Processor and method for information processing for setting output to devices and storage medium stored with program

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to an information processing device that efficiently performs settings by handling a plurality of setting items collectively in a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI), an information processing method, and a storage medium that stores processing procedures. Is.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Generally, in an information processing device, a user makes various settings through a UI. Here, when there are many setting items and there is a complicated dependency between the setting items, some setting items are registered as a set, and a plurality of setting items are selected by the user. There is an information processing device that has a function to change setting items at once.

【0003】

For example, in the printer driver, a set of items related to print quality at the time of printing, such as graphic mode, resolution, color setting, and TrueType replacement, is registered in advance in association with an icon. At the time of printing, the user can change a plurality of setting items at once by selecting an icon suitable for the printing purpose from a plurality of icons. This is called "printing purpose setting".

【0004】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

The above "printing purpose setting" mainly targets only graphic-related setting items in the printer driver. Therefore, even if it is possible to change a plurality of setting items at once, the setting items can be set only for each sheet. Therefore, the setting item could not be changed unless the sheet containing the setting item to be changed was opened.

【0005】

On the other hand, there is also one that expands the range of setting items that can be registered as a set to multiple sheets, and this is called "favorite". "Favorites" targets almost all setting items on the UI, and as a result, it can be operated from any sheet. Therefore, the above-mentioned problems of "printing purpose setting" have been solved, and the user can efficiently use various functions of the printer.

【0006】

However, since there are many setting items that can be changed in "Favorites", conflict problems may occur with respect to device options. For example, even if the user has set the double-sided printing, the double-sided printing cannot be performed unless the double-sided unit is attached to the printer. Similarly, even if the user has set to use stapling or the like, stapling or the like cannot be performed unless a dedicated finisher is attached to the printer. However, if many setting items are changed at once by "favorite", the settings will be made with those device conflicts occurring.

【0007】

Also, if you created a "favorite" when the dedicated device option is installed, but that device option is removed when printing, or if you do not have the dedicated device option installed, you can create a "favorite" for other devices. There may be a problem that settings that cannot be actually executed are set in "Favorites", such as when "" is copied.

【0008】

Therefore, in the present invention, when "Favorites" is selected, the current device option installation status and the like are checked, and if an unexecutable setting is made, a message to that effect is displayed and the set value is rounded. .. As a method of rounding the set value, the driver may determine and round to the default value or the like, or the user may select from several rounding methods.

【0009】

The setting items to be particularly targeted are the setting items related to double-sided printing, bookbinding printing, paper feed port, finisher (having a finishing function such as staple), memory-dependent processing, and the like.

【0010】

Also, when importing "Favorites" settings from a file, it is possible that "Favorites" will be copied to a client with a completely different device environment. Even at this time, by checking the device environment, rounding the setting values, and then registering them in "Favorites", it is possible to avoid the trouble of displaying a message every time a favorite is selected.

【0011】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an information processing device that sets an output for a device device by using a composite setting composed of a combination of a plurality of setting items, and the composite setting is applied to a plurality of device devices. When it is available, the selection means for selecting the composite setting to be used for the designated device device and the output setting for the device device designated by using the composite setting selected by the selection means are performed. In this case, the device device has a setting means for determining whether or not the contents of each setting item of the composite setting can be output according to the function of the device device.

【0012】

Further, in the present invention, when the setting means determines according to the function of the device device that the specified device device cannot output the contents of the setting item, the setting means replaces the contents of the setting item. Make settings according to the function of the device.

【0013】

Further, the present invention has a notification means for notifying the user of the situation when the setting means makes a setting instead of the content of the setting item according to the function of the device device.

【0014】

Further, the present invention has a change selection means that allows the user to select a method of substitution when the setting means performs setting instead of the content of the setting item according to the function of the device device.

【0015】

Further, the present invention has a confirmation means for asking the user to confirm whether or not the setting means replaces the contents of the setting item according to the function of the device device.

【0016】

Further, the present invention has a storage means for storing the composite setting and a reading means for reading the composite setting from a file and storing the composite setting in the storage means, and the reading means stores the composite setting in the storage means. When storing, it is determined according to the function of the device / device whether the device / device can output the contents of each setting item.

