U.S. patent application number 13/427566 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-19 for apparatus and method for setting printing options using preview image.
Invention is credited to Hee-Jin Lee.
Application Number | 20120182569 13/427566 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37878597 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120182569 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Hee-Jin |
July 19, 2012 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SETTING PRINTING OPTIONS USING PREVIEW
IMAGE
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for setting a printing
option using a preview image. Setting the printing option includes
an image preview unit displaying a preview image corresponding to
printing data and enabling the preview image to be manipulated for
setting a printing setting, a control unit controlling printing of
the preview image according to the printing setting of the
manipulated preview image, and a printing option setting unit
setting a printing option, wherein the control unit applies the
printing setting of the preview image to the printing option of the
printing option setting unit.
Inventors: |
Lee; Hee-Jin; (Seoul,
KR) |
Family ID: |
37878597 |
Appl. No.: |
13/427566 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13067652 |
Jun 17, 2011 |
8164784 |
|
|
13427566 |
|
|
|
|
11498823 |
Aug 4, 2006 |
7990568 |
|
|
13067652 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/1256 20130101;
G06F 3/1208 20130101; G06F 3/1284 20130101; G06F 3/1205
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/1.13 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/12 20060101
G06F003/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 16, 2005 |
KR |
10-2005-0086997 |
Claims
1. A print driver stored on a non-transitory computer readable
medium executable in a host computer, the print driver comprising:
a printer driver user interface including a printing option setting
unit having a dialog interface box to display user selectable
printing options and to select one or more of the displayed
printing options based on a user input, and an image preview unit
to display a preview image, wherein, if one of the user selectable
printing options is selected via the printing option setting unit,
the image preview unit displays a preview image corresponding to
the selected printing option, wherein, when an operation of an
input device over the preview image displayed in the image preview
unit is received, the preview image displayed in the image preview
unit is changeable without receiving a user input via the printing
option setting unit, wherein the user selectable printing options
displayed in the printing option setting unit include an N-up
printing option which is changeable via manipulation of an N-up
printing option pull-down menu, wherein an N-up printing option
icon is displayed adjacent to the preview image to indicate that
the N-up printing option is changeable via an operation of the
input device over the preview image displayed in the image preview
unit, wherein, when the operation of the input device over the
preview image displayed in the image preview unit to change the
N-up printing option is received, the preview image displayed in
the image preview unit is changed to represent the changed N-up
printing option, and wherein, when the operation of the input
device over the preview image displayed in the image preview unit
is received to change the N-up printing option, the changed N-up
printing option is reflected in the N-up printing option pull-down
menu displayed in the printing option setting unit.
2. The print driver of claim 1, wherein, when the preview image
displayed in the image preview unit is manipulated via an operation
of the input device with a graphical pointer thereof located within
the image preview unit, the preview image displayed in the image
preview unit is changed to display a different preview image that
corresponds to a selected printing option.
3. The print driver of claim 1, wherein the input device comprises
a mouse.
4. The print driver of claim 1, wherein, when the preview image
displayed in the image preview unit is manipulated via the input
device to change a printing orientation from portrait to landscape
or vice versa, the preview image displayed in the image preview
unit is changed to represent the changed printing orientation.
5. The print driver of claim 1, wherein, when the preview image
displayed in the image preview unit is manipulated via the input
device to change a printing paper size, the preview image displayed
in the image preview unit is changed to represent the changed paper
size.
6. The print driver of claim 1, wherein, when the preview image
displayed in the image preview unit is manipulated via the input
device to change a printing scale, the preview image displayed in
the image preview unit is changed to represent the changed printing
scale.
7. The print driver of claim 1, wherein the user selectable
printing options displayed in the printing option setting unit
comprise a first user selectable print option, which is selectable
via manipulation of a pull-down menu, and a second user selectable
print option, which is selectable via operation of a toggle
selector, wherein, if the first user selectable print option is
changed from a first setting to a second setting, or vice versa,
via the pull-down menu of the printing option setting unit, the
changed setting is reflected in the image preview unit by changing
an image displayed therein, and if the first user selectable print
option is changed from the first setting to the second setting, or
vice versa, via an operation of the input device over the preview
image displayed in the image preview unit, the changed setting is
reflected in the pull-down menu displayed in the printing option
setting unit, wherein, if the second user selectable print option
is changed from a first setting to a second setting, or vice versa,
via the toggle selector of the printing option setting unit, the
changed setting is reflected in the image preview unit by changing
an image displayed therein, and if the second user selectable print
option is changed from the first setting to the second setting, or
vice versa, via an operation of the input device over the preview
image displayed in the image preview unit, the changed setting is
reflected in the toggle selector displayed in the printing option
setting unit.
8. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing executable
computer program instructions which, when executed by a processor
cause the processor to perform a method comprising: providing a
printer driver user interface including a printing option setting
region and an image preview region; displaying user selectable
printing options in the printing option setting region; enabling
selection of one or more of the displayed printing options based on
a user input entered via an operation of an input device in the
printing option setting region; displaying a preview image in the
image preview region; and when one of the user selectable printing
options is selected via the printing option setting region,
displaying a preview image in the image preview region
corresponding to the selected printing option, wherein, when an
operation of the input device over the preview image displayed in
the image preview region is received, the preview image displayed
in the image preview region is changeable without receiving a user
input via the printing option setting region, wherein, when an
operation of the input device over the preview image displayed in
the image preview region to change an N-up printing option is
received, the preview image displayed in the image preview region
is changed to represent the changed N-up printing option, and
wherein, when the operation of the input device over the preview
image displayed in the image preview region to change the N-up
printing option is received, the changed N-up printing option is
reflected in the printing option setting region.
9. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein, when the
preview image displayed in the image preview region is manipulated
via an operation of the input device with a graphical pointer
thereof located within the image preview region, the preview image
displayed in the image preview region is changed to display a
different preview image that corresponds to a selected printing
option.
10. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the input
device comprises a mouse pointing device.
11. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein, when the
image preview region is operated via the input device to change a
printing orientation from portrait to landscape or vice versa, the
preview image displayed in the image preview region is changed to
represent the changed printing orientation.
12. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein, when the
image preview region is operated via the input device to change a
printing paper size, the preview image displayed in the image
preview region is changed to represent the changed paper size.
13. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein, when the
image preview region is operated via the input device to change a
printing scale, the preview image displayed in the image preview
region is changed to represent the changed printing scale.
14. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein an N-up
printing option icon is displayed in the image preview region
adjacent to the preview image to indicate that the N-up printing
option is changeable via an operation of the input device over the
preview image displayed in the image preview region.
15. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the user
selectable printing options displayed in the printing option
setting region comprise a first user selectable print option, which
is selectable via manipulation of a pull-down menu, and a second
user selectable print option, which is selectable via operation of
a toggle selector, wherein, if the first user selectable print
option is changed from a first setting to a second setting, or vice
versa, via the pull-down menu of the printing option setting
region, the changed setting is reflected in the image preview
region by changing an image displayed therein, and if the first
user selectable print option is changed from the first setting to
the second setting, or vice versa, via an operation of the input
device over the preview image displayed in the image preview
region, the changed setting is reflected in the pull-down menu
displayed in the printing option setting region, wherein, if the
second user selectable print option is changed from a first setting
to a second setting, or vice versa, via the toggle selector of the
printing option setting region, the changed setting is reflected in
the image preview region by changing an image displayed therein,
and if the second user selectable print option is changed from the
first setting to the second setting, or vice versa, via an
operation of the input device over the preview image displayed in
the image preview region, the changed setting is reflected in the
toggle selector displayed in the printing option setting
region.
16. A method comprising: providing a printer driver user interface
including a printing option setting region and an image preview
region; displaying user selectable printing options in the printing
option setting region; enabling selection of one or more of the
displayed printing options based on a user input entered via an
operation of an input device in the printing option setting region;
displaying a preview image in the image preview region; and when
one of the user selectable printing options is selected via the
printing option setting region, displaying a preview image in the
image preview region corresponding to the selected printing option,
wherein, when an operation of the input device over the preview
image displayed in the image preview region is received, the
preview image displayed in the image preview region is changeable
without receiving a user input via the printing option setting
region, wherein, when an operation of the input device over the
preview image displayed in the image preview region to change an
N-up printing option is received, the preview image displayed in
the image preview region is changed to represent the changed N-up
printing option, and wherein, when the operation of the input
device over the preview image displayed in the image preview region
to change the N-up printing option is received, the changed N-up
printing option is reflected in the printing option setting
region.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein, when the preview image
displayed in the image preview region is manipulated via an
operation of the input device with a graphical pointer thereof
located within the image preview region, the preview image
displayed in the image preview region is changed to display a
different preview image that corresponds to a selected printing
option.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein, when the image preview region
is operated via the input device to change a printing orientation
from portrait to landscape or vice versa, the preview image
displayed in the image preview region is changed to represent the
changed printing orientation.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein, when the image preview region
is operated via the input device to change a printing paper size,
the preview image displayed in the image preview region is changed
to represent the changed paper size.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein, when the image preview region
is operated via the input device to change a printing scale, the
preview image displayed in the image preview region is changed to
represent the changed printing scale.
