JPH09244843A - Method and device for user interface control, information processing system including same device, and storage medium stored with program that executes said method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to display and set setting item fields which belong to different classifications so that they are integrated as a user desires. SOLUTION: When a controller (output media) 23 regarding a form setting among setting items of a printer is specified and dragged to a position 52 in a space 31 of a user definition panel, the controller 23 is copied to the space 31 as shown by 53. Thus, plural controllers belonging to different classifications are gathered to the user definition panel and displayed at the same time, and on the screen of the user definition panel, plural items can be set by using the respective controllers.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to, for example, a GUI (Graph
It is related to customization of the setting screen for instructing the operation of the program using (Physical User Interface),
Particularly, the present invention relates to a user interface control method for inputting data by instructing an item column displayed on a display of a computer device, an apparatus therefor, an information processing system including the apparatus, and a storage medium storing a program for executing the method. Is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional system in which a computer device and a printer device are connected to each other, a printer driver installed in the computer device is used to instruct the operation of the printer. At this time, the setting screen is displayed by displaying an independent setting screen for each pre-classified item such as designation of paper used for printing and designation of print color setting. When switching such screens, a hierarchical menu, a pop-up window, or the like is used, and it is common to perform setting operation for each item while these setting screens are displayed.

[0003]

Therefore, conventionally, when the screen is switched to refer to other setting items, the original screen displaying the setting items input up to that point disappears, Alternatively, a new screen is displayed so as to hide many of the original screens, and there is a drawback that the setting operation cannot be performed while simultaneously referring to a plurality of different setting items of different categories.

Further, conventionally, the method of presenting the setting screen for each classification is determined at the time when the program is created, and cannot be changed by the user. Therefore, if a setting screen for setting a setting value that needs to be reset many times for a certain person is located in a deep hierarchy, in order to set that value, a complicated operation will be performed many times. There was also the problem of having to repeat.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and a user interface control method and apparatus capable of integrally displaying / setting the setting item columns belonging to a plurality of different categories as desired by the user. And an information processing system including the device and a storage medium storing a program for executing the method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a user interface control method, a device therefor, an information processing system including the device, and a device which can set setting items belonging to a plurality of different categories with less screen switching. It is to provide a storage medium storing a program for executing the method.

Another object of the present invention is to enable setting items to be set on a single screen by integrating them as desired by a user even if the setting items belong to a plurality of different categories. Another object of the present invention is to provide a user interface control method, an apparatus therefor, an information processing system including the apparatus, and a storage medium storing a program for executing the method.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the user interface control device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a user interface controller that displays a plurality of setting item columns and sets operating conditions based on data input corresponding to the setting item columns, and displays the plurality of setting item columns by classification. The classification item display means, the detection means for detecting that the setting item column of the first classification displayed by the classification item display means is instructed, and the setting item column detected by the detection means are the second. When the user is instructed to copy to the second classification, the moving means for copying to the second classification and the setting item column copied by the moving means are added to the display screen of the setting item column of the second classification. And a display unit for displaying the setting item column added by the adding unit together with the setting item column of the second classification.

In order to achieve the above object, the user interface control method of the present invention comprises the following steps. That is, it is a user interface control method for displaying a plurality of setting item columns and setting operating conditions based on data input corresponding to the setting item columns,
A step of displaying a plurality of setting item columns for each classification, a step of instructing the displayed setting item column of the first classification, and an instruction to copy the instructed setting item column to the second classification Steps, a step of copying the instructed setting item column to the setting item column of the second classification according to the instruction, and a display screen of the copied setting item column of the setting item column of the second classification And a step of displaying the added setting item column together with the setting item column of the second classification.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the information processing system of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
An information processing system in which a computer device and an input / output device are connected to each other, wherein the computer device displays a classification item display unit that displays an item setting field for setting a plurality of items for the input / output device according to classification of setting items, The detection means for detecting that the setting item column of the first classification displayed by the classification item display device is instructed, and the setting item column detected by the detection device are copied to the second classification. And a adding means for adding the setting item column copied by the moving device to the display screen of the setting item column of the second classification, and the adding means. And a display unit for displaying the setting item column added by the above together with the setting item column of the second classification.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, an example in which the printer driver GUI is applied will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus of this embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a computer device (workstation or the like), which has the printer driver of the present embodiment, and the printer driver can operate a printer or the like connected to the network 8. A display 2 is connected to the computer device 1 to display an image. A keyboard 3 is connected to the computer device 1 and is operated by an operator to be used for inputting characters and numerical values. A pointing device 4 such as a mouse is used to move the cursor 6 on the screen of the display 2 and operate the GUI. A window system 5 is a computer device 1
It has a GUI that runs on it. The cursor 6 moves on the screen of the display 2 according to the movement of the mouse 4. Reference numeral 7 denotes a printer which is connected to the computer device 1 and is controlled under the control of the printer driver of the present embodiment, 8 denotes a network for connecting the computer device 1 and other devices, and 9 denotes the network 8. The network printer is controlled by the printer driver of the computer device 1.

