JP6885195B2 - Display control method, display control program, and display - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a display device control method, a display device control program, and a display device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a control method of a display device for displaying a basic screen on which a predetermined type of setting items related to a job are arranged, a control program of the display device, and a display device.

Electrophotographic image forming devices include MFPs (Multifunction Peripherals) equipped with scanner functions, facsimile functions, copying functions, printer functions, data communication functions, and server functions, facsimile machines, copiers, printers, and the like. is there.

When the user executes printing with the image forming apparatus, the user sets each setting item related to the printing condition to a desired setting value by using a control program called a printer driver on a PC (Personal Computer) to form an image. Instruct the layer device to execute printing. As the performance of the image forming apparatus improves and various printing conditions can be set, the setting items in the printer driver tend to increase.

In order to ensure the visibility and operability of the printer driver setting screen while accepting the settings of a large number of setting items, in recent years, the printer driver setting screen has multiple setting items for each function related to them. It is divided into the setting screens of, and multiple setting screens are switched and displayed by tabs. When the user sets multiple print conditions using the setting screen of this type of printer driver, the user presses a tab to display the setting screen including the desired setting item and sets the desired setting item. It was necessary to repeat the operation, and the operation for setting the printing conditions was complicated.

Therefore, in order to facilitate the user's operation, a technique for registering the setting items frequently used by the user and displaying the registered setting items on the aggregation screen is proposed in the following Patent Documents 1 and 2 and the like. Has been done.

The following Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for improving operability by allowing an item in a fixed tab to be freely arranged on an editable tab (My tab) by a user's operation.

In the following Patent Document 2, when the usage frequency information storing the usage frequency of the setting items of a plurality of printing processes by a plurality of users is acquired from the information management server and the usage frequency becomes higher based on the acquired usage frequency information. A technique is disclosed in which icon images corresponding to setting items are arranged so as to have a higher priority arrangement position, and the arranged icon images are displayed as a toolbar.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-165300 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-084045

In the conventional technology, since the setting items with high usage frequency are arranged on the aggregation screen, the user can collectively set the setting items with high usage frequency on the aggregation screen. On the other hand, the user needs to set the setting items other than the setting items arranged on the aggregation screen on the normal setting screen (setting screen other than the aggregation screen). However, the position of the setting item on the normal setting screen is fixed and cannot be changed by the user. For this reason, when the user sets a setting item that does not need to be placed on the aggregation screen, it is necessary to search for the necessary setting item from a large number of setting items in the normal setting screen, which is inconvenient. ..

The present invention is for solving the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a highly convenient control method for a display device, a control program for the display device, and a display device.

A method of controlling a display device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a basic screen on which a predetermined type of setting items related to a job are arranged, and a selection screen on which selection setting items selected from the setting items are arranged. There is a control method of a display device that displays a plurality of setting screens, and includes a basic screen determination step of determining a position where setting items are arranged on the basic screen based on the arrangement state of selection setting items on the selection screen.

In the above control method, preferably, the display device is information indicating the relationship between the plurality of setting items arranged on the basic screen and the display priority of each of the plurality of setting items arranged on the basic screen. A storage device for storing a certain basic screen information is provided, and the control method further includes a basic screen information change step for changing the basic screen information when the selection setting item is changed, and the selection setting is performed in the basic screen information change step. Raise the display priority of the setting items related to the item on the basic screen.

In the above control method, preferably, the storage device further stores the related item information which is the information of the plurality of setting items associated with each other, and in the basic screen information change step, the setting associated with the selected setting item in the related item information. Increase the display priority of the item on the basic screen.

In the above control method, preferably, the related item information further includes information on the mutual priority of each of the plurality of setting items associated with each other.

The control method preferably further includes a related item setting receiving step that accepts a setting that associates a plurality of setting items with each other, and the storage device stores related item information based on the setting received in the related item setting receiving step.

In the above control method, preferably, the storage device further stores the related item priority information which is the information indicating the relationship between the selected setting item and the display priority of the selected setting item and the related setting item on the basic screen. Further provided with a related item priority information change step to change the related item priority information based on the basic screen information and the related item information when at least one of the basic screen information and the related item information is changed, and related In the item priority information change step, the display priority of the selection setting item and the setting item related to the selection setting item on the basic screen is increased.

In the above control method, preferably, in the basic screen information change step, the priority of display of the selection setting item on the basic screen is further lowered.

In the above control method, preferably, the storage device further stores the selection screen information which is the information indicating the relationship between the plurality of selection setting items and the display priority on each selection screen of the plurality of selection setting items, and a plurality of selection screen information. Selection reception step that accepts selection of selection setting items and setting of display priority on each selection screen of multiple selection setting items, and selection to change selection screen information according to the contents received in the selection reception step. It also has a screen information change step.

In the above control method, preferably, in the selection screen information change step, the selection screen information is changed based on the frequency of use of the setting items.

In the above control method, preferably, the selection screen arrangement format information reception step for accepting the input for setting the selection screen arrangement format information which is the information of the arrangement format of a plurality of selection setting items on the selection screen, the selection screen information, and the selection screen arrangement It further includes a selection screen determination step for determining the position where the selection setting item is arranged on the selection screen based on the format information.

The above control method preferably further includes a basic screen layout format information reception step for accepting input for setting basic screen layout format information, which is information on the layout format of setting items on the basic screen, and in the basic screen determination step, the basic screen layout is provided. Based on the format information, the position where the setting item is arranged on the basic screen is determined.

In the above control method, preferably, the state of arrangement of the selection setting items on the selection screen includes at least one of the type of the selection setting item and the position of the selection setting item arranged on the selection screen.

A display device control program according to another aspect of the present invention is for executing the above-mentioned display device control method.

