PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD

Abstract

To improve convenience in printing for booklets.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus comprises layout means which changes the sequence of document data for a plurality of pages to lay out the document data on booklet data for generating prints in form of a booklet, display means which displays the document data and the booklet data in one direction in a prescribed display unit, and setting means which sets a method of binding the prints in form of a booklet. The layout means changes the layout order of the booklet data to be displayed by the display means, on the basis of the settings of the method of binding.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates mainly to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Among information processing devices that perform image processing and the like, there are some that are capable of editing images for booklets such as photobooks (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-33421 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-205356 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, when printing for a booklet using a printer, information processing that takes into account, for example, the binding position may be required in order to improve convenience.

[0005] An exemplary object of the present invention is to improve convenience when printing for booklets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to an information processing device, the information processing device comprising: an allocation means for rearranging the order of manuscript data for a plurality of pages and allocating the pages to booklet data for generating a printed matter in the form of a booklet; a display means for displaying the manuscript data and the booklet data in one direction on a predetermined display unit; a setting means for setting a binding method for the booklet-shaped printed matter, The allocation means changes the order of the booklet data to be displayed by the display means based on the setting of the binding method. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, convenience in printing for booklets is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the information processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a basic setting screen of a bookbinding application. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an editing screen in a bookbinding application. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an editing screen in a bookbinding application. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an editing screen in a bookbinding application. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an editing screen in a bookbinding application. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an editing screen in a bookbinding application. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an editing screen in a bookbinding application. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen of a bookbinding application. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for page-specified printing. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for page-specified printing. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for page-specified printing. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an editing screen in a bookbinding application. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an editing screen in a bookbinding application. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a calculation process when page data is added in a bookbinding application. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of how page data is rearranged based on settings. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart for changing or updating the display on the edit screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the claimed invention. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] (System Configuration) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system SY according to an embodiment. The system SY includes an information processing device 101 and a printing device 151. Each of the information processing device 101 and the printing device 151 is configured to be able to communicate with any external device connected thereto, and the information processing device 101 and the printing device 151 are also able to communicate with each other. In this embodiment, the information processing device 101 and the printing device 151 are able to communicate with each other via an access point 131 using a wireless LAN that complies with the IEEE 802.11 standard. As will be described in detail later, the system SY executes printing processing by transmitting print data generated by the information processing device 101 to the printing device 151 via a predetermined network.

[0011] The information processing device 101 generates print data that can be processed by the printing device 151. The information processing device 101 may be a known computing device capable of generating print data, such as a personal computer (PC), a smartphone, a mobile terminal, a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).

[0012] The information processing device 101 includes an input interface 102, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 103, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 104, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 105. The information processing device 101 also includes an external storage device 106, an output interface 107, a communication unit 109, and a short-range wireless communication unit 110. The information processing device 101 is also capable of displaying information related to printing on an externally connected display unit 108, but the display unit 108 may be configured as a part of the information processing device 101.

[0013] The input interface 102 is configured to be able to accept operational input from the user, and the user can input data or settings required for printing, printing instructions, etc. via the input interface 102. The input interface 102 may be a known input terminal such as a keyboard, buttons, or a touch panel.

[0014] The CPU 103 functions as a system control unit that controls the overall system of the information processing device 101. The ROM 104 stores an OS (operating system) and programs (and associated information such as data tables) required to implement each function of the CPU 103. The RAM 105 is used as the main memory and work memory of the CPU 103, and may be an SRAM (static random access memory). The CPU 103 reads necessary programs from the ROM 104 and expands them on the RAM 105, while controlling the execution of software such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of the OS. In this case, the RAM 105 may store setting information, management data, and the like for the information processing device 101.

[0015] The external storage device 106 stores, for example, an application program (hereinafter referred to as "application") for executing printing, and a print information generation program for generating print information that can be processed by the printing device 151. The external storage device 106 also stores, for example, a control program for transmitting and receiving information to and from an external device (here, the printing device 151) connected via the communication unit 109. Additionally, the external storage device 106 can store various types of information required when executing these programs.

[0016] The output interface 107 controls the display of predetermined information on the display unit 108, and outputs, for example, display target information indicating the content to be displayed, control information for realizing the display by the display unit 108, and status information indicating the status of the information processing device 101. The input interface 102 and the output interface 107 may be configured integrally, and the reception of operation input from the user and the display of the output screen may be realized by a single unit. For example, a soft keyboard including numeric input keys, a mode setting key, a confirmation key, a cancel key, a power key, etc. may be displayed on the display unit 108, and operation input from the user may be received via the soft keyboard.