A procedure for the user of the computer device 1 to freely recreate the print setting screen displayed on the display 2 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

When the user of the computer device 1 wants to print using the printer 7 or the network printer 9, he or she selects a print item from the application using the window system operating on the computer device 1. An example of a display screen displayed at this time is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a "printer setting" window for printer setting, and 11 is a controller for selecting a printer as a printing destination. In the configuration of this embodiment, any one of the printers 7 and 9 is used. Can be selected. Reference numeral 12 is a controller (A4 size in the figure) for selecting the paper size to be printed, and 13 is an "OK" button for instructing to confirm the contents set by the controllers 11 and 12. Reference numeral 14 is a "cancel" button for instructing cancellation of printer settings. 15 is an "option" button, which is the controller 11
This is a button for instructing a screen display for making more detailed settings unique to the printer (printer1 in the figure) selected in. The window displayed by instructing the "option" button 15 is the printer driver setting screen shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, this printer driver has "color setting", "paper", "print target", and "print quality".
, And in the example of FIG. 3, the setting item of “paper” is designated. The window 20 is the window 1 in FIG.
This is a window for making settings unique to the printer selected by the controller 11 of 0. Reference numerals 21 to 23 are controllers for setting the paper to be printed, 21 is an output paper size (A4 in the figure), 22 is a reduction / enlargement ratio (100% in the figure), and 23 is an output medium (plain paper in the figure). Used to specify each. Reference numerals 24 and 25 are controllers for switching the setting screens classified into the above-mentioned “paper” and “print target”.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a "help" button, which is used to display, in another window or the like (help function), explanation items regarding items that can be set using the controllers 21, 22, and 23 on the current classification screen. It is a button to instruct. 27 is a "Cancel" button, window 2
This is a button for instructing to discard the contents set in 0 and close the window 20. Reference numeral 28 denotes an “OK” button, which is a button for instructing to validate the contents set in the window 20 and close the window 20.
Reference numeral 29 is a "user-defined" feature of this embodiment.
It is a button for instructing the display of the screen.

FIG. 4 shows the "user definition" button 29 of FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when is instructed.

In FIG. 4, a window 30 is a window having a space 31 for displaying the controller selected by the user at a position designated by the user, and will be referred to as a "user-defined panel" here. Space 31
All the controllers relating to the printer settings displayed on the window 20 (FIG. 3) can be displayed on the upper side, and the desired setting can be performed by the same operation as the operation on the window 20. There is. That is, if a controller that is frequently used is placed in this space 31 and the user-defined panel window 30 is opened, the screen is switched by the controllers 24 and 25 in order to display the necessary screen in the window 20. It is not necessary, and by arranging the controllers belonging to different classifications on one screen at the same time, it is possible to confirm or reset the settings on the same screen.

In FIG. 4, the controller 32 for selecting the image halftone method and the controller 33 for setting the number of prints are arranged in one window 30, but these are usually classified into different categories. It should be done. That is, "halftone" means "print quality"
The “number of printed sheets” corresponds to the “setting of printing paper”.

In the present embodiment, the layout of the space 31 can be freely modified by the edit mode described below, and a GUI according to the user's preference or work situation can be provided. It was done like this.