A display device according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of basic screens in which predetermined types of setting items related to a job are arranged, and a selection screen in which selection setting items selected from the setting items are arranged. a display device for displaying a setting screen, based on the state of arrangement of the selected setting item in the selection screen, and a display control unit that determines the position where the setting items are arranged in the basic screen.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly convenient control method for a display device, a control program for the display device, and a display device.

It is a figure which conceptually shows the structure of the image formation system in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the printer driver 120 in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other tab screen SC1 displayed on the display part 107 of PC100 in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the arrangement type table TL1 which a storage device 104 stores in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the edit screen SC2 of the aggregation tab screen displayed on the display part 107 of PC100 in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the aggregation tab screen table TL2 which a storage device 104 stores in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the setting of the arrangement form of the selection setting item in the aggregation tab screen of one Embodiment of this invention, and the position where the selection setting item is arranged. It is a figure which shows the aggregation tab screen SC3 displayed on the display part 107 of PC100 in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the edit screen SC4 of the related item displayed on the display part 107 of PC100 in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the related item table TL3 which a storage device 104 stores in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the related item priority table TL4 which a storage device 104 stores in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the basic screen table TL5 which a storage device 104 stores in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the layout tab screen SC5 displayed on the display part 107 of PC100 in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of PC100 in one Embodiment of this invention.

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

In the following embodiment, a case where the display device is a PC and the device for executing the job is an MFP will be described. The display device may be a PC, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like, as long as it displays a plurality of setting screens on which setting items related to the job are arranged. The device that executes the job may be an image forming device other than the MFP such as a printer, a copying machine, or a facsimile, or may be a device other than the image forming device such as a scanner. Further, the display device itself may be a device that executes a job.

[Configuration of image formation system]

First, the configuration of the image forming system in the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 1, the image forming system according to the present embodiment includes a PC 100 (an example of a display device) and a plurality of MFPs 200. The PC 100 and each of the plurality of MFPs 200 are connected to each other through the network 300, and can communicate with each other.

The network 300 uses a dedicated line such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The network 300 connects various devices using a TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) protocol.

The PC 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a storage device 104, a communication unit 105, an operation unit 106, a display unit 107, and the like. Each of the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the storage device 104, the communication unit 105, the operation unit 106, and the display unit 107 is connected to the CPU 101 via a bus.

The CPU 101 controls the entire PC 100. Further, the CPU 101 executes the control program stored in the ROM 102.

The ROM 102 is, for example, a flash ROM. The ROM 102 stores various programs executed by the CPU 101 and various fixed data.

The RAM 103 is the main memory of the CPU 101. The RAM 103 is used for temporarily storing data or the like required when the CPU 101 executes a control program.

The storage device 104 is made of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores various data such as a program of the printer driver 120.

The communication unit 105 communicates with other devices by a communication protocol such as TCP / IP according to the instruction from the CPU 101.

The operation unit 106 receives various instructions from the user.

The display unit 107 displays various information.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the printer driver 120 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 2, the printer driver 120 is software that is installed on the OS (Operating System) of the PC 100 and generates a print job. The printer driver 120 accepts the setting of print conditions for using the function installed in the corresponding MFP 200 via the user interface, creates a print job according to the setting, and sends the print job to the MFP 200. The printer driver 120 includes a print condition providing unit 121 and a print data generation unit 122.

The print condition providing unit 121 provides a plurality of setting screens (GUIs) that accept the print condition settings. When the print condition providing unit 121 accepts the pressing of a tab on the screen of the printer driver 120, the print condition providing unit 121 displays the setting screen corresponding to the tab.

The plurality of setting screens displayed by the print condition providing unit 121 are a basic screen in which predetermined types of setting items related to print jobs are arranged, and a setting item selected from the setting items arranged on the basic screen (hereinafter, hereafter. It includes an aggregate tab screen (an example of a selection screen) in which selection setting items (sometimes referred to as selection setting items) are arranged. The print condition providing unit 121 transmits the print condition set through the setting screen to the print data generation unit 122.

The print condition providing unit 121 includes a display control unit 131, an aggregation tab screen table management unit 132, a related item table management unit 133, a related item priority table management unit 134, a basic screen table management unit 135, and an arrangement format. It includes a storage unit 136 and an input reception unit 137.

The display control unit 131 controls the setting screen to be displayed.

The aggregation tab screen table management unit 132 manages the aggregation tab screen table TL2 (an example of selection screen information) described later.

The related item table management unit 133 manages the related item table TL3 (an example of related item information) described later.

The related item priority table management unit 134 manages the related item priority table TL4 (an example of the related item priority information) described later.

The basic screen table management unit 135 manages the basic screen table TL5 (an example of basic screen information) described later.

The layout format storage unit 136 manages the layout format table TL1 (an example of the selection screen layout format information and the basic screen layout format information), which will be described later.

The input receiving unit 137 receives various inputs to the setting screen.

The print data generation unit 122 generates a print job in a format that can be processed by the corresponding MFP 200 based on the document file created by the application installed on the OS, and transmits the print job to the corresponding MFP 200.

[Printer driver screen displayed on the PC]

Next, in the present embodiment, the screen displayed on the display unit 107 of the PC 100 when the printer driver 120 is activated will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another tab screen SC1 displayed on the display unit 107 of the PC 100 in one embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 3, the screen displayed on the display unit 107 of the PC 100 when the printer driver 120 is activated has a plurality of settings such as tabs TB1, TB2, TB3, TB4, TB5, TB6, TB7, and TB8. Includes screen and. The multiple setting screens are the aggregation tab screen, the basic setting tab screen, the layout tab screen, the finishing tab screen, the cover sheet / insert paper tab screen, the stamp / page print tab screen, the image quality tab screen, and so on. Other tab screen SC1 is included.

