JP5721314B2 - Computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a computer program.

  As a first technique, there is an icon menu that displays a restriction status display icon that indicates whether or not the operation of the information icon is restricted in line with a certain information icon (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, as a second technique, there is a print setting device that automatically switches a setting value set for a selection item according to an application used for output (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-8-44524 JP-A-10-301723

  However, in the icon menu of the first technique described above, it is possible to know whether or not the operation is restricted, but even when the user looks at the information icon, the value of the setting item associated with the information icon is confirmed immediately. I can't.

  In addition, when a value of a setting item associated with a certain icon is normally input, when the icon is clicked, a screen having an input field or the like is displayed, and the value of the setting item is input on the screen. Therefore, even if there is an icon menu, various user operations are required as described above to change the value of the setting item.

  In the icon menu of the first technology, the operation for a specific information icon is uniformly restricted. Therefore, as in the second technology, the setting value associated with the information icon is automatically switched for each application. I can't. Further, it is not possible to permit an operation for a certain user and prohibit an operation for another user with respect to a certain icon.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can immediately check the value of the setting item associated with the icon, and can change the value of the setting item with a simple operation. It is another object of the present invention to obtain a computer program that allows icon operations to be prohibited as necessary while automatically switching setting values for each application.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured as follows.

A computer program according to the present invention provides a computer in a terminal device, wherein (a) a plurality of icons associated with a plurality of values for a plurality of setting items in a printing function of a peripheral device of the terminal device are displayed on a predetermined display device. An icon display processing unit to be displayed on one screen, (b) an operation detection unit for detecting a predetermined operation on any one of a plurality of icons displayed on one screen of a predetermined display device, (c) ) Refers to the lock setting data that specifies the setting item for which the change of the value is prohibited, and the operation detection unit does not prohibit the change of the value of the setting item associated with the icon that has been detected by the operation detection unit. In this case, the value of the setting item associated with the icon with the predetermined operation is changed to another value, and the icon with the predetermined operation is associated with the icon. A setting change processing unit that does not change the value of the setting item associated with the icon for which the predetermined operation has been performed to another value, when the change of the value of the setting item being set is prohibited (d) setting change processing In accordance with the change of the value of the setting item by the unit, the icon image of the icon itself that has been subjected to the predetermined operation displayed on the predetermined display device is changed from the icon image corresponding to the value of the setting item before the change. An icon image switching processing unit that switches to an icon image corresponding to the value of the setting item, and (e) a control unit that controls the peripheral device based on the value of the setting item. At least one of the plurality of setting items of the plurality of icons described above is a color mode, and the color mode value includes monochrome and color, and the icon image corresponding to “color” uses a plurality of colors. The icon image corresponding to “monochrome” is drawn in black and white. In addition, the icon display processing unit displays different icons depending on whether the change of the value is prohibited or not prohibited, and if the change of the value is prohibited, the icon displayed in gray is displayed. The setting change processing unit refers to the restriction release information indicating whether or not only the special user is allowed to change the value of the setting item whose value is prohibited, and the user who has performed the predetermined operation When applicable to a special user in the restriction release information, change the value of the setting item associated with the operated icon to another value for the setting item whose value is prohibited from being changed in the lock setting data. To do.

As a result, the value of the setting item associated with the icon can be confirmed immediately, and the value of the setting item can be changed with a simple operation. Furthermore, it is possible to prohibit icon operations as necessary while automatically switching setting values for each application. Furthermore, the values of a plurality of setting items for a certain function can be set together with a simple operation on the same screen. Furthermore, the values of a plurality of setting items that are frequently set in the print function can be set together with a simple operation. Furthermore, the values of a plurality of setting items that can be set in the peripheral device driver can be set together with a simple operation. Furthermore, it is possible to visually notify the user whether or not icon operation is prohibited, and a user who does not have a predetermined user authority (for example, an administrator) changes a value for a setting item that is different for each application. Can be prohibited.