As described above, since the controller can be freely arranged on the screen by using the "user-defined panel", it is conceivable that the display area of the space 31 is insufficient. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the window size change controller 35 is provided so that the size of the window 30 can be increased to the full screen of the display 2 if the space 31 is small. Also, space 3
It is also possible to provide a controller (scroll bar) 34 for changing the display area of No. 1 and scroll the display contents of the space 31 to change the display area. Also, 36
Is a "help" button, which is used to instruct to display an explanation item regarding an item that can be set by each controller on the space 31 in another window or the like. Reference numeral 37 denotes a “cancel” button, which instructs to discard the contents set in the window 30 and close the window 30. An “OK” button 38 is a button for instructing that the contents set in the window 30 be validated and the window 30 be closed. Reference numeral 39 denotes a "user definition edit" button, which is a button for instructing switching to a mode for editing the content of the space 31 using the GUI.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display when switching to the edit mode by instructing the "user definition edit" button 39 of the window 30.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 40 denotes a user-defined panel window in the edit mode, in which the "OK" button 38 is disabled. In the edit mode of the “user-defined panel”, the controller for setting the printer operation arranged in the window 20 (FIG. 3) and the space 31 (FIG. 4) does not operate, but instead, select the controller itself and drag it. Is possible. FIG.
Controllers 24 and 25 for switching screens, a controller 35 for changing the screen size (FIG. 4), space 31
Controllers that are not directly related to the operation settings of the printer, such as the controller 34 (FIG. 4) that changes the display area, perform normal operation, and the display can be switched so that a desired controller can be selected.

In this "user-defined panel" edit mode, the controllers 32 and 33 in the space 31 can be freely moved on the screen.

FIG. 5 shows an example of changing the position of the controller 33 in the space 31. The user wants to move the cursor 6 using the mouse 4 The controller 33
Is moved to a selectable position 41 and the button of the mouse 4 is clicked to select the controller 33. Next, the cursor 6 is moved to the position 42 (drag operation) while the button of the mouse 4 is being pressed as it is, and the button of the mouse 4 that is being pressed is released (drop operation).

By the above operation, the controller 33 is moved to the position 43. As a result, the controller 33
The controller 33 is moved to the position 43 and displayed by rewriting the parameter for controlling the display position of the item with the drag and drop information. The functions of the "help" button 44 and the "cancel" button 45 are the same as those of the above-mentioned "help" button 36 and "cancel" button 37, and therefore their explanations are omitted.

In the "user-defined panel" edit mode, the controllers 21 to 23 relating to the printer operation settings on the window 20 can be freely copied into the space 31. For example, FIG. 6 shows a case where the controller 23 (FIG. 3) for instructing the output medium is copied onto the space 31.

In FIG. 6, the user uses the mouse 4 to move the cursor 6 to a position 51 in the window 20 where the controller 23 to be copied can be selected, and clicks the button of the mouse 4 to select the controller 23. Next, while continuing to press the button of the mouse 4 as it is, the cursor 6 is moved (drag operation) to the position 52 of the space 31 of the window 30, and the button of the mouse 4 which is being pressed is released (drop operation).

By the above operation, the controller 23 of the window 20 is copied to the position 53 of the space 31 of the window 30. Controller 5 copied in this way
3 operates in space 31 as an "output media" controller in the normal print setting mode. At this time, the set value changed in the space 31 is also reflected in the controller 23 of the “paper” setting window 20 of the copy source. Similarly, the setting value changed in the copy source window 23 is also reflected in the copy destination controller 53 on the space 31. That is, both controllers always have the same set value. An internal operation for this purpose is realized by creating a copy of the controller 23 and creating a parameter for controlling the display position of the controller 23 by the drag & drop information. The display position of the copy source controller 23 does not change here.

In the edit mode of the "user-defined panel", the controllers 32, 43, 53 in the space 31 can be freely deleted.

FIG. 7 shows the window 3 of the user-defined panel.
It is a figure showing the case where controller 43 on space 31 of 0 is deleted.

In FIG. 7, the user uses the mouse 4 to select a position 61 where the controller 43 to be deleted can be selected.
The cursor 6 is moved to, the button of the mouse 4 is clicked, and, for example, the controller 43 is selected. Then mouse 4
The cursor 6 is moved (drag operation) to the position 62 outside the space 31 while continuing to press the button, and the button of the mouse 4 that has been pressed is released (drop operation). With the above operation, the controller 43 is deleted from this user-defined panel. It is realized internally by erasing 43 which is a copy of the controller. Note that the controller to be erased is only the copied controller and has no effect on the copy source controller.

