JP2005293607A - Print information setting apparatus and method, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability for setting of paper feeding and paper ejection using a printer driver. <P>SOLUTION: A dialog box DB1 of "property" is displayed on a display. On the dialog box DB1, a picture P1 of a pattern for the simulated indication of appearance of a printer, a paper feeding presentation field P2 indicating information associated with paper feeding to the printer, and a paper ejection presentation field P3 indicating information associated with paper ejection from the printer are related to each other and displayed using leading lines L11-L16, L21-L31. Hence, when performing both paper feeding setting and paper ejection setting, it is not necessary to switch cards. The paper feeding presentation field P2 is provided with a radio button a5 corresponding to a tray 1 and a cassette 5, and this radio button is clicked to select a paper feeding housing part desired to use. The paper ejection presentation field P3 is provided with a check box a8 corresponding to a bin 10 and the tray 1, and this check box is clicked to select a paper ejection housing part desired to output. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printing device based on input data from an input device according to the contents of the screen region while displaying a screen region for data input on a display device. .

  Generally, when a printer is connected to a computer and print data created by the computer is to be printed on the printer, it is necessary to incorporate software called a printer driver in the computer. The printer driver is a computer program that controls various printer information such as printer functions, interfaces, font information, and control codes in the computer and controls the printer, and is prepared for each printer model to be printed.

  The user operates the computer to activate the printer driver incorporated in the computer, and displays a “property” dialog box on the display. From this dialog box, you can set various information such as information related to basic print settings such as print quality and color correction, information related to paper feed settings such as the selection of paper feed devices, and information related to paper discharge settings such as paper discharge destinations. Can be performed. These various types of information are divided into a plurality of sets and distributed to individual cards, such as basic settings, paper feed settings, and paper discharge settings, for each function to be set. A desired card is selected from the setting cards, and data for setting information is input from the selected card.

  However, in the conventional technique, when both the paper feed setting and the paper discharge setting are performed, it is necessary to switch the cards one by one, and there is a problem that the operability is poor for the user. A configuration in which the paper feed setting and the paper discharge setting are packed on a single card is also conceivable, but the relationship between paper feed and paper discharge cannot be understood by simply writing both of them together. Not good.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to improve operability when setting paper feeding and paper ejection by a printer driver.

In order to solve such a problem, the print information setting device of the present invention provides:
A display device and an input device are provided, and a screen area for data input is displayed on the display device, and based on input data from the input device according to the contents of the screen area, printing for a predetermined printing device is performed. A print information setting device for setting various information,
In the screen area, a printing device image that is an image corresponding to the printing device, a paper feed posting column indicating information relating to paper feeding to the printing device, and information relating to paper discharge from the printing device are illustrated. It is characterized by comprising display control means for displaying in association with the paper discharge posting column.

  According to this configuration, since the printing apparatus, the paper feed posting column indicating the information related to paper feeding, and the paper discharge posting column indicating the information related to paper discharge are displayed in association with each other, the paper feed setting and the paper discharge setting are displayed. When both settings are made, there is no need to switch cards as in the prior art, and the relationship between the series of processes such as paper feeding, printing, and paper ejection can be known by the above association. , Data operability is excellent.

  In the printing information setting apparatus having the above-described configuration, the display control unit may include a unit that displays a pictorial diagram showing an appearance of the printing apparatus as the printing apparatus image.

  According to this configuration, since the user can know the printing apparatus from the picture, the display is easy to see. As a result, the operability of data input is more excellent.

  In the printing information setting apparatus having the above-described configuration, the display control unit includes means for arranging the paper feed posting column on one side of the printing device image and the paper discharge posting column on the other side of the printing device image. It can be configured.

  According to this configuration, since a series of processes of paper feeding, printing, and paper ejection are arranged in that order, the display is easy to see. As a result, the operability of data input is more excellent.

  In the printing information setting apparatus having the above-described configuration, the display control unit associates, in the screen area, a line for associating the printing device image with a paper feed posting column, and the printing device image with the paper discharge posting column. It can be set as the structure provided with the means to each display a filament.

  According to this configuration, the association can be known at a glance from the line. As a result, the operability of data input is more excellent.

  In the print information setting apparatus having the above-described configuration, the display control unit displays a plurality of images corresponding to a plurality of sheet storage sections set in the printing apparatus in the sheet feed display column. And the image corresponding to the sheet storage unit that is currently usable in the printing apparatus among the plurality of images displayed by the sheet storage unit display unit, The sheet storage unit identification display means for displaying the image in an identifiable manner.

  According to this configuration, when a plurality of sheet storage units are provided as the sheet feeding device, it is possible to know the plurality of sheet storage units while identifying the sheet storage units in a usable state. As a result, the operability of data input is more excellent.

  In the print information setting apparatus having the above-described configuration, a sheet storage unit selection unit that selects one image from the plurality of images displayed on the sheet storage unit display unit based on input data from the input device; The selected sheet storage unit may be configured to include a sheet storage unit setting unit that sets the selected sheet storage unit as a sheet storage unit that is currently usable in the printing apparatus.

  According to this configuration, the user can select the sheet storage unit to be used by operating the input device. As a result, the operability of data input is more excellent.

  The print information setting apparatus having the above-described configuration further includes a remaining paper amount information receiving unit that receives information about the remaining amount of paper from the printing device, and the display control unit includes a remaining amount of paper based on the received information. It is possible to have a configuration that includes a remaining amount display means for displaying the message.

  According to this configuration, since the remaining amount of paper feed is displayed, the user can know the remaining amount of paper feed from his / her hand even when the printing apparatus is away. As a result, the productivity of the printing process can be increased.

  In the print information setting device having the above-described configuration, the printing information setting device further includes a discharge remaining information receiving unit that receives information about a remaining discharge state from the printing device, and the display control unit displays a remaining discharge state based on the received information. It may be configured to include a discharged sheet take-out information display means to be displayed.

  According to this configuration, since the remaining state of discharged paper is displayed, the user can know the remaining state of discharged paper from his / her hand even when the printing apparatus is away. As a result, the productivity of the printing process can be increased.

  In the print information setting apparatus having the above-described configuration, the display control unit displays a plurality of images corresponding to a plurality of discharge storage sections set in the printing apparatus in the discharge notice display column. It can be set as the structure provided with a means.

  According to this configuration, when a plurality of paper discharge storage units are provided as the paper discharge device, the plurality of paper discharge storage units can be displayed. As a result, the operability of data input is more excellent.

  In the print information setting device having the above configuration, an image corresponding to a paper discharge storage unit that is currently usable in the printing device among the plurality of images displayed by the paper discharge storage unit display unit, It may be configured to include a paper discharge storage unit identification display unit that displays the image of other paper discharge storage units in a distinguishable manner.

  According to this configuration, when a plurality of paper discharge storage units are provided as the paper discharge device, it is possible to know the plurality of paper discharge storage units while identifying the paper discharge storage units in a usable state. As a result, the operability of data input is more excellent.

  In the print information setting device having the above-described configuration, a paper discharge storage unit selection for selecting one or a plurality of images from the plurality of images displayed on the paper discharge storage unit display unit based on input data from the input device And a paper discharge storage unit setting unit that sets the selected paper discharge storage unit as a paper discharge storage unit that is currently usable in the printing apparatus.

  According to this configuration, the user can select the paper discharge storage unit to be used by operating the input device. As a result, the operability of data input is more excellent.

