JP5328949B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and medium storing control program for executing the method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a storage medium storing a processing procedure for efficiently setting a plurality of setting items collectively in a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI). It is.

Generally, in an information processing apparatus, a user performs various settings through a UI. Here, when there are many setting items and there are complicated dependencies among the setting items, several setting items are registered as a set and a plurality of items are selected by the user by selecting the set. There is an information processing apparatus having a function of changing setting items collectively.
For example, in the printer driver, items relating to print quality during printing such as graphic mode, resolution, color setting, and replacement of TrueType are combined and registered in advance in association with icons. At the time of printing, the user can change a plurality of setting items in a batch by selecting a plurality of icons suitable for the printing purpose. This is called “printing purpose setting”.

  The “print purpose setting” described above mainly targets only the graphic-related setting items in the printer driver. For this reason, even if it can be said that a plurality of setting items can be changed in a batch, the setting items can only be set in one sheet unit. Therefore, unless the sheet having the setting item to be changed is opened, the setting item cannot be changed.

  On the other hand, there is also an item that expands the range of setting items that can be registered as a set to a plurality of sheets, which is called “favorite”. “Favorites” have almost all setting items on the UI as registration targets, and as a result, can be operated from any sheet. Therefore, the above-mentioned problem of “print purpose setting” is solved, and the user can efficiently use various functions of the printer.

  However, since there are many setting items that can be changed in “Favorites”, there may be a conflict problem with device options. For example, even if the user is set to perform duplex printing, duplex printing cannot be performed unless the duplex unit is attached to the printer. Similarly, even if the user is set to use stapling or the like, stapling or the like cannot be performed unless a dedicated finisher is attached to the printer. However, if many setting items are collectively changed by “favorite”, the settings are made with those device conflicts occurring.

  In addition, “Favorite” was created when a dedicated device option was installed, but if the device option was removed at the time of printing or other devices that did not have a dedicated device option installed, ”May be set as a“ favorite ”for settings that cannot actually be executed.

  Therefore, in the present invention, when "Favorite" is selected, the current device option installation status is checked, and if a setting that cannot be executed is displayed, a message to that effect is displayed and the setting value is rounded. . The setting value may be rounded to the default value or the like as determined by the driver, or the user may select from several rounding methods.

  The setting items that are particularly targeted are setting items relating to duplex printing, bookbinding printing, paper feed port, finisher (having a finishing function such as stapling), processing depending on memory, and the like.

  Also, when importing "Favorites" settings from a file, "Favorites" may be copied to clients with completely different device environments. Also at this time, by checking the device environment and rounding the setting value and registering it in “Favorites”, a mechanism is provided that can avoid the trouble of giving a message each time a favorite is selected.

  It also provides a mechanism for handling complex settings like favorites as files.

  An information processing apparatus for achieving at least one of the above objects includes a receiving unit that receives an instruction to import a composite setting for collectively changing a plurality of settings related to printing, and an import that imports the composite setting And when the instruction to import is received by the receiving unit and the import is performed by the importing unit, it is possible to execute printing with the setting content corresponding to the composite setting, If the imported composite setting is registered and it is impossible to execute printing with the setting content corresponding to the composite setting, the setting has been corrected to the setting content capable of executing printing with a printer. The imported composite setting is registered.

  An information processing apparatus that performs print settings for a device device using a composite setting including a combination of setting values related to multiple printing, and edits the setting values related to printing included in the composite settings. Can be stored, and the stored composite settings can be output as an external file.

1 illustrates an example of a system configuration applied to the present invention. It is a block block diagram of a host computer. It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog for operating a favorite. It is a figure which shows the flowchart which shows the flow of the whole favorite. It is an example of a favorite display when a setting item is changed. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the process at the time of favorite selection. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the process of the conflict check depending on a device option. It is a figure which shows an example of the message at the time of a conflict occurrence. It is a figure which shows an example of a favorite addition dialog. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of a favorite addition process. It is a figure which shows an example of the message at the time of no name input. It is a figure which shows an example of the message at the time of overwrite confirmation. It is a figure which shows an example of a favorite edit dialog. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the process at the time of favorite editing. It is a figure which shows the dialog at the time of user-selected favorite selection. It is a figure which shows an example of the message at the time of deletion confirmation. It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog of a device option setting. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the process at the time of a device option setting. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the process at the time of favorite editing. It is a figure which shows the memory map of the storage medium which stores the program and data which concern on this invention. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating functional blocks of a print system.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of a data processing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. This is a so-called personal computer (PC), and includes a display, a data processing body (including a control board, a hard disk, a floppy disk drive, and a CD-ROM drive), an input device (a keyboard, a pointing device (not shown)), and the like.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the data processing apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention. In the host computer 20, the CPU 1 reads various programs such as a control program, a system program, and an application program from the external memory 12 via the disk controller (DKC) 5 to the RAM 2 and executes them to perform various data processing. The DKC 5 controls access to external memories such as FD, HD, CD-ROM, MD, and MO.