[0017] The display unit 108 includes an LED (light emitting diode), an LCD (liquid crystal display), etc., and displays data to the user and notifies the user of the status of the information processing device 101.

[0018] The communication unit 109 includes a baseband circuit, a radio frequency (RF) circuit, and the like for performing data communication with the printing device 151, and in this embodiment, communicates with the printing device 151 via an access point 131. The access point 131 may be, for example, a known device such as a wireless LAN router that operates according to a wireless communication method conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard. The communication unit 109 is capable of communication via Wi-Fi (registered trademark), but may also be capable of communication via other wireless communication methods such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication unit 109 can also establish a direct connection with the printing device 151 based on a protocol such as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) Direct (registered trademark). Furthermore, if the printing device 151 includes an access point (not shown), the communication unit 109 may establish a direct connection with the printing device 151 by connecting to the access point.

[0019] The short-range wireless communication unit 110 performs data communication by establishing a wireless connection with the printing device 151 when the printing device 151 is located within a predetermined distance. The short-range wireless communication unit 110 communicates using a communication method different from that of the communication unit 109, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

[0020] Printing device 151 acquires print data from information processing device 101 and executes printing processing based on the print data. Printing device 151 may be an inkjet printer or the like, but may also be one capable of executing other printing methods, such as electrophotography. Printing device 151 may also be a multifunction device having multiple functions, such as a copying function, a fax function, and a printing function.

[0021] The printing device 151 includes a ROM 152, a RAM 153, a CPU 154, a print engine 155, a communication unit 156, and a short-range wireless communication unit 157. The communication unit 156 includes a baseband circuit, a radio frequency circuit, etc. for connecting to the information processing device 101, and corresponds to the communication unit 109 of the information processing device 101, and communicates with the information processing device 101 via a wireless communication method such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The communication unit 156 has a similar configuration to the communication unit 109, and is capable of establishing a direct connection with the information processing device 101. Note that, although the information processing device 101 and the printing device 151 are connected to the access point 131 in this example, they may be connected to different access points connected to a network and connected to each other via the network.

[0022] The short-range wireless communication unit 157 performs data communication by establishing a wireless connection with the short-range wireless communication unit 110 of the information processing device 101 when the information processing device 101 is located within a predetermined distance. The short-range wireless communication unit 157 corresponds to the short-range wireless communication unit 110 of the information processing device 101 and communicates with the information processing device 101 by a wireless communication method such as BLE. Note that the amount of data transmitted from the information processing device 101 is generally large, requiring high-speed, large-capacity communication, and therefore the communication unit 156 may be used rather than the short-range wireless communication unit 157.

[0023] The ROM 152, RAM 153, and CPU 154 are configured similarly to the ROM 104, RAM 105, and CPU 103 in the information processing device 101, respectively, and realize corresponding functions. For example, the RAM 153 is used as the main memory and work memory of the CPU 154. The RAM 153 is provided with a memory area for storing setting information and management data for the printing device 151, and stores information necessary for printing by the printing device 151, such as print information received from the information processing device 101. The ROM 152 stores fixed data such as programs executed by the CPU 154 (and associated information such as data tables) and OS programs. The CPU 154 reads necessary programs from the ROM 152 and loads them on the RAM 153, while controlling software execution, such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing, under the control of the OS. The CPU 154 functions as a system control unit that controls the overall operation of the printing device 151 system. In addition, the printing device 151 may be additionally connected to an external memory such as an HDD (hard disk drive) or SSD (solid state drive), and all or part of the above-mentioned programs, data, etc. may be stored in that / these external memories.

[0024] The print engine 155 executes printing based on the information stored in the RAM 153 and the printing information received from the information processing device 101, and in this embodiment forms an image on a recording medium such as paper using a recording agent such as ink, and outputs the print result.

