JP4232507B2 - Printing system and printing program - Google Patents

Description

【００３６】
そして、印刷条件選択手段１２は、このような印刷用途対応テーブル１４と、上記ＵＩ提供手段１０でユーザが選択した印刷条件とを相互に照らし合わせて印刷用途に対応する具体的な印刷条件を瞬時に選択する機能を提供するようになっている。
例えば、上記表１の印刷用途対応テーブル１４を用いて一例を挙げると、ユーザがユーザインターフェース上で、印刷用途として「メモレベル用」を選択すると、それに対応する印刷条件として、用紙の種類：再生紙、用紙サイズ：Ａ４、文字印刷解像度：１５０dpi、画像印刷解像度：１５０dpi、印刷色：黒、印刷面：両面、印刷方向：縦、分割数：１等といった細かい印刷条件が瞬時に決定され、また、印刷用途として「写真用」を選択すると、それに対応する印刷条件として、用紙の種類：光沢紙、用紙サイズ：Ａ４、文字印刷解像度：２４００dpi、画像印刷解像度：２４００dpi、印刷色：カラー、印刷面：片面、印刷方向：横、分割数：１等といった印刷条件が同様に瞬時に決定されるようになっている。
【００３７】
次に、テーブル書換手段１６は、上記印刷条件選択手段１２で選択された印刷条件の内容の一部をユーザが変えたとき、その変更後の内容を上記印刷用途対応テーブル１４に書き換える機能を提供するようになっている。
例えば、表１の印刷用途対応テーブル１４を用いて一例を挙げると、印刷条件として「メモレベル用」を選択すると、その選択と同時に各種印刷条件が細かく決定されることになるが、図２等に示すように、その印刷前にユーザインターフェースを利用してその詳細設定の一部、例えば印刷面としてデフォルト状態（標準状態）で「両面」であったものを「片面」に変えた場合には、テーブル書換手段１６がその「印刷面」に関する部分のみを書き換えることになり、その後に同じ印刷条件が選択されたときには、次回以降は変更後の新たな印刷条件が自動的に選択されることになる。
【００３８】
印刷モード変更手段２４は、印刷用途の選択に伴って機械的に決定される印刷条件（印刷モード）を、さらに所定の条件に従って適宜変更するものであり、具体的には、印刷用途の選択に伴って機械的に決定される通常の印刷モードの他に、その通常の印刷モードよりも省コストの印刷モード（低解像度印刷モード）と高品質の印刷モード（高解像度印刷モード）の２つの印刷モードを所定の条件に従って変更する機能を提供するようになっている。
【００３９】
ここで、その印刷モードを変更する所定の条件としては、本実施の形態では、印刷用途選択回数、印刷内容、文字フォントの大きさや種類（文字スタイル、文字飾り）といった３つの条件が挙げられ、それらの具体例は、後にフローチャート図を用いて詳細に説明するが、文字フォントの大きさや種類によって印刷モードを変更する場合、そのフォントの解析は図１に示すようにフォント解析手段２２によって、また、印刷用途選択回数及び印刷内容によって印刷モードを変更する場合は、印刷用途選択回数のカウントや印刷内容の解析は印刷モード変更手段２４自身によってそれぞれ行われるようになっている。
【００４０】
印刷データ作成手段１８及び印刷データ転送手段２０は、印刷条件選択手段１２で選択された印刷条件や、印刷モード変更手段２４で変更された後の印刷条件を付加した印刷データを作成して上記プリンタ２００に転送する機能を提供するようになっている。
次に、このような構造をした本発明の印刷設定提案システムの処理の流れ及び作用・効果を図５〜図８のフローチャートを参照しながら説明する。
【００４１】
先ず、図５のフローは、本発明システムの基本的な流れを示したものである。
図示するように、本発明システムは、先ず、印刷指示端末１００のアプリケーションやＯＳから印刷要求があるか否かを常時監視（ステップＳ１００）し、印刷要求があったと判断したとき（ＹＥＳ）は、ＵＩ提供手段１０がユーザに対してその印刷指示端末１００のモニター上等に所定のユーザインターフェースを提示する。
【００４２】
このユーザインターフェースとしては、上述したように少なくとも２つ以上の印刷用途が任意に選択可能なものであれば特に限定されるものではないが、図２の例では、「社内会議用」、「社外会議用」、「チーム会議用」、「メモレベル用」、「商品企画書用」、「写真用」の６種類に加えて「新規作成用」の印刷用途が任意に選択可能となっている。尚、この印刷用途選択用のユーザインターフェースには、さらに、図示するように詳細な印刷設定が行える詳細設定用のユーザインターフェースが選択自在に付加されている。
【００４３】
次に、図５のステップＳ１０４に示すように、このようなユーザインターフェースを提示したならば、そのユーザインターフェースを用いてユーザが任意のいずれか印刷用途を選択したかどうかを監視し、選択があったと判断した（ＹＥＳ）ならば、印刷条件選択手段１２が印刷用途対応テーブル１４を参照して（ステップＳ１０８）その印刷用途に対応する印刷条件を選択する。
【００４４】
そして、このようにして印刷条件が選択されたならば、次のステップＳ１１０においてＵＩ提供手段１０が再び、このその印刷用途に対応する印刷条件を表示したユーザインターフェースを提示してユーザに対してその印刷条件で印刷を実行しても良いかの同意を求め（ステップＳ１１２）、この結果、ユーザの同意が得られたならば、印刷データ作成手段１８及び印刷データ転送手段２０が、その印刷データに選択された印刷条件を付加した印刷データを作成してプリンタ２００に転送することになる（ステップＳ１１４、Ｓ１１６）。
【００４５】
一方、ステップＳ１１２で同意が得られなかった場合（ＮＯ）は、ステップＳ１１８に移行して、詳細設定用のユーザインターフェースを提示し、そのユーザインターフェースを用いて設定変更があったならば、テーブル書換手段１６がその変更後の印刷条件を印刷用途対応テーブル１４の該当欄に書き換え（ステップＳ１１２）、その後、この変更後の印刷条件を印刷データに付加してプリンタ２００に転送することになる（ステップＳ１１４、Ｓ１１６）。
【００４６】
図２の例では、先ず、印刷用途として「チーム会議用」が選択され（▲１▼選択）、それに対応する詳細な印刷条件が提示される（▲２▼提示）。そして、このユーザがこの印刷条件に同意するときは、「印刷」をクリックするなどして印刷を指示し（▲３▼印刷）、印刷が正常に終了すると、その旨の表示がなされて印刷が正常に終了したことをユーザが認識することができる。
【００４７】
