JP4241884B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a storage medium.

  In general, an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer performs various settings through a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI). And when there are many setting items and there are complicated dependencies, there are some that have the function to change several items at once by registering several setting items at once and selecting them .

  Taking the printer driver as an example, set parameters related to print quality such as graphic mode, resolution, color settings, True Type replacement, etc. in advance and register them in association with icons. There are drivers that provide “print purpose settings” that can be set according to the print purpose in a batch, and “favorites” that expand this registration parameter to a plurality of sheets. The former “print purpose setting” can efficiently change graphics-related items, and the latter “favorite” can be used more efficiently by changing the entire setting at once.

  However, as the number of target items increases, there is a situation where there is no flexibility. For example, when a certain favorite is selected, all parameters included therein are changed. For example, it is impossible to say that other parameters are adopted from favorites while leaving the current settings only for paper, paper feed method, and the like. In this case, once a favorite is selected and changed in a batch, an operation of returning some parameters to the previous value is necessary, which is complicated.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a storage that allow a user to easily perform parameter setting with a high degree of freedom. To provide a medium.

In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus according to the present invention provides:
Display means for displaying a setting screen for setting parameters for a plurality of setting items;
A registration unit for registering a plurality of parameters input through the setting screen before receiving a print instruction from an application as a parameter group;
A specifying means for specifying whether to use a parameter specified by the application or a parameter registered as a parameter group for a specific setting item ;
When the parameter group registered by the registration unit is selected and the parameter specified by the application is used for a specific setting item, the specific unit specified by the application is specified. For the setting items other than the specific setting items without changing the parameters of the setting items, set the parameters of the parameter group ,
Sometimes parameter group registered by said registration means is selected, if is possible to use a parameter registered as parameter group to a specific setting item has been designated by the designation unit, a plurality including the specific setting item Setting means for setting a parameter of the parameter group in the setting item;
It is characterized by providing.
In addition, another device according to the present invention is
A registration unit for registering a plurality of parameters input via a setting screen for setting parameters as a parameter group before receiving a print instruction from the application;
When a parameter group registered by the registration unit is selected, a parameter specified by an application is used for a specific setting item, and when the parameter group registered by the registration unit is selected, the specific unit Display control means for displaying a designation screen for designating either of using a parameter registered as the parameter group for the setting item.

In order to achieve the above object, the method according to the present invention comprises:
A display process for displaying a setting screen for setting parameters for a plurality of setting items;
A registration step of registering a plurality of parameters input via the setting screen before receiving a print instruction from an application as a parameter group;
A specified process for specifying whether to use a parameter specified by the application or a parameter registered as a parameter group for a specific setting item ,
When the parameter group registered in the registration process is selected , if the parameter specified by the application is used for a specific setting item by the specifying process, the specific parameter specified by the application is specified. For setting items other than the specific setting item without changing the parameter of the setting item, set the parameter of the parameter group ,
Sometimes parameter group registered in the registration step is selected in said designation step, if is possible to use a parameter registered as parameter group to a specific setting item was specified, including the specific setting item A setting step for setting parameters of the parameter group in a plurality of setting items; and
It is characterized by providing.
In order to achieve the above object, another method according to the present invention includes:
Before receiving a print instruction from the application, a registration step of registering a plurality of parameters input via a setting screen for setting parameters as a parameter group;
When a parameter group registered in the registration step is selected, a parameter specified by an application is used for a specific setting item, and when the parameter group registered in the registration step is selected, the specific A display control process for displaying a designation screen for designating any of the parameters registered as the parameter group in the setting item,
It is characterized by having.

In order to achieve the above object, a storage medium according to the present invention includes a display step for displaying a setting screen for setting parameters for a plurality of setting items;
A registration step of registering a plurality of parameters input via the setting screen before receiving a print instruction from an application as a parameter group; A specified process for specifying whether to use a parameter specified by an application or a parameter registered as a parameter group for a specific setting item; When the parameter group registered in the registration process is selected, if the parameter specified by the application is used for a specific setting item by the specifying process, the specific parameter specified by the application is specified. For setting items other than the specific setting item without changing the parameter of the setting item, set the parameter of the parameter group, When the parameter group registered in the registration step is selected, if it is specified in the specifying step that the parameter registered as the parameter group is used in the specific setting item, the specific setting item is included. A control program for setting a parameter of the parameter group in a plurality of setting items and causing a computer to execute a setting step is stored.
In order to achieve the above object, another storage medium according to the present invention registers a plurality of parameters input via a setting screen for setting parameters as a parameter group before receiving a print instruction from an application. Registration process; When a parameter group registered in the registration step is selected, a parameter specified by an application is used for a specific setting item, and when the parameter group registered in the registration step is selected, the specific A control program for causing a computer to execute a display control step for displaying a designation screen for designating one of the parameters registered as the parameter group in the setting item is stored.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a storage medium that allow a user to easily perform parameter setting with a high degree of freedom.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the constituent elements described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them.