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

  A keyboard controller (KBC) 3 controls key input from a keyboard 10 or a pointing device (not shown). A CRT controller (CRTC) 4 controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 11. In the embodiment of the present invention, the CPU 1 controls the RAM 2, KBC 3, CRTC 4, and DKC 5 via the main bus 6 unless otherwise specified.

  In the system configured as described above, when the user opens a user interface (UI) of an application or device driver and changes the setting, the host computer accepts input from the KB 10 or a pointing device (not shown) by the user, The process is displayed on the CRT 11.

  FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram of functional blocks of a printing system in a host computer to which a printing apparatus such as a printer is connected directly or via a network.

  Each block in the host computer 2100 in FIG. 21 represents a function realized by the CPU 1 executing a program in the system in FIG. The application 2101, the graphic engine 2102, the printer driver 2103, and the system spooler 2104 exist as files stored in the external memory 12 in FIG. 2 and are loaded into the RAM 2 by the OS or a higher-level module using the module when executed. Program module to be executed.

  The application 2101 and the printer driver 2103 can be supplied from the FD of the external memory 12 or a CD-ROM (not shown). When the user performs a printing operation on the printer 2105 using the application 2101, the application 2101 first outputs (draws) using the graphic engine 2102 loaded into the RAM 2 and executable.

  The graphic engine 2102 generally provides a common graphic interface that does not depend on an output device such as a printer or a display for an application.

  The graphic engine 2102 similarly loads a printer driver 2103 prepared for each printing apparatus from the external memory 12 to the RAM 2, and converts the output of the application 2101 into a printer control command using the printer driver 2103. At this time, the user can make print settings for the printer using the user interface of the printer driver, and the printer driver 2103 generates a printer control command according to the settings.

  The converted printer control command is output to the printer 2105 via the interface via the system spooler 2104 loaded into the RAM 2 by the OS.

  In the present invention, “favorites” may be generated or read out. However, unless otherwise specified, “favorites” are generated in the RAM 2 or the external memory 12.

  DLG1 shown in FIG. 3 is an example of a dialog displayed on the CRT 11 shown in FIG. 2, and “favorites” can be selected, added, and edited.

  In the following, unless otherwise specified, the subject of processing is the CPU 1 in hardware, and a program that can be executed by the CPU 1 in software.

[Overall flow]
Hereinafter, the flow of processing related to “favorites” will be described with reference to an example of the dialog in FIG. 3 and the flowchart in FIG. 4.

  First, when the current “favorite” is selected and changed by the user in the combo box LST11 of DLG1 (step S401—Yes), a series of processing related to the selection change is performed (details will be described later) (step S402). Conflict check processing relating to the current print setting (hereinafter, current setting) is performed (details will be described later) (step S403), and the control of each sheet is changed according to the new setting (step S404).

  On the other hand, when the add button BTN11 is pressed (step S405—Yes), the DLG2 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, a series of processing relating to addition is performed (details will be described later) (step S406), and the name newly added to the LST11 is displayed. A display is made so as to be current (step S407).

  When the edit button BTN12 is pressed (step S408-Yes), the DLG 3 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed, and a series of processing relating to editing of “favorites” is performed (details will be described later) (step S409).

  Otherwise, if the setting content of the setting item is changed (step S410—Yes), the setting content of the “favorite” being selected will change, so the display of the LST 11 is processed to clearly indicate that fact. (Step S411). For example, the display color is changed from black to another color, or the displayed text is changed as shown in FIG. These processes are performed until the dialog is closed (step S412).

[Processing flow for selecting and changing "Favorites"]
A series of processes relating to the selection change of “favorite” in the flowchart of FIG. 4 (step S402) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the selection change of “favorite” is confirmed (step S601—Yes), the buffer area holding the current setting content is updated with the selected “favorite” setting content (step S602). The object to be changed is not only the current sheet (the “page setting” sheet in FIG. 3), but also all inactive sheets (the “finishing”, “paper feeding”, and “print quality” sheets in FIG. 3) on the UI. It is a control. The change target is the same regardless of the sheet selected.