反対に、この印刷条件の提示段階でユーザがその印刷条件に同意しない場合、例えば図示するように印刷品質をもう少し上げたい場合には、「詳細設定」をクリックする等して詳細設定用のインタフェースを表示させ（▲４▼詳細設定）、印刷品質の解像度をデフォルトの状態である３００ｄｐｉよりも高く（例えば６００ｄｐｉ）した後、再び同意を求め（▲５▼印刷確認）、同意が得られた後に印刷を実行することで所望の品質の印刷物を得ることができる。
【００４８】
一方、図３及び図４は、ユーザインターフェースに表示する新たな印刷用途を新規に作成する例を示したものである。
すなわち、ユーザインターフェースに表示された印刷用途以外の印刷用途、例えば、図３に示すように、「特許明細書確認用」の印刷用途を新たに作成する場合は、先ず、「新規作成」の項目を選択（クリック）して（▲１▼選択）、新規印刷用途名入力用の画面を表示させ、その表示欄に「明細書確認用」という名称の印刷用途名を入力し（▲２▼印刷用途名入力）、詳細設定画面を表示させる（▲３▼印刷設定（詳細設定））。
【００４９】
次に、この詳細設定画面を用いてその「明細書確認用」に対応する詳細な印刷用途を入力してから、「設定」項目をクリックすれば、「明細書確認用」及びその「明細書確認用」に対応する詳細な印刷用途が、印刷用途対応テーブル１４に追加させると共に、図４に示すように印刷用途を選択する画面に「明細書確認用」の項目が追加されることになる（▲４▼「明細書確認用」が追加）。
【００５０】
従って、次回以降「明細書確認用」の印刷を実行したい場合には、ユーザインターフェースに新たに表示された「明細書確認用」を選択するだけで、詳細な印刷条件が瞬時に決定されるため、ユーザはその印刷条件に同意しない場合以外は、再度、詳細な印刷用途を選択・入力する手間が省け、「明細書確認用」印刷に適した印刷を実行することができる。
【００５１】
次に、図６のフローは上述した基本的な流れに加え、印刷モードの変更機能を加えた実施の形態を示したものである。
すなわち、図示するように、ステップＳ１００の「印刷要求の監視」からステップＳ１０８の「印刷条件の取得」までの流れは、上記と同じであるが、本実施の形態では、ステップＳ１０８の「印刷条件の取得」が行われた後に、さらにその印刷条件の正規選択回数、つまり印刷条件を変更しない場合での選択回数をカウントする（ステップＳ２００）。
【００５２】
そして、次のステップＳ２０２において、この印刷条件の選択回数のカウント数が所定回数、例えば３回に達したか否かが判断され、達していない（ＮＯ）と判断されたならば、図５のステップＳ１１０、Ｓ１１２、Ｓ１１８、Ｓ１２０、Ｓ１２２、Ｓ１１４と同様なステップを経て通常の印刷が行われるが、このステップＳ２０２において選択回数が所定回数に達した（ＹＥＳ）と判断されたときは、次のステップＳ２０４に移行して省コスト印刷モードが選択される。
【００５３】
すなわち、本システムが提案する印刷条件に対してユーザがそのまま無条件に何度も同意した場合は、本システムが提案する印刷条件（特に解像度の行程によるを印刷品質）が、ユーザが期待する品質以上である可能で高く、ユーザが満足する印刷品質よりも過剰な印刷品質を提案し、結果的に高コストな印刷を提案していると考えることができる。
【００５４】
そのため、本実施の形態では、このように印刷条件の選択回数をカウントし、そのカウント数が所定回数に達したときに、例えば、印刷品質を３００ｄｐｉから２７０ｄｐｉまで約１０％程度自動的に落としたり、印刷用紙が普通紙からさらに安価な再生紙に選択されるような省コスト印刷モードに自動的に切り替わることで、プリンタで消費されるインクやトナー等の消耗品の消費量が抑えられ、経済性に優れた印刷を実行することができる。
【００５５】
そして、このようにステップＳ２０４において省コスト印刷モードが選択されたなら、次のステップＳ２０６に移行して省コスト印刷モードが選択された旨のＵＩをユーザに対して提示し、その結果、次のステップＳ２０８で同意が得られない場合（ＮＯ）は当初の印刷条件で印刷が実行されるが、同意が得られた場合（ＹＥＳ）は、次のステップＳ２１０に移行して省コスト印刷モード用のデータが作成された後、これが印刷データ付加されてからプリンタに転送されて（ステップＳ２１４）省コスト印刷モードで印刷が実行されることになる。
【００５６】
次に、図７及び図８のフローは、同じく印刷モードの変更機能を加えた他の実施の形態を示したものである。
先ず、図７の実施の形態は、図６の実施の形態と同様に、ステップＳ１００の「印刷要求の監視」からステップＳ１０８の「印刷条件の取得」までの流れは、上記と同じであるが、本実施の形態では、ステップＳ１０８の「印刷条件の取得」が行われた後に、さらにその印刷内容の解析を行い（ステップＳ３００）、その印刷内容が前回の印刷内容と比較した結果に応じて図５に示したような通常の印刷モードか、又は図６に示したような省コスト印刷モードで印刷が行われるかを判断するようにしたものである。
【００５７】
すなわち、次のステップＳ３０２においてその印刷内容が前回の印刷内容と比べて差分が小さい（数文字程度の違いで全体として殆ど変わらない）場合、あるいは、印刷間隔が短い場合は、そのユーザは、試し刷りの多いユーザ、または印刷内容に頻繁に誤字脱字があったり、繰り返し印刷を行うことで最終的なデザインや構図などを決定するような癖を有するユーザであると考えることができる。このようなユーザの場合、例えば高解像度の写真印刷を実行する場合に、試し刷りの段階で常に高解像度な印刷を提案したのでは、大量の消耗品が消費されてしまい、印刷コストが高くなってしまう。従って、このように印刷内容が前回の印刷内容と比べて差分が小さい場合や印刷間隔が短い場合はそのユーザは、試し刷りや失敗印刷が多いユーザである、とみなして消耗品の消費量がより少ない印刷モードを提案するようにしたものである。
【００５８】
従って、同図に示すように、ステップＳ３０２において差分や印刷間隔等が小さくない（ＮＯ）と判断した場合は、図５のステップＳ１１０、Ｓ１１２、Ｓ１１８、Ｓ１２０、Ｓ１２２、Ｓ１１４と同様なステップを経て通常の印刷が行われるが、このステップＳ３０２において差分や印刷間隔等が小さい（ＹＥＳ）と判断されたときは、次のステップＳ２０４に移行して省コスト印刷モードが選択され、以後、図６に示したようなステップ２０４〜Ｓ２１４を経て、ユーザの同意が得られることを条件に同様な省コスト印刷モードによる印刷が行われることになる。
【００５９】
