JPH0920050A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid causing the possibility of erroneous setting and enhance the efficiency of work by providing indicating means for set information and inputting means for indicating changes of the set information and determining means for determining if the set items can be changeable, and adding the information of indicating the possibility of changes to each set item. SOLUTION: The printing device includes a central processing unit 1 and an operating panel 11, and the operating panel 11 includes an indicating part 17 for indicating the set information and an operating panel key 19 for indicating changes of the set information. Each set item of an environmental set data retains the information of indicating the possibility of changes, and in accordance with the information, only changeable set item is indicated therein. That is the set item is determined whether to be changeable or not and. In the case of being changeable, the set item is indicated on the indicating part 17. Thus, retaining the information (an attribute) indicating the possibility of changes in each set item of the environmental set data allows the indicating part to indicate if each item is changeable through the information (an attribute), thereby enabling the user to be notified of it.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus in which a user can set or change a printing environment, and more particularly, by displaying only setting items which the user needs and can change, erroneous settings can be prevented. The present invention relates to a printing device capable of improving work efficiency.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, at present, most printing apparatuses allow a user to set or change the printing environment by sending a control code from an operation panel or a host computer. There are multiple (many) setting items in the environment setting data that are set, and printing is performed by setting / changing the necessary items.

[0003]

However, in the environment setting data of the printing apparatus, there are items that are frequently changed, items that are not changed, and items that do not need to be changed at all, and many setting items displayed on the display unit. The arrangement of is fixed by the printing device, and the user cannot arbitrarily extract and display only the necessary items. Therefore, even when the user wants to change one item, it is necessary to find an item that requires setting from a plurality of setting items, and at this time, unnecessary items are displayed, which is troublesome. However, there is a problem in that work efficiency may be reduced due to the possibility that the settings may be set incorrectly.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its purpose is to display only setting items which are necessary and changeable by the user, and thus there is a possibility of erroneous setting. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus that can eliminate the problem and improve work efficiency.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a printing apparatus having a function of controlling a printing operation according to setting information composed of a plurality of setting items of a built-in printing environment. In the above, there is provided a display means for displaying the setting information, an input means for instructing a change of the setting information, and a judging means for judging whether or not the setting item can be changed, and each setting item can be changed. It is characterized in that information for instructing whether or not is added. According to the above configuration, since information (attribute) for instructing whether or not each setting item of the printing environment can be changed is held, the display means for indicating whether or not each item can be changed by the information (attribute) Can be displayed to notify the user.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the setting item determined by the determination means to be unchangeable is not displayed on the display means so that the user cannot change it. It is characterized by having done. According to the above configuration, the items determined to be unchangeable are not displayed on the display unit, and only the items that can be changed are displayed. Therefore, the user has less time and effort to find an item that requires setting, and there is no need to set the item. Do not make the mistake of setting the item.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, a mark indicating that fact is displayed for a setting item determined by the determination means to be unchangeable to notify the user. Is characterized by. According to the above configuration, the changeable / impossible information of each item is displayed on the display means, and the change work of the unchangeable item cannot be performed. Therefore, the user may set an item that does not need to be set. You can check the information on whether or not each item can be changed without causing any trouble.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the second aspect, the printer has a mode in which the user can set and change the changeability of the setting items, and the setting / change of the changeability can be performed. Switch between the mode that displays all setting items to perform and the mode that displays only changeable items to set changeable items, and in the mode that displays all setting items above, the state of changeability can be determined It is characterized by displaying.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the setting of whether or not the setting item can be changed is set.
In the change mode, the changeable item and the non-changeable item are separately displayed on the display means, and the changeability is set / changed respectively. According to the above configuration, the normal item changing mode and the item changeability attribute setting mode can be switched, and the item changeability attribute can be set / changed, so the user can freely select the necessary item. , The changeability attribute can be reset.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing apparatus embodying the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, this printing device is a central processing unit (CP) that controls input / output devices connected to the printing device and manages programs and memories.
U) 1, read-only memory (ROM) 3 in which programs, fonts and fixed data are stored, and random access memory (RAM) 5 used as a buffer for received data, a bitmap memory for actual print data, etc.
A memory (NV-RAM) 7 for holding print environment setting data, a host interface 9 for mutual communication between a host computer (a host device (not shown)), and a user-operable operation. Panel 11,
The printer engine 13 that performs printing is commonly connected to the bus 15. Then, on the operation panel 11, as shown in FIG. 2, a display section 17 for displaying setting information and an operation panel key 19 for instructing to change the setting information.
Are provided.