The computer program according to the present invention, in addition to the above computer program, may be as follows. In this case, a profile including one or a plurality of setting items and the value of each setting item is associated with the application. And a setting change process part changes the profile linked | related with an application to another profile, only when the user who performed predetermined | prescribed operation corresponds to the special user in restriction | limiting cancellation | release information.

  Thereby, switching of the value of a setting item can be restrict | limited according to a user per profile.

  The computer program according to the present invention may be as follows in addition to any of the computer programs described above. In this case, a profile including one or a plurality of setting items and the value of each setting item is associated with the application. And a setting change process part changes the value of the setting item in the profile linked | related with the application, only when the user who performed predetermined operation corresponds to the special user in restriction | limiting cancellation | release information.

  Thereby, the change of the combination of the value of the setting item in a profile can be restrict | limited according to a user.

  The computer program according to the present invention may be as follows in addition to any of the computer programs described above. In this case, the value of the setting item associated with the icon is one of a plurality of predetermined values. Then, each time a predetermined operation on the icon is detected, the setting change processing unit changes the value of the setting item according to a predetermined order, and after the last value in the predetermined order, the predetermined order Return to the first value of.

  Thereby, it is possible to continue switching icon images without repeating by repeating a predetermined operation. Therefore, the icon image displayed once is displayed again only by repeating a predetermined operation, so that the value of the setting item can be set to a desired value.

  The computer program according to the present invention may be as follows in addition to any of the computer programs described above. In this case, the operation detection unit detects a click operation as a predetermined operation on an icon displayed on a predetermined display device.

  As a result, the value of the setting item can be set to a desired value only by performing a simple operation of a click operation one or more times.

  According to the present invention, the value of the setting item associated with the icon can be confirmed immediately, the value of the setting item can be changed with a simple operation, and the setting value is automatically set for each application. The icon operation can be prohibited as necessary while switching between them.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the terminal device in which the driver program which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention was installed. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the terminal device in which the driver program which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention was installed. It is a figure which shows the example of the several icon displayed in the terminal device of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the some icon image used for the icon of a paper orientation setting in FIG. 3 (A) or FIG. 3 (B), and their display order. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of icon images used for the copy printing setting icon in FIG. 3A or FIG. 3B and their display order. It is a figure which shows the example of the some icon image used for the icon of the page aggregation setting in FIG. 3 (A) or FIG. 3 (B), and their display order. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a profile setting screen in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an application-profile correspondence setting screen in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a correspondence addition screen in the second embodiment.

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

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a terminal device in which a driver program according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is installed. The terminal device 1 is, for example, a personal computer. The image forming apparatus 2 is connected to the terminal device 1 via a predetermined communication path (peripheral device interface cable, computer network, etc.). The image forming apparatus 2 is an apparatus having at least one of a printing function, an image reading function, and a facsimile transmission / reception function.

  The terminal device 1 includes an input device 11, a display device 12, a communication device 13, a data storage device 14, and a computer 15.

  The input device 11 is a device that detects a user operation and outputs it as an electrical signal. As the input device 11, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like is used.

  The display device 12 is a device that receives an electrical signal and displays an image corresponding to the electrical signal on a screen. A liquid crystal display or the like is used as the display device 12.

  The communication device 13 is a device that performs data communication with peripheral devices such as the image forming apparatus 2 via a predetermined communication path. As the communication device 13, a peripheral device interface, a network interface card, or the like is used.

  The data storage device 14 is a device that stores data and programs. In the first embodiment, the data storage device 14 stores a driver program 21, setting information 22 including values of a plurality of setting items, and icon image data 23. As the data storage device 14, a hard disk driver, a nonvolatile memory, or the like is used. The icon image data 23 is image data of a plurality of icon images, and the icon image is an image including text and / or an illustration.

  The setting information 22 includes profile data 22a, a profile correspondence list 22b, and lock setting data 22c.