尚、ここで前回の印刷に対する差分や印刷間隔に応じて省コスト印刷モードを行うか否かの判断は、ユーザの違いによってあるいは各印刷内容の種類等によって大きく異なるため、特に限定するものではないが、例えば、以下の表２に示すように、過去の印刷のドキュメント名、印刷時刻、ドキュメント内容差分、印刷時刻差分などをログ情報として記録しておき、それらを照らし合わせことで前回の印刷とほぼ同じ印刷であるかどうかをかなり正確に把握することができる。例えば、以下の表２では、印刷番号１と２の文書と、及び印刷番号３と４の文書はそれぞれドキュメント名が同じであるから同じ内容の文書であると判断することができ、実際にその内容も殆ど変わらないことがドキュメント内容差分の項目から容易に判断できる。また、印刷番号４と５の文書は、それぞれのドキュメント名（ＢＢＢ．ｒｔｆ）、（ＢＢＢ２．ｒｔｆ）が近く、また、実際にその内容も１０文字しか変わらないことから、同じ文書であると判断しても良い。
【００６０】
従って、表２のケースでは、印刷番号５の印刷は試し刷りであると判断しても良く、この印刷は優先的に省コスト印刷モードによる印刷が行われることと思われる。
【００６１】
【表２】

【００６２】
一方、図８の実施の形態は、図６及び図７の実施の形態と同様に、ステップＳ１００からステップＳ１０８までの流れは、上記と同じであるが、本実施の形態では、ステップＳ１０８の処理の後に、さらにその文字フォントの解析を行い（ステップＳ４００）、その文字フォントのサイズを解析した結果に応じて通常の印刷モードか、又は上述したような省コスト印刷モードで印刷が行われるかを判断するようにしたものである。
【００６３】
すなわち、次のステップＳ４０２において印刷すべき文字サイズが所定のサイズよりも大きい場合は、当初提案した印刷品質よりも低くても何らその認識に影響を与えないと考えることができる。このようなケースでその印刷を当初提案通りの品質で実行すると過剰印刷となってしまい、消耗品を浪費してしまうことになる。従って、このように印刷すべき文字サイズが所定のサイズよりも大きい場合は通常提案される印刷条件は過剰品質である、とみなして消耗品の消費量がより少ない印刷モードを提案するようにしたものである。
【００６４】
このため、同図に示すように、ステップＳ４０２において文字サイズが所定のサイズよりも大きくない（ＮＯ）と判断された場合は、図５のステップＳ１１０、Ｓ１１２、Ｓ１１８、Ｓ１２０、Ｓ１２２、Ｓ１１４と同様なステップを経て通常の印刷が行われるが、このステップＳ４０２においてその文字サイズが所定のサイズよりも大きい（ＹＥＳ）と判断されたときは、次のステップＳ２０４に移行して省コスト印刷モードが選択され、以後、図６及び図７に示したようなステップ２０４〜Ｓ２１４を経て、ユーザの同意が得られることを条件に同様な省コスト印刷モードによる印刷が行われることになる。
【００６５】
また、文字の認識のしやすさは、文字サイズのみならず、文字の書体（フォント）にも大きく影響される。すなわち、ゴシック体や明朝体は通常認識しやすいが、行書体やペン字体等の場合は、ゴシック体や明朝体と同じ文字サイズであっても通常認識し難い。
従って、このようなケースでは印刷条件を選択した後、文字フォントを解析し、認識し難い文字フォントが含まれている印刷物であると判断したときには、通常提案される印刷条件よりもより高品質の印刷条件が自動的に選択されるようにすれば、ユーザ等がより見やすい印刷物を的確に提供することができる。
【００６６】
例えば、以下の表３に示すように、フォントサイズが１２Ｐ以下のゴシック体で、文字スタイルが斜体であれば、出力解像度は６００ｄｐｉでも十分に認識することができるが、同じくフォントサイズが１２Ｐ以下の行書体で、文字スタイルが斜体の場合は、少なくとも８００ｄｐｉ以上の解像度がないと正しく認識し難いといった傾向がある。
【００６７】
【表３】

【００６８】
また、上述したフォント解析手段２２に、画像（解像度）解析機能も付与すれば、文字は高解像度で印刷し、画像だけドラフト印刷したり、又はその逆の印刷を行うことができる。すなわち、画像に関しては、その画像解像度に適した解像度で印刷を行うことが好ましく、例えば、以下の表４に示すように、画像解像度が３０pixel/inch以下の場合は１００ｄｐｉ程度の低い解像度でも良いが、画像解像度が３０pixel/inchを越えるようなケースでは、１２００ｄｐｉ程度の高解像度で出力するようにすれば、画像本来の画質を著しく損なったり、過剰な高画質印刷が行われることがなくなり、常に最適な品質の印刷を実行することができる。
【００６９】
【表４】

【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】印刷設定提案システムの実施の一形態を示すブロック図である。
【図２】ユーザインターフェースの一例を示す詳細図である。
【図３】ユーザインターフェースの一例を示す詳細図である。
【図４】ユーザインターフェースの一例を示す詳細図である。
【図５】本システムの基本的な流れを示すフローチャート図である。
【図６】省コスト印刷モードが選択可能な流れを示すフローチャート図である。
【図７】省コスト印刷モードが選択可能な流れを示すフローチャート図である。
【図８】省コスト印刷モードが選択可能な流れを示すフローチャート図である。
【符号の説明】
１０…ＵＩ提供手段、１２…印刷条件選択手段、１４…印刷用途対応テーブル、１６…テーブル書換手段、１８…印刷データ作成手段、２０…印刷データ転送手段、２２…フォント解析手段、２４…印刷モード変更手段、１００…印刷指示端末、２００…プリンタ。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing system and a printing program for automatically proposing optimum printing conditions for a printing application arbitrarily selected by a user.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, high-resolution printers have been developed one after another, and even general users can easily perform high-quality printing such as photo printing.
