JP2003316536A - File data print output method, file data print output program and computer-readable recording medium with its program recorded - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print output method for outputting file data which are being edited by application software on a personal computer to an image forming device capable of easily and surely selecting an image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: When an image forming device is provided with an option function, a first printer icon 201 displayed on the task bar of a monitor screen and a second printer icon 202 pulled down from the first printer icon 201 are installed in a personal computer. The second printer icon 202 is configured of a plurality of parts 202A to 202H according to the option function of the image forming device, and any part is instructed by a pointer to output file data which are being edited at present and function destination corresponding to the instructed part to the image forming device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to application software installed in a personal computer such as word processor software or spreadsheet software, which selects an output method according to the function of an image forming apparatus such as a printer. The present invention relates to a file data print output method for outputting the same, a file data print output program, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, an original is read using an image pickup device such as a CCD and the read digital file data is used to expose the surface of a photosensitive drum with a laser beam or the like to form it on the photosensitive drum. A digital copying machine that develops a latent image with toner and then transfers the image onto a recording sheet has been put into practical use. Such a digital copying machine substantially combines the functions of a scanner and a printer, and by connecting to a terminal device such as a personal computer via a network line, a network-sharing print output device (hereinafter, It may also be used as an “image forming apparatus”).

Conventionally, a printer driver software program (hereinafter referred to as "printer driver") corresponding to various OSs (operating systems) used in personal computers has been attached to each of these image forming apparatuses. There is. When the printer driver is installed on the hard disk drive of a personal computer, application software such as word processor software and spreadsheet software
The image forming apparatus can be used as an output device.

In the conventional application software, by clicking the printer icon displayed on the toolbar, only one copy of all the pages included in the file data file currently opened from the preset printer is displayed. One-click function to output, pull down the menu from the task bar, and the page or range to be printed by the user according to a predetermined procedure, the number of copies, the paper size, the image forming apparatus to output,
A selection function for selecting and outputting an optional function of the image forming apparatus is provided. It should be noted that data such as digitized document files and image data files such as image data managed by a personal computer are collectively referred to as file data.

[0005]

However, in the conventional application software, an optional function of the image forming apparatus, such as a sorter function or a double-sided copying function,
When using the enlargement / reduction copying function, paper specification (paper size or paper quality selection) function, staple function, punch function, etc., the user has to operate pull-down menus of multiple layers, which is very troublesome. Had.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional example. One or two functions among a plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus can be easily operated on a monitor screen of a personal computer. An object of the present invention is to provide a file data print output method capable of selecting the above function and a file data output method, a file data print output program, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the file data print output method of the present invention allows a user to edit the file data currently edited in application software running on a personal computer. A file data print output method for outputting to an image forming apparatus having a freely selectable function and forming an image on a recording sheet based on the function selected by a user, which is provided on a monitor screen of the personal computer. A first printer icon displaying step of displaying a first printer icon; a pointer moving step of moving a pointer on a monitor screen of the personal computer in response to a user's operation of an input device of the personal computer; Is displayed on the screen When instructed first printer icon, the second printer icon including a plurality of partial first in accordance with the selectable functions of the image forming apparatus
A second printer icon displaying step of pulling down and displaying the printer icon;
When the user moves to any part of the printer icon and the user turns on a predetermined switch of the input device, it corresponds to the part of the printer icon on which the predetermined switch is turned on together with the file data currently being edited. A file data output step of outputting the setting to the image forming apparatus.

In the above method, when the image forming apparatus is connected to the personal computer, the user of the image forming apparatus searches for a function that can be arbitrarily selected,
It is preferable to further include a printer function searching step of storing the searched function in the personal computer.

The printer status for searching the current status of the image forming apparatus is searched, and the first or second printer icon displayed on the monitor screen is changed according to the status of the image forming apparatus. It is preferable to further include a printer status retrieval step.

Further, it is preferable to display icons of a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to the personal computer via a network line as a first printer icon.

Further, it is preferable to display the second printer icons having different shapes according to the type of the image forming apparatus.

Further, it is preferable that the first printer icon is displayed on a task bar displayed on the monitor screen.