  The profile data 22a includes one or a plurality of profiles. Each profile is given a name, and describes one or more setting items and the value of each setting item.

  The profile correspondence list 22b includes application identification information (file path, program name, etc.) and profile identification information (profile name, etc.) associated with the application. The profile is described in the profile data 22a.

  The lock setting data 22c is data indicating a specified lock setting state. The lock setting includes (a) a state where all users can change the value of the setting item, (b) a state where all users cannot change the value of the setting item, and (c) a predetermined part of special users. Only the user can change the value of the setting item, and other users are designated as one of three states in which the value of the setting item cannot be changed. A plurality of different lock setting data 22c may be provided for each profile, or a plurality of different lock setting data 22c may be provided for each application. Further, the lock setting data includes restriction release information indicating whether or not only a special user is allowed to change the value of a setting item whose value change is prohibited. For example, the restriction release information indicates that only the administrator is allowed to change the value. Alternatively, the restriction release information indicates that only a user belonging to a specific user group is allowed to change the value.

  The computer 15 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. (not shown), loads various programs into the RAM, and executes them by the CPU, thereby realizing various processing units. It is a device to do. When the driver program 21 is executed by the computer 15, an icon display processing unit 31, a click detection unit 32, a setting change processing unit 33, and a control unit 34 are realized. The driver program 41 is an example of a computer program.

  The icon display processing unit 31 is a processing unit that displays an icon on the display device 12, and displays an icon image of the icon displayed on the display device 12 in accordance with the change of the setting item value by the setting change processing unit 33. The processing unit switches from the icon image corresponding to the value of the setting item before the change to the icon image corresponding to the value of the setting item after the change.

  The click detection unit 32 is a processing unit that detects a click operation on an icon displayed on the display device 12.

  When one click operation is detected by the click detection unit 32, the setting change processing unit 33 is a processing unit that changes the value of the setting item associated with the icon with the operation to another value.

  The control unit 34 is a processing unit that controls the image forming apparatus 2 based on the value of the setting item.

  Next, the operation of the above apparatus will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the terminal device 1 in which the driver program according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed.

  First, when displaying the initial screen of the icon menu, the icon display processing unit 31 identifies an application that has activated this driver program (step S1) and refers to the profile correspondence list 22b to associate with the application. The profile data 22a of the profile is read from the data storage device 14, and the current values set in a plurality of predetermined setting items in the profile are specified (step S2).

  Further, the icon display processing unit 31 reads the lock setting data 22c and determines whether or not changing the value of the setting item included in the profile is prohibited (step S3). Further, the icon display processing unit 31 identifies the user who is executing the application, refers to the restriction release information, and the user executing the application corresponds to the special user registered in the restriction release information. It is determined whether or not. For example, the setting change processing unit 33 inquires the user who is executing the application to the operating system, and identifies the user from the response.

  Then, the icon display processing unit 31 reads icon image data 23 of the icon image corresponding to the current value for each of the plurality of setting items from the data storage device 14 (step S4), and each of the plurality of setting items. A plurality of icons each having an icon image corresponding to the current value of is displayed on the display device 12 (step S5). Thereby, an icon menu is displayed. Thus, since the icon of the icon image corresponding to the current value set in the setting item is displayed, the user can immediately recognize the value currently set for the setting item. The icon image to be displayed is not limited to the one corresponding to the setting items included in the profile, and one corresponding to a plurality of preset setting items is displayed. At this time, the value of the setting item not included in the profile is regarded as a predetermined default value, and an icon image corresponding to the value is selected.