The aggregate tab screen is a setting screen displayed when tab TB1 is pressed, and is a setting screen on which selection setting items, which are setting items selected from the setting items included in the basic screen, are arranged.

The setting items that are the selection setting items arranged on the aggregation tab screen are the setting items that are frequently used by the users of the PC100. The type of selection setting item and the position to be arranged on the aggregation tab screen are appropriately changed according to the user's setting and frequency of use.

On the other hand, the basic setting tab screen, layout tab screen, finishing tab screen, cover sheet / insert paper tab screen, stamp / page print tab screen, and image quality tab screen are basic screens on which predetermined types of setting items are arranged. is there.

The basic setting tab screen is a setting screen that is displayed when tab TB2 is pressed and in which setting items related to basic printing conditions are arranged.

The layout tab screen is a setting screen on which setting items related to the layout of the image to be printed on the recording medium are arranged, which is displayed when the tab TB3 is pressed.

The finishing tab screen is a setting screen that is displayed when the tab TB4 is pressed and in which setting items related to post-processing of the recording medium after printing are arranged.

The cover sheet / insert paper tab screen is a setting screen that is displayed when the tab TB5 is pressed and in which setting items related to insertion of the front cover and the back cover are arranged.

The stamp / page print tab screen is a setting screen that is displayed when the tab TB6 is pressed and in which setting items related to the layout of the image to be printed on the recording medium are arranged.

The image quality tab screen is a setting screen that is displayed when the tab TB7 is pressed and in which setting items related to image quality adjustment are arranged.

The types of setting items arranged on the basic screen are always the same on each basic screen and are not changed. On the other hand, the positions of the setting items arranged on each basic screen are changed as appropriate.

The other tab screen SC1 is a setting screen that is displayed when the tab TB8 is pressed and accepts settings related to the display of the setting screen of the printer driver 120.

Here, the other tab screen SC1 is displayed. The other tab screen SC1 includes radio buttons RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4, and RB5, and keys KY1, KY2, KY3, KY4, KY5, and KY6.

By the way, each of the setting items is set with a display priority on the setting screen on which the setting item is arranged. This priority corresponds to the display priority among the plurality of setting items arranged on the setting screen. The display priority of each of the plurality of setting items arranged on the setting screen is appropriately changed according to the user's settings and the frequency of use so that the order of frequency of use is high.

On each setting screen, a plurality of setting items are arranged from the upper left to the lower right in descending order of display priority on the setting screen. This is because the upper left position of the setting screen is the most visible to the user, and the lower right position of the setting screen is the least visible to the user. Therefore, as a specific arrangement format of the setting screen, an arrangement format in which each of the plurality of setting items is arranged in the order of upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right in descending order of priority, and upper left, lower left, upper right, and right. There is an arrangement format that arranges in the order of the bottom.

The radio buttons RB1 and RB2 accept the setting of the arrangement format of the selection setting items on the aggregation tab screen. The radio button RB1 is for setting an arrangement format in which each of a plurality of selection setting items is arranged in the order of upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right in descending order of priority on the aggregation tab screen. The radio button RB2 is for setting an arrangement format in which each of a plurality of selection setting items is arranged in the order of upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right in descending order of priority on the aggregation tab screen.

The radio buttons RB3, RB4, and RB5 accept the setting of the arrangement format of the setting items on the basic screen. The radio button RB3 is for setting an arrangement format in which each of a plurality of setting items is arranged in the order of upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right in descending order of priority on the basic screen. The radio button RB4 is for setting an arrangement format in which each of a plurality of setting items is arranged in the order of upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right on the basic screen in descending order of priority. The radio button RB5 is for setting an arrangement format for fixing the arrangement position of the setting item on the basic screen to the default position.

The key KY1 accepts the transition to the edit screen SC2 of the aggregation tab screen.

The key KY2 accepts the transition of the related item to the edit screen SC4.

The key KY3 is an OK key for determining the set value of the print condition performed through the screen of the printer driver 120 and giving a print instruction to the MFP 200.

The key KY4 is a cancel key for canceling the set value of the print condition performed through the screen of the printer driver 120.

The key KY5 is an application key for applying the setting of the arrangement format of the setting items on the aggregation tab screen and the basic screen.

The key KY6 is a help key for displaying an explanation of the operation method.

When the key KY5 is pressed, the PC100 updates the arrangement format table TL1 according to the arrangement format setting of the setting items on the received aggregation tab screen and basic screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement type table TL1 stored in the storage device 104 in one embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 4, the arrangement format table TL1 is a table that describes the arrangement format setting of the selection setting items on the aggregation tab screen and the arrangement format setting of the setting items on the basic screen. Here, the arrangement format of the aggregation tab screen and the basic screen is set to the arrangement format in which the upper left, the lower left, the upper right, and the lower right are arranged in this order.

[Operation when accepting settings on the aggregation tab screen]

Next, the operation of the PC 100 when accepting the setting of the aggregation tab screen will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an edit screen SC2 of an aggregate tab screen displayed on the display unit 107 of the PC 100 in one embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 5, the edit screen SC2 of the aggregate tab screen is a screen displayed when the key KY1 is pressed on the other tab screen SC1. The edit screen SC2 of the aggregation tab screen is a screen that accepts the setting of the type of selection setting item (setting item arranged on the aggregation tab screen) and the setting of the display priority of the selection setting item on the aggregation tab screen. The edit screen SC2 of the aggregate tab screen includes tabs TB11, TB12, TB13, TB14, TB15, and TB16, display areas AR1 and AR2, and keys KY11, KY12, KY13, KY14, KY15, KY16, KY17, and KY18. I'm out.

