JP4688042B2 - Printer and printer print layout setting method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer and a print layout setting method of the printer, and more particularly, to a printer capable of printing according to information relating to print layout setting loaded on an external storage medium such as a memory card and read from the external storage medium. The present invention relates to a print layout setting method.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, so-called stand-alone printers that can print on a printing sheet alone without requiring connection to a host device typified by a personal computer have become widespread.

  This stand-alone printer typically reads data to be printed from a memory card attached to the card interface and prints it. Therefore, for example, a user who does not have a personal computer or the like can use this stand-alone image data stored in a memory card and stored in a digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as “digital camera”) without using a personal computer or the like. It is possible to use printing directly by a printer.

  As described above, since the stand-alone printer does not need to be connected to the host device, print instructions and various print condition settings that have been conventionally performed on the host device, such as print paper type, print paper size, number of copies, An operation panel (user interface device) for setting print conditions such as print quality and layout is provided in the main body.

  Although the stand-alone printer is designed so that the user can set various printing conditions by using the operation panel, it can only be set within the range of setting contents incorporated in advance in the control device in the main body. For example, regarding layout settings, only layouts that are considered to be highly versatile, such as postcard printing, sticker printing, and index printing, are defined, and printing may be performed according to a layout for a specific application. could not.

  For this reason, when a printing condition file designating a layout for a specific application is stored in advance in a memory card and printing is to be performed according to a layout that is not pre-installed in the control device in the main body, A stand-alone printer that reads the print condition file and can set it as a print condition has also been proposed.

  However, the operation panel of a stand-alone printer has only a display / selection function necessary and sufficient to achieve the original purpose of setting various printing conditions. In such an operation panel, a plurality of printing condition files are provided. In the operation of selecting a desired printing condition file from the memory card that stores and setting this as the printing condition, there is a problem that it is very inconvenient. On the other hand, it was difficult to provide a highly functional operation panel from the viewpoint of keeping the manufacturing cost low.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to propose a method for easily selecting a desired printing condition file from a memory card storing a plurality of printing condition files, and a stand-alone printer provided with a user interface device for realizing such a method. .

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, a printer includes a print layout setting script (print condition setting layout) and an external interface to / from which a storage medium for storing an image (preview image) associated with the print layout setting script can be attached and detached. Reading means for reading a print layout setting script from a storage medium mounted on the external interface, and setting for selecting a specific print layout setting script as a print layout (printing condition) from the print layout setting script read by the reading means An output unit for outputting an image associated with the specific print layout setting script selected by the setting unit to an external display device, and an image based on the print target data according to the selected print layout. A generating means for generating a Jideta, a printer, characterized in that it comprises a printing means for printing on the print medium based on image data that is generated.

  Thus, the user can visually confirm the contents of the print layout selected from the print layouts stored in the removable storage medium via the external display device connected to the printer. .

  In the present invention, when identification information is assigned to the predetermined print layout setting script, and the specific print layout setting script is selected as a print layout by the setting unit, the specific print layout setting script is supported. It is preferable to present identification information. In this case, it is preferable that the assigned identification information is sequentially presented according to the input operation of the user.

  Thereby, when the user selects a print layout, the user can visually confirm identification information (file name, management number, etc.) corresponding to the print layout.

  The invention according to the second aspect includes a print layout setting script and an external interface to / from which a storage medium storing an image associated with the print layout setting script can be attached and detached, and a storage medium attached to the external interface. Reading means for reading a print layout setting script, setting means for selecting a specific print layout setting script as a print layout from the print layout setting script read by the reading means, and print target data according to the selected print layout A printer comprising: generation means for generating image data based on the image; and printing means for printing on a print medium based on the generated image data, the printer being associated with the read print layout script A printer, characterized by printing the resulting image.

  As a result, a list of selectable layouts is printed on the printing paper, and the user can easily and easily select a print layout.

