JP2010186275A - Information processing program, information processor, electronic apparatus, and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to smoothly perform a setting work and processing in various kinds of applications. <P>SOLUTION: A printer driver P1 for receiving print setting data D1 and performing processing based on the print setting data D1 includes: a keyword retrieval module M1 for acquiring print setting, which is associated with a keyword inputted to a keyword input part A by referring to a retrieval keyword database D2, and setting values, and displaying setting candidates in a candidate display part C, based on the print setting and the setting values; and a print setting module M2 for receiving an operation input for selecting one of the candidates, and automatically recording the setting value corresponding to the selected candidate in the print setting data D1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing program, an information processing apparatus, an electronic apparatus, and a printing apparatus, and more particularly to an information processing program, an information processing apparatus, an electronic apparatus, and a printing apparatus that accept a predetermined setting and perform processing based on the setting.

  In recent years, printers have become multifunctional in order to meet the diverse needs of users. However, with the increased functionality of printers, the number of user interface (UI) print settings for making various settings in the printer driver has also increased, and there are too many functions to know where the print settings are located. Problems such as being unable to grasp what functions the driver has are occurring. As a general countermeasure for solving such a problem, as shown in FIG. 12, a function such as “basic setting” and “applied setting” is grouped for each function and can be selected and displayed on a tab or the like. Has been taken.

  As a technique for solving a part of the above problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a single print condition setting screen by collecting print condition setting screens corresponding to a plurality of print conditions selected in a predetermined print condition. It is described that it is created and displayed. According to the technique of Patent Document 1, since the user can easily find the location of the setting item set in the default printing condition, the setting operation is facilitated.

JP 2004-206553 A

If a large number of setting items are grouped and displayed as described above, it will be easier for the user to find the target setting item, but the user will have to find the target setting item from the large number of setting items. There is no. In addition, the criteria for grouping setting items are different for each company, and even for the same manufacturer, it differs depending on the model, version, and printer category (inkjet printer, laser printer, SIDM (Serial Impact Dot Matrix) printer). Standards may be adopted. Therefore, until the user gets used to the difference in operation feeling, it is not easy for the user to find the target setting item.
Further, although the technique described in Patent Document 1 can easily find a setting item corresponding to the default printing condition from a large number of setting items, the setting item that does not correspond to the default printing condition can only be found by the user himself, and is unknown. Because it is not a technology that makes it easy for users to find these functions, the above problem has not been solved sufficiently. Note that the user's trouble of finding a desired one from a large number of options can also occur in an application menu or the like.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an information processing program, an information processing apparatus, an electronic apparatus, and a printing apparatus that allow a user to smoothly perform setting operations and processes in various applications.

  In order to solve the above problems, the information processing program of the present invention accepts keyword input. In order to execute the setting desired by the user, information indicating the purpose of the user is necessary. Therefore, the user's purpose is input as a keyword, and the input reception function receives this keyword. Keywords are prepared in advance according to settings that can be executed by the information processing program, and keywords and settings are associated in advance. Note that one or more settings may be associated with each keyword. Based on the association and the keyword, the setting intended by the user is narrowed down, and the display function is displayed with the narrowed setting as a candidate. The user performs an operation input for selecting one of the displayed candidates, and the selection reception function receives the operation input and specifies the setting intended by the user. The setting function automatically performs the specified processing. Therefore, the user can smoothly perform the setting operation without taking the trouble of searching for the desired setting item on the menu or setting screen.

  As a specific example of the association between the keyword and the setting, the database includes a database in which the keyword, the setting content, and the setting value are associated, and the display function is the keyword received by the input receiving function in the database. The setting content associated with is acquired and displayed as the candidate, and the setting function acquires a setting value associated with the keyword accepted by the input reception function in the database and based on the setting value May be set.

  There may be incidental settings in the settings intended by the user. As a selective aspect suitable in such a case, the display function specifies a main setting specified by the keyword and a sub-setting executable in relation to the main setting, and the main setting Variations of settings that can be executed by combining the sub-settings may be displayed as the candidates. Of course, the settings that the user wants to make are the main settings that are directly related to the keyword, but by displaying the accompanying settings at the same time, the user can be informed of the settings that the user did not notice. Therefore, the user's knowledge is enriched, and the user can use the set device more effectively. In addition, by performing the incidentally executable processing at the same time, it is possible to reduce the trouble of inputting a keyword and selecting a candidate.