However, the actual printing is not limited to high-resolution printing, but many memo-level printing is sufficient even at low resolution. If such printing is performed with the high-resolution setting, it is wasteful. In addition, the time required for printing becomes longer.
[0003]
For this reason, many conventional printers are provided with a user interface capable of finely setting printing conditions, and the user himself / herself uses the user interface to select printing conditions for each printing, thereby performing optimum printing. It is supposed to be.
Conventionally, as shown in the following Patent Documents 1 and 2, etc., a printing apparatus and a printing method capable of executing a printing operation that saves printing agent consumption while maintaining the actual printing condition, and speeding up printing are achieved. At the same time, a printing control device that can save consumables such as ink has been proposed.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-179966 [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-289307
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the user interface of a conventional printer generally has many items for the user to select and input printing conditions, and it is troublesome to set them in detail, and each printing condition input (selection) mistake tends to occur. There is a problem.
[0006]
On the other hand, in the above-described prior art, consumables are saved by changing the print quality according to the remaining amount of ink or performing outline printing such as contour printing of an image. Does not perform quality printing.
Therefore, the present invention has been devised in order to effectively solve such a problem, and the purpose thereof is to automatically select the optimum print quality for the application only by the user specifying the application. The present invention provides a novel printing system and printing program that can be used.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[Invention 1]
In order to solve the above problem, the printing system of the invention 1 includes:
A printing system comprising a printer capable of various printing and a print instruction terminal for executing printing with the printer ,
The print instruction terminal
UI providing means for providing a user interface that allows the user to arbitrarily select at least two or more types of printing applications;
A printing application correspondence table in which detailed printing conditions are stored in advance for each printing application;
A printing condition selection means for selecting a printing condition corresponding to a printing application arbitrarily selected by the user from the printing application correspondence table;
It is characterized by comprising print data creation / transfer means for creating print data to which the print condition selected by the print condition selection means is added and transferring it to the printer.
[0008]
As a result, the user who wants to perform printing simply selects the desired printing application, and the optimum print quality for that application is automatically selected, so that the printer can print with a quality suitable for that application. Automatically executed.
That is, when a user who wants to execute printing arbitrarily selects a target printing application from the user interface provided by the UI providing unit, the printing condition selecting unit performs printing in which detailed printing conditions are stored in advance. The printing conditions corresponding to the selected printing application are automatically selected from the application correspondence table, and then the print data creation / transfer means creates the printing data with the selected printing conditions added to the printer. Then, printing of the print data to which the printing condition is added is executed in the printer.
[0009]
Therefore, according to the present invention, every time printing is performed as in the prior art, there is no need for the user to set the printing conditions in detail, and printing errors due to incorrect printing condition input (selection) are greatly reduced. It becomes possible to decrease.
[Invention 2]
Invention 2 of the printing system, the printing system according to the invention 1,
The print instruction terminal
When the user changes a part of the contents of the printing condition selected by the printing condition selecting means, the table further comprises a table rewriting means for rewriting the changed contents to the printing application correspondence table. is there.
[0010]
As a result, when it is determined that the proposed printing conditions do not match the printing conditions desired by the user, the changed printing conditions are presented when the printing application is selected next time, so that the user can be the same again. Thus, it is not necessary to perform a change work and the labor of the user is reduced.
[Invention 3]
Invention 3 of the printing system, the printing system according to the invention 1 or 2,
The print instruction terminal
It further comprises a printing mode changing unit that counts the number of times the printing condition selected by the printing condition selection unit is counted and automatically adopts a cost-saving printing method when the number reaches the predetermined number. It is what.
[0011]
As a result, when printing under the same printing conditions is repeated, a cost-saving printing method is automatically adopted, so unnecessary high-quality printing is avoided and consumables such as ink are used. Savings.
That is, as will be described in detail in a later embodiment, the present invention not only satisfies the print quality but also expects the user not to be satisfied with the printing quality under the same printing conditions. Therefore, it is considered that it is highly possible that high-quality printing is performed, and that the print quality may be lowered, and a print mode that consumes less consumables is proposed.
[0012]
[Invention 4]
Invention 4 of the printing system, the printing system according to any one of Inventions 1 to 3,
The print instruction terminal
The printer further comprises a printing mode changing unit that analyzes the printing condition and the printing data selected by the printing condition selection unit and adopts a cost-saving printing method when the difference or the printing interval is small compared to the previous printing content. It is characterized by this.
[0013]
This avoids unnecessary high-quality printing because a cost-saving printing method is automatically adopted when printing with a difference or printing interval smaller than the previous printing content. Thus, consumables such as ink can be saved.
That is, as will be described in detail in a later embodiment of the present invention, when printing is performed with a difference or a printing interval smaller than the previous printing content, the user is a user with many trial prints, or It is a user who is highly likely to have typographical errors in the printed content, or that the design or composition does not match the image, and the consumption of consumables is considered as the same error in the subsequent printing. It proposes fewer printing modes.
[0014]
[Invention 5]
The printing system of the invention 5, in the printing system according to any one of Inventions 1 to 4,
The print instruction terminal
Font analysis means for analyzing the character font;
The printing apparatus is further provided with a print mode changing means for appropriately changing the print mode in accordance with the size of the character analyzed by the font analyzing means and the type of font, style and character decoration.
[0015]
As a result, printing is performed in the optimum print mode according to the character size, font, style, and character decoration type, so unnecessary high-quality printing and low-quality printing that makes it difficult to identify characters are presented. Printing is performed with optimum quality according to the character size, font, and the like.