  Furthermore, the invention according to the third aspect is expanded from a storage means for storing standard print layout information, an external interface to which a storage medium for storing extended print layout information can be attached and detached, and a storage medium attached to the external interface. Registration means for reading and registering print layout information, setting means for selecting selection of standard print layout information stored in the storage means, and generating image data based on print target data according to the selected print layout And generating means for printing on a print medium based on the generated image data, and the setting means, when the extended print layout information is registered by the registration means, The pre-printed layout information can be selected. Is another.

  As a result, the user can select a standard layout built in a so-called printer main body or an extended layout supplied from a storage medium such as a memory card as an option via the operation panel of the printer.

  The invention of the apparatus is also established as a method invention. The present invention can also be understood as a program invention.

  In this specification, the term “means” does not simply mean a physical means, but also includes a case where the functions of the means are realized by software. Further, the function of one means may be realized by two or more physical means, or the functions of two or more means may be realized by one physical means.

  According to the present invention, in a user interface of a stand-alone printer, a desired print condition setting file can be easily selected from a memory card storing a plurality of print condition setting files.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
In this embodiment, the printer first checks the paper size specified in the printing condition setting script stored in the memory card, and reads only the script of the paper size supported by itself into the memory. In addition, only scripts corresponding to the paper size selected on the user interface are sequentially displayed and selected.

As a result, it is possible to perform print settings that are rich in extensibility and flexibility, and in particular, a user can easily select a desired script. In addition, an extended layout is displayed and selected sequentially in a user interface that only has a display and selection function necessary and sufficient to achieve the original purpose of the printer to set various printing conditions (print layout). FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a printer according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, a liquid crystal panel 11 and various buttons 12 are provided on the upper surface of the main body of the printer 1 to form a user interface. That is, a predetermined guidance message or the like is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 11, and the user operates the button 12 in accordance with the displayed content to interactively give the printer 1 a print condition setting or a print execution instruction. Be able to.

  A card slot 13 as an external interface is provided on the front surface of the printer 1. The card slot 13 conforms to, for example, the PCMCIA standard, and the memory card 2 conforming to such a standard is configured to be detachable.

  Such a printer 1 is known as a stand-alone printer that does not require connection to a host device. That is, for example, when the printer 1 detects that a memory card is inserted into the card slot 13 and is inserted, a message prompting a print execution instruction is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 11, and the printer 1 waits for a print execution instruction. In this state, the user can operate the button 12 as necessary to set printing conditions and give a print execution instruction. When the printer 1 receives a print execution instruction from the user, the printer 1 reads the image data stored in the memory card 2 and prints on the printing paper. As a result, the user can use such as directly printing image data captured by a digital camera or the like without going through the host device.

  However, even a stand-alone printer may include various interfaces such as a parallel interface, a USB interface, and a network interface that enable connection to the host device.

  The memory card 2 incorporates a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and is configured to be detachable from the printer 1 and the digital camera. The user captures image data into the memory card 2 by taking a picture with a digital camera with the memory card 2 attached, and then removes the memory card 2 from the digital camera and attaches it to the printer 1 to perform printing. The captured image data is stored in the memory card 2 in a file format. In the memory card 2 according to the present embodiment, a script (print layout setting script) for setting a predetermined print layout for the printer 1 and thumbnail image data associated with the script are stored in advance in a file format. It is remembered.

  If the memory card 2 attached to the digital camera is, for example, a “compact flash memory”, it may be inserted through a PC card adapter in order to be attached to the card slot 13 of the printer 1 compliant with the PCMCIA standard. The memory card 2 is used here in a broad sense including such a PC card adapter.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printer 1 according to this embodiment. The processor 21 executes various control programs stored in the ROM 22 while using the RAM 23 that functions as a main storage device, and controls the printer 1 in an integrated manner. In other words, various programs are executed by the processor 21, thereby causing the printer 1 to realize predetermined functions in cooperation with other hardware. In this embodiment, at least a user interface function, a print setting function, a script interpretation execution function, an image generation function, a print control function, and the like are realized. The ROM 22 stores specification information supported by the printer 1 itself, such as monochrome / color printing, paper size, and the like.

