JP4636344B2 - Print setting method and control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print setting method and a control program, and more particularly to a print setting method and a control program for performing print settings for a plurality of types of files.

  Image processing apparatuses such as copiers and multi function peripherals (MFPs) have become widespread. When printing using this image forming apparatus as a network printer, first, a document or image file is created using an application installed in a computer terminal connected to the network, and then the image forming apparatus is installed. Using control software (printer driver), the data is converted into print data in a page description language (PDL) format and sent to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus analyzes the print data and generates intermediate data. Is converted into bitmap data and output to a paper medium.

  Here, there are various applications for creating document and image files, and a plurality of documents and images may be output in combination. Therefore, recent image forming apparatuses are provided with a function (so-called collective printing function) for collectively outputting a plurality of types of files created by various applications. In this summary printing, since it is cumbersome to make print settings for each file, various techniques for improving the operability of print settings have been proposed.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 below, when performing print settings when generating print data using a plurality of setting sheets, a plurality of setting items divided into a plurality of setting sheets are combined to form one composite setting. Disclosed is a method for enabling registration in a composite setting list and displaying all the composite setting items on a plurality of setting sheets when one of the composite settings registered in the composite setting list is selected. ing.

  Patent Document 2 below starts an application program that creates a file to be printed out based on overall setting data at the time of batch printing, applies print setting conditions of individual setting data, and starts from the application program. A method for issuing a printing instruction to the printing apparatus is disclosed.

  FIG. 18 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus or the printer server during batch printing. A file to be printed is selected from the print files on the left side of the drawing, and the selected file is displayed. The print settings can be confirmed and changed on the right side of the figure, and printing can be executed by pressing the print button.

JP 2000-222159 A JP 2007-42023 A

  Here, when selecting a plurality of types of files such as a document file such as Word / Excel / PowerPoint and an image file such as jpeg or bitmap using the screen as shown in FIG. After selecting, press the “Change” button to move to the print setting screen, and print settings will be performed collectively on that screen. However, the print setting items that can be set differ between document files and image files. Such a problem arises.

  For example, there is an item called a fit page that enlarges / reduces / moves an image to be printed according to the paper. Since this fit page is a print setting item effective for an image file, the fit page is set to “Yes”. Even so, the document file is output without a fit page. There is also an item called “staple” for binding the printed material. However, since this staple is a setting effective for a plurality of documents, an image or a single document is not stapled even if the staple is set to “Yes”. Is output. As a result, the setting contents of the print setting items displayed on the right side of the screen of FIG. 18 do not match the form of the printed matter that is actually output, which may result in an unintended print result for the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object thereof is to provide a print setting method and a control program capable of performing print settings according to the type of file.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the print setting method of the present invention, a plurality of types of files are classified into groups having common print setting items, and for each group, a group name for specifying the group and a print setting item to be displayed are defined. Table generation for generating a first table including information and generating a second table including a file type name for specifying the file type and an extension of the file for each file type belonging to each group A first tab including a process, a first tab on which the group name is displayed, a second tab on which the file type name is displayed, and a print setting confirmation field on which print setting items and setting contents are displayed. When the screen is displayed, the file type name corresponding to the file belonging to the group selected on the first tab is displayed on the second tab, The printing setting confirmation column, and the screen display processing for displaying only the first prescribed print setting items to be displayed in a table corresponding to the group selected by the first tab, the one in which at least run.

  In addition, the present invention is a control program for performing print settings for a plurality of types of files, the computer displaying a first tab on which a group name for specifying a group having common print setting items is displayed; A second tab on which a file type name specifying a file type belonging to the group selected on the first tab is displayed; and a print setting preset for the group selected on the first tab It functions as a control unit that causes the display unit to display a first screen including a print setting confirmation field in which items and setting contents are displayed.

  According to the print setting method and the control program of the present invention, it is possible to perform print settings according to the type of file.

  The reason is that when the control unit displays the print setting confirmation screen, the first tab that displays the group name for specifying the group having the common print setting items and the group selected in the first tab are displayed. A second tab in which a file type name specifying the type of file to which it belongs is displayed, and a print setting confirmation field in which print setting items and setting contents preset for the group selected in the first tab are displayed. Is displayed, the print setting item corresponding to the target file can be easily confirmed / set, and the setting of the print setting item not corresponding to the target file can be prohibited. Because it can.