  A function for executing the setting exists other than the input reception function, the display function, the selection reception function, and the setting function. The information processing program obtains and displays the setting at the timing of execution, and sets the setting by an individual setting function that individually accepts the change operation of the setting, the input reception function, the display function, the selection reception function, and the setting function. The function to be performed may be executed independently of each other, and the setting function may perform the setting corresponding to the candidate and update the setting acquired by the individual setting function. With this configuration, since the setting changed by the setting function is reflected in the contents displayed by the individual setting function, it is possible to prevent a mistake that the setting before the change is accidentally overwritten.

  As an optional aspect for facilitating database update and grasping user search status, the information processing program has a function of accessing a server connected via a predetermined computer network. And the database stored in the server is associated with the setting content and the setting value, and the display function is accepted by the input receiving function in the database on the server. The setting content associated with the keyword is acquired and displayed as the candidate, and the setting function acquires the setting value associated with the keyword accepted by the input reception function in the database on the server. The setting may be made based on the set value. Therefore, a user-friendly database can be constructed and updated according to the user's usage status, or appropriate advice can be given according to the user's usage status.

  When the function of the information processing program of the present invention is executed from an application, it may be executed as an add-in of a predetermined application program as a preferable selective aspect. If it is an add-in, it can be placed in a location where it can be easily accessed in the program.

  The information processing program described above includes various modes such as being executed as a part of another program or installed in an information processing apparatus and executed. Of course, it goes without saying that the information processing program of the present invention can be applied to a printer driver for performing print control of a printer. The present invention can also be realized as an electronic device or an information processing apparatus provided with means corresponding to each function of the information processing program. The present invention also provides an information processing system including an information processing apparatus for executing the information processing program, an information processing method for executing information processing in a process corresponding to the above-described function configuration, and a computer readable recording of the information processing program It can also be realized as a simple recording medium. The inventions of the information processing apparatus, the electronic device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the medium on which the information processing program is recorded also have the operations and effects described above. Of course, the configurations described in claims 2 to 6 are also applicable to the system, the apparatus, the electronic device, the method, and the recording medium.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the software configuration of a computer. It is a table | surface explaining an example of KDB correlation. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a print setting UI. 6 is a flowchart of print setting processing. 10 is a block diagram showing a software configuration according to Modification 1. FIG. 10 is a table showing an example of KDB association according to Modification 1; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a data flow related to a print setting process according to a second modification. It is a figure which shows the concept of an application add-in. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of Modification 4. 10 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of Modification 5. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional print setting UI.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) Configuration of information processing apparatus:
(1-1) Hardware configuration:
(1-2) Software configuration:
(2) Print setting process:
(3) Modification 1:
(4) Modification 2:
(5) Modification 3:
(6) Modification 4:
(7) Modification 5:
(8) Other variations:
(9) Summary:

(1) Configuration of information processing apparatus:
(1-1) Hardware configuration:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the computer 100 constitutes an information processing apparatus and electronic device according to the present invention, and the printer driver P1 executed in the computer 100 constitutes an information processing program. FIG. 1 shows the hardware configuration of a computer 100 and a printer 200 controlled by the computer 100.

  In the computer 100, a CPU 11, RAM 12, ROM 13, HDD 14, CD-ROM drive 15, flexible disk drive 16, various interface (I / F) 17 to 19 and the like are connected to the system bus 10, and the CPU 11 is connected to the computer 100 according to a program. Control the whole. The HDD 14 stores an operating system (OS), an application program (APL), a printer driver (PRTDRV) program, and the like, and these programs are appropriately transferred to the RAM 12 and executed. In addition to these programs, the HDD 14 stores print setting data D1 and a search keyword database (KDB) D2. The print setting data D1 can be composed of Devmode, PrintTicket, etc. for general purposes, but of course may be recorded in other formats. The print setting data D1 can be appropriately changed by PRTDRV P1.

  A printer 200 is connected to the USB I / F 19. A display 17a is connected to the I / F 17, and a keyboard 18a and a mouse 18b are connected to the I / F 18 as operation input devices. The user can input a character string or move the cursor by operating the keyboard 18a or the mouse 18b.

  In the printer 200, a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, a USB I / F 24, a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit 25, a display 26, an operation panel 27 and the like are connected to the ASIC 20 and can communicate with each other via the internal bus of the ASIC 20. ing. The CPU 21 controls each unit according to a program recorded in the ROM 23.