  The user interface circuit 24 is for controlling a user interface which is realized by the liquid crystal panel 11 and the various buttons 12 and provides an interactive operation environment to the user.

  The external interface circuit 25 is for enabling the processor 21 to access the memory card 2 mounted in the card slot 13. When the memory card 2 is inserted into the card slot 13, the external interface circuit 25 interrupts the processor 21, and when detecting this interrupt, the processor 21 enters a state of waiting for user input for setting printing conditions. In this print condition setting, the user can select a print condition prepared in advance on the printer 1 side through the user interface and can select a desired one from a plurality of print layout setting files stored in the memory card 2. This print layout setting file can be selected as a print condition. In selecting the print layout setting file, all selectable printing conditions are presented by an output device other than the liquid crystal panel 11. Upon receiving a print execution instruction after the user has selected a print layout setting file via the user interface circuit 24, the processor 21 interprets the selected print conditions (including selection of a print layout setting script), and Image data based on the image data is generated according to the interpretation result.

  The image memory 26 is for temporarily storing the generated image data. The engine controller 27 reads the image data stored in the image memory 26 while controlling the operation of the print engine 28 and supplies the read image data to the print engine 28. The engine controller 27 is activated, for example, using a print execution command sent from the processor 21 as a trigger when print image data having a predetermined bandwidth is developed in the image memory 26. The print engine 28 is mainly configured by mechanical members such as a paper feed mechanism and a print head, and forms an image on a print medium such as paper. As the print engine 28, a printer according to the type of printer such as a laser printer or a serial printer can be used as appropriate.

  The external output port 29 is for outputting a video signal to an external display device such as a television device or a display device connected via a cable. The printer 1 can display a predetermined thumbnail image read from the memory card 2 and held internally on the external display device via the external output port 29.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the data structure in the memory card 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the memory card 2 stores image data to be printed, a print layout setting script, and thumbnail image data associated with the script in a file format. Each file may be managed hierarchically. The print layout setting script is typically created and edited separately by a personal computer or the like, and written in the memory card 2. The memory card 2 preferably stores a plurality of print layout setting scripts that define various printing conditions. However, there may be a case where only one print layout setting script is stored in the memory card 2 or a case where none is stored.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the print layout setting script according to the present embodiment. In the figure, line numbers are given for convenience. As shown in the figure, the print layout setting script of this example includes a header section (1st to 14th lines) and a page section (15th to 16th lines).

  A thumbnail image data file is specified in the 12th line of the header section, and a command for specifying the paper size “3.5 × 5” (so-called L size) is described in the 13th line.

  The Drawpicture command on the 16th line of the page section is for designating the layout of image data to be printed. In this example, the first argument of the Drawpicture command is Null (""). However, when other image data (* .EEF file) is specified here, the printer 1 displays the image data and the print target. Printing is performed with image data superimposed. For example, the frame image and the photographic image can be overlapped and printed as one composite image.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface according to the present embodiment. As described above, the user interface includes the liquid crystal panel 11 and the various buttons 12. The liquid crystal panel 11 has sub items 52 for each item 51 such as “printing method”, “paper type”, and “paper size”. In the figure, all the sub items 52 are displayed, but only the selected sub item 52 is displayed during operation. The printer 1 can set various printing conditions within the range of the sub-item 52 shown here.

  Here, although six types of sub-items are prepared in advance for the item “layout”, they are referred to as “standard layouts” and are provided by a print layout setting script and can be used as will be described later. This layout is called “extended layout”.