[0025] Communication between the information processing device 101 and the printing device 151 may be realized in other ways; for example, the information processing device 101 and the printing device 151 may be connected via a wired line. In yet another embodiment, the system SY may be configured such that the functions of both the information processing device 101 and the printing device 151 are integrated into one unit, in which case communication between the information processing device 101 and the printing device 151 may be performed via a bus within the unit. Furthermore, multiple blocks shown in FIG. 1 may be integrated into one block, or one block may be divided into multiple blocks. Furthermore, blocks other than those shown in FIG. 1 may be added, or one or more of the blocks shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the information processing device 101. The information processing device 101 includes, as components capable of realizing its functions, a bookbinding application 201 for executing processing described below and a printer driver 202 for generating print data that can be processed by the printing device 151. When a user inputs a print instruction on a screen displayed by the bookbinding application 201 (described below), the printer driver 202 receives application data output from the bookbinding application 201 and generates print data. Note that the application data output by the bookbinding application 201 is data for bookbinding, and is data based on the editing content performed by the user using the application data 201. An example of a print instruction on the screen of the bookbinding application 201 is pressing the "OK" button 1009 in FIG. 10. The printer driver 202 transmits the print data generated by the bookbinding application 201 to the printing device 151, whereby printing processing is performed in the printing device 151. Bookbinding is performed by assembling the sheets printed by this printing processing into a booklet.

[0027] Note that bookbinding includes not only printing by the printing device 151 but also generating one or more printed sheets to be later formed into a booklet, and may additionally include binding the sheets together with staples or the like to form a booklet. From this perspective, the system SY may also be expressed as a bookbinding system or the like.

[0028] (Overview of how the bookbinding application works) It is assumed below that the various processes for bookbinding executed by the bookbinding application 201 are mainly performed by the CPU 103 reading and executing a program for the bookbinding application 201.

[0029] 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a basic setting screen 300 displayed on the display unit 108 when the CPU 103 of the information processing device 101 executes a program corresponding to the bookbinding application 201 stored in the ROM 104 or the external storage device 106. In this example, the basic setting screen 300 includes an image 301 of the bound book, a printer selection area 302, a paper size selection area 303, a binding method setting area 304, a binding direction selection area 305, and a setting area 306 for the cover paper.

[0030] The printer selection area 302 is an area for selecting a printing device to be used for printing. When the pull-down button in the printer selection area 302 is pressed, a list of printing devices that can be used by the information processing device 101 is displayed, and the user can select any printing device from the list. The list of printing devices that is displayed when the pull-down button in the printer selection area 302 is pressed should preferably display only printing devices that are compatible with the bookbinding application 201, but is not limited to this and may display all printing devices that the information processing device 101 can communicate with.

[0031] The paper size selection area 303 is an area for selecting the size of paper to be used for bookbinding. When the pull-down button in the paper size selection area 303 is pressed, a list of paper sizes that can be supported by the printing device selected in the printer selection area 302 is displayed. The user can select any size from the displayed list of paper sizes. Information on paper sizes that can be supported by the printing device selected in the printer selection area 302 may be obtained from the printing device via, for example, the printer driver 202.

[0032] The binding setting area 304 is an area for setting the binding method of the booklet. When the pull-down button in the binding setting area 304 is pressed, a list of binding methods such as "side binding" and "saddle binding" is displayed. Here, "saddle binding" binds the booklet by binding the sheets at the part that will become the spine of the booklet, while "side binding" binds the sheets at a position a predetermined distance away from the part that will become the spine of the booklet. For example, when "saddle binding" is selected, the 2-in-1 print setting may be automatically selected because it is assumed that the sheets will be folded in half. In this case, print settings other than 1-in-1, such as 4-in-1, may be displayed as selectable. Note that when "side binding" is selected, the 1-in-1 print setting may be automatically selected. In this case, print settings such as 2-in-1 and 4-in-1 may be displayed as selectable.

[0033] In this specification, the above print settings for printing K pages of images on one side of a single sheet of paper are referred to as Kin1 (where K is an integer equal to or greater than 1). When K is 2 or greater, that is, when page data for two or more pages is printed on one side, the images on each page are reduced in size.

[0034] The binding direction setting area 305 is an area for setting the binding direction of the booklet. When the pull-down button in the binding direction setting area 305 is pressed, for example, "right binding" and "left binding" are displayed as selectable options. Here, "right binding" binds the book by binding the right side of the front cover (front side of the cover), and "left binding" binds the book by binding the left side of the front cover. Right-opening corresponds to right binding, and left-opening corresponds to left binding. The setting in this area determines whether the pages of the booklet to be created will proceed from right to left or left to right. Optionally, "top binding" may also be displayed as a selectable option, and in "top binding," the book will be bound by binding the top of the cover. The "binding direction" in the binding direction setting area 305 may also be expressed as "opening direction," etc.