Here, in order to clarify the operation and effect of the present invention, the operation of changing the setting items of the environmental data in the conventional printing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. First, FIG. 12A shows an example of setting items of environment data of a conventional printing apparatus, and a table (controls a sequence for displaying the setting items of FIG. 12A on the display unit). FIG. 12B is provided, and the setting items are displayed on the display unit in the order of the display order table (FIG. 12).
(C)). Here, although there are differences depending on the user, some of the setting items of the environmental data of the printing apparatus are items that the user frequently changes and items that the user rarely change. These are shown in FIG. 12D when classified. Like At this time, if the user wants to change “item 6: line feed width”, FIG.
The items displayed in the order of (c) must be searched in order. Therefore, there is a problem that the more items are displayed and the more frequently the change work is performed, the more time-consuming and error-prone. Therefore, it is more convenient not to display the information that is considered unnecessary for the user, and the method is required. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, first, information (attribute) for instructing whether each setting item of the environment setting data is changeable is held, and only the setting item that can be changed is displayed according to the information. It is the one.

Here, each method as shown in FIG. 3 can be used as a method for holding the information of the changeability attribute of each setting item. That is, FIG. 3 shows an implementation method for holding the information of the changeability attribute of each setting item. FIG. 3 (a) is a method for providing information on changeable attributes of each item together with the display order table, FIG. 3 (b).
Is a method of independently providing the information of the changeable attribute of each item in a form corresponding to the display order table, FIG.
Is a method of providing the display order table with a header as shown in the figure. Then, although only the changeable setting items are displayed according to the information of the changeable / non-changeable attribute, the display operation of the changeable setting items will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step 101 of FIG. 4, the changeability attribute of the setting item is checked, and step 1
In 03, it is determined whether or not the setting item can be changed. If the setting item can be changed, the setting item is displayed on the display unit 17 in step 105. Next, in step 107, it is determined whether the display is finished,
If it is the end, the whole process is ended, and if it is not the end,
In step 109, the process proceeds to the next setting item and the process returns to step 101. If it is not possible to change the setting item in step 103, step 107
Move to When the classification example shown in FIG. 12D is displayed according to the above display operation, the display example is as shown in FIG. Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, all the setting items are displayed, but the changeable item and the non-changeable item can be distinguished from each other according to the information of the changeability attribute, and are displayed with an O mark and an X mark. .

Regarding the display operation of the second embodiment, FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step 201 of FIG. 6, the changeable attribute of the setting item is checked, and in step 203, it is determined whether or not the setting item can be changed. The setting item is displayed on the section 17 with a changeable mark “◯”, and when it is not possible to change, in step 207, the display section 1 is displayed.
7, the setting item is displayed with an unchangeable mark "X". Next, in step 209, it is determined whether or not the display is finished. If it is finished, the whole process is finished, and if it is not finished, the next setting item is moved to in step 211, and the process returns to step 201. When the classification example shown in FIG. 12D is displayed according to the above display operation,
The display example is as shown in FIG. The changeable or non-changeable mark may be any mark other than ◯ and X as long as it can be distinguished. Also, instead of the mark, the display item may be distinguished by blinking, reversing, or underlining.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the mode for setting the changeable attribute of each setting item is provided in the first embodiment, and its operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step 301 of FIG. 8, it is checked whether the mode for changing the changeable attribute of the setting item or the mode for changing the normal setting item is checked.
In step 303, it is determined whether or not to change the changeable attribute. If not changed, in step 305, the display operation as shown in FIG.
The display result as shown in (a) is obtained.

Next, when the changeable / unchangeable attribute is changed in step 303, the changeable / unchangeable attribute of the setting item is checked in step 307, and if the setting item can be changed in step 309,
In step 311, a setting item with a changeable mark “◯” is displayed on the display unit 17, and if the setting item is not changeable, an unchangeable mark “X” is added on the display unit 17 in step 313. The setting items are displayed (see FIG. 9B).