The tabs TB11, TB12, TB13, TB14, TB15, and TB16 are tabs for displaying the setting items arranged on the corresponding basic screens in the display area AR1. Each of the tabs TB11, TB12, TB13, TB14, TB15, and TB16 has a basic setting tab screen, a layout tab screen, a finishing tab screen, a cover sheet / insert paper tab screen, a stamp / page print tab screen, and an image quality tab, respectively. It corresponds to the screen.

The display area AR1 is an area in which setting items that are candidates for selection setting items are displayed. The setting items displayed in the display area AR1 can be scrolled by the scroll bar SB1.

The display area AR2 is an area in which selection setting items are displayed. In the display area AR2, selection setting items are displayed from top to bottom in descending order of display priority on the aggregation tab screen.

The setting items displayed in each of the display areas AR1 and AR2 can be selected.

The key KY11 is an additional key for adding the setting item selected in the display area AR1 to the display area AR2.

The key KY12 is a delete key for deleting the selection setting item selected in the display area AR2 from the display area AR2.

The key KY13 is a key for raising the priority (display position) of the selection setting item selected in the display area AR2 by one.

The key KY14 is a key for lowering the priority of the selection setting item selected in the display area AR2 by one.

Here, the tab TB11 corresponding to the basic setting tab screen is pressed, and the display area AR1 has the setting items "original orientation", "original size", and "paper size" included in the basic setting tab screen. , "Zoom", "Arrangement Tray", "Paper Type", "Output Method", etc. are displayed. In the display area AR1, the "output method" is selected. In the display area AR2, the selection setting items "print type", "original size", "paper size", "number of copies", and "color selection" are displayed side by side from top to bottom with this priority. There is. In the display area AR2, "number of copies" is selected. The print type is a setting item that accepts settings for double-sided printing or single-sided printing.

The key KY15 is an OK key for confirming the contents set on the edit screen SC2 of the aggregation tab screen.

The key KY16 is a cancel key for canceling the contents set on the edit screen SC2 of the aggregation tab screen.

The key KY17 is a key for returning the setting of the type of selection setting item and the setting of the priority of the selection setting item on the aggregation tab screen to the default.

The key KY18 is a help key for displaying an explanation of the operation method.

The user sets the setting items that he / she frequently uses as the selection setting items through the edit screen SC2 of the aggregation tab screen. In addition, the user sets the display priority on the aggregation tab screen for the selection setting items so that the order of use is high.

When the key KY15 is pressed, the PC100 updates the aggregation tab screen table TL2 according to the settings on the edit screen SC2 of the aggregation tab screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an aggregate tab screen table TL2 stored in the storage device 104 in one embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that a setting item having a display priority of "low" on the basic screen has a lower priority than a setting item having a display priority of "low" on the basic screen.

With reference to FIG. 6, the aggregation tab screen table TL2 is a table in which the relationship between the plurality of selection setting items and the display priority of each of the plurality of selection setting items on the aggregation tab screen is described. In the aggregation tab screen table TL2, the display priority on the aggregation tab screen, the display priority on the basic screen, the type of the basic screen to which the selection setting item belongs, and the selection setting item are used for each of the selection setting items. Information on each of the times is listed.

Here, each of "print type", "original size", "paper size", "number of copies", and "color selection" is described as selection setting items included in the aggregation tab screen. As an example, for the selection setting item "print type", the display priority on the aggregate tab screen is "1", the display priority on the basic screen is "low 1", and the type of the basic screen to which it belongs is. It is a "layout" tab screen, and has been used "152" times.

By the way, since the user usually uses the setting item selected as the selection setting item through the aggregation tab screen, it is rare to use it through the basic screen.

Therefore, when updating the aggregation tab screen table TL2, the PC 100 sets the display priority of the setting item which is the selection setting item on the basic screen to be lower than the display priority of the setting item which is not the selection setting item on the basic screen. To do. Further, the PC 100 sets the display priority on the basic screen of the selection setting items so that the order is opposite to the display priority on the aggregation tab screen. The display priority on the set basic screen is described in the aggregation tab screen table TL2.

As a result, when comparing multiple setting items arranged on one basic screen, the display on the basic screen of the setting item that is not the selection setting item is higher than the display priority on the basic screen of the setting item that is the selection setting item. Has a higher priority. As a result, on the basic screen, setting items that are not selection setting items can be arranged at positions that are more visible to the user than setting items that are selection setting items.

Here, the display priority of each of the "print type", "original size", "paper size", "number of copies", and "color selection" on the aggregation tab screen is higher in this order. On the other hand, the display priority of each of the basic screens of "print type", "original size", "paper size", "number of copies", and "color selection" is set lower than the setting items that are not selection setting items. ing. The display priority on each basic screen of "Print type", "Original size", "Paper size", "Copies", and "Color selection" is "Color selection", "Copies", "Paper size", The order is higher in the order of "original size" and "print type", which is the reverse order of display priority on the aggregation tab screen.

The PC 100 may record the frequency of use of each setting item and change the aggregation tab screen table TL2 based on the recorded frequency of use. As an example, the PC 100 counts the number of times the setting item is used (the number of times the setting value of the print condition of the setting item is changed) arranged on each setting screen, and adds the setting item with a large number of times as a selection setting item. Or you may want to give higher priority to the display on the aggregation tab screen. Further, the PC 100 may exclude setting items that are used less frequently from the selection setting items, or lower the priority of display on the aggregation tab screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the setting of the arrangement format of the selection setting items on the aggregation tab screen of the embodiment of the present invention and the position where the selection setting items are arranged.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, when displaying the aggregation tab screen, the PC 100 describes the aggregation tab described in the aggregation tab screen table TL2 according to the arrangement format of the aggregation tab screen described in the arrangement format table TL1. Display the selection setting items according to the display priority on the screen.

