Program and method for controlling information processing device

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a program that helps to obtain a desired processing result. [Solution] The program of the present invention is characterized in that it causes an information processing device to execute the following steps: an acceptance step for accepting processing settings from a user; a first display step for displaying an image showing the results of applying processing corresponding to the processing settings to an image to be printed; and a second display step for displaying an image showing how to position paper to be processed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device, a control method, and a program for a preview screen for performing layout printing and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Printer drivers are known that are installed on a host computer or the like and create and send print data to a printing device connected to the host computer. The printer driver converts data from various applications running on the host computer into the print data. Patent Document 1 below provides one of the printer driver's functions, which is to display on the printer driver's screen how to position envelopes to be printed on the printing device used for printing.

[0003] However, it was difficult to visualize how data created in an application installed on a host computer for creating documents, spreadsheets, presentation materials, etc. would be printed on the envelope paper. Also, if the user placed the envelope incorrectly on the printer, the printer might not print properly. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-34233 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a program that helps to obtain a desired processing result. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The program of the present invention is characterized in that it causes an information processing device to execute an acceptance step for accepting processing settings from a user, a first display step for displaying an image showing the result of applying processing corresponding to the processing settings to an image to be printed, and a second display step for displaying an image showing how to position paper to be processed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present invention has the effect of making it easier for the user to obtain the desired processing results. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Overall system diagram [Figure 2] Host computer block diagram [Figure 3] Printer driver module configuration diagram [Figure 4] Printer driver display example 1 [Figure 5] Layout software display example 1 [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart illustrating the basic operations of the present invention. [Figure 7] Layout software display example 2 [Figure 8] Layout software display example 3 [Figure 9] Layout software display example 4 [Figure 10] Layout software display example 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Example 1] 1 to 10 show a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] [System Configuration] The printer driver 301 in this embodiment is stored in the external memory 211 of the host computer, read into the RAM 202, and executed by the CPU 201.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is composed of a host device 1 and a printing device 2. The host device 1 is a personal computer or the like, and is installed with a general printing application 101 capable of printing, printer drivers 102 and 105, and layout software 104. The host device 1 and the printing device 2 are connected so that they can communicate with each other. The host device 1 is an example of an information processing device.

[0012] The printer driver 102 for outputting print intermediate data is a printer driver for outputting print data as a spool file 103. The user views and edits any data on the print application 101, and displays and creates the image to be printed. Then, by selecting the printer driver 102 for outputting print intermediate data on the print application 101 and executing printing, the spool file 103 is output as the print intermediate data.

[0013] The output location of the spool file 103 is not particularly limited, and may be anywhere, such as the Temp folder or AppData, as long as the layout software 104 (described later) can read the spool file 103. Possible formats for the spool file 103 include XPS (XML Paper Specification) and EMF (Enhanced Metafile), but any format that the layout software 104 can process may be used.

[0014] The layout software 104 is software that assists printing by arbitrarily arranging print data and displaying the print data of the print application 101 and an output image onto envelope paper or the like on a preview screen.

[0015] The layout software 104 reads the spool file 103, displays the spool file 103, sets the print layout, and issues print instructions to the printer driver 105. The layout software 104 is an example of a program of the present invention.

[0016] One possible method for starting the layout software 104 is to provide resident software that monitors printing to the printer driver 102 for outputting print intermediate data and starts the layout software 104 at the timing of that printing. Other possible methods include monitoring the appearance of the spool file 103 and starting the software automatically, or having the printer driver 102 for outputting print intermediate data start the software directly.

[0017] The printer driver 105 is a general printer driver for transferring print data to the printing device 2. Printing is executed on the printing device 2 by instructing the layout software 104 to print on the printer driver 105. Note that the printer drivers 102 and 105 can be configured to internally switch between processes, allowing them to be the same printer driver.

[0018] The above-described configuration in which the print intermediate data is edited using layout software makes it possible to print data in various formats other than image data such as Microsoft Excel (registered trademark) in any layout while checking the actual print image. Although the above-described embodiment uses print intermediate data, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user may start the layout software 104 himself and input image data such as Bitmap or Tiff.

[0019] 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the host device 1. In the host device 1, a CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device connected to a system bus 204 in accordance with a program stored in a RAM 202.

[0020] The RAM 202 also functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 201. The ROM 203 stores various basic programs and data of the system. The display operation unit I / F 205 controls the display of information on the display operation unit 206. The display operation unit 206 has a display function and also functions as a touch panel to control input from the user.

[0021] A network I / F 207 controls a network module 208 and realizes network communication. An external memory I / F 209 controls access to an external memory 211 such as a flash memory or a solid state disk.

[0022] The external memory 211 stores the operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS) 212, various applications 213, and a printer driver 214, and functions as a storage medium that the host device 1 can save or read.

[0023] [Printer Driver] Next, the printer driver will be described.

[0024] The printer driver is composed of a group of modules as shown in Figure 3. The printer driver 214 (301) is composed of a graphic rendering module 302, a UI control module 303, a printer specification description file 304, a color processing module 305, and an input / output control module 306. Note that depending on the printer driver's functions, it may also be composed of other modules.

[0025] In this embodiment, the input / output module 306 acquires information about the capabilities (paper size, paper type, or finishing methods such as stapling, hole punching, and binding) and configuration of the printing device 2, and changes the processing settings displayed by the UI control module 303. This printer driver can be configured to process a single printer or multiple printers, depending on the configuration of the modules it has.

[0026] For example, to support multiple printers with one printer driver, the graphic rendering module 302 and UI control module 303 are created to support multiple printers, and the printer specification description file 304 is included in the printer driver for each supported printer.

[0027] In this method, the UI control module 303 displays and controls the UI in accordance with the printer specification description file 304. The graphic rendering module 302 is configured to issue a page description language and printer control commands that are suited to each printer.

[0028] FIG. 4A is one example of a screen 400 for setting various envelope printing functions in the printer driver.

[0029] Screen 400 includes items for setting paper size 401 and flap state 402 when printing envelopes, paper type 404, and the positional relationship between print data and flap 405 ("print data orientation" in the example display).

[0030] FIG. 4(b) is an example of the display of the flap state setting screen 403.

[0031] 4(c) is also an example of a screen display for setting various envelope printing functions in the printer driver, where the settings for the envelope paper feeder 411 can be set on a screen (not shown) displayed by pressing a settings button 412, and the settings are reflected in the display of the paper feeder 411. A setting method 413 is displayed, reflecting the settings for the paper size 401, flap status 402, and paper feeder 411 up to this point.

[0032] Figure 4(d) is a screen that displays the settings made in Figures 4(a) to 4(c) together for confirmation, and shows various envelope settings 421, and the paper feed section and how to place envelope paper 422.

[0033] Regarding the print data orientation 405 of "flap facing right" and "flap facing left," some envelopes may not be fed from the flap side depending on the capabilities of the printing device 2. Therefore, this may be achieved by switching a 180-degree rotation function (not shown) separately provided in the printer driver.

[0034] There are various methods for rotating the image 180 degrees. For example, the print data issued by the printer driver can be rotated (so that the top of the image faces downwards). Another method is to issue a command in the page description language of the printing device 2 to rotate the page data (leaving the image data as is and instructing the printer controller to perform the 180-degree rotation process).

[0035] The printer driver may be created so that various functions of the printer driver can be used (for example, with layout software, which will be described later) via an SDK (Software Development Kit), etc. In the present invention, an SDK is also used in the examples described later.

[0036] [Layout software] 5(a) is a diagram showing an example of a screen 500 of the layout software 104. After the spool file 103 is acquired, the screen 500 is displayed on the display of the host device 1, and various settings are accepted.

[0037] The various settings may selectively include a selected paper size 501, paper type, and print orientation 502. The various settings may also selectively include print instructions such as flap orientation 503 when the selected paper size is an envelope, and flap open / closed state 504 when the selected paper size is an envelope. Area 505 displays the print data of application 213 and an output image of the selected paper size 501.

[0038] 5(b) displays an image 512 showing how to place paper on the printing device 2 to be used for actual printing based on the various settings confirmed on the screen 500 of the layout software 104, as well as other settings. Other settings include, for example, color, print quality, collated printing, and paper feed method 511. When the print button 514 is pressed, a print instruction is output.

[0039] The operational flow of the layout software representing the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 6. The layout software 104 is started up, and processing begins when an instruction to display the screen of the layout software 104 is given.

[0040] In step 601 (represented as "S601" in the figure, and the same applies below), the layout software 104 obtains the latest information on various functions related to envelope printing from the currently selected printer driver 301 via the SDK. These various functions include some or all of the following: paper size 501, print orientation 502, flap orientation 503, flap status 504, etc. Information on the paper feed units capable of feeding each type of paper may also be obtained.

[0041] In step 602, the CPU 201 determines whether the paper size setting 501 on the preview screen 500 is the size of an envelope paper. If the determination in step 602 is Yes, in step 603, the layout software 104 accepts any changes to other settings made by the user (an example of a receiving step).

[0042] Also, in step 604, flap orientation 503 and images 505 and 513 of the envelope displayed on the preview screen that reflect the setting of flap orientation 503 are displayed. Images 505 and 513 may be generated, for example, by combining an image of the envelope shape selected as the paper type with an image of the object to be printed. Step 604 is an example of a first display step.

[0043] In step 605, information about an image 512 showing how to place the paper is obtained from the printer driver via the SDK based on the settings (501, 502, 503, 511) for the various envelope paper types that have been set up to this point. In step 606, the information about the image 512 showing how to place the paper obtained in step 605 is displayed. Step 605 is an example of a second display step.

[0044] In step 607, regardless of whether the paper size is envelope paper, the system accepts that the print button 514 has been pressed by the user. The settings that have been changed in the layout software 104 up to this point are then notified to the printer driver 301 via the SDK. The display of the layout software 104 then ends.

[0045] In step 607, the contents of all the setting values, regardless of the settings that have been changed in the layout software 104 up to this point, may be notified to the printer driver 301 via the SDK.

[0046] Figure 7 illustrates a different configuration case.

[0047] 7A shows an example of a screen 700 of the layout software 104 for a sheet of paper 701 (shown in the figure as an example of a "Long-legged envelope 3") with the flap positioned on the long side of the envelope. It can also be seen that the print orientation 702 is "landscape," the flap orientation 703 is "up," and the flap state 704 is "long side (closed)." These settings can be visually confirmed in the preview 705.

[0048] 7B displays various settings confirmed on the screen 700 of the layout software 104, as well as other settings and an image 712 showing how to place paper on the printing device 2 to be used for actual printing, based on the paper feed method 711. Other settings may include "color," "print quality," "collate," etc. Then, printing is executed by pressing the print button 714.

[0049] In this diagram, it can be seen that the paper feed method 711 is "Cassette 1" and the paper placement 712 is "print side down."

[0050] [Variations] Figures 8 to 10 illustrate different configuration cases.

[0051] 8 shows an example of a screen 800 of the layout software 104 for stapling settings. When a staple position 803 is specified, an icon or the like 804 indicating the specific position where stapling will be performed is displayed in a preview screen 805. Note that if stapling is not to be performed, such as when "No" is selected for the staple position 803, an icon or the like indicating the position where stapling will be performed is not displayed in the preview screen 805.

[0052] 9 shows an example of a screen 900 of the layout software 104 for punch hole settings. When punch hole 903 is set to anything other than "no punch," icons 904a and 904b indicating specific positions where punch holes will be processed are displayed in a preview screen 905. When punch hole 903 is set to "no punch," for example, and punch hole processing is not performed, icons indicating positions where punch holes will be processed are not displayed in a preview screen 905.

[0053] 10A to 10C show an example of a screen 1000 of the layout software 104 for setting the folding process. When the fold 1001 is specified as anything other than "no," icons 1004a and 1004b indicating specific positions where the folding process will be performed are displayed in the preview screen 1005. When the fold 1001 is specified as "no," and no folding process will be performed, icons 1004a and 1004b indicating positions where punch holes will be processed are not displayed in the preview screen 1005.

[0054] In (a) to (c) of FIG. 10, the case where the fold 1003 is a "C fold" is explained.

[0055] The screen that opens when you click the Folding Details button 1002 will be explained with reference to FIG. 10(b).

[0056] On this screen, in the case of C-folding, pattern 1 1011 indicates that the first page of the user's application data is printed on the outside of the C-fold, and the data is folded so that the top of the data is on the outside of the C-fold.

[0057] Pattern 2 1012 indicates that the first page of the user's application data is printed on the outside of the C-fold and folded so that the top of the data is on the inside of the C-fold.

[0058] Pattern 3 1013 indicates that the first page of the user's application data is printed on the inside of the C-fold, and the data is folded so that the top of the data is on the inside of the C-fold.

[0059] Pattern 4 1014 indicates that the first page of the user's application data is printed on the inside of the C-fold, and the data is folded so that the top of the data is on the outside of the C-fold.

[0060] An icon 1022 reflecting the settings relating to folding specified up to this point is displayed.

[0061] FIG. 10C shows an image 1022 showing the actual output result from the screen 1000 of the layout software 104, the fold 1001 selected on the screen 1010, and the fold details 1002, and printing is performed by pressing the print button 1026.

[0062] In this diagram, we can see that the fold is a "C fold" and the fold detail pattern is 1.

[0063] 8 to 10, an image showing how to place paper may be displayed, similar to image 712 in FIG. 7(b). This is because there are at least two ways to place paper, portrait or landscape, even when printing on so-called plain paper such as A4 size. Also, when printing on cardboard or the like, it is difficult to change the conveyance direction (such as by making a U-turn) within the device, so it may be necessary to specify a paper feed tray.

[0064] By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to carry out processing as envisioned by the user with regard to staple positions, punch positions, folding positions, and image layout and orientation.

[0065] <Other Examples> The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 101 Printing Applications 102, 105 Printer driver 104 Layout Software

Claims

1. a receiving step of receiving a processing setting by a user; a first display step of displaying an image showing the result of performing processing corresponding to the processing setting on the image to be printed; a second display step of displaying an image showing how to place the paper to be processed; A program characterized by causing an information processing device to execute the above.

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the processing settings include settings relating to the type of paper to be processed.

3. The program according to claim 2, characterized in that when an envelope is selected as the type of paper to be processed, the second display step displays an image showing the orientation of the flap, the open / closed state of the flap, and how the envelope is placed in the paper feed section.

4. 3. The program according to claim 2, wherein the information processing device executes an acquisition step of acquiring, from a printer driver, information about the position of an envelope flap, the open / closed state of the flap, and information about a paper feed unit capable of feeding envelopes.

5. The program described in claim 2, characterized in that the image showing the result of processing corresponding to the processing setting displayed in the first display step is an image obtained by combining the image of the object to be printed with an image showing the shape of an envelope selected as the type of paper to be processed.

6. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the processing settings include settings related to stapling.

7. The program according to claim 6, characterized in that the image showing the result of processing corresponding to the processing setting displayed in the first display step is an image showing the position of an image synthesized with the image to be printed and a staple position.

8. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the processing settings include settings related to punching.

9. The program described in claim 8, characterized in that the image showing the result of processing corresponding to the processing setting displayed in the first display step is an image showing the position of an image synthesized with the image to be printed and the punch position.

10. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the processing settings include settings related to folding.

11. The program according to claim 10, characterized in that the image showing the result of processing corresponding to the processing setting displayed in the first display step is an image showing the position of an image synthesized with the image to be printed and the folding position.

12. a receiving step of receiving a processing setting by a user; a first display step of displaying an image showing the result of performing processing corresponding to the processing setting on the image to be printed; a second display step of displaying an image showing how to place the paper to be processed; 10. A method for controlling an information processing device, comprising:

13. 13. The method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the processing settings include settings relating to the type of paper to be processed.

14. 14. The control method for an information processing device according to claim 13, wherein when an envelope is selected as the type of paper to be processed, an image showing the orientation of the flap, the open / closed state of the flap, and how to place the envelope in the paper feed section is displayed in the second display step.

15. The control method for an information processing device according to claim 13, characterized in that the information processing device is caused to execute an acquisition step of acquiring information on the position of the envelope flap, the open / closed state of the flap, and the paper feed unit capable of feeding the envelope from the printer driver.

16. The control method for an information processing device according to claim 13, characterized in that the image showing the result of the processing corresponding to the processing setting displayed in the first display step is an image obtained by combining the image of the object to be printed with an image showing the shape of an envelope selected as the type of paper to be processed.

17. 13. The method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the processing settings include settings relating to stapling.

18. 18. The control method for an information processing device according to claim 17, wherein the image showing the result of the processing corresponding to the processing setting displayed in the first display step is an image showing the position of an image synthesized with the image to be printed and a staple position.

19. 13. The method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the processing settings include settings relating to punching.

20. 20. The control method for an information processing device according to claim 19, wherein the image showing the result of processing corresponding to the processing setting displayed in the first display step is an image showing the position of an image synthesized with the image to be printed and the punch position.

21. 13. The method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the processing settings include settings relating to folding.

22. 22. The control method for an information processing device according to claim 21, wherein the image showing the result of processing corresponding to the processing setting displayed in the first display step is an image showing the position of an image synthesized with the image to be printed and a folding position.

Images