Then, in step 315, it is judged whether or not the changeable attribute is changed, and if it is changed, the attribute of the setting item is changed in step 317, and the mark is displayed for correction in step 319. The user goes to the display unit 17 to notify the user and asks whether the setting item can be changed. Then, in step 321, it is determined whether or not the attribute changing mode is finished. If it is finished, the whole process is finished, and if it is not finished,
In step 323, the process moves to the next setting item and the process returns to step 307.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, all the setting items are displayed together in the setting mode of the changeability attribute, and the setting is performed, but in the fourth embodiment, the changeable items are set in the changeability attribute setting mode. Items that cannot be changed are displayed separately for setting. The operation of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in steps 401 and 403 of FIG. 10, a selection is made as to which of the changeable and non-changeable items is displayed and changed in the change mode of the changeable attribute of the setting item. In step 405, the setting item is changed. Is a changeable item. If it is a changeable item, only the changeable item is displayed on the display unit 17 in step 407 (FIG. 11A).
reference). Then, in step 409, it is determined whether or not the attribute is changed. If the attribute is changed, step 41
In step 1, set the above attributes to be unchangeable, and step 4
In 13, it is determined whether or not the change process is completed.
In step 413, if the change process is finished, the whole process is finished, and if the change process is not finished,
In step 415, the process proceeds to the next setting item and the process returns to step 407.

When it is determined in step 405 that the item cannot be changed, only the unchangeable item is displayed on the display unit 17 in step 417 (see FIG. 11B). Then, in step 419, it is determined whether or not the attribute is changed. If the attribute is changed, in step 421, the attribute is set to be changeable, and in step 423, it is determined whether or not the change process is completed. . If the change process is completed in step 423, the whole process is completed. If the change process is not completed, the next setting item is moved to in step 425, and the process returns to step 417. In the fourth embodiment, when the changeability attribute is set by sending a control code from the host computer, the control code and the parameter number may be defined as the item or attribute number.

[0020]

According to the present invention, since each setting item of the environment setting data holds information (attribute) for instructing whether or not change is possible, each item is changed by the information (attribute). It becomes possible to notify the user by displaying on the display unit whether or not it is possible. In addition, items that are determined to be unchangeable are not displayed on the display, but only items that can be changed are displayed.This reduces the time and effort for the user to search for items that need to be set, and sets items that do not need to be set. It does not make the mistake of being lost.

Further, since information on the changeable / impossible of each item is displayed on the display unit and the change work of the unchangeable item cannot be performed, the user may set an item which does not need to be set. You can check the information on whether or not each item can be changed, without causing it. In addition, the mode for changing normal items and the mode for setting the item changeability attribute can be switched, and the item changeability attribute can be set / changed, so the user can freely select the necessary item and change it. You can reset the attributes.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an operation panel shown in FIG.

3 (a), (b) and (c) are explanatory diagrams of a method of storing changeability attribute information of setting items in the printing apparatus shown in FIG.

4 is an operation flowchart of the first embodiment of the printing apparatus shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing a display example by the operation shown in FIG.

6 is an operation flowchart of a second embodiment of the printing apparatus shown in FIG.

7 is a diagram showing a display example by the operation shown in FIG.

8 is an operation flowchart of a third embodiment of the printing apparatus shown in FIG.

9A and 9B are diagrams showing display examples by the operation shown in FIGS.

10 is an operation flowchart of the fourth embodiment of the printing apparatus shown in FIG.

11A and 11B are diagrams showing display examples by the operation shown in FIGS.

12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are explanatory views for explaining problems in the conventional printing apparatus.

[Explanation of Codes] 1 ... CPU, 3 ... RO
M, 5 ... RAM, 7 ... N
V-RAM, 9 ... Host interface,
11 ... Operation panel, 13 ... Printer engine,
15 ... bus, 17 ... display,
19 ... Operation panel keys 101 to 107,
201-211, 301-323, 401-425 ... Each step,

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus having a function of controlling a printing operation according to setting information consisting of a plurality of built-in setting items of a printing environment, a display unit for displaying the setting information, and an instruction for changing the setting information. Printing means characterized in that it comprises an input means for inputting and a judging means for judging whether or not the setting item can be changed, and information for instructing whether or not the setting item can be changed is added to each of the setting items. apparatus. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting item determined by the determination unit to be unchangeable is not displayed on the display unit so that the user cannot change the setting item. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a mark indicating that the setting item is unchangeable by the determination unit is displayed to notify the user. 4. A mode is provided in which a user sets / changes the changeability of the setting items, and a mode for displaying all setting items for setting / changing the changeability and setting of the changeable items are set. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mode is switched to a mode in which only changeable items for performing are switched, and the mode in which all the setting items are displayed is displayed so that the state of changeability can be determined. 5. In the mode for setting / changing the changeability of the setting item, the changeable item and the non-changeable item are separately displayed on the display means, and the changeability is set / changed respectively. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing apparatus is a printing apparatus.