[Invention 6]
The printing program of the invention 6 is
A print instruction terminal computer that executes print data using a printer capable of various printing,
UI providing means for providing a user interface that allows the user to arbitrarily select at least two or more types of printing applications;
A printing application correspondence table in which detailed printing conditions are stored in advance for each printing application;
A printing condition selection means for selecting a printing condition corresponding to a printing application arbitrarily selected by the user from the printing application correspondence table;
It is characterized by functioning as print data creation / transfer means for creating print data to which the print condition selected by the print condition selection means is added and transferring it to the printer.
[0016]
As a result, the same effect as that of the first aspect can be obtained, and the computer system provided in the print instruction terminal for starting up the application software for creating the document can be used on the software as it is. Compared with the case where a new computer system is prepared or dedicated hardware is manufactured to realize each function, it can be realized at a much lower cost and easily.
[0017]
[Invention 7]
The print setting proposal method of the invention 7
When a user requests printing, a user interface that allows the user to arbitrarily select at least two or more types of printing applications is presented. After the user selects an arbitrary printing application using the user interface, the printing application is displayed. A detailed print condition suitable for the print condition is proposed, and when the user agrees with the print condition, print data to which the print condition is added is created and transferred to the printer.
[0018]
As in the first aspect, this allows the user to select a desired printing application arbitrarily and automatically perform printing with a quality suitable for the application. Each time it is executed, it is not necessary for the user to set the printing conditions in detail, and printing errors due to erroneous printing condition input (selection) can be greatly reduced.
[0019]
[Invention 8]
The print setting proposal method of the invention 8 is the print setting proposal method according to claim 7,
When the user changes a part of the contents of the printing purpose arbitrarily selected by the user, the changed printing condition is stored, and when the same printing purpose is selected after that, the changed printing condition Is presented on the user interface.
[0020]
As a result, similarly to the second aspect, since the changed printing conditions are preferentially presented when the next printing application is selected, it is not necessary for the user to perform the same changing work again, and the user's labor is reduced. Is done.
[Invention 9]
The print setting proposing method of the invention 9 is:
When a user requests printing, a user interface that allows the user to arbitrarily select at least two types of printing applications is presented. After the user selects an arbitrary printing application using the user interface, the selected printing is performed. Counts the number of times a condition is selected, proposes printing conditions to print in the cost-saving printing mode when the number of selections reaches a predetermined number, and further prints the conditions when the user agrees with the printing conditions The print data added with is generated and transferred to the printer.
[0021]
As a result, as in the case of the invention 3, when printing under the same printing conditions is repeatedly performed, the user is not only satisfied with the printing quality but also performed with higher quality printing than expected. It is highly possible that the print quality may be reduced, and a cost-saving printing method is automatically adopted, so unnecessary high-quality printing is avoided and ink is consumed. You can save goods.
[0022]
[Invention 10]
The print setting proposal method according to the tenth aspect includes
When a user requests printing, a user interface that allows the user to arbitrarily select at least two types of printing applications is presented. After the user arbitrarily selects a printing application using the user interface, the selected printing is performed. When the conditions and print data are analyzed, a print condition is proposed to print in the cost-saving print mode when the content difference or print interval is small compared to the previous print, and the user agrees to the print condition In addition, print data to which the printing conditions are added is created and transferred to the printer.
[0023]
Thus, as in the case of Invention 4, when printing is performed with a difference or printing interval smaller than the previous printing content, the user judges that the subsequent printing has the same error and saves it. Proposing printing conditions for printing in the cost printing mode, and when the user agrees to the printing conditions, a cost-saving printing method is automatically adopted, so unnecessary high-quality printing is avoided. Thus, consumables such as ink can be saved.
[0024]
[Invention 11]
The print setting proposal method of the invention 11 is
When a user requests printing, a user interface that allows the user to arbitrarily select at least two or more types of printing applications is presented. After the user arbitrarily selects a printing application using the user interface, the printing application is displayed. Analyzes the character fonts used in, proposes printing conditions according to the analyzed character size, font, style, and type of character decoration, and adds the printing conditions when the user agrees to the printing conditions The print data thus created is transferred to a printer.
[0025]
Thus, as in the fifth aspect, since printing is executed in an optimal print mode according to the character size, font, style, and character decoration type, unnecessary high-quality printing and characters are difficult to identify. Low quality printing is not presented, and printing with optimum quality according to the character size and font type is performed.
[Invention 12]
The print setting proposal method of the invention 12
In the print setting proposal method according to the eleventh aspect,
When the character size is larger than the predetermined size, a printing condition for printing at a resolution lower than the normal setting is proposed.
[0026]
As a result, when the character size is larger than the predetermined size, it can be determined that the character is easy to see and can be printed at a resolution lower than the normal setting, so that the consumption of consumables can be suppressed.
[Invention 13]
The print setting proposal method of the invention 13 is:
In the print setting proposal method according to the eleventh aspect,
When the character size is smaller than the predetermined size, a printing condition for printing at a higher resolution than the normal setting is proposed.
[0027]
As a result, when the character size is smaller than the predetermined size, it is determined that the character is difficult to see, and printing is performed at a higher resolution than the normal setting, so low-resolution printing is performed so that the character cannot be recognized. Can be avoided.
[Invention 14]
The print setting proposal method of the invention 14
In the print setting proposal method according to the eleventh aspect,
When the font is Mincho, Line, or Regular font, or when the character style is italic, bold, bold italic, or the character decoration is hollow, strikethrough, shaded, embossed, In either case of superscript or subscript, a printing condition for printing at a resolution higher than the normal setting is proposed.
[0028]
As a result, when the character font is Mincho, Line, or Regular font, or when the character style is italic, bold, bold italic, or the character decoration is hollow, strikethrough, or shaded , Embossed, superscript, or subscript, it is judged that the characters are difficult to see and will be printed at a higher resolution than the normal setting, so low-resolution printing is performed so that the characters cannot be recognized. It can be avoided reliably.
[0029]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention.
As shown in the figure, this printing system includes a printer 200 capable of various printing, and a print instruction terminal 100 that executes printing with the printer 200. Further, the print instruction terminal 100 is provided with a UI. Means 10, print condition selection means 12, print application correspondence table 14, table rewrite means 16, print data creation means 18, print data transfer means 20, font analysis means 22, and print mode change means 24; It has a configuration equipped with.
[0030]
First, the printer 200 capable of various printing is a general printer commercially available at home appliance stores, that is, printing in other stages from low-resolution monochrome printing to high-resolution color photo printing. Or a printer having a function capable of arbitrarily finely setting the type of printing paper used for printing (plain paper, recycled paper, glossy paper, A3, A4, B5, etc.).
[0031]
Next, the print instruction terminal 100 includes a printer driver for the printer 200 and a general-purpose personal computer (PC) in which application software for document creation and various operation systems (OS) are incorporated. A function is provided in which arbitrary print data composed of images, texts, and the like is created using the application software and the like, and this is sent to the printer 200 to issue a print instruction.
[0032]
On the other hand, the UI providing means 10, the printing condition selection means 12, the printing application correspondence table 14, the table rewriting means 16, the print data creation means 18, the print data transfer means 20, and the font analysis means 22 incorporated in the print instruction terminal 100. Of the print mode changing means 24, first, the UI providing means 10 provides a function of presenting a user interface that allows the user to arbitrarily select at least two types of printing applications.
[0033]
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the UI providing unit 10 includes a print usage selection screen in which a print usage of a printed matter to be printed by a user can be freely selected and a detailed setting screen in which detailed settings of printing conditions can be set. A function for visually presenting a user interface composed of, for example, a CRT or a liquid crystal monitor of the print instruction terminal 100 is provided.
[0034]
Next, the printing application correspondence table 14 describes detailed printing conditions corresponding to the printing application displayed by the UI providing means 10, and is stored in a storage device (not shown) such as a hard disk of the printing instruction terminal 100. It is stored so that it can be read and rewritten.
For example, as shown in Table 1 below, printing applications include “for internal meetings”, “for external meetings”, “for team meetings”, “for memo level”, “for product plan”, and “for photographs”. , Etc., the “paper type”, “paper size”, “character printing resolution”, “image printing resolution”, “printing color”, “printing direction” corresponding to each printing application, Various printing conditions such as “printing surface”, “printing direction”, and “number of divisions” are described in detail.
[0035]
[Table 1]

[0036]
Then, the printing condition selection unit 12 compares the printing application correspondence table 14 and the printing condition selected by the user with the UI providing unit 10 with each other, and instantly determines specific printing conditions corresponding to the printing application. The function to select is to be provided.
For example, using the print application correspondence table 14 in Table 1 as an example, when the user selects “for memo level” as the print application on the user interface, the paper type: reproduction is set as the corresponding print condition. Fine printing conditions such as paper, paper size: A4, character printing resolution: 150 dpi, image printing resolution: 150 dpi, printing color: black, printing surface: double-sided, printing direction: vertical, number of divisions: 1 are determined instantaneously, and When “Photo” is selected as the printing application, the paper type: glossy paper, paper size: A4, character printing resolution: 2400 dpi, image printing resolution: 2400 dpi, printing color: color, printing surface are selected as the corresponding printing conditions. The printing conditions such as: single-sided, printing direction: horizontal, number of divisions: 1, etc. are determined instantaneously in the same manner.
[0037]
Next, the table rewriting unit 16 provides a function of rewriting the changed contents to the printing application correspondence table 14 when a part of the contents of the printing conditions selected by the printing condition selecting unit 12 is changed by the user. It is supposed to be.
For example, taking an example using the printing application correspondence table 14 shown in Table 1, when “for memo level” is selected as the printing condition, various printing conditions are finely determined simultaneously with the selection, but FIG. As shown in Fig. 3, if the user interface is used to change a part of the detailed settings, for example, the default (standard) print side to "single side" When the table rewriting means 16 rewrites only the portion related to the “printing surface” and the same printing condition is selected thereafter, the new printing condition after the change is automatically selected from the next time. Become.
[0038]
The printing mode changing means 24 changes the printing conditions (printing mode) mechanically determined in accordance with the selection of the printing application according to predetermined conditions. Specifically, the printing mode changing unit 24 selects the printing application. In addition to the normal printing mode that is mechanically determined, two printing modes, a printing mode (low resolution printing mode) and a high quality printing mode (high resolution printing mode), which are less costly than the normal printing mode. A function for changing the mode according to a predetermined condition is provided.
[0039]
Here, as the predetermined condition for changing the print mode, in the present embodiment, there are three conditions such as the number of times of selecting a printing use, the contents to be printed, and the size and type of character font (character style, character decoration). Specific examples thereof will be described later in detail with reference to flowcharts. When the print mode is changed depending on the size and type of the character font, the font is analyzed by the font analysis unit 22 as shown in FIG. When the printing mode is changed according to the printing application selection count and the printing content, the printing mode selection means 24 counts the printing usage selection count and analyzes the printing content, respectively.
[0040]
The print data creation means 18 and the print data transfer means 20 create the print data to which the print conditions selected by the print condition selection means 12 and the print conditions changed by the print mode change means 24 are added to the printer. A function of transferring data to 200 is provided.
Next, the processing flow, operation and effect of the print setting proposal system of the present invention having such a structure will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0041]
First, the flow of FIG. 5 shows the basic flow of the system of the present invention.
As shown in the drawing, the system of the present invention first constantly monitors whether there is a print request from the application or OS of the print instruction terminal 100 (step S100), and when it is determined that there is a print request (YES), The UI providing unit 10 presents a predetermined user interface to the user on the monitor of the print instruction terminal 100 or the like.
[0042]
The user interface is not particularly limited as long as at least two or more printing applications can be arbitrarily selected as described above, but in the example of FIG. In addition to the six types of “for conference”, “for team conference”, “for memo level”, “for product plan”, and “for photo”, it is possible to arbitrarily select the printing purpose of “for new creation”. . It should be noted that a user interface for detailed setting is further added to the user interface for selecting a printing application as shown in FIG.
[0043]
Next, as shown in step S104 of FIG. 5, when such a user interface is presented, whether or not the user has selected any printing application is monitored using the user interface, and there is a selection. If YES (YES), the printing condition selection unit 12 refers to the printing application correspondence table 14 (step S108) and selects a printing condition corresponding to the printing application.