  In the print information setting apparatus having the above-described configuration, the printing information setting apparatus includes usage right setting means for individually setting a usage right of a user in the plurality of paper discharge storage sections, and the display control means displays on the paper discharge storage section display means The plurality of images may be configured to include a display unit that displays usage rights information indicating the usage rights of the paper discharge storage unit corresponding to the images.

  According to this configuration, the use right of the user is individually set in the plurality of paper discharge storage units, and the use right information indicating the use right is displayed. For this reason, the user can reduce the trouble of searching his / her output document. As a result, the productivity of the printing process can be increased.

  The printing information setting apparatus having the above-described configuration further includes a sorter setting unit configured to set a plurality of paper discharge storage units selected from the plurality of paper discharge storage units to be used as a sorter, and the display control unit includes the sorter The image forming unit corresponding to the paper discharge storage unit set to be used as a sorter by the setting unit may be configured to include means for displaying information indicating use as a sorter.

  According to this configuration, since it can be used as a sorter, printing of a plurality of copies is facilitated. As a result, the productivity of the printing process can be increased.

  In the print information setting device having the above-described configuration, a used discharge storage unit setting unit that sets a usable discharge storage unit from among the plurality of discharge storage units based on a printing condition, and the set usable A display restricting means for restricting display on the paper discharge storage section display means may be provided so that only images corresponding to the paper discharge storage section are displayed.

  According to this configuration, the paper discharge storage unit that cannot be used depending on the printing conditions is not displayed. For this reason, the selection of the paper discharge storage section is facilitated, and the operability of data input is further improved.

  In the print information setting device having the above-described configuration, the printing information setting apparatus includes a usage right setting unit that individually sets a usage right of a user in the plurality of paper discharge storage units. Can be set as the printing condition.

  According to this configuration, the paper discharge storage unit that cannot be used due to the right of use is not displayed.

  The printing information setting apparatus having the above-described configuration includes a sorter setting unit configured to set a plurality of paper discharge storage units selected from the plurality of paper discharge storage units to be used as a sorter, and the used paper discharge storage unit setting unit Can be configured to set the use as the set sorter as the printing condition.

  According to this configuration, the paper discharge storage unit that cannot be used due to use as a sorter is not displayed.

  The printing information setting apparatus having the above configuration includes means for setting a type of paper feeding to the printing apparatus, and the used paper discharge storage unit setting means sets the set type of paper feeding as the printing condition. It can be configured.

  According to this configuration, the paper discharge storage unit that cannot be used depending on the type of paper feed is not displayed.

  In the print information setting device having the above-described configuration, an operation state information receiving unit that receives information about an operation state of the printing device, and an operation state display unit that displays an operation state based on the received information in the screen area. It can be set as the structure provided with.

  According to this configuration, the user can know the state of operation of the printing apparatus from his / her hand even when the printing apparatus is away. As a result, the productivity of the printing process can be increased.

  In the print information setting device having the above-described configuration, a consumables remaining amount information receiving unit that receives information about the remaining amount of consumables from the printing device, and a remaining amount of consumables based on the received information is displayed in the screen area. And a consumable item remaining amount display means.

  According to this configuration, the user can know the remaining amount of ink, paper, and the like from his / her hand even when the printing apparatus is away. As a result, the productivity of the printing process can be increased.

  In the printing information setting apparatus having the above-described configuration, the display control means may include basic setting information display control means for displaying information about basic settings relating to print quality at the position of the printing apparatus image.

  According to this configuration, the user can easily know information about basic settings related to print quality. As a result, the operability of data input is more excellent.

  In the print information setting device having the above configuration, the information displayed by the basic setting information display control unit can be selected by an operation using the input device, and the information can be changed when the selection is made. It can be set as the structure provided with the means made into a structure.

  According to this configuration, it is easy to change basic settings related to print quality. As a result, the operability of data input is more excellent.

  In the printing information setting apparatus having the above-described configuration, the display control unit may include a unit that displays an image indicating a paper conveyance path during printing in the printing apparatus at the position of the printing apparatus image.

  According to this configuration, the user can know the sheet conveyance path during printing in the printing apparatus.

The method of this invention
This is a print information setting method for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printing device based on input data from the input device according to the contents of the screen region while displaying a screen region for data input on the display device. And
(A) In the screen area, a printing device image that is an image corresponding to the printing device, a paper feed posting column indicating information relating to paper feeding to the printing device, and a paper discharge from the printing device It is characterized by comprising a step of displaying in association with a paper discharge posting column indicating information.

  The method of the present invention also has an effect that the operability of data input is excellent as in the apparatus of the present invention.

The recording medium of the present invention is
While displaying a screen area for data input on a display device, a computer program for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printing device is recorded based on input data from the input device according to the contents of the screen region A computer-readable recording medium,
The computer program is
(A) In the screen area, a printing device image that is an image corresponding to the printing device, a paper feed posting column indicating information relating to paper feeding to the printing device, and a paper discharge from the printing device The present invention is characterized in that the computer is allowed to realize a function of displaying in association with a paper discharge posting column indicating information.

  Even with the recording medium of the present invention, as in the apparatus or method of the present invention, the operability of data input is excellent.

  The present invention includes other aspects as follows. The first aspect is an aspect as a computer program that causes a computer to realize the functions of the respective steps or means of the invention described above. The second mode is a mode as a data signal embodied in a carrier wave by including the computer program. A 3rd aspect is an aspect as a program supply apparatus which supplies a computer program via a communication path. In the third aspect, the above method and apparatus can be realized by placing the program on a server on the network, etc., downloading the necessary program to a computer via a communication path, and executing it. .

  In order to further clarify the configuration and operation of the present invention described above, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of a computer system to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the computer 10 of this embodiment includes another computer 100, printers 110 and 120 having substantially computer functions, a server 130 having a shared database, and the like. Are connected via a computer network 150 constructed by the above. The network 150 can be replaced with various networks such as the Internet, an intranet, and a wide area network (WAN) instead of the LAN. The printers 110 and 120 are so-called laser printers that form an image by applying laser light to a drum, develop the image with toner, and transfer the image onto a sheet. As the printers 110 and 120, various printers such as an ink jet printer and a thermal transfer printer can be applied.

  A CRT display 12 as a peripheral device is connected to the computer 10. The computer 10 includes a computer main body 16, a keyboard 18, and a mouse 20. The computer main body 16 is equipped with a floppy disk drive 24 for reading the contents of the floppy disk 22.

  The computer main body 16 includes a ROM 31, a RAM 32, a display image memory 33, a mouse interface 34, a keyboard interface 35, an FDC 36, an HDC 37, a CRTC 38, a printer interface 39, and a network, which are mutually connected by a bus with a CPU 30 as a central processing unit. A control circuit 40 is provided.

  The ROM 31 is a read-only memory that stores various built-in programs and the like. The RAM 32 is a readable / writable memory for storing various data. The display image memory 33 is a memory for storing image data of an image to be displayed on the CRT display 12. The mouse interface 34 is an interface that manages data exchange with the mouse 20. The keyboard interface 35 is an interface that manages key input from the keyboard 18. The FDC 36 is a floppy disk controller that controls the floppy disk drive (FDD) 24. The HDC 37 is a hard disk controller that controls a hard disk drive (HDD) 41.

  The CRTC 38 is a CRT controller that controls display of an image on the CRT display 12 based on display image data stored in the display image memory 33. The printer interface 39 is an interface that controls the output of data to a locally connected printer. In the illustrated example, there is no locally connected printer, but the printer interface 39 may be provided as necessary. I can do it. The network control circuit 40 includes a network card and is connected to the computer network 150. Note that the network control circuit 40 includes a modem when the computer network 150 is a network formed by connecting telephone lines.

