JP4063512B2 - Print control apparatus, print control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a print control method thereof, and a program, particularly a print control apparatus suitable for executing printing from a commercially available application screen such as word processing software or spreadsheet software, and the print control method thereof, And the program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when printing from each application such as commercially available word processing software, for example, select the "File" menu in the application, then select the "Print" menu, and select the printer to print to in the print dialog. The page range and the number of copies to be printed are set, and detailed properties are set as necessary, and then printing is executed.
[0003]
In the detailed property setting dialog, a different dialog may be displayed depending on the type of the printer driver, and the user executes printing after setting properties according to needs.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the prior art, since the printer functions differ depending on the model, different dialogs are often displayed depending on the type of the printer driver, and the user is likely to be confused. If you need to make settings according to a specific job, (1) open the properties dialog as well as the print dialog, and (2) select the properties dialog tab in some cases to open the desired properties setting dialog. It is necessary to open and set (3) desired properties, and the operation is complicated.
[0005]
For this reason, if the user is not careful, printing is performed with inappropriate print properties, and paper and toner are often wasted. In some cases, printing of confidential documents failed and printing was performed again, and the leakage of confidential information occurred because the confidential documents for the failure were not immediately cut.
[0006]
In addition, when setting in the property dialog is completed and printing is to be executed next, it is necessary to first press the “OK” button in the property dialog and then press the “OK” button again in the next print dialog. There are two times.
[0007]
  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and even when printing is performed with special settings, it is necessary to reset the printer settings when performing other general printing operations later. The first object of the present invention is to provide a printing control apparatus, a printing control method therefor, and a program that can save troublesome operations and suppress failed printing.The
[0008]
  In addition, by providing a user interface including a one-touch print button that can be set according to specific business needs, a print control device capable of executing a print job that is periodically executed speedily and accurately, and a print control method thereof, And provide programsSecondObjective.
[0009]
[Means for solving the problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a print control apparatus of the present invention comprises the following arrangement.
[0010]
  That is, it is configured to be able to communicate with the printing apparatus,When printing with the original print setting value after printing with the specified print setting value, it is necessary to set the print setting value againNormal printing using print instructions from application programs,as well asWhen printing with the original print setting value after printing with the specified print setting value, there is no need to reset the print setting valueA custom print using the custom print setting by the print control program is possible, and the custom print using the custom print setting is executed in the print control apparatus capable of holding the print setting value changed by the custom print setting. Detecting means for detecting a request, current print setting storage means for storing a current print setting that is a current print setting value when the request is detected, and printing using the custom print setting when the request is detected Output means for outputting a print command to the printing apparatus, and output of the print command by the output meansofFinishFollowingAnd a print setting restoring means for restoring the changed print setting value by using the current print setting stored in the current print setting storage means.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration in the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0016]
In FIG. 1, the display device 100 and the print control device 110 are connected by a dedicated cable. The print control apparatus 110, the printer 120, and the printer 130 are connected to each other through a LAN, for example, with a 100BASE-T cable. Specifically, the print control apparatus 110 is, for example, a personal computer, and is installed with an operation system (hereinafter referred to as “OS”), a commercially available application program such as word processing software or spreadsheet software, and a print control program.
[0017]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the print control apparatus 110.
[0018]
In FIG. 3, a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, a LAN adapter 24, a video adapter 25, a keyboard 26, a mouse 27, a hard disk 28, and a CD-ROM drive 29 are connected to each other via a system bus 20. The system bus 20 means, for example, a PCI bus, an AGP bus, a memory bus, and the like.
[0019]
The CPU 21 performs various operations such as four arithmetic operations and comparison operations and hardware control based on an OS program or an application program. The RAM 22 stores OS programs, application programs, and the like read from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or CD-R mounted in the hard disk 28 or the CD-ROM drive 29, and these are under the control of the CPU 21. To be executed.
[0020]
The ROM 23 stores a so-called BIOS or the like that controls input / output to the hard disk 28 or the like in cooperation with the OS. The LAN adapter 24 communicates with the outside through a network in cooperation with an OS communication program controlled by the CPU 21. The video adapter 25 generates an image signal to be output to the display device, and the keyboard 26 and the mouse 27 are used for inputting an instruction to the information processing device.
[0021]
The hard disk 28 stores information unique to each user, such as the OS, application programs, application setting files related to environment settings of the application programs and display at startup, print control programs, printer capabilities, and print button display characters. User. An ini file, a common setting file storing print settings common to each printer, a unique setting file storing print settings specific to a specific printer, and the like are stored.