That is, when the display priority on the aggregation tab screen described in the aggregation tab screen table TL2 is higher in the order of "print type", "original size", "paper size", "number of copies", and "color selection". In, when the arrangement format of the aggregation tab screen described in the arrangement format table TL1 is upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right, as shown in FIG. 7A, "print type" and "original size". , "Paper size", "Number of copies", and "Color selection" are the left side of the first row, the right side of the first row, the left side of the second row, the right side of the second row, and the left side of the third row. It is arranged in the order. When the layout format of the aggregation tab screen is upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right, as shown in FIG. 7B, "print type", "original size", "paper size", and "number of copies". , And the selection setting items of "color selection" are arranged in the order of the left side of the first stage, the left side of the second stage, the left side of the third stage, the right side of the first stage, and the right side of the second stage.

The relationship between the setting of the arrangement format of the setting items on the basic screen and the position where the setting items are arranged is the same as the above-mentioned relationship.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an aggregate tab screen SC3 displayed on the display unit 107 of the PC 100 in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows a case where the arrangement format of the aggregation tab screen is upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right.

With reference to FIG. 8, the aggregation tab screen SC3 has a combo box CB1 that accepts the setting of "print type", a combo box CB2 that accepts the setting of "original size", and a combo box CB3 that accepts the setting of "paper size". , Combo box CB4 that accepts the setting of "number of copies", combo box CB5 that accepts the setting of "color selection", keys KY3, KY4, KY5 (here, grayed out and cannot be pressed), KY6, KY7 and KY8 are included. Each of the combo boxes CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, and CB5 is arranged in the order of upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right in the aggregation tab screen SC3.

The key KY7 accepts the transition of the aggregation tab screen to the editing screen SC2.

The key KY8 is a key for returning the set value of the print condition made through the screen of the printer driver 120 to the default.

In the aggregated tab screen SC3, the "print type" having the highest display priority on the aggregated tab screen is arranged at a position most easily visible to the user, and the "color" having the lowest display priority on the aggregated tab screen. "Selection" is placed in the position that is most invisible to the user.

[Operation when accepting settings for related items]

Next, the operation of the PC 100 when accepting the settings of related items will be described.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an edit screen SC4 of related items displayed on the display unit 107 of the PC 100 in one embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 9, the related item editing screen SC4 is a screen displayed when the key KY2 is pressed on the other tab screen SC1. The related item editing screen SC4 is a screen that accepts settings for associating arbitrary setting items with each other in a group. A related item is a setting item associated with a certain setting item. The related item editing screen SC4 has tabs TB21, TB22, TB23, TB24, TB25, and TB26, a display area AR3, boxes BX1, BX2, and BX3, and keys KY21, KY22, KY23, KY24, and KY25. Includes.

The tabs TB21, TB22, TB23, TB24, TB25, and TB26 are tabs for displaying the setting items arranged on the corresponding basic screens in the display area AR3. Each of the tabs TB21, TB22, TB23, TB24, TB25, and TB26 has a basic setting tab screen, a layout tab screen, a finishing tab screen, a cover sheet / insert paper tab screen, a stamp / page print tab screen, and an image quality tab, respectively. It corresponds to the screen.

The display area AR3 is an area in which setting items that are candidates for setting related items are displayed. The setting items displayed in the display area AR3 can be scrolled by the scroll bar SB2. The setting items displayed in the display area AR3 can be selected. Further, in the display area AR3, for the setting items set in the related items, the group name to which the setting items belong and the priority within the group of the setting items are displayed.

The box BX1 is a box in which the types of setting items selected in the display area AR3 are displayed.

The box BX2 is a box that accepts the input of the group name of the setting item selected in the display area AR3. If the setting item selected in the display area AR3 belongs to a group, the group name is displayed in the box BX2. If the setting item selected in the display area AR3 does not belong to the group, the box BX2 is blank.

The box BX3 is a combo box that accepts the input of the priority in the group of the setting items selected in the display area AR3. When the setting item selected in the display area AR3 belongs to a group, the priority within the group is displayed in the box BX3. If the setting item selected in the display area AR3 does not belong to the group, the box BX3 is blank.

Here, the tab TB22 corresponding to the layout tab screen is pressed, and the display area AR3 has the setting items "page allocation", "180 degree rotation", "blank page suppression", and "blank page suppression" included in the layout tab screen. "Chapter division", "Print type", "Opening direction / Binding direction", "Binding margin", etc. are displayed. "Page allocation" and "Blank page suppression" belong to the group "Paper saving", and the priorities of "Page allocation" and "Blank page suppression" within the group are "Priority 2" and "Priority 3", respectively. Is. Although it is not displayed on the edit screen SC4 of the related item in FIG. 9, the setting item of "print type" further belongs to the group "paper saving", and the priority is given in the group of "print type". The degree is "priority 1".

In the display area AR3, "page allocation" is selected. "Page allocation" is displayed in the box BX1, and a group name "paper saving" is displayed in the box BX2, and this group name can be changed. In the box BX3, the priority within the group called "priority 2" is displayed, and this priority can be changed.

The key KY21 is a key for reflecting the contents input to the boxes BX1, BX2, and BX3 in the display area AR3.

The key KY22 is an OK key for confirming the contents set on the edit screen SC4 of the related item.

The key KY23 is a cancel key for canceling the contents set on the edit screen SC4 of the related item.

The key KY24 is a key for returning the setting contents of the related items to the default (here, there is no setting of the related items).

