Method for controlling information processing apparatus, information processing apparatus, and computer readable storage medium

Abstract

The invention provides a method for controlling an information processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, and a computer readable storage medium. The information processing apparatus receives a specification of a size of an image to be output; in a case where the specified size is a predetermined size and the image is a subject of a process related to blank removal, a drawing region obtained by excluding a blank from the image is arranged using a first position as a reference point, the first position being located inside an end of an output sheet, and the second position being located inside the end of the output sheet. An amount corresponding to a predetermined print blank from an end of the output sheet; and in a case where the specified size is the predetermined size and the image is not an object of a process related to blank removal, arranging the image using a second position as a reference point, the second position being an intersection point between a first side of the output sheet in a conveyance direction and a second side of the output sheet, and the second edge is vertical to the first edge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a method for controlling an information processing device, an information processing device, and a computer-readable storage medium for removing unwanted margins in printed materials to save paper. Background Technology

[0002] Job submission software that handles multiple print jobs efficiently prints by executing numerous jobs. When outputting multiple print files, these files may have different output sizes, but even in this case, it is necessary to use simple processing to print the files collectively on appropriate output sheets corresponding to their output sizes. Various types of output materials exist; examples of output materials from large printers include drawings, posters, and photographs, and job submission software needs to primarily use roll paper to efficiently output these different types of output materials.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 6354372 discloses a method that moves image data such that the image formation start position of the image data (after removing the upper and left margins) coincides with the origin of a pre-set image data area on a recording medium. Using this method, the upper and left margins included in the original image data are removed from the image formed in the image data area. However, the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6354372 has the following problem: depending on the value of the margin setting determined by the origin of the image data area (i.e., depending on the position of the origin of the image data area), a portion of the image data is arranged in the area outside the printing area where the image is formed (the printing margin), and a portion of the printed image is missing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One aspect of this disclosure provides a method for controlling an information processing device, the method comprising: receiving a specification of a size for an image to be output; arranging a drawing area obtained by excluding white space from the image using a first position as a reference point when the specified size is a predetermined size and the image is the object of a process related to white space removal, the first position being located inside an end of an output sheet and at a distance from the end of the output sheet corresponding to a predetermined printing white space; and arranging the image using a second position as a reference point when the specified size is the predetermined size and the image is not the object of a process related to white space removal, the second position being the intersection point between a first side of the output sheet in a transport direction and a second side of the output sheet, the second side being perpendicular to the first side.

[0005] Another aspect of this disclosure provides an information processing apparatus comprising: a receiving unit for receiving a specification of the size of an image to be output; a first arrangement unit for arranging a drawing area obtained by excluding white space from the image using a first position as a reference point when the specified size is a predetermined size and the image is the object of a process related to white space removal, the first position being located inside an end of an output sheet and at a distance from the end of the output sheet corresponding to a predetermined printing white space; and a second arrangement unit for arranging the image using a second position as a reference point when the specified size is the predetermined size and the image is not the object of a process related to white space removal, the second position being the intersection point between a first side and a second side of the output sheet in a transport direction, the second side being perpendicular to the first side.

[0006] Another aspect of this disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a program that, when loaded into and executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform processing, the processing including: receiving a specification of a size for an image to be output; arranging a drawing area obtained by excluding white space from the image using a first position as a reference point when the specified size is a predetermined size and the image is the object of a process related to white space removal, the first position being located inside an end of an output sheet and at a distance from the end of the output sheet corresponding to a predetermined printing white space; and arranging the image using a second position as a reference point when the specified size is the predetermined size and the image is not the object of a process related to white space removal, the second position being the intersection point between a first side and a second side of the output sheet in a transport direction, the second side being perpendicular to the first side.

[0007] Using the above structure, paper can be saved by removing unnecessary white space from prints, while preventing the loss of part of the image area.

[0008] The features of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are described by way of example. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 Examples of the hardware configuration of PC 100 and image output device 101 are shown.

[0010] Figures 2A to 2D This shows an example of a display screen for an application used to perform printing.

[0011] Figure 3 This shows an example of print settings information included in a print job.

[0012] Figure 4 This example illustrates a workflow in which a printing application creates a print job by removing white space to save paper.

[0013] Figure 5A and Figure 5B An example layout of the drawing area corresponding to the corresponding output size is shown.

[0014] Figure 6 An example of a colored rectangular area 602 is shown schematically.

[0015] Figure 7 This shows an example of saving paper by removing white space.

[0016] Figure 8 An example of saving paper by removing white space is shown in Example 2.

[0017] Figure 9 An example of a process in Example 2 is shown where a printing application creates a print job that saves paper by removing white space. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that these embodiments are merely examples, and unless otherwise specifically stated, the specific examples of components, processing steps, display screens, etc., are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0019] <Example 1>

[0020] System Construction

[0021] First, the system construction according to this embodiment is described below. The system according to this embodiment consists of... Figure 1 The diagram shows a PC 100 with a printing application installed, and one or more image output devices 101. These devices are connected via, for example, bus communication using USB, or network communication using, for example, network 102. Note that the printing application may also be referred to as "job submission software" or "printing application".

[0022] Figure 1 Examples of the hardware configuration of a personal computer (PC) 100 constituting an image output system and an image output device 101 are shown. The PC 100 may also be referred to as an "information processing device," and the image output device 101 may also be referred to as an "image forming device," a "printer," or a "printer device."

[0023] First, the image output device 101 is described below. The image output device 101 is controlled by a CPU 130. The CPU 130 may also be referred to as a "processing unit" or a "control unit". The CPU 130 operates based on programs stored in a program ROM in ROM 131 or programs stored in external memory 138.