[0022]
The CD-ROM drive 29 is used for installing a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or CD-R / W and installing an application program on the hard disk 28. Needless to say, a CD-R drive, a CD-R / W drive, an MO drive, or the like may be used instead of the CD-ROM drive 29.
[0023]
Next, FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the initial processing of the print control apparatus 110. In this flowchart, steps S401 to S418 are executed under the control of the CPU 21 of the print control apparatus 110. That is, the print control program read from the hard disk 28 to the RAM 22 is executed under the control of the CPU 21.
[0024]
This initial process is executed following the application startup process when an application such as word processing software or spreadsheet software is started, and ends with a custom toolbar or custom icon being displayed or a custom menu being displayable. To do. The custom menu can only be displayed, and is actually displayed when the custom menu of FIG. 10 described later is selected.
[0025]
First, in step S401, an installed printer that exists in the currently used OS is checked.
[0026]
Next, in step S402, it is determined whether or not each printer is a model that supports the print control program. Among the determined printers, models that support the print control program are determined (YES in step S402). In step S403, the User. The printer capability data is written in the ini file, and the process proceeds to step S404. The capability of a printer refers to the presence or absence of a function such as whether it is a model that supports double-sided printing or whether it is color or monochrome. On the other hand, if all the printers are not compatible with the print control program (NO in step S402), this process ends.
[0027]
In step S404, the command bar object of the currently active application is read from the application setting file on the hard disk 28, and in step S405, it is determined whether a custom menu, custom toolbar, or custom icon exists. .
[0028]
If the custom menu, custom toolbar, or custom icon does not exist (NO in step S405), the process proceeds to step S406, and a command bar object (non-existing object) for displaying the custom menu, custom toolbar, or custom icon is created. After being added to the application setting file on the hard disk 28, the process proceeds to step S407. On the other hand, if there is a custom menu, custom toolbar, or custom icon (YES in step S405), the process immediately proceeds to step S407.
[0029]
In step S407, each control display character string is acquired in the area of the print control program in the RAM 22 from the control character file that is a part of the common setting file in the hard disk 28. In step S408, the common setting file is read from the hard disk 28 into the RAM 22. In step S409, it is determined whether or not the common setting file exists. If the common setting file does not exist (NO in step S409), the process proceeds to step S410, and the built-in button flag of the area of the print control program in the RAM 22 is determined. Is turned off, and the process proceeds to step S411.
[0030]
On the other hand, if the common setting file exists (YES in step S409), in step S410 ', the built-in button flag stored in the area of the print control program in the RAM 22 is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S411.
[0031]
In step S411, the User. The display character string of the custom print button is acquired in the RAM 22 from the ini file, and in step S412, the User. The printer capability data written in step S403 is read into the RAM 22 from the ini file.
[0032]
In step S413, it is determined whether or not the printer is capable of duplex printing based on the read printer capability data. If duplex printing is not possible (NO in step S413), the process advances to step S414, and the duplex printing button flag stored in the area of the printing control program in the RAM 22 is turned off.
[0033]
On the other hand, if duplex printing is possible (YES in step S413), the above-described duplex printing button flag is turned on in step S414 ', and the process proceeds to step S415.
[0034]
In step S 415, the unique setting file on the hard disk 28 is read into the RAM 22. In step S416, it is determined whether or not a unique setting file exists. If no unique setting file exists (NO in step S416), the process proceeds to step S417, and is stored in the area of the print control program in the RAM 22. The custom print button flag is turned off, and the process proceeds to step S418.
[0035]
On the other hand, if the unique setting file exists (YES in step S416), the custom print button flag is turned on in step S417 ', and the process proceeds to step S418.
[0036]
In step S418, a menu using a custom toolbar or custom icon is displayed based on the command bar object stored in the application setting file in the RAM 22, and the process ends. At this time, when a custom menu shown in FIG. 10 to be described later is selected from the parent menu, the custom menu may be displayed and the processing may be terminated.
[0037]
Whether to display a custom toolbar, a custom icon, or a custom menu is determined by whether or not each corresponding object exists in the command bar object.
[0038]
According to the processing of FIGS. 4 and 5, the capability of the printer connected to the print control apparatus 110 is determined, it is also determined whether there is a setting specific to the specific printer, and the determination result is stored. The built-in button (one-touch printing button common to each printer) that correctly reflects the capabilities of the printer can be displayed. It is also possible to correctly display a one-touch print button that can be used only by a specific printer.
[0039]
As a result, even when the printer cannot perform double-sided printing, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a one-touch button for double-sided printing is displayed and the button is pressed and output by single-sided printing, resulting in a result contrary to the user's intention.
[0040]
In this case, for example, when the double-sided print button flag is off, the double-sided print button may be displayed in a light color so that it is not recognized even if the user presses it. By doing so, a common user interface is displayed, and the user is not confused.