  As shown in the background art, when printing multiple types of files at once, the print settings for all files have been performed at once, so it seems as if items that cannot be set for a specific file were set. In some cases, the print settings are not consistent with the actual printed form.

  In addition, some print settings can be set for each file after performing print settings for multiple types of files at once. However, the print settings that can be set in a batch are the start page, end page, and number of copies. However, there is a problem that a staple item is displayed for an image file or the like which has only a paper size and does not require stapling.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, a group name for specifying a group having a common print setting item is displayed on the print setting confirmation screen on the control unit of an apparatus such as an image forming apparatus or a printer server that controls the image forming apparatus. A first tab that is displayed, a second tab that displays a file type name that identifies a file type belonging to the group selected in the first tab, and a group selected in the first tab. A function is provided for displaying a preset print setting item and a print setting confirmation column in which setting contents are displayed.

  In this way, by enabling necessary and detailed print settings according to the target file, the user can perform print settings suitable for the file without being confused, and at the same time prevent unnecessary print settings. be able to. In addition, print settings can be executed with a small number of procedures by making it possible to perform detailed print settings collectively for files having common print setting items.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, a print setting method and a control program according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing system of this embodiment. FIGS. 2 to 11 are flowcharts showing the print setting procedure of this embodiment, and FIGS. 12 to 14 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed by the printing system of this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system according to the present embodiment includes an external storage server 10 that stores a file transmitted from a user computer terminal (not shown), and a printer that acquires a file from the external storage server 10 and instructs printing. The server 20 includes an image forming apparatus 30 such as a printer or a digital multi-function peripheral that performs printing, and these are connected via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). Hereinafter, the configuration of each device will be described in detail.

[External storage server]
The external storage server 10 includes a control unit 11, a program storage unit 12, a data storage unit 13, a communication unit 14, and the like.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and controls the overall operation of the external storage server 10.

  The program storage unit 12 includes a ROM, a RAM, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and the like, and stores a user authentication management program for authenticating a user.

  The data storage unit 13 includes a ROM, a RAM, an HDD, and the like. The data storage unit 13 stores a document file, an image file, and the like transmitted from a user computer terminal (not shown), and data for user authentication (such as a user ID and a user ID). A user data storage unit for storing passwords) and the like.

  The communication unit 14 includes a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, and the like, and enables communication with the printer server 20, the image forming apparatus 30, and a user computer terminal (not shown).

[Printer Server]
The printer server 20 includes a control unit 21, a program storage unit 22, a data storage unit 23, a print instruction unit 24, a communication unit 25, a display operation unit 26, and the like.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control unit 21 performs processing based on a predetermined program, and performs overall control of the printer server 20 by inputting instructions to each function unit and inputting / outputting data. To do.

  The program storage unit 22 includes a ROM, a RAM, an HDD, and the like, and stores various application programs, request control programs, and the like.

  The various application programs are equivalent to various application programs stored in a user's computer terminal such as a document creation application such as Word / Excel / PowerPoint or an image editing application.

  The request control program is a program for realizing a request control function for reading a subroutine in response to a request and performing each business process. As a subroutine of the request control program, there are a print management program, a display screen control program, a user authentication management program, an application control program, and the like.

  The print management program is a program for managing storage of various files transmitted from the external storage server 10 in the data storage unit 23 (file storage unit), print settings for each file, and the like. The display screen control program is a program for controlling the screen displayed on the display operation unit 26. The user authentication management program is a program for managing and authenticating user access rights. The application control program is a program for automatically controlling applications corresponding to various files created on the user's computer terminal.

  The data storage unit 23 includes a ROM, a RAM, an HDD, and the like, and includes a file storage unit, a print setting table storage unit, a user data storage unit, and the like.

  The file storage unit stores various files acquired from the external storage server 10. The print setting table storage unit is a data area for storing print setting contents for batch printing, and stores a print setting grouping table, a print setting grouping sub-table, a common print setting item setting table, and the like. The user data storage unit stores data (user ID and password) for authenticating the user.

  In the print instruction unit 24, the control unit 21 activates the application program stored in the program storage unit 22 and instructs the image forming apparatus 30 to execute printing of the file read from the file storage unit.