[0035] The setting area 306 for the cover paper is an area for setting the type of paper to be used for the cover. For example, radio buttons are displayed that allow the user to select between creating the cover and the body of the document on the same type of paper, and creating them on different types of paper. In the setting area 306, if the cover and the body of the document are to be created on the same type of paper, the paper type for the body of the document (for example, "plain paper") is set as the paper type for the cover. Therefore, the area that allows the user to select the paper type for the cover may be displayed in a grayed-out state so that it cannot be selected.

[0036] On the other hand, in the setting area 306, if the cover and the body are to be created on different types of paper, an area that allows selection of the paper type for the cover is activated. When the pull-down button in the area for setting the paper type for the cover is pressed, a list of selectable paper types (e.g., plain paper, glossy paper, etc.) is displayed. For example, if "plain paper" is selected, the text "Borderless printing is not possible" may be displayed, and if "glossy paper" is selected, the text "Borderless printing is possible" may be displayed.

[0037] Additionally, necessary information may be set for each paper type, and a character string corresponding to the paper type selected by the user may be displayed. Also, if a setting is selected to create the cover and the body on different types of paper, a message such as "You must load separate paper for the cover and the body before printing" may be displayed.

[0038] When "OK" is pressed on the basic setting screen 300 in Figure 3, the screen transitions to an editing screen. The editing screen can differ depending on setting items such as whether the binding method and the paper type for the cover should be the same as that for the body of the document. Below, examples of editing screens corresponding to these basic settings are described.

[0039] [Edge stitching, when the cover and body are made with the same type of paper] 4 shows an example of an editing screen 400 when the binding method is set to edge binding (1 in 1) and right binding, and the same type of paper is used for the cover and the body. The figure shows an example in which page data for eight pages (from the page marked "A" to the page marked "H") has already been loaded.

[0040] Here, page data corresponds to image data corresponding to an individual page, and all page data for multiple pages is included in the concept of manuscript data. Before a manuscript (document) is read, the editing area 401 and manuscript data area 402 are in a predetermined state (e.g., blank) that allows the user to recognize that no manuscript has been read. For example, a message such as "Please read the manuscript data to be included in the booklet" may be displayed in the editing area 401, and a message informing the user how to read the data may also be displayed. Such a message may be displayed in the manuscript data area 402, or may be notified by other methods such as a dialog display. Note that manuscript data may be read for one page only, or for multiple pages.

[0041] When the "Load" button 403 is pressed, for example, a file selection dialog is displayed, and if there are two or more files (manuscript data), the user can select any one of them. Then, the page data contained in the selected file is expanded in the manuscript data area 402. Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, the page data contained in that file is allocated based on the settings on the basic setting screen 300 and the page order (hereinafter referred to as "booklet allocation"; details will be described later), and the results can be displayed in the editing area 401.

[0042] As shown in Figure 4, booklet layout can be performed so that, for example, the page data for pages 1 to 4 become the "front cover," "back cover," "inside the front cover (back side of the front cover)," and "inside the back cover (back side of the back cover)," respectively, and the page data thereafter becomes the main text. Of the file thus extracted, page 1 (page data with "A" written on it) is laid out on the "front cover," and page 2 (page data with "B" written on it) is laid out on the "back cover." Similarly, page 3 (page data with "C" written on it) is laid out on the "inside the front cover," and page 4 (page data with "D" written on it) is laid out on the "inside the back cover."

[0043] That is, the bookbinding application 201 generates booklet data, which is the result of allocating page data included in the manuscript data. The booklet data includes page data corresponding to multiple pages that make up the booklet, and the bookbinding application 201 displays a preview image of each page in the editing area 401 of Fig. 4 based on the generated booklet data. In other words, the booklet data can be said to be manuscript data in which page data has been allocated and rearranged. The booklet data may be expressed as booklet page data, bookbinding page data, or simply bookbinding data.

[0044] In addition, the page data for the first and second pages may be allocated to the "front cover" and "inside the front cover," respectively, and the page data for the last page and the page immediately before it may be allocated to the "back cover" and "inside the back cover," respectively.