The ASIC 20 controls an image processing circuit 20a that performs image processing on image data to be printed, and circuits for controlling each circuit (CPU 21, RAM 22, ROM 23, USB I / F 24, PWM circuit 25, display 26, operation panel 27, etc.). Is provided. The image processing circuit 20a generates print data that can be interpreted by the print engine 30 based on the print data, image data, and the like, and transmits the generated print data to the PWM circuit 25 in parallel in units of 8 bits.
The print data is data created in the page description language in the PRTDRV of the computer 100. The image data is a USB memory connected to the computer 100 or USB I / F, bitmap image data input from a media card reader (not shown), image data compressed by JPEG, or the like.
The PWM circuit 25 converts the print data transmitted from the ASIC 20 into PWM data and outputs it to the print engine 30. The print engine 30 controls the toner cartridge, the photosensitive drum, the laser beam irradiation mechanism, the paper feed mechanism, the paper supply / discharge mechanism, and the like according to the print data, and performs laser type printing processing.

(1-2) Software configuration:
Next, a software configuration for realizing the present invention with the above-described hardware will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the computer 100. In the computer 100, PRTDRV P1 is executed under the control of the OS, and a driver (not shown) that controls communication via the USB I / F 19 is also executed under the control of the OS.

  The PRTDRV P1 includes a keyword search module M1, a print setting module M2, and a print module M3. In the computer 100, when the user instructs the display of the print condition setting screen of the printer 200 or the execution of printing in the APL P2 or the like, the PRTDRV P1 displays a user interface (hereinafter referred to as a print setting UI) for setting the print conditions. Is displayed on the display 17a.

The keyword search module M1 acquires a keyword that the user inputs from the keyboard 18a and the mouse 18b, and searches KDB D2 using this keyword.
The KDB D2 stores a correspondence relationship between keywords, print settings (item names), and set values. Note that print settings associated with keywords in KDB D2 include not only main print settings as print settings directly related to keywords, but also subordinate print settings (hereinafter referred to as print settings that can be set simultaneously with the main print settings). May also be associated together). If only the main print setting is registered, the main print setting is displayed as a candidate. However, for a keyword associated with both the main print setting and the sub print setting, all variations that can be combined are displayed as candidates. .

  FIG. 3 is a table for explaining an example of association of KDB D2. Assume that keywords, print setting item names, and setting values described in the same column in FIG. For example, when “A4” is associated as the main print setting and three “two-sided”, “four-sided”, and “double-sided” are associated as the sub-printing settings, “A4” is selected as a candidate. , “A4, 2-sided”, “A4, 4-sided”, “A4, double-sided”, “A4, 2-sided, double-sided”, “A4, 4-sided, double-sided” are displayed. The This is because “4-sided” and “2-sided” cannot be set at the same time, whereas “A4”, “imposition”, and “double-sided printing” can be set at the same time. When there is a main print setting, the main print setting is included in all variations. That is, all combinations of the main print settings and the sub print settings that can be set simultaneously while including the main print settings are displayed as the candidates. In the present embodiment, the main print setting constitutes the main setting, and the sub print setting constitutes the sub setting.

  Since the KDB D2 is configured as described above, the keyword search module M1 can acquire the processing content related to the keyword when the keyword is found in the KDB D2. Then, the keyword search module M1 can display the acquired processing content on the display 17a as a search result. In the present embodiment, each of the search results or the variations constitutes a candidate.

  The print setting module M2 identifies one of the search results displayed on the display 17a based on an operation input performed by the user via the keyboard 18a or the mouse 18b, and sets a setting value associated with the identified candidate. That is, the print setting module M2 acquires the setting value associated with the candidate from the KDB D2, and reflects this setting value in the print setting data.

  The print module M3 generates print data by performing processing for converting the print setting data into the page description language while reflecting the setting of the print setting data in the print job based on the print command output from the APL P2, and outputs the print data to the printer 200. At this time, the print module does not need to directly accept a print command from APL P2, and the OS may mediate between APL P2 and the printer driver, for example. That is, the print command may be input to the print module in response to the print command output from the APL P2.