[0041]
Next, print processing of the print control apparatus 110 will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 shows the processing of the first half from when the menu or toolbar is displayed until the print attribute screen (hereinafter referred to as “dialog”) is displayed. FIG. 7 shows how the one-touch print button is pressed, The latter half of the processing until the print command is sent to the printer via the application program is shown.
[0042]
Steps S501 to S513 in FIG. 6 are executed under the control of the CPU 21 of the print control apparatus 110. That is, the print control program read from the hard disk 28 to the RAM 22 is executed under the control of the CPU 21.
[0043]
First, in step S501, a menu is displayed. This menu is displayed when the “file” menu of the application program is selected. As shown in FIG. 10, “Print with LASERSHOT (L) "Corresponds to the custom menu in the present invention. (L) Means that the same effect is obtained as when the menu is selected by pressing the Alt + L key. Thereafter, the process waits until the user selects a menu (step S502).
[0044]
Next, in step S503, it is determined whether or not a custom menu has been selected. Specifically, this determination occurs when a mouse event (an event that occurs when the mouse pointer is moved to a custom menu position and the left button is pressed) or a keyboard event (an event that occurs when the Alt + L key is pressed) occurs. It is carried out by determining whether or not.
[0045]
Next, when the custom menu is selected (YES in step S503), the process leaves the standby state in step S502 and proceeds to step S505. When a menu other than the custom menu is selected, the description in the flowchart is omitted because it is outside the scope of the present invention. Further, the processing after step S505 is also performed when a tool bar as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed (step S504).
[0046]
Next, in step S505, the current active application is determined. The active application means an application that can be input at present (the application in the window displayed in the foreground). That is, for example, when word processing software and spreadsheet software are activated, but the word processing software window is displayed in the foreground, the word processing software becomes the active application.
[0047]
In step S506, the default printer stored in the operation system OS is stored as an output destination printer in the area of the print control program in the RAM 22.
[0048]
In this case, the output destination printer may be determined based on the determination result of the active application in step S505 and the default printer data for each application stored in the common setting file.
[0049]
Then, an optimal printer corresponding to the application characteristics is selected as the output destination printer. Specifically, for example, a color printer is selected for presentation creation software, a high-resolution printer is selected for DTP software, and a high-speed monochrome laser printer is selected for word processing software.
[0050]
In step S507, a dialog as shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, or FIG. 13 is displayed based on the flag of each button stored in the print control program area of the RAM 22. As the built-in button, in addition to “2 pages / sheet”, “double-sided”, and “standard printing” in FIGS. 11 to 13, for example, a “toner saving” button for saving and printing toner is displayed. Anyway.
[0051]
In the dialog, the printer selected as the output destination is highlighted, and at least one or more built-in buttons common to each printer (the “two pages / sheet” button and the “double-sided” button in FIGS. 11 to 13). ) And a custom button specific to a specific printer (“confidential” button in FIG. 11). Needless to say, multiple custom buttons can be displayed.
[0052]
Further, as shown in the lower center portion of the screen of FIG. 12, a button for designating the number of copies to be printed or a custom button for correcting / registering at the lower right may be displayed. The custom button modification / registration button will be described in detail later. Furthermore, a detailed setting button (“detailed setting and printing” button) as shown in the lower right of the screen of FIG. 12 may be displayed.
[0053]
When this “detailed setting and printing” button is pressed, a detailed setting screen as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed, and detailed settings according to needs can be made. Further, in the dialog, as shown in the lower left part of the screen in FIG.
[0054]
Next, in step S508, it is determined whether or not various buttons have been operated / pressed after the dialog is displayed. In step S509, it is determined whether or not a list box expansion operation has been performed. If a list box expansion operation has been performed (YES in step S509), the process advances to step S510, and when a printer list as shown in the lower screen of FIG. 9 is displayed, the determination in step S508 is performed again.
[0055]
On the other hand, if the list box has not been expanded (NO in step S509), the process advances to step S511 to determine whether or not an operation for selecting a specific printer has been performed. If an operation for selecting a specific printer has been performed (YES in step S511), the process proceeds to step S512, and the display of the selected printer is reversed. In step S513, the selected printer is used as an output destination printer in the RAM 22. It is stored in the area for the print control program (step S513).
[0056]
If an operation for selecting a specific printer has not been performed (NO in step S511), the process proceeds to step S601.
[0057]
Next, print processing after the one-touch print button is pressed in the dialog will be described with reference to FIG. Steps S601 to S615 in the flowchart of FIG. 7 are executed under the control of the CPU 21 of the print control apparatus 110. That is, the print control program read from the hard disk 28 to the RAM 22 is executed under the control of the CPU 21.