[0024] These programs include printing applications. The CPU 130 outputs image signals as output information to the printing unit 137, which is connected to the print unit interface (I / F) 135, via the system bus 133. The CPU 130 can process communication with the PC 100 via the input unit 134 and notify the PC of information held in the image output device 101. Furthermore, the CPU 130 can receive output data to be output to the printing unit 137 via the input unit 134. Note that the input unit 134 can be a communication I / F (i.e., a communication unit) for a LAN, etc., and is connected to a communication network 102 to which the PC 100 is also connected. The input unit 134 can output signals to communication partners such as the PC 100.

[0025] RAM 132 is used, for example, as the main memory or working area memory of CPU 130, and is configured such that its storage capacity can be increased by connecting an optional RAM to an expansion port (not shown). Note that RAM 132 is used as an output information expansion area, an environmental data storage area, non-volatile memory, etc. Access to external memory 138 (such as a hard disk (HDD) or IC card) is controlled by memory controller 136. External memory 138 may be optionally connected and stores font data, simulation programs, table data, information about the sheet registered in the image output device, sheet attribute information, etc. The operation unit 139 includes an operation panel and can display information such as... Figures 2A to 2D The user interface screen shown in the image displays various types of information and accepts input from the user.

[0026] The following describes PC 100.

[0027] The computer's internal components 117 include a CPU 110, ROM 111, RAM 112, a keyboard controller 114, a display controller 115, a disk controller 116, and a communication I / F 121. The CPU 110 can read control programs, etc., from the ROM 111. The CPU 110 can be a dedicated circuit such as an ASIC. The CPU 110 and the dedicated circuit are examples of hardware circuits or hardware processors. Similar to CPU 100, the CPU 110 can also be referred to as a "processing unit" or "control unit." The disk controller 116 controls access to external memory 120 (such as HD, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, USB, etc.). RAM 112 is configured such that its capacity can be increased, for example, through optional RAM (not shown), and is the memory primarily used as the working area for the CPU 110. The keyboard controller 114 controls key input from a keyboard 118 or a pointing device (not shown). The display controller 115 controls the display on the monitor 119. Communication I / F 121 is connected to communication network 102 and controls communication with external devices that can communicate with PC 100. In embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, CPU 110 controls the units connected to main bus 113 via main bus 113.

[0028] Print application display screen and print settings

[0029] Figures 2A to 2D This example shows a display screen when a printing application installed on PC 100 is executed. In the main screen 200 of the printing application, the name of the output data file (called the print object file) to be printed, and the structure of the pages included in the file, are displayed in the file display unit 201. The print object file can be selected as a parameter when the printing application is executed, or it can be selected by the user by specifying a filename in the file display unit 201. Alternatively, it can be configured such that, for example, a pop-up window displays filenames of files stored in a predetermined folder as candidates, from which the print object file can be selected.

[0030] The preview display unit 202 displays print previews of each page of the selected printable file displayed in the document display unit 201. The content of each page is called an "image" or "original," and the data of the content is called "image data" or "original data." Pages included in the original data are called "original pages," and the data corresponding to the original pages is called "original page data." Furthermore, the image output device to which the print job is sent can be selected in the image output device designation unit 203, and the name of the selected image output device is displayed therein. For example, in the print setting unit 204, items included in the print settings can be selected from the options, and various selected print setting items are displayed therein. For example, the print setting unit 20 includes: an output size designation unit 207 for setting the output size (…). Figure 2B ), Rotation specification section 208 for specifying the rotation of the original document ( Figure 2C ), and a white space removal designation unit 209 for specifying the removal of unnecessary white space in printed materials. Figure 2D (To be described later) Figure 3 Examples of setting values ​​for each setting item are shown. When the user operates the print setting unit 204 to change the print settings, a preview obtained by applying the changed print settings to the print object file is displayed in the preview display unit 202. One or more pages are displayed simultaneously in the preview display unit 202, and the preview of the pages not shown can be displayed using the previous page button or the next page button (not shown). Therefore, the user can check the preview of the output formed on the sheet by the image output device shown in the image output device designation unit 203, corresponding to the print settings, thus preventing printing failures.

[0031] The print button 205 is a button used to give the instruction to start printing. In response to the print button 205 being pressed, the CPU 110 creates a print job including print setting information based on the print object file according to the print settings specified in the print setting unit 204, and sends the created print job to the image output device shown in the image output device designation unit 203. Note that pressing the button means, for example, clicking or tapping a button displayed on the display panel. For example, in... Figure 2A The print settings specified in the print settings section 204 shown in the user interface are temporarily stored and... Figure 4 The process shown is referenced. Furthermore, in response to the print button 205 being pressed, these print settings are stored as print setting information, an example of which is shown in... Figure 3 As shown in the image.

[0032] Figure 3 An example of print settings information 300 is shown, which is included in a print job created by a print application executed by CPU 110 (i.e., created by CPU 110 in response to the user pressing print button 205). Although Figure 3 Print setup information for multiple jobs is displayed, but print setup information for a single job can be created in response to each print command, and this created print setup information is additionally recorded in print setup information 300. For example, print setup information 300 includes: ID 301 as identification information for the print job, printer name 302 indicating the image output device to which the print job is output, sheet feed port 303, sheet width set for the sheet feed port 304, output size 305, rotation settings 306, and margin removal settings 307. Other print setup information can be added. Figure 3 The print settings information shown, or can be omitted from print settings information 300 Figure 3 Some of the print settings shown are for the print settings in the diagram. When a print object file is selected and a print command is given, the following is generated: Figure 3 The print settings information 300 shown allows the name of the print object file to be associated with the identification information of the print job (although not shown).

[0033] Figure 2A The values ​​set in the image output device designator 203 included in the main screen 200 shown are recorded and stored as follows. Figure 3 The printer name shown is 302. It can be constructed as follows: it can be accessed via... Figure 2A The print settings section 204 on the main screen 200 includes an input field (not shown) for setting the sheet feed port 303 and the sheet width 304. The values ​​set in the output size specification section 207, rotation specification section 208, and white space removal specification section 209 shown in the print settings section 204 are recorded and stored as output size setting 305, rotation setting 306, and white space removal setting 307, respectively. For example, "Auto" (allowing appropriate image rotation for printing) or a specified rotation angle is set to rotation setting 306. This can be configured such that the allowed rotation angle is 0 degrees or 90 degrees, or multiples of 90 degrees. "On" (indicating white space removal processing) or "Off" (indicating no white space removal processing) is set to white space removal setting 307.

[0034] As described above, settings such as sheet width, output size, image rotation, and white space removal are recorded as print settings information 300 for each print job.

[0035] Definitions of white space in printing, etc.

[0036] Here, the terms "print margin" and the like used in this embodiment will be described. Print margin is set to prevent, for example, the loss of a portion of the image or degradation of image quality that may occur in the outer portion of the output sheet due to limitations in printer functionality. For example, print margin is set for each printer to prevent printing defects as described above. Print margin indicates the minimum amount of white space required on the original page due to the aforementioned limitations in printer functionality. Print margin is excluded from the print target page, and the remaining portion of the print target page is arranged on the output sheet. Therefore, for the original page, for example, the portion of the original page remaining after excluding print margin is sent as a page by the printing application to the printer, and the printer prints while ensuring print margin around the received page.

[0037] In the preview display unit 202, the original page or a page obtained by removing whitespace from the original page is arranged on the output sheet, and the area on the page corresponding to the printing whitespace can be displayed in a way that makes the printing whitespace recognizable, for example, it can be displayed in a specific color. In the displayed preview, the area corresponding to the printing whitespace is arranged on the output sheet, but as mentioned above, this area is not sent to the printer and is not printed.

[0038] In this embodiment, the term "white space" is used as a concept distinct from print white space. The term "white space" refers to the white space included within the original document page, also known as "internal white space" or simply "white space." Unless a white space larger than the print white space is set within the original document page, a portion of the original document page may overlap with the print white space when arranging the original document page, and the overlapping portion may not be printed.

[0039] For example, print margins can be pre-set based on the type of printer (i.e., image output device), and the printing application can obtain the print margins from the printer. Alternatively, the user can set the print margins within the printing application. This will be described later. Figure 4 and Figure 9 The process shown refers to the printed white space obtained as described above.

[0040] Note that you can set margins along the top, bottom, left, and right edges, and you can also determine the print margins based on each edge. Therefore, to identify the margins and the edges to which the print margins are applied, you can name the margins, for example, "top margin," "bottom margin," "left margin," or "right margin," by adding "top," "bottom," "left," or "right."

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when arranging the original document data, the top and left sides of the original document data are used as references. The top side corresponds to the transport direction side during image formation by the printer, and when viewed in the direction facing upwards, the left side is perpendicular to the top side and located on the left. The intersection between the top and left sides of the sheet set as the output sheet (output sheet) is called the "sheet origin". In addition, the intersection between the top and left sides of the output sheet, offset inwards by an amount corresponding to the printing margin, is called the "origin with printing margin". The area obtained by excluding the printing margin from the area of ​​the set output sheet is called the "printing area" or "image forming area". The intersection between the top and left sides of the printing area is the origin with printing margin, therefore, the origin with printing margin can also be called the "printing area origin" or "image forming area origin".

[0042] When the original page, or a page obtained by removing margins from the original page, is arranged on the output sheet, the original page or the page is arranged in the printing area such that its edges extend parallel to the edges of the output sheet. At this time, the original data is arranged such that the intersection of the top and left edges of the original data (called the original data origin) coincides with the printing area origin or the sheet origin. For example, for each job or page, it is possible to set which of the printing area origin and the sheet origin is selected to coincide with the original data origin; in this embodiment, this setting is referred to as the "page layout mode." For example, in... Figure 4 In the process shown, white space can be removed from the original page, and the intersection between the top and left sides of the original page data obtained by removing white space is also called the "original data origin".

[0043] Note that, for example, using a printing application to lay out original data means determining how to arrange the original pages on the output sheet and ensuring the result is displayed in a preview area provided by the printing application's UI. Figure 2A The image shows an example of the UI. The final layout and print settings of the original pages are included as information in the print job created by the printing application. The print job is sent to the printer and executed, and the pages are printed according to the layout and print settings.

[0044] White space removal and rotation processing in printing applications

[0045] Figure 4 This is an example of a process performed by a printing application (specifically, a process by which the CPU 110 creates a print job in ROM 111 or RAM 112 by executing the printing application to save paper by removing blank spaces). The process begins at a time when the CPU 110 starts creating a print job in response to the user pressing the print button 205, or at a time when the CPU 110 redraws the preview display 202. The timing of redrawing the preview display 202 includes situations where any settings included in the print settings section 204 that affect the preview are changed. This is achieved by the CPU 110, for example, by loading a program (e.g., a printing application) from external memory 120 into RAM 112 and executing that program. Figure 4 The process is shown.

[0046] First, in step S400, CPU 110 determines whether the whitespace removal setting 307 is "on", that is, whether the whitespace removal setting is set for the print object file. If it is determined that the whitespace removal setting is set, the process proceeds to step S401; otherwise, the process ends.

[0047] In steps S401 to S409 of this flowchart, each file or page is identified. In this example, for instance, a print job is associated with a print data file using a print job identifier, and the print data file comprises one or more pages. Note that it can also be constructed as follows: a single page of data constitutes a single file, and one or more files constitute a single job. Repeat Figure 4 The processing shown continues until the CPU 110 completes processing of the selected page of the print data file selected in the document display unit 201. For example, when a print target file is selected and an execution instruction is given, refer to... Figure 2B The output size setting shown is 207. Figure 2C The rotation setting 208 shown and Figure 2D The white space removal setting shown is 209.

[0048] In step S401, CPU 110 determines whether the print object file contains unprocessed pages, and if so, focuses on those pages; otherwise, processing ends. Note, for example, as... Figure 7 The documents or pages are arranged as shown in layout 701 or 702. When printing on roll paper, the printing unit 137 cuts the paper for each page, so the second page and subsequent pages are also arranged based on the same determination.

[0049] In step S402, CPU 110 determines whether the file or page of interest is suitable for whitespace removal. Note that the whitespace to be removed is the blank area outside the drawing area where characters or images are drawn. That is, the whitespace to be removed is the whitespace of the original artwork. For example, if the page of interest (file) is determined to be a drawing file (drawing data) in step S402, then since it can be determined that the drawing does not require blank areas, the page of interest (file) can be determined to be the object of whitespace removal. On the other hand, if the page of interest is an image data file, the printed object is usually a photograph or graphic artwork; therefore, even if whitespace exists in the page of interest, it is not always suitable for whitespace removal. Therefore, it can be determined that an image data file is not the object of whitespace removal. This is because photographic or graphic artwork designs are sometimes composed to include blank areas.

[0050] For example, a drawing file can be determined based on a file format commonly used for outputting drawings. For instance, the fact that the page of interest is a PDF file, an HPGL / 2 file, or any other format used for saving files in drawing output applications can be used to determine that the page of interest is a drawing file. In another example, the determination method can be as follows: if "Automatic" is set to the setting value of whitespace removal 307, then a determination is made; and if "On" is set for whitespace removal 307, then whitespace removal is always performed. On the other hand, image data can be determined based on a file format used to save image data (such as JPEG or TIFF) or any other file format used to save output data for graphic production applications. In any case, the format can be identified based on the filename (e.g., particularly the extension), therefore, the determination in step S402 can be based on the filename of the file of interest. It can also be constructed as follows: determine whether the file of interest is either a drawing file or an image file, and if the file of interest is not that type of file, then determine that the file of interest is another type of file. The determination in step S402 can also be performed using criteria other than those described above. If the determination result in step S402 is "yes" (i.e., if the file or page in question is the object of whitespace removal), the process proceeds to step S403; and if the determination result is "no", no whitespace removal process is performed, and the process proceeds to step S408.

[0051] Note that, for example, step S402 assumes that each page to be printed in the print job is an independent file, but a single file can include multiple pages (as in the case of a PDF file). In this file structure, the type of file including the pages of interest can be determined in step S402. For example, in Figures 2A to 2D In this case, the printable object file is a PDF file named Drawing1.pdf, and includes pages 1 to 10. In step S402, it can be determined whether each page in the printable object file is an object to be removed based on the filename.

[0052] In step S403, the CPU 110 determines whether the page layout mode is a sheet origin mode. Page layout modes include a sheet origin mode and a blanking mode. In the sheet origin mode, the pages are arranged such that the origin of the original page coincides with the sheet origin. In the blanking mode, the pages are arranged such that the origin of the original page coincides with the origin of the printing area. In this embodiment, the page layout mode is determined based on the output size set for the printable file or the original page. In the sheet origin mode, the original page is arranged, or a page obtained by removing blanking from the original page, such that the origin of the original page coincides with the sheet origin. On the other hand, in the blanking mode, the original page is arranged, or a page obtained by removing blanking from the original page, such that the origin of the original page coincides with the origin of the printing area. In step S403, it is determined whether the page layout mode is a sheet origin mode. If the page layout mode is determined to be sheet origin mode in step S403, the process proceeds to step S404; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S405.

[0053] Note that the terms "page layout mode," "sheet origin mode," and "white space mode" are used for convenience, and these modes are not actually used in printing applications. For example, if the page layout mode is determined based on the output sheet settings, then the page layout mode can be the output sheet settings themselves. In this case, the sheet origin mode and white space mode are page layouts determined based on the output sheet settings.

[0054] Reference Figure 5A and Figure 5BThe description addresses the differences arising from the varying print start positions. For example, if the output size 207 of the printed object file is "same as original size," "half size" (reduced by 50%), or "scaling ratio," the page layout mode is sheet origin mode. In these cases, the determination result in step S403 is "yes," and the process proceeds to step S404. Note that it is also possible for the user to directly specify the page layout mode. If "adapt to roll paper" or "adapt to sheet size" is selected as the setting value for the output size 207, the page layout mode is blank mode, the determination result in step S403 is "no," and the process proceeds to step S405. As described above, the determination in step S403 is based on the output size. Therefore, in step S403, it is also possible to determine whether the output size 207 of the printed object file is any of "same as original size," "half size," and "scaling ratio" (not shown), or none of them. "Same as original size", "half size", and "scaling ratio" are output sizes based on the original size, and if any of them is set as the output size, the processing branch proceeds to step S404. On the other hand, if an output size based on the sheet size is set (such as "fits roll paper" or "fits sheet size"), the processing branch proceeds to step S405.

[0055] In step S404, the CPU 110 changes the starting position for printing the original page (i.e., the origin of the original page) from the sheet origin to the origin of the printing area located inside the printing margin in the sheet, such as... Figure 5A The layout after removing whitespace (after moving the origin) is shown in 504. This print area origin can also be referred to as the "first reference position". Alternatively, the first reference position can be located further inward than the print area origin. As described above, the position of the reference point to be used for arranging the original data (original pages) excluding whitespace is determined in the processes performed in steps S403 and S404.

[0056] In step S405, CPU 110 identifies white space in at least one of the top, bottom, left, and right directions of the original data of the page of interest, and obtains a colored rectangular area in the page, which is the smallest rectangular area excluding white space. (See reference...) Figure 6 The colored rectangular area is the smallest bounding rectangle containing all drawing objects on the page, and each page includes a single colored rectangular area. The colored rectangular area constitutes the page obtained by removing whitespace from the original page.

[0057] In step S406, CPU 110 sets the obtained colored rectangle area as the drawing area (or printing area) of the page.

[0058] In step S407, the CPU 110 arranges the page (i.e., the drawing area) obtained by removing white space, such that the origin of the drawing area set in step S406 (i.e., the origin of the original page) is consistent with the position of the origin determined in steps S403 and S404. Figure 7 The layout 701 after white space removal schematically illustrates the result of the processing performed on the original page 700 (i.e., the page of the original data) in steps S402 to S407. It can be concluded that the white space (i.e., the white space within the original) is removed, saving area of ​​sheet material. Furthermore, printing white space is ensured, and the image to be printed is not missing any part of it.

[0059] In step S408, the CPU 110 determines whether the paper area becomes smaller when the drawing area is rotated. When printing on roll paper, the paper is cut to the size of the printed matter; therefore, the shorter the length of the printed matter in the transport direction, the less paper is consumed. Therefore, the paper area (sheet area) used when the drawing area is not rotated is compared with the paper area used when the drawing area is rotated 90 degrees, and it is determined in which case the paper area is smaller. Although the paper area is described as an example, other methods are conceivable that compare blank areas outside the drawing area. Alternatively, the length of the page of interest in the vertical direction (transport direction) can be compared with the length in the horizontal direction (width direction perpendicular to the transport direction), and if the vertical length is longer and the rotated page of interest is not larger than the output width, it can be determined that rotating the page of interest by 90 degrees saves paper. In this embodiment, the determination regarding rotation is performed, but the determination regarding rotation can be omitted. If it is determined that even rotating the drawing area does not save paper (i.e., the paper area is smaller when the drawing area is not rotated), the process returns to step S401. In step S401, if there are files or pages that are to be processed but have not yet been processed, the processing is repeated from step S402. On the other hand, if it is determined that rotating the drawing area by 90 degrees can save paper (i.e., if the paper area used is reduced when the drawing area is rotated by 90 degrees), the processing proceeds to step S409.

[0060] In step S409, CPU 110 arranges the drawing area by rotating the drawing area obtained by removing white space from the original page by 90 degrees. After step S409, processing returns to step S401. Note that in Figure 7 The layout 702, after the white space is removed and rotated, schematically illustrates the processing performed in steps S408 and S409. Note that the rotation direction can be determined based on subsequent processing (such as binding, packaging, etc.) or based on other criteria. Furthermore, the rotated original data is arranged such that the origin of the new rotated original data coincides with the origin of the printing area.

[0061] If the page of interest is not determined to be the target for blank space removal in step S402, the process branches to step S408, and if paper consumption can be saved by rotating the original page, the original page is rotated in step S409. In step S409, the CPU 110 arranges the original data of the page of interest into a drawing area such that the origin of the original data coincides with the origin corresponding to the page layout mode. In this case, blank space is not removed and the page is not rotated. However, if the page layout mode is a sheet origin mode, the drawing area is arranged with reference to the sheet origin, and if the page layout mode is a blank space mode, the drawing area is arranged with reference to the print area origin.

[0062] As mentioned above, in Figure 4 In the process shown, if a margin removal setting is set and the page of interest is the object to be removed from the margins, the drawing area (colored rectangular area) obtained by excluding margins from the page of interest is placed on the page to be printed. At this time, if the sheet origin is the reference point to be used for placing the drawing area, a new origin is set by adding margins to the sheet origin. The added margins can be margins set at that point in time or minimum margins (i.e., print margins). This construction prevents situations where a portion of the printed image is missing due to the lack of margins for printing. Furthermore, if rotating the drawing area can further save paper, the drawing area is rotated and then placed. This construction further saves paper.

[0063] When in Figure 4 During the process shown, when setting the print settings for the page of interest and arranging the page according to the print settings, a preview image based on the settings is displayed in the preview display unit 202. Furthermore, information such as the removal and rotation of each original page after margin removal and the arrangement of the original pages is saved and, in response to the print command, is updated accordingly. Figure 3 The print settings information 300 shown is sent to the image output device 101 as part of the print job. For example, the information saved and sent includes: according to... Figure 4 The position (or arrangement) of the drawing area is changed according to the mode in step S404.

[0064] For example, it can also be constructed as follows: In Figure 4 In the process shown, a preview of the page being followed is displayed as the processing result for each page being followed, and when the user responds to the preview and gives an instruction to proceed to the next page, the next page is processed.

[0065] Figure 4 The printing start position changes during the process shown.

[0066] The following is for reference Figure 5Aand Figure 5B This describes the details of how the CPU 110 changes the print start position based on the setting value of the output size 305. As background for changing the print start position, the following describes the differences between the conditions required by the user for the corresponding type of output for the printing application.

[0067] If the output is a drawing, the output size is strictly determined according to the country or industry. For example, the output size of a small house drawing is A1, while the output size of a large building drawing is A0. Furthermore, the scaling ratio of the drawing is determined according to standards (such as JIS standards in Japan), and the drawing needs to be drawn at a precise scaling ratio. Therefore, when users output drawings, the output size selected is "same as original size," "half size" (reduced by 50%), or a "scaling ratio" indicating an integer multiple or fraction of the original size. In addition, the original data is laid out on the sheet material so that the origin of the original data coincides with the origin of the sheet material to ensure the output size relative to the original size. (Layout 1 is achieved by removing white space.) Figure 5A The layout 500 in the diagram schematically illustrates this state.

[0068] If this arrangement method is used to arrange the original data, the ends of the original data overlap with the print margins of the image output device (printer), and the overlapping portion is not output. Therefore, the following problem exists: unless there is a margin larger than the print margins of the image output device around the perimeter of the original data, parts of the original data will be missing. However, this problem does not occur in many cases because many drawing formats ensure sufficiently large margins at the top, bottom, left, and right.

[0069] On the other hand, if the output is a photograph, poster, etc., the scaling ratio is not strictly specified, and typically the original data does not include margins around its perimeter. Therefore, the desired output method is to arrange the original data on the sheet material inside the print margins of the image output device, adapting to the user's desired output size. Thus, if the user selects "Adapt to Roll Paper" or "Adapt to Sheet Size" as the output size 305, the original data is arranged inside the print margins, i.e., within the print area on the sheet material. Figure 5B In the diagram, the state is schematically illustrated by using white space to remove the closing layout 2 (layout 501).

[0070] Next, the layout after removing white space is described below. When the output size 305 is "Same as original size", "Half size", or "Scaling ratio" ("Yes" in step S403), if white space is removed to make the origin of the original page consistent with the origin of the sheet, the following problem occurs: the image will be cropped due to partial loss of original data. Figure 5AThe layout 2 (layout 502) shows this state after the white space in the image has been removed. To solve this problem, the printing start point of the original data is placed inside the printing white space on the sheet (placed within the printing area), as shown below. Figure 5A The layout after removing the white space (after moving the origin) is shown in 504 (the processing performed in step S404).

[0071] If the output size 305 is not based on the original size (for example, if the output size is "Fit to Roll" or "Fit to Sheet"), the original data is arranged inside the set print margins. Therefore, the image is not cropped, and the origin does not shift. Figure 5B The layout 2 (503) after removing the white space in the image shows an example of this situation.

[0072] Figure 6 Details of the colored rectangular area obtained in step S405 are shown. The colored rectangular area 602 represents a rectangular area in the original page data 600 where a drawing object 601 exists. The drawing object 601 represents characters, graphics, image data, etc. The colored rectangular area 602 is defined as: an area obtained by surrounding the area where the drawing object first appears when scanning the original page data 600 from at least one of the top, bottom, left, and right edges. For example, if the original page data is a dot image, scanning can be performed on each line, for example. Alternatively, if the original page data is data defining the position of an object, the point closest to each edge can be determined based on the position and distribution of the object. No drawing object exists outside the colored rectangular area; therefore, the area outside the colored rectangular area can be considered a blank area, and paper can be saved by removing the blank area. (Compared with Japanese Patent No. 6354372) Figure 6 The method can be implemented using techniques similar to those shown. Figure 6 An example is shown of the location where image formation begins using an image forming device based on conventional techniques, but other methods may also be used.

[0073] As described above, print data indicating the layout of the original data for each page of the printable object file is created, and a print job is created to cause the image output device to execute the printing of the print data. The print job is sent from PC 100 to image output device 101 and executed, and the printout based on the created print data is output through image output device 101.

[0074] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the whitespace removal setting is set, each original page to be printed is considered, and it is determined (directly by the file extension) whether the original page is an object of whitespace removal based on the file type. If the original page is an object of whitespace removal, it is determined whether the image forming start position is set to the sheet origin or the origin of the printable area based on the output size of the original page. If it is determined that the image forming start position is set to the sheet origin, the image forming start position is moved to the origin of the printable area. Then, the original pages with the whitespace removed are arranged such that the origin of the original pages coincides with the image forming start position. In this series of processes, steps S400 to S402 correspond to a determination process, which is used to determine whether the page of interest included in the processing object data is an object of whitespace removal. Steps S403 and S404 correspond to the following positioning process: for the page of interest determined to be an object of whitespace removal, the first reference position for arranging the page of interest on the output sheet is set to a position spaced apart from the end of the output sheet by a predetermined printable whitespace, or a position inside that position. Furthermore, steps S405 to S407 can be said to correspond to a layout process, which is used to arrange the drawing area obtained by excluding the white space of the page of interest of objects determined to be removed from white space, using the first reference position as a reference point.

[0075] According to this process, even after removing white space, the following situation can be prevented: part of the original data will not be printed due to white space. Furthermore, by removing white space, waste of printing media is reduced, and the efficiency of printing media utilization is increased. In addition, for each page, it is determined whether rotating the page by 90 degrees increases the efficiency of printing media utilization, and if so, the original pages are arranged by rotating them. Thus, waste of printing media is reduced, and the efficiency of printing media utilization is increased.

[0076] As described above, the above embodiments can provide the following white space removal function: even when printing originals with output sizes corresponding to different print start origins in batches, the white space removal function can solve the problem of missing drawing objects without changing the settings of each original.

[0077] <Example 2>

[0078] This disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in Embodiment 1, the following example is described: the printing start point is arranged inside the print margin of the printer, such as... Figure 5AThe layout after whitespace removal (after moving the origin) is shown in (504). However, for example, if there is no whitespace to be removed or the whitespace to be removed is very small, it can be foreseen that in the process used to obtain the layout after whitespace removal (after moving the origin) (504), a portion of the drawing object 601 extends beyond the sheet, and the printout is missing that portion.

[0079] Figure 8 and Figure 9 The method for solving this problem is shown. Figure 8 The layout 801 after removing the white space shown is... Figure 7 The layout 701 after removing the white space is the same as shown. That is, the white space included in the original data has been removed, and the original data with the white space removed is arranged such that the origin of the original data coincides with the origin of the printing area. Therefore, the original data is arranged inside the edge of the sheet, at a distance from that edge corresponding to the set printing white space (not the removed white space).

[0080] The layout after whitespace removal (borderless mode) 802 shows the layout obtained by reducing the print whitespace of the layout 801 after whitespace removal by changing the output mode to borderless mode and moving the original data to the inside position (towards the print area) of the reduced print whitespace. The output mode does not necessarily have to be changed to borderless mode; for example, the output mode can be changed to a mode that reduces the amount of whitespace.

[0081] Borderless mode is a printing mode that removes the margins around the original data and prints the original data by arranging the original data across the entire output sheet. In borderless mode, the original data is slightly enlarged and printed by arranging it so that the original data extends slightly beyond the output sheet. Therefore, in borderless mode, the area of ​​the printed margins (areas where no image is originally placed and where no image is printed by an image forming device) is used as part of the printing area for the original data. In borderless mode, the same image forming process is performed in the printed margins. Borderless mode can be set in certain printer models but not in others, and in this embodiment, it is assumed that a printer that supports borderless mode is used.

[0082] Figure 9 For illustrative purposes only Figure 8 The flowchart shown illustrates the process. Figure 4 The steps S400 to S409 shown are the same as those shown. Figure 4 The same reference numerals are used in the figures. Figure 9 The processing shown is the same as Figure 4The difference in the process shown is that steps S901 and S902 are inserted between steps S406 and S407. Therefore, the steps S901 and S902 are omitted. Figure 4 The process shown is the same as the description of the process, and steps S901 and S902 will be described.

[0083] In step S901, CPU 110 compares the offset of the origin position identified in step S404 (corresponding to the offset of the printed white space) with the white space amount identified in step S405. (Already referred to...) Figure 6 The amount of white space identified in step S405 is described in more detail. The comparison from step S901 is performed in both the vertical and horizontal directions, and if the offset (i.e., print white space) is larger in at least one of these directions, it can be determined that the print white space is greater than the amount of white space to be removed. If the offset at the origin position (i.e., print white space) is larger, the process proceeds to step S902. If the amount of white space to be removed is larger, the print will not be missing any part of the drawing object 601, therefore there is no need to switch to borderless mode, and the process proceeds to step S407.

[0084] In step S902, CPU 110 changes the printing mode from a printing mode with white space to a borderless mode or a mode with reduced white space, and proceeds to step S407.

[0085] For ease of understanding, specific examples of the processing performed in steps S901 and S902 are described below. As an example of step S901, if the output mode of the image output device is a print mode with white space, and a print white space of 5 mm width is set along each of the upper, lower, left, and right edges of the sheet, then the drawing allowable area of ​​the image processing device (the same as the print allowable area) is the range from the upper left origin on the sheet (a position offset 5 mm to the right and 5 mm down from the upper left corner of the sheet) to the lower right point (a point 5 mm to the left from the right edge of the sheet and 5 mm up from the lower edge of the sheet). On the other hand, for example, assuming in... Figure 6 In this process, the width of the white space removed between the left edge and the drawing data is 20 mm, while the widths of the white spaces removed between the drawing data and the top, bottom, and right edges are 30 mm, 80 mm, and 50 mm, respectively. In this case, when the printed white space is compared with the removed top, bottom, left, and right white spaces, all the removed white spaces are larger than the printed white space. Therefore, it is determined that the drawing area will not extend beyond the sheet material and the printed material will not lack a portion of the drawing area, and the process proceeds to step S407.

[0086] In another example, the image output device is set to a print mode with margins, where a 5mm wide margin is set along each of the top, bottom, left, and right edges of the sheet; a 1mm wide margin is removed along the left edge; and the widths of the margins removed along the top, bottom, and right edges are 30mm, 0mm, and 2mm, respectively. In this case, when comparing the printed margins with the removed top, bottom, left, and right margins, the printed margins are larger than the left, bottom, and right margins. If the printed margins are larger in at least one direction, a portion of the drawing area will be missing from the print.

[0087] This is because, in the example above, for instance, if the left side of the remaining colored rectangular area after removing the white space is offset 5 mm from the left side of the output sheet to extend along the printed white space, the amount of rightward offset of the colored rectangular area is 4 mm greater than the 1 mm wide white space set along the left side before removal. Therefore, although a 2 mm wide white space is set along the right side of the colored rectangular area, the colored rectangular area still extends 2 mm beyond the right side of the output sheet. As mentioned above, if printed white space is ensured for the top and left sides, printed white space can be not ensured for the other sides. In step S901, it is determined whether the current situation is this case. If the current situation is this case, the process proceeds to step S902 to avoid the situation of missing parts of the image in the print. In step S902, the printing mode is changed to borderless mode. In borderless mode, the white space is set to 0 mm again along the top, bottom, left, and right sides. Therefore, in this case, the offset of the origin position becomes 0 mm, and the printing start position is set to the sheet origin. In borderless mode, the image is included in the print margin, but printers that support borderless mode will print without setting print margin in borderless mode.

[0088] In summary, this prevents the printed material from missing a portion of the drawing area, specifically a portion of the colored rectangular area. Note that while a slightly enlarged drawing size is typically used in borderless printing mode, this embodiment maintains the scaling ratio. However, it is not necessary to set the margin to 0 mm; for example, a small margin with a width of 0.2 mm can be set. In this case, problems caused by sheet feed errors (sheet tilt) in the image processing device can be avoided.

[0089] Processing and reference in step S407 and subsequent steps Figure 4 The processing described is the same, so its detailed description is omitted.

[0090] When in Figure 9During the process shown, when the print settings for the page of interest are set and the page is arranged according to the print settings, a preview image based on the settings is displayed in the preview display unit 202. Furthermore, information such as the original pages after margin removal and rotation processing, as well as the arrangement of the original pages, is saved and, in response to the print command, is updated accordingly. Figure 3 The print settings information 300 shown is sent to the image output device 101 as part of the print job.

[0091] As described above, the above embodiments can provide the following white space removal function, which can avoid the problem of missing parts of the drawing object even if the amount of white space removed is small and ensures that printing white space may cause partial image loss.

[0092] Note that the following configuration is also possible: by referring to the printer's functional information, it is immediately determined before step S901 whether the printer to be used supports borderless printing mode, and if the printer supports borderless printing mode, the process branches to step S901; otherwise, the process branches to step S407. This configuration allows the application to be used in both printers that support borderless printing and printers that do not support borderless printing.

[0093] Other embodiments

[0094] Embodiments of the invention can also be implemented by a computer that reads and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (also more fully referred to as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium") to perform one or more functions in the above embodiments, and / or includes one or more circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) for performing one or more functions in the above embodiments. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention can be implemented using a method by which the computer of the system or device, for example, reads and executes the computer-executable instructions from the storage medium to perform one or more functions in the above embodiments, and / or controls the one or more circuits to perform one or more functions in the above embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor unit (MPU)) and may include separate computers or a network of separate processors to read and execute the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), the memory of a distributed computing system, or an optical disc (such as a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile optical disc (DVD), or a Blu-ray disc (BD)). TM One or more of the following: flash memory devices and memory cards.

[0095] The embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by providing software (programs) that perform the functions of the above embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer or central processing unit (CPU) or microprocessor unit (MPU) of the system or device reads out and executes the program.

[0096] Although this disclosure has been described with reference to embodiments, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The scope of the appended claims should be interpreted in the broadest possible sense to cover all such variations and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an information processing device, the method comprising: Receives a specification of the size of the image to be output; When the specified size is a predetermined size and the image is the object of processing related to white space removal, a first position is used as a reference point to arrange the drawing area obtained by excluding white space from the image. The first position is located inside the end of the output sheet and is a distance from the end of the output sheet corresponding to a predetermined printing white space. as well as When the specified size is the predetermined size and the image is not the object of processing related to white space removal, the image is arranged using a second position as a reference point. The second position is the intersection point between the first side of the output sheet and the second side of the output sheet in the transport direction, and the second side is perpendicular to the first side.

2. The method for controlling an information processing device according to claim 1, the method further comprising: Receive the command to enable the whitespace removal function; as well as If the white space removal function is enabled, determine whether the image is the object of processing related to white space removal.

3. The method for controlling an information processing device according to claim 2, in, In the case where the image is based on drawing data, the image is determined to be an object to have white space removed.

4. The method for controlling an information processing device according to claim 3, in, The drawing data has a filename that includes a predefined string.

5. The method for controlling an information processing device according to claim 1, in, The predetermined size is a size set based on the size of the image.

6. The method for controlling an information processing device according to claim 1, in, When a size different from the predetermined size is set, the first position is used as a reference point to arrange the image.

7. The method for controlling an information processing device according to claim 1, in, In order to further save the output sheet by rotating the drawing area by 90 degrees, the drawing area is arranged by rotating the drawing area by 90 degrees.

8. An information processing device, comprising: The receiving unit is used to receive the specification of the size of the image to be output; A first arrangement section is used to arrange a drawing area obtained by excluding white space from the image using a first position as a reference point when the specified size is a predetermined size and the image is the object of a process related to white space removal. The first position is located inside the end of the output sheet and is a distance from the end of the output sheet corresponding to a predetermined printing white space. as well as The second arrangement part is used to arrange the image using a second position as a reference point when the specified size is the predetermined size and the image is not the object of the processing related to white space removal. The second position is the intersection point between the first side of the output sheet in the conveying direction and the second side of the output sheet, and the second side is perpendicular to the first side.

9. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program that, when loaded into a computer and executed, causes the computer to perform processing, the processing comprising: Receives a specification of the size of the image to be output; When the specified size is a predetermined size and the image is the object of processing related to white space removal, a first position is used as a reference point to arrange the drawing area obtained by excluding white space from the image. The first position is located inside the end of the output sheet and is a distance from the end of the output sheet corresponding to a predetermined printing white space. as well as When the specified size is the predetermined size and the image is not the object of processing related to white space removal, the image is arranged using a second position as a reference point. The second position is the intersection point between the first side of the output sheet and the second side of the output sheet in the transport direction, and the second side is perpendicular to the first side.

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