(2) Print setting process:
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface (hereinafter, referred to as a print setting UI) for setting print conditions of PRTDRV P1. The print setting UI can be displayed by switching the five tabs of setting search Tab0, basic setting Tab1, application setting Tab2, environment setting Tab3, and utility Tab4, and a plurality of print settings can be displayed according to a predetermined standard for each property of the print setting. ~ Tab 4 are displayed separately. In other words, in the print setting UI according to the present embodiment, the user can find and set the desired print setting from among the grouped print settings, but can also perform print setting using keyword search.

  The setting search Tab0 includes a keyword input part A, a search execution button B, and a candidate display part C. The user activates the keyword input unit A and operates the keyboard 18a to input a keyword related to a setting process to be performed, and operates the mouse 18b or the like to click a search execution button to search for a setting candidate related to the keyword. can do. Since the search result is displayed on the candidate display unit C, the user operates the keyboard 18a and the mouse 18b to select a desired candidate from the candidates displayed on the candidate display unit C. Then, the setting specified by the selected candidate is reflected in the print setting of PRTDRV P1. Of course, the setting specified by the selected candidate is not reflected immediately, but a setting reflection button or the like may be provided so that the setting is reflected after the button is clicked. Hereinafter, the print setting process executed by the print condition setting module will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the print setting process executed by the print setting module M2. In this embodiment, the print setting process shown in FIG. 5 is started when the [Setting Search] tab is selected in the print setting UI of FIG.

  In step S100 (hereinafter, “step” is omitted), it is determined whether or not a keyword search is instructed. That is, it is determined whether or not a character string is input to the keyword input part A of the print setting UI and the search execution button B is clicked. If the keyword is input to the keyword input unit A and the search execution button B is clicked, the process proceeds to S105. If the search execution button B is not clicked, the process proceeds to S115.

  In step S105, the print setting item name and setting value associated with the input keyword are acquired. That is, the print setting module M2 accesses the KDB D2 of the HDD 14 and searches for the keyword acquired in step S100 from the keywords registered in the KDB D2. If the keyword is registered in KDB D2, the print setting item name and setting value associated with the keyword are acquired.

  In S110, print setting candidates are displayed based on the print setting item name and setting value acquired in S105. As described above, all combinations of the main print settings and the sub print settings that can be simultaneously set while including the main print settings are displayed as the candidates. Whether or not the print settings can be set at the same time can be determined by whether or not the print settings are related to the same type of setting value. For example, in KDB D2 shown in FIG. 3, “SettingValue3 = 2” is associated with the keyword “double-sided” as the setting value of “2-sided”, and “SettingValue3 = 4” is set as the setting value of “4-sided”. Are associated with each other, it can be determined that “two-sided” and “four-sided” are set values for the same type of setting value “SettingValue3”. Of course, the same determination can be made by separately preparing a database related to the same type of setting value and referring to it, or by adding a flag indicating the same type of print setting and recording it in KDB D2.

  In step S115, it is determined whether an operation input for selecting any of the candidates displayed in step S110 has been performed. That is, it is determined whether or not the user has performed an operation of selecting one of the candidates using the keyboard 18a or the mouse 18b. If the user performs a candidate selection operation, the process proceeds to S120. If the candidate selection operation is not performed, a search by another keyword may be performed, and thus the processing from S100 is repeated.

  In step S120, the printing condition corresponding to the candidate selected in step S115 is set. That is, the print setting data D1 is automatically updated with the setting value associated with the candidate. Accordingly, in the printing process executed thereafter, printing is executed based on the updated print setting data D1.

  Note that when setting the printing conditions in S120, the print settings displayed in Tab2 to Tab4 such as other basic settings and application settings may be changed so that the changed settings are displayed. That is, when the print setting UI is activated, print setting data is acquired as a setting value of the current print setting and temporarily stored in the RAM 12 or the like, but the setting value temporarily stored in the RAM 12 is changed. Then, when tabs such as basic settings and application settings are displayed after S120 is executed, the updated setting values are displayed in the state where each print setting is set, so that the user is not confused. In addition, there is a possibility that the user may display other tabs Tab1 to Tab4 and press the “OK” button of the print setting UI after changing the print settings in the setting search Tab0, but the print settings of the tabs Tab1 to Tab4 in advance. In this case, it is possible to avoid the situation where the print setting before the change in S120 is overwritten on the print setting data D1.