  The item 51 to be selected is indicated by the cursor pointer 53 displayed. The item 51 and the sub item 52 are selected by an operation using the up / down / left / right arrow buttons 12. That is, when the user operates the up arrow button or the down arrow button, the display of the cursor pointer 53 moves in the corresponding direction, and informs the user of the item 51 that is the selection target. When the user operates the left arrow button or the right arrow button in a state where any item 51 is a selection target, the display of the sub item 52 moves in the corresponding direction and is selected by the user. Inform sub-item 52. Note that the value of the printing condition parameter corresponding to the selected sub-item 52 is set by such user operation, and this is reflected in the printing condition.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the memory card is loaded in the printer 1 according to the present embodiment. Such processing is realized by, for example, a memory card management program (module), and the printer 1 executes this during its operation.

  That is, as shown in the figure, the memory card management program monitors an interrupt from the external interface circuit 26 (STEP 601). An interruption occurs when a memory card is inserted into the card slot 13. When detecting the interruption, the memory card management program accesses the memory card 2 and checks whether or not the print layout setting file exists (STEP 602). At this time, the memory card management program checks the number of image data files stored in the memory card 2 and controls the user interface circuit 25 to display the current print condition parameter setting values on the liquid crystal panel 11. To control. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface immediately after the memory card 2 is inserted into the card slot 13. In this example, “full print” prepared as a standard layout for the item “layout” is selected.

  When the print layout setting file is stored in the memory card 2, the memory card management program selects one print layout setting file and reads it through the external interface circuit 26 (STEP 603). Next, the memory card management program analyzes the script which is the contents of the print layout setting file (STEP 604), and checks whether the paper size designated there is a paper size supported by the printer 1 itself. (STEP605). Specifically, the memory card management program refers to the value of “HdPhysicalPaperSize” described in the header section in the print layout setting script. As a result, if the memory card management program determines that the script supports it, it registers the print layout setting script in a predetermined area in the RAM 23 (STEP 606).

  For example, when a script specifies a paper size “A3”, if the printer does not support printing on such a paper, the script is not registered. When registering a print layout setting script in a predetermined area, the memory card management program assigns an identification number to the print layout setting script, and a thumbnail file name specified by the print layout setting script in association with the identification number Register. In this case, if a superimposed image file is designated, this is also registered. The thumbnail file name is indicated by the value of “HdThumbnail” described in the header section in the print layout setting script. The identification number is used to allow the user to identify on the user interface or other output media. Although the thumbnail file name is registered here, the entity data (thumbnail image) may be read and registered in advance.

  The memory card management program performs the above processing (STEPs 602 to 606) for all print layout setting files stored in the memory card 2. When the above process is completed for all the print layout setting files stored in the memory card 2, the memory card management program waits until the memory card 2 is removed (STEP 607). When the memory card 2 is removed, the memory card management program resets the contents registered in a predetermined area on the RAM 23 (STEP 608), and then returns to the processing of STEP 601 to monitor the mounting of the memory card 2.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining user interface display / selection processing in the printer according to the present embodiment. Such processing is realized by, for example, a user interface program (module), and the printer 1 executes this during its operation.

  When the memory card 2 is inserted into the card slot 13, the user interface program displays the content of the current setting value of the printing condition parameter on the user interface (STEP 801; for example, FIG. 7). In this state, the user can set printing conditions by operating the up / down / left / right arrow buttons 12. When the user presses either the left arrow key or the right arrow key (STEP 802, Yes), the user interface program moves the display of the sub-item 52 in the item 51 and selects the corresponding parameter (STEP 803). However, when selecting a layout, processing described later is performed to select a standard layout and an extended layout.

  On the other hand, when the user presses either the up arrow key or the down arrow key (YES in STEP 804), the user interface program moves the display of the item 51 (STEP 805).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining processing at the time of layout selection in the printer according to the present embodiment.

  When the left and right arrow buttons are operated by the user at the time of layout selection, the user interface program checks whether the setting is a standard layout setting or an extended layout setting (STEP 901). If the standard layout is set, the user interface program moves the display of the sub-item 52 in the item 51 and selects a parameter corresponding to the sub-item 52 (STEP 902).

