JP2011040101A - Recording medium, display control method, printer control device, and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the workability of an operator when setting various information about printing with a mark. <P>SOLUTION: Data Dm1 to Dm4 of "position", "size", "color", and "density" printable with marks are combined for each type of stamp marks and are stored in a mark information table Mkd in an HDD 41. When the operator inputs a mark name Dc to a mark name input column on a screen, data Dm1 to Dm4 of "position", "size", "color", and "density" corresponding to the mark name are read out from the mark information table Mkd and are set as control information for a printer 14. Consequently, data can be read from the mark information table and be set without operator's inputting various information again when the stamp mark desired for printing with a mark is changed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention sets various information for enabling printing with a mark to add a predetermined mark to a print screen in a predetermined printer, and uses the set various information as control information based on the control information. Technology for controlling printers.

  In addition to the listed documents, for example, general documents include marks such as “secret”, “important”, and “urgent” (hereinafter referred to as “stamp marks”). . Some printer systems have a function of automatically adding such a stamp mark on a print screen. The print screen here is an area on a print sheet on which desired data such as a document is printed.

  This function of adding a stamp mark is called a watermark printing (or printing with a mark) function, and is set in detail by a printer driver incorporated in a computer connected to the printer. The detailed setting here refers to the setting of the name of the stamp mark, the position on the print screen, the color, and the like. By setting various information about the stamp mark in the computer using the printer driver, printing with a mark by the printer becomes possible.

  By the way, in the prior art, various information about the stamp mark only stores the latest settings, and the operator re-enters all the various information every time the stamp mark to be printed with a mark changes. I had to fix it. For this reason, there is a problem for the operator that workability when setting the stamp mark is poor.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in the prior art, and is intended to improve the workability of an operator when setting various types of information about marked printing.

In order to solve such a problem, the first printer control device of the present invention provides:
A variety of information is set for enabling printing with a mark to add a predetermined mark to a print screen in a predetermined printer, and the printer is controlled based on the control information using the set various information as control information. A printer control device for controlling,
Mark information storage means for storing each of the various types of information for each type of mark;
In response to an external command, mark type designation means for designating one type from among a plurality of types of marks in which various information is stored in the mark information storage means;
Mark information reading means for reading a set of various information corresponding to the type of mark specified by the mark type specifying means from a plurality of sets of various information stored in the mark information storage means;
The gist of the present invention is to include control information setting means for setting various information read by the mark information reading means as the control information.

  In the first printer control apparatus having this configuration, various types of information that can be printed with a mark are stored for each mark type by the mark information storage unit. Then, in response to an external command, when one of the plurality of mark types is designated by the mark designating means, various information corresponding to the designated mark type is received from the mark information storage means. It is read and set as control information.

  Therefore, in the first printer control apparatus of the present invention, even if the stamp mark is changed, the operator can change the various pieces of information as long as various pieces of information about the stamp mark are stored in the mark information storage means. Even without re-input, it can be read from the mark information storage means and set. For this reason, there is an effect that the workability at the time of setting the stamp mark is excellent.

  Further, in the printer control apparatus having the above-described configuration, the mark type designation unit includes a selection candidate display field capable of displaying a plurality of mark names that define a plurality of mark types for which various types of information are stored in the mark information storage unit. By selecting one mark name from a plurality of mark names displayed in the selection candidate display field based on a first display control means to be displayed on the display device and a command from the input device, A mark name selecting unit for designating one type, and the printer control device includes a set of various information read by the mark information reading unit on the same display screen as the selection candidate display field. The second display control means for displaying an image indicating at least one of the information may be provided.

  In the printer control device having this configuration, the second display control means displays an image showing various information for mark printing on the same display screen as the selection candidate display field displayed by the first display control means. Is done. For this reason, when selecting one mark name using the selection candidate display field, an image showing various information about the selected mark name can be displayed on the display screen without switching the display screen.

  Therefore, in this printer control device, when setting the stamp mark, the operator can display the latest various information for each type of stamp mark from the display screen without performing troublesome operations such as switching the display screen. You can get to know. Therefore, the stamp mark setting workability is further improved.

  Furthermore, in the above-described printer control apparatus, the image displayed by the second display control unit can be configured to be a pictorial diagram corresponding to an actual print result when printing with a mark in the printer.

  In the printer control apparatus having such a configuration, various kinds of information about the marked printing are shown as a picture corresponding to the actual printing result at the marked printing. For this reason, the operator can easily know various information sensuously, so that the operability at the time of setting the stamp mark is excellent.

  In the printer control apparatus described above, a set of various information read by the mark information reading means is changed based on input data from the input device, and contents changed by the information changing means, A storage information updating unit that updates the storage contents of the mark information storage unit may be provided.

  According to this configuration, the contents stored in the mark information storage unit can be updated by changing the set of various information read by the mark information reading unit by the information changing unit. Therefore, various information can always be kept up-to-date in units of mark types. For this reason, the workability of setting the stamp mark can be improved.

A second printer control device according to the present invention comprises:
Information setting means for setting various kinds of information for enabling printing with a mark to add a predetermined mark to a print screen in a predetermined printer;
Display control means for displaying on the display device an image representing at least one of various information set by the information setting means as a picture corresponding to an actual print result at the time of marked printing in the printer;
The gist of the present invention is to include various control information set by the information setting means as control information, and control means for controlling the printer based on the control information.