The above is the operation of moving, copying, and deleting the controller in the edit mode of the "user-defined panel".

Thus, the user can freely arrange the necessary controller in the space 31 regardless of the classification. In addition, in this "User-defined panel" edit mode,
By pressing the "Help" button 44, the help items of the editing operation can be displayed in another window or the like, and by pressing the "Cancel" button 45, the contents of the editing work can be discarded and the normal printer setting mode can be returned. You can By instructing the “end editing” button 46, the contents of the editing work performed up to that point can be confirmed and saved, and the normal printer setting mode can be returned to. Then, when the contents of the controller in the space 31 are changed by the instruction of the “end editing” button 46, FIG.
The content of the help item displayed by instructing the "help" button 36 of is updated according to the change of the controller.

The control processes in the edit mode described above are summarized in the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9, and the control program for executing these processes is stored in the main memory of the computer and executed. Further, the control program may be stored in a magnetic storage medium such as a floppy disk or a hard disk, and downloaded and executed in the main memory of the computer device.

The processing shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is started by clicking the "edit user definition" button 39 with the mouse 4 on the screen of FIG. 4, and first, in step S1, the window 20 is displayed when switching to the edit mode. And space 3
The setting operation, which is the original purpose of the controller (21 to 23, 32, 33, etc.) related to the operation setting of the printer arranged in No. 1, is stopped so that it can be selected as a component instead. However, at this time, controllers that are not directly related to the operation settings of the printer, such as the controllers 24 and 25 for switching the screen, the controller 35 for changing the screen size, and the controller 34 for changing the display area of the space 31, perform a predetermined operation, The display can be switched so that a desired controller can be selected (steps S3 and S21). That is, when the screen change controller is instructed in step S3 of FIG. 9, the process proceeds to step S21,
The screen change switching process is executed.

Further, in steps S4 to S6 of FIG. 9, when any of the buttons 44 to 46 displayed at the bottom of the screen is instructed, the process according to the instruction is executed. That is, while in the edit mode of the "user-defined panel",
When the "help" button 44 is clicked in step S4, the process proceeds to step S22, the items related to the operation description of the "user defined panel" edit mode are displayed in another window or the like, and the process proceeds to step S2. If the "Cancel" button 45 is clicked in step S6, the process proceeds to step S27, discards the information changed in the current edit mode,
Restores the state before switching to edit mode.

Further, when the "edit end" button 46 is clicked in step S5, the process proceeds to step S23, and help display items regarding the control in the user-defined panel (space 31) displayed by the "help" button 36 during normal operation. Is reconfigured to copy or delete the new control. Then, the process proceeds to step S24, and the change of state due to the movement, copying, or deletion of the control is stored in the storage device such as the hard disk of the computer device 1. This saved data is referenced each time the user-defined panel is called until the next change. And before leaving this edit mode, in step S25,
It is determined by the "help" button 44 whether a help window for the edit mode or the like is displayed, and if so, the process proceeds to step S26 to close this help window. Then, the process proceeds to step S28 to restart the operation of the controller which has been stopped in step 1, displays the "printer setting" screen of FIG. 3, and shifts to the printer setting mode. It should be noted that the controller selection is disabled when the controller operation is restarted.

Next, the editing process of the controller, which is a characteristic part of this embodiment, will be described.

In step S2, when the controller related to the printer operation setting is clicked in the edit mode of the "user-defined panel" (state of FIG. 5), this is used for deselecting the already selected controller. It is determined whether or not it is a click, and if so, the process proceeds to step S8, the controller is deselected, and step S8 is performed.
Go back to 2 and wait for the next click. On the other hand, if the selection is not released, the process proceeds to step S9, the designated controller is selected, and in step S10, the start of the subsequent drag operation is monitored. If the drag operation is not started here, the process returns to step S2 to wait for the next click operation.

When the drag operation is started in step S10, the process proceeds to step S11, the start position of the operation is stored, and the end of the drag operation (drop operation) is waited in step S12. When this drag operation is completed, the process proceeds to step S13 and the end position is detected.

If the drag & drop operation is performed in the space 31 (in the user-defined panel) in step S14, the process proceeds to step S15, and as shown in FIG. 5, the designated controller movement process is performed.

