurality of sheets and changes setting contents belonging to the sheet . The first setting unit that holds the setting contents of the group unit in which the print settings belonging to the sheet are registered, and the entire setting that is registered as a combination of the setting contents of the group unit that are held by the first holding unit Data in a data processing apparatus for setting print settings for data to be processed by a device that executes predetermined function processing via a graphical user interface including a plurality of sheet setting screens A processing method,
When the entire setting content is selected via the graphical user interface, print settings for the data are set based on a combination of the group-based setting content registered in the entire setting content, and the group A setting step for setting a print setting for the data based on the setting content of each selected group unit when the setting content of the unit is selected;
A data processing method characterized by comprising: 6. The data processing method according to claim 5, wherein the first holding unit holds setting contents of a plurality of groups for each of a plurality of sheets of the graphical user interface . In the setting step, a standard setting can be selected for each group via the graphical user interface, and a print setting for the print data is set based on the setting contents of the selected standard setting for each group. The data processing method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by the above. 8. The data processing method according to claim 5, wherein the setting step displays at least one sheet from a setting screen of the plurality of sheets, and changes setting contents belonging to the sheet. Have read storage medium computer, wherein a program stored for executing the data processing method according to any one of claims 5-8.

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