JPH10315584A - Equipment, method and system for processing information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a desired output result easily and quickly by delivering output results in accordance with a plurality of output states by one output processing. SOLUTION: At the time when an instruction to conduct a printing processing in a plurality of settings is given, a counter value I of a counter is set at '1' (S1 → S3). After print command data are prepared from print data on the basis of the first (I=1 in this case) lightness setting information, the print command data are transmitted to a printer and the printing processing is executed by the printer (S4 → S5). Next, the counter value I is incremented by '1' and it is judged whether the counter value I is larger than the set number N of printing or not (S6 → S7). When the answer is negative (No), the aforesaid processing steps are repeated, and when the answer is affirmative (Yes), the processing is ended.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an information processing system in which an information processing device and a printing device as an output device are connected, a user manually sets desired print settings during printing and then executes a printing process. Was.

[0003]

Therefore, in the conventional information processing system, if the user cannot obtain a desired output result by manual print setting at the time of printing, the print setting is manually performed again. After that, the printing process was executed to obtain an output result. That is, conventionally, the user examines whether the output result obtained through the print setting is a desired output result, and if the desired output result is not obtained, changes the content of the print setting and re-executes. It is necessary to repeat the work of executing printing and examining the output result, and since such work must be repeated until the desired output result is obtained, wasted time is required until the desired output result is obtained. There was a problem that it required.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing system capable of easily and quickly obtaining a desired output result. Aim.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, among the information processing apparatuses according to the present invention, the invention according to claim 1 is connected to an output device and transmits output command data to the output device. In the information processing apparatus, output data storage means for storing output data, setting state storage means for storing a plurality of output state setting information, and a plurality of output state settings stored by the setting state storage means from the output data And a transmitting unit that transmits the output instruction data generated by the generating unit to the output device, the generating unit generating the output instruction data according to each output state setting information of the information. And

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in an information processing apparatus connected to an output device and transmitting output command data to the output device, an output data storage means for storing output data and a plurality of output state setting information are stored. Setting state storing means for storing, selecting means for selecting at least one or more specific output state setting information from a plurality of output state setting information stored in the setting state storing means, and the specific output from the output data It is characterized by comprising a creating means for creating the output command data according to the state setting information, and a sending means for sending the output command data created by the creating means to the output device.

[0007] In the information processing method according to the present invention, the invention according to claim 7 is an information processing method in which output command data is created based on output data and output processing is performed using the created output command data. A plurality of output state setting information stored in advance, the output instruction data corresponding to each output state setting information of the plurality of output state setting information is created from the output data, and an output process is performed by the output instruction data. It is characterized by.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing method of generating output command data based on output data and performing output processing based on the generated output command data, a plurality of output state setting information is stored in advance. Selecting at least one or more specific output state setting information from the stored plurality of output state setting information, creating the output command data according to the specific output state setting information from the output data, and It is characterized in that output processing is performed by output command data.

In the information processing system according to the present invention, the information processing apparatus and the output apparatus are connected via a predetermined line, and output command data is output from the information processing apparatus to the output apparatus. In an information processing system for transmitting to an apparatus, the information processing apparatus includes: an output data storage unit configured to store output data; a setting state storage unit configured to store a plurality of pieces of output state setting information; Generating means for generating the output command data according to each output status setting information of the plurality of output status setting information stored in the storage device, and transmitting the output command data generated by the generating means to the output device Transmission means.

The invention according to claim 16, in the information processing system, wherein the information processing device and the output device are connected via a predetermined line, and output command data is transmitted from the information processing device to the output device. An output data storage unit that stores output data; a setting state storage unit that stores a plurality of output state setting information; and at least one of the plurality of output state setting information stored in the setting state storage unit. Selecting means for selecting the specific output state setting information, creating means for creating the output command data according to the specific output state setting information from the output data, and outputting the output command data created by the creating means Transmitting means for transmitting to the output device.

