Adjustment tool, information processing device, and adjustment method

Abstract

To easily adjust a parameter of a driver.SOLUTION: An adjustment tool actuates a computer as first and second storage units and an update unit. The first storage unit stores an access-restricted system folder, generates a copy of a setting file including a value of a specific parameter of a driver, and stores the copy in another folder to which access is not restricted. The update unit rewrites the value of the specific parameter included in the copy. The second storage unit overwrites the setting file with the copy updated by the update unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0003]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an adjustment tool or the like that changes the values of parameters used in a driver.

Background Art

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, in a driver that controls a printer, a technique is known for returning the values of a plurality of parameters that determine the size of paper for printing, the number of printed copies, etc. to their initial setting values in response to an operation by the user. Further, the driver of Patent Document 1 can change the initial setting values of each parameter in response to an operation by the user at the time of installation of the driver or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there may be parameters for which the driver does not accept value changes by the user. In order to change the values of such parameters, for example, it is necessary to directly rewrite the files that the driver refers to during operation. However, generally, access to such files is restricted by the OS or the like, and it has been difficult to change the values of such parameters.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to enable easy adjustment of driver parameters.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of this disclosure is an adjustment tool that operates on an OS running on a computer installed in an information processing device, and which operates the computer as a first storage unit, an update unit, and a second storage unit. The first storage unit generates a copy of a configuration file, which is a file stored in a system folder with restricted access, and which operates on the OS and contains values ​​of specific parameters that define the operation of a driver that controls an external device, and saves the copy to another folder with unrestricted access. The update unit updates the copy by rewriting the values ​​of the specific parameters contained in the copy stored in the other folder to predetermined values. The second storage unit overwrites the configuration file with the copy by saving the copy updated by the update unit to the system folder.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the tuning tool can change the values ​​of specific parameters in configuration files stored in a system folder with restricted access. This makes it easy to adjust the driver parameters.

[0008] Another aspect of this disclosure is an information processing device having a configuration similar to that of a computer operating with the above-described adjustment tool. Another aspect of this disclosure is a method implemented by the above-described adjustment tool. According to these aspects, the parameters of the driver can be easily adjusted. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of an information processing device. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram of the printing area. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart of the domain length adjustment process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. [1. Configuration of the Information Processing Device] In this embodiment, the information processing device 1 is configured as a PC (Personal Computer) as an example (see Figure 1). However, it is not limited to this, and the information processing device 1 may be configured as, for example, a tablet terminal or a smartphone.

[0011] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 is capable of wired or wireless communication with an external device, the printer 5. The printer 5 is configured, for example, as a small, lightweight mobile printer that can be carried by an operator. However, it is not limited to this configuration; the printer 5 may also be configured as a stationary printer, or as an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) equipped with both printer and scanner functions.

[0012] The information processing device 1 comprises a control unit 10, a communication unit 13, a display unit 14, an input unit 15, and a storage unit 16 (see Figure 1). The control unit 10 includes a CPU 11 and a memory 12. The CPU 11 executes computer programs stored in the memory 12, thereby realizing various functions of the information processing device 1. Note that the various functions realized by the control unit 10 are not limited to being realized by the execution of computer programs; some or all of them may be realized using one or more hardware components.

[0013] Memory 12 comprises a semiconductor memory (e.g., ROM, RAM, and flash memory) which is a non-transitional physical recording medium. Memory 12 can be loaded with an operating system (OS) program 2, which is stored in the storage unit 16, and a printer driver 3 and adjustment tool 4, which will be described later. The functions of these programs are realized by the control unit 10 and other components that execute these programs.

[0014] The communication unit 13 is the part that communicates with the printer 5, etc. Specifically, the communication unit 13 may communicate directly with the printer 5 via, for example, a USB cable or Bluetooth®, or it may access a network via a wired LAN or wireless LAN and communicate with the printer 5 via the network.

[0015] The display unit 14 is a part that displays various images based on image data generated by the control unit 10, and is configured as, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input unit 15 is a part that receives operations from the user and includes, for example, a touch panel, keyboard, pointing device, etc. The input unit 15 generates operation information in response to the user's operation and outputs it to the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 processes the operation information from the input unit 15.

[0016] The storage unit 16 includes auxiliary storage devices such as an HDD and an SSD, and stores various types of data. HDD stands for Hard Disk Drive. SSD stands for Solid State Drive. The storage unit 16 stores files that constitute the OS program 2 and printer driver 3 installed on the information processing device 1, as well as files that constitute the adjustment tool 4.

[0017] [2. About the OS] OS program 2 is a program that provides the basic functions of the information processing device 1, such as running software and providing a file system for managing data stored in the storage unit 16 (see Figure 1).

[0018] In this embodiment, Microsoft's Windows® is used as OS program 2 as an example. However, OS program 2 is not limited to this, and could be, for example, macOS®, Linux®, iOS®, or Android®.