  Specific examples of setting items that can be registered / changed in "Favorites" are: Input / output paper size, paper orientation, number of copies, page layout (Nup, poster, etc.), scaling ratio, stamp, overlay, printing method (single side, double side, Bookbinding printing), details of bookbinding printing, binding direction, binding margin, paper discharge method (sorting, stapling, etc.), stapling position, paper feeding method (same paper feed for all pages, separate feed for first and last, etc.), paper Name, printing purpose, resolution, color setting, etc.

[Conflict check processing]
The conflict check process in step S403 of the flow of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The favorite function registers almost all setting items existing on the UI. However, some of the setting items can be actually executed depending on the device environment, in particular, depending on the device option provided in the device, and some of the setting items cannot be executed.

  Therefore, even if a certain setting content is selected in “Favorites”, the setting content cannot always be executed as it is in the current device environment. In order to cope with this, here, a conflict check process (inconsistency check & setting rounding process) according to a device option installed in the device will be described.

  First, device option information held in the device option registration unit (on the registry or specific memory) is read into the work area (step S701). Setting of device options (for example, finisher, paper feed cassette, memory, etc.) will be described later.

  Next, the setting items affected by the installed device option are sequentially checked (step S702), and it is confirmed whether or not the current setting contents can be executed (step S703).

  If it is determined in step S703 that the registered settings cannot be executed (step S703-No), a message to that effect is displayed as shown in FIG. 8 (step S704), and the settings are rounded (step S705). When there are a plurality of rounding methods, a message to that effect may be displayed and the user may be selected. The processing from step S703 to step S705 is performed for all setting items affected by the device option.

Here, some examples of device conflict check processing are given.
・ If you select “Favorite” for which the duplex setting is registered even though the duplex unit is not installed, change to the simplex setting.
・ If you select “Favorite” with staples registered, even if the finisher that can be stapled is not installed, change to “No staple”.
・ If you select “Favorites” for which bookbinding printing is registered even though the finisher that can bind is not installed, it will be changed to normal printing without bookbinding.
-If a favorite that contains saddle stitching is selected even though the finisher capable of saddle stitching (a function that staples folds in bookbinding printing) is not installed, it is changed to bookbinding printing without saddle stitching.
・ If you select “Favorite” in which cassette stages that are not equipped are registered (when only 6 cassettes are installed in the main unit but cassette 6 is registered), the default “Auto” Change to
・ If you select “Favorite”, which is registered with a high-definition mode that cannot be printed without adding memory, even though the memory is insufficient, change to the default setting (normal mode). In addition, the entire processing depending on the memory is also changed to the default.

  Finally, the setting contents are returned in a state where all conflicts have been eliminated by the rounding process (step S706).

[Registration flow]
A series of processing related to addition of favorites in step S406 of the flow of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. DLG2 shown in FIG. 9 is an example of a dialog to which the name, icon, comment, etc. of “favorite” to be added can be added.

  First, the user waits for input of name, icon, comment, etc. (step S1001). If cancel is pressed (step S1003-Yes), the process ends without doing anything. When the OK button is pressed (step S1004-Yes), the addition process is started.

  First, it is checked whether or not a name has been entered (step S1005). If no name has been entered, a message is displayed as shown in FIG. 11 (step S1006), and input is prompted again. Since the name is a key for managing favorites, input is essential. Next, it is checked whether or not the input name overlaps with the name already added (step S1007). If there is no name, the content of the current setting is added to the favorites DB using the input name as a key ( Step S1008).

  In step S1007, if a file with the same name already exists, after confirming with the user whether to overwrite (step S1009), if overwritten, the existing file in the favorite DB is replaced and registered (step S1010). If it is not overwritten, enter the name again. FIG. 12 shows an example of an overwrite confirmation message.

  The registration target is not only the current sheet but also all controls on the UI including the inactive sheet. The registration target is the same regardless of where the sheet is registered.

  The above processing is continued until the OK button or the cancel button of the dialog is pressed.

[Edit flow]
A series of processes relating to the editing of “favorite” in step S408 of the flow of FIG. 4 will be described using an example of the dialog of FIG. 13 and the flowchart of FIG.

  The user selects any one of “favorites” from the favorite list LST31 of the dialog DLG13 shown in FIG. The LST 31 lists default settings (standard settings, no TrueType replacement, etc.) prepared from the program and user settings (My FavoriteSettings) added by the user.

  Next, the flow of processing in editing “favorites” will be described with reference to FIG.