  The communication unit 25 includes a NIC, a modem, and the like, and enables communication with the external storage server 10 and the image forming apparatus 30.

  The display operation unit 26 includes a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and an operation unit such as a touch panel that covers the display unit. According to a display signal from the control unit 21, a print setting confirmation screen, a print setting screen, which will be described later, and the like. Is displayed on the LCD or the like, and an operation signal input from the touch panel or the like is output to the control unit 21.

[Image forming apparatus]
The image forming apparatus 30 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a drawing processing unit 33, a printing unit 34, a communication unit 35, and the like.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control unit 31 executes processing based on a predetermined program and performs input / output of instructions and data to each function unit, thereby controlling the image forming apparatus 30 in an integrated manner. Control.

  The storage unit 32 includes a ROM, a RAM, an HDD, and the like, and includes a data storage unit that stores print data and the like, a program storage unit that stores a program that realizes a print function, and the like.

  The drawing processing unit 33 analyzes the print data received from the printer server 20 and the like, rasterizes the print data to create printable bitmap data, and performs color conversion to the created bitmap data as necessary. Image processing such as density adjustment is performed.

  The printing unit 34 includes elements necessary for image formation using an image forming process such as an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method, that is, a charging device, a photosensitive drum, an exposure device, a transfer roller, a transfer belt, and a fixing device. Etc. Specifically, the photosensitive drum charged by the charging device is irradiated with light according to the bitmap data from the exposure device to form an electrostatic latent image, and charged with the developing device is attached and developed, The toner image is transferred to a paper medium via a primary transfer roller and a secondary transfer belt and fixed by a fixing device.

  The communication unit 35 includes a NIC, a modem, and the like, and enables communication with the external storage server 10 and the printer server 20.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a printing system according to the present embodiment, and the configuration thereof can be appropriately changed as long as the control of the present embodiment is possible. For example, in FIG. 1, the file to be printed is stored in the external storage server 10, but the file may be stored in the user's computer terminal or the printer server 20. In FIG. 1, the printer server 20 controls the image forming apparatus 30. However, the printer server 20 is omitted, and the external storage server 10 or a user computer terminal transmits a file to the image forming apparatus 30. Also good. In that case, the storage unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 30 stores the program and data stored in the program storage unit 22 and the data storage unit 23 of the printer server 20, and a display operation unit is provided in the image forming apparatus 30. The control unit 31 may have a function of controlling display of a print setting confirmation screen, a print setting screen, and the like.

  Hereinafter, after describing the overall flow of summary printing with reference to FIG. 2, a print setting table generation procedure with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, a print setting confirmation screen load process with reference to FIGS. The print setting screen load process will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

[Overall flow]
First, in step S100, the control unit 21 of the printer server 20 reads and activates various application programs (Office application, image application, and other applications) stored in the program storage unit 22.

  Next, in step S200, the control unit 21 (print management program) generates tables (print setting grouping table, print setting grouping sub-table, common print setting item setting table) to be referred to when performing print settings.

  As shown in Table 1, the print setting grouping table includes a table ID for identifying the print setting grouping table, a grouping tab name indicating a group of files displayed on the grouping tab of the print setting confirmation screen described later, and a file group. Group setting ID, number of copies setting, color setting, duplex setting, page assignment, paper size setting, page specification setting, fit page setting, staple setting, punch setting, etc. A table ID and the like are described. Further, as shown in Table 2, the print setting grouping subtable includes a subtable ID for specifying the print setting grouping subtable, and an application name representing an application or file displayed on a subgrouping tab of the print setting confirmation screen described later. (File name), an extension character array indicating the extension name of the application, and the like are described. In the common print setting item setting table, as shown in Table 3, settings such as the number of copies, color settings, duplex settings, page allocation, paper size settings, page specification settings, fit page settings, staple settings, punch settings, etc. The item display form (individual display / common display) and the like are described. The specific procedure of the print setting table generation process will be described later.

  Next, in step S300, the control unit 21 (display screen control program) displays a login screen for authenticating the user who performs print settings on the display operation unit 26, and in step S400, the control unit 21 (user authentication). The management program) compares the information input on the login screen with the user data stored in the user data storage unit of the data storage unit 23 in advance, and determines whether the logged-in user is a registered user.