On the other hand, in step S16, the drag &
When the drop operation is performed from the window 20 (printer setting screen) into the space 31 (user-defined panel) (see FIG. 6), the process proceeds to step S17, and a copying process for copying the controller into the user-defined panel is performed.

In step S18, as shown in FIG. 7, if the space 31 is moved to the outside of the space 31, the process proceeds to step S19 to delete the instructed controller from the user-defined panel. And
When any one of these steps S15, S17 and S19 is completed, the process proceeds to step S20, the selected controller is deselected and the process proceeds to step S2 to wait for the next click operation.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can freely set and arrange the required controller in the user-defined panel (space 31) regardless of the classification of the controller. Therefore, the user can access the information of the required multiple items simply by opening the window of the user-defined panel, compared to the conventional method of opening many windows and switching between them. Work efficiency is improved.

[Other Embodiments] In the above-described embodiment, the “option” of the “printer setting” window 10 is used.
The "Printer Setting" window 20 is opened by instructing the button 15, and then the "User definition" button 2
9 is instructed to open the “user-defined panel” window 30, but in addition to this, the “option” button 15 is used to open the “user-defined panel” window 30.
And then switch to the "User-defined panel" edit mode with the "User-defined edit" button 39,
"Printer Settings" window 20 and user-defined panel "
The editing window 40 may be configured to open. In addition, the "Option" button 15 first opens the "User-defined panel" window 30, and then "Printer settings"
The window 20 is a "user-defined panel" window 3
It is also possible to adopt a configuration such that the button is newly added to 0 to open it. With such a configuration, the user can easily access the window (user-defined panel) in which the information most needed by the user is arranged, and the work efficiency is further improved.

Further, a plurality of user-defined panels can be edited and saved, and a user-defined panel that is most suitable for the work content can be selected and displayed from among these, so that the work content and use can be improved. It is possible to provide an optimum setting environment for each user who operates and further improve work efficiency.

Even when the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus including one device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile). Device).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium recording a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or apparatus, and to supply a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
Or MPU) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

A storage medium for supplying the program code is, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD.
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. This also includes a case where a CPU or the like included in a function expansion board or a function expansion unit performs some or all of actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the above-mentioned storage medium, the storage medium stores the program code corresponding to the above-mentioned flowchart. Briefly, in the memory map example of FIG. Each module shown will be stored in the storage medium. That is, at least "display module", "discrimination module", "detection module", "copy module", "additional module",
The program code of each module such as “additional display module” and “update module” may be stored in the storage medium.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can freely create and simultaneously display and set the setting screens for setting items of different classifications. Therefore, the setting screens of different classifications can be displayed on the same screen. You can input while watching them at the same time.

Further, it is possible to eliminate the drawback that the complicated operation of switching the input screen each time the set value of each item is changed / set must be repeated.

In addition, when setting data of different classifications, the setting items required by the user can be displayed and set at one time.

It should be noted that the present invention is not only applied to the improvement of the GUI of the printer driver according to the present embodiment, but is also a GUI such as an application having a classification display similar to the printer driver or having hierarchical setting items. Can also be applied to improve.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention, the setting item columns belonging to a plurality of different categories can be integrated and displayed / set as desired by the user.

Further, according to the invention, there is an effect that the setting items belonging to a plurality of different categories can be set with less screen switching.

Further, according to the present invention, even setting items belonging to a plurality of different categories can be integrated and displayed on one screen as desired by the user, and each item can be set. is there.

[0064]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of a printer setting window in the computer device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a printer-specific detailed setting window when user definition is selected from the state of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a user-defined panel.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an edit window of a user-defined panel for editing the user-defined panel.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating movement of a controller from a printer setting window to a user-defined panel.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating deletion of a controller on a user-defined panel.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control process in an edit mode of a user-defined panel.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing control processing in an edit mode of a user-defined panel.

FIG. 10 is a memory map diagram showing a data structure of the storage medium according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. A user interface control device for displaying a plurality of setting item columns and setting operating conditions based on data input corresponding to the setting item columns, wherein the plurality of setting item columns are classified. The classification item display means for displaying separately, the detection means for detecting that the setting item column of the first classification displayed by the classification item display device is instructed, and the setting item column detected by the detection device are , A moving means for copying to the second classification when instructed to copy to the second classification, and a setting item column copied by the moving means on the display screen of the setting item column of the second classification. User interface control comprising: an addition unit for adding, and a display unit for displaying the setting item column added by the adding unit together with the setting item column of the second classification. Location. 2. The user interface control device according to claim 1, wherein the first classification and the second classification are layered with each other. 3. The user interface control device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second classifications are in a parallel relationship with each other. 4. The user interface control device according to claim 1, wherein the classification item display means includes setting item columns corresponding to the first and second classifications, respectively. Display in a different window. 5. The user interface control device according to claim 1, wherein the second interface
The categories are defined by the user. 6. The user interface control device according to claim 1, wherein the second interface
When the content of the setting item column that has been moved to the category is updated, the setting unit of the corresponding setting item column belonging to the first category is also updated. 7. A user interface control method for displaying a plurality of setting item columns and setting operating conditions based on data input corresponding to the setting item columns, wherein the plurality of setting item columns are classified. The step of displaying separately, the step of instructing the displayed setting item column of the first classification, the step of instructing to copy the instructed setting item column to the second classification, and according to the instruction, Copying the designated setting item column to the setting item column of the second classification, adding the copied setting item column to the display screen of the setting item column of the second classification, A step of displaying the added setting item column together with the setting item column of the second classification, the user interface control method. 8. The user interface control method according to claim 7, wherein the first classification and the second classification are layered with each other. 9. The user interface control method according to claim 7, wherein the first and second classifications are in a parallel relationship with each other. 10. The user interface control method according to claim 7, wherein the setting item columns corresponding to the first and second categories are displayed in different windows. . 11. The user interface control method according to claim 7, wherein the second classification is a classification corresponding to a user-defined area defined by a user. 12. The user interface control method according to claim 7, further comprising: updating the contents of the setting item column moved to the second classification, and updating the contents. According to the above, the method further includes the step of similarly updating the setting item column belonging to the first classification. 13. The user interface control method according to claim 7, wherein the setting item column displays setting items related to the connected printer. 14. An information processing system in which a computer device and an input / output device are connected to each other, wherein the computer device displays an item setting field for setting a plurality of items for the input / output device according to a classification of setting items. The item display unit, the detection unit that detects that the setting item column of the first classification displayed by the classification item display unit is instructed, and the setting item column that is detected by the detection unit are the second Moving means for copying to the second classification when instructed to copy to the classification, and addition means for adding the setting item column copied by the moving means to the display screen of the setting item column of the second classification And a display unit that displays the setting item column added by the adding unit together with the setting item column of the second classification. 15. The information processing system according to claim 14, wherein the first and second classifications are layered with each other. 16. The information processing system according to claim 14, wherein the first classification and the second classification are in a parallel relationship with each other. 17. The information processing system according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the classification item display means has different setting item columns corresponding to the first and second classifications from different windows. Display on top. 18. The information processing system according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the second classification is a classification defined by a user. 19. The information processing system according to claim 14, wherein the contents of the setting item column moved to the second classification are updated, It further has an updating unit that similarly updates the setting item in the corresponding setting item column belonging to the classification. 20. The information processing system according to claim 14, wherein the input / output device includes a printer device, and the classification is at least setting of a sheet used for printing and print quality. Including items related to. 21. A computer-readable storage medium displaying a plurality of setting item columns and storing a user interface control procedure for setting operating conditions based on data input corresponding to the setting item columns. There is a display procedure module for displaying a plurality of setting item columns by classification, and a determination procedure module for determining the designated setting item column in the displayed setting item columns of the first classification, and the determination procedure module. A detection procedure module that detects that an instruction to copy the set item column to the second classification is made, and the designated setting item column is changed to the setting item column of the second category according to the detected instruction. A copy procedure module for copying, an additional procedure module for adding the copied setting item column to the display screen of the setting item column of the second classification, and the addition procedure module. And an additional display procedure module that displays the set item column together with the set item column of the second classification. 22. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein the first and second classifications are layered with each other. 23. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein the first and second classifications are in a parallel relationship with each other. 24. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein the display procedure module has setting item columns corresponding to the first and second classifications on different windows. indicate. 25. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein the second classification is a classification defined by a user. 26. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein the contents of the setting item column moved to the second category are updated, the first category is updated. It further has an update procedure module that similarly updates the setting items in the corresponding setting item column belonging to the.