[0058]
First, in step S601, it is determined whether the button is pressed again. If it is determined in step S602 that the pressed button is a standard built-in button (a button common to each printer such as “double-sided”), the process advances to step S603. On the other hand, if the pressed button is a custom button (a button unique to a specific printer), the process proceeds to step S608.
[0059]
If the pressed button is a standard built-in button, in step S603, the current printer setting is saved in the setting storage file on the RAM 22, which is a memory, and in step S604, the setting corresponding to the pressed built-in button is set. The setting of the printer is changed by reading from the common setting file.
[0060]
In step S605, it is determined whether the printer setting is successful. If successful (YES in step S605), the process proceeds to step S606, and a print command is sent to the printer via the application. On the other hand, if not successful (NO in step S605), printing is not executed, and the process immediately proceeds to step S607.
[0061]
In step S607, the printer settings are restored based on the contents of the original printer settings saved in the setting storage file of the RAM 22 as the memory, and the process ends.
[0062]
On the other hand, if the button pressed in step S602 is a registered custom button (a button unique to a specific printer), the process proceeds to step S608.
[0063]
In step S608, the output destination printer name is acquired from the dialog. Next, in step S609, User. The unique setting file name corresponding to the registered output destination printer is acquired from the ini file.
[0064]
In step S610, it is determined whether or not the unique setting file name corresponding to the output destination printer exists. If it exists (YES in step S610), the process proceeds to step S611, and if it does not exist (NO in step S610). This process is terminated.
[0065]
In step S611, the current printer settings are stored in the setting storage file of the RAM 22 which is a memory. In step S612, the setting value corresponding to the pressed custom setting button is read from the unique setting file, and the printer settings are changed accordingly.
[0066]
In step S613, it is determined whether the printer setting is successful. If successful (YES in step S613), the process advances to step S614, a print command is sent to the printer via the application, and the process advances to step S615. If unsuccessful (NO in step S613), printing is not executed, and the process immediately proceeds to step S615.
[0067]
In step S615, the printer settings are returned to the original printer settings saved in the setting storage file of the RAM 22, and the process is terminated.
[0068]
According to the processing of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, printing can be executed with one click of the built-in button or the custom button. Also, as shown in steps S603 and S607 in FIG. 7, the printer settings before printing are temporarily saved and restored after printing is completed, so even if printing is performed with special settings, When performing a simple printing operation, there is no need to reset the printer.
[0069]
Next, details of custom button registration / modification processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 15 and 16. FIG. Steps S701 to S714 in the flowchart of FIG. 8 are executed under the control of the CPU 21 of the print control apparatus 110. That is, the print control program read from the hard disk 28 to the RAM 22 is executed under the control of the CPU 21.
[0070]
First, in step S701, the printer name selected as the setting target printer in the unique setting file is read from the print control program area of the RAM 22. That is, on the screen of FIG. 12, for example, when “LBP-2260” is selected and the “custom button registration / modification” button is pressed, LBP-2260 is selected as the setting target printer.
[0071]
In step S702, the unique setting file name corresponding to the registered setting target printer is set to User. It is obtained by reading from the ini file to the RAM 22. In step S703, it is determined whether there is a registered unique setting file corresponding to the setting target printer.
[0072]
If the registered unique setting file exists (YES in step S703), the process proceeds to step S705, and the printer property sheet (custom button registration screen in FIG. 15) is opened with the settings of the specific setting file, and the process is performed. The process proceeds to step S706.
[0073]
If the registered unique setting file does not exist (NO in step S703), the process proceeds to step S704, where the printer property sheet (custom button registration screen in FIG. 15) is opened with the factory default settings, and the process proceeds to step S704. The process proceeds to S706.
[0074]
Next, in step S706, input for editing or the like is in a state of waiting for button pressing (input standby), and then in step S706 ', it is determined whether or not there is an input for editing or the pressing of the button. If there is an input for editing or the like or a button is pressed (YES in step S706 '), the process proceeds to step S707.
[0075]
In step S707, it is determined whether or not any button other than the “OK” button has been pressed. If any button other than the “OK” button is pressed (YES in step S707), the process proceeds to step S708 to perform an editing operation or the like. Accordingly, the setting storage file that is a temporary storage file in the RAM 22 is updated, and the processing from step S706 is performed again.
[0076]
On the other hand, if no button other than the “OK” button is pressed (NO in step S707), the process proceeds to step S709, and it is determined whether or not the “OK” button is pressed. If the “OK” button has not been pressed (NO in step S709), the processing from step S706 is performed again.