On the other hand, the file data print output program of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a function that allows the user to arbitrarily select the file data currently being edited by the application software running on the personal computer. A first printer icon for displaying a first printer icon on a monitor screen of the personal computer, which is a file data print output program for outputting an image on a recording sheet based on a function selected by a user. A display unit, a pointer moving unit that moves a pointer on a monitor screen of the personal computer in response to a user's operation of an input device of the personal computer, and a first printer icon in which the pointer is displayed on the monitor screen. If you instruct And a second printer icon display unit for pulling down and displaying a second printer icon composed of a plurality of parts in accordance with the selectable function of the image forming apparatus from the first printer icon, and the pointer being the first printer icon. 2 If the user has moved to any part of the printer icon and the user has turned on a predetermined switch of the input device, it corresponds to the part of the printer icon where the predetermined switch is turned on together with the file data currently being edited. And a file data output unit for outputting the setting to the image forming apparatus.

The computer-readable recording medium in which the file data print output program of the present invention is recorded is such that the user can arbitrarily select the file data currently edited by the application software running on the personal computer. A file data print output program for outputting to an image forming apparatus having a selectable function, and forming an image on a recording sheet based on the function selected by the user, which is displayed on the monitor screen of the personal computer. A first printer icon display section for displaying one printer icon, a pointer moving section for moving a pointer on a monitor screen of the personal computer according to a user's operation of an input device of the personal computer, and the pointer for displaying the monitor screen. above A first printer icon is displayed by pulling down a second printer icon composed of a plurality of parts according to the selectable function of the image forming apparatus. 2 printer icon display portion, the pointer is moved to any part of the second printer icon, and when the user turns on a predetermined switch of the input device, the predetermined data is edited together with the file data currently being edited. And a file data output unit for outputting the setting corresponding to the printer icon portion whose switch is turned on to the image forming apparatus.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a file data print output method, a file data print output program, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a LAN (Local Area Network) to which the file data printout method in this embodiment is applied. It is assumed that each of the plurality of personal computers 10 is connected to an image forming apparatus 30 such as a digital copying machine, which is an output device, via a network line 20. Hereinafter, depending on the case, the image forming apparatus 3
0 and the digital copying machine 30 are used properly.

The digital copying machine 30 reads a document placed on a document table with a scanner, uses the read image data to expose the surface of the photosensitive drum with a laser beam or an LED, and forms it on the photosensitive drum. The formed latent image is developed with toner and transferred onto a recording sheet to form an image. That is, it has a function in which a well-known scanner as a peripheral device of a personal computer and a laser beam printer are combined. On the other hand, digital copying machine 3
0 is a well-known optional function as a copying machine, for example, a sorter function, a double-sided copying function, an enlarging / reducing copying function, a paper designation (paper size or paper quality selection) function, a stapling function,
A punch function etc. can be added.

In this digital copying machine 30, a printer driver installed in each personal computer 10 in order to use it as a print output device of the personal computer 10 and to enable the above various optional functions is a CD-ROM ( It is attached in the state of being recorded on a recording medium) 21 or the like.

A user who purchases the digital copying machine 30 installs the printer driver recorded in the CD-ROM 21 on the hard disk of each personal computer 10 to print the digital copying machine 30 on the personal computer 10. It can be used as an output device.

Further, the printer driver has a function of allowing the user to arbitrarily select the file data that is added in to the application software running on the personal computer and is currently edited on the application software. A file data print output program for outputting to the image forming apparatus and forming an image on a recording sheet based on the function selected by the user is attached.

FIG. 2 shows the functional block configuration of the file data print output program in this embodiment. The file data print output program 100 is configured by a portion that, when installed and activated in the personal computer 10, causes the personal computer 10 to operate as a functional unit having the following functions.

The printer function search unit 110 is connected to the image forming apparatus 30 via the network line 20.
A CPU (not limited to a digital copying machine) is accessed to read out the model of the image forming apparatus and the function of the image forming apparatus, especially the function arbitrarily selectable by the user, and the information is second It is output to the printer icon display unit 113 or the like.

The printer status search unit 111 is a CP of the image forming apparatus connected via the network line 20.
U or the like to access the current status of the image forming apparatus 30, for example, printing (busy), printable (ready), toner shortage, out of toner, paper jam (jam), paper out, failure, etc. The first printer icon icon display unit 112 and the second printer detect the detection result.
It is output to the printer icon display unit 113 or the like.