  In step S4, for the setting item whose value change is prohibited, the icon image data 23 of the grayed-out icon image corresponding to the current value of the setting item is read. On the other hand, if the change of the value of the setting item is not prohibited, for example, the icon image data 23 of the color icon image is read in step S4. That is, the icon image data 23 of different icon images is read depending on whether the change of the value is prohibited or not. However, if the user executing the application corresponds to a special user registered in the restriction release information, even for setting items whose values are prohibited to be changed, changing the values of those setting items is prohibited The icon image data 23 of the icon image when it has not been read is read out.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of icons displayed on the terminal device 1 of FIG. The icon menu shown in FIG. 3A is displayed on one tab screen 51 in a certain window 41. This icon menu includes four icons 52-55. The icon 52 is a paper orientation setting icon, the icon 53 is a copy-by-unit printing setting icon, the icon 54 is a page aggregation setting icon, and the icon 55 is a color mode setting icon. When the change of the value of the setting item corresponding to the icons 52 to 55 is not prohibited, as shown in FIG. 3A, all the icons 52 to 55 are not grayed out. On the other hand, when the change of the value of the setting item corresponding to the icons 52 to 54 is not prohibited and the change of the value of the setting item corresponding to the icon 55 is prohibited, as shown in FIG. In addition, the icons 52 to 54 are not grayed out, and the icon 55 is grayed out.

  As the paper orientation setting values, there are “portrait” and “landscape”, and icon image data 23 corresponding to “portrait” and icon image data 23 corresponding to “landscape” are stored as data. It is stored in the device 14. One of these icon images is selected according to the current value of the paper orientation setting and used for the icon 52. In the icon menu shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, an icon image corresponding to “portrait” is used for the icon 52.

  The value of the set printing setting includes “sort” and “collate”. The icon image data 23 of the icon image corresponding to “sort” and the icon image data 23 of the icon image corresponding to “collate” are stored in the data storage device. 14. One of the icon images is selected according to the current value of the copy printing setting and used for the icon 53. In the icon menu shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, an icon image corresponding to “sort” is used for the icon 53.

  The value of the page aggregation setting includes “no aggregation”, “2UP”, and “4UP”, the icon image data 23 of the icon image corresponding to “no aggregation”, and the icon image data of the icon image corresponding to “2UP”. 23 and icon image data 23 of icon images corresponding to “4UP” are stored in the data storage device 14. One of the icon images is selected according to the current value of the page aggregation setting and used for the icon 54. In the icon menu shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, an icon image corresponding to “no aggregation” is used for the icon 54.

  The color mode setting value includes “color” and “monochrome”. The icon image data 23 of the icon image corresponding to “color” and the icon image data 23 of the icon image corresponding to “monochrome” are stored in the data storage device. 14. One of these icon images is selected according to the current value of the color mode setting and used for the icon 55. In the icon menu shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, an icon image corresponding to “color” is used for the icon 55. Note that the icon 55 in the icon menu shown in FIG. 3A is drawn in black and white, but is actually an icon image using a plurality of colors. Therefore, the user can immediately recognize that “color” is set as the color mode setting value.

  Thereafter, when the user operates the input device 11 and performs a click operation on any of the icons 52 to 55, the click detection unit 32 detects the operation based on a signal from the input device 11 ( Step S6).

  When the click operation is detected by the click detection unit 32, the setting change processing unit 33 determines whether or not the change of the value of the setting item associated with the clicked icon is prohibited (step S7). Furthermore, the setting change processing unit 33 identifies the user who is executing the application, refers to the restriction release information, and the user who is executing the application corresponds to the special user registered in the restriction release information. It is determined whether or not. For example, the setting change processing unit 33 inquires the user who is executing the application to the operating system, and identifies the user from the response.

In the setting change processing unit 33, the change of the value of the setting item associated with the clicked icon is prohibited, and the user executing the application corresponds to the special user registered in the restriction release information If it is determined not to do so, the processing for the click operation is terminated without changing the value of the setting item. For example, when a user other than the special user executes the application and clicks the grayed out icon 55 in the icon menu shown in FIG. 3B, the setting item value of the icon 55 is not changed. .

  On the other hand, when the setting change processing unit 33 determines that the change of the value of the setting item associated with the clicked icon is not prohibited, the setting change processing unit 33 changes the value of the setting item associated with the clicked icon. If the user who is running the application determines that the user is a special user registered in the restriction release information, change the value of the setting item associated with the clicked icon. (Step S8). For example, when the icon 52 shown in FIG. 3A or 3B is clicked, the paper orientation setting value associated with the icon 52 is changed from “portrait” to “landscape”. Therefore, the user can select another value only by a click operation without performing an operation of selecting a desired value from a list of a plurality of values of setting items.

  When the click operation is detected by the click detection unit 32, the icon display processing unit 31 changes the icon image of the icon that has been operated in accordance with the change of the setting item value by the setting change processing unit 33. The icon image corresponding to the previous setting item value is switched to the icon image corresponding to the changed setting item value (step S9). For example, when the icon 52 shown in FIG. 3A or 3B is clicked, the paper orientation setting value associated with the icon 52 is changed from “portrait” to “landscape”. The icon image of the icon 52 is changed from the “portrait” icon image to the “landscape” icon image.

  In this way, when a click operation on a certain icon is detected, if the change of the value is not prohibited by the lock setting data 22c, the value of the setting item corresponding to that icon is changed, and accordingly the icon The image is also changed.

  In the first embodiment, the order of setting item values to be changed by detecting a click operation is preset. In the first embodiment, each time a predetermined operation on a certain icon is detected, the value of the setting item is changed according to a predetermined order, and after the last value in the predetermined order, Return to the first value in a given order.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of icon images used for the paper orientation setting icon 52 in FIG. 3A or FIG. 3B and their display order. If the order of “Portrait” and “Landscape” is set for the paper orientation setting value, the paper orientation setting values are “Portrait”, “Landscape”, “Portrait”, “Landscape”, etc.・ Changed in the order. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the icon image of the icon 52 includes a “portrait” icon image 52a, a “landscape” icon image 52b, a “portrait” icon image 52a, and a “landscape” icon image 52b. ,... Are switched in this order.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of icon images used for the copy printing icon 53 in FIG. 3A or FIG. 3B and their display order. When the order of “sort” and “collate” is set for the set value of the copy unit, the set value of the copy unit is set in the order of “sort”, “collate”, “sort”, “collate”,. Will be changed. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5, the icon image of the icon 53 includes a “sort” icon image 53a, a “collate” icon image 53b, a “sort” icon image 53a, a “collate” icon image 53b,. · · · Can be switched in the order.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of icon images used for the page aggregation setting icon 54 in FIG. 3A or FIG. 3B and their display order. When the order of “no aggregation”, “2UP”, “4UP” is set for the page aggregation setting value, the page aggregation setting values are “no aggregation”, “2UP”, “4UP”, “no aggregation” ”,“ 2UP ”,“ 4UP ”,... Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the icon images of the icons 54 are “no aggregation” icon image 54a, “2UP” icon image 54b, “4UP” icon image 54c, and “no aggregation” icon image 54a. , “2UP” icon image 54b, “4UP” icon image 54c,...

  Similarly, the order of the values “color” and “black and white” is set for the color setting icon 55.

  When a print request is generated in the state where the setting item value is set as described above, the control unit 34 generates print data corresponding to the setting item value at that time, and To the image forming apparatus 2. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 2 executes print processing that reflects the values set as described above for a plurality of setting items for the print function.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, in the terminal device 1, when the computer 15 executes the driver program 14, the icon display processing unit 31, the click detection unit 32, the setting change processing unit 33, and the control unit. 34 is realized. The setting change processing unit 33 refers to the lock setting data 22c, and when the change of the value of the setting item associated with the operated icon is not prohibited, the click detection unit 32 detects the click operation. If the value of the setting item associated with the icon with the operation is changed to another value, and changing the value of the setting item associated with the icon with the operation is prohibited Does not change the value of the setting item associated with the operated icon to another value. The lock setting data 22c includes restriction release information indicating whether or not only a special user is allowed to change the value of a setting item whose value change is prohibited. The setting change processing unit 33 performs a click operation. When the user corresponds to a special user in the restriction release information, the setting item associated with the icon for which the operation has been performed is also different for the setting item whose value is prohibited in the lock setting data 22c. Change to the value of. Then, the icon display processing unit 31 displays the icon image of the icon displayed on the display device 12 in accordance with the change of the setting item value by the setting change processing unit 33, and the icon corresponding to the setting item value before the change. Switch from the image to the icon image corresponding to the value of the changed setting item.

  As a result, the value of the setting item associated with the icon can be confirmed immediately, and the value of the setting item can be changed with a simple operation. Furthermore, it is possible to prohibit icon operations as necessary while automatically switching setting values for each application. That is, it is possible to prohibit a user who does not have a predetermined user authority (for example, an administrator) from changing values for setting items that differ for each application.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the icon display processing unit 31 refers to the lock setting data, and displays different icons when the change of the value is prohibited and when the change of the value is not prohibited. .

  Thereby, it is possible to visually notify the user whether or not the icon operation is prohibited.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the value of the setting item associated with the icon is one of a plurality of predetermined values, and the setting change processing unit 33 detects a click operation on the icon. Each time, the value of the setting item is changed according to a predetermined order, and is returned to the first value in the predetermined order after the last value in the predetermined order.

  Thereby, it is possible to continue switching icon images without repeating by repeating the click operation. Therefore, since the icon image displayed once is displayed again only by repeating the same operation of the click operation, the value of the setting item can be set to a desired value with a simple operation.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the icon display processing unit 31 displays the plurality of icons 52 to 55 respectively associated with the plurality of setting items in the printing function on one screen of the display device 12. The click detection unit 32 detects a click operation on any one of the icons 52 to 55.

  Thereby, the values of a plurality of setting items in a certain function can be set together by a simple operation on the same screen. In addition, the values of a plurality of setting items that are frequently set in the print function can be set together with a simple operation.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the control unit 34 controls the image forming apparatus 2 based on the value of the setting item. Then, the icon display processing unit 31 displays a plurality of icons 52 to 55 respectively associated with a plurality of setting items in a certain function of the image forming apparatus 2.

  Thereby, the values of a plurality of setting items that can be set in the driver of the image forming apparatus 2 can be set together with a simple operation.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
The configuration of the terminal device installed with the driver program according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, when the driver program according to the second embodiment is executed, the setting change processing unit 33 has the following functions in addition to the functions realized by the driver program according to the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the setting change processing unit 33 has (a) a function for associating a profile with an application, and (b) a function for editing setting items and values in the profile.

  The setting change processing unit 33 displays a profile setting screen on the display device 12 when a predetermined operation is detected by the input device 11. The profile setting screen enables adding a profile to the profile data 22a, associating a profile with an application, editing a profile, and the like. Of these, only a special user (in this case, an administrator user) can execute association of a profile with an application and editing of the profile.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a profile setting screen according to the second embodiment. The profile setting screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed as one window, and shows a list 101 of profiles included in the profile data 22a and the contents (setting items and values) of the profile selected in the list 101. 102, a save button 103 for overwriting the current profile on the profile data 22a, an edit button 104 for editing the contents of the selected profile, and a profile from the external file (other than the profile data 22a) to the list 101 An import button 105 for adding a profile and an application button 106 for associating a profile with the application. The setting change processing unit 33 identifies the user who started the driver program, determines whether the user is a predetermined special user, and if the user is not the predetermined special user, The application buttons 106 are grayed out and operations on them are prohibited.

  When the user wants to edit the profile, the special user presses the edit button 104. When this operation is detected, the setting change processing unit 33 causes the window 102 to display the contents of the profile in a state where text editing is possible. Then, when pressing of the apply button 107 is detected after editing, the setting change processing unit 33 updates the profile in the profile data 22 with the edited content.

  When it is desired to associate the profile with the application, the special user presses the application button 106. When this operation is detected, the setting change processing unit 33 causes the display device 12 to display an application-profile correspondence setting screen. The application-profile correspondence setting screen displays a list of correspondences between applications and profiles included in the profile correspondence list 22b, and enables addition and deletion of correspondences.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an application-profile correspondence setting screen in the second embodiment. The correspondence setting screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed as one window, and is used to add the correspondence 111 between the application and the profile and the list 111 of the correspondence between the application and the profile included in the profile correspondence list 22b. An add button 112 and a delete button 113 for deleting the correspondence from the list 111 are provided. In the list 111, one correspondence is shown by the name (relation name) given to the correspondence, the program file name of the application, and the profile name.

  When it is desired to delete the correspondence relationship, the special user presses the delete button 113. When this operation is detected, the setting change processing unit 33 deletes the correspondence currently selected in the list 111 and also deletes the correspondence from the list 22b.

  When it is desired to add a correspondence relationship, the special user presses the add button 112. When this operation is detected, the setting change processing unit 33 causes the display device 12 to display a correspondence addition screen for inputting correspondence information.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence addition screen in the second embodiment. The correspondence relationship addition screen shown in FIG. 9 includes an input field 121 for inputting a name of the correspondence relationship, an input field 122 for inputting a file name of the application program, and a profile included in the profile data 22a. And a check box 125 for setting whether to allow a user other than the special user to change the correspondence.

  On the corresponding relationship addition screen, the special user inputs the name and file name of the corresponding relationship in the input fields 121 and 122, selects one of the profiles in the list 123, and then presses the OK button 124. When this operation is detected, the setting change processing unit 33 identifies the text input in the input fields 121 and 122 and the selected profile, and based on these, new correspondences are displayed in the lists 111 and 22b. to add. At this time, when the check box 125 is checked, the setting change processing unit 33 limits the change of the value of the setting item included in the profile in this correspondence relationship to only a special user (here, an administrator user). Lock setting data 22 c is generated and added to the setting information 22. For the correspondence for which the lock setting data 22c has been generated, a predetermined small icon indicating that the lock setting data 22c set for the correspondence exists in the display of the correspondence in the list 111 in FIG. Included.

  Thus, when the driver program is used from the application specified by this correspondence and the user executing the application is not a special user, the setting items included in the profile specified by this correspondence are as follows: The change of the value is prohibited, and the operation on the icon corresponding to the setting item is prohibited as the icon 55 in FIG.

  Thus, in the second embodiment, only a special user (here, an administrator user) can generate the lock setting data 22c. The special user can change the profile associated with the application to another profile by deleting and adding the correspondence.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the setting change processing unit 33 displays the profile associated with the application only when the user who performed the predetermined operation corresponds to the special user in the restriction release information. Change to a different profile.

  Thereby, switching of the value of a setting item can be restrict | limited according to a user per profile.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, the setting change processing unit 33 sets the setting items in the profile associated with the application only when the user who performs the predetermined operation corresponds to the special user in the restriction release information. Change the value.

  Thereby, the change of the combination of the value of the setting item in a profile can be restrict | limited according to a user.

  Each embodiment described above is a preferred example of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is.

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the value may be changed from the end of the order toward the beginning after the end of the order of the setting item values.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the number of the icons in the icon menu shown in FIG. 3 is four, it is not limited to four, Any of 1-3, 5 or more may be sufficient. Also, the types of setting items are not limited to those shown in FIG. Further, among the icons displayed in the icon menu, those that are operated less frequently may be automatically changed to icons of other setting items.

  In each of the above embodiments, there are two or three allowable values for one setting item, but there may be four or more allowable values (that is, four or more types of icon images) for one setting item. .

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, any of the allowable values of the setting items associated with other icons due to the change of the value of the setting item associated with the icon by clicking on the icon. In the case where it becomes impossible to select one of the above items, the allowable value may be removed from the order of the values of the setting items.

  In each of the above embodiments, a click operation is used as an operation for changing the value of a setting item. However, the click operation may be a single click or a double click. As the operation, various mouse gestures, various finger gestures, and the like may be used.

  In each of the above embodiments, a plurality of icon images are prepared corresponding to a plurality of allowable values for a certain setting item. The plurality of icon images are different from each other. Thereby, the user can immediately visually recognize the value of the setting item currently set by the icon image.

  The present invention is applicable to input of setting item values in a peripheral device driver, for example.

2 Image forming device (an example of peripheral equipment)
12 Display device (an example of a display device)
14 Data storage device (an example of a data storage device)
15 Computer (an example of a computer)
21 Driver program (an example of a computer program)
22a Profile data 22c Lock setting data 31 Icon display processing unit (an example of an icon display processing unit, an example of an icon image switching processing unit)
32 Click detection unit (an example of operation detection unit)
33 Setting change processing unit (an example of a setting change processing unit)
34 Control part (an example of a control part)
52-55 icon (example of icon)
52a, 52b, 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b, 54c Icon image (example of icon image)

Claims (5)

The computer in the terminal device
An icon display processing unit for displaying a plurality of icons associated with a plurality of values for a plurality of setting items in a printing function of a peripheral device of the terminal device on one screen of a predetermined display device;
An operation detection unit for detecting a predetermined operation on any one of the plurality of icons displayed on one screen of the predetermined display device;
Referring to lock setting data that specifies the setting item for which the change of the value is prohibited, the change of the value of the setting item associated with the icon with the predetermined operation detected by the operation detection unit is prohibited If not, the value of the setting item associated with the icon with the predetermined operation is changed to another value, and the value of the setting item associated with the icon with the predetermined operation is changed. When the change is prohibited, a setting change processing unit that does not change the value of the setting item associated with the icon having the predetermined operation to another value;
In response to the change of the value of the setting item by the setting change processing unit, the icon image of the icon itself that has been subjected to the predetermined operation displayed on one screen of the predetermined display device is changed to the setting item before the change. An icon image switching processing unit that switches from an icon image corresponding to the value to an icon image corresponding to the value of the setting item after change, and a control unit that controls the peripheral device based on the value of the setting item;
At least one of the plurality of setting items of the plurality of icons is a color mode, the color mode value includes monochrome and color, and an icon image corresponding to the color is drawn using a plurality of colors. The icon image corresponding to the monochrome is drawn in black and white,
The icon display processing unit displays different icons depending on whether the change of the value is prohibited or not prohibited. If the change of the value is prohibited, the grayed-out icon is displayed. Display
The setting change processing unit refers to restriction release information indicating whether or not only a special user is allowed to change the value of a setting item whose value change is prohibited, and the user who performed the predetermined operation determines the restriction In the case of corresponding to the special user in the release information, the value of the setting item associated with the operated icon is set to another value even for the setting item whose value change is prohibited in the lock setting data. To change to
A computer program characterized by the above. A profile that includes one or more setting items and the value of each setting item is associated with the application,
The setting change processing unit changes the profile associated with the application to another profile only when the user who performed the predetermined operation corresponds to the special user in the restriction release information,
The computer program according to claim 1 . A profile that includes one or more setting items and the value of each setting item is associated with the application,
The setting change processing unit changes the value of the setting item in the profile associated with the application only when the user who performed the predetermined operation corresponds to the special user in the restriction release information,
The computer program according to claim 1 . The value of the setting item associated with the icon is one of a plurality of predetermined values,
The setting change processing unit changes the value of the setting item according to a predetermined order each time a predetermined operation on the icon is detected, and next to the last value in the predetermined order, Returning to the first value in a given order,
The computer program according to claim 1.   The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the operation detection unit detects a click operation as a predetermined operation on an icon displayed on the predetermined display device.

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