[0077]
On the other hand, if the “OK” button is pressed (YES in step S709), the process proceeds to step S710, and the unique setting file on the hard disk 28 is corrected or newly registered based on the setting storage file stored in the RAM 22. The process proceeds to step S711 ′.
[0078]
In step S711 ', it is determined whether there is a newly registered unique setting file. If there is a newly registered unique setting file (YES in step S711 '), the User. The unique setting file name is also written in the ini file (step S711), and the process proceeds to step S712.
[0079]
This unique setting file name acquisition method is performed, for example, as follows. First, when a unique setting file is newly registered in step S711 ', a custom button name registration screen as shown in the upper screen of FIG. 16 is displayed, and a standby state is entered. When the user inputs a new button name on the registration screen and the “OK” button is pressed, the process exits the standby state and the new button name input by the user is stored in the RAM 22.
[0080]
Thereafter, in step S713, the new button name on the RAM 22 is changed to User. Written in an ini file.
[0081]
In step S714, the written new button name is reflected in the custom button name, and the custom button name is updated by redisplaying the dialog. A custom button unique to the printer can be registered by the above processing.
[0082]
Multiple custom buttons can be registered, and custom buttons allow you to save settings for a specific printing job (for example, a weekly report printing job). This eliminates the need to set the printer one by one. In addition, as described above, the printer settings before printing are temporarily saved before printing, and are restored after printing, so even if printing is performed with special settings in a specific printing job, etc. When performing a general printing operation, it is not necessary to set the printer again.
[0083]
In addition, a print job process in a specific job may be executed in a batch process by linking with a macro of an application program. In this case, a unique setting file is registered for each print job process so that the print job process can be performed with one touch, and if necessary, the print settings can be easily changed, so that flexible operation is possible.
[0084]
This is the end of the description of the first embodiment. Although the customization of the built-in button (editing of the common setting file) has not been described, editing may be performed in the same manner as the editing of the custom button (editing of the unique setting file).
[0085]
Next, the description of the second embodiment will be made centering on differences from the first embodiment. While the first embodiment is a so-called stand-alone type, the second embodiment is a so-called ASP (Application Service Provider) type as shown in FIG.
[0086]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration in the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0087]
In FIG. 2, an ASP server 220, a client terminal 210, a printer 230, and a printer 235 are connected via a communication line such as the Internet or an intranet. Typically, the ASP server 220 and the client terminal 210 are connected via the Internet 200, and the client terminal 210, the printer 230, and the printer 235 are connected via an intranet.
[0088]
The ASP server 220 includes a display information generation unit 221, an application determination unit 222, a printer determination unit 223, a print instruction unit 224, a common setting file 226, a unique setting file 227, and an application 228, and the application is the ASP server 220. The data generated by the application and stored in the hard disk (not shown) of the ASP server is also stored.
[0089]
In this case, the client terminal 210 receives the display information transmitted from the ASP server 220, displays it on the screen, performs an input operation based on the display information, and transmits the input operation and button press operation to the application server. Is done. The ASP server 220 executes processing based on the input operation and button pressing information transmitted from the client terminal 210.
[0090]
Further, the hardware configuration of the ASP server 220 is basically the same as the hardware configuration of the print control apparatus 110 in FIG. 3, but an input chip such as a chip for connecting between buses, a keyboard interface, so-called SCSI or ATAPI. It differs in having an output interface.
[0091]
Further, the initial processing of the ASP server 220 according to the second embodiment is basically the same as the initial processing of the print control apparatus 110 of FIGS. 4 and 5, but the processing of steps S401 to S418 is excluding step S418. The process is executed under the control of a CPU (not shown) of the ASP server 220, and step S418 is different in that a screen is displayed on the client terminal 210 based on display information transmitted from the ASP server 220.
[0092]
Furthermore, the printing process of the ASP server 220 according to the second embodiment is basically the same as the printing process of the print control apparatus 110 of FIGS. 6 and 7, but the processes of steps S501 to S513 of FIG. Except for S501, S510, and S512, the process is executed under the control of a CPU (not shown) of the ASP server 220. The steps S501, S510, and S512 are performed based on the display information transmitted from the ASP server 220. The screen is displayed in 210, and whether or not the custom menu has been selected in step S503 and the button operation / pressing determination in step S508 are performed on the ASP server 220 side based on the operation information transmitted from the client terminal 210. Is different. Further, the processes in steps S601 to S615 in FIG. 7 are all executed under the control of a CPU (not shown) of the ASP server 220, and the button press determination in step S601 is based on the operation information transmitted from the client terminal 210. This is also different in that it is performed on the ASP server 220 side.