[0045] The examples in Figure 4 (and some of the examples described below) illustrate right-hand binding, with the front cover displayed at the far right and the back cover displayed at the far left, but in left-hand binding, the front cover may be displayed at the far left and the back cover may be displayed at the far right.

[0046] When the contents of the file are expanded in the manuscript data area 402, a confirmation message such as "Do you want to perform automatic page allocation?" may be displayed, allowing the user to select whether or not to perform booklet layout. If the user selects to perform booklet layout, the results of the booklet layout execution may be displayed in the editing area 401, and if the user does not select to perform booklet layout, the editing area 401 may be left blank. Alternatively, regardless of the user's selection, the page data included in the selected file may be expanded in the manuscript data area 402 without performing booklet layout. Even if booklet layout is not performed, booklet layout may be performed in the order of the pages included in the file by pressing the "Add All" button 404.

[0047] When multiple files are read, all page data contained in the multiple files is expanded in manuscript data area 402. At this time, the order of the expanded page data can be determined by pull-down menu 405. When "Read Order" is selected as shown in Fig. 4, the page data is expanded in manuscript data area 402 so that the page data of the selected file is displayed in order from left to right.

[0048] On the other hand, if "by file name" (not shown) is selected, the page data is expanded so that the file names are in ascending (or descending) order. For example, if a file named "A.pdf" is opened after a file named "B.pdf," in "read order," the page data for "A.pdf" will be displayed to the right of the position where the page data for "B.pdf" is displayed. Also, in "by file name," even if "B.pdf" is opened first, the page data for "B.pdf" will be displayed to the right of the position where the page data for "A.pdf" is displayed.

[0049] The sorting order is not limited to the read order and file name order, and various orders such as the order of file creation date (update date) or the order of frequency of use in this application can be used.

[0050] In the editing area 401, images of the page data are displayed in the order of the pages of the booklet after binding (after the booklet has been formed). The images of the page data are displayed so that the distance between two adjacent pages that are displayed as a spread is smaller than the distance between two adjacent pages that are not displayed as a spread. This allows the user to easily visually distinguish between pages that make up a spread of the booklet and pages that do not. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, the distance between the page marked "C" and the page marked "E" is sufficiently small. This allows the user to easily understand that the page marked "C" and the page marked "E" make up a spread. On the other hand, the distance between the page marked "E" and the page marked "F" is larger than the distance between the page marked "C" and the page marked "E." This allows the user to easily understand that the page marked "C" and the page marked "E" do not make up a spread. In this way, images of all pages are displayed in the editing area 401 based on the page data of each page included in the booklet data.

[0051] 4 shows a state in which all pages included in the booklet data are displayed, but in this case, if the number of pages increases, the size of each page will become smaller. Therefore, the bookbinding application 201 is preferably configured to be able to enlarge or reduce each page for display. If it is difficult to display all pages in the editing area 401, the display range may be changed, for example, by displaying a scroll bar or the like at the bottom of the editing area 401.

[0052] When edge binding is selected, a binding position 406 such as a staple is displayed in the editing area 401. The binding position 406 may be displayed in a color (e.g., red) different from other displays so that the user can easily recognize it. The binding position 406 may be printed on the paper, allowing the user to bind the printed sheets of paper at the printed binding position 406 using a stapler to create a booklet relatively easily.

[0053] Furthermore, in the editing area 401, a boundary line 407 indicating the boundary between the print area and the margin area is displayed. For example, in the page settings 408, the user sets whether to enlarge or reduce the manuscript data to fit the margins and paper, or to display it at original size, and sets the position adjustment in the up, down, left, and right directions. Based on the setting values ​​of the page settings 408 input by the user, the page data is positioned on the page and the boundary line 407 can be displayed. Note that the up, down, left, and right positions are adjusted, for example, by setting the setting values ​​to negative values, by moving the manuscript data upward or leftward, and by setting the setting values ​​to positive values, by moving the manuscript data downward or rightward. This allows the user to set the page data so that it is positioned on the page in a desired manner.

[0054] These settings may be applied on a page-by-page basis. For example, if a page with "E" written on it is selected in the editing area 401 and a setting value is entered in the page settings 408, the setting value is applied to the selected page. If "Apply to all pages" is selected in the page settings 408, the setting value is applied to all pages at once. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the page frame 409 of the page with "E" written on it may be highlighted, allowing the user to visually identify the selected page and recognize that the settings for a specific page are being changed. The user can also delete this page from the editing area 401 by, for example, pressing icon 410.