(One embodiment)
(Overview)
The embodiment of the present invention is a program for performing various settings such as a printer driver and a scanner driver, and can select one parameter group from a plurality of parameter groups registered for a plurality of setting items. A computer that executes a program.

  When selecting one of the registered parameter groups and reflecting the setting value, you can select whether to overwrite all the registered items or only specific items within that item .

  There are the following two patterns for setting items to be reflected and ignored.

  1. A data list of items to be overwritten (or items not to be overwritten) is prepared in advance. When registering a parameter group, parameters are once registered for all items, and when selecting a parameter group, this data list is referred to and only parameters of some items are overwritten.

  2. When registering a parameter group, an item to be overwritten and an item not to be overwritten are distinguished and registered (for example, “*” is entered in the parameter input field of an item not to be overwritten). At the time of selection, it is determined whether or not to overwrite by referring to the registered value.

  As a result, it is possible to change only the items desired by the user in the parameter group, and it is possible to eliminate the annoyance of changing all of the items in conjunction with the unnecessary items while basically targeting all items. It becomes like this.

(Specific configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a so-called PC (personal computer) as an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. And the like, a display, a data processing body (including a control board, a hard disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive, and a CD-ROM drive), an input device (a keyboard, a pointing device (not shown)), and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the information processing apparatus, and includes a computer system 30 and a host computer main body 20 excluding peripheral devices.

  In the computer main body 20, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU, which reads various programs such as control programs, system programs, and application programs read from the external memory 12 via the disk controller (DKC) 5 on the RAM 2 and executes them. Perform data processing. The disk controller (DKC) 5 controls access to the external memory 12 such as an FD, HD, CD-ROM, MD, and MO that stores a boot program, various applications, data files, and the like.

  The RAM 2 is configured so that its capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM (not shown) or the like, and mainly functions as a work area for the CPU 1.

  A keyboard controller (KBC) 3 controls key input from a keyboard 10 or a pointing device (not shown). Reference numeral 4 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC) which controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 11. 6 is a main bus.

  The CPU 1 controls the RAM 2, KBC 3, CRTC 4 and DKC 5 through the main bus 6.

  In the above system, when the detailed setting of the application or device driver is changed by opening the user interface (UI), an input from the KB 10 or a pointing device (not shown) by the user is accepted, and the state and process are displayed as a display screen. Display on CRT11.

  Next, “favorites” will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a dialog displayed on the CRT 11 shown in FIG. In this dialog, a plurality of print settings such as page setting, finishing method, paper feeding method, and print quality can be registered and managed as “favorite” which is one print composite setting. If the “favorites” registered here are selected at the time of printing, a complicated combination of parameters such as page settings can be reproduced immediately. This “favorite” is registered in the RAM 2 or the external memory 12.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing related to “favorites” using the dialog of FIG.

  First, when “Favorites” is changed by clicking the down arrow at the right end of the “Favorites” list box 31 (Step S41), a series of processing is performed according to the selection change (Step S42), and the control of all sheets is newly set. It changes according to (step S44).

  In step S45, it is determined whether or not the “additional registration button” is pressed. If the “additional registration button” is pressed, the process proceeds to step S46. In step S46, the dialog shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, and a series of processes for registering the current setting as a favorite is performed. Further, in step S47, the newly registered “favorite” is processed so as to be displayed in the list box 31, and the control of all sheets is changed according to the new setting.

  Further, when the user presses the edit button 33, the process proceeds from step S48 to step S49, and the dialog shown in FIG. 7 is displayed to perform a series of processes related to editing of management information.

  Next, a series of processes related to favorite registration in a state where the dialog of FIG. 5 is displayed will be described using the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 5 shows an example of a dialog to which management information such as name, icon, and comment can be added, and the layout of each box is not limited to this.