(3) Modification 1:
In the embodiment described above, an example in which the print setting is changed using the keyword search has been described. However, not only the print setting but also the other program may be started using the keyword search. In this modification, a process for starting a help file for print settings as another program and displaying a part in which a specific description of the help file is displayed will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a software configuration according to this modification. As shown in the figure, the PRTDRV P1 according to the present modification includes a keyword search module M1, a process execution module M21, and a print module M3. The keyword search module M1 and the print module M3 have the same functions as those in the above-described embodiment, and the process execution module M21 has a function of the print setting module M2 in the above embodiment and discriminates a control command and a print setting value. And a function for executing a control command. The hardware configuration according to this modification is the same as the configuration of FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a table showing an example of association of KDB D21 according to this modification. In the KDB D21 of this modification, keywords, processing contents, and control data are stored in association with each other. The processing content is a phrase that simply indicates the content of processing performed by the program, such as “Paper jam clearing method” if a page related to “paper jam” in the help file is displayed. The control data includes, for example, a control command (for example, “command = help.exe-p15”) for starting the help file in a state where a page related to “paper jam” of the help file is opened. In the control command illustrated here, “help.exe” is an execution file name, and “-p15” is a parameter corresponding to an argument of the execution file and indicates a page number to be displayed.

  Note that the present modification can be configured to include the above-described embodiment. That is, the print setting item name is described as the processing content, and the setting value is described as the control data. The KDB D21 is given a control data name indicating that it is a setting value such as “SettingValue1 =” if it is a setting value as described above, and if it is a control command, it is a control command such as “command =”. The control data name indicating that Therefore, the process execution module M21 can determine whether to perform print settings or start another program based on the control data name.

  The process execution module M21 identifies one of the search results displayed on the display 17a based on an operation input performed by the user via the keyboard or mouse, and performs a process associated with the identified candidate. Therefore, by configuring KDB D21 as in this modification, it is possible to start not only print settings but also various programs based on keywords. If the print setting UI is configured as in this modification, necessary information can be provided to the user by starting a help file or the like via a single UI called the setting search Tab0.

(4) Modification 2:
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the print setting UI is set by starting the print setting UI from the print property or the print setting of the application has been described as an example. However, depending on the application, a print job may be transmitted to the PRTDRV P1 without activating the print setting UI. Even in such a case, the user may want to change the print settings. Therefore, in this modification, an example will be described in which the above-described print setting UI is displayed and the print setting can be performed when the print job output from the application is transferred to the PRTDRV P1.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a flow of data transmitted and received between programs of the computer 100 in relation to the print setting process in the present modification. As shown in the figure, when the user operates APL P2 to execute printing, a job start command is output from APL P2 to the OS. Then, the OS starts outputting the print job to PRTDRV P1. PRTDRV P1 detects that a print job has been input from the OS, displays a print setting UI, and prompts the user for print settings. For example, since the OS outputs a control command (for example, StartDoc ()) indicating the output start timing of the print job to the PRTDRV P1, the PRTDRV P1 detects the control command and the input of the print job is started. Can be detected. The PRTDRV P1 can also detect the start of printing using the OS's Asynchronous UI function. When the PRTDRV P1 displays the print setting UI, the print job acceptance is suspended until the print setting UI is completed, so the APL P2 waits for the generation of the print job.

  When the print setting UI is completed, the PRTDRV P1 detects that the print setting has been completed, and outputs a return value indicating that the print setting has been completed to the OS. When the OS accepts the return value, the OS prompts the APL P2 to resume the output of the print job, so the APL P2 acquires the print setting data D1 from the HDD 14 and instructs the OS to print based on the print setting data D1. Therefore, the print job output from the APL P2 is created based on the print setting data D1 after the setting is changed by the print setting UI. Furthermore, APL P2 notifies the OS that the data is output to the printer 200 by the device context. Then, the OS generates a print job based on the print setting data D1 and the device context, and outputs this print job to PRTDRV P1. PRTDRV P1 generates print data based on the print job, and transmits the print data to the printer via the spooler. As described above, since the PRTDRV P1 has a configuration for detecting the start of job printing, it is possible to provide the user with an opportunity to execute print settings even for a print job started without opening the print setting UI.

(5) Modification 3:
When printing from the APL P2, the print setting screen cannot be displayed unless "Print", "Select Printer", and "Properties" are selected by clicking "File" in the menu. As an example for eliminating such inconvenience, it is conceivable to incorporate the print setting UI of the above-described embodiment as an add-in of APL P2. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the concept of an APL P2 add-in. As shown in the figure, since the add-in activation icon can be placed at the top of the menu, the procedure until the target function is activated can be shortened.