  According to the second printer control device configured as described above, various types of information set at the time of printing with a mark can be displayed on the display device as a picture corresponding to an actual printing result at the time of printing with a mark in the printer. Therefore, since the operator can easily know various information sensuously, the operability when setting the stamp mark is excellent.

A first printer control method according to the present invention includes:
A variety of information is set for enabling printing with a mark to add a predetermined mark to a print screen in a predetermined printer, and the printer is controlled based on the control information using the set various information as control information. A printer control method for controlling,
(A) a step of preparing a mark information table for storing the various types of information for each type of the mark,
(B) in response to a command from the outside, a step of designating one type from among a plurality of types of marks in which various types of information are stored in the mark information table;
(C) reading a set of various types of information corresponding to the type of mark specified in the step (b) from a plurality of sets of various types of information stored in the mark information table;
And (d) a step of setting the various read information as the control information.

  Even in the first printer control method having such a configuration, as in the first printer control apparatus, when the stamp mark is changed, it is only necessary that various information about the stamp mark is stored in the mark information table. The operator did not have to input these various information again. As a result, there is an effect that the workability when setting the stamp mark is excellent.

  In the printer control method configured as described above, (d) a step of changing a set of various information read out in the step (b) based on input data from an input device, and (e) the step (d). And a step of updating the mark information table with the contents of the change.

  According to the printer control method of this configuration, various information stored in the mark information table can be updated in units of sets. Therefore, the workability when setting the stamp mark is excellent.

A second printer control method according to the present invention includes:
(A) a step of setting various information for enabling printing with a mark to add a predetermined mark to a print screen in a predetermined printer;
(B) A step of displaying on the display device an image representing at least one of the various information set in the step (a) as a pictorial diagram corresponding to an actual printing result at the time of marked printing in the printer. When,
And (c) using the various information set in the step (a) as control information, and controlling the printer based on the control information.

  Also in the second printer control method having such a configuration, as in the second printer control apparatus, various information set at the time of marked printing is displayed as a picture corresponding to the actual printing result at the time of marked printing in the printer. Can be displayed on the device. Therefore, since the operator can easily know various information sensuously, the operability when setting the stamp mark is excellent.

The recording medium of the present invention is
A variety of information is set for enabling printing with a mark to add a predetermined mark to a print screen in a predetermined printer, and the printer is controlled based on the control information using the set various information as control information. A recording medium recording a computer to be controlled,
(A) a step of preparing a mark information table for storing the various types of information for each type of the mark,
(B) in response to a command from the outside, a step of designating one type from among a plurality of types of marks in which various types of information are stored in the mark information table;
(C) reading a set of various types of information corresponding to the type of mark specified in the step (b) from a plurality of sets of various types of information stored in the mark information table;
(D) The gist is that a computer program for causing a computer to execute the step of setting the various pieces of read information as the control information is recorded.

  Even with the recording medium having the above-described configuration, the same effects as those of the first printer control apparatus and method can be obtained.

1 is an external view of a computer system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the hardware of a computer system. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a state of processing from image information handled by the computer main body 16 until printing is performed. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a “property” dialog box DB1 for setting various types of information about a printer. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dialog box DB1 in which a “basic setting” card CD3 is opened; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dialog box DB1 in which a “layout” card CD5 is opened; It is explanatory drawing which shows the mark name input column E71 of the state in which the menu column E71b was open in the pull-down format. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a “stamp mark setting” dialog box DB2. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of the stamp mark display column E96. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the method of determining the printing position in a page surface by an offset value from the main points. It is the block diagram which schematized the part regarding the function which sets the various information about the stamp mark among the functions of the information setting module 58. 4 is a flowchart showing a layout processing routine executed by a CPU 30. It is a flowchart which shows the processing routine of the card display performed with CPU30. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image represented by base image data BD1. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a part of various tables stored in an HDD 41. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a data setting processing routine executed by a CPU 30; 4 is a flowchart showing a detailed setting processing routine executed by a CPU 30; It is explanatory drawing which shows the image represented by base image data BD2.

  In order to further clarify the configuration and operation of the present invention described above, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 is an external view of a computer system to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied. This computer system includes a computer 10 and a CRT display 12 and a printer 14 as peripheral devices. The computer 10 includes a computer main body 16, a keyboard 18, and a mouse 20. The computer main body 16 is equipped with a floppy disk drive 24 for reading the contents of the floppy disk 22.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of hardware of the computer system. As shown in the figure, the computer main body 16 includes a ROM 31, a RAM 32, a display image memory 33, a mouse interface 34, a keyboard interface 35, an FDC 36, an HDC 37, and a CRTC 38, which are connected to each other by a bus around a CPU 30 as a central processing unit. A printer interface 39 and an I / O port 40.

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

  The HDC 37 is a hard disk controller that controls a hard disk drive (HDD) 41. The CRTC 38 is a CRT controller that controls display of an image on the CRT display 12 based on display image data stored in the display image memory 33. The printer interface 39 is an interface that controls the output of data to the printer 14. The I / O port 40 includes a serial output port, and is connected to a modem 44, and is connected to a public telephone line 46 via the modem 44. The computer 10 is connected to an external network via a modem 44 and can be connected to a specific server 48.

  In this computer system, the operating system is stored in the HDD 41, and when the computer main body 16 is turned on according to the loader written in the boot block of the HDD 41, it is loaded into a predetermined area of the RAM 32. A printer driver prepared for each model of the printer 14 is stored in the floppy disk 22 in advance, and is installed in the computer main body 16 from the floppy disk drive 24 by starting a predetermined installation program. The installed printer driver is stored in the HDD 41. When the computer main body 16 is turned on, the installed printer driver is incorporated into the operating system and loaded into a predetermined area of the RAM 32.