[0011] Other features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of an information processing system according to the present invention. In this information processing system, an information processing device 1 such as a host computer and a printing device 2 as an output device are connected to a LAN. And the like via a predetermined communication network 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 1 displays a keyboard 4 to which print setting information and the like are input by the user, and the print setting information and the like input by the keyboard 4. A display 5 such as a CRT,
An input / output interface 6 for controlling an interface operation with the printing apparatus 2; an FD drive 8 for inserting a flexible disk (FD) 7 in which a predetermined print-related module including a print command data creation program is stored; ROM 9 storing a predetermined control program such as an output program (BIOS); and a hard disk (HD) drive storing print-related modules such as a brightness setting information including a predetermined operating system (OS) and a print command data creation program. 10, a RAM 11 from which the contents stored in the ROM 9, the FD drive 7 or the HD drive 10 are read and used as a work area, and a CPU 13 which is connected to the above-described components via the main bus 12 and controls these components. It is composed of

FIG. 3 shows the RA when printing can be executed.
3 shows a memory map of M11. That is, when a power switch (not shown) of the information processing apparatus 1 is turned on, the BI
OS is loaded from ROM 9 to RAM 11 and BIOS
Written to the storage area 14 and then IPL in BIOS
(Initial Program Load) function for HD drive 10
Is read from the OS, and the OS is written into the OS storage area 15. Next, an application program stored in the ROM 9 or the like is loaded and written in the application storage area 18 of the RAM 11. Further, the BIO is activated by starting the application program.
Under the control of S and the OS, the print-related modules and related data are loaded from the FD drive 8 and the ROM 9 into the print-related module storage area 16 and the related data storage area 17, respectively, and written. An empty area 19 is formed between the last address of the related data storage area 17 and the first address of the application storage area 18.

Further, as shown in FIG.
ROM 19 in which a predetermined print processing program and the like are stored
An input / output interface 20 for controlling an interface operation with the information processing apparatus 1, a printer engine 21 for executing a predetermined printing operation, and a RAM for reading stored contents of a ROM 19 and used as a work area.
22 and a CPU 24 connected to the above-mentioned components via a main bus 23 and controlling these components.

FIG. 5 shows a print setting screen displayed on the display 5. The print setting screen includes a print setting display section 25 and a check box 26. Then, when the application starts, the brightness setting information is displayed on the print setting screen from the print-related modules temporarily stored in the print-related module area 16. In the present embodiment, "-2
“5”, “0”, and “25” are displayed on the print setting display unit 25. Then, when the user checks the check box 26, the printing process is executed based on the brightness setting information.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the first embodiment of the information processing method according to the present invention.

First, after storing the print data in the HD drive 10, it is determined in step S1 whether or not an instruction to perform a print process under a plurality of print setting conditions has been given. If the answer is negative (No), Executes the normal printing process (step S2) and ends the process.

On the other hand, the answer to step S1 is affirmative (Yes).
In this case, after setting the counter value I of the counter built in the CPU 13 to "1" (step S3), the process proceeds to step S4, and based on the I-th (in this case, the first) brightness setting information. Then, the print command data is created from the print data stored in the HD drive 10, and then the created print command data is transmitted to the printing device 2, and the printing device 2 executes the printing process (step S5). That is, in this case, the brightness “−” which is the first brightness setting information is used.
25 ", the printing process of the print data is executed by the printing apparatus 2.

Next, at step S6, the counter value I is incremented by "1", and at step S7, the counter value I is set to the print set number N (N = 3 in this embodiment).
Determine if it is greater than. In this case, since I = 2, the answer in step S7 is negative (No), and the process returns to step S4, where the I-th (in this case, the second) again
The print command data is created from the print data stored in the HD drive 10 based on the brightness setting information of the HD drive 10, and then the created print command data is transmitted to the printing device 2, and the printing device 2 executes the printing process. (Step S5). As a result, the printing process of the print data is executed by the printing apparatus 2 with the brightness “0” which is the second brightness setting information.

After that, in step S6, the counter value I is incremented by "1", and then in step S7
It is determined whether or not the counter value I is larger than the print setting number N. In this case, since I = 3, the answer in step S7 is negative (No) again, and the process returns to step S4, where the HD drive 10 is determined based on the I-th (in this case, third) brightness setting information. The print command data is created from the print data stored in the printer device 2, and then the created print command data is transmitted to the printing device 2, and the printing device 2 executes the printing process (step S5). As a result, the printing process of the print data is executed by the printing apparatus 2 with the brightness “25” that is the third brightness setting information.

Next, in step S6, the counter value I is incremented by "1", and in the following step S7, it is determined whether or not the counter value I is larger than the print set number N. In this case, since I = 4, step S
The answer to 7 is affirmative (Yes), and the process ends.