  On the other hand, if the standard layout is not set, that is, if the selection is made outside the sub-items 52 at both ends, the user interface program checks whether a script is registered in a predetermined area on the RAM 23 (STEP 903). ). If the user interface program determines that the script is not registered, it can display and select only the standard layout, and therefore the process proceeds to STEP 902. In this case, the sub-item 52 on the opposite side is displayed just as if the sub-item 52 to be selected is completed. On the other hand, when determining that the script is registered, the user interface program further performs the following processing for displaying / selecting the extended layout.

  That is, the user interface program first selects one registered script (STEP 904). Next, the user interface program compares the paper size specified by the selected script with the paper size selected on the user interface, and checks whether they match (STEP 905). .

  If it is determined that they do not match, the user interface program returns to STEP 904, selects one next script, and performs the same check. Since the user interface program registers only the supported paper sizes, the matching script can be finally selected by sequentially performing this check. If it is determined in STEP 904 that the paper sizes match, the identification number assigned to the script is displayed on the user interface (STEP 906). For example, when A4 size is selected as the paper size on the user interface, only scripts that specify the layout for A4 size among the scripts stored in the memory card 2 are sequentially displayed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the user interface at this time. In the figure, it is shown that the display areas of the item 51 “photo selection” and “number of sheets” are used as the display areas 101a and 101b for the extended layout. That is, this figure shows a state where a script with “UL” indicating an extended layout display and an identification number “001” is selected. When the user further presses the right (left) arrow button in this state, the user interface program similarly selects a script and displays its identification number.

  Further, after the user operates the up (down) arrow button to move the cursor pointer 53 to “paper size” of the item 51 and operates the left (right) arrow button to select “postcard” of the sub item 52. Assume again that the extended layout is selected in the item 51 “layout”. In this case, the user interface program similarly performs the processing shown in FIG. 9, a script specifying the layout for the postcard size is displayed, and each time the left (right) arrow button is operated, the size for the postcard size is displayed. Only scripts are displayed sequentially.

  Next, an operation example of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9A, the memory card 2 includes nine print layout setting files (scripts), that is, “B4TATE.USD” and “B4YOKO.USD” as scripts defining a layout for B4 size. , "A4TATE.USD" and "A4YOKO.USD" as scripts defining the layout for A4 size, "B5TATE.USD" and "B5YOKO.USD" as scripts defining the layout for B5 size, and for postcard size Assume that “NENGA.USD”, “HIKKOSHI.USD”, and “KEKKON.USD” are stored as scripts that define the layout of Further, these scripts are associated with thumbnail files (thumbnail images) in which the layout is visually expressed as simple images. On the other hand, it is assumed that the printer 1 supports paper sizes of “roll paper”, “A4”, and “postcard”.

  Now, when the user installs the memory card 2 in the card slot 13, the printer 1 reads and interprets these print layout setting files, and as shown in FIG. The size script is registered with an identification number assigned, and a thumbnail file name is registered. In this state, for example, when the user selects A4 size as the paper size on the user interface and selects the layout, the display is switched as shown in FIG. When the selection is made and the layout is selected, the display is switched as shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the print layout setting file designating the extended layout is stored in the memory card in advance, and the printer can set the print condition according to the file. It becomes possible to provide a printer that is rich in expandability and flexibility in terms of setting.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, an extended layout is sequentially applied to a user interface that has only a display / selection function necessary and sufficient to achieve the original purpose of the printer for setting various printing conditions. It can be displayed and selected.

[Second Embodiment]
The present embodiment is characterized in that when a user selects an extended layout in the item “layout”, a thumbnail image (preview image) indicated by a thumbnail file associated with the extended layout is displayed on the output device. . In the present embodiment, it is assumed that an external display device is connected to the printer 1 via the external output port 29.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining processing at the time of layout selection in the printer according to the present embodiment. This figure corresponds to FIG. 9 described above, and is different from this in that the processing of STEPs 1207 and 1208 is added.