  Various constituent requirements of the present invention are realized by the CPU 30 executing the printer driver. As described above, the printer driver software program is stored in the floppy disk 22, but instead of this, other portable recording media such as a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, and an IC card. It is good also as a structure stored in (portable recording medium). The software program described above can also be obtained by downloading program data provided via a network from a specific server 48 connected to an external network and transferring it to the RAM 32 or HDD 41. .

  Next, how printing is performed by the computer system having the hardware configuration described above will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a state of processing from image information handled by the computer main body 16 until printing is performed. As shown in the figure, an image is displayed on the CRT display 12 via the video driver 52 while processing the image by the application program 51 operating inside the computer main body 16. When the application program 51 issues a print instruction, the printer driver 53 in the computer main body 16 receives the image information from the application program 51 and converts it into a signal that can be printed by the printer 14.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the printer driver 53 includes a rasterizer 54 that converts image information handled by the application program 51 into color information in dot units, and image information (floor level) converted into color information in dot units. A mark addition module 55 for adding a stamp mark to the tone data), a color correction module 56 for performing color correction according to the color development characteristics of the printer 14 on the image information to which the stamp mark is added, and after the color correction. A halftone module 57 for generating so-called halftone image information expressing the density in a certain area depending on the presence or absence of ink in dot units is provided.

  In addition, an information setting module 58 for setting various information for printing by the printer 14 is provided in the printer driver 53. Various types of information for printing include basic settings for printing such as print quality, color correction, and halftone type, stamp mark names, stamp mark settings such as position and color on the print screen, There are things related to paper settings such as size and printing direction.

  Note that the stamp mark information set by the information setting module 58 is sent to the mark addition module 55, the color correction information set by the information setting module 58 is sent to the color correction module 56, and halftone. This type of information is sent to the halftone module 57. The information setting module 58 displays an image indicating the setting contents on the CRT display 12 via the video driver 52. Since the operation of each module except the information setting module 58 is well known, the description thereof will be omitted in principle, and the information setting module 58 will be described below.

  The printer driver 53 can control various printing by the printer 14 by changing the setting, but the operator needs to perform such setting in advance. The information setting module 58 performs the operation of setting various information for such printing. Here, what kind of screen is displayed on the CRT display 12 by the operation of the information setting module 58 will be described first. In this description, Windows 95 (trademark of Microsoft Corporation) will be described as an example of an operating system on which the printer driver operates.

  First, the operator operates the computer 10 as follows to display a dialog box for setting various information for printing on the CRT display 12. That is, a “printer” window is opened by performing an operation of [start] → [setting] → [printer]. Then double-click on the icon of the desired printer on that window to open the window for that printer. Thereafter, [Printer] → [Property] is operated from the window to display a property dialog box for setting various information about the printer.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the dialog box DB1 when it is opened. As shown in the figure, the dialog box DB1 includes six types of cards CD1, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5 of “information”, “details”, “basic settings”, “paper settings”, “layout”, and “utility”. , CD6 is prepared. The “information” card CD1 is for setting information about the printer such as a comment of the printer. The “detail” card CD2 is used for setting detailed information about the printer such as a port to which the printer is connected. The “basic setting” card CD3 is used to set basic information related to print quality. The “paper setting” card CD4 is used to set various information about paper. The “layout” card CD5 is used to set various information regarding the layout of the layout at the time of printing and various information regarding printing with a mark. The “utility” card CD6 is used to set other useful information.

  Any one of these cards CD1 to CD6 is selected by operating the mouse 20 by the operator and displayed in the dialog box DB1.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying the dialog box DB1 in which the “basic setting” card CD3 is opened. As shown in the figure, the “basic setting” card CD3 has three data input fields E1, E2 of “mode setting”, “paper type”, and “ink” as data input fields for receiving data input from the operator. , E3. Further, the card CD3 is provided with a data display field E4 for displaying some information of the current setting contents of the printer driver.

  The “mode setting” data input field E1 is used to select a basic setting mode. A “recommended setting” mode in which a predetermined setting is automatically performed, and a “detailed” mode in which manual setting is performed in detail. The “setting” mode can be selected by the buttons E11 and E12.

  When the button “E12” is clicked to select the “detailed setting” mode, the data input field E13 and the data input field E14 become active. As a result, it is possible to input the type of print data, such as word processor, graph, photo, etc., from this data input field E13, and it is possible to open a dialog box for manual setting from the data input field E14. It becomes. The details of this manual setting dialog box will not be explained, but the main points are that the "paper type", "ink", "halftone", "interlace", "both" Information such as “print direction” and “color adjustment” is set.

  On the other hand, when the button E11 is clicked and the “recommended setting” mode is selected, the slide lever-type button E15 is activated, whereby the quality of printing by the printer 14 is stepwise. Can be specified. It should be noted that the computer 10 executes processing for obtaining various quality information for determining the print quality in accordance with the print quality designation result. Here, the various types of quality information correspond to printing resolution, halftone type, and interlace function classification. These various types of quality information are the same as those included in the information input from the manual setting dialog box.