As described above, in the first embodiment, it is possible to sequentially obtain an output result by a plurality of print settings without a user making print settings one by one, thereby obtaining a print result having a desired brightness. Can be.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the print setting screen displayed on the display 5. That is, in the second embodiment, a monochrome document,
Document / Table, DTP, Graphics, Quick Document 5
The type of print setting information is stored as a print-related module in the print-related module storage area 17, and various print setting information is displayed as an icon and a print setting name character string on the print setting display unit 27 of the print setting screen. Check box 28 for checking whether or not to print according to print settings
Is provided. Then, the user selects and instructs arbitrary print setting information (for example, monochrome document, DTP) from the plurality of pieces of print setting information as the specific output state setting information, and writes a check mark in the check box 28 to select the print setting information. Printing processing using a plurality of print settings becomes possible.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an information processing method according to the second embodiment.

First, after the print data is stored in the HD drive 10, it is determined in step S11 whether or not an instruction to perform a print process under a plurality of print setting conditions has been given, and if the answer is negative (No). Executes a normal printing process (step S12) and ends the process.

On the other hand, if the answer in step S11 is affirmative (Ye
In case of s). The print setting number N is set to the selected print setting number (hereinafter, referred to as a selected print setting number) n (for example, n =
After setting to 2) (step S13), the counter value I of the counter built in the CPU 13 is set to "1" (step S14). In the subsequent step S15, print command data is created from the print data stored in the HD drive 10 based on the I-th (in this case, the first) print setting information. Is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2, and the printing apparatus 2 executes a printing process (step S16). That is, in this case, the printing process of the print data is executed by the printing device 2 using the monochrome document as the first selected print setting information.

Next, at step S17, the counter value I
Is incremented by “1”, and it is determined in subsequent step S18 whether the counter value I is larger than the selected print setting number n (n = 2 in the present embodiment). In this case I =
Since it is 2, the answer in step S7 is negative (No), and the process returns to step S4, where it is stored in the HD drive 10 again based on the I-th (in this case, the second) print setting information. The print command data is created from the print data, and then the created print command data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2, and the printing apparatus 2 executes a printing process (step S).
16). As a result, the second print setting information D
The printing process of the print data is executed by the printing apparatus 2 by the TP.

Then, in step S17, the counter value I is incremented by "1", and
At 7, it is determined whether or not the counter value I is larger than the selected print setting number n. In this case, since I = 3, the answer in step S7 is affirmative (Yes), and the process ends.

As described above, also in the second embodiment, the first
As in the third embodiment, the user can sequentially obtain output results based on a plurality of pieces of selected print setting information without making print settings one by one. In particular, by including the optimum print setting information for the printing apparatus 2 in the print setting information, a plurality of printing apparatuses
Output is also possible, and a simple distribution function can be realized in a network environment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an information processing method according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, in addition to the second embodiment, a keyword for printout is added. (Identification information) is output together with the print data.

That is, in the third embodiment, after the counter value I of the counter is set to "1" in step S14, the keyword of the I-th print setting information (for example,
After creating print command data for printing a monochrome document (DTP) (step S21), print command data is created from print data stored in the HD drive 10 based on the print setting information (step S15). The print command data created in step S21 and step S15 is transmitted to the printing device 2, and the printing device 2 executes the printing process (step S16).

As described above, in the third embodiment, at the time of a plurality of printing processes, the keywords of the print setting information can be simultaneously printed out on the header portion of the recording paper, and the contents of the print settings can be easily confirmed. Can do it.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the first embodiment, brightness setting information is output together with print data as identification information.

[0036]

As described in detail above, claims 1, 7 and 1
According to the invention described in (3), it is possible to obtain output results in a plurality of output states by one output processing, and it is possible to save the trouble of repeatedly setting the output state and repeating the output processing as in the related art, which is convenient for the user. Is improved.

According to the fourth, tenth and sixteenth aspects of the present invention, the user selects and instructs at least one or more specific output state setting information from a plurality of output state setting information set in advance. Thus, the user can set and output an output state that is considered more appropriate, and further improve convenience.

In particular, by including the optimum output setting information for the output device in the output state setting information, it is possible to output to a plurality of different output devices by a single output process, and to simplify the output in a network environment. There is an effect that a general distribution function can be realized.

Further, according to the third, sixth, ninth, twelfth, fifteenth and eighteenth aspects, the output state setting information can be easily determined from the output result, and the convenience is further improved. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an information processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an information processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a memory map showing a memory configuration of a RAM.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a printing apparatus.