  In this computer system, the operating system is stored in the HDD 41, and when the computer main body 16 is turned on, it is loaded into a predetermined area of the RAM 32 according to the loader written in the boot block of the HDD 41. The printer driver prepared for each printer model is stored in advance on the floppy disk 22 and is installed in the computer main body 16 from the floppy disk drive 24 by starting a predetermined installation program. The installed printer driver is stored in the HDD 41. When the computer main body 16 is turned on, the installed printer driver is incorporated into the operating system and loaded into a predetermined area of the RAM 32.

  Next, how printing is performed by the computer system having the hardware configuration described above will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a state of processing from image information handled by the computer main body 16 until printing is performed. As shown in the figure, an image is displayed on the CRT display 12 via the video driver 52 while processing the image by the application program 51 operating inside the computer main body 16. When the application program 51 issues a print instruction, the printer driver 53 in the computer main body 16 receives the image information from the application program 51 and uses the printer 110 that is currently in use (hereinafter, in use). Is described as the printer 110), and is converted into a printable signal.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the printer driver 53 includes a rasterizer 54 that converts image information handled by the application program 51 into color information in dot units, and image information (floor level) converted into color information in dot units. Color correction module 55 that performs color correction according to the color development characteristics of the printer 110 with respect to the tone data), so-called expressing density in a certain area based on the presence or absence of toner in dot units from the image information after color correction. A halftone module 56 for generating halftone image information is provided. In addition, an information setting module 57 for setting various information for printing by the printer 110 is provided in the printer driver 53. Various types of information for printing include information related to basic printing settings such as print quality, color correction, and halftone type, and information related to paper feed and paper discharge settings for the printer.

  In this embodiment, the halftone module 56 is provided on the computer 10 side. Alternatively, a halftone module may be provided on the connected printers 110 and 120 side. In recent laser printers, since the built-in computer has a high function, it is easy to provide the printer with the function of the halftone module.

  Color correction information set by the information setting module 57 is sent to the color correction module 55, and halftone type information is sent to the halftone module 56. The information setting module 57 displays an image indicating the setting contents on the CRT display 12 via the video driver 52. The information setting module 57 includes a display control unit 57a and a printer status receiving unit 57b as main parts of the present invention. Since the operation of each module except the information setting module 57 is well known, the description thereof will be omitted in principle, and the information setting module 57 will be described below.

  The printer driver 53 can control various printing by the printer 110 by changing the setting, but the operator needs to perform such setting in advance. The information setting module 57 executes such an operation for setting various information for printing. Here, what kind of screen is displayed on the CRT display 12 by the operation of the information setting module 57 will be described first. In this description, Windows 95 (trademark of Microsoft Corporation) will be described as an example of an operating system on which the printer driver operates.

  The operator first operates the computer 10 as follows to display a dialog box for setting various information for printing on the CRT display 12. That is, a “printer” window is opened by performing an operation of [start] → [setting] → [printer]. Next, double-click the icon of the target printer (the printer 110, here, the model name is “PR-00”) on the window to open the window for the printer. After that, the [Printer] → [Property] operation is performed from the window, and a “Properties” dialog box for setting various information about the printer is displayed.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying the “property” dialog box DB1 when it is opened. As shown in the figure, the dialog box DB1 displays a pictorial image P1 schematically showing the appearance of the printer 110 at the center, and the left side of the image P1 is related to paper feeding to the printer 110. A paper feed posting column P2 indicating information is displayed, and a paper discharge posting column P3 indicating information related to paper discharge from the printer 110 is displayed on the right side of the image P1.

  The image P1 corresponding to the printer 110 has an icon function, and when the image P1 is clicked by the mouse 20, a window (not shown) for performing the above-described basic setting for printing is activated and displayed. Since the “basic setting” window is not directly related to the present invention, the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in the figure, the printer 110 shown by the image P1 includes one paper tray and five cassettes as a paper feed storage unit, and a 10-bin multi-purpose printer having 10 discharge destinations as a paper discharge storage unit. It has a bin unit and one face-down tray. In the paper feed display column P2, six display fields f11, f12, f13, f14, f15, and f16 corresponding to the one paper tray and the five cassettes are provided. In each of the display fields f11 to f16, a character string area a1 indicating the name of the corresponding paper feed storage unit, a character string area a2 indicating the size of paper (paper feed) to be stored, and the type of paper stored A character string area a3, a paper remaining amount meter a4 indicating the remaining amount of paper in a bar graph, and a radio button a5 for selecting a paper feed storage unit to be used are provided. Each display field f11 to f16 is associated with one sheet tray for paper feeding and five cassette portions in the image P1 by lead lines L11, L12, L13, L14, L15, and L16, respectively.

  In the character string area a1 of each display field f11 to f16, a predetermined character string such as “paper tray”, “cassette 1”, “cassette 2”, “cassette 3”, “cassette 4”, “cassette 5”. It is shown. In the character string area a2, a desired item selected from a plurality of candidates such as “A4”, “A3”, and “B4” is shown. In the character string area a3, a desired item selected from a plurality of candidates such as “plain paper”, “recycled paper”, and “OHP” is shown. The radio button a5 is clicked on and off by clicking with the mouse 20, and indicates a paper storage unit to be used.

  In the paper discharge display column P3, eleven display fields f21, f22, f23, f24, f25, f26, f27, f28, f29, f30 corresponding to ten bins and one face-down tray of the ten-bin multi-bin unit. , F31 are provided. In each of the display fields f21 to f31, a character string area a6 indicating the name of the corresponding paper discharge storage unit, a character string area a7 indicating additional information such as a bin usage right, and a paper discharge storage unit to be used are selected. And a check box a8 is provided. Each display field f21 to f31 is associated with each of the ten paper discharge bins and one face-down tray portion in the image P1 by lead lines L21, L22,.

  In the character string area a6 of each display field f21 to f31, predetermined character strings such as “bin 1”, “bin 2”,... “Bin 10”, “bin 11” are shown. In the character string area a7, the identification name of the user (strictly speaking, the computer to be used) such as “department manager”, “section manager”, and “person in charge” is shown. The identification name can be edited by clicking the “Edit Bin Name” button bt1 on the lower side of the paper discharge posting column P3.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a “bin name edit” window WD displayed when the “bin name edit” button bt1 is clicked. As shown in the figure, the “bin name edit” window WD includes a first check box ch1 for instructing setting of a usage right and a second check box ch2 for instructing use as a sorter. Is provided. The user selects the name of the desired paper discharge storage unit from the data input field fd of the discharge destination name, and then clicks the check box ch1 to specify where in the paper discharge storage unit the output document is to be sent. can do. That is, it is possible to set to send an output document to the paper discharge storage unit having the name set in the data input field fd1 from the computer in which the printer driver is set. At this time, by operating the keyboard 18 in the second field fd2 and inputting a character string, a user such as “director”, “section manager”, “person in charge” or the like in the character string area a7 of the paper discharge posting column P3. Can be displayed.

  Note that by clicking the second check box ch2 of the “bin name edit” window WD, it is possible to set to use as a sorter. When this setting is made, as shown in FIG. Characters “sorter 1”, “sorter 2”,... Are displayed in the character string area a7 of the paper discharge posting column P3.