  That is, the user interface program compares the paper size specified by the selected script with the paper size selected on the user interface, and determines that they match, it is attached to the script. The identification number is displayed on the user interface (STEP 906). For example, when the A4 size is selected as the paper size on the user interface, the script number designating the A4 size layout among the scripts stored in the memory card 2 is displayed. Subsequently, the user interface program reads a thumbnail image from the memory card 2 in accordance with the thumbnail file name associated with the identification number (STEP 1207). When the user interface program reads the thumbnail image, the user interface program controls the video signal based on the image to be output to the external display device via the external output port 29 (STEP 1208). As a result, the thumbnail image is displayed on the external display device. Therefore, the layout state that is difficult to understand by the display with only the identification number of the liquid crystal panel 11 is displayed visually, and the user can easily grasp it.

  In the present embodiment, the identification number is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 11 and the thumbnail image is displayed on the external display device. For example, the external display device is connected to the external output port. In such a case, the display on the liquid crystal panel 11 may not be performed.

[Third Embodiment]
The present embodiment is characterized in that a list of selectable layouts is output on a print sheet in accordance with a print instruction from a user interface.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining user interface display / selection processing in the printer according to the present embodiment. In the figure, the processing of STEPs 1301 to 1305 corresponds to the processing of STEPs 801 to 805 shown in FIG.

  When the user interface program detects that the user simultaneously pressed the frame selection key and the print start key while waiting for an input operation (YES in STEP 1306), the user interface program displays a list of selectable layouts on the printing paper. Processing for printing is performed (STEP 1307).

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the layout list printing process of the printer according to this embodiment. Such processing is realized by, for example, a printing program (module) and executed by being called from a higher-level control program.

  As shown in the figure, when receiving a layout list print instruction, the print program designates the paper size selected on the user interface among the print layout setting scripts registered in a predetermined area on the RAM 23. The script to be extracted is extracted (STEP 1401). Next, the print program reads a thumbnail image from the memory card 2 into the RAM 23 according to the thumbnail file name corresponding to the extracted script (STEP 1402). Subsequently, the printing program generates image data based on the read thumbnail image (STEP 1403). At this time, the image data is generated so that the identification number assigned to the print layout setting script is printed in association with the thumbnail image. The generated image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 26. When the image data is loaded into the image memory 26, the printing program sends a READY signal to the engine controller 27. Upon receiving the READY signal, the engine controller 27 executes printing on the printing paper while controlling the print engine (STEP 1404). ).

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing result by layout list printing according to the present embodiment. In this example, a list of layouts (thumbnail images) of the print layout setting script defined for the paper size “postcard” is shown. Each layout is assigned an identification number. When the user who refers to the layout list intends to select a desired layout as a printing condition, the user selects the script number by operating the user interface of the printer 1 main body.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the list of selectable layouts is printed on the printing paper under the user's operation. Therefore, the minimum user interface for setting various printing conditions Even if the printer has only this, the user can select the extended layout easily and easily.

  In the present embodiment, only the extended layout is printed as a list that can be selected, but the standard layout prepared in advance in the printer main body may be included in the list and printed. .

[Fourth Embodiment]
In this embodiment, the printer does not read and hold the printing condition setting script stored in the memory card and the image data related to the printing condition in the internal memory in advance. Only the assigned identification number is stored in the internal memory, and each time the identification number is selected on the user interface, the printing condition setting script corresponding to the identification number is read and interpreted. Yes.

  As a result, it is not necessary to previously store a print condition setting script and image data related thereto, and the printer can be configured with a small amount of memory.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining processing when a memory card is mounted in the printer 1 according to the present embodiment. This figure corresponds to FIG. 9 described in the first embodiment, and the processing from STEPs 1601 to 1605 is the same as that in FIG.