  If any “favorite” is selected by the user (step S1401-Yes), and if it is the default setting (step S1402-Yes), the name, icon, comment, etc. of “favorite” so that the user cannot edit it. The management information and the delete button are disabled from editing (step S1403). In FIG. 13, since the default setting “standard setting” is selected by the user, the display of the “favorite” name (EDT31), icon (ICN31), comment (EDT31), and delete button (RTN31) is dimmed. Indicates that editing is not possible.

  If it is a user setting, all are editable (step S1404), and management information (name, icon, comment, etc.) regarding the “favorite” is displayed. FIG. 15 is an example of a UI when the user setting “My FavoriteSetting” is selected by the user. It should be noted that the user can know which icon is registered by making the background of the icon black. Similarly, the favorite list is displayed with a black background so that the “favorite” currently selected by the user can be understood.

  When “favorite” in the user setting is selected, the user can edit the management information (step S1405). When the delete button BTN31 is pressed by the user (step S1407—Yes), a confirmation message as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed, and the “favorite” is deleted from the favorite DB (step S1708).

  When the file save button BTN33 is pressed (step S1409—Yes), the current setting is saved in a file so that it can be exported elsewhere (step S1410). When the file read button BTN32 is pressed (step S1411), import processing for loading “favorite” saved in the file and adding it to the favorite DB is performed (step S1412).

  When the dialog is closed (step S1418-Yes), when there is a change in the content by the user's editing (step S1419-Yes), a process of leaving the changed content in the favorite DB is performed. If there is a change, and if the name overlaps with the name of another existing “favorite” (step S1420—Yes), the user is confirmed whether to overwrite (step S1421).

  If overwriting is to be performed (step S1421-Yes), the existing “favorite” is replaced and registered (step S1422). If there is no “favorite” with the same name (No in step S1420), the edited content is registered in the favorites DB as it is.

[Device option setting processing]
Processing performed when the user sets “favorite” setting items, particularly device option setting items in step S410 of the flowchart of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to an example of the dialog of FIG. 17 and the flowchart of FIG. DLG4 shown in FIG. 17 is an example of a dialog for confirming and setting device options installed in a printer or a copier.

  First, the device option information that the program currently has is loaded from the device option registration unit (registered in the registry or specific memory) into the work area (step S1801), and the dialog DLG4 is displayed based on that information. Is initialized.

  When the device information acquisition button BTN41 is pressed by the user (step S1802—Yes), information on the actually installed device option is acquired from the device body by bidirectional communication with the device (step S1803), and the work is performed. The device option information loaded in the area is updated and reflected on the display of the dialog DLG4 (step S1805).

  Manual setting by the user is also possible, and when the user changes the setting using the CTL 41 (step S1804—Yes), information on the set device option is held in the work area (step S1805).

  When the OK button is pressed (step S1806-Yes), the device option information currently stored in the work area is saved in the device option registration unit (step S1807). When the cancel button is pressed (step S1808—Yes), the device option information in the work area is discarded (step S1808), and the process on this sheet is terminated.

<Second Embodiment>
In the editing flow in FIG. 14 of the first embodiment, it is possible to perform a conflict check when performing import processing (steps S1411 to S1412), and register after rounding the settings. Hereinafter, the processing flow in this case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The difference from FIG. 14 is that a conflict processing step in step S19013 is added. Since the subsequent steps are the same as those in FIG. When reading data from a file, registering it after checking for device conflicts makes the registered “favorites” suitable for the current device environment. The conflict check basically performs the same processing as that described in the flowchart of FIG.

  In this import process, there is a process for asking the user whether to perform rounding. Therefore, if rounding processing is performed, it becomes suitable for the current device environment as described above, and no conflict message is displayed even if “favorite” is selected thereafter. Also, if rounding is not performed during import, the original settings can be copied as they are.

<Third Embodiment>
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), or a device (for example, a copier, a facsimile device, etc.) including a single device. You may apply to.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the first and second embodiments described above to the system or apparatus shown in FIGS. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. FIG. 20 shows a memory map in a state in which the program of the present invention is loaded into the RAM 2 of FIG. 2 and becomes executable.

  In this embodiment, the program and related data are directly loaded from the storage medium into the RAM and executed. However, in addition to this, the program and the related data are temporarily stored in the external memory shown in FIG. 12 may be stored (installed) in a hard disk, which is a nonvolatile storage medium, and loaded into the RAM 2 from the hard disk when the data creation / transmission control program is operated.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

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

  When the present invention is applied to the above-described storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above. In brief, each module shown in the memory map example of FIG. Is stored in a storage medium.