  Returning to FIG. 3, a window P <b> 4 showing an operation state of the printer 110 is provided above the paper feed display column P <b> 2. Here, examples of the operation state include a power saving state, a ready state, a communication error state, and the like. In addition, a toner remaining amount meter P5 indicating the remaining amount of toner is provided above the discharged paper posting column P3. In addition to these, this dialog box DB1 is provided with “OK” and “Cancel” buttons bt2 and bt3, respectively.

  According to the “property” dialog box DB1 having the above-described configuration, it is known from the paper feed display column P2 what type of paper is stored in each paper feed storage unit and how much paper is left. Further, by selecting the radio button a5, it is possible to set one sheet storage unit to be used. In addition, the right to use each paper discharge storage unit can be known from the paper discharge display column P3, and furthermore, by selecting the check box a8, one or a plurality of paper supply storage units to be used can be set. Can do. Further, by clicking on an image P1 showing a pictorial diagram of the printer, it is possible to activate a window for performing basic settings for printing.

  The above-described screen display on the CRT display 12 is performed by the CPU 30 executing the processing routine of the information setting module 57 of the printer driver 53. Next, the processing routine of the information setting module 57 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing routine of the information setting module 57. As described above, the information setting process routine is started when a window about a printer is opened and [printer] → [property] is operated from the window.

  As shown in the figure, when the processing is started, the CPU 30 first executes a dialog box display processing routine for displaying image data indicating the “property” dialog box DB1 on the CRT display 12 (step S100). Thereafter, various data are input in response to a data input operation using the keyboard 18 and mouse 20 by an operator who has viewed the display screen of the CRT display 12 (step S200). Next, it is determined from the input data whether or not the image P1 of the pictorial image of the printer has been clicked (step S300). If it is determined that the image has not been clicked, the process proceeds to step S400. The inputted various data is stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 32 (step S400). The meaning of each type of input data can be determined by comparing it with a reference table prepared in advance, and the item name corresponding to the coordinate value in the data input field can be known. The position to be stored on the RAM is determined by.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S300 that the image P1 has been clicked, the process proceeds to the basic setting routine for displaying the above-described “basic setting” window.

  In step S100, the image data of the “property” dialog box DB1 illustrated in FIG. 3 is displayed on the CRT display 12. The operator operates the mouse 20 while viewing the image data displayed on the CRT display 12. For example, an operation of clicking the radio button a5 in the “paper tray” display field f11 of the paper feed display column P2 is performed. In step S200, the CPU 30 performs processing for taking in data indicating that the radio button a5 has been clicked. In step S400, a process of storing data indicating “paper tray” indicated by the clicked radio button a5 in a predetermined area on the RAM 32 is performed.

  When the data storage operation is completed in step S400, it is determined whether or not the “OK” button bt2 in the display screen has been clicked by the operator (step S500). Then, the process returns to step S100, and this information setting process routine is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S500 that the “OK” button bt2 has been clicked, this information setting processing routine is terminated.

  Next, the dialog box display processing routine executed in step S100 will be described in detail. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing routine for displaying the dialog box. When the process proceeds to step S100, the CPU 30 first reads the base image data DT as the base of the “property” dialog box DB1 from the RAM 32 as shown in FIG. 7 (step S110), and the base image data DT is read. The image is transferred to the display image memory 33 (step S120). Here, the base image data DT represents an image in which parts that can be changed are removed from the image in the dialog box DB1 shown in FIG. 3, and this image is as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in the drawing, in each of the display fields f11 to f16 of the paper feed display column P2, the size character string area a2, the type character string area a3, the remaining paper amount meter a4, and the radio button a5 Are blank, and in each of the display fields f21 to f31 of the paper discharge posting column P3, the character string area a7 of the additional information and the check box a8 are blank, and further, the window P4 The image data of the image in which the inside and the inside of the toner remaining amount meter P5 are blank are transferred to the display image memory 33 as display image data.

  Subsequently, the CPU 30 reads various data d1 to dn (where n is an arbitrary positive number) stored in step S400 until the previous processing from the RAM 32 (step S130), and displays the various data d1 to dn. Each is added to a desired area of the display image data stored in the image memory 33 (step S140). As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the display image data stored in the display image memory 33 includes characters or characters based on various data d1 to dn in the radio button a5, the additional information character string area a7, the check box a8, and the like. An image on which a picture is drawn is shown. It should be noted that the blanks at this time are the character string area a2 and the character string area a3 of the size in the paper feed display column P2, the inside of the remaining paper amount meter a4, the inside of the window P4, and the toner. Only inside the remaining amount meter P5.

  After execution of step S140, the CPU 30 requests information on the printer status from the printer 110 currently in use (step S150), and receives the printer status information from the printer 110 (step S160). . Here, the printer status information includes not only information indicating the printer operating status such as a ready signal, but also information indicating the remaining amount of consumables such as toner used in the printer and paper feed, and operation on the printer. Information set from the panel (paper feed size, paper feed type, etc.) is also included. The printers 110 and 120 have a function of detecting the status of the printer from various sensors such as a toner remaining amount sensor and a remaining paper amount sensor, a control command to the printer engine, and the like. The printer status is received.

  Thereafter, the CPU 30 generates display data indicating the remaining amount of paper, the remaining amount of toner, and the operating state of the printer from the printer status information received from the printer 110 in step S160 (step S170). Each display image data stored in the display image memory 33 is added to each blank area (step S180). As a result, the display image data stored in the display image memory 33 is further updated from the state of FIG. 9 to the character string area a2, the character string area a3, the remaining paper amount meter a4, and the window P4 in the paper feed posting column P2. Then, an image in which characters or pictorial diagrams are drawn on the toner remaining amount meter P5 is shown.

  Thereafter, the display of the image on the CRT display 12 is controlled by the CRTC 38 based on the display image data stored in the display image memory 33 (step S190). As a result, for example, a “property” dialog box DB 1 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the CRT display 12. After execution of step S190, the process returns to “RETURN” and the process is temporarily terminated.

  Using the “property” dialog box DB1 displayed on the CRT display 12 in this way, the data input operation is performed as described above (step S200 in FIG. 6).

  In the first embodiment configured as described above, the “property” dialog box DB1 is displayed. In this dialog box DB1, a pictorial image P1 schematically showing the appearance of the printer and the printer 110 are displayed. A paper feed display column P2 indicating information related to paper supply to the paper and a paper discharge display column P3 indicating information related to paper discharge from the printer 110 are displayed in association with each other by lead lines L11 to L16 and L21 to L31. .

  For this reason, when both the paper feed setting and the paper discharge setting are to be performed, it is not necessary to switch cards as in the prior art, and the series of processes such as paper feeding, printing, and paper discharging are related. Since it can be known, there is an effect that the operability of data input is excellent. In particular, in this embodiment, since the printer 110 can be known from the picture shown by the image P1, the display is easy to see.

  In this embodiment, the paper feed display column P2 is provided with radio buttons a5 corresponding to one paper tray and five cassettes as a paper feed storage section. By clicking the radio button a5, , It is possible to select a paper feed storage section to be used. For this reason, the operability of data input is more excellent.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the remaining paper amount meter a4 is displayed corresponding to each paper feed storage unit, the user can use the paper in the paper tray or cassette even when the printer 110 is remote. You can know the remaining amount from your computer. For this reason, there exists an effect that productivity of printing processing can be improved.

  In this embodiment, a check box a8 corresponding to 10 bins and one face-down tray as a discharge storage section is provided in the discharge notice column P3. By clicking this check box a8, It is possible to select a paper discharge storage unit to be output. For this reason, the operability of data input is more excellent.