  The memory card management program checks whether or not the paper size specified in the script is a paper size supported by the printer itself (STEP 1605). A number is issued (STEP 1606), and this is associated with the print condition setting file name and registered in the usable file management table (STEP 1606). FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of the usable file management table. This usable file management table is formed in a predetermined area on the RAM 23. The printer 1 refers to the usable file management table in the process at the time of selecting a layout.

  When the memory card 2 is removed, the memory card management program resets the contents of the usable file management table on the RAM 23 (STEP 609), returns to the processing of STEP 1601, and monitors the mounting of the memory card 2.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining processing at the time of layout selection in the printer according to the present embodiment.

  When the left / right arrow button is operated by the user at the time of layout selection, the user interface program checks whether the setting is a standard layout setting or an extended layout setting (STEP 1801). When the standard layout is set, the user interface program moves the display of the sub-item 52 in the item 51 and selects a parameter corresponding to it (STEP 1802).

  On the other hand, when the standard layout is not set, that is, when it is selected outside the sub-items 52 at both ends, the user interface program checks whether or not an identification number is registered in the usable file management table (STEP 1803). ). If the user interface program determines that the identification number is not registered, it can display and select only the standard layout, and therefore the process proceeds to STE1802. In this case, the sub-item 52 on the opposite side is displayed just as if the selected sub-item 52 has gone around. On the other hand, when determining that the script is registered, the user interface program further performs the following processing for displaying / selecting the extended layout.

  That is, the user interface program first selects one registered identification number (STEP 1804). Next, the user interface program accesses the memory card 2 and reads the print condition setting file associated with the selected identification number, and interprets the script as the content (STEP 1805). Subsequently, the user interface program compares the paper size specified by the script with the paper size selected on the user interface and checks whether they match (STEP 1805).

  If it is determined that they do not match, the user interface program returns to STEP 1804, selects one next script, and performs the same check. Since the user interface program registers only those corresponding to the supported paper sizes, the matching script can be finally selected by sequentially performing this check. If it is determined in STEP 1806 that the paper sizes match, the identification number is displayed on the user interface (STEP 906). For example, when the A4 size is selected as the paper size on the user interface, only the scripts specifying the A4 size layout among the identification numbers stored in the memory card 2 are sequentially displayed. .

  Subsequently, the user interface program reads a thumbnail image from the memory card 2 in accordance with the thumbnail file name specified in the script (STEP 1808). When the user interface program reads the thumbnail image, the user interface program controls the video signal based on the thumbnail image to be output to the external display device via the external output port 29 (STEP 1809). As a result, the thumbnail image is displayed on the external display device. Therefore, the layout state that is difficult to understand by the display with only the identification number of the liquid crystal panel 11 is displayed visually, and the user can easily grasp it.

[Other Embodiments]
Each of the above embodiments is an example for explaining the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention only to these embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof, and can also be implemented in combinations and sub-combinations of the above-described embodiments.

  Further, in this specification, the operation of the function realizing means is described sequentially, but this is not particularly concerned. Therefore, as long as no contradiction occurs in the operation, the processing order may be changed or the operations may be performed in parallel.

  Each of the above embodiments can be further modified as follows. That is, when a display area capable of displaying single-byte alphanumeric characters is configured in the user interface shown in FIG. 5, the file name of the print layout setting script may be displayed in that area. As a result, the user can more easily grasp the script to be selected, and the operability is improved.

  In addition, the printer 1 may load thumbnail images and superimposed images from the memory card 2 into an internal rewritable nonvolatile memory and store them. In this case, it is preferable that the printer 1 can use the thumbnail image or the like even when the memory card 2 is detached and another memory card 2 is inserted.

  In addition, the printer 1 not only reads the print condition setting file stored in the memory card 2 mounted in the card slot 13, but also stores, for example, storage media (MO, in the digital camera) connected to various interfaces such as a USB interface. The print condition setting file stored in the non-volatile memory or the like may be read.