FIG. 5 shows a first example of a print setting screen displayed on the display.
It is a figure showing an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of the information processing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a second example of the print setting screen displayed on the display.
It is a figure showing an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the information processing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the information processing method according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing device 2 Output device (printing device) 5 Display (display means) 7 FD (setting state storage means) 10 HD drive (output data storage means, setting state storage means) 13 CPU (creation means, transmission means, confirmation means) , Selection means, instruction means)

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus connected to an output device for transmitting output command data to said output device, wherein: an output data storage means for storing output data; and a setting state storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of output state setting information. Creating means for creating the output command data according to each output state setting information of the plurality of output state setting information stored by the setting state storage means from the output data; and A transmitting unit for transmitting the output command data to the output device. A display means for displaying a plurality of output state setting information stored in the setting state storage means; and a confirmation means for confirming the output state setting information displayed by the display means. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the creation unit creates the output command data from the output data based on the confirmation by the confirmation unit. 3. The output command data created by the creation means includes unique information for identifying the output state setting information.
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 4. An information processing device connected to an output device for transmitting output command data to said output device, wherein: an output data storage means for storing output data; and a setting status storage means for storing a plurality of output status setting information. Selecting means for selecting at least one or more specific output state setting information from a plurality of output state setting information stored in the setting state storage means; and selecting from the output data according to the specific output state setting information. An information processing apparatus comprising: a creation unit that creates the output command data; and a transmission unit that sends the output command data created by the creation unit to the output device. 5. A display device for displaying a plurality of output state setting information stored in the setting state storage means, wherein the selecting means selects one of the plurality of output state setting information displayed by the display means. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising instruction means for instructing at least one or more specific output state setting information, wherein said creating means creates said output command data from said output data based on an instruction from said instruction means. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the output command data created by the creation unit includes unique information for identifying the specific output state setting information. . 7. An information processing method for creating output command data based on output data and performing output processing based on the created output command data, wherein a plurality of output state setting information are stored in advance, and a plurality of output state setting information are stored from the output data. An information processing method comprising: creating the output command data according to each output state setting information of the output state setting information; and performing an output process based on the output command data. 8. A method of displaying the plurality of output state setting information, confirming the displayed output state setting information, and creating the output command data from the output data based on the confirmation result. The information processing method according to claim 7, wherein 9. The information processing method according to claim 7, wherein the output command data includes unique information for identifying the output state setting information. 10. An information processing method for creating output command data based on output data and performing output processing using the created output command data, wherein a plurality of output state setting information is stored in advance, and Selecting at least one or more specific output state setting information from among the output state setting information, generating the output command data corresponding to the specific output state setting information from the output data, and performing output processing using the output command data. An information processing method characterized by performing the following. 11. Displaying the plurality of output state setting information, instructing the at least one or more specific output state setting information from the displayed plurality of output state setting information, and based on the instruction result 11. The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein the output command data is created from the output data by using the output command data. 12. The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein the output command data includes unique information for identifying the specific output state setting information. 13. An information processing system in which an information processing device and an output device are connected via a predetermined line, and output command data is transmitted from the information processing device to the output device. Output data storing means for storing, setting state storing means for storing a plurality of output state setting information, and respective output state setting information of the plurality of output state setting information stored by the setting state storing means from the output data An information processing system, comprising: a creating unit that creates the output command data according to the above; and a sending unit that sends the output command data created by the creating unit to the output device. 14. A display means for displaying a plurality of output state setting information stored in the setting state storage means, and a confirmation for confirming the output state setting information displayed by the display means. 14. The information processing system according to claim 13, further comprising: means for generating the output command data from the output data based on the confirmation by the confirmation means. 15. The information processing system according to claim 13, wherein said output command data created by said creating means includes unique information for identifying said output state setting information. 16. An information processing system in which an information processing device and an output device are connected via a predetermined line, and output command data is transmitted from the information processing device to the output device. Output data storing means for storing, setting state storing means for storing a plurality of output state setting information, and at least one or more specific output state setting from the plurality of output state setting information stored in the setting state storing means Selecting means for selecting information; creating means for creating the output command data according to the specific output state setting information from the output data; and transmitting the output command data created by the creating means to the output device. An information processing system comprising transmission means. 17. The information processing apparatus further comprises display means for displaying a plurality of output state setting information stored in the setting state storage means, wherein the selection means includes a plurality of output state information displayed by the display means. In addition to having instruction means for instructing the at least one or more specific output state setting information from the setting information, the creating means creates the output command data from the output data based on an instruction from the instruction means. 17. The information processing system according to claim 16, wherein: 18. The information processing system according to claim 16, wherein the output command data created by the creation unit includes unique information for identifying the specific output state setting information. . 19. The information processing system according to claim 13, wherein said output device is a printing device. 20. The information processing system according to claim 13, wherein said information processing apparatus is a host computer.