[0093]
In the second embodiment, all users can refer to the same unique setting file. At this time, as the unique setting file 227, a unique setting file common to all users and a unique setting file for each user may be used properly. If a custom button is registered in a unique setting file common to all users, printing for a specific job can be performed with the same print settings by anyone who presses the custom button.
[0094]
In addition, a folder having a name including the user ID is created in the unique setting file 227, and User. By storing the folder name in the ini file name, a unique setting file for each user can be created.
[0095]
Next, the processing of steps S701 to S714 in FIG. 8 is executed under the control of a CPU (not shown) of the ASP server 220 except for steps S704, S705, and S714. Steps S704, S705, and S714 differ in that the screen is displayed on the client terminal 210 based on the display information transmitted from the ASP server 220. Further, the button pressing determination in step S706 is different in that it is performed on the ASP server 220 side based on the operation information transmitted from the client terminal 210.
[0096]
An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or CPU) of the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.
[0097]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. 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 running on the computer performs actual processing based on an instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing is also included.
[0098]
Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to the storage medium provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU of the function expansion card 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.
[0099]
Another object of the present invention is to distribute software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments via a network, so that storage means such as a hard disk or memory of a system or apparatus, CD-RW or CD Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stored in a storage medium such as -R reading and executing the program code stored in the storage means or the storage medium. Yes.
[0100]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the present invention, the printer settings before printing are temporarily saved, and the output of the custom print command is completed.FollowingEven if printing is performed with special settings, there is no need to set up the printer again when performing other general printing operations later, saving the trouble of operation and printing failed. It is possible to provide a print control apparatus, a control method for the print control apparatus, and a print control program that can be suppressed.
[0102]
Further, by providing a user interface including a one-touch print button that can be set according to specific business needs, it is possible to perform a printing job that is periodically executed speedily and accurately. Furthermore, even for a printing job that requires special settings, there is no need to restore the printer settings again after the job is executed, and the number of operations can be greatly reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration in a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration in a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the print control apparatus 110. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an initial process of the print control apparatus 110.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing initial processing of the print control apparatus 110;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print processing of the print control apparatus 110.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating print processing of the print control apparatus 110.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing registration / correction processing of a custom button.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display screen of a toolbar.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen for a menu including a custom menu.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog display screen.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog display screen.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog display screen.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a detailed setting screen.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a custom button registration screen.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a custom button name registration screen;
[Explanation of symbols]
20 System bus
21 CPU
22 RAM
23 ROM
24 LAN adapter
25 Video adapter
26 keyboard
27 mouse
28 hard disk
29 CD-ROM drive
100 Display device
110 Print control device
120 printer
130 Printer
200 communication line
210 Client terminal
220 ASP server
230 Display information generator
240 Application Identification Unit
250 Printer discriminator
260 Print instruction section
226 Common setting file
227 Specific setting file
228 application
230 Printer
235 printer

Claims (24)

Normal using a print instruction from an application program that is configured to be able to communicate with the printing device and needs to be set again when printing is performed with the original print setting value after printing with a predetermined print setting value printing, and it is capable of custom printing using a custom print setting by unnecessary printing control program to reset again print setting value when printing operations with the original print setting values after printing a predetermined print setting values In the print control apparatus that holds the print setting value changed by the custom print setting,
Detecting means for detecting a request to execute custom printing using the custom print setting;
A current print setting storage means for storing a current print setting which is a current print setting value upon detection of the request;
Output means for outputting a print command to the printing apparatus to execute printing using the custom print setting upon detection of the request;
A print setting restoring means for restoring the changed print setting value using the current print setting stored by the current print setting storage means following the end of the output of the print command by the output means; A printing control device. The print control device is capable of communicating with an image display device;
Display information generating means for generating display information for causing the image display device to display a print control screen including a custom print instruction object and a registration correction instruction object of the print control program;
The print control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a registration correction unit configured to perform registration correction of the setting contents of the custom print setting when the registration correction instruction object is selected. Display means for selectively displaying a print instruction object of the application program;
Display update means for updating the display content of the display means and displaying the custom print instruction object of the print control program in a selectable manner;
The print control according to claim 2, further comprising: instruction information generation means for generating execution instruction information corresponding to the selection when the custom print instruction object updated and displayed by the display update means is selected. apparatus. Printing device determination means for determining the capability of the printing device;
Setting means for setting a print output destination printing apparatus;
The display information generation means displays display information for displaying or hiding the custom print instruction object on the print control screen of the print control program in accordance with the determination result of the capability of the printing apparatus of the print output destination. The print control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print control apparatus generates the print data. Normal using a print instruction from an application program that is configured to be able to communicate with the printing device and needs to be set again when printing is performed with the original print setting value after printing with a predetermined print setting value printing, and it is capable of custom printing using a custom print setting by unnecessary printing control program to reset again print setting value when printing operations with the original print setting values after printing a predetermined print setting values In the print control method of the print control apparatus in which the print setting value changed by the custom print setting is held,
A detection step of detecting a request to execute custom printing using the custom print setting;
A current print setting storage step for storing a current print setting which is a current print setting value upon detection of the request;
An output step of outputting a print command to the printing apparatus to execute printing using the custom print setting when the request is detected;
A print setting restoration step for restoring the changed print setting value using the current print setting stored in the current print setting storage step following the end of the output of the print command in the output step. A printing control method. The print control device is capable of communicating with an image display device;
A display information generating step for generating display information for causing the image display device to display a print control screen including a custom print instruction object and a registration correction instruction object of a print control program;
The print control method according to claim 5, further comprising a registration correction step of performing registration correction of the setting contents of the custom print setting when the registration correction instruction object is selected. A display step of displaying the print instruction object of the application program in a selectable manner;
A display update step of updating the display content in the display step and displaying the custom print instruction object of the print control program in a selectable manner;
The print control according to claim 6, further comprising: an instruction information generation step that generates execution instruction information corresponding to the selection when the custom print instruction object that has been displayed and updated in the display update step is selected. Method. A printing device determination step of determining the capability of the printing device;
A setting step for setting a printing apparatus as a print output destination;
Display information for displaying or hiding the custom print instruction object in the print control screen of the print control program in accordance with the determination result of the capability of the printing apparatus of the print output destination in the display information generation step The print control method according to claim 6, wherein the print control method is generated. Normal using a print instruction from an application program that is configured to be able to communicate with the printing device and needs to be set again when printing is performed with the original print setting value after printing with a predetermined print setting value printing, and it is capable of custom printing using a custom print setting by unnecessary printing control program to reset again print setting value when printing operations with the original print setting values after printing a predetermined print setting values In a program for causing a computer to execute a print control method of a print control apparatus in which a print setting value changed by the custom print setting is held, the print control method includes:
A detection step of detecting a request to execute custom printing using the custom print setting;
A current print setting storage step for storing a current print setting which is a current print setting value upon detection of the request;
An output step of outputting a print command to the printing apparatus to execute printing using the custom print setting when the request is detected;
A print setting restoration step for restoring the changed print setting value using the current print setting stored in the current print setting storage step following the end of the output of the print command in the output step. A featured program. The print control device is capable of communicating with an image display device;
The printing control method includes:
A display information generating step for generating display information for causing the image display device to display a print control screen including a custom print instruction object and a registration correction instruction object of a print control program;
The program according to claim 9, further comprising a registration correction step for performing registration correction of the setting contents of the custom print setting when the registration correction instruction object is selected. The printing control method includes:
A display step of displaying the print instruction object of the print instruction object of the application program in a selectable manner;
A display update step of updating the display content in the display step and displaying the custom print instruction object of the print control program in a selectable manner;
The program according to claim 10, further comprising: an instruction information generation step that generates execution instruction information corresponding to the selection when the custom print instruction object that has been updated in the display update step is selected. The printing control method includes:
A printing device determination step of determining the capability of the printing device;
A setting step for setting a printing apparatus as a print output destination;
Display information for displaying or hiding the custom print instruction object in the print control screen of the print control program in accordance with the determination result of the capability of the printing apparatus of the print output destination in the display information generation step 12. The program according to claim 10, wherein the program is generated. A print instruction from an application program that is configured to be communicable with a printing device and a terminal device and needs to be set again when printing is performed with the original print setting value after printing with a predetermined print setting value. normal printing, and custom printing using a custom print setting by unnecessary printing control program to reset again print setting value when printing operations with the original print setting values after printing a predetermined print setting values used In a print control apparatus capable of holding a print setting value changed by the custom print setting,
Terminal request detection means for detecting from the terminal device a request to execute custom printing using the custom print settings;
A current print setting storage means for storing a current print setting which is a current print setting value upon detection of the terminal request;
An output means for outputting a print command to the printing apparatus to execute printing using the custom print setting upon detection of the terminal request;
A print setting restoring means for restoring the changed print setting value using the current print setting stored by the current print setting storage means following the end of the output of the print command by the output means; A printing control device. The terminal device is capable of communicating with an image display device;
Display information generating means for generating display information for causing the image display device to display a print control screen including a custom print instruction object and a registration correction instruction object of the print control program;
Registration correction means for performing registration correction of the setting contents of the custom print setting when a registration correction instruction object displayed on the image display device based on the display information is selected using operation information received from the terminal device; The print control apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: Display means for selectively displaying a print instruction object of the application program on the image display device;