The key KY25 is a help key for displaying an explanation of the operation method.

The user sets the setting items for setting arbitrary desired print conditions as one group through the edit screen SC4 of the related items. The purpose is set as the group name.

When the key KY22 is pressed, the PC100 updates the related item table TL3 based on the received related item settings.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a related item table TL3 stored in the storage device 104 in one embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 10, the related item table TL3 is a table in which a plurality of setting items associated with each other are described. The related item table TL3 contains information on the group name, the type of setting item belonging to the group, and the mutual priority of the setting item belonging to the group within the group.

Here, groups called "paper saving" and "bookbinding" are set. The group "Paper Saving" belongs to the setting items "Print Type", "Page Allocation", and "Blank Paper Suppression", which are setting items that accept the setting of printing conditions for saving the paper used for printing. And these setting items are related to each other. The priority within the group of "paper saving" is higher in the order of "print type", "page allocation", and "blank page suppression".

The group "Bookbinding" belongs to the setting items "Original size", "Staple", and "Image compression", which are the setting items that accept the setting of printing conditions for binding, and these setting items are Associated with each other. Within the group "bookbinding", the priority is higher in the order of "original size", "staple", and "image compression".

The PC 100 updates the related item priority table TL4 based on the aggregated tab screen table TL2 and the related item table TL3 when at least one of the aggregated tab screen table TL2 and the related item table TL3 is updated.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a related item priority table TL4 stored in the storage device 104 in one embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that a setting item having a display priority of "high" on the basic screen has a higher priority than a setting item having a display priority of "high" on the basic screen.

With reference to FIGS. 6, 10 and 11, the related item priority table TL4 is a basic screen of a selection setting item and a related item of the selection setting item (a setting item belonging to the same group as the selection setting item). It is a table in which the relationship with the display priority is described. The related item priority table TL4 contains information on each of the selection setting items, the related items of the selection setting items, the display priority of the related items on the basic screen, and the type of the basic screen including the related items. ..

Here, each of "print type", "original size", and "paper size" is described as selection setting items. Among the selection setting items, "number of copies" and "color selection" are not listed in the related item priority table TL4 because there are no related items. As an example, regarding "staple" which is a related item of "manuscript size", the display priority on the basic screen is "high 3", and the type of the basic screen to which it belongs is the "finishing" tab screen.

When the PC100 updates the related item priority table TL4, the related items are arranged from top to bottom according to the display priority of the selection setting items on the aggregation tab screen, and the related items of one selection setting item are in the group. Arrange from top to bottom according to the priority in. Then, the PC 100 displays the basic screen priority of "high 1", "high 2", "high 3", etc. in order from the top for each of the related items included in the related item priority table TL4. To set. That is, the PC 100 raises the display priority of the setting items related to the selection setting items on the basic screen.

As a result, when a setting item belonging to a group of related items is a selection setting item, the display priority of other setting items belonging to the group on the basic screen is high. As a result, the setting items related to the frequently used setting items can be arranged at a position easily visible to the user on the basic screen. Here, it is presumed that the user is highly conscious of paper saving, so the display priority on the basic screens of "Page allocation" and "Blank page suppression" related to paper saving is high, and these setting items are laid out. It can be placed in a position that is easily visible to the user on the tab screen.

Priority is given to the display of the basic screens of "High 1" and "High 2" for each of "Page allocation" and "Blank page suppression", which are related items of "Print type", which has the highest display priority on the aggregation tab screen. The degree is set. Since the priority of "paper saving" in the group is higher for "page allocation" than for "blank page suppression", the priority of displaying the basic screen is also set higher for "page allocation".

In addition, the basic screen display of "High 3" and "High 4" is displayed for each of "Staple" and "Image compression", which are related items of "Original size", which has the second highest display priority on the aggregation tab screen. The priority is set. Since the priority within the group "bookbinding" is higher for "staple" than for "image compression", the priority for displaying the basic screen is also set higher for "staple". As a result, each of the "staples" and "image compression" related to the frequently used "original size" is placed in a position that is easily visible to the user on each of the "finishing" tab screen and the "image quality" tab screen. can do.

When the related item priority table TL4 is updated (when the selection setting item is changed), the PC 100 updates the basic screen table TL5 based on the aggregate tab screen table TL2 and the related item priority table TL4.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a basic screen table TL5 stored in the storage device 104 in one embodiment of the present invention. Although the basic screen table TL5 of the layout tab screen will be described here, the storage device 104 includes a basic setting tab screen, a layout tab screen, a finishing tab screen, a cover sheet / insert paper tab screen, a stamp / page print tab screen, and the like. And the basic screen table TL5 for each basic screen of the image quality tab screen is stored.

With reference to FIGS. 6, 11 and 12, the basic screen table TL5 displays a plurality of setting items arranged on the basic screen and a plurality of setting items arranged on the basic screen on the basic screen. It is a table in which the relationship with the priority is described. In the basic screen table TL5, a plurality of setting items included in the basic screen are arranged from top to bottom in the order of display priority on the basic screen.

Among the setting items included in the basic screen, the setting items that do not have "high" and "low" in the display priority on the basic screen are described as other items (display priority on the basic screen of other items). Is the default). In the related item priority table TL4, the PC100 has a priority with a notation of "high" (priority of a setting item corresponding to the related item of the selection setting item) but a priority without a notation of "high" (other items). It is judged that the priority is lower than (priority of), and the priority with the notation of “low” (priority of the selection setting item) is lower than the priority without the notation of “low”.