  In this embodiment, the user's identification name such as “department manager”, “section manager”, “section chief”, etc. is shown corresponding to each paper discharge storage section, so the user searches for his / her output document. Time and effort can be reduced. For this reason, the productivity of the printing process can be further increased.

  In this embodiment, the “property” dialog box DB 1 is provided with a window P 4 indicating the operation state of the printer 110. Therefore, the user can know the operation state of the printer 110 from the computer at hand even when the printer 110 is away. As a result, the productivity of the printing process can be further increased.

  In this embodiment, the “property” dialog box DB1 is provided with a remaining toner meter P5 indicating the remaining amount of toner. Therefore, the remaining amount of toner can be known from the computer at hand. As a result, the productivity of the printing process can be further increased.

  Another embodiment of the present invention will be described next by modifying the first embodiment. The first modification is as follows. In the first embodiment, the right to use the bin (including the face-down tray) is displayed in the character string area a6 in the paper discharge posting column P3. In addition to this configuration, in the first modification, The character string area a6 can also display the presence / absence of leftover of paper discharge in the bin.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the main part in the “property” dialog box displayed in the dialog box display processing of this modification. As shown in the drawing, in the character string area a6 of the display field f24 of “bin 4” in the paper discharge posting column P3, “paper discharge is present” indicating that there is any remaining paper is displayed.

  Specifically, the printer 120 according to the first modification includes 10 bins of a 10-bin multi-bin unit and one face-down tray, each having a discharged sheet remaining sensor for detecting a discharged sheet for each bin and tray. The configuration. This sensor optically detects the presence or absence of paper discharge. Then, the dialog box display processing routine executed by the CPU is changed to the following configuration. That is, in step S160 of the dialog box display processing routine, the detection result of the remaining paper discharge sensor is also received as the printer state. Then, in steps S170 to S190, whether there is any remaining paper discharge from the detection result. The configuration is to be displayed.

  According to this configuration, the user can know from the computer at hand that the sheet is left in the 10-bin multibin unit or the face-down tray even when the printer 110 is away. For this reason, there is an effect that the productivity of the printing process can be further increased.

  A second modification will be described next. In the first embodiment, the name and the like of the paper discharge storage unit are displayed in all of the 11 display fields f21 to f31 corresponding to the 10 bins and one face-down tray as the paper discharge storage unit. It is possible to select a desired delivery destination from the section. However, these 11 options are not necessarily selectable and may not be selectable depending on printing conditions. The second modification has a configuration in which the display fields f21 to f31 of the paper discharge storage unit that cannot be selected depending on the printing conditions are replaced with blanks.

  This second modification differs from the first embodiment in the dialog box display processing executed by the CPU 30, and the other software and hardware are the same.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the characteristic part of this modification of the dialog box display process. When the processing is started, the same processing as that in the first embodiment is executed up to step S140, and then the item corresponding to the character string area a7 of the discharged paper posting column P3 among the various data d1 to d7 read from the RAM 32. Is extracted, and it is determined whether or not an identification name other than itself using the computer 10 is stored in these data (step S242). If an affirmative determination is made here, the areas of the display fields f21 to f31 of the display image memory to which the data corresponding to the identification name other than itself are transferred are replaced with spaces (step S244). Thereafter, the process proceeds to the same step S150 as in the first embodiment.

  If a negative determination is made in step S242, the process proceeds directly to step S150 without performing the process in step S244.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the main part in the “property” dialog box displayed in the dialog box display processing of this modification. As shown in the drawing, the first display field f21 and the third display field f23 in the paper discharge posting column P3 are blank. Both display fields f21 and f23 indicate the right to use “director” and “person in charge” in the first embodiment. When the user of the computer 10 is a “section manager”, it is not possible to select a paper discharge storage section in which “section manager” and “section chief” are set. In this embodiment, as shown in the drawing, the display fields f21 and f23 corresponding to “department manager” and “section chief” are blank, so it can be seen at a glance that they cannot be selected. For this reason, there exists an effect that the operativity of data input is further excellent.

  A third modification will be described next. In the second modification, the display of the display fields f21 to f31 is limited by the right to use the paper discharge storage unit. Instead, in the third modification, the display is set according to the setting for use as a sorter. The display of the fields f21 to f31 is limited.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the characteristic part of this modification of the dialog box display process. When the processing is started, the same processing as that in the first embodiment is executed up to step S140, and then the item corresponding to the character string area a7 of the discharged paper posting column P3 among the various data d1 to d7 read from the RAM 32. Is extracted, and it is determined whether or not use of the sorter is stored in these data (step S342). If an affirmative determination is made here, the areas of the display fields f21 to f31 of the display image memory to which data indicating that the sorter is to be transferred are replaced with spaces (step S344). Thereafter, the process proceeds to the same step S150 as in the first embodiment.

  If a negative determination is made in step S342, the process proceeds directly to step S150 without performing the process in step S344.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the main part in the “property” dialog box displayed in the dialog box display process of this modification. As shown in the drawing, all the display fields f21 to F23 and f28 to f31 other than the fourth to seventh display fields f24 to f27 on which the display with the sorter in the paper discharge posting column P3 is made blank.

  In general, when used as a sorter, a paper discharge storage unit that is not set for use cannot be selected as a paper output destination. In the third modification, as shown in the figure, the display fields f21 to f23 and f28 to f31 corresponding to the paper discharge storage unit that is not set to be used as a sorter are blank, and therefore cannot be selected. Can be seen at a glance. For this reason, there exists an effect that the operativity of data input is further excellent.

  Next, a fourth modification will be described. In the second modified example, the display of the display fields f21 to f31 is limited by the right to use the paper discharge storage unit, and in the third modified example, the display is limited by the setting for use as a sorter. Instead, in the thirty-fourth modified example, the display of the display fields f21 to f31 is limited according to the set paper feed type.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the characteristic part of this modification of the dialog box display process. When the processing is started, the same processing as in the first embodiment is executed up to step S140, and then data indicating the type of paper feed that is currently available from among the various data d1 to d7 read from the RAM 32. Is extracted, and it is determined whether there is a paper discharge storage unit that cannot be sent depending on the type of paper feed (step S442). If the determination is affirmative, the areas of the display fields f21 to f31 on the display image memory corresponding to the undelivered sheet storage unit are replaced with spaces (step S444). Thereafter, the process proceeds to the same step S150 as in the first embodiment.

  If a negative determination is made in step S442, the process proceeds to step S150 as it is without performing the process in step S344.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the main part in the “property” dialog box displayed in the dialog box display processing of this modification. As shown in the figure, when the radio button a5 in the first display field f11 of the paper feed display column P2 is clicked and the “OHP” paper is selected, the OHP paper is a 10-bin multibin unit. Can only be discharged from the face-down tray. In this embodiment, as shown in the figure, the display fields f21 to f30 other than the eleventh display field f31 corresponding to the face-down tray are all blank. For this reason, it can be seen at a glance that the 10-bin multi-bin unit cannot be selected. For this reason, there exists an effect that the operativity of data input is further excellent.

  In the second to fourth modifications, the display fields f21 to f31 that cannot be selected depending on the printing conditions are replaced with blanks. However, these blanks are not necessarily fixed according to the printing conditions. There is no need to. For the display field that the user determines to be a valid paper discharge destination, the original contents of the display field that has become blank can be obtained by performing a specific operation, for example, clicking on the display field that has become blank. It is good also as a structure which restore | restores to the written state and expands the range of the display field displayed.