  In step S61, the user inputs management information such as a name, an icon, and a comment in boxes 51, 52, and 53, respectively. In step S63, it is determined whether or not to cancel, and when cancel is pressed, the process ends without doing anything. In step S64, it is determined whether or not it is OK. When the OK button is pressed, registration processing is started. First, in step S65, it is checked whether or not a name has been entered. If no name has been entered, the process proceeds to step S66, where a warning message is displayed and input is prompted again. Since the name is used as a key for managing favorites, the input is essential.

  Next, in step S67, it is checked whether or not the designated name overlaps with existing data. If there is no such name, the process proceeds to step S68, and the designated name is newly registered in the favorite DB as a key. In step S67, if data with the same name already exists, after confirming whether to overwrite in step S69, if it is overwritten, in step S70, the existing data in the favorite DB is replaced and registered, and it is not overwritten. If so, the process returns to step S61 to input the name again. The registration target is not only the currently edited page but also all controls on the UI including inactive pages. In other words, the registration target is the same regardless of where the sheet is registered.

  Next, a series of processes related to favorite editing in a state where the dialog of FIG. 7 is displayed will be described using the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 7 shows an example of a dialog to which management information such as name, icon, and comment can be added, and the layout of each box is not limited to this.

  First, any registered favorite is selected from the favorite list shown in the favorite list box 71. In this list, default settings prepared from the time of purchasing the printer and user settings registered by the user are listed. If any favorite is selected in step S81, it is determined in step S82 whether the favorite is a default setting or a user setting. If it is a default favorite, the process proceeds to step S83, and the management information control and the delete button are disabled so that the user cannot edit.

  If the selected favorite is a user setting, the process advances to step S84 to enable all controls and display management information (name, icon, comment, etc.) assigned to the favorite. Since all controls are enabled, the process proceeds to step S85, where management information can be edited. Here, when the delete button 77 is pressed, the process proceeds from step S87 to step S88, and the currently designated option is deleted from the favorite DB. When the file save button 75 is pressed, the process advances from step S89 to step S90 to save the designated data in a file so that it can be exported to other clients. When the file reading button 76 is pressed, the process proceeds from step S91 to step S92, and an import process for loading a favorite saved in a file and adding it to the favorite DB is performed.

  The check box 78 is an example of a control UI for controlling not to overwrite a specific item. In this case, by selecting Check On, priority is given to specific items such as the paper size and the number of copies set by the application, and designation (transparency designation) is performed so that these items do not change even if the favorite is changed. If this check box is set to Off, all items are copied when a favorite is selected. When the dialog is closed, the process proceeds from step S98 to step S99. When there is a change, the process further proceeds to step S100 to perform processing for leaving the changed setting in the favorite DB. If it is changed and the specified name overlaps with another existing setting, the process proceeds from step S100 to step S101. After confirming whether or not to overwrite, if overwriting is performed, the process further proceeds to step S102 and the existing data. If you don't want to overwrite, prompt for input again. If there is no data with the same name in step S100, the process proceeds to step S102, where the data being edited is overwritten and registered.

  A series of processes related to selection of favorites performed in step S42 of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the favorite setting selected for all items on the UI is sequentially checked. In step S111, it is confirmed whether or not it is a transparent item (item that prioritizes the current setting). In step S112, it must be a transparent item. Overwrite settings with favorite attributes. If it is a transparent item, the favorite attribute is ignored. Repeat these steps for all items. When this is illustrated, an image as shown in FIG. 10 is obtained. Transparent items and overwritten items coexist, and transparent items (transparent list) can be set by the user.

  By configuring as described above, when changing favorites, all items set as favorites can be converted at once, or partial conversion can be performed. With this mechanism, the setting efficiency of the user can be increased.

  All items are registered, and it is possible to appropriately set which items are reflected when using favorites (which items are left as they are).

  Here, as a confirmation of whether the item is a transparent item, the setting of the check box 78 in FIG. 7 is used. If this setting is On, a specific item (for example, paper size, paper orientation, number of copies, etc.) is given priority. , Other items are to copy favorite settings. In other words, the registration covers all items, and the transparent item and the overwrite item are determined with reference to the transparent item list set separately at the time of selection. For this reason, the item whose setting is reflected is the same regardless of which favorite is selected.