[0044]
If the printing conditions are selected in this way, in the next step S110, the UI providing means 10 again presents the user interface displaying the printing conditions corresponding to the printing application and displays the user interface to the user. An agreement is made as to whether printing can be executed under the printing conditions (step S112). If the user's consent is obtained as a result, the print data creation means 18 and the print data transfer means 20 include the print data. Print data to which the selected print condition is added is created and transferred to the printer 200 (steps S114 and S116).
[0045]
On the other hand, if the consent is not obtained in step S112 (NO), the process proceeds to step S118, where a user interface for detailed setting is presented, and if the setting is changed using the user interface, the table is rewritten. The means 16 rewrites the changed printing condition in the corresponding column of the printing application correspondence table 14 (step S112), and then adds the changed printing condition to the print data and transfers it to the printer 200 (step S112). S114, S116).
[0046]
In the example of FIG. 2, first, “for team meeting” is selected as a printing application (selection (1)), and detailed printing conditions corresponding to it are presented ((2) presentation). When the user agrees with the printing conditions, printing is instructed by clicking “print” or the like ((3) printing). When printing is completed normally, a message to that effect is displayed and printing is performed. The user can recognize that the process has ended normally.
[0047]
On the other hand, if the user does not agree with the printing conditions at the stage of presenting the printing conditions, for example, if the print quality is to be increased a little as shown in the figure, the interface for detailed settings is clicked, for example. Is displayed (4) Detailed settings, the resolution of the print quality is set higher than the default state of 300 dpi (for example, 600 dpi), and the user is asked for consent again ((5) print confirmation). By executing printing, it is possible to obtain a printed matter having a desired quality.
[0048]
On the other hand, FIGS. 3 and 4 show an example in which a new print application to be displayed on the user interface is newly created.
That is, in order to newly create a printing application other than the printing application displayed on the user interface, for example, a “patent specification confirmation” printing application, as shown in FIG. Select (click) (Select 1) to display a screen for entering a new print application name, and enter the name of the print application named “For specification confirmation” in the display field (2) Print (Use name input) and display the detailed setting screen (3 print setting (detailed setting)).
[0049]
Next, using this detailed setting screen, enter the detailed print application corresponding to the “detail confirmation”, and then click the “setting” item. A detailed printing application corresponding to “confirmation” is added to the printing application correspondence table 14, and an item “specification confirmation” is added to the screen for selecting the printing application as shown in FIG. ((4) “For statement confirmation” added).
[0050]
Therefore, when it is desired to execute printing for “specification confirmation” from the next time onward, detailed printing conditions are instantly determined by simply selecting “specification confirmation” displayed on the user interface. Unless the user disagrees with the printing conditions, the user can save the trouble of selecting and inputting a detailed printing application again, and can execute printing suitable for “detail confirmation” printing.
[0051]
Next, the flow of FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which a print mode changing function is added to the basic flow described above.
That is, as shown in the figure, the flow from “print request monitoring” in step S100 to “print condition acquisition” in step S108 is the same as described above, but in the present embodiment, “print condition” in step S108. After “acquisition” is performed, the number of regular selections of the printing conditions, that is, the number of selections when the printing conditions are not changed is counted (step S200).
[0052]
Then, in the next step S202, it is determined whether or not the number of times of selection of the printing condition has reached a predetermined number, for example, 3 times, and if it is determined that the number has not been reached (NO), FIG. Normal printing is performed through steps similar to steps S110, S112, S118, S120, S122, and S114. When it is determined in step S202 that the number of selections has reached a predetermined number (YES), In step S204, the cost-saving printing mode is selected.
[0053]
In other words, if the user agrees many times unconditionally with the printing conditions proposed by the system, the printing conditions proposed by the system (especially the printing quality depending on the resolution process) are the quality expected by the user. It can be considered that the above is possible and high, suggesting an excessive print quality that the user is satisfied with, and as a result, a high-cost print.
[0054]
For this reason, in this embodiment, the number of printing condition selections is counted in this way, and when the count reaches a predetermined number, for example, the print quality is automatically reduced by about 10% from 300 dpi to 270 dpi. By automatically switching to a cost-saving printing mode where printing paper is selected from plain paper to cheaper recycled paper, consumption of consumables such as ink and toner consumed by the printer can be reduced, making it economical Printing with excellent properties can be executed.
[0055]
If the cost-saving printing mode is selected in step S204 as described above, the process proceeds to the next step S206, and a UI indicating that the cost-saving printing mode has been selected is presented to the user. If the consent is not obtained in step S208 (NO), printing is executed under the original printing conditions. If the consent is obtained (YES), the process proceeds to the next step S210 and the printing for the cost-saving printing mode is performed. After the data is created, the print data is added and then transferred to the printer (step S214), and printing is executed in the cost-saving print mode.
[0056]
Next, the flow in FIGS. 7 and 8 shows another embodiment in which a function for changing the print mode is added.
First, as in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the flow of the embodiment of FIG. 7 is the same as that described above from “print request monitoring” in step S100 to “acquisition of print conditions” in step S108. In this embodiment, after “print condition acquisition” in step S108 is performed, the print content is further analyzed (step S300), and the print content is compared with the previous print content. It is determined whether printing is performed in the normal printing mode as shown in FIG. 5 or the cost-saving printing mode as shown in FIG.
[0057]
That is, in the next step S302, if the difference between the print contents is small compared to the previous print contents (the difference is about a few characters and hardly changes as a whole), or if the print interval is short, the user can try It can be considered that the user is often printed, or the user frequently has typographical errors in the printed contents or has the habit of determining the final design or composition by repeatedly performing printing. For such users, for example, when high-resolution photo printing is performed, if high-resolution printing is always proposed at the trial printing stage, a large amount of consumables is consumed, resulting in high printing costs. End up. Therefore, when the difference between the print contents is smaller than the previous print contents or the print interval is short, the user is regarded as a user who has many trial prints or failed prints, and the consumption amount of the consumables is small. It proposes fewer printing modes.
[0058]
Accordingly, as shown in the figure, when it is determined in step S302 that the difference or the printing interval is not small (NO), the same steps as in steps S110, S112, S118, S120, S122, and S114 in FIG. 5 are performed. Normal printing is performed, but if it is determined in step S302 that the difference or the printing interval is small (YES), the process proceeds to the next step S204 to select the cost-saving printing mode. Through the steps 204 to S214 as shown, printing in the same cost-saving printing mode is performed on condition that the user's consent is obtained.