Here, "page allocation" and "blank page suppression" have higher priority than other setting items because the priority of "high 1" and "high 2" is set in the related item priority table TL4. It has become. On the other hand, the "print type" has a lower priority than the other setting items because the priority of "low 1" is set in the aggregate tab screen table TL2.

When displaying the basic screen, the PC 100 displays the setting items in descending order of the basic screen described in the basic screen table TL5 according to the arrangement format of the basic screen described in the arrangement format table TL1.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a layout tab screen SC5 displayed on the display unit 107 of the PC 100 in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 shows a case where the arrangement format of the basic screen is upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right.

With reference to FIG. 13, the layout tab screen SC5 has a check box CK11 that accepts the setting of "page allocation", a check box CK12 that accepts the setting of "blank page suppression", and a check box that accepts the setting of "180 degree rotation". CK13, check box CK14 that accepts "chapter division" settings, combo box CB11 that accepts "opening direction / binding direction" settings, check box CK15 that accepts "binding margin" settings, and "image shift". It includes a check box CK16 that accepts settings, a combo box CB12 that accepts "print type" settings, and keys KY3, KY4, KY5, KY6, and KY8. The check boxes CK11, CK12, CK13, and CK14, the combo box CB11, the check boxes CK15 and CK16, and the combo box CB12 are arranged in the order of upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right in the layout tab screen SC5. ..

On the layout tab screen SC5, each of "page allocation" (check box CK11) and "blank page suppression" (check box CK12) related to the frequently used "print type" is easily noticed by the user on the layout tab screen. It is placed in position. On the other hand, by arranging the "print type" (combo box CB12), which is often used on the aggregate tab screen SC3, at a position that is difficult for the user to see on the layout tab screen, other items (check boxes CK13, CK14, The CK15, CK16, and combo box CB11) are arranged at positions that are easily visible to the user on the layout tab screen.

However, if an arrangement format is set in which the arrangement position of the setting items on the basic screen is fixed to the default position, the PC100 does not use the basic screen table TB5 and sets the setting items on the basic screen in the default order. indicate.

The PC 100 may determine the position where the setting items are arranged on the basic screen based on the arrangement state of the selection setting items on the aggregation tab screen SC3. In this case, the arrangement state of the selection setting items on the aggregation tab screen SC3 preferably includes at least one of the types of selection setting items and the positions of the selection setting items arranged on the aggregation tab screen SC3.

[Flowchart showing the operation of the PC]

Subsequently, a flowchart showing the operation of the PC 100 will be described.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the PC 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. This flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program of the printer driver 120.

With reference to FIG. 14, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the change in the arrangement format setting of the setting items on at least one of the aggregated tab screen and the basic screen has been accepted through the other tab screen SC1 (S1).

When it is determined in step S1 that the change in the arrangement format setting of the setting items on at least one of the aggregation tab screen and the basic screen has been accepted (YES in S1), the CPU 101 updates the arrangement format table TL1 (S3). Proceed to the process of step S5.

If it is determined in step S1 that the change of the arrangement format setting of the setting items on the aggregation tab screen and the basic screen is not accepted (NO in S1), the CPU 101 proceeds to the process of step S5.

In step S5, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a change in the setting of the type of the selection setting item has been accepted through the edit screen SC2 of the aggregation tab screen (S5).

When it is determined in step S5 that the change of the selection setting item type setting is not accepted (NO in S5), the CPU 101 gives priority to the display on the aggregation tab screen of the selection setting item through the edit screen SC2 of the aggregation tab screen. It is determined whether or not the change of the setting of is accepted (S7).

In step S5, it is determined that the change in the setting of the type of the selection setting item has been accepted (YES in S5), or in step S7, it is determined that the change in the display priority setting on the aggregation tab screen of the selection setting item has been accepted. If this is the case (YES in S7), the CPU 101 updates the aggregation tab screen table TL2 (S9), and proceeds to the process of step S15.

In step S7, when it is determined that the change of the display priority setting on the aggregation tab screen of the selected setting items is not accepted (NO in S7), the CPU 101 changes the setting of the related item through the editing screen SC4 of the related item. Is determined (S11).

If it is determined in step S11 that the change in the setting of the related item has been accepted (YES in S11), the CPU 101 updates the related item table TL3 (S13), and proceeds to the process of step S15.

In step S15, the CPU 101 updates the related item priority table TL4 based on the aggregate tab screen table TL2 and the related item table TL3 (S15). Subsequently, the CPU 101 updates the basic screen table TL5 based on the related item priority table TL4 (S17), and proceeds to the process of step S19.

If it is determined in step S11 that the change of the setting of the related item is not accepted (NO in S11), the CPU 101 proceeds to the process of step S19.

In step S19, the CPU 101 determines whether or not an operation for displaying the setting screen (aggregation tab screen or basic screen) has been performed (S19).

When it is determined in step S19 that the operation for displaying the setting screen has been performed (YES in S19), the CPU 101 refers to the necessary table (S21), displays the setting items (S23), and ends the process. In step S21, when the operation of displaying the aggregation tab screen is performed, the arrangement format table TL1 and the aggregation tab screen table TL2 are referred to, and when the operation of displaying the basic screen is performed, the arrangement format table TL1 and the basic screen table TL5 relating to the basic screen to be displayed are referred to.

If it is determined in step S19 that the operation for displaying the setting screen is not performed (NO in S19), the CPU 101 ends the process.

[Effect of Embodiment]

According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to set the display position on the basic screen for the setting items other than the selection setting items based on the selection setting items. When a certain setting item is selected as a selection setting item, the setting item that has a common purpose (paper saving, bookbinding, etc.) with the setting item should be placed in a position that is easily visible to the user on the basic screen. Can be done. As a result, the user can easily find the setting items that do not need to be placed on the aggregation tab screen, and the convenience can be improved.