21. The method of claim 16, wherein an N-up printing option icon is
displayed in the image preview region adjacent to the preview image
to indicate that the N-up printing option is changeable via an
operation of the input device over the preview image displayed in
the image preview region.
22. The method of claim 16, wherein the user selectable printing
options displayed in the printing option setting region comprise a
first user selectable print option, which is selectable via
manipulation of a pull-down menu, and a second user selectable
print option, which is selectable via operation of a toggle
selector, wherein, if the first user selectable print option is
changed from a first setting to a second setting, or vice versa,
via the pull-down menu of the printing option setting region, the
changed setting is reflected in the image preview region by
changing an image displayed therein, and if the first user
selectable print option is changed from the first setting to the
second setting, or vice versa, via an operation of the input device
over the preview image displayed in the image preview region, the
changed setting is reflected in the pull-down menu displayed in the
printing option setting region, wherein, if the second user
selectable print option is changed from a first setting to a second
setting, or vice versa via, the toggle selector of the printing
option setting region, the changed setting is reflected in the
image preview region by changing an image displayed therein, and if
the second user selectable print option is changed from the first
setting to the second setting, or vice versa, via an operation of
the input device over the preview image displayed in the image
preview region, the changed setting is reflected in the toggle
selector displayed in the printing option setting region.
23. The print driver of claim 1, wherein the operation of the input
device over the preview image displayed in the image preview unit
comprises activating a graphical pointer using the N-up printing
option icon and drawing a line on the preview image with the
graphical pointer.
24. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the operation
of the input device over the preview image displayed in the image
preview unit comprises moving the input device across the preview
image according to the desired number of multiple pages to be
printed under the N-up printing option.
25. The method of claim 16, wherein the operation of the input
device over the preview image displayed in the image preview unit
comprises moving the input device across the preview image
according to the desired number of multiple pages to be printed
under the N-up printing option.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a continuation application under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.120 of U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser.
No. 13/067,652, filed on Jun. 17, 2011 in the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office, which is a continuation application under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.120 of U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser.
No. 11/498,823, filed on Aug. 4, 2006 in the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office and claiming the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2005-0086997,
filed on Sep. 16, 2005 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office,
the entire disclosures of all aforesaid prior applications being
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention:
[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for
setting a printing option using a preview image. More particularly,
the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for
setting a printing option by manipulating a preview image and
setting the printing option according to the manipulated preview
image.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art:
[0005] To change printer settings, a user has to click a tab button
to open a printer setting window and then change the necessary
print options. FIG. 1 shows a conventional printer setting screen
and a preview screen. Referring to FIG. 1, an option setting screen
of a Layout tab button 10 and a corresponding PREVIEW screen 12 are
shown.
[0006] FIG. 2 shows a conventional n-up option selecting screen and
a corresponding PREVIEW screen 22 when the n-up option is used.
Referring to FIG. 2, a Graphics tab button 20 is clicked to select
the n-up option. As illustrated by FIG. 2, 2-up printing can be
performed by selecting "Multiple Pages per Side" from a Type pop-up
menu and selecting "2" from a Page per Side pop-up menu in a Layout
Options section. After 2-up printing is set by selecting the
corresponding options, the 2-up printing option is also checked in
the PREVIEW screen to show a preview of the printout according to
the 2-up printing option.
[0007] Using traditional print setting options, users can have
difficulties setting the printing options in the printer setting
window. Therefore, most of the useful options provided in the
printer setting window may be not be accessed by the user.
Furthermore, the user has to click several tab buttons to find the
desired printing options.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides an apparatus and method for
setting a printing option using a preview image to facilitate
change and use of printing options using a simple interface by
manipulating the preview image and setting the printing options
according to the printing settings of the manipulated preview
image.
[0009] According to an aspect of exemplary embodiments of the
present invention, an apparatus is provided for setting a printing
option using a preview image. The apparatus includes an image
preview unit displaying a preview image corresponding to printing
data and enabling the preview image to be manipulated, a control
unit controlling printing of the image according to the printing
setting of the manipulated preview image, and a printing option
setting unit setting a printing option, wherein the control unit
applies the printing setting of the preview image to the printing
option of the printing option setting unit.