  Next explained is the second embodiment of the invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the content of the “property” dialog box displayed by the dialog box display processing, and the other software and hardware have the same configuration. Prepare.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a “property” dialog box DB2 in the second embodiment. This dialog box DB2 is displayed from the printer driver of the second printer 120 connected to the computer network 150 (here, it is assumed that the model name is “PR-11”). The “property” dialog box DB 2 includes six types of cards CD 1, CD 2, CD 3, CD 4, CD 5, “information”, “detail”, “share”, “paper setting”, “detail setting”, and “utility”. CD6 is available. Any one of these cards CD1 to CD6 is selected by operating the mouse 20 by the operator and displayed in the dialog box DB1.

  FIG. 17 illustrates a dialog box DB2 in which the “detailed setting” card CD5 is opened. In the “detailed settings” card CD5 of the dialog box DB2, a substantially rectangular figure P11 is drawn at the center, and a plurality of (three in this example) horizontally long rectangular figures are drawn on the left side of the figure P11. P21, P22, and P23 are joined, and on the right side of the figure P11, a plurality of (in this example, five) horizontally long rectangular figures P31, P32, P33, p34, and P35 are joined. In addition, the line of the junction part between each figure is erase | eliminated.

  The figure P11 corresponds to the printer 110, the figures P21 to P23 correspond to the three paper feed storage units set in the printer 110, and the figures P31 to P35 correspond to the five paper feed storage units set in the printer 110. Corresponds to the discharge storage section. Within these figures P11, P21 to P23, the contents of the settings in the corresponding parts can be displayed.

  Since the figure P11 corresponds to the printer 110 as described above, information about basic settings related to print quality is displayed in the figure P11. Specifically, information about “print quality”, “microweave”, “bidirectional printing”, and “color adjustment” is displayed in the display areas E1, E2, E3, and E4.

  “Print quality” indicates the resolution to be printed, and “Draft”, “Fine”, or “Super Fine” is displayed. Here, “draft”, “fine”, and “superfine” indicate resolutions of 360 × 360 (dot), 720 × 360 (dot), and 720 × 720 (dot) in this order. “Microweave” is a function provided in a printer, and print quality can be improved by overprinting one dot by different heads scanning the same line. Shows whether this feature is on or off.

  “Bidirectional printing” is a function provided in the printer, and the printing speed can be increased by moving different heads from the left and right sides. Shows whether this feature is on or off. “Color adjustment” is used to set various information related to color correction, and “Color correction by driver”, “Video / digital TV camera mode”, or “ICM” is displayed.

  The information about the “print quality”, “microweave”, “bidirectional printing”, and “color adjustment” is set by adjusting the slide lever type button E10 provided on the upper side of the figure P11.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, characters “clean” and “fast” are clearly shown on both ends of the slide lever displayed as the button E <b> 10, and the slide lever portion is dragged by the mouse 20. Thus, either “clean” or “fast” can be selected. The options by the button E10 are parameter values such as “clean” and “fast” as described above. This is when “plain paper” is set in the set “paper type” data. belongs to. On the other hand, when other paper types are set in the “paper type” data, other multiple parameter values, specifically “cleaner”, “clean”, “standard”, “ Any two parameter values selected from “fast” are displayed. Here, “fast” means that the printing speed is fast but the printing quality is slightly inferior. This “fast” is also a kind of parameter value that determines the degree of printing quality.

  The above-mentioned parameter values such as “cleaner”, “cleaner”, “standard”, and “fast” determine the degree of printing quality step by step, and one parameter value is selected by this slide lever type button E10. Then, the computer 10 executes processing for obtaining the above-mentioned “print quality”, “microweave”, “bidirectional printing”, and “color adjustment” from the selected parameter value. The obtained result is displayed in the display areas E1, E2, E3, E4 inside the figure P11. The display areas E1, E2, E3, and E4 are configured to open a pull-down menu for storing a plurality of options when clicked with the mouse. By selecting a desired one from the pull-down menu, , “Print quality”, “Microweave”, “Bidirectional printing”, and “Color adjustment” can be changed.

  Information about “paper size”, “paper type”, and “printing direction” is displayed in each of the figures P21 to P23. These display contents can be changed by the “paper setting” card CD4. In this embodiment, only the information about “paper size”, “paper type”, and “printing direction” can be understood from the description inside the figures P21 to P23. Similarly to the first embodiment, a configuration in which one can be selected from the graphics P21 to P23 by using a radio button or the like may be selected so that the paper storage unit to be used can be selected.

  As described above, the figures P31 to P35 correspond to the paper discharge storage unit, and can also be configured to display information related to the paper discharge therein. In the illustrated example, there is no particular display inside. In the same manner as in the first embodiment, a check box can be provided, a usage right indicated by “manager”, “section manager”, or the like can be displayed, or a message indicating that it is used as a sorter can be displayed.

  A data input field E11 for setting the number of copies is provided above the figures P31 to P35.

  The “property” dialog box whose display contents are determined as described above is displayed by a dialog box display processing routine executed by the CPU 30. The processing routine of this dialog box display is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted here, but the main point is that the base image data is displayed and the display contents change. Is configured to display the contents determined from various data stored up to the previous processing.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, the “property” dialog box DB2 is displayed. On the “detailed setting” card in this dialog box DB1, a graphic P11 corresponding to the printer, and a feed The graphics P21 to P23 corresponding to the paper storage unit and the graphics P31 to P35 corresponding to the paper discharge storage unit are displayed in association with each other depending on the joined state.

  For this reason, when both the paper feed setting and the paper discharge setting are to be performed, it is not necessary to switch cards as in the prior art, and the series of processes such as paper feeding, printing, and paper discharging are related. Since it can be known, there is an effect that the operability of data input is excellent.

  In the second embodiment, since information about basic settings related to print quality is displayed in the figure P11 corresponding to the printer, the user can obtain information about basic settings related to print quality. It is easy to know. As a result, the operability of data input is more excellent.

  Further, the information about the basic settings can be selected by operating the mouse 20, and when the selection is made, the information can be changed from the pull-down menu. Is easy. As a result, the operability of data input is more excellent.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described by modifying the second embodiment. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a “property” dialog box DB3 in a modification of the second embodiment. On the “detailed setting” card CD5 in this dialog box DB3, graphics P11, graphics P21 to P23, and graphics P31 to P35 that are substantially the same as those in the second embodiment are displayed. The difference from the second embodiment is that the content displayed on the graphic P11 corresponding to the printer is different.

  As shown in the drawing, in this modified example, the sheet conveyance path during printing in the printer is displayed in the figure P11 by a line segment LN with an arrow. This display is performed by connecting the selected paper feed storage section to the selected paper discharge storage section with a line segment LN with an arrow.

  In a modified example of such a configuration, the user can know the sheet conveyance path during printing in the printer. As a result, it is possible to know at a glance the paper feed position, the paper discharge destination and its transport path.

  In this modification, the conveyance path is indicated by an arrow line, but it may be configured to show the conveyance path with an animation image in which the paper moves sequentially.