  The data display column E4 is a display area E41 that displays information on “paper size”, “printing direction”, “printing quality”, “interlace”, “bidirectional printing”, “color adjustment”, and “stamp mark”. , E42, E43, E44, E45, E46, E47. The contents of “paper size” and “printing direction” displayed in the display areas E41 and E42 are data input and set using the “paper setting” card CD4. The “paper setting” card CD4 is not directly related to the contents of the present invention and will not be described. In short, information relating to paper settings such as paper size, printing direction, and number of copies is input and set. .

  The contents of “print quality”, “interlace”, “bidirectional printing”, and “color adjustment” displayed in the display areas E43, E44, E45, and E46 use the “basic setting” card CD3 described above. The data is input and set. Further, the content of the “stamp mark” displayed in the display area E47 is data of a stamp mark name input and set using the “layout” card CD5.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the dialog box DB1 in which the “layout” card CD5 is opened. As shown in the figure, the “layout” card CD5 has three data input fields E5 and E6 of “enlargement / reduction”, “allocation”, and “stamp mark” as data input fields for receiving data input from the operator. , E7. Further, the card CD5 is provided with a layout display field E8 for displaying some information set in the card CD5 among the contents of the current settings of the printer driver using an image.

  The “enlargement / reduction” data input field E5 is used for setting enlargement / reduction printing, and a detailed description thereof is omitted here. The “assignment” data input field E6 is used to set the number of pages to be assigned to one sheet of paper. “1 page”, “2 pages” meaning an array of 2 pages arranged side by side, and an array of 4 pages in a grid pattern "4 pages" meaning "" is prepared as an option.

  The “stamp mark” data input field E7 is used for setting a stamp mark for printing with a mark. The details are as follows. In the “stamp mark” data input field E7, a mark name input field E71 and a setting button E72 are provided. The mark name input field E71 is used to set a stamp mark name (stamp mark name) that identifies the type of stamp mark. In the mark name input field E71, when the button E71a at the right corner is clicked with the mouse 20, as shown in FIG. 7, a menu field E71b is displayed in a pull-down format, and “confidential”, “CONFIDENTAL”, Stamp marks such as “Important”, “Do not take out”, “Confidential” are prepared as options.

  The setting button E72 is a switch for instructing switching to the detailed mode when various information regarding the stamp mark is set in detail. Specifically, the setting button E72 is clicked by the mouse 20. As a result, the dialog box DB2 shown in FIG. 8 is opened on the screen.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the dialog box DB2 includes data input fields E91, E92, E93, E94, and E95 for “mark name”, “position”, “size”, “color”, and “density”. It has been.

  The “mark name” data entry field E91 is the same as the mark name entry field E71 provided on the “layout” card CD5, and the stamp mark name for specifying the type of stamp mark is designated as the “layout” card. Input is possible from both CD5 and this dialog box DB1.

  The “Position” data input field E92 is used to set the printing position of the stamp mark on one page surface in the marked printing. Five types are prepared as options. The “size” data input field E93 is used to set the size of a stamp mark to be printed on one page, and a slide lever type button E93a is prepared.

  The “color” data input field E94 is used to set the color of the stamp mark, and “black”, “blue”, “red”, “yellow”, and the like are prepared as options. The “Density” data entry field E95 is used to set the density of the stamp mark to be printed on one page, and a slide lever type button E95a is prepared.

Further, the dialog box DB2 is provided with an image display field (hereinafter referred to as a stamp mark display field) E96 representing the contents of the marked printing. The image displayed in the stamp mark display field E96 is the page surface on which the stamp mark is printed (not the surface of the printing paper, for example, if two pages are assigned to the printing paper, only one of them is displayed. The image is such that the following contents can be understood.
(1) Types of stamp marks
(2) Layout position of stamp mark on one page
(3) Stamp mark size
(4) Stamp mark color
(5) Stamp mark density

  The images representing the above (1) to (5) are changed whenever the setting contents of the data input fields E91 to E95 are changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the “mark name” data entry field E91 is “CONFIDENTAL”, the “position” data entry field E92 is “center”, and the “size” data entry field E93 is a predetermined size. When the “color” data input field E93 is set to red and the “density” data input field E94 is set to the darkest side, the image in the display field E96 is rectangular as shown in the figure. The letters “CONFIDENTAL” are displayed in the center of the paper in a predetermined size, color (not shown in the figure but red) and density. The outer rectangle r1 in the display field E96 indicates the partition of the display field E96, the intermediate rectangle r2 indicates the size of one page to be printed, and the inner rectangle r3 indicates the document on one page. This indicates an area where desired data such as.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the stamp mark display field E96. As shown in FIG. 9, in the stamp mark display field E96, a “secret” pattern may be displayed in a predetermined size, color, and density on the upper right of a rectangular sheet. This display is switched according to the following settings. That is, the “mark name” data entry field E91 is “secret”, the “position” data entry field E92 is “upper right”, the “size” data entry field E93 is a predetermined size, and “color”. When the data input field E93 is set to red (the color is not shown in the figure but red), and the "density" data input field E94 is set to the darkest side, the image shown in FIG. It will be displayed in the display field E96.

  In this embodiment, five types of “center”, “upper left”, “upper right”, “lower left”, and “lower right” are prepared as options as print positions input from the “position” data input field E92. However, these five types of data only show the five main points P0, P1, P2, P3, and P4 on the paper as shown in FIG. Therefore, as another aspect of this embodiment, a configuration may be adopted in which a data input field for offset values for position adjustment is separately provided on the dialog box DB2. The offset value here is a numerical value indicating the deviation in the horizontal direction u and the vertical direction v with respect to the position set by the data input field E92. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the position PX can be set by an offset value (u1, v1) from the position P1. With this configuration, the stamp mark can be freely set at any position on the paper.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the dialog box DB2 is provided with a “Save” button E97. When the button E97 is clicked with the mouse 20, the contents changed by the “stamp mark setting” dialog box DB2 are saved.

Returning to FIG. 6, the image displayed in the layout display field E8 provided on the “layout” card CD5 will be described next. As described above, the layout display field E8 displays some information set on the “layout” card CD5 using an image, and a picture corresponding to an actual print result is displayed. . Specifically, the image can be understood as follows.
(6) Number of pages that can be allocated to one printing sheet and the layout position of the page surface
(7) Mark type, printing position, size, color and density for stamp marks printed on each page.

  The images representing the above (6) and (7) are changed whenever the setting contents of the data input fields E6 and E7 are changed. For example, when the “assignment” data input field E6 is set to “2 pages” and the mark name input field E71 is set to “CONFIDENTIAL”, the image of the layout display field E8 is as shown in the figure. Two pages become one sheet arranged side by side, and characters such as “CONFIDENTIAL” are described on each allocated page. It should be noted that the contents set in the dialog box DB2 (FIG. 8) described above are used as they are for the printing position, size, color, and density for the characters “CONFIDENTIAL” on each page. That is, the image displayed in the stamp mark display field E96 of the dialog box DB2 is displayed as one page (one page assigned to the paper) in the layout display field E8.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically showing a part related to the function of setting various information about the stamp mark among the functions of the information setting module 58 described above in detail. As shown in FIG. 11, the information setting module 58 includes a mark type designation unit 60, a mark information reading unit 61, and a mark information setting unit 62 that are realized by being executed by the CPU 30. Further, in order to realize a function of setting various information about the stamp mark, the HDD 41 stores a mark information table Mkd as mark information storage means, and the mark type designation section 60 and the mark of the information setting module 58 are stored. The information reading unit 61 exchanges data with the mark information table Mkd.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a layout processing routine among various processing routines executed by the information setting module 58. This layout processing routine is started when the “layout” card CD5 is selected by operating the mouse 20 by the operator. As shown in FIG. 12, when the processing is started, the CPU 30 executes a card display processing routine for displaying image data indicating the “layout” card CD5 on the CRT display 12 (step S100). Next, a data setting processing routine for various data using the “layout” card CD5 is executed (step S200). Thereafter, the execution of this layout processing routine is temporarily terminated.

  Next, the card display processing routine executed in step S100 will be described in detail. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the card display processing routine. As shown in the figure, when the process proceeds to step S100, the CPU 30 first reads base image data BD1 as a base of the “layout” card CD5 from the HDD 41 (step S110), and stores the base image data BD1 in the RAM 32. Transfer to a predetermined work area (step S120). Here, the base image data BD1 represents an image obtained by removing a portion determined by the input data from the image of the card CD5 shown in FIG. 6, and this image is as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, an image showing an image in which the buttons and display areas in the three data input fields E5, E6, and E7 of “enlarge / reduce”, “assignment”, and “stamp mark” are blank. Data is transferred to the work area in the RAM 32. The image data in the work area thus obtained is hereinafter referred to as display image data DD1.

  Returning to FIG. 13, after execution of step S120, the CPU 30 displays the data group Da related to “enlargement / reduction” and the data group Db related to “allocation” input from the “layout” card CD5 to the HDD 41. (Step S130).

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of various tables stored in the HDD 41. As illustrated, the HDD 41 stores a layout information table Lyd and a mark information table Mkd. The layout information table Lyd is one record data for storing various types of information about the layout of layout at the time of printing. The data group Da input from the “enlarge / reduce” data input field E5 and the data of “allocation” A data group Db input from the input field E6 and a mark name Dc input from the mark name input field E71 of the data input field E7 of “stamp mark” (or the data input field E91 of the dialog box DB2). .

  The mark information table Mkd marks various pieces of information (here, “position”, “size”, “color”, “density” data Dm1, Dm2, Dm3, Dm4) for enabling printing with a mark. This is data of a plurality of records that are grouped for each type, and each set is stored as one record together with a mark name Dc for specifying the type of the mark.

  In step S130 of FIG. 13, the data groups Da and Db stored in the layout information table Lyd are read from the HDD 41. Subsequently, the CPU 30 reads the mark name Dc of the layout information table Lyd from the HDD 41 (step S140).

  Thereafter, the CPU 30 performs a process of reading data Dm1 to Dm4 of one record having the matching mark name Dc from the mark information table Mkd using the mark name Dc read in step S140 as a search key (step S150).

  Subsequently, the display image data DD1 in the work area is corrected according to the data groups Da and Db read in step S130 and the mark name Dc read in step S140 (step S160). Specifically, in this process, a mark or text character based on the data group Da is filled in a blank in the button or display area in the “enlarge / reduce” data input field E5, and in the “allocation” data input field E6. The display image data DD1 is obtained so that a mark or text character based on the data group Db is filled in the blank of the button or display area, and an image in which the text character of the mark name Dc is filled in the blank of “stamp mark”. To correct.

  Further, in this process, the display image data DD1 is modified so that a picture representing the printing paper printed by the printer 14 is filled in a blank field of the layout display field E8. The modification of the layout display field E8 differs depending on the number of allocated pages in the data group Db, and represents a print sheet to which one page is allocated or a print sheet to which two pages are allocated. (Refer to the layout display field E8 in FIG. 6; however, there is no “CONFIDENTIAL” stamp mark data in FIG. 6 at this point.) 4 pages are shown. Or That is, the display image data DD1 is corrected so that an image that understands the content of (6) described above is displayed in the layout display field E8.

  After executing step S160, the CPU 30 executes the layout display field E8 of the display image data DD1 in the work area according to the mark name Dc read in step S140 and the data Dm1 to Dm4 related to the stamp mark setting read in step S150. Processing for correcting the portion corresponding to is performed (step S170). The mark name Dc and the data Dm1 to Dm4 determine the type, position, size, color, and density of the stamp mark added to each page surface allocated on the printing paper. However, in this step S170, the display image data DD1 is corrected based on the mark name Dc and the data Dm1 to Dm4 so that the picture displayed in the layout display field E8 corresponds to the actual print result. I am trying.

  Specifically, the processing in step S170 is realized by executing a plurality of steps as follows. First, a stamp mark image of a type corresponding to the mark name Dc is called from the RAM 32. The RAM 32 stores in advance a mark image table 65 that stores basic images of a plurality of types of stamp marks along with the loading of the printer driver. In this step S170, the mark image table 65 is searched using the mark name Dc as a search key. By doing so, a basic image for a type of stamp mark corresponding to the mark name Dc is called. Here, the basic image has a basic size in size, color, and density.

  Next, the size, color, and density of the basic image are changed according to the “size”, “color”, and “density” data Dm2 to Dm4. Further, on which position on the page surface allocated to the printing paper the image of the stamp mark thus obtained is printed is determined based on the “position” data dm1. Since it is possible to know how the stamp mark is printed on the page surface during actual printing from these calculation results, in step S170, the actual print result is displayed on the page surface on the layout display field E8. The display image data DD1 obtained in step S160 is corrected so that an image as shown in FIG. For example, when the display image data DD1 corrected in this way is a printing sheet on which two pages are allocated and the data Dm1 is “center”, as shown in the layout display field E8 of FIG. Each of the two pages displayed represents an image in which characters of a stamp mark (for example, “CONFIDENTAL”) are arranged at the center of the page. That is, the processing in step S170 is to correct the display image data DD1 so that an image that understands the contents of (7) described above is displayed in the layout display field E8.

  When the process of step S170 is completed, the CPU 30 subsequently performs a process of displaying the display image data DD1 on the CRT display 12 (step S180). As a result, the dialog box DB1 in which the “layout” card CD5 as illustrated in FIG. 6 is opened is displayed on the CRT display 12. Thereafter, the process returns to “RETURN” to end the process once.

  Next, the data setting processing routine executed in step S200 will be described in detail. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the data setting processing routine. As shown in the figure, when the process proceeds to step S200, the CPU 30 first performs a data fetch process (step S210). This data fetching process fetches data input from an input device such as the mouse 20 or the keyboard 18 in accordance with the “layout” card CD5 displayed in the card display processing routine in step S100.

  Next, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the data fetched in step S210 indicates that the button E0 such as “OK” on the “layout” card CD5 is clicked (step S220). Here, if it is determined that the “OK” button EO has been clicked, processing is performed to set the contents of the properties set so far as control information for controlling the printer 14 (step S222). ). Specifically, the data Dm1, Dm2, and Dm3 of “position”, “size”, “color”, and “density” determined from the contents of the layout information table Lyd in the HDD 41 and the mark name Dc in the layout information table Lyd. , Dm4 is stored in the HDD 41 as well-known control information for the printer.

  After executing step S222, the CPU 30 closes the dialog box DB1 in which the “layout” card CD5 is opened and ends the properties (step S224). Thereafter, the data setting processing routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S220 that the “OK” button E0 has not been clicked, the CPU 30 advances the process to step S230. In step S230, it is determined whether or not the mark name has been changed by determining whether or not the fetched data is data input from the mark name input field E71 of the data input field E7. If it is determined that the mark name has been changed, the CPU 30 updates the contents of the mark name Dc in the layout information table Lyd stored in the HDD 41 with the input new mark name (step S240). ).

  Subsequently, the mark name Dc is added to the display image data DD1 so that the contents of the mark name Dc are displayed in the mark name input field E71 of the “layout” card CD5 (step S250). Thereafter, the same processing as steps S150 and S170 of the card display processing routine is executed in order (steps S260 and S270). In other words, according to the processing in steps S260 and S270, the current information (“position”, “size”, “color”, “density” data Dm1, Dm2, Dm3, Dm4) about the changed mark name Dc. ) Is read from the mark information table Mkd, and the display image data DD1 is corrected so that the data can be visually understood.

  After execution of step S270, the CPU 30 performs processing for displaying the corrected display image data DD1 on the CRT display 12 (step S280). Thereafter, the CPU 30 returns the process to step S210 and repeatedly executes the series of processes.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S230 that the mark name is not changed, the process proceeds to step S290. In step S290, it is determined whether or not the data acquired in step S210 indicates that the setting button E72 has been clicked. If it is determined that the setting button E72 has not been clicked, the CPU 30 advances the process to step S292 and executes other processes based on the data fetched in step S210. Thereafter, the CPU 30 returns the process to step S210.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S290 that this indicates that the setting button 72 has been clicked, a detailed setting process for setting various types of information about marked printing in detail is executed (step S300). Thereafter, the CPU 30 returns the process to step S210.

  Next, the detailed setting processing routine executed in step S300 will be described in detail. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing routine for detailed stamp mark setting. As shown in the figure, when the process proceeds to step S300, the CPU 30 first performs a process of creating display image data DD2 indicating the dialog box DB2 of “stamp mark setting” (step S310). The process of step S310 includes the following two processes in detail.

  First, the base image data BD2, which is the base of the dialog box DB2, is read from the HDD 41. Here, the base image data BD2 represents an image obtained by removing a portion determined by input data from the image of the “stamp mark setting” dialog box DB2 shown in FIG. 8, and this image is as shown in FIG. It will be a thing. That is, as shown in FIG. 18, the data input fields E91, E92, E93, E94, E95 for “mark name”, “position”, “size”, “color”, “density”, etc. are blank. The base image data BD2 indicating is taken from the HDD 41. Such image data is temporarily stored in the work area in the RAM 32 as display image data DD2.

  Next, the display image data DD2 is corrected based on the mark name Dc currently selected by the printer driver and data Dm1 to Dm4 determined from the mark name Dc. Here, the currently selected mark name Dc is stored in the layout information table Lyd of the HDD 41, and before entering the detailed setting routine, the mark name of the “layout” card CD5 is input. This matches the content displayed in the column E71.

  Here, using the currently selected mark name Dc as a search key, data Dm1 to Dm4 of one record having the same mark name Dc is read from the mark information table Mkd, and the mark name Dc and the data Dm1 to Dm4 are read. The display image data DD2 in the work area is corrected. Specifically, the display image data DD2 is corrected so that the dialog box DB2 has the following image. That is, in the data entry fields E91, E92, E93, E94, and E95 for “mark name”, “position”, “size”, “color”, and “density” in the dialog box DB2, the mark name Dc and the data are stored. Dm1 to Dm4 are displayed in order, and further, display image data DD2 is generated in the stamp mark display field E96. The display image data DD2 indicates an image on which the contents of the data Dc and Dm1 to Dm4 are displayed as a picture representing the plane of the printing paper. .

  After completing the creation of the display image data DD2 in step S310, the CPU 30 performs a process for displaying the display image data DD2 on the CRT display 12 (step S320).

  Subsequently, the CPU 30 performs a data take-in process (step S330). This data fetching process fetches data input from an input device such as the mouse 20 or the keyboard 18 in accordance with the “stamp mark setting” dialog box DB2 displayed in the process of step S320.

  Next, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the data fetched in step S330 indicates that a button E98 (see FIG. 8) such as “OK” on the “stamp mark setting” dialog box DB2 has been clicked. (Step S340). If it is determined that the “OK” button E98 is not clicked, the data acquired in step S330 is stored as change data in the work area on the RAM 32 (step S350).

  After executing step S350, CPU 30 performs a process of correcting display image data DD2 according to the changed data (step S360). In this modification, the contents of the changed data are displayed in the corresponding fields of the data input fields E91, E92, E93, E94, E95, and the contents of the changed data are further displayed in the stamp mark display field E96. Display image data indicating an image to be reflected on the screen is created. Thereafter, the CPU 30 performs processing for displaying the corrected display image data DD2 on the CRT display 12 (step S370).

  Subsequently, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the button E97 such as “save” on the “stamp mark setting” dialog box DB2 is clicked (step S380). If it is determined that the “save” button E97 is clicked, the layout information table Lyd or the mark information table Mkd on the HDD 41 is updated with the changed data (step S390). Thereafter, the process returns to step S330, and the data fetching process is continued.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S380 that the “Save” button E97 has not been clicked, the process of step S390 is skipped and the process returns to step S330.

  If it is determined in step S340 that the “OK” button E98 is clicked, the process proceeds to step S400 to close the “stamp mark setting” dialog box DB2 and perform the detailed setting process. The routine is temporarily terminated.

  In the computer system of this embodiment, which has been described in detail above, various types of information that can be printed with a mark are grouped for each type of stamp mark and stored in the mark information table Mkd in the HDD 41, respectively. When the operator inputs a mark name Dc from the mark name input field E71 displayed on the CRT display 12, the data Dm1 to “position”, “size”, “color”, and “density” corresponding to the mark name are input. Dm4 is read from the mark information table Mkd and set as control information for the printer 14.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the stamp mark to be printed with a mark is changed, as long as various information about the stamp mark is stored in the mark information table Mkd, the operator inputs the various information again. Even without correction, it can be set by reading from the mark information table Mkd. For this reason, there is an effect that the workability at the time of setting the stamp mark is excellent.

  Further, in this embodiment, how various information about the marked printing is set corresponds to the actual print result displayed in the layout display field E8 provided on the “layout” card CD5. The operator can know from the picture. Therefore, the operator can easily know various information sensuously, and the operability at the time of setting the stamp mark is excellent. In particular, in this embodiment, when a plurality of page surfaces are assigned to the printing paper, the picture displayed in the layout display field E8 represents the entire printing paper to which the plurality of page surfaces are assigned. Moreover, stamp marks are displayed on each page surface. For this reason, since the picture corresponding to the actual print result can be displayed even in the printing in the mode in which a plurality of page surfaces are allocated, various information can be obtained more easily.

  Further, in this embodiment, the layout display field E8 is displayed on the same display screen as the mark name input field E71 for mark type designation displayed on the CRT display 12. For this reason, when selecting one mark name from a plurality of selection candidates using the mark name input field E71, a pictorial diagram showing various information about the selected mark name is displayed on the display screen without switching the display screen. Can be made.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when setting the stamp mark, the operator knows the latest various information for each type of stamp mark from the display screen without performing troublesome operations such as switching the display screen. Obtainable. Therefore, the stamp mark setting workability is further improved.

  In this embodiment, the mark type designation means is configured to accept a key input by an operator and designate a stamp mark name. Instead, in the form of a signal sent from an external computer, The stamp mark name may be input. In this embodiment, the mark name is specified as the mark type specifying means. However, it is not necessary to specify the mark name, and any mark type can be used as long as the type of the stamp mark can be specified. .

  Furthermore, the above embodiment is applied to a computer system in which the printer 14 is directly connected to the local computer 10 with a cable. Instead, a printer connected to a server on the LAN is shared by a plurality of computers. It is good also as a structure applied to the computer system to do. Alternatively, a printer connected to a server connected via the Internet may be applied to a computer system controlled by a computer via the Internet.

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

10 ... Computer 12 ... CRT display 14 ... Printer 16 ... Computer body 18 ... Keyboard 20 ... Mouse 22 ... Floppy disk 24 ... Floppy disk drive 30 ... CPU
31 ... ROM
32 ... RAM
33 ... Display image memory 34 ... Mouse interface 35 ... Keyboard interface 36 ... FDC
37 ... HDC
38 ... CRTC
39 ... Printer interface 40 ... I / O port 41 ... HDD
44 ... modem 46 ... public telephone line 48 ... server 51 ... application program 52 ... video driver 53 ... printer driver 54 ... rasterizer 55 ... mark adding module 56 .. Color correction module 57 ... Halftone module 58 ... Information setting module 60 ... Mark type designation section 61 ... Mark information reading section 62 ... Mark information setting section 65 ... Mark image table 72 ... Setting button Dc ... Mark name Dm1 to Dm4 ... Various data E71 ... Mark name input field E8 ... Layout display field E96 ... Stamp mark display field Lyd ... Layout information table Mkd ... Mark information table

Claims (9)

A variety of information is set for enabling printing with a mark to add a predetermined mark to a print screen in a predetermined printer, and the printer is controlled based on the control information using the set various information as control information. A printer control device for controlling,
Mark information storage means for storing each of the various types of information for each type of mark;
In response to an external command, mark type designation means for designating one type from among a plurality of types of marks in which various information is stored in the mark information storage means;
Mark information reading means for reading a set of various information corresponding to the type of mark specified by the mark type specifying means from a plurality of sets of various information stored in the mark information storage means;
A printer control apparatus comprising: control information setting means for setting various information read by the mark information reading means as the control information. The printer control device according to claim 1,
The mark type designation means includes:
First display control means for causing a display device to display a selection candidate display field capable of displaying a plurality of mark names that define a plurality of mark types for which various types of information are stored in the mark information storage means;
Mark name selection means for designating the one type by selecting one mark name from a plurality of mark names displayed in the selection candidate display field based on a command from the input device; As well as
This printer control device
A printer comprising: second display control means for displaying an image indicating at least one of a set of various information read by the mark information reading means on the same display screen as the selection candidate display field. Control device.   The printer control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image displayed by the second display control unit is a picture corresponding to an actual print result at the time of marked printing in the printer. A printer control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Information changing means for changing a set of various information read by the mark information reading means based on input data from an input device;
A printer control apparatus comprising: storage information update means for updating the storage contents of the mark information storage means with the changes made by the information change means. Information setting means for setting various kinds of information for enabling printing with a mark to add a predetermined mark to a print screen in a predetermined printer;
Display control means for displaying on the display device an image representing at least one of various information set by the information setting means as a picture corresponding to an actual print result at the time of marked printing in the printer;
A printer control apparatus comprising: control means for controlling the printer based on the control information using various information set by the information setting means as control information. A variety of information is set for enabling printing with a mark to add a predetermined mark to a print screen in a predetermined printer, and the printer is controlled based on the control information using the set various information as control information. A printer control method for controlling,
(A) a step of preparing a mark information table for storing the various types of information for each type of the mark,
(B) in response to a command from the outside, a step of designating one type from among a plurality of types of marks in which various types of information are stored in the mark information table;
(C) reading a set of various types of information corresponding to the type of mark specified in the step (b) from a plurality of sets of various types of information stored in the mark information table;
(D) a printer control method comprising: setting the read various information as the control information. The printer control method according to claim 6, comprising:
(E) changing a set of various information read out in the step (b) based on input data from an input device;
(F) A printer control method comprising: a step of updating the mark information table with the content changed in the step (d). (A) a step of setting various information for enabling printing with a mark to add a predetermined mark to a print screen in a predetermined printer;
(B) A step of displaying on the display device an image representing at least one of the various information set in the step (a) as a pictorial diagram corresponding to an actual printing result at the time of marked printing in the printer. When,
(C) using the various information set in the step (a) as control information, and controlling the printer based on the control information. A variety of information is set for enabling printing with a mark to add a predetermined mark to a print screen in a predetermined printer, and the printer is controlled based on the control information using the set various information as control information. A recording medium recording a computer to be controlled,
(A) a step of preparing a mark information table for storing the various types of information for each type of the mark,
(B) in response to a command from the outside, a step of designating one type from among a plurality of types of marks in which various types of information are stored in the mark information table;
(C) reading a set of various types of information corresponding to the type of mark specified in the step (b) from a plurality of sets of various types of information stored in the mark information table;
(D) A recording medium on which a computer program for causing a computer to execute the step of setting the various read information as the control information is recorded.

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