(6) Modification 4:
In the above-described embodiment, KDB D2 is stored in the HDD 14 of the computer 100. However, the KDB D2 may be stored in a server computer so that the KDB D2 can be accessed via a network.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of this modification. As shown in the figure, the computer 100 and the server computer 300 are connected so as to be accessible from at least the computer 100 to the server computer via a network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). Server computer 300 stores KDB D2 in an HDD or the like, an editing function for appropriately updating KDB D2 by executing a server program, a keyword requested from an external computer is searched from KDB D2, and a search result A function that returns information to an external computer, a function that creates an access log by collecting information (IP address, computer name, account, etc.) that identifies a computer or user name that has accessed KDB D2, and a searched keyword, and access log Based on the above, it realizes a function to create statistical information about usage history of each computer and each user.

  When PRTDRV P1 is instructed to search for a keyword input to the print setting UI, the PRTDRV P1 queries the server computer 300 via the network for the presence of the keyword, and corresponds to the keyword if the keyword is recorded in KDB D2. Get print setting item name and setting value. Based on the acquired print settings, candidates are displayed and a user's selection input is accepted, and the print setting data is updated with the setting values corresponding to the selected candidates.

  With the configuration described above, updating of KDB D2 is facilitated, and KDB D2 can be prepared for each user. In addition, it is possible to grasp the input pattern for each user based on the statistical information of the access log, and to perform guidance according to the printing status of the user, a printer operation plan, or a replacement plan. For example, a user who does not utilize double-sided printing or two-sided printing based on an input pattern for each user can provide guidance from an ecological viewpoint. In addition, it is possible to make an appropriate determination based on the usage status of the user during the printer operation plan or replacement plan.

(7) Modification 5:
In the embodiment described above, the example in which the present invention is applied to the PRTDRV P1 of the computer 100 that controls the printer 200 has been described. However, for example, like a printer that supports direct printing, the PRTDRV P1 of the computer directly Some printers can print by inputting image data and document data into the printer. Therefore, in this modification, an example in which the present invention is applied to the firmware of the printer 200 will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of this modification. As shown in the figure, in this modification, a nonvolatile memory 29 storing print setting data D1 is added, and program data and the like related to KDB D2, keyword search module M1, and print setting module M2 are stored in the ROM 23 of the printer 200. I remember it. In such a configuration, the above-described print setting process is realized in the printer 200 by transferring the program data of the keyword search module M1 and the print setting module M2 to the RAM 22 and appropriately accessing the KDB D2 of the ROM 23 while being executed by the CPU 21. . The print setting data D1 in the nonvolatile memory 29 is updated with the setting value associated with the selected candidate. The print setting data D1 set in this way is used when generating print data in the image processing circuit 20a.

(8) Other variations:
Further, it is also possible to perform a search by predicting a keyword input during keyword input, and display the result as a candidate. For example, a reading pseudonym “Ryomen” is associated with the keyword “both sides” as a reading. Then, when “ri” is input to the keyword input part A, the keyword “double-sided” whose first character of the reading kana is “ri” hits the search, so it is predicted that “double-sided” will be input. Then, candidate display regarding the keyword “both sides” is performed. Of course, in addition to “both sides”, if there is a keyword with the same first character, the candidate related to the keyword is also displayed. That is, the reading of each keyword is registered in KDB in Hiragana or Katakana, keywords having a reading including a partially input keyword are searched from KDB, and candidates are displayed based on the search result.

  In the above-described embodiment, the print setting process of PRTDRV P1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to the driver setting process of various devices such as a scanner and a display, and the properties of various applications. It can also be applied to setting processing.

  In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the configuration of the laser printer has been described. However, the printer is not limited to this, and various printers such as an inkjet printer, a laser printer, and a SIDM (Serial Impact Dot Matrix) printer can be used. A printer can be used. It may be realized not only by a single printer, but also as a multifunction machine having a scanner function, a copy function, and a FAX function. In the above-described embodiments and modifications, a printer or a computer has been described as an example of an electronic device. However, the present invention can also be applied to a scanner or a FAX apparatus. In that sense, various functions in the scanner function and FAX function of the multifunction machine are applicable. It can also be applied to setting processing. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to any electronic device that allows the user to make various settings via a user interface, such as a television, a digital camera, a mobile phone, and a portable game machine.