[0010] In an exemplary implementation, the image preview unit can
allow the preview image to be manipulated using an input device
including a mouse, a keyboard, and a pen.
[0011] Printing setting values of the preview image can include
printing option values available using the printing option setting
unit.
[0012] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be
embodied using a printer driver or a separate host application.
[0013] In another exemplary implementation, when the preview image
is manipulated, an icon with a corresponding function can appear
beside the preview image.
[0014] In another exemplary implementation, the shape of a mouse
pointer can vary for the manipulation of the preview image.
[0015] According to another aspect of exemplary embodiments of the
present invention, a method is provided for setting a printing
option using a preview image The method includes displaying a
preview image corresponding to printing data, manipulating the
preview image to set a printing option, and printing according to
the printing setting of the manipulated preview image.
[0016] In an exemplary implementation, the printing option of the
preview image can be set as a printing option of a printing option
user interface.
[0017] Printing setting values of the preview image can include
printing option values available using the printing option user
interface.
[0018] The method may be embodied in a printer driver or a separate
host application.
[0019] In another exemplary implementation, when the preview image
is manipulated, an icon with a corresponding function may appear
beside the preview image.
[0020] In another exemplary implementation, the shape of a mouse
pointer can vary for the manipulation of the preview image.
[0021] Manipulation of the preview image can be performed using an
input device including a mouse, a keyboard, and a pen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The above and other aspects, exemplary features and
advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from
the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments
thereof when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a conventional printer setting screen and a
PREVIEW screen;
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a conventional n-up option selecting screen and
a corresponding PREVIEW screen when the n-up option is used;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for setting a
printing option using a preview image according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for setting a
printing option using a preview image according to an exemplary
embodiment the present invention;
[0027] FIGS. 5A to 5C show examples of manipulating a preview image
for changing printing orientation from Portrait to Landscape
according to an exemplary embodiment the present invention;
[0028] FIGS. 6A to 6C show examples of manipulating a preview image
for changing a paper size according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;
[0029] FIGS. 7A to 7C show examples of manipulating a preview image
for changing a printing scale according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0030] FIGS. 8A to 8C show examples of manipulating a preview image
for setting an n-up printing option according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] Throughout the drawings, like reference numbers should be
understood to refer to like elements, features, and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0032] The matters exemplified in this description are provided to
assist in a comprehensive understanding of various exemplary
embodiments of the present invention disclosed with reference to
the accompanying figures. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in
the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of
the exemplary embodiments described herein can be made without
departing from the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.
Descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted
for clarity and conciseness.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for setting a
printing option using a preview image according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the
apparatus includes an image preview unit 300, a printing option
setting unit 310, and a control unit 320.
[0034] The image preview unit 300 displays a preview image.
Further, the image preview unit 300 enables the preview image to be
manipulated for setting a printing setting. The image preview unit
300 enables the preview image to be manipulated by a user using,
for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a pen, or the like. The preview
image can be rotated 360 degrees in left or right directions about
an axis.
[0035] Furthermore, the image preview unit 300 enables manipulation
of the preview image for setting paper size, font size and ratio,
and an n-up printing option.
[0036] The printing option setting unit 310 displays set printing
options. Further, the printing options can be changed by altering
option values of the printing option setting unit 310.
[0037] The image preview unit 300 and the printing option setting
unit 310 can be embodied in a single user interface or in separate
user interfaces.
[0038] The control unit 320 sets printing options according to
printing settings of the manipulated preview image, and the control
unit 320 controls the printing option setting unit 310 to display
the set printing options. If a plurality of printing settings is
changed using the image preview unit 300, the control unit 320 sets
a plurality of printing options according to the changed printing
settings and controls the printing option setting unit 310 to
display the plurality of printing options.
[0039] Further, if the printing option is changed by directly using
the printing option setting unit 310, the control unit 320 controls
the image preview unit 300 to display a preview image to which the
changed printing option is applied.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for setting a
printing option using a preview image according to an exemplary
embodiment the present invention. The method of FIG. 4 will now be
described in association with FIG. 3.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, when printing data exist, a
preview image corresponding to printing data is displayed on the
image preview unit 300 (step 400). A user manipulates the preview
image using the image preview unit 300 for setting desired printing
settings (step 410). For example, the printout orientation can be
changed from Portrait to Landscape by rotating the preview image by
90 degrees about an axis. Further, paper size can be changed by
clicking the corner of the preview image to activate the preview
image and dragging the corner of the preview image to a desired
size.