[0019] The files that make up the OS program 2 and each file that makes up the software installed in the information processing apparatus 1 and operated by the OS program 2 are stored in the system folder. Access restrictions are provided to the system folder by the OS program 2. In principle, reference, modification, and / or deletion, etc. of the files stored in the system folder are restricted. However, a user given certain permissions is allowed all or partial access to the system folder. Also, when a copy of a file stored in the system folder is stored in another folder without access restrictions, access to the copy becomes possible.

[0020] In the present embodiment where Windows is used as the OS program 2, the system folder is named, for example, "system", "system32", etc.

[0021] [3. Printer Driver] The printer driver 3 is installed in the information processing apparatus 1 and operates by the OS program 2 (see FIG. 1). The printer driver 3 is composed of a plurality of files including an executable file and a setting file 30 in which values of a plurality of parameters described later are recorded. These files are stored in the above-described system folder and access is restricted. Incidentally, the setting file 30 may be configured as a text file as an example. Also, the setting file 30 may be given an extension such as "dat", "ini", etc.

[0022] The printer driver 3 controls the printer 5 via the communication unit 13 and sends the print data received from the spooler to the printer 5, thereby causing the printer 5 to perform printing. The spooler is a function that manages print requests to the printer 5. The spooler receives print data used for printing on the printer 5 from applications running on the OS program 2 and temporarily stores this print data in the memory 12. When the printer 5 is not printing, the spooler provides the temporarily stored print data to the printer driver 3. The spooler is provided by the OS program 2 as an example, but is not limited to this and may be provided by other software.

[0023] Furthermore, the printer driver 3 has several parameters for controlling printing by the printer 5, and controls the printer 5 according to the values ​​of these parameters. Specifically, for example, there may be parameters that define the size of the sheet to be printed by the printer 5, the resolution of the image to be printed, and the print area on the sheet (details will be described later). The values ​​of these parameters are recorded in the configuration file 30.

[0024] The printer driver 3 then changes the values ​​of some of these parameters (hereinafter referred to as normal parameters) in response to user operations received via the input unit 15. That is, the printer driver 3 displays a settings screen on the display unit 14 in response to user operations received via the input unit 15, and accepts parameter values ​​from the user via the settings screen. However, the printer driver 3 does not accept user changes to parameters other than normal parameters (hereinafter referred to as specific parameters).

[0025] In this embodiment, where printer 5 is configured as a mobile printer, one example is that the parameter that defines the print area 63 on the rectangular sheet 6 printed by printer 5 is a specific parameter (see Figure 2).

[0026] The printable area 63 is a rectangular area on the sheet 6 that can be printed by the printer 5. For example, the distance X between the printable area 63 and the upper edge 60 of the sheet 6, and the distance Y between the printable area 63 and the left and right side edges 61 of the sheet 6 are fixed values, while the distance Z between the printable area 63 and the lower edge 62 of the sheet 6 is a variable value. The upper edge 60 and lower edge 62 of the sheet 6 are positioned perpendicular to the transport direction 65 of the sheet 6 during printing, with the upper edge 60 located downstream of the lower edge 62 in the transport direction 65.

[0027] The specific parameter that defines the printing area 63 determines the length (hereafter referred to as the area length 64) parallel to the transport direction 65 within the printing area 63. In other words, the value of this specific parameter determines the distance Z between the printing area 63 and the lower edge 62 of the sheet 6. The area length 64 can be set to correspond to each size of sheet 6 that can be printed by the printer 5 (for example, A4, B4, etc.), and the setting file 30 records the current value of the specific parameter (in other words, the area length 64) corresponding to each size, as well as the maximum value that can be set for the specific parameter.

[0028] [4. Adjustment Tools] The adjustment tool 4 operates using OS program 2 and consists of multiple files, including an executable file and batch files for starting and stopping the spooler (details of which will be described later) (see Figure 1). These files are stored in a folder without access restrictions (hereafter referred to as the work folder), and users can view, modify, and delete them. Although the adjustment tool 4 is configured not to require installation on the information processing device 1, it may be installed on the information processing device 1 if necessary.

[0029] The adjustment tool 4 changes the value of a specific parameter (in other words, the value of area length 64) that the printer driver 3 does not accept user changes for, in response to user input, through the area length change process described later. Specifically, the adjustment tool 4 changes the value of the specific parameter by overwriting the printer driver 3's configuration file 30 stored in the system folder.

[0030] [5. Region length adjustment process] When the adjustment tool 4 is activated in response to user input received via the input unit 15, the adjustment tool 4 begins the area length adjustment process. The adjustment tool 4, for example, displays various information via a command prompt displayed on the display unit 14 and accepts user input. However, a GUI or similar interface may be used instead of the command prompt. The area length adjustment process will be explained below using the flowchart in Figure 3.