(9) Summary:
According to the embodiment described above, the printer driver P1 receives the print setting data D1 and performs processing based on the print setting data D1, and is input to the keyword input unit A with reference to the search keyword database D2. A keyword search module M1 that acquires a print setting and a setting value associated with a keyword and displays a setting candidate on the candidate display unit C based on the print setting and the setting value, and selects one of the candidates. A print setting module M2 that receives an operation input and automatically records a setting value corresponding to the selected candidate in the print setting data D1 is provided. Therefore, the user can smoothly perform setting work and processing in various applications.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and the structures disclosed in the above-described embodiments and modifications are mutually replaced, the combinations are changed, the known technique, and the above-described implementations. Configurations in which the configurations disclosed in the embodiments and modifications are mutually replaced or the combinations are changed are also included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... System bus, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... RAM, 13 ... ROM, 14 ... HDD, 15 ... CD-ROM drive, 16 ... Flexible disk drive, 17 ... I / F, 17a ... Display, 18 ... I / F, 18a ... Keyboard, 18b ... Mouse, 19 ... USB I / F, 20 ... ASIC, 20a ... Image processing circuit, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... RAM, 23 ... ROM, 24 ... USB I / F, 25 ... PWM circuit, 26 ... Display 27 ... Operation panel, 29 ... Non-volatile memory, 30 ... Print engine, 100 ... Computer, 200 ... Printer, 300 ... Server computer, A ... Keyword input part, B ... Search execution button, C ... Candidate display part, D1 ... Print setting data, D2, D21 ... Search keyword database, M1 ... Keyword search Module, M2 ... print setting module, M3 ... print module, M21 ... processing execution module, P1 ... printer driver, P2 ... application, Tab0 ... setting search, Tab1 ... basic settings, Tab2 ... application settings, Tab3 ... environment settings, Tab4 ... utility

Claims (10)

An information processing program that accepts a predetermined setting and performs processing based on the setting,
An input reception function for receiving keyword input,
A display function for displaying candidate settings related to the accepted keyword;
A selection accepting function for accepting an operation input for selecting any one of the candidates;
An information processing program comprising a setting function for automatically performing a setting corresponding to the selected candidate.   The display function specifies a main setting specified by the keyword and a sub-setting that can be executed in relation to the main setting, and includes a variation of the setting that can be executed by combining the main setting and the sub-setting. The information processing program according to claim 1, wherein the information processing program is displayed as a candidate. The information processing program is set by an individual setting function that individually receives the setting change operation while acquiring and displaying the setting at an execution timing, and the input receiving function, the display function, the selection receiving function, and the setting function. Can be performed independently of each other, and
The information processing program according to claim 1, wherein the setting function performs setting corresponding to the candidate and updates the setting acquired by the individual setting function. A database that associates the keyword, the setting content, and the setting value;
The display function acquires the content of the setting associated with the keyword accepted by the input acceptance function in the database and displays it as the candidate,
The said setting function acquires the setting value linked | related with the said keyword which the said input reception function received in the said database, and sets it based on this setting value. Information processing program. The information processing program has a function of accessing a server connected via a predetermined computer network, and uses a database that associates the keyword, the setting content, and the setting value stored in the server. Is accessible,
The display function acquires the content of the setting associated with the keyword accepted by the input acceptance function in the database on the server and displays it as the candidate,
5. The setting function according to claim 1, wherein the setting function acquires a setting value associated with the keyword accepted by the input reception function in a database on the server and sets the setting value based on the setting value. Information processing program according to item.   The information processing program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is executed as an add-in of a predetermined application program.   The information processing program according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the information processing program is a printer driver that causes a printer to perform a printing process based on the print settings.   An information processing apparatus as a computer in which the information processing program according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is installed. An electronic device that accepts a predetermined setting and performs processing based on the setting,
Input receiving means for receiving keyword input;
Display means for displaying setting candidates related to the accepted keyword;
Selection accepting means for accepting an operation input for selecting any one of the candidates;
An electronic apparatus comprising: setting means for automatically performing setting corresponding to the selected candidate. A printing apparatus that accepts predetermined print settings and performs print processing based on the print settings,
Input receiving means for receiving keyword input;
Display means for displaying print setting candidates related to the accepted keyword;
Selection accepting means for accepting an operation input for selecting any one of the candidates;
A printing apparatus comprising: a print setting unit that automatically performs print settings corresponding to the selected candidate.

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