[0042] After the preview image is manipulated, the control unit 320
sets printing options according to the printing settings of the
manipulated preview image (step 420).
[0043] After the control unit 320 sets the printing options, the
printing option setting unit 310 displays the set printing options
(step 430). Further, printing options can also be set using the
printing option setting unit 310.
[0044] The method of setting printing options using the preview
image will now be described according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0045] FIGS. 5A to 5C show examples of manipulating a preview image
for changing printing orientation from Portrait to Landscape
according to an exemplary embodiment the present invention.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5C, a preview image is displayed on
a preview screen of a printer setting window shown in FIG. 5A, and
the preview image can be rotated right or left about an axis 510.
The preview image is activated when one of the four corners of the
preview image is selected, and the preview image can be rotated by
dragging the corner 520. When the preview image is rotated by 90
degrees, printing is performed after changing a printing option
from Portrait to Landscape 530.
[0047] When the printing option is changed by manipulation of the
preview image, the changed printing option is displayed on the
printing option setting unit 310 of the printer setting window as
shown in FIG. 5B. The manipulated preview screen corresponds to the
image preview unit 300 shown in FIG. 3.
[0048] FIGS. 6A to 6C show examples of manipulating a preview image
for changing a paper size according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the paper size can be changed
using a preview image displayed on a preview screen of a printer
setting window shown in FIG. 6A 610. The preview image is activated
when one of the four corners of the preview image is clicked, and
then the paper size can be changed to a desired size by dragging
the corner of the preview image 620.
[0050] When the mouse pointer is moved out of the preview image,
after the preview image is dragged to the desired paper size,
printing is performed according to the changed paper size 630.
[0051] When the printing option is changed by manipulation of the
preview image, the changed printing option is displayed on the
printing option setting unit 310 of the printer setting window as
shown in FIG. 6B. Referring to FIG. 6B, the paper size is changed
to A6.
[0052] FIGS. 7A to 7C show examples of manipulating a preview image
for changing a printing scale according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 7A to 7C, the printing scale can be
changed using a preview image displayed on a preview screen of a
printer setting window shown in FIG. 7A 710. The preview image is
activated when one of the four corners of the preview image is
clicked, and then the printing scale can be changed to a desired
scale by dragging the corner of the preview image 720.
[0054] When the mouse pointer is moved out of the preview image
after the preview image is dragged to a desired printing scale,
printing is performed according to the changed printing scale
730.
[0055] When the printing option is changed by manipulation of the
preview image, the changed printing option is displayed on the
printing option setting unit 310 of the printer setting window as
shown in FIG. 7B. Referring to FIG. 7B, the printing scale is
changed to 50%.
[0056] FIGS. 8A to 8C show examples of manipulating a preview image
for setting an n-up printing option according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0057] Referring to FIGS. 8A to 8C, a preview screen of a printer
setting window shown in FIG. 8A is provided using a pen. To draw a
line on a preview image displayed on the preview screen for
printing with an n-up printing option, the pen provided on the
preview screen is activated 810. The activated pen is moved to a
desired position on the preview image 820. At the desired position
on the preview image, a line is drawn using the activated pen
according to the desired number of multiple pages to be printed
under the n-up printing option 830.
[0058] When the printing option is changed by manipulation of the
preview image, the changed printing option is displayed on the
printing option setting unit 310 of the printer setting window as
shown in FIG. 8B. Referring to FIG. 8B, a 2-up printing option is
set for printing two pages on one sheet of paper 840.
[0059] Meanwhile, exemplary embodiments of the present invention
can be written as computer programs and can be implemented in
general-use digital computers that execute the programs using a
computer readable recording medium. Examples of the computer
readable recording medium include magnetic storage media (such as,
ROM, floppy disks, hard disks, among others), optical recording
media (such as, CD-ROMs, or DVDs). It is envisioned that other
storage media such as carrier waves (e.g., transmission through the
internet, etc.) can be utilized as an equivalent to a computer
readable medium.
[0060] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention,
a preview image is manipulated according to desired printing
settings, and printing options are set according to printing
settings of the manipulated preview image. Therefore, even computer
illiterate users can easily change and use more printing options
using a simple interface.
[0061] While the present invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various
changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by
the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *