JP2000250723A - Print controlling method, printing controller and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optimum user interface in accordance with the operation learning level of a user. SOLUTION: This printing controller comprises a plotting processing part 11, a setting information storing part 12, a user interface forming part 13, a non-variable counting part 14, a guidance information storing part 15, a printing processing part 16, a spool filing part 17, a transfer processing part 18, etc. The part 13 constitutes plural user interfaces whose use object users are different. And, a user interface corresponding to a use object user is shown on a display device 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing control technique for controlling printing of a printing apparatus connected to, for example, a personal computer. The present invention relates to a print control method and a print control device for providing an interface, and a recording medium for providing a print control function to, for example, a personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some printing apparatuses print on a printing medium based on print data sent from the outside. For example, a printer analyzes print data sent from a host such as a personal computer and develops it into a print image. Based on the print image, printing is performed on print paper as a print target medium. As described above, when printing is performed based on print data from the host, software called a printer driver is installed in the host in order to realize an optimal printing mode corresponding to the specifications of each printer, and the host It is common practice to construct a print control device by executing the above software.

When using this type of print control apparatus, a specific user interface, for example, a GUI (graphical user interface) is usually displayed on a screen such as a CRT or LCD in order to set a specific function in each printer. Interface) is displayed, and printing control in the printing apparatus is performed via the user interface, that is, based on the contents set by the user or the like on the user interface. Further, for example, when a GUI is used, a method called a dialog is widely adopted. When this dialog is used, a window called a dialog box is displayed on the screen of the user interface for the user, and the user can open or select the dialog box to make necessary settings. You open the screen or make certain settings. Such a user interface is formed, for example, by combining a setting sheet (property sheet) having print condition setting items in the printing apparatus.

[0004]

However, with the recent spread of personal computers and their peripheral devices and the increase in new users, newcomers who are not accustomed to operating personal computers or the like and who have a low level of operation learning are required. is increasing. For example, even when printing by a printing apparatus using the above-described printing control apparatus, these beginners may use only fixed functions and perform printing without changing various settings. For this reason, although there are useful functions in addition to the functions that are currently being used or the method of use is known, they are often not used.

[0005] In addition, even advanced users who are accustomed to operating a personal computer, etc., have a somewhat high level of operation learning, and know how to use the necessary functions, often use them in their own way, and are more efficient. Or you may not know how to use it effectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing control method capable of providing an optimum user interface according to a level of operation learning of a user who performs printing by a printing apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a print control device suitable for implementing the above-described print control method, and a storage medium for realizing the print control device on a general-purpose computer. Subject.

[0008]

According to the printing control method of the present invention, when print data is printed by a printing apparatus, the printing apparatus performs printing based on printing conditions set on an interface displayed on a predetermined display device. Wherein at least one of the setting items of each printing condition and the guidance content of the method of use forms a unique interface that differs depending on the user, and the unique interface is displayed on the display device. And

[0009] In the above method, for example, a different interface is formed on one interface by embedding a pointer for displaying guidance or setting items different from the guidance content in a predetermined portion of the unique interface. be able to.

[0010] In the above method, for example, the number of times the printing by the printing apparatus is executed without changing the setting items of the interface or the unique interface is counted,
When the counted number reaches a predetermined number, predetermined guidance can be displayed on the unique interface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus for controlling a printing mode in a printing apparatus based on predetermined printing conditions when printing print data by the printing apparatus. , An interface forming means for forming a unique interface in which at least one of the setting items of each printing condition and the guidance content of the method of use is different for each user, and an interface displaying means for displaying the formed unique interface on a predetermined display device And inputting the printing conditions through the displayed unique interface.

In the above apparatus, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which a pointer for displaying guidance or setting items different from the guidance content is embedded in a predetermined portion of the unique interface. Further, in the above-described apparatus, an unchanged counting unit that counts the number of times that printing is performed by the printing apparatus without changing the setting item, and provides a predetermined guidance when the counted number reaches a predetermined number. The display device may further include display control means for displaying the information on the unique interface.

According to the recording medium of the present invention, there is provided a process for forming a unique interface in which at least one of the setting items of the printing conditions and the guidance content of the method of use is different for each user, a process for displaying the formed unique interface on a predetermined display device, A computer-readable program recorded with a program code for causing a computer to execute a process of receiving an input of the printing condition through the displayed unique interface, and a process of controlling a printing mode of the printing apparatus based on the received setting condition; It is a storage medium.

In the above-mentioned storage medium, for example, the program code may further include a process of counting the number of times the printing device has performed printing without changing the setting items; The computer may be configured to cause the computer to execute a process of displaying predetermined guidance on the user interface at the time when the number of times has reached.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 shows an entire printing system to which the printing apparatus of the present invention is applied. This printing system is configured by connecting a host computer 1 as a control device and a printing device 2 via a communication path such as a cable.

When receiving the print data from the host computer 1, the printing apparatus 2 executes a predetermined printing process and forms characters and images on a printing medium such as printing paper. Here, the print data includes character data and image data of characters and images to be printed, a print control code, and the like.

The host computer 1 is equipped with a predetermined operating system (OS), and executes a specific program such as a document creation application program through the OS, and controls and monitors the program. Specifically, the host computer 1
Is configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a hard disk (HD) 3 as an internal or external recording medium. The hard disk 3 stores an application program for generating the print data, a print control program for realizing the print control device according to the present invention, and the like.

The digital information including the print control program includes, for example, a flexible disk, an optical disk,
It is recorded in a portable recording medium such as a magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, or magnetic tape in a form readable by the host computer 1 and distributed. Or,
In some cases, the information is distributed through a carrier wave (recording medium) that can be read by the host computer 1. Alternatively, the control program may be recorded in advance in a ROM constituting the host computer 1 or may be installed on the hard disk 3 from another computer (such as a server) through the communication control device 7.

When the above information is recorded on a portable recording medium, the control program is installed and recorded on the hard disk 3 in the host computer 1 through the media reading device 6 when the printer 2 is used.
The installation of the control program into the host computer 1 is performed by using a DRAM, an SRAM, or a flash RA.
This can be performed on a rewritable memory such as M.

By executing only the above-described control program, not only a function as a print control device is formed, but also an OS running on the host computer 1 can execute an actual operation based on an instruction of the control program. A form in which a part of the process is performed and a function as a print control device is formed through the process may be adopted.

The host computer 1 includes a display device 4 having a monitor screen, a data input device 5, a media reading device 6 including a CD-ROM drive and an FDD (magnetic disk drive), and a LAN (local network). A communication control device 7 including a modem and the like constituting a connection interface with a network is further connected.

The display device 4 displays a predetermined dialog window, a property sheet, and the like based on an instruction from the OS, an application program, or a print control program, and more specifically, a CRT, a liquid crystal display, or the like. Be composed. The data input device 5 is a keyboard, a mouse, and other pointing devices. The CPU reads out a required program recorded on the hard disk 3 based on an instruction from the user of the host computer 1 input through the data input device 5 and executes the program, thereby executing the required program. Processing and control are being executed.

Next, an embodiment of the print control apparatus of the present invention realized by the host computer 1 reading the print control program will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, a print control device 10 performs a predetermined operation for print control on print data transmitted from the host computer 1 to the printing device 2. More specifically, the print control device 10 includes a drawing processing unit 11, a setting information storage unit 12, a user interface forming unit 13, a no-change counting unit 14, and a guidance information storage unit 1.
5, a print processing unit 16, a spool file unit 17, a transfer processing unit 18, and the like.

The drawing processing section 11 creates a predetermined property sheet for setting printing conditions, a setting dialog, and creates required image data based on an instruction from the print processing section 16. The created image is displayed on the display device 4. Further, it functions to reflect the setting content input from the data input device 5 or the like on the image of the property sheet or the like.

The setting information storage section 12 stores setting information necessary for the print processing section 16 to create one or a plurality of property sheets for setting printing conditions, which constitute a user interface. Here, examples of such a property sheet include, for example, setting sheets for printing color, paper size, paper type, paper supply / discharge destination, layout printing, enlargement / reduction, double-sided printing, and the like.

The user interface forming unit 13 has a function of configuring a user interface corresponding to a target user. More specifically, a specific user interface is configured corresponding to an application program by combining setting items according to the operation learning level of the use target user and arranging these setting items at appropriate positions. That is, the user interface forming unit 13 changes the type of the setting item to be selected, the arrangement on the user interface, and the like according to the target user.

The non-change counter 14 prints in the printing device 2 whether or not a setting item in at least one property sheet on the user interface has been changed by a user input input through the data input device 5. The number of times that printing is executed in the printing apparatus 2 without changing the setting items is counted, and when the number of times is equal to or more than a predetermined value, a count output is output.

The guidance information storage section 15 stores information for a necessary explanation on how to use the user interface.

The print processing unit 16 performs overall control of the apparatus relating to print control. In addition, it understands the input contents from the application or the data input device 5 and creates bitmap data and converts it into a control code for causing the printing device 2 to execute a printing process. That is,
Data based on a print request from an application or the data input device 5 is converted into a print control code having a structure that the printing device 2 can read. Further, it has a function of adding required functions and additional data to the print control code.

Further, the spool file section 17 temporarily stores data including print data generated and changed in the processing in the print processing section 16 and the like. In addition, the transfer processing unit 18 controls the spool file unit 1
7 is to transfer the changed print data to the printing apparatus 2.

The print control method according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, when a print request is sent from an application program or the like, a user interface (UI) is displayed on the display device 4 by the drawing processing unit 11 (step S1). FIG. 5 shows an example of this user interface. This user interface may be displayed on the display device 4 via the drawing processing unit 11 when printing by the printing device 2 is started, for example.

The user interface illustrated in FIG.
A printing state meter 21 including a horizontal bar-shaped meter (progress meter) indicating the progress of printing in the printing apparatus 2;
Operation buttons 22a, 22b, and 22 for instructing printing suspension, suspension, and reprinting by the printing device 2, respectively.
c, a paper feed display unit 23 that displays the paper feed type and paper feed size in the printing apparatus 2, and the consumption state of the print medium such as toner and ink (black ink and color ink in this example) in the printing apparatus 2 is the same. Ink remaining amount meters 24a and 24b indicated by a progress meter, the type of sheet feeding device in the printing device 2, and a sheet feeding device status display section 25 each indicating the remaining amount of paper by a similar progress meter, and the user is provided with a print control device. Guidance display section 2 for explaining how to use
6. A window opening / closing button (“details”) 27 for opening a window for explaining a more detailed usage method, and a display unit 28 for displaying the remaining time until the printing is completed and the number of printed sheets (0/1). Have been.

Then, in a state where the user does not perform any operation in the user interface, an explanation of a usage method for a beginner is displayed on the guidance display section 26 (step S2). On the other hand, if the user
7 is operated (step S3: YES), guidance for advanced users, which is a more detailed explanation of how to use, is displayed on the guidance display section 26 (step S3).
4). The above processing is performed until the printing by the printing apparatus 2 is completed (step S5).

FIGS. 6 and 7 show other examples of the user interface. This user interface can also be displayed on the display device 4 when printing by the printing device 2 is started in the same manner as described above.

These user interfaces include a print status meter 21, operation buttons 22a,
2b, 22c, paper feed display 23, remaining ink meter 24
a, 24b, a paper feeder status display unit 25, a guidance display unit 26, a display unit 28, and the like. Further, a window opening / closing button 29 (“open” in FIG. 6 and “close” in FIG. 7) for opening and closing the guidance display unit 26 is further provided. By operating the window open / close button 29, the state of FIG. 6 in which the guidance display section 26 and the window open / close button 27 are not displayed, and the state of FIG. 7 in which the guidance display section 26 and the window open / close button 27 are displayed. It can be switched.

Next, another printing control method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Here, first, a screen for selecting a user interface is displayed (step S1).
1). Then, when the user interface for a beginner is selected by an input through the data input device 5 or the like (step S12: YES), the user interface for the beginner is displayed on the display device 4 (step S1).
3). Otherwise (step S12: N
O), the user interface for advanced users is the drawing processing unit 1
1 on the display device 4 (step S1).
4). Then, printing is performed in the printing apparatus 2 based on the setting items in these user interfaces.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the above-mentioned beginner user interface, and FIG. 9 shows an example of the above-mentioned advanced user interface. The user interface illustrated in FIG. 8 includes a paper feed setting 31 provided with setting items such as a paper feed type, a paper feed size, and a paper direction, a copy number setting unit 32 provided with a print copy number setting item, a paper feed type, A display unit 33 on which print quality and the like are displayed, a window open / close button (“feed setting”) 35 for opening a window for more detailed setting of sheet feeding, and a window for opening a window for other detailed setting An open / close button ("detailed setting") 36 is provided.

The user interface shown in FIG. 9 includes a window open / close button ("detailed setting") for opening a setting item such as a paper size and a paper direction and a window for setting these setting items in more detail. A paper setting unit 41 having a paper feed device, a paper feed device, a paper feed type, a paper feed size, and other setting items, and a window open / close button (“feed type” ), And a paper feed provided with a window open / close button (“detailed setting”) for opening a setting item such as a print mode and ink and a window for setting these setting items in more detail. The configuration includes a setting unit 43 and another setting unit 44 having setting items such as the number of sheets and the presence or absence of a preview.

When the print condition setting items are changed on each user interface and printing is performed,
Since it is expected that the user is familiar with the function corresponding to the setting item, the setting method, the usage method, and the like, the process is immediately terminated (step S16: YES). On the other hand, when the printing is executed without changing the setting items of the printing conditions on each user interface (step S16: N
O), the number of times is counted by the non-change counting section 14 (step S17). If the number of times is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S18: YE
S) Since it is expected that the user does not know the function or the like corresponding to the setting item, guidance is provided on at least one of the function, setting method, usage method, and the like. The guidance can be arbitrarily set, such as a form to be displayed in a text form or a form to be displayed in a visual form.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the printing device 2
As a result, the user interface according to the operation learning level of the user performing the printing is automatically displayed on the display device 4, so that the user can easily set the printing mode of the print target data.

The layout of the user interface shown in this embodiment is an example, and can be arbitrarily changed according to the purpose of printing.

[0045]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, an optimal user interface is presented according to the user's operation learning level, so that the operability in setting a desired print mode is improved. There is a growing effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a print control device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a processing procedure explanatory diagram illustrating an operation example of the print control device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a processing procedure explanatory diagram illustrating another operation example of the print control device in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user interface according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user interface according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which guidance is displayed on the user interface of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user interface for a beginner in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user interface for an advanced user according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host computer 2 Printing device 3 Hard disk 4 Display device 5 Data input device 10 Printing control device 11 Drawing processing unit 12 Setting information storage unit 13 User interface forming unit 14 Unchanged counting unit 15 Guidance information storage unit 16 Print processing unit

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A method for controlling a printing mode in a printing device based on printing conditions set on an interface displayed on a predetermined display device when printing print data by the printing device, A print control method characterized in that at least one of the setting items of the printing conditions and the guidance content of the method of use forms a unique interface that differs depending on the user, and the unique interface is displayed on the display device. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the specific interface includes:
2. The print control method according to claim 1, wherein a pointer for displaying guidance or setting items having contents different from the guidance contents is embedded. 3. A method for controlling a printing mode in the printing device based on printing conditions set on an interface displayed on a predetermined display device when printing print data by the printing device, Counting the number of times printing has been executed by the printing apparatus without changing the printing conditions, and when the counted number reaches a predetermined number, displaying predetermined guidance relating to the printing conditions on the interface. A printing control method characterized by the above-mentioned. 4. A printing control apparatus for controlling a printing mode of said printing apparatus based on predetermined printing conditions when printing printing data by said printing apparatus, comprising: setting items of each printing condition and guidance contents of a usage method; At least one of which has an interface forming means for forming a unique interface different for each user; and an interface display means for displaying the formed unique interface on a predetermined display device. The input of the printing condition is performed through the displayed unique interface. A print control device characterized by allowing. 5. In a predetermined portion of the unique interface,
5. The print control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a pointer for displaying guidance or setting items having contents different from the guidance contents is embedded. 6. An unchanged counting means for counting the number of times printing has been executed by the printing apparatus without changing the setting items, and providing predetermined guidance when the counted number reaches a predetermined number. The print control device according to claim 4, further comprising a display control unit that displays the print data on a unique interface. 7. A process of forming a unique interface in which at least one of a setting item of a printing condition and a guidance content of a use method is different depending on a user, a process of displaying the formed unique interface on a predetermined display device, a displayed unique interface And a computer-readable storage medium storing a program code for causing a computer to execute a process of receiving an input of the printing condition through the printer, and a process of controlling a printing mode of the printing apparatus based on the received setting condition. 8. The program code further includes: a process of counting the number of times the printing device has performed printing without changing the setting item; and a predetermined number of times when the counted number reaches a predetermined number. 8. The recording medium according to claim 7, wherein the computer is caused to execute a process of displaying guidance on the user interface.