  Next, in step S500, the control unit 21 (display screen control program) displays a menu screen for causing the display operation unit 26 to select a process to be executed (see FIG. 12).

  Next, when the print function is selected on the menu screen in step S600, in step S700, the control unit 21 accesses the external storage server 10 using the communication unit 25, and from the file storage unit of the data storage unit 13. A file to be printed is acquired, and the control unit 21 (display screen control program) displays a document list screen on the display operation unit 26 (see FIG. 12).

  Next, in step S800, when the user selects a file to be printed and presses the print button, in step S900, the control unit 21 (display screen control program) sets print settings as shown in FIG. A confirmation screen 40 is displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 13 and Table 4 below, the print setting confirmation screen 40 includes (1) a file selection button, (2) a print setting grouping tab button, (3) a print setting sub-grouping tab button, (4) Change button, (5) Print setting content display area (print setting confirmation field), (6) Page transition button, (7) Back button, (8) Print button, etc. In the print setting grouping tab button (2), a name is displayed based on the grouping tab name (group name for identifying the group) in the print setting grouping table of Table 1. In addition, a name is displayed on the print setting subgrouping tab button (3) based on the application name (file type name for specifying the file type) in the print setting grouping subtable in Table 2. In the print setting content display area (5), print items (see (b) in the case of image files) corresponding to the group selected by the print setting grouping tab button are displayed. Items common to the common print setting item setting table 3 are displayed as (common). A specific procedure for the load processing of the print setting confirmation screen will be described later.

  Next, in step S1000, the user selects a file for print setting, and when the change button is pressed in step S1100, the control unit 21 (display screen control program) in FIG. A print setting screen 41 as shown in FIG. The print setting screen 41 reflects the contents of the print setting grouping table corresponding to the selected file, and each print setting item is displayed in each setting display specified in the print setting grouping table of Table 1 at the initial startup of the screen. The display / non-display of each print setting item is determined with reference to the item.

  Next, in step S1300, print settings are made on the print setting screen 41, and the [OK] button is pressed to return to the print setting confirmation screen 40 in FIG. 13, and the content of the set print settings is the print of (5). Reflected in the setting display area. In step S1400, by pressing the [Print] button (6) in the print setting confirmation screen 40, in step S1500, the print instruction unit 24 uses the print settings specified for the image forming apparatus 30. Instruct to print.

[Print setting table generation processing]
Next, the print setting table generation process in step S200 of FIG. 2 will be described in detail. This print setting table generation process is executed by the control unit 21 (print management program).

  First, in step S210 in FIG. 3, a registry in which extension information is stored is searched, and in step S220, ContentType associated with the extension information is determined.

  If the ContentType is “application / msword” (S230) or “application / vnd.ms˜” (S240), a print setting grouping table for Office application is generated in step S250.

  Specifically, in step S251 of FIG. 4, it is checked whether or not the Office application print setting grouping table is registered in the print setting table storage unit of the data storage unit 23. If not registered, in step S252, the Office application print setting grouping table (see Table 1) is generated with reference to information set as default in advance. Next, in step S253, a grouping subtable (see Table 2) is generated by referring to information set as default in advance, and the extension and application name to be associated are registered. In step S254, the grouping subtable is changed to Office. Register in the application print setting grouping table. On the other hand, if the Office application print setting grouping table is already registered (Y in step S251) and the grouping subtable is not registered (N in step S255), the processing in steps S253 and 254 is performed, and the grouping subtable is stored. Is already registered (Y in step S255), an extension is added to the grouping subtable in which related applications are registered in step S256.

  Returning to the flow of FIG. 3, if the ContentType is “application / ˜” (S260), a print setting grouping table for other applications is generated in step S270.

  Specifically, in the same manner as the float of FIG. 4, in step S271 of FIG. 5, it is checked whether the print setting grouping table for other applications is registered in the print setting table storage unit of the data storage unit 23. In step S272, a print setting grouping table for other applications (see Table 1) is generated. Next, in step S273, a grouping subtable (see Table 2) is generated and the extension and application name to be associated are registered. Then, in step S274, the grouping subtable is registered in the print setting grouping table for other applications. On the other hand, if the print setting grouping table for other applications has already been registered (Y in step S271) and the grouping subtable has not been registered (N in step S275), the processing in steps S273 and 274 is performed to perform the grouping subtable. Is registered (Y in step S275), an extension is added to the grouping subtable in which related applications are registered in step S276.