[Other]

The PC100 may set the related items instead of the user. In this case, the PC 100 may store the related item table TL3 in which the default related items are described.

The processing in the above-described embodiment may be performed by software or by using a hardware circuit. It is also possible to provide a program that executes the processing according to the above-described embodiment, and record the program on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, or a memory card and provide the program to the user. You may decide to do it. The program is executed by a computer such as a CPU. Further, the program may be downloaded to the device via a communication line such as the Internet.

The embodiments described above should be considered exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

100 PC (Personal Computer) (Example of display device)
101 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
102 ROM (Read Only Memory)
103 RAM (Random Access Memory)
104 Storage device 105 Communication unit 106 Operation unit 107 Display unit 120 Printer driver 121 Print condition provision unit 122 Print data generation unit 131 Display control unit 132 Aggregation tab screen table management unit 133 Related item Table management unit 134 Related item Priority table management unit 135 Basic screen Table management unit 136 Arrangement format storage unit 137 Input reception unit 300 Network AR1, AR2, AR3 Display area BX1, BX2, BX3 Box CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5, CB11, CB12 Combo box CK11, CK12, CK13 , CK14, CK15, CK16 check boxes KY1, KY2, KY3, KY4, KY5, KY6, KY7, KY8, KY11, KY12, KY13, KY14, KY15, KY16, KY17, KY18, KY21, KY22, KY23, KY24, KY25. RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4, RB5 Radio button SB1, SB2 Scroll bar SC1 Other tab screen SC2 Aggregate tab screen edit screen SC3 Aggregate tab screen SC4 Related item edit screen SC5 Layout tab screen TB1, TB2, TB3, TB4, TB5 , TB6, TB7, TB8, TB11, TB12, TB13, TB14, TB15, TB16, TB21, TB22 Tab TL1 layout format table (example of selection screen layout format information and basic screen layout format information)
TL2 Aggregate tab screen table (example of selection screen information)
TL3 related item table (example of related item information)
TL4 Related item priority table (Example of related item priority information)
TL5 basic screen table (example of basic screen information)

Claims (14)

There is a control method of a display device that displays a plurality of setting screens including a basic screen in which predetermined types of setting items related to a job are arranged and a selection screen in which selection setting items selected from the setting items are arranged. hand,
A method for controlling a display device, comprising a basic screen determination step of determining a position on which the setting items are arranged on the basic screen based on a state of arrangement of the selection setting items on the selection screen. The display device is information indicating the relationship between the plurality of setting items arranged on the basic screen and the display priority of each of the plurality of setting items arranged on the basic screen on the basic screen. Equipped with a storage device that stores basic screen information
The control method is
Further provided with a basic screen information change step for changing the basic screen information when the selection setting item is changed.
The control method for a display device according to claim 1, wherein in the basic screen information changing step, the priority of displaying the setting items related to the selection setting item on the basic screen is raised. The storage device further stores related item information which is information of a plurality of the setting items associated with each other.
The control method for a display device according to claim 2, wherein in the basic screen information change step, the priority of displaying the setting item associated with the selection setting item in the related item information on the basic screen is raised. The control method for a display device according to claim 3, wherein the related item information further includes information on the mutual priority of each of the plurality of setting items associated with each other. Further provided with a related item setting receiving step for accepting a setting for associating the plurality of setting items with each other.
The control method for a display device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the storage device stores the related item information based on the setting received in the related item setting receiving step. The storage device further stores related item priority information, which is information indicating the relationship between the selection setting item and the display priority of the setting item related to the selection setting item on the basic screen.
When at least one of the basic screen information and the related item information is changed, the related item priority information change step for changing the related item priority information based on the basic screen information and the related item information. With more
The control method for a display device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein in the step of changing the priority information of the related item, the priority of displaying the setting item related to the selection setting item on the basic screen is raised. The control method for a display device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further lowering the priority of display of the selection setting item on the basic screen in the basic screen information change step. The storage device further stores selection screen information which is information indicating the relationship between the plurality of selection setting items and the display priority of each of the plurality of selection setting items on the selection screen.
A selection acceptance step that accepts the selection of the plurality of selection setting items and the setting of the display priority of each of the plurality of selection setting items on the selection screen.
The control method for a display device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, further comprising a selection screen information change step for changing the selection screen information according to the content received in the selection reception step. The control method for a display device according to claim 8, wherein in the selection screen information change step, the selection screen information is changed based on the frequency of use of the setting items. A selection screen arrangement format information receiving step that accepts an input for setting selection screen arrangement format information, which is information on the arrangement format of the plurality of selection setting items on the selection screen, and
8. The claim 8 or 9, further comprising a selection screen determination step of determining a position on which the selection setting item is arranged on the selection screen based on the selection screen information and the selection screen arrangement format information. How to control the display device. Further provided with a basic screen arrangement format information receiving step for accepting an input for setting basic screen arrangement format information which is information on the arrangement format of the setting item on the basic screen.
The control method for a display device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein in the basic screen determination step, a position where the setting item is arranged on the basic screen is determined based on the basic screen arrangement format information. .. The state of arrangement of the selection setting items on the selection screen includes any one of claims 1 to 11 including at least one of the type of the selection setting item and the position of the selection setting item arranged on the selection screen. The control method of the display device described in. A display device control program for executing the display device control method according to any one of claims 1 to 12. A display device for displaying a basic screen in which a predetermined kind of setting items related to the job is placed, a plurality of setting screen including a selection screen is selected selected setting item is arranged from among the setting items,
A display device including a display control unit that determines a position on which the setting items are arranged on the basic screen based on a state of arrangement of the selection setting items on the selection screen.

Images