  According to the above-described embodiment, by checking a device conflict when a favorite is selected, consistent print settings are always performed even when the user batch-converts the setting contents at the time of printing using the favorite. It is possible. Even when the rounding process is automatically performed, the user can know the situation by a message.

  Also, by performing a rounding process with a check at the time of import, a message is displayed every time the user selects a favorite, so it is possible to avoid feeling bothersome. This is especially useful when copying favorites to a completely different device environment. In addition, since the user can select whether to round at the time of import, the original setting can be left without rounding.

1 CPU
2 RAM
3 Keyboard controller 4 CRT controller 5 Disk controller 6 Main bus 10 Keyboard 11 CRT
12 External Memory DLG1, DGL2, DLG3, DLG4 Dialog BTN11, BTN12 Button BTN31, BTN32, BTN33 Button 2100 Host Computer 2101 Application 2102 Graphic Engine 2103 Printer Driver 2104 System Spooler 2105 Printer

Claims (16)

  A receiving unit that receives an instruction to import a composite setting for collectively changing a plurality of settings related to printing; and an importing unit that imports the composite setting. The receiving unit receives an instruction to import the composite setting. When the import is performed by the import unit, if it is possible to execute printing with the setting content corresponding to the composite setting, the imported composite setting is registered, and the setting corresponding to the composite setting is set. When it is impossible to execute printing with the contents, the imported composite setting modified to the setting contents capable of executing printing with a printer is registered. .   If it is impossible to execute printing with the setting content corresponding to the composite setting, the import unit determines whether or not to import the composite setting modified to the setting content capable of executing printing. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an inquiry is made.   3. The importing unit according to claim 1, wherein the import unit determines whether printing can be executed with setting contents corresponding to the composite setting based on configuration information of a printer. Information processing device.   After importing the composite settings that have been modified to the settings that can be printed, when the modified composite settings are read from memory, the settings that correspond to the read composite settings The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising display means for displaying setting contents corresponding to the modified composite setting when printing cannot be executed.   5. The import by the import means is a process of reading the composite setting file and storing the read composite setting in a memory as one of composite settings selectable by a user. The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above.   A receiving step for accepting an instruction to import a composite setting for collectively changing a plurality of settings related to printing, and an importing step for importing the composite setting, wherein the instruction for importing is accepted in the accepting step. When the import is performed in the import step, if it is possible to execute printing with the setting content corresponding to the composite setting, the imported composite setting is registered, and the setting content corresponding to the composite setting is set. The information processing method is characterized in that, when it is impossible to execute printing with the printer, the imported composite setting corrected to the setting content capable of executing printing with a printer is registered.   In the import step, if it is impossible to execute printing with the setting content corresponding to the composite setting, whether to import the composite setting corrected to the setting content capable of executing printing is determined. The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein an inquiry is made.   8. The importing step according to claim 6 or 7, wherein it is determined whether printing can be executed with setting contents corresponding to the composite setting based on printer configuration information. Information processing method.   After importing the composite settings that have been modified to the settings that can be printed, when the modified composite settings are read from memory, the settings that correspond to the read composite settings 9. The information processing method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of displaying the setting content corresponding to the modified composite setting when printing cannot be executed.   The import in the import step is a process of reading the composite setting file and storing the read composite setting in a memory as one of composite settings selectable by a user. The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above. A reception step of receiving an instruction to import a composite setting for collectively changing a plurality of setting contents related to printing, and an importing step of importing the composite setting,
When an instruction to import is accepted in the accepting step and importing is performed in the importing step, if it is possible to execute printing with the setting contents corresponding to the composite setting, the imported composite setting is registered. If it is impossible to execute printing with the setting content corresponding to the composite setting, the imported composite setting corrected to the setting content capable of executing printing with the printer is registered. A storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer.   In the import step, if it is impossible to execute printing with the setting content corresponding to the composite setting, whether to import the composite setting corrected to the setting content capable of executing printing is determined. The storage medium according to claim 11, wherein the storage medium is inquired.   13. The importing step according to claim 11 or 12, wherein it is determined whether printing can be executed with setting contents corresponding to the composite setting based on printer configuration information. Storage medium.   After importing the composite settings that have been modified to the settings that can be printed, when the modified composite settings are read from memory, the settings that correspond to the read composite settings The storage medium according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising a display step of displaying setting contents corresponding to the modified composite setting when printing cannot be executed.   15. The import in the import step is a process of reading the composite setting file and storing the read composite setting in a memory as one of the composite settings that can be selected by a user. The storage medium according to any one of the above.   16. The storage medium according to claim 11, wherein the program is a printer driver.

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