  However, this method is an example of a transparency setting method, and other items may be set or groups may be set. For example, a control that allows individual items to be controlled individually, a control that targets only a specific sheet, or a target that only targets graphics-related items, such as the conventional "print purpose settings" It goes without saying that various controls can be achieved by placing controls.

  In the following, a modification will be described in which individual items including transparent items are registered at the time of favorite registration so that items reflected for each favorite can be changed.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a series of processes related to favorite registration in step S46 of the flow of FIG. 4 in this modification. The difference from FIG. 6 is that in step S122, a transparent item and an item to be overwritten are set. Since other processes are the same as those in FIG. 6, the same reference numerals are given, and description thereof is omitted here.

  In this modified example, a series of processes relating to favorite editing in step S49 in the flow of FIG. 4 also changes. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing favorite editing processing in this modification. The difference from FIG. 8 is that there are no transparent item setting steps S93 to S94. Since the transparent item is set at the time of registration, the setting of the transparent item is not necessary here. Since the other steps are the same as those in FIG. 8, the same processes are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the modification, the selection change process (corresponding to step S42 in FIG. 4) is the same as that shown in FIG. However, the difference is that, in step S112, the transparent item is determined by referring to the favorite attribute instead of referring to the transparent item list.

  In this way, if the transparent item can be selected for each favorite, only a specific part is changed or used in combination, whereby the user can perform a setting with a higher degree of freedom.

(Other embodiments)
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, and a printer), and a device (for example, a copying machine and a facsimile device) including a single device. You may apply to.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a program product (including a storage medium storing the program code, a compressed program downloaded from a server, and the like) including a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. Alternatively, it goes without saying that this can also be achieved by supplying the apparatus and executing the program code by a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus. In this case, the program code itself included in the program product realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program product or the storage medium constitutes the present invention. Further, when the computer executes these program codes, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program codes. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code is written in the memory of the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion card or function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU of the unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  When the present invention is applied to a storage medium, the program code corresponding to the flowchart (shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 8, and 9) described above is stored in the storage medium as shown in FIG. It will be.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the computer system as one embodiment of this invention. It is a block block diagram of the computer system as one embodiment of this invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a dialog including controls for operating favorites in the computer system as one embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of favorite management in the computer system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a favorite registration dialog in the computer system as one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a favorite registration process in the computer system as one embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a favorite edit dialog in the computer system as one embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of favorite editing processing in the computer system as one embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process at the time of favorite selection in the computer system as one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the image of the partial change at the time of favorite selection in the computer system as one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a favorite registration process as a modification of one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a favorite edit process as a modification of one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the memory map of the storage medium which stores data processing program and data of one embodiment of this invention.

Claims (24)

Display means for displaying a setting screen for setting parameters for a plurality of setting items;
A registration unit for registering a plurality of parameters input through the setting screen before receiving a print instruction from an application as a parameter group;
A specifying means for specifying whether to use a parameter specified by an application or a parameter registered as a parameter group for a specific setting item ;
When the parameter group registered by the registration unit is selected and the parameter specified by the application is used for a specific setting item, the specific unit specified by the application is specified. For the setting items other than the specific setting items without changing the parameters of the setting items, set the parameters of the parameter group ,
Sometimes parameter group registered by said registration means is selected, if is possible to use a parameter registered as parameter group to a specific setting item has been designated by the designation unit, a plurality including the specific setting item Setting means for setting a parameter of the parameter group in the setting item;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the registration unit registers parameters of all setting items to be set using a printer driver as the parameter group.   The information according to claim 1, wherein the specific setting item includes at least one of an item for setting a paper size and an item for setting a paper orientation. Processing equipment.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit further displays a setting screen for setting a name of the parameter group. A registration unit for registering a plurality of parameters input through a setting screen for setting parameters as a parameter group before receiving a print instruction from the application;
When a parameter group registered by the registration unit is selected, a parameter specified by an application is used for a specific setting item, and when the parameter group registered by the registration unit is selected, the specific unit An information processing apparatus comprising: display control means for displaying a designation screen for designating one of using a parameter registered as the parameter group for the setting item. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the registration unit registers parameters of all setting items to be set using a printer driver as the parameter group. The information according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the specific setting item includes at least one of an item for setting a paper size and an item for setting a paper orientation. Processing equipment. When the parameter group is selected according to an instruction for the designation screen displayed by the display control means, the parameter designated by the application is used as a parameter of a specific setting item, or the parameter group is selected The information processing according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising designation means for designating use of a parameter designated in the parameter group as a parameter of the specific setting item. apparatus. A display process for displaying a setting screen for setting parameters for a plurality of setting items;
A registration step of registering a plurality of parameters input via the setting screen before receiving a print instruction from an application as a parameter group;
A specified process for specifying whether to use a parameter specified by an application or a parameter registered as a parameter group for a specific setting item ;
When the parameter group registered in the registration process is selected , if the parameter specified by the application is used for a specific setting item by the specifying process, the specific parameter specified by the application is specified. For setting items other than the specific setting item without changing the parameter of the setting item, set the parameter of the parameter group ,
Sometimes parameter group registered in the registration step is selected in said designation step, if is possible to use a parameter registered as parameter group to a specific setting item was specified, including the specific setting item A setting step for setting parameters of the parameter group in a plurality of setting items; and
An information processing method comprising:   10. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein in the registration step, parameters of all setting items to be set using a printer driver are registered as the parameter group.   The information according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the specific setting item includes at least one of an item for setting a paper size and an item for setting a paper orientation. Processing method.   The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein the display step further displays a setting screen for setting a name of the parameter group. Before receiving a print instruction from the application, a registration step of registering a plurality of parameters input via a setting screen for setting parameters as a parameter group;
When a parameter group registered in the registration step is selected, a parameter specified by an application is used for a specific setting item, and when the parameter group registered in the registration step is selected, the specific A display control step of displaying a designation screen for designating any of the parameters registered as the parameter group in the setting item. An information processing method comprising: 14. The information processing method according to claim 13, wherein in the registration step, parameters of all setting items to be set using a printer driver are registered as the parameter group. 15. The information according to claim 13, wherein the specific setting item includes at least one of an item for setting a paper size and an item for setting a paper orientation. Processing method. According to the instruction for the designation screen displayed in the display control step, the parameter designated by the application is used as a parameter of a specific setting item when the parameter group is selected, or the parameter group is selected The information processing according to any one of claims 13 to 15, further comprising a designation step for designating use of a parameter designated in the parameter group as a parameter of the specific setting item. Method. A display process for displaying a setting screen for setting parameters for a plurality of setting items; A registration step of registering a plurality of parameters input via the setting screen before receiving a print instruction from an application as a parameter group; A specified process for specifying whether to use a parameter specified by an application or a parameter registered as a parameter group for a specific setting item; When the parameter group registered in the registration process is selected, if the parameter specified by the application is used for a specific setting item by the specifying process, the specific parameter specified by the application is specified. For setting items other than the specific setting item without changing the parameter of the setting item, set the parameter of the parameter group, When the parameter group registered in the registration step is selected, if it is specified in the specifying step that the parameter registered as the parameter group is used in the specific setting item, the specific setting item is included. A storage medium storing a control program for causing a computer to execute a setting step for setting parameters of the parameter group in a plurality of setting items. 18. The storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the registration step registers parameters of all setting items to be set using a printer driver as the parameter group. 19. The storage according to claim 17, wherein the specific setting item includes at least one of an item for setting a paper size and an item for setting a paper orientation. Medium. The storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the display step further displays a setting screen for setting a name of the parameter group. Before receiving a print instruction from the application, a registration step of registering a plurality of parameters input via a setting screen for setting parameters as a parameter group;
When a parameter group registered in the registration step is selected, a parameter specified by an application is used for a specific setting item, and when the parameter group registered in the registration step is selected, the specific A display control process for displaying a designation screen for designating any of the parameters registered as the parameter group in the setting item,
Storage medium storing a control program for causing a computer to execute the. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein in the registration step, parameters of all setting items to be set using a printer driver are registered as the parameter group. 23. The storage according to claim 21, wherein the specific setting item includes at least one of an item for setting a paper size and an item for setting a paper orientation. Medium. According to the instruction for the designation screen displayed in the display control step, the parameter designated by the application is used as a parameter of a specific setting item when the parameter group is selected, or the parameter group is selected The storage medium according to any one of claims 21 to 23, further comprising a specifying step of specifying that a parameter specified in the parameter group is sometimes used as a parameter of the specific setting item. .