1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the data structure in the memory card 2 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the content of the print layout setting script which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing when a memory card is mounted in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining user interface display / selection processing in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention; 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing at the time of layout selection in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing at the time of layout selection in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining user interface display / selection processing in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention; 6 is a flowchart for explaining a layout list printing process of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing result by the layout list printing which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing when a memory card is mounted in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the usable file management table which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing at the time of layout selection in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer 2 ... Memory card 11 ... Liquid crystal panel 12 ... Operation button 13 ... Card slot 21 ... Processor 22 ... ROM
23 ... RAM
24 ... User interface circuit 25 ... External interface circuit 26 ... Image memory 27 ... Engine controller 28 ... Print engine

Claims (4)

An external interface for inputting first print layout setting information and a preview image associated with the first print layout setting information;
Storage means for storing specification information;
It is determined whether or not the first paper size specified in the first print layout setting information read via the external interface is the second paper size stored as the specification information, and determined as the second paper size. Means for registering the first print layout setting information only when
Setting means for selecting specific print layout setting information as a print layout from the registered first print layout setting information and pre-stored second print layout setting information;
Display means for displaying a preview image associated with the specific print layout setting information selected by the setting means;
A user interface for selecting the paper size used for printing, and
The user interface is
Display identification information of print layout setting information that specifies a paper size that matches the paper size used for printing, and do not display identification information of print layout setting information that specifies a paper size that does not match the paper size used for printing A display device. Print layout setting of a display device comprising: an external interface for inputting first print layout setting information, a preview image associated with the first print layout setting information; and storage means for storing specification information A method,
It is determined whether or not the first paper size specified in the first print layout setting information read via the external interface is the second paper size stored as the specification information, and determined as the second paper size. Only when the first print layout setting information is registered,
Selecting specific print layout setting information as a print layout from the registered first print layout setting information and pre-stored second print layout setting information;
A display step of displaying a preview image associated with the selected specific print layout setting information;
With
In the display step,
Identification information of print layout setting information for designating a paper size that matches the paper size used for printing is displayed on a user interface for selecting a paper size used for printing, and a paper size that does not match the paper size used for printing A print layout setting method characterized by not displaying identification information of print layout setting information for designating . An external interface for inputting first print layout setting information and a preview image associated with the first print layout setting information;
Storage means for storing specification information;
It is determined whether or not the first paper size specified in the first print layout setting information read via the external interface is the second paper size stored as the specification information, and determined as the second paper size. Means for registering the first print layout setting information only when
Setting means for selecting specific print layout setting information as a print layout from the registered first print layout setting information and a second print layout incorporated in advance;
Means for causing the display means to display a preview image associated with the specific print layout setting information selected by the setting means;
Generating means for generating image data based on a preview image associated with the specific print layout setting information according to the selected print layout;
Printing means for printing on a print medium based on the generated image data;
A user interface for selecting the paper size used for printing, and
The user interface is
Display identification information of print layout setting information that specifies a paper size that matches the paper size used for printing, and do not display identification information of print layout setting information that specifies a paper size that does not match the paper size used for printing A printing apparatus characterized by the above. Print layout setting of a printing apparatus comprising: an external interface for inputting first print layout setting information and a preview image associated with the first print layout setting information; and storage means for storing specification information A method,
It is determined whether or not the first paper size specified in the first print layout setting information read via the external interface is the second paper size stored as the specification information, and determined as the second paper size. Only when the first print layout setting information is registered,
Selecting specific print layout setting information as a print layout from the registered first print layout setting information and pre-stored second print layout setting information;
A display step of displaying a preview image associated with the selected specific print layout setting information;
Generating image data based on a preview image associated with the specific print layout setting information according to the selected print layout;
Printing on a print medium based on the generated image data;
With
In the display step,
Identification information of print layout setting information for designating a paper size that matches the paper size used for printing is displayed on a user interface for selecting a paper size used for printing, and the paper size does not match the paper size used for printing The print layout setting method is characterized in that the identification information of the print layout setting information for designating is not displayed .

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