The first printer icon display unit 112 is connected via the network line 20 from a plurality of printer icons previously created and stored in a memory or the like based on the search information from the printer function search unit 110. Select an icon corresponding to the type of the image forming apparatus 30, such as a digital copying machine, a laser beam printer, an inkjet printer, etc., on the monitor screen 11 of the personal computer 10, especially word processor software or spreadsheet software. , Is additionally displayed as a first printer icon on the task bar of the application software running on the personal computer. When a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected through the network line 20, only one of the image forming apparatuses that has been selected as the main print output apparatus in advance is displayed as the first printer icon. Alternatively, all items related to the selectable image forming apparatus may be displayed.

The pointer moving unit 116 moves a pointer such as a cursor on the monitor screen 11 according to an input from the mouse 12 or the keyboard 13 which is an input device of the personal computer 10.

The second printer icon display portion 113 indicates an image forming apparatus 30 in which the pointer indicates any one of the first printer icons and corresponds to the first printer icon.
If the user has an optional function that the user can arbitrarily select, the second printer icon including a plurality of parts is pulled down from the first printer icon so that the mounted optional function can be selected. To display. The second printer icon may be displayed in a pull-down even if the pointer merely indicates the first printer icon, or when a predetermined switch of the input device is turned on, such as when a predetermined button of the mouse 12 is clicked. You may pull down the display only on.

Incidentally, the first printer icon display section 112.
The second printer icon display unit 113 displays the current status of the image forming apparatus 30 by a predetermined display method according to the detection result from the printer status search unit 111. Details of each printer icon will be described later.

The file data storage unit 114 is a recording device such as a hard disk device or MO which is built in or attached to the personal computer 10, and is a document file created by using word processor software or the like, and is photographed by a digital camera or the like. The recorded image data file, the image data file read by using the digital copying machine 30 and the like are recorded in a predetermined storage format. In the following description, when referred to as "file data", it includes all data relating to these document files and image data files.

When the above-mentioned predetermined switch is turned on, the file data output unit 115 has a position of the pointer at the time of turning on the position of any of the first printer icon or any part of the second printer icon, Alternatively, it is determined whether or not they match a certain range centered on these positions, that is, the image forming apparatus selected by the user and its optional function. Then, the file data such as the document file or the image data currently being edited is read from the file data storage unit 114, and the network line 20
The read file data or the like is transmitted to the image forming apparatus corresponding to the printer icon via.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 30 selected by the user is, for example, a digital copying machine,
If the user has a function that can be arbitrarily selected,
The second printer icon corresponding to the image forming apparatus 30 is composed of a plurality of parts according to each selectable function. In that case, the file data output unit 115
Determines which part of the second printer icon the position of the pointer is when the predetermined switch is turned on. At this time, the second printer icon display unit 1
13 changes the color or the like of the portion of the second printer icon where the pointer is located. Then, when the predetermined switch is turned on, the setting corresponding to the position of the pointer at the time of being turned on, for example, the use of a sorter,
Double-sided printing, saddle stitch printing, enlarged or reduced printing, use of staples, punching with punches, designation of sheets such as sheet size and quality, and number of prints are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30 together with file data.

Further, if the user further needs to specify the position of the staple or punch, the enlarged or reduced size, the paper size, the number of copies, etc. after the function is selected, the second printer icon is displayed when the predetermined switch is turned off. The section 113 displays a screen for designation according to the selected function. Then, after the user specifies the positions of the staples and punches, the enlargement or reduction size, the paper size, the number of copies, etc., the file data output unit 1
15 transmits the file data to the image forming apparatus 30 together with the setting and designation of the selection function.

Next, the procedure for registering the image forming apparatus 30 as a network printer in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. In the flowchart, the image forming apparatus 3
For convenience, 0 is indicated as a printer.

First, the CD-ROM 21 in which the printer driver and the like are recorded is loaded into the CD drive device of the personal computer 10. Then, the printer driver is activated and the edit menu is displayed on the monitor screen 11 (step S1). When registering the image forming apparatus 30 as a network printer, the user moves the pointer or the like displayed on the monitor screen 11 to select the network printer search tag and clicks the button of the mouse 12 or the keyboard 13 Turn on the return key.