[0059]
Note that the determination as to whether or not to perform the cost-saving printing mode according to the difference from the previous printing or the printing interval differs greatly depending on the user or the type of each printing content, and is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in Table 2 below, the previous print document name, print time, document content difference, print time difference, etc. are recorded as log information, and compared with the previous print by comparing them. Whether or not the printing is almost the same can be grasped fairly accurately. For example, in Table 2 below, it is possible to determine that the documents with the print numbers 1 and 2 and the documents with the print numbers 3 and 4 have the same document name and are actually the same contents. It can be easily determined from the document content difference item that the content is hardly changed. Also, the documents with print numbers 4 and 5 have the same document names (BBB.rtf) and (BBB2.rtf), and the contents are actually changed by only 10 characters. You may do it.
[0060]
Therefore, in the case of Table 2, it may be determined that the printing of the printing number 5 is a trial printing, and this printing is preferentially performed in the cost-saving printing mode.
[0061]
[Table 2]

[0062]
On the other hand, in the embodiment of FIG. 8, the flow from step S100 to step S108 is the same as the above, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, but in the present embodiment, the process of step S108 is performed. After that, the character font is further analyzed (step S400), and whether the printing is performed in the normal printing mode or the cost-saving printing mode as described above according to the result of analyzing the size of the character font. Judgment is made.
[0063]
That is, when the character size to be printed in the next step S402 is larger than the predetermined size, it can be considered that the recognition is not affected at all even if it is lower than the originally proposed print quality. In such a case, if the printing is executed with the quality as originally proposed, excessive printing will result, and consumables will be wasted. Therefore, when the character size to be printed is larger than the predetermined size in this way, it is assumed that the normally proposed printing condition is excessive quality, and a printing mode that consumes less consumables is proposed. Is.
[0064]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, when it is determined in step S402 that the character size is not larger than the predetermined size (NO), the same as steps S110, S112, S118, S120, S122, and S114 in FIG. In this step S402, when it is determined that the character size is larger than the predetermined size (YES), the process proceeds to the next step S204 to select the cost-saving printing mode. Thereafter, through steps 204 to S214 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, printing in the same cost-saving printing mode is performed on the condition that the user's consent is obtained.
[0065]
In addition, the ease of character recognition is greatly influenced not only by the character size but also by the character typeface (font). That is, Gothic and Mincho are usually easy to recognize, but line fonts and pen fonts are usually difficult to recognize even if they have the same character size as Gothic and Mincho.
Therefore, in such a case, after selecting the printing conditions, the character font is analyzed, and if it is determined that the printed matter includes a character font that is difficult to recognize, the quality is higher than that normally proposed. If the printing conditions are automatically selected, it is possible to accurately provide a printed material that is easier for the user to view.
[0066]
For example, as shown in Table 3 below, if the font size is a Gothic font of 12P or less and the character style is italic, the output resolution can be sufficiently recognized even at 600 dpi, but the font size is also 12P or less. When the line style is italic and the character style is italic, it tends to be difficult to recognize correctly without a resolution of at least 800 dpi.
[0067]
[Table 3]

[0068]
Further, if an image (resolution) analysis function is also added to the above-described font analysis unit 22, characters can be printed at a high resolution, and only the image can be draft printed, or vice versa. That is, it is preferable to print an image at a resolution suitable for the image resolution. For example, as shown in Table 4 below, when the image resolution is 30 pixels / inch or less, a resolution as low as about 100 dpi may be used. In cases where the image resolution exceeds 30 pixels / inch, if the image is output at a high resolution of about 1200 dpi, the original image quality will not be significantly impaired, and excessive high-quality printing will not be performed. High quality printing.
[0069]
[Table 4]

[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a print setting proposal system.
FIG. 2 is a detailed diagram illustrating an example of a user interface.
FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram illustrating an example of a user interface.
FIG. 4 is a detailed diagram illustrating an example of a user interface.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a basic flow of the system.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow in which a cost-saving printing mode can be selected.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow in which a cost-saving printing mode can be selected.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow in which a cost-saving printing mode can be selected.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... UI provision means, 12 ... Print condition selection means, 14 ... Print application corresponding table, 16 ... Table rewriting means, 18 ... Print data creation means, 20 ... Print data transfer means, 22 ... Font analysis means, 24 ... Print mode Change means, 100 ... print instruction terminal, 200 ... printer.

Claims (5)

And various printing capable printer, a printing system including a print instruction terminal for instructing the execution of printing in the printer,
The print instruction terminal
UI providing means for providing a user interface that allows the user to arbitrarily select one of at least two printing applications;
A printing application correspondence table in which detailed printing conditions are stored in advance for each printing application;
A printing condition selection means for selecting a printing condition corresponding to a printing application arbitrarily selected by the user from the printing application correspondence table;
A print system comprising: print data creation / transfer means for creating print data to which a print condition selected by the print condition selection means is added and transferring the print data to the printer . The printing system according to claim 1,
The print instruction terminal
A printing system further comprising table rewriting means for rewriting the changed contents to the printing application correspondence table when the user changes part of the contents of the printing conditions selected by the printing condition selecting means. . The printing system according to claim 1 or 2,
The print instruction terminal
The printer further comprises a printing mode changing unit that counts the number of printing conditions selected by the printing condition selection unit and automatically adopts a cost-saving printing method when the number reaches the predetermined number. And printing system . In the printing system in any one of Claims 1-3 ,
The print instruction terminal
Font analysis means for analyzing the character font;
A printing system , further comprising: a printing mode changing unit that changes a printing mode according to the size of the character analyzed by the font analyzing unit and the type of font, style, and character decoration. A print instruction terminal computer instructing execution of printing on a printer capable of various printing,
UI providing means for providing a user interface that allows the user to arbitrarily select one of at least two printing applications;
A printing application correspondence table in which detailed printing conditions are stored in advance for each printing application;
A printing condition selection means for selecting a printing condition corresponding to a printing application arbitrarily selected by the user from the printing application correspondence table;
A printing program which functions as print data creation / transfer means for creating print data to which a print condition selected by the print condition selection means is added and transferring it to the printer .

Images