[0031] In step S100 of the area length adjustment process, the adjustment tool 4 stops the spooler by executing a batch file. The adjustment tool 4 also generates a copy of the printer driver 3 configuration file 30 stored in the system folder and saves this copy to the work folder.

[0032] In S105, the adjustment tool 4 displays the maximum and current values ​​of the area length 64 (in other words, specific parameters) for each size of sheet 6, based on a copy of the work folder configuration file 30.

[0033] In S110, the adjustment tool 4 displays a menu that the user can select from. For example, four menus are displayed: "Change," "Update," "Confirm," and "Exit," and the adjustment tool 4 accepts the user's selection of a menu via the input unit 15 (S115).

[0034] Then, upon receiving the "Change" selection, the adjustment tool 4 proceeds to S120, where it receives the user's selection of the size of sheet 6 for which the value of the area length 64 is to be set via the input unit 15. Upon receiving the selection, the adjustment tool 4 displays the maximum value and the current value of the area length 64 for the selected size (S125). The adjustment tool 4 receives the input value of the area length 64 from the user via the input unit 15, and updates the copy of the setting file 30 by overwriting the current value of the area length 64 in the copy with the input value and then saving the copy (S130).

[0035] In S135, the adjustment tool 4 accepts the selection of the size of sheet 6 for which the value of the area length 64 is set, and the instruction to end the setting of the area length 64. If the adjustment tool 4 accepts the instruction to end (S140: Yes), it proceeds to S110, and if it accepts the selection of the size of sheet 6 (S140: No), it proceeds to S125.

[0036] Furthermore, when the "Update" option is selected in S115, the adjustment tool 4 proceeds to S145. In S145, the adjustment tool 4 saves a copy of the configuration file 30 in the work folder to the system folder, renaming the file to the same name as the configuration file 30 in the system folder. In other words, the adjustment tool 4 overwrites the configuration file 30 in the system folder with the copy of the configuration file in the work folder. As a result, the configuration file 30 in the system folder is replaced with the copy of the configuration file 30 in the work folder. , established The contents of fixed file 30 can be updated. After that, adjustment tool 4 moves to S110 and displays a menu.

[0037] Furthermore, when the "Confirm" option is selected in S115, the adjustment tool 4 proceeds to S105, displaying the maximum and current values ​​of the area length 64 for each size of sheet 6. Furthermore, if the user selects "End" in S115, the adjustment tool 4 proceeds to S150, starts the spooler by executing a batch file, and then terminates the process.

[0038] [6. Effects] (1) According to the above embodiment, the adjustment tool 4 can change the values ​​of specific parameters recorded in the configuration file 30 stored in a system folder with restricted access. This makes it easy to adjust the specific parameters of the printer driver 3. Furthermore, for example, if it becomes necessary to change the values ​​of specific parameters after the release of the printer driver 3 due to some factor (e.g., a request from a user), the adjustment tool 4 can effectively address this.

[0039] (2) The adjustment tool 4 also sets the value of a specific parameter to a value entered by the user. Therefore, the user can change the value of a specific parameter contained in the setting file 30 to a value of their choice via the adjustment tool 4. Thus, the specific parameter of the printer driver 3 can be easily adjusted.

[0040] (3) The adjustment tool 4 also stops the spooler when the region length adjustment process starts. This makes it possible to overwrite the configuration file 30 stored in the system file, and to suitably change the values ​​of specific parameters recorded in the configuration file 30.

[0041] (4) In addition, the value of a specific parameter that determines the area length 64 is changed by the adjustment tool 4. As a result, the area to be printed by the printer 5 on sheet 6 can be set appropriately.

[0042] (5) Furthermore, the adjustment tool 4 can change the values ​​of specific parameters that cannot be changed by the printer driver 3. This improves convenience. [7. Other Embodiments] (1) In the above embodiment, the information processing device 1 may have another external device (for example, a scanner) connected to it instead of the printer 5, and a driver for controlling the external device may be installed. The driver may also consist of multiple files, including an executable file and a configuration file, similar to the above embodiment, and the configuration file may contain normal parameters and specific parameters. The specific parameters may also be changed using an adjustment tool, similar to the above embodiment.

[0043] (2) The adjustment tool 4 is configured to change the value of a specific parameter in response to user input. However, the adjustment tool 4 may not accept user input to change the value of a specific parameter, and instead, when the adjustment tool 4 is executed, it may change the value of the specific parameter in the configuration file to a predetermined value. In other words, the adjustment tool 4 may, similar to the area length adjustment process, generate a copy of the configuration file in the system folder, rewrite the value of the specific parameter in the copy to a predetermined value, and then overwrite the configuration file in the system folder with the copy. This makes it possible to change the value of a specific parameter in the driver program 16B using a simpler procedure, and allows the work of changing the value of a specific parameter to be performed quickly and accurately.