  Returning to the flow of FIG. 3, if the ContentType is “image / ˜” (S280), a print setting grouping table for image application is generated in step S290.

  Specifically, in the same manner as the floats in FIGS. 4 and 5, in step S291 in FIG. 6, it is checked whether or not the image application print setting grouping table is registered in the print setting table storage unit of the data storage unit 23. If not, an image application print setting grouping table (see Table 1) is generated in step S292. Next, in step S293, a grouping subtable (see Table 2) is generated and the extension and application name to be associated are registered. Then, in step S294, the grouping subtable is registered in the image application print setting grouping table. On the other hand, if the image application print setting grouping table has already been registered (Y in step S291) and the grouping subtable has not been registered (N in step S295), the processing in steps S293 and 294 is performed to perform the grouping subtable. Is already registered (Y in step S295), in step S296, an extension is added to the grouping subtable in which related applications are registered.

  3 to 6, the applications are classified into Office applications, other applications, and image applications. However, it is only necessary that the applications can be classified into groups having common print setting items.

[Print setting confirmation screen Load processing]
Next, the print setting confirmation screen load process in step S900 of FIG. 2 will be described in detail. The print setting confirmation screen load process is executed by the control unit 21 (display screen control program).

  First, in step S910 of FIG. 7, the file selected on the document list screen is displayed on the file selection button (1) of the print setting confirmation screen 40 of FIG.

  Next, in step S920, 1 is substituted for I, and in step S930, it is determined whether I is larger than the maximum value (16 here) that can be taken as an ID of the print setting grouping table. If I> 16, the process ends. If I ≦ 16, it is determined in step S940 whether the ID of the print setting grouping table is equal to the value of I. If ID and I are not equal, in step S991, 1 is added to I and the process returns to step S930. If ID and I are equal, in step S950, the grouping tab name of the print setting grouping table is displayed. Is set to the print setting grouping tab button (2) of the print setting confirmation screen 40.

  Next, in step S960, whether or not the print setting confirmation screen 40 is created for the first time is determined by an initial flag (assuming that the initial flag is set to OFF by default). If the initial flag is ON, 1 is added to I in step S991, and the process returns to step S930. If the initial flag is OFF, display control of the print setting sub grouping button is performed in step S970. Specifically, in step S971 in FIG. 8, 1 is substituted for J, and in step S972, it is determined whether J is larger than the maximum value (64 here) that can be taken as the SUBID of the print setting grouping subtable. . If J> 64, the process ends. If J ≦ 64, the SUBID of the print setting grouping subtable is acquired from “J” in the SUBID storage array of the print setting grouping table in step S973, and in step S974. The application name (file name) of the print setting grouping subtable corresponding to the acquired SUBID is read. In step S975, the read application name (file name) is set in the print setting subgrouping tab button (3) of the print setting confirmation screen 40. In step S976, 1 is added to J, and the process returns to step S972.

  Returning to the flow of FIG. 7, display control of each setting item is performed in step S980. Specifically, in step S981 in FIG. 9, each setting item (for example, color setting display) in the print setting grouping table with ID = I is read. Next, in step S982, it is determined whether the value for the setting item is 1. If not, in step S983, the item corresponds to that item in the print setting content display area (5) of the print setting confirmation screen 40. The item name (for example, color) is displayed at the position. In step S984, each setting item (here, color setting display) in the common print setting item setting table is read. Next, in step S985, it is determined whether the value for the setting item is 1. If not, in step S986, the item corresponds to that item in the print setting content display area (5) of the print setting confirmation screen 40. The item name (for example, color (common)) is displayed at the position to be displayed. In FIG. 9, the color setting display has been described as an example. However, other setting items such as the number of copies setting, duplex setting, page allocation, paper size setting, page specification setting, fit page setting, staple setting, and punch setting are also applicable. Similar processing is performed.

  Returning to the flow of FIG. 7 again, the initial flag is set to ON in step S990, 1 is added to I in step S991, and the process returns to step S930.

  In the above flow, the print setting grouping tab button and the print setting sub grouping tab button are displayed on the print setting confirmation screen 40. If the setting items of the files belonging to the same group are the same, the print setting sub grouping tab is displayed. It is also possible to omit the button and display only the print setting grouping tab button.

[Print setting screen load processing]
Next, the print setting screen load process in step S1200 of FIG. 2 will be described in detail. The print setting screen load process is executed by the control unit 21 (display screen control program).

  First, in step S1210, the extension of the file selected on the document list screen is acquired.

  Next, in step S1220, 1 is substituted for I, and in step S1230, it is determined whether I is greater than the maximum value (16 here) that can be taken as an ID of the print setting grouping table. If I> 16, the default screen is displayed in step S1292, and the load processing of the print setting confirmation screen is terminated.

  On the other hand, if I ≦ 16, 1 is substituted for J in step S1240, and it is determined in step S1250 whether J is greater than the maximum value (64 in this case) that can be taken as the SUBID of the print setting grouping subtable. To do. If J> 64, 1 is added to I in step S1291, and the process returns to step S1230. If J ≦ 64, “1” is set in the SUBID storage array of the print setting grouping table in which ID = 1 in step S1260. The SUBID of the print setting grouping subtable is acquired from “J”.

  In step S1270, the extension is acquired from the extension character string array, and it is determined whether the extension is the same as the extension of the selected file. If they are the same, in step SS1280, print setting content display processing is performed.

  Specifically, in FIG. 11, in step S1281, each setting item (for example, color setting display) of the print setting grouping table with ID = 1 is read. Next, in step S1282, it is determined whether the value for the setting item is 1. If it is not 1, in step S1283, the item name (for example, color) is displayed at the position corresponding to the item on the print setting screen 41. ) Is displayed. In step S1284, each setting item (here, color setting display) in the common print setting item setting table is read. Next, in step S1285, it is determined whether or not the value for the setting item is 1. If not, in step S1286, the item name (for example, color) is displayed at the position corresponding to the item on the print setting screen 41. (Common)) is displayed. In FIG. 11, the color setting display has been described as an example, but other setting items such as the number of copies setting, duplex setting, page allocation, paper size setting, page specification setting, fit page setting, staple setting, and punch setting are also applicable. Similar processing is performed. Note that it may be determined whether to display the setting item based on whether the number of pages of the selected file is one page or a plurality of pages.

  As described above, on the print setting confirmation screen 40, the print setting grouping tab button for displaying a group of files with reference to the print setting grouping table and the types of files belonging to the group with reference to the print setting grouping sub-table. A print setting sub grouping tab button indicating (application type) and a print setting content display area indicating the print setting content are displayed. In the print setting content display area, a group selected by the print setting grouping tab button is displayed. Since only items that can be set are displayed, it is possible to easily check / set the print settings of the target file and prohibit setting of items that do not correspond to the target file. And printing can be executed according to the print settings.

  Next, a print setting method and a control program according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an XPS file, and FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a plurality of files are integrated to create an XPS file. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed by the printing system according to the present embodiment.

  In the first embodiment described above, a case has been described in which print settings for a plurality of files are performed on the premise of printing. However, the print settings do not necessarily have to be premised on printing, and a document in XML (Extensible Markup Language) format. It is also possible to make print settings on the premise of creating an XPS (XML Paper Specification) file that describes.

  This XPS file has a structure as shown in FIG. 15. The plain part is an indispensable element, and the shaded part is an element that can be optionally added. Required elements are Fixed Document Sequence that stores information of the entire document, Fixed Document that stores information of the entire page, Fixed Page that stores information of each page, Font that stores fonts, and Image that stores images Etc. The optional element is configured with a Print Ticket that stores print setting information of job-level, Document-level, and Page-level. Then, the Fixed Document part is referred to from the Fixed Document Sequence part, and the Fixed Page part is referred to from the Fixed Document part.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, an XPS file creation button for instructing creation of an XPS file is provided in (8) of the print setting confirmation screen 40. Then, after performing print settings for a plurality of files by the method shown in the first embodiment, when the XPS file creation button is pressed, the control unit 21 stores each file as shown in FIG. The XPS file is created by associating with the Fixed Document and describing the setting contents of the print setting item in the Document-level Print Ticket under each Fixed Document in PJL (Printer Job Language) or the like.

  As described above, even when the XPS file is created, the print setting confirmation screen 40 as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed to easily and appropriately execute print settings for a plurality of files constituting the XPS file. be able to.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the print setting is performed by the printer server 20 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the image forming apparatus 30, the user's computer terminal, RIP (Raster Image), and the like. The same applies to the case where the print setting is performed by a processor controller.

  The present invention is applicable to a method for performing print settings for a plurality of types of files and a program for realizing the method.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a print setting procedure (overall processing) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a print setting procedure (print setting table generation processing) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a print setting procedure (Office application print setting grouping table generation process) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a print setting procedure (other application print setting grouping table generation processing) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a print setting procedure (image application print setting grouping table generation processing) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a print setting confirmation procedure (print setting confirmation screen load process) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a print setting confirmation procedure (print setting subgrouping tab button display process) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a print setting confirmation procedure (print setting content display area display process) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a print setting procedure (print setting screen load processing flow) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a print setting procedure (print setting content display process) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the transition of the display screen in the printing system which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen (print setting confirmation screen) in the printing system which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen (print setting screen) in the printing system which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of an XPS file. It is a figure which shows the display screen (print setting confirmation screen) in the printing system which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that several files are integrated and an XPS file is produced. It is a figure which shows the display screen (print setting confirmation screen) in the conventional printing system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 External storage server 11 Control part 12 Program storage part 13 Data storage part 14 Communication part 20 Printer server 21 Control part 22 Program storage part 23 Data storage part 24 Print instruction part 25 Communication part 26 Display operation part 30 Image forming apparatus 31 Control part 32 storage unit 33 drawing processing unit 34 printing unit 35 communication unit 40 print setting confirmation screen 41 print setting screen

Claims (7)

A plurality of types of files are classified into groups having common print setting items, and for each group, a first table including a group name for identifying the group and information for specifying the print setting items to be displayed is generated. A table generation process for generating a second table including a file type name for specifying the file type and an extension of the file for each file type belonging to
A first screen including a first tab on which the group name is displayed, a second tab on which the file type name is displayed, and a print setting confirmation field on which print setting items and setting contents are displayed. When displaying, the file type name corresponding to the file belonging to the group selected on the first tab is displayed on the second tab, and selected on the first tab in the print setting confirmation column. And a screen display process for displaying only print setting items specified to be displayed in the first table corresponding to the group. In the table generation process, a third table including information defining print setting items to be displayed in common to all groups is generated,
In the screen display process, when there is a print setting item specified to be displayed in the third table among the print setting items displayed in the print setting confirmation column, the print setting item is common to the print setting item. The print setting method according to claim 1, wherein information indicating an item is displayed.   In the screen display process, on the first screen, a file selection field for selectively displaying a file to be printed is displayed, and a transition button for transitioning to a second screen for changing the print setting is displayed. When the transition button is pressed, the second table in which the same extension as the file selected in the file selection field is registered is specified, and the specified second table is displayed on the second screen. 3. The print setting method according to claim 1, wherein only the print setting items specified to be displayed in the first table associated with the first table are displayed. 4. A control program for setting print settings for multiple types of files,
Computer
A first tab that displays a group name that specifies a group having a common print setting item, and a second tab that displays a file type name that specifies the type of a file belonging to the group selected on the first tab. A control unit that causes the display unit to display a first screen including a tab and a print setting confirmation field in which print setting items and setting contents set in advance for the group selected in the first tab are displayed. , A control program characterized by functioning as   When the print setting item displayed in the print setting confirmation column includes a print setting item that is specified in advance to be displayed in common to all groups, the control unit displays a common item for the print setting item. The control program according to claim 4, wherein information indicating the presence is displayed.   The control unit displays, on the first screen, a file selection field that displays a file that is a target of print setting in a selectable manner, and a transition button that transitions to a second screen for changing the print setting, The print setting item set in advance for the group to which the file selected in the file selection field belongs is displayed on the second screen when the transition button is pressed. The control program according to 4 or 5.   The control unit displays, on the first screen, a file selection field for selectively displaying a file to be printed and an instruction button for instructing creation of an XPS file, and the instruction button is pressed. 7. An XPS file is created by describing the setting contents of the print setting items of each file selected in the file selection field in a print ticket corresponding to each file. A control program according to any one of the above.

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