【0017】

Further, in the present invention, when it is determined according to the function of the device device that the reading means cannot output the contents of the setting item in the designated device device, the reading means replaces the contents of the setting item. The contents are stored according to the function of the device.

【0018】

Further, the present invention has a second notifying means for notifying the user of the situation when the reading means stores the contents of the setting item instead of the contents of the setting item according to the function of the device device.

【0019】

Further, the present invention has a second change selection means that allows the user to select a method of replacement when the reading means stores the contents of the setting item instead of the contents of the setting item according to the function of the device device.

【0020】

Further, the present invention has a second confirmation means that allows the user to confirm whether or not to replace the contents of the setting item when the reading means stores the contents of the setting item in place of the contents of the device device.

【0021】

Further, the present invention has a functional storage means for storing the function of the device.

【0022】

Further, in the present invention, the function of the device device relates to the presence or absence of the device device.

【0023】

Further, in the present invention, the function of the device device is the double-sided printing function of the device device.

【0024】

Further, in the present invention, the function of the device device is the staple function of the device device.

【0025】

Further, in the present invention, the function of the device device is the bookbinding printing function of the device device.

【0026】

Further, in the present invention, the function of the device device is a function related to the cassette stage of the device device.

【0027】

Further, in the present invention, the function of the device device is a function related to the memory capacity of the device device.

【0028】

Further, in the present invention, the composite setting is a combination of a plurality of the setting items spanning the plurality of the setting sheets when the output setting is performed using the plurality of setting sheets in the user interface.

【0029】

Further, in the present invention, the output setting is an output setting in the printer driver.

【0030】

Further, in the present invention, the output setting is an output setting in the printer driver by a printing operation in the application.

【0031】

Further, the present invention is a storage medium that stores an information processing method for executing the above means and a program for causing a computer to execute the above means.

【0032】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

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

【0033】

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

【0034】

<First Embodiment> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data processing device showing the first embodiment of the present invention. In the host computer internal 20, the CPU 1 reads various programs such as a control program, a system program, and an application program from the external memory 12 into the RAM 2 via the disk controller (DKC) 5, and executes them to perform various data processing. The DKC5 controls access to external memories such as FD, HD, CD-ROM, MD, and MO.

【0035】

RAM2 is configured so that its capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM or the like (not shown), and is mainly used as a work area of CPU1.

【0036】

The keyboard controller (KBC) 3 controls key input from the keyboard 10 and a pointing device (not shown). The CRT controller (CRTC) 4 controls the display of the CRT display (CRT) 11. In the embodiment of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, CPU1 controls RAM2, KBC3, CRTC4, and DKC5 via the main bus 6.

【0037】

In a system configured in this way, when a user opens the user interface (UI) of an application or device driver and changes settings, the host computer accepts input from the user from KB10 or a pointing device (not shown), and its status or Display the process on CRT11.

【0038】

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

【0039】

Each block in the host computer 2100 in FIG. 21 shows the function realized by the CPU 1 executing the program in the system in FIG. Application 2101, graphics engine 2102, printer driver 2103, and system spooler 2104 exist as files stored in the external memory 12 of Figure 2 and are loaded into RAM2 by the OS and higher-level modules that utilize its modules when executed. It is a program module that is executed.

【0040】

Further, the application 2101 and the printer driver 2103 can be supplied from the FD of the external memory 12 or the CD-ROM (not shown). When the user performs a print operation on the printer 2105 in this application 2101, the application 2101 first outputs (draws) using the graphic engine 2102 which is loaded in RAM 2 and can be executed.

【0041】

Note that the graphics engine 2102 generally provides applications with a common graphics interface that does not depend on output devices such as printers and displays.

【0042】

The graphic engine 2102 similarly loads the printer driver 2103 prepared for each printing device from the external memory 12 into RAM2, and converts the output of the application 2101 into printer control commands using the printer driver 2103. At this time, the user can make print settings for the printer using the user interface of the printer driver, and the printer driver 2103 generates a printer control command according to the settings.

【0043】

The converted printer control command is output to the printer 2105 via the interface via the system spooler 2104 loaded in RAM2 by the OS.

【0044】

Further, in the present invention, a "favorite" may be generated or read, but unless otherwise specified, the "favorite" is generated in the RAM 2 or the external memory 12.

【0045】

DLG1 shown in FIG. 3 is an example of the dialog displayed on CRT11 shown in FIG. 2, and "favorite" can be selected, added, and edited.

【0046】

Unless otherwise specified, the main body of processing is CPU1 in hardware and a program that can be executed by CPU1 in software.

【0047】

[Overall Flow] Hereinafter, the flow of processing related to "favorite" will be described using an example of the dialog shown in FIG. 3 and the flowchart shown in FIG.

【0048】

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

【0049】

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

【0050】

When the edit button BTN12 is pressed (step S408-Yes), DLG3 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed, and a series of processes related to editing the "favorite" is performed (details will be described later) (step S409).

【0051】

Other than that, if the setting contents of the setting items are changed (step S410-Yes), the setting contents of the selected "favorite" will change, so the display of LST11 is processed to clearly indicate that. (Step S411). For example, change the display color from black to another color, or change the displayed text as shown in Fig. 5. Perform these processes until the dialog is closed (step S412).

【0052】

[Processing Flow of Selection Change of "Favorites"] A series of processes related to selection change of "Favorites" in (Step S402) of the flowchart of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

【0053】

When the change of selection of "favorite" is confirmed (step S601-Yes), the buffer area holding the contents of the current setting is updated with the setting contents of the selected "favorite" (step S602). The change target is not only the current sheet (the sheet called "Page Setup" in Fig. 3) but also the inactive sheet (the sheet of "Finishing", "Paper Feed", and "Print Quality" in Fig. 3) on the UI. It is a control. No matter which sheet you select from, the change target is the same.

【0054】

Specific examples of setting items that can be registered / collectively changed in "Favorites" are input / output paper size, paper orientation, number of copies, page layout (Nup, poster, etc.), scaling ratio, stamp, overlay, printing method (single-sided, double-sided, etc.) (Bookbinding printing), bookbinding printing details, binding direction, binding allowance, paper ejection method (sort, staple, etc.), staple position, paper feeding method (same paper feeding for all pages, separate paper feeding for first and last pages, etc.), paper Name, printing purpose, resolution, color setting, etc.

【0055】

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

【0056】

The favorite function targets almost all setting items that exist on the UI. However, some of the setting items can actually be executed and some cannot be executed, depending on the device environment, especially the device options installed in the device.

【0057】

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

【0058】

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

【0059】

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

【0060】

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

【0061】

Here are some examples of device conflict check processing. -If the double-sided unit is not installed and you select "Favorites" for which double-sided settings are registered, change to single-sided settings. -If you select "Favorites" with staples registered even though the finisher that can be stapled is not installed, change to no staples. -If you select "Favorites" for which bookbinding printing is registered even though the bookbinding finisher is not installed, change to normal printing without bookbinding. -If a saddle stitch (function to staple creases in bookbinding printing) finisher is not installed, but you select "Favorites" with saddle stitching registered, change to bookbinding printing without saddle stitching. -If you select "Favorites" where the cassette stage that is not equipped is registered (when the main unit is equipped with only two cassette stages, but cassette 6 is registered), the default "Automatic" Change to. -If you select "Favorites", which has a high-definition mode registered that you cannot print without adding more memory even though the memory is insufficient, change to the default setting (normal mode) for printing. In addition, change all memory-dependent processing to the default.

【0062】

Finally, the settings are returned with all conflicts eliminated by rounding (step S706).

【0063】

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

【0064】

First, wait for the user to input the name, icon, comment, etc. (step S1001). When Cancel is pressed (Step S1003-Yes), it ends without doing anything. When the OK button is pressed (step S1004-Yes), the additional processing is started.

【0065】

First, check if the name has been entered (step S1005), and if not, display the message as shown in Fig. 11 (step S1006) and prompt the user to enter it again. Since the name is the key for managing favorites, it is mandatory to enter it. Next, check if the entered name overlaps with the one that has already been added (step S1007), and if there is no same name, add the contents of the current setting to the favorite DB using the entered name as a key (step S1007). Step S1008).

【0066】

In step S1007, if an existing one with the same name already exists, after confirming with the user whether to overwrite it (step S1009), if it is overwritten, replace the existing one in the favorite DB and register it (step S1010). If you do not want to overwrite it, enter the name again. Figure 12 is an example of an overwrite confirmation message.

【0067】

The registration target is not only the current sheet but all controls on the UI including the inactive sheet. Regardless of which sheet you register from, the registration target will be the same.

【0068】

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

【0069】

[Editing Flow] A series of processes related to editing the "favorite" in step S408 of the flow of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to an example of the dialog of FIG. 13 and the flowchart of FIG.

【0070】

The user selects one of the "favorites" from the favorite list LST31 of the dialog DLG13 shown in FIG. In LST31, the default settings (standard settings, no TrueType replacement, etc.) originally prepared in the program and the user settings (My Favorite Setting) added by the user are listed.

【0071】

Next, the flow of processing in editing the "favorite" will be described with reference to FIG.

【0072】

If one of the "favorites" is selected by the user (step S1401-Yes), if it is the default setting (step S1402-Yes), the name, icon, comment, etc. of the "favorite" so that the user cannot edit it. Make the management information and delete button of the above uneditable (step S1403). In FIG. 13, since the default setting "standard setting" is selected by the user, the display of the "favorite" name (EDT31), icon (ICN31), comment (EDT31) and delete button (RTN31) is dimmed. Indicates that it cannot be edited.

【0073】

If it is a user setting, make everything editable (step S1404) and display management information (name, icon, comment, etc.) related to that "favorite". FIG. 15 is an example of the UI when the user setting "My Favorite Setting" is selected by the user. By making the background of the icon black, the user can know which icon is registered. Similarly, the favorite list is displayed with a black background so that the "favorite" currently selected by the user can be seen.

【0074】

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

【0075】

When the save file button BTN33 is pressed (step S1409-Yes), save the current settings to a file so that they can be exported elsewhere (step S1410). When the file read button BTN32 is pressed (step S1411), the "favorite" saved in the file is loaded and the import process is performed to add it to the favorite DB (step S1412).

【0076】

When closing the dialog (step S1418-Yes), when there is a change in the content due to user editing (step S1419-Yes), the process of leaving the changed content in the favorite DB is performed. If there is a change, if the name overlaps with another existing "favorite" name (step S1420-Yes), ask the user whether to overwrite (step S1421).

【0077】

If you want to overwrite (step S1421-Yes), replace it with the existing "favorite" and register it (step S1422). If the "favorite" with the same name does not exist (step S1420-No), the edited content is registered in the favorite DB as it is.

【0078】

[Processing of device option setting] An example of the dialog of FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 regarding the process when the user sets the setting item of "favorite", particularly the setting item of the device option in step S410 of the flowchart of FIG. This will be described using a flowchart. DLG4 shown in FIG. 17 is an example of a dialog for confirming and setting device options installed in a printer or a copier.

【0079】

First, load the device option information currently held by the program from the device option registration section (registered in the registry or a specific memory) into the work area (step S1801), and display the dialog DLG4 based on that information. To initialize.

【0080】

When the device information acquisition button BTN41 is pressed by the user (step S1802-Yes), the information of the actually equipped device option is acquired from the device body by two-way communication with the device (step S1803), and the work is performed. Update the device option information loaded in the area and reflect it in the dialog DLG4 display (step S1805).

【0081】

It can also be manually set by the user, and if the user changes the setting in CTL41 (step S1804-Yes), the information of the set device option is retained in the work area (step S1805).

【0082】

When the OK button is pressed (step S1806-Yes), the device option information currently held in the work area is saved in the device option registration section (step S1807). When the cancel button is pressed (step S1808-Yes), the device option information in the work area is discarded (step S1808), and the processing on this sheet ends.

【0083】

<Second embodiment> In the editing flow shown in FIG. 14 of the first embodiment, a conflict check may be performed when performing the import process (step S1411-step S1412), and the settings may be rounded before registration. You can. Hereinafter, the processing flow in that case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

【0084】

The difference from FIG. 14 is that the conflict processing step of step S19013 has been added. The rest is the same as in FIG. 14, and the description thereof will be omitted. When reading data from a file, by checking for device conflicts and then registering, the registered "favorites" will be suitable for the current device environment. The conflict check basically performs the same processing as the processing described in the flowchart of FIG. 7.

【0085】

In this import process, there is a process of asking the user whether or not to perform the rounding process. Therefore, if the rounding process is performed, it will be suitable for the current device environment as described above, and even if "Favorites" is selected after that, the conflict message will not be displayed. Also, if the rounding process is not performed at the time of import, the original settings can be copied as they are.

【0086】

<Third Embodiment> Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), the present invention is a device composed of one device (for example). , Copiers, facsimile machines, etc.).

【0087】

Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium on which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the first and second embodiments described above is recorded to the system or device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the like. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or device reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

【0088】

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. FIG. 20 shows a memory map in which the program of the present invention is loaded into RAM 2 of FIG. 2 and can be executed.

【0089】

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the program and related data are directly loaded into RAM from a storage medium and executed, but in addition to this, the program and related data are temporarily loaded from an external storage medium such as an FD into the external memory shown in FIG. It may be stored (installed) in the hard disk, which is a non-volatile storage medium in 12, and loaded from the hard disk into RAM 2 when the data creation / transmission processing control program is operated.

【0090】

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer is activated based on the instructions of the program code. Needless to say, there are cases where a part or all of the actual processing is performed and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment.

【0091】

Further, the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted in the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then the function is expanded based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, there are cases where the CPU provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment.

【0092】

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the program code corresponding to the flowchart described above is stored in the storage medium. Briefly, each module shown in the memory map example of FIG. 20 will be described briefly. Will be stored in the storage medium.

【0093】

[Effect of the invention]

By checking the device conflict when a favorite is selected, it is possible to always perform consistent print settings even when the user uses the favorite to batch convert the settings at the time of printing. Moreover, even if the rounding process is automatically performed, the user can know the situation by a message.

【0094】

In addition, by checking and rounding at the time of import, it is possible to avoid annoyance because a message is displayed every time the user selects a favorite. This is especially useful when copying favorites to a completely different device environment. Also, since the user can choose whether or not to round at the time of import, it is possible to leave the original settings without rounding.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

An example of the system configuration applied to the present invention is shown.

[Figure 2]

It is a block block diagram of a host computer.

[Fig. 3]

It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog for operating a favorite.

[Fig. 4]

It is a figure which shows the flowchart which shows the flow of the whole favorite.

[Fig. 5]

It is an example of the favorite display when the setting item is changed.

[Fig. 6]

It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the process at the time of favorite selection.

[Fig. 7]

It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the process of a conflict check which depends on a device option.

[Fig. 8]

It is a figure which shows an example of a message at the time of a conflict occurrence.

[Fig. 9]

It is a figure which shows an example of a favorite addition dialog.

[Fig. 10]

It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the favorite addition process.

[Fig. 11]

It is a figure which shows an example of the message when the name is not input.

[Fig. 12]

It is a figure which shows an example of the message at the time of overwrite confirmation.

[Fig. 13]

It is a figure which shows an example of a favorite edit dialog.

[Fig. 14]

It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the process at the time of favorite editing.

[Fig. 15]

It is a figure which shows the dialog at the time of favorite selection of a user setting.

[Fig. 16]

It is a figure which shows an example of the message at the time of deletion confirmation.

[Fig. 17]

It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog of a device option setting.

[Fig. 18]

It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the process at the time of setting a device option.

[Fig. 19]

It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the process at the time of favorite editing.

[Fig. 20]

It is a figure which shows the memory map of the storage medium which stores the program and data which concerns on this invention.

[Fig. 21]

It is a block diagram which shows the functional block of a print system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU 2 RAM 3 keyboard controller 4 CRT controller 5 disk controller 6 Main bus 10 keyboard 11 CRT 12 External memory DLG1, DGL2, DLG3, DLG4 dialog BTN11, BTN12 button BTN31, BTN32, BTN33 buttons 2100 host computer 2101 application 2102 graphics engine 2103 printer driver 2104 system spooler 2105 printer