  Furthermore, it is also possible to display the front and back of the paper when it is discharged. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying a dialog box DB4 as an example showing the front and back of a sheet when it is discharged. As shown in the figure, an image PP is displayed with hatching on one side of the paper. The hatched surface indicates that the document is a surface as it is drawn. According to the modified example of such a configuration, the front and back of the paper can be easily known.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such an Example at all, In the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it can implement in a various aspect.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the hardware of the computer system to which 1st Example of this invention is applied. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a state of processing from image information handled by the computer main body 16 until printing is performed. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a “property” dialog box DB1; FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a “bin name edit” window WD displayed when the “bin name edit” button bt1 is clicked. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the paper discharge | emission notice column P3 when setting as a sorter. It is a flowchart which shows the information setting process routine performed with CPU30. It is a flowchart which shows the processing routine of a dialog box display. It is explanatory drawing which shows the base image data DT. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display image data after various data d1-dn were added. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part in the dialog box of the "property" displayed by the 1st modification. It is a flowchart which shows the characteristic part of the process of the dialog box display in a 2nd modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part in the dialog box of the "property" displayed by the 2nd modification. It is a flowchart which shows the characteristic part of the process of the dialog box display in a 3rd modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part in the dialog box of the "property" displayed by the 3rd modification. It is a flowchart which shows the characteristic part of the process of the dialog box display in a 4th modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part in the dialog box of the "property" displayed by the 4th modification. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates dialog box DB2 of "property" in 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates dialog box DB3 of "property" in the modification of 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates dialog box DB4 as an example which shows the front and back of the paper when it is discharged.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Computer 12 ... CRT display 16 ... Computer body 18 ... Keyboard 20 ... Mouse 22 ... Floppy disk 24 ... Floppy disk drive 30 ... CPU
31 ... ROM
32 ... RAM
33 ... Display image memory 34 ... Mouse interface 35 ... Keyboard interface 36 ... FDC
37 ... HDC
38 ... CRTC
39 ... Printer interface 40 ... Network control circuit 41 ... HDD
51 ... Application program 52 ... Video driver 53 ... Printer driver 54 ... Rasterizer 55 ... Color correction module 56 ... Halftone module 57 ... Information setting module 57a ... Display control Section 57b ... Printer status receiving section 100 ... Computer 110, 120 ... Printer 130 ... Server 150 ... Computer network P1 ... Image P2 ... Paper feed column P3 ... Exhaust Paper posting field P4 ... Window P5 ... Toner level meter a1 ... Character string area a2 ... Character string area a3 ... Character string area a4 ... Paper level meter a5 ... Radio Button a6 ... Character string area a7 ... Character string area a8 ... Check box

Claims (48)