Next, the CP of the personal computer 10
U determines whether or not the printer search is selected based on signals from the input device such as the mouse 12 and the keyboard 13 (step S3). When the printer search is selected, the printer search / addition wizard is activated (step S5), and the user executes the printer search procedure according to the screen display. 2 of "Search Printer" and "Add Printer"
Two options are displayed, so select "Printer Search" here.

Next, a protocol designation screen is displayed on the monitor screen 11, so that the user can select "IP / IP".
X, "IP" or "IPX" protocol is selected (step S7). When the protocol is selected, the CPU searches the registered segment (step S9), for example, subnet mask. If there is no designation that can change, the registered segment is set as it is, and the user designates the read community (step S11). Next, when the "designation complete" button displayed on the monitor screen is clicked, the designation of the conditions for executing the printer search ends, but by clicking the "cancel" button, the process returns to step S1 and the designation is performed. You can start over.

When the designation is completed, the CPU searches for the model name, port, status, IP address, etc. of the image forming apparatus 30 connected to the personal computer 10 via the network line 20 (step S15).
When the read community is designated in step S11, the CPU forms the image forming apparatus 3 having the same read community name as the designated read community.
Search for 0 only.

When the model name or the like of the image forming apparatus 30 is searched, the searched information, an explanation about the image forming apparatus, and an icon displaying the outline shape of the image forming apparatus (first
The printer icon) is displayed on the monitor screen 11 (step S17). Further, when the pointer is moved to the model name portion or the icon portion of the image forming apparatus 30 displayed on the monitor screen 11 and the mouse button is double-clicked, the option attachment status and options of the image forming apparatus 30 are attached. The icon (second printer icon) displaying the schematic shape of the image forming apparatus in the above state, the status status, the IP address, etc. are displayed on the monitor screen 11 (step S19). Thus, the user can confirm the type and function of the image forming apparatus 30 connected to the personal computer 10 via the network line 20.

Next, among the one or more image forming apparatuses 30 displayed on the monitor screen 11, the icon of the image forming apparatus to be used as a normal print output apparatus (the first printer icon or the second printer icon) is displayed. icon)
Is moved to, for example, the network group area displayed on the left side of the monitor screen 11, and is dropped there to move the icon (step S2).
1). By clicking the confirmation button displayed on the monitor screen 11 after moving the printer icon, the image forming apparatus 30 can be used as a print output apparatus in application software started on the personal computer 10. . If necessary, the icon of the image forming apparatus (first printer icon or second printer icon) can be added in to the task bar of the application software.

Next, the operation of the file data printout method and program in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 to 6 and the screen displays shown in FIGS.

When the application software program installed in the personal computer 10 is started, the printer function search unit 110 is connected via the network line 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 (the power switch of which is turned on) is connected. Here, the function of the digital copying machine), particularly the optional function that the user can arbitrarily select is searched (step S51).
Then, the first printer icon display unit 112 selects an icon corresponding to the optional function installed in the image forming apparatus 30 according to the search result by the printer function search unit 110, and as shown in FIG. Monitor screen 11
The first printer icon 201 is displayed on the task bar displayed above (step S53).

The pointer moving unit 116 determines whether or not the user is operating the input device such as the mouse 12 (step S55). When the mouse 12 or the like is operated, the pointer 210 is moved to the monitor screen 11. Display and move the pointer 210 according to the input signal (step S
57).

The first printer icon display section 112 and / or
Alternatively, the second printer icon display unit 113 determines whether the pointer has approached the first printer icon 201 (step S59). If the pointer has approached the first printer icon 201, the first printer icon It is determined whether or not it is an enlarged display (step S61).
If the image is to be enlarged, the printer icon display unit 113 displays the enlarged second printer icon 202 on the monitor screen 11 as shown in FIG. 8 (step S63).

As shown in FIG. 8, the second printer icon 202 is composed of a plurality of parts corresponding to the optional functions installed in the image forming apparatus 30. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the second printer icon 2
Reference numeral 02 denotes an "as-is output" portion 202H for printing each page included in the file data one by one without using stapling, etc., and also has "staple" portion 202A and "punch" portion 202 as optional functions.
B, saddle stitching "portion 202C, portions 202D to 202G for selecting various paper sizes, and the like.

The second printer icon display section 113 displays the second printer icon 202 by changing the color of the portion indicated by the tip of the pointer 210 so that the user can easily recognize the function indicated by the pointer 210. It is changed (step S65).

Next, the second printer icon display section 113
The file data output unit 115 is, for example, the mouse 12
It is determined whether or not a predetermined switch such as the button has been turned on, that is, whether or not the user has selected one of the functions displayed on the second printer icon 202 (step S67). When a predetermined switch is turned on,
The second printer icon display unit 113 determines whether or not the function selected by the user needs to be further specified after selecting the function, such as the position of the staple or punch, the enlarged or reduced size, the paper size, and the number of copies. (Step S69).

If further designation is necessary, the second printer icon display portion 113 displays a designation screen on the monitor screen 11 according to the selected function (step S).
71). For example, FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen for designating the positions of staples. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the positions 301, 302, 303 ...
Recording paper 300 provided at a plurality of locations so that can be selected
Is displayed. At this time, as shown in the screen for instructing the position of the staple, the monitor screen 1
The shape of the pointer 310 displayed above 1 is also changed to the shape of a staple.

When the position of the staple or punch, the enlargement or reduction size, the paper size, the number of prints, etc. are designated by the user (step S73), the file data output unit 115 causes the file data storage unit 114 to edit the current data. Read the file data inside (step S
75).

On the other hand, in step S69, if the selected function does not require further designation, the file data output unit 115 causes the file data storage unit 114 to operate.
The file data currently being edited is read from (step S75).

If it is determined in step S61 that the first printer icon is not enlarged, the file data output unit 115 determines whether or not the predetermined switch is turned on (step S77), and the predetermined switch is turned on. When turned on, the file data output unit 115 reads the file data currently being edited from the file data storage unit 114 (step S79).

Normally, when file data is transmitted from the personal computer 10 to the image forming apparatus 30 via the network line 20, if the image forming apparatus 30 is in a printable state, the function and instruction selected by the user are directly displayed. It is printed according to what you have done. However,
When it can be used for a plurality of functions such as a scanner, a copying machine and a printer like a digital copying machine, it may be used by other users. In addition, when the printer is frequently used, it is often the case that printing cannot be performed due to troubles such as toner shortage, toner exhaustion, paper jam (jam), paper exhaustion, and failure.

Therefore, the printer status search unit 111 accesses the CPU of the image forming apparatus connected through the network line 20, searches the current status of the image forming apparatus 30 (step S81), and prints. It is determined whether or not it is possible (step S83). When printing is impossible, the printer status search unit 111 further determines whether the image forming apparatus 30 is currently in use (step S).
85). When the image forming apparatus 30 is currently in use, the first printer icon display unit 112 or the second printer icon display unit 113 displays “on the first printer icon or the second printer icon displayed on the monitor screen 11. The current state of the image forming apparatus 30, that is, “in use” is displayed by displaying characters such as “in use” in a superimposed manner, changing the color of these printer icons, and blinking these printer icons. (Step S8
7). Then, it waits until the image forming apparatus 30 is ready to print (step S89).

In step S83, the image forming apparatus 30
Is in the printable state and the image forming apparatus 30 is in the printable state in step S89, the file data output unit 115 causes the file data output unit 115 to execute the step S75 or S7.
The information about the function or designation selected in step S73 or preset information is attached to the file data read in step 9 and is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30 via the network line 20 (step S91). To finish.

In step S85, the image forming apparatus 30
If the printer is not in use, the printer icon display unit 112
Indicates the first printer icon or the second printer icon displayed on the monitor screen 11 depending on the status of the image forming apparatus 30, that is, toner shortage, toner exhaustion, paper jam (jam), paper exhaustion, failure, etc. The current status of the image forming apparatus 30 is displayed by superimposing a character such as "in trouble" on the display, changing the color of these printer icons, or blinking these printer icons.
That is, the "unusable state" is displayed (step S9).
3). Then, the user uses another image forming apparatus (printer).
It is determined whether or not is selected (step S95), and when another image forming apparatus is selected, the process returns to step S81 and the above flow is executed for the selected image forming apparatus. On the other hand, when another image forming apparatus is not selected, this flow is finished as it is.

As an example of the color change of the first printer icon or the second printer icon, the printable state is green, the printable state is when the toner is insufficient, but the printable state is yellow, and the printable state is unprintable. The state may be red.

In the above embodiment, the first printer icon is displayed on the taskbar, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first printer icon may be displayed in a pull-up display from the OS start menu. .

[0056]

As described above, according to the file data print output method of the present invention, the user can arbitrarily select the file data currently edited in the application software running on the personal computer. A file data print output method for outputting to an image forming apparatus having a possible function and forming an image on a recording sheet based on a function selected by a user, the first printer being on a monitor screen of the personal computer. A first printer icon displaying step of displaying an icon; a pointer moving step of moving a pointer on a monitor screen of the personal computer in response to a user's operation of an input device of the personal computer; and the pointer moving on the monitor screen. First pudding displayed A second printer icon display step of pulling down and displaying a second printer icon composed of a plurality of parts in accordance with a selectable function of the image forming apparatus when the icon is designated; When the pointer is moved to any part of the second printer icon and the user turns on a predetermined switch of the input device, the printer in which the predetermined switch is turned on together with the file data currently being edited. A file data output step of outputting the setting corresponding to the icon portion to the image forming apparatus is provided, so that the pointer points to the small first printer icon displayed on the task bar of the application software on the monitor screen. And then pull down the second printer icon. Accordingly, it is possible to print out by using the optional functions of the image forming apparatus. As a result, on the monitor screen of the personal computer, one or more functions can be selected from a plurality of functions by a simple operation to select the file data output method.

Further, when the image forming apparatus is connected to the personal computer, a function searchable by the user of the image forming apparatus is searched, and the searched function is stored in the personal computer. By further including the steps, when a new image forming apparatus is introduced, it is possible to save the user the trouble of manually setting the optional functions usable in the image forming apparatus. If an optional function of the image forming apparatus is searched when the personal computer is started, only the image forming apparatus and the optional function that can be used at that time can be displayed by the printer icon.

Further, the printer status for searching the current status of the image forming apparatus is searched, and the first or second printer icon displayed on the monitor screen is changed according to the status of the image forming apparatus. By further comprising a printer status search step, the current status of the image forming apparatus, that is, the printable status, the print ready status during use, the print disabled status due to toner out, paper out, paper jam, failure, etc., Alternatively, it is possible to notify the user that printing is possible due to a shortage of toner but the print result needs attention.

Further, by displaying the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to the personal computer via the network line as the first printer icon, the plurality of image forming apparatuses connected via the network line can be displayed. From the inside, the user can select any image forming apparatus according to the purpose.

Further, by displaying the second printer icons having different shapes depending on the type of the image forming apparatus, the user can recognize the type of the image forming apparatus and the optional function just by looking at the printer icon. be able to.

Further, since the first printer icon is displayed on the task bar displayed on the monitor screen, a plurality of plural first printer icons can be operated by a simple operation on commercially available application software started by a personal computer. A file data output method can be selected by selecting one or more functions from the functions.

Further, according to the file data print output program and the computer-readable recording medium recording the same according to the present invention, the file data currently edited by the application software running on the personal computer Is output to an image forming apparatus having a function that the user can arbitrarily select,
A file data printout program for forming an image on a recording sheet based on a function selected by a user, the first printer icon display section displaying a first printer icon on a monitor screen of the personal computer, A pointer moving unit that moves a pointer on the monitor screen of the personal computer in response to a user's operation of the input device of the personal computer, and the pointer indicates a first printer icon displayed on the monitor screen. And a second printer icon display unit for pulling down and displaying a second printer icon composed of a plurality of parts in accordance with the selectable function of the image forming apparatus from the first printer icon, and the pointer being the first printer icon. 2 Moved to any part of the printer icon, File data to be output to the image forming apparatus, together with the file data currently being edited, when the user turns on a predetermined switch of the input device, and the setting corresponding to the printer icon portion where the predetermined switch is turned on. Since the output section is provided, the file data print output method can be easily realized by activating this program on an existing personal computer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a LAN to which a file data print output method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional block configuration of a file data print output program in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for registering an image forming apparatus as a network printer in the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a continuation of the above flowchart.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the file data print output program in the above embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a continuation of the above flowchart.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of a first printer icon on a task bar of application software.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a second printer icon.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a staple designation screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: Personal computer 11: Monitor screen 12: Mouse (input device) 13: Keyboard (input device) 20: Network line 21: CD-ROM (recording medium) 30: Image forming apparatus (digital copying machine) 201: First printer icon 202: Second printer icon 202A to 200H: Each part of the second printer icon 210: pointer

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Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. The application software running on a personal computer outputs the file data currently edited to an image forming apparatus having a function that the user can arbitrarily select, and the function is selected by the user. A file data printout method for forming an image on a recording sheet based on a first printer icon displaying step of displaying a first printer icon on a monitor screen of the personal computer; A pointer moving step of moving a pointer on the monitor screen of the personal computer in response to an operation of an input device; and a first step in which the pointer is displayed on the monitor screen.
When a printer icon is designated, a second part including a plurality of parts according to the selectable function of the image forming apparatus.
A second printer icon displaying step of displaying a printer icon by pulling it down from the first printer icon, the pointer being moved to any part of the second printer icon, and the user pressing a predetermined switch of the input device. When turned on, a file data output step of outputting to the image forming apparatus the setting corresponding to the part of the printer icon for which the predetermined switch is turned on together with the file data currently being edited. File data print output method. 2. A printer function search that searches for a function that the user of the image forming apparatus can select at any time when the image forming apparatus is connected to the personal computer, and stores the searched function in the personal computer. 2. The file data printout method according to claim 1, further comprising a step. 3. A printer status for searching the current status of the image forming apparatus is searched, and the first or second printer icon displayed on the monitor screen is changed according to the status of the image forming apparatus. The file data printout method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a printer status search step. 4. The file data according to claim 1, wherein icons of a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to the personal computer via a network line are displayed as a first printer icon. Print output method. 5. The file data printout method according to claim 4, wherein second printer icons having different shapes are displayed according to the type of the image forming apparatus. 6. The file data printout method according to claim 1, wherein the first printer icon is displayed on a taskbar displayed on the monitor screen. 7. Application software running on a personal computer outputs currently edited file data to an image forming apparatus having a function that a user can arbitrarily select, and the function is selected by the user. A file data printout program for forming an image on a recording sheet based on a first printer icon display section for displaying a first printer icon on a monitor screen of the personal computer; A pointer moving unit for moving a pointer on the monitor screen of the personal computer according to an operation of an input device; and a first pointer on which the pointer is displayed on the monitor screen.
When a printer icon is designated, a second part including a plurality of parts according to the selectable function of the image forming apparatus.
A second printer icon display portion for pulling down and displaying a printer icon from the first printer icon; the pointer being moved to any part of the second printer icon; and the user pressing a predetermined switch of the input device. When turned on, a file data output unit for outputting to the image forming apparatus the file data currently being edited and the setting corresponding to the printer icon portion in which the predetermined switch is turned on are provided. File data print output program. 8. The application software running on a personal computer outputs the file data currently edited to an image forming apparatus having a function that the user can arbitrarily select, so that the function selected by the user is output. A file data printout program for forming an image on a recording sheet based on a first printer icon display section for displaying a first printer icon on a monitor screen of the personal computer; A pointer moving unit for moving a pointer on the monitor screen of the personal computer according to an operation of an input device; and a first pointer on which the pointer is displayed on the monitor screen.
When a printer icon is designated, a second part including a plurality of parts according to the selectable function of the image forming apparatus.
A second printer icon display portion for pulling down and displaying a printer icon from the first printer icon; the pointer being moved to any part of the second printer icon; and the user pressing a predetermined switch of the input device. When turned on, a file data output unit for outputting to the image forming apparatus the file data currently being edited and the setting corresponding to the printer icon portion in which the predetermined switch is turned on are provided. File data A computer-readable recording medium recording a print output program.