[0044] (3) The adjustment tool 4 may also change the value of a specific parameter different from the region length 64, or the value of a normal parameter, in place of or in addition to the region length 64, in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

[0045] (4) The adjustment tool 4 also stops the spooler in S100 of the region length adjustment process. However, the adjustment tool 4 may stop the spooler at any time before the configuration file is overwritten in S145.

[0046] (5) Multiple functions of one component in the above embodiment may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Furthermore, some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be omitted. Furthermore, at least some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be added to or replaced with the configurations of other above embodiments.

[0047] (6) In addition to the information processing device 1 described above, this disclosure can also be implemented in various forms, such as a system comprising the information processing device 1, a non-transitional physical recording medium such as a semiconductor memory in which the adjustment tool 4 is stored, and a method for adjusting specific parameters corresponding to the processing realized by the adjustment tool 4.

[0048] [8. Correspondence between wordings] In the region length adjustment process, S100 corresponds to an example of the first storage unit and stop unit, S130 corresponds to an example of the update unit and reception unit, and S145 corresponds to an example of the second storage unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1...Information processing device, 10...Control unit, 11...CPU, 12...Memory, 2...OS program, 3...Printer driver, 30...Configuration file, 4...Adjustment tool, 5...Printer, 6...Sheet, 63...Print area, 64...Area length.

Claims

1. An adjustment tool that operates on an OS running on a computer installed in an information processing device, A first storage unit generates a copy of a configuration file, which is a file stored in a system folder whose access is restricted by the OS, and which contains values ​​for specific parameters that define the operation of a driver that runs on the OS and controls an external device, and saves the copy to another folder whose access is not restricted. An update unit updates the copy by overwriting the value of the specific parameter contained in the copy stored in the aforementioned other folder with a predetermined value. By saving the updated copy by the update unit to the system folder, the second save unit overwrites the configuration file with the copy. The aforementioned computer is operated, The aforementioned external device is a printer that performs printing using print data provided by a spooler operated by the aforementioned computer. The OS restricts overwriting the configuration file when the spooler is running, but allows overwriting the configuration file when the spooler is stopped. Before the second storage unit overwrites the configuration file with the copy, a stop unit is used to stop the spooler, Furthermore, an adjustment tool for operating the aforementioned computer.

2. In the adjustment tool described in claim 1, The computer is further operated as a reception unit that receives input values ​​for the aforementioned specific parameters from the user. The update unit updates the copy by overwriting the value of the specific parameter contained in the copy stored in the other folder with the value of the specific parameter received as input by the reception unit. Adjustment tool.

3. In the adjustment tool described in claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned external device is a printer that prints on a sheet. The aforementioned specific parameter determines the area on the sheet that will be printed by the printer. Adjustment tool.

4. An adjustment tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The aforementioned configuration file contains values ​​for multiple parameters, including the aforementioned specific parameter. The driver, in response to user instructions, changes the value of a parameter among the multiple parameters included in the configuration file that is different from the specific parameter. Adjustment tool.

5. An information processing device equipped with a computer that runs an OS, A first storage unit generates a copy of a configuration file, which is a file stored in a system folder whose access is restricted by the OS, and which contains values ​​for specific parameters that define the operation of a driver that runs on the OS and controls an external device, and saves the copy to another folder whose access is not restricted. An update unit updates the copy by overwriting the value of the specific parameter contained in the copy stored in the aforementioned other folder with a predetermined value. A second storage unit overwrites the configuration file with the copy by saving the updated copy to the system folder. Equipped with, The aforementioned external device is a printer that performs printing using print data provided by a spooler operated by the aforementioned computer. The OS restricts overwriting the configuration file when the spooler is running, but allows overwriting the configuration file when the spooler is stopped. The second storage unit further includes a stop unit that stops the spooler before the second storage unit overwrites the configuration file with the copy. Information processing device.

6. A method of adjustment performed by an information processing device equipped with a computer that runs an OS, To generate a copy of a configuration file, which is a file stored in a system folder whose access is restricted by the aforementioned OS, and which contains values ​​for specific parameters that define the operation of a driver that runs on the aforementioned OS and controls an external device, and to save the copy of the configuration file to another folder whose access is not restricted. Updating the copy by overwriting the value of the specific parameter contained in the copy stored in the aforementioned other folder with a predetermined value, By saving the updated copy to the system folder, the configuration file is overwritten by the copy. Includes, The aforementioned external device is a printer that performs printing using print data provided by a spooler operated by the aforementioned computer. The OS restricts overwriting the configuration file when the spooler is running, but allows overwriting the configuration file when the spooler is stopped. The process further includes stopping the spooler before overwriting the configuration file with the aforementioned copy. Adjustment method.

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