Display update means for updating the display content of the display means using the operation information received from the terminal device and displaying the custom print instruction object of the print control program in a selectable manner;
15. The print control according to claim 14, further comprising instruction information generation means for generating execution instruction information corresponding to the selection when a custom print instruction object whose display is updated by the display update means is selected. apparatus. Printing device determination means for determining the capability of the printing device;
Setting means for setting a print output destination printing apparatus;
The display information generation means displays a display for displaying or hiding the custom print instruction object on the print control screen of the print control program in accordance with the determination result of the capability of the printing apparatus of the print output destination. 16. The print control apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the print control apparatus generates information. A print instruction from an application program that is configured to be communicable with a printing device and a terminal device and needs to be set again when printing is performed with the original print setting value after printing with a predetermined print setting value. normal printing, and custom printing using a custom print setting by unnecessary printing control program to reset again print setting value when printing operations with the original print setting values after printing a predetermined print setting values used In a control method of a print control apparatus capable of holding a print setting value changed by the custom print setting,
A terminal request detection step of detecting from the terminal device a request to execute custom printing using the custom print setting;
A current print setting storage step for storing a current print setting which is a current print setting value upon detection of the terminal request;
An output step of outputting a print command to the printing apparatus to execute printing using the custom print setting upon detection of the terminal request;
A print setting restoration step for restoring the changed print setting value using the current print setting stored in the current print setting storage step following the end of the output of the print command in the output step. Characteristic control method. The terminal device is capable of communicating with an image display device;
A display information generating step for generating display information for causing the image display device to display a print control screen including a custom print instruction object and a registration correction instruction object of the print control program;
A registration correction step for performing registration correction of the setting contents of the custom print setting when a registration correction instruction object displayed on the image display device based on the display information is selected using the operation information received from the terminal device; The print control method according to claim 17, further comprising: A display step for selectively displaying a print instruction object of the application program on the image display device;
A display update step of updating the display content in the display step using the operation information received from the terminal device and displaying the custom print instruction object of the print control program in a selectable manner;
19. The print control according to claim 18, further comprising: an instruction information generation step of generating execution instruction information corresponding to the selection when the custom print instruction object that has been displayed and updated in the display update step is selected. Method. A printing device determination step of determining the capability of the printing device;
A setting step for setting a printing apparatus as a print output destination;
In the display information generation step, a display for displaying or hiding the custom print instruction object on the print control screen of the print control program in accordance with the determination result of the capability of the printing apparatus of the print output destination 20. The print control method according to claim 18, wherein the information is generated. A print instruction from an application program that is configured to be communicable with a printing device and a terminal device and needs to be set again when printing is performed with the original print setting value after printing with a predetermined print setting value. normal printing, and custom printing using a custom print setting by unnecessary printing control program to reset again print setting value when printing operations with the original print setting values after printing a predetermined print setting values used In a program that allows a computer to execute a print control method of a print control apparatus capable of holding a print setting value changed by the custom print setting, the print control method includes:
A terminal request detection step of detecting from the terminal device a request to execute custom printing using the custom print setting;
A current print setting storage step for storing a current print setting which is a current print setting value upon detection of the terminal request;
An output step of outputting a print command to the printing apparatus to execute printing using the custom print setting upon detection of the terminal request;
A print setting restoration step for restoring the changed print setting value using the current print setting stored in the current print setting storage step following the end of the output of the print command in the output step. A featured program. The terminal device is capable of communicating with an image display device;
The printing control method includes:
A display information generating step for generating display information for causing the image display device to display a print control screen including a custom print instruction object and a registration correction instruction object of the print control program;
A registration correction step for performing registration correction of the setting contents of the custom print setting when a registration correction instruction object displayed on the image display device based on the display information is selected using the operation information received from the terminal device; The program according to claim 21, further comprising: The printing control method includes:
A display step for selectively displaying a print instruction object of the application program on the image display device;
A display update step of updating the display content in the display step using the operation information received from the terminal device and displaying the custom print instruction object of the print control program in a selectable manner;
23. The program according to claim 22, further comprising: an instruction information generation step of generating execution instruction information corresponding to the selection when the custom print instruction object that has been displayed and updated in the display update step is selected. The printing control method includes:
A printing device determination step of determining the capability of the printing device;
A setting step for setting a printing apparatus as a print output destination;
In the display information generation step, a display for displaying or hiding the custom print instruction object on the print control screen of the print control program in accordance with the determination result of the capability of the printing apparatus of the print output destination 24. The program according to claim 22 or 23, wherein information is generated.

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