A display device and an input device are provided, and a screen area for data input is displayed on the display device, and based on input data from the input device according to the contents of the screen area, printing for a predetermined printing device is performed. A print information setting device for setting various information,
In the screen area, a printing device image that is an image corresponding to the printing device, a paper feed posting column indicating information relating to paper feeding to the printing device, and information relating to paper discharge from the printing device are illustrated. A print information setting device comprising display control means for displaying in association with a paper discharge posting column.   The print information setting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit includes a unit that displays a pictorial diagram showing an appearance of the printing apparatus as the printing apparatus image.   3. The printing according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit includes a unit that arranges the paper feed posting column on one side of the printing apparatus image and the paper discharge posting column on the other side of the printing apparatus image. Information setting device.   The display control means has means for displaying, in the screen area, a line that associates the printing device image with a paper feed posting column, and a line that associates the printing device image with the paper discharge posting column, respectively. The print information setting device according to claim 1, further comprising: The print information setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The display control means includes
Paper feed storage section display means for displaying a plurality of images respectively corresponding to a plurality of paper feed storage sections set in the printing apparatus in the paper feed posting field;
Among the plurality of images displayed by the sheet storage unit display means, an image corresponding to a sheet storage unit that is currently usable by the printing apparatus is defined as an image of another sheet storage unit. A print information setting device comprising: a paper feed storage unit identification display unit that displays the information in a distinguishable manner. The print information setting device according to claim 5,
A sheet storage unit selecting unit that selects one image from the plurality of images displayed on the sheet storage unit display unit based on input data from the input device;
A print information setting device comprising: a paper feed storage unit setting unit that sets the selected paper feed storage unit as a paper feed storage unit that is currently in use by the printing apparatus. The print information setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A paper remaining amount information receiving means for receiving information about the remaining amount of paper fed from the printing apparatus;
The print information setting device, wherein the display control means includes a remaining amount of paper supply display means for displaying a remaining amount of paper supply based on the received information. The print information setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A paper discharge remaining information receiving means for receiving information about a state of paper discharge remaining from the printing apparatus;
The print information setting device, wherein the display control means includes a paper discharge extraction information display means for displaying a state of paper discharge remaining based on the received information.   9. The discharge control unit according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit includes a discharge storage unit display unit that displays a plurality of images respectively corresponding to a plurality of discharge storage units set in the printing apparatus in the discharge sheet posting column. The print information setting device according to any one of the above. The print information setting device according to claim 9,
Among the plurality of images displayed by the paper discharge storage section display means, an image corresponding to a paper discharge storage section that is currently usable by the printing apparatus is taken as an image of another paper discharge storage section. A print information setting device comprising: a paper discharge storage unit identification display unit that displays information in a distinguishable manner. The print information setting device according to claim 10,
A paper discharge storage unit selection unit that selects one or a plurality of images from the plurality of images displayed on the paper discharge storage unit display unit based on input data from the input device;
A print information setting device comprising: a discharge storage unit setting unit that sets the selected discharge storage unit as a discharge storage unit that is currently in use by the printing apparatus. The print information setting device according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
Use right setting means for individually setting a user's right to use in the plurality of paper discharge storage units;
The display control means includes means for displaying the plurality of images displayed by the paper discharge storage section display means with usage right information indicating the usage right of the paper discharge storage section corresponding to the image. A print information setting device provided. The print information setting device according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
Sorter setting means for setting use as a sorter for a plurality of paper discharge storage units selected from the plurality of paper discharge storage units,
The display control means includes printing information including means for displaying information indicating use as a sorter with respect to the image corresponding to the paper discharge storage unit set to be used as a sorter by the sorter setting means. Setting device. The print information setting device according to claim 9,
Use discharge storage unit setting means for setting a usable discharge storage unit from the plurality of discharge storage units based on printing conditions;
A display information setting device comprising: a display restriction unit that restricts display on the paper discharge storage unit display unit so that only images corresponding to the set usable paper discharge storage units are displayed. The print information setting device according to claim 14,
Use right setting means for individually setting a user's right to use in the plurality of paper discharge storage units;
The print information setting device, wherein the use discharge storage unit setting unit sets the set use right as the print condition. The print information setting device according to claim 14,
Sorter setting means for setting use as a sorter for a plurality of paper discharge storage units selected from the plurality of paper discharge storage units,
The used paper discharge storage setting unit is a print information setting device configured to set use as the set sorter as the printing condition. The print information setting device according to claim 14,
Means for setting the type of paper feed to the printing apparatus;
The used paper discharge storage setting unit is a print information setting device configured to set the set type of paper feed as the printing condition. The print information setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
Operation state information receiving means for receiving information about the operation state of the printing apparatus;
An operation state display unit that displays an operation state based on the received information in the screen area. The print information setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
Consumables remaining amount information receiving means for receiving information about the remaining amount of consumables from the printing device;
A print information setting device comprising: a consumables remaining amount display unit for displaying a remaining amount of consumables based on the received information in the screen area.   The print information setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the display control means includes basic setting information display control means for displaying information on basic settings relating to print quality at a position of the printing device image.   21. A unit configured to make the information displayed by the basic setting information display control unit selectable by an operation using the input device, and to change the information when the selection is made. The print information setting device described in 1.   The print information setting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the display control unit includes a unit that displays an image indicating a paper conveyance path during printing in the printing apparatus at a position of the printing apparatus image. This is a print information setting method for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printing device based on input data from the input device according to the contents of the screen region while displaying a screen region for data input on the display device. And
(A) In the screen area, a printing device image that is an image corresponding to the printing device, a paper feed posting column indicating information relating to paper feeding to the printing device, and a paper discharge from the printing device A print information setting method comprising a step of displaying in association with a paper discharge posting column indicating information.   The printing information setting method according to claim 23, wherein the step (a) includes a step of displaying a pictorial diagram showing an appearance of the printing apparatus as the printing apparatus image.   24. The printing information according to claim 23, wherein the step (a) includes a step of arranging the paper feed posting column on one side of the printing device image and the paper discharge posting column on the other side of the printing device image. Setting method.   The step (a) is a step of displaying, in the screen area, a line that associates the printing device image with a paper feed posting column and a line that associates the printing device image with the paper discharge posting column. A print information setting method according to any one of claims 23 to 25. While displaying a screen area for data input on a display device, a computer program for setting various information for printing in a predetermined printing device is recorded based on input data from the input device according to the contents of the screen region A computer-readable recording medium,
The computer program is
(A) In the screen area, a printing device image that is an image corresponding to the printing device, a paper feed posting column indicating information relating to paper feeding to the printing device, and a paper discharge from the printing device A computer-readable recording medium for causing the computer to realize a function of displaying in association with a paper discharge posting column indicating information.   28. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 27, wherein the function (a) includes a function of displaying a pictorial diagram showing an appearance of the printing apparatus as the printing apparatus image.   29. The function (a) according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the function (a) includes a function of arranging the paper feed posting column on one side of the printing device image and the paper discharge posting column on the other side of the printing device image. Computer-readable recording medium.   The function (a) is a function for displaying, in the screen area, a line that associates the printing device image with a paper feed posting column and a line that associates the printing device image with the paper discharge posting column. A computer-readable recording medium according to any one of claims 27 to 29. A computer-readable recording medium according to any one of claims 27 to 30,
The function (a) is:
(A1) a function of displaying a plurality of images respectively corresponding to a plurality of paper feed storage units set in the printing apparatus in the paper feed posting column;
(A2) Among the plurality of images displayed by the function (a1), an image corresponding to a sheet storage unit that is currently usable by the printing apparatus is displayed as an image of another sheet storage unit. And a computer-readable recording medium having a function of displaying the information in an identifiable manner. A computer-readable recording medium according to claim 31,
The computer program further includes:
(B) a function of selecting one image from the plurality of images displayed in the function (a1) based on input data from the input device;
(C) A computer-readable recording medium for causing the computer to realize a function of setting the selected paper feed storage unit as a paper feed storage unit that is currently usable in the printing apparatus. . A computer-readable recording medium according to any one of claims 27 to 32, wherein
The computer program further includes:
(D) for causing the computer to realize a function of receiving information about the remaining amount of paper feed from the printing apparatus;
The function (a) is:
(A3) A computer-readable recording medium having a function of displaying a remaining amount of paper feed based on the information received by the function (d). A computer-readable recording medium according to any one of claims 27 to 33,
The computer program further includes:
(E) for causing the computer to realize a function of receiving information about the status of undischarged paper from the printing apparatus;
The function (a) is:
(A4) A computer-readable recording medium having a function of displaying a left-out state of discharged paper based on the information received by the function (e). The function (a) is:
35. The computer-readable device according to claim 27, further comprising: (f) a function of displaying a plurality of images respectively corresponding to a plurality of paper discharge storage units set in the printing apparatus in the paper discharge posting column. Recording medium. A computer readable recording medium according to claim 35, comprising:
The computer program further includes:
(G) Among the plurality of images displayed by the function (f), an image corresponding to a paper discharge storage unit that is currently usable by the printing apparatus is displayed as an image of another paper discharge storage unit. A computer-readable recording medium for causing the computer to realize a function of displaying information in a distinguishable manner. A computer-readable recording medium according to claim 36,
The computer program further includes:
(H) a function of selecting one or a plurality of images from the plurality of images displayed in the function (g) based on input data from the input device;
A computer-readable recording medium for causing the computer to realize a function of setting the selected paper discharge storage unit as a paper discharge storage unit that is currently in use by the printing apparatus. A computer-readable recording medium according to any one of claims 35 to 37,
The computer program further includes:
(I) for causing the computer to realize a function of individually setting a use right of a user in the plurality of paper discharge storage units;
The function (a) is:
(A5) A computer-readable function comprising a function of displaying the plurality of images displayed in the function (f) with usage right information indicating the usage right of the paper discharge storage unit corresponding to the images. recoding media. A computer-readable recording medium according to any one of claims 35 to 38,
The computer program further includes:
(J) for causing the computer to realize a function of setting a plurality of paper discharge storage units selected from the plurality of paper discharge storage units to be used as a sorter;
The function (a) is:
(A6) A computer-readable device having a function of displaying information indicating use as a sorter with respect to the image corresponding to the paper discharge storage unit set to be used as a sorter by the function (j). recoding media. A computer readable recording medium according to claim 35, comprising:
The computer program further includes:
(K) a function of setting a usable paper discharge storage section from the plurality of paper discharge storage sections based on printing conditions;
(L) for causing the computer to realize a function of restricting display on the paper discharge storage unit display means so that only images corresponding to the set usable paper discharge storage units are displayed. A computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium according to claim 40,
The computer program further includes:
(M) for causing the computer to realize a function of individually setting a use right of a user in the plurality of paper discharge storage units;
The function (k) is a computer-readable recording medium configured to set the set usage right as the printing condition. A computer-readable recording medium according to claim 40,
The computer program further includes:
(N) for causing the computer to realize a function of setting a plurality of paper discharge storage units selected from the plurality of paper discharge storage units to be used as a sorter;
The function (k) is a computer-readable recording medium configured to set use as the set sorter as the printing condition. A computer-readable recording medium according to claim 40,
The computer program further includes:
(O) for causing the computer to realize a function of setting a type of paper feeding to the printing apparatus;
The function (k) is a computer-readable recording medium configured to set the set paper feed type as the printing condition. A computer-readable recording medium according to any one of claims 27 to 43,
The computer program further includes:
(P) a function of receiving information about the operating state of the printing apparatus;
(Q) A computer-readable recording medium for causing the computer to realize a function of displaying an operation state based on the received information in the screen area. A computer-readable recording medium according to any one of claims 27 to 44, wherein
The computer program further includes:
(R) a function of receiving information about the remaining amount of consumables from the printing apparatus;
(S) A computer-readable recording medium comprising: a function for displaying a remaining amount of consumables based on the received information in the screen area. The function (a) is:
The computer-readable recording medium according to any one of claims 27 to 45, further comprising: (a7) a function of displaying information on basic settings relating to print quality at a position of the printing apparatus image. A computer-readable recording medium according to claim 46,
The computer program further includes:
(T) A function that allows the information displayed by the function (a7) to be selected by an operation using the input device and configured to change the information when the selection is made. A computer-readable recording medium for realizing. The function (a) is:
The computer-readable recording medium according to any one of claims 27 to 47, further comprising: (u) a function of displaying an image indicating a paper conveyance path during printing in the printing apparatus at a position of the printing apparatus image.

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