[0055] Furthermore, when the "spread" check box 415 is selected (checked), a spread attribute can be set for one page data.

[0056] 5 shows an example of an editing screen 500 when the page with "E" written on it is selected and the "Spread" checkbox 415 is selected. For example, when the "Spread" checkbox 415 is selected, a spread attribute is assigned to the page data corresponding to the selected page, and the page data is allocated to an area equivalent to two pages on the editing area 401.

[0057] 4 and 5, we will now describe an example in which the "Spread" checkbox 415 is selected when an even-numbered page of the main text (for example, in the case of right-bound pages, this corresponds to the right page of the spread, and in the case of left-bound pages, this corresponds to the left page of the spread) is selected. In this example, the page data that was allocated to the selected page is displayed in the center of the spread that includes the selected page, and the page data is reallocated so that the pages after that page are shifted back by one page. In other words, the bookbinding application 201 generates a new spread area by adding one page after the selected page, and places the page data of the selected page in the center of the new spread area.

[0058] On the other hand, when an odd-numbered page of the main text (e.g., the left page of a spread in a right-bound book, or the right page of a spread in a left-bound book) is selected, as in the page marked "E" in FIG. 4, the page following the selected page will be included in a different spread from the one containing the selected page. Therefore, simply adding one page after the selected page to create a new spread area and allocating one page of page data to the new spread area will not result in the page data being displayed as a spread. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 5, when an odd-numbered page of the main text is selected and the "Spread" checkbox 415 is selected, one page is added after the selected page and one before the selected page, and the page data is reallocated so that the pages after the selected page are shifted back by two pages.

[0059] If the "Spread" check box 415 is selected while an odd-numbered page is selected, a message may be displayed to notify the user that a page will be added before the selected page. If the user approves the addition of the page, a spread attribute may be set for the selected page data, and the selected page data may be arranged across multiple pages. This makes it possible to prevent pages from being added unintended by the user. Note that if the user does not approve the addition of the page, the setting of the spread attribute may be canceled, or a space of one page may be added after the selected page, so that the selected page is allocated to an area of ​​two pages.

[0060] Furthermore, when the "Spread" check box 415 is selected with an odd-numbered page selected, instead of displaying the above message, a space of one page may be added after the selected page, and the selected page may be allocated to an area of ​​two pages. In this case, a message may be displayed indicating that the page data of the selected page will not be placed in the spread area in this state.

[0061] Furthermore, if the "spread" checkbox 415 is deselected (the checkbox is canceled) after the spread attribute has been set for the page data, the spread attribute for that page data is canceled. As a result, the pages (before and after) that were added when the page was allocated are deleted, and the pages after that page are reallocated. At that time, for example, a message may be displayed to ask the user whether or not to delete pages such as blank pages that were added when odd-numbered pages were allocated to a spread.

[0062] Furthermore, when landscape page data is allocated to the editing area 401 (for example, by drag and drop), a two-page spread attribute may be set for the page data without any operational input by the user. In this case, the "two-page spread" checkbox 415 is checked at the beginning of the allocation. Furthermore, when the insertion position of this page data is an odd-numbered page, as described above, a blank page or the like may be inserted before that page, or a predetermined error message or the like may be displayed.

[0063] Furthermore, if the "Spread" checkbox 415 is deselected after a spread attribute has been set for landscape page data and the data has been allocated to a spread area, the spread attribute for the landscape page data is canceled. As a result, the landscape page data can be allocated to one of the pages that make up the spread (for example, by shrinking or rotating). Alternatively, the landscape page data may not be set to a spread attribute and may be allocated to one of the pages, just like a portrait page.

[0064] 4, for a selected page, an image of the bound spread including that page is displayed as booklet preview 411. This allows the user to relatively easily recognize the bound state of the selected page. Furthermore, when "<" or ">" displayed together with booklet preview 411 is selected, a preview of the adjacent spread is displayed. The selected page may, but need not, be shifted or moved in conjunction with or in synchronization with this.

[0065] The user can also manipulate the page data expanded in the manuscript data area 402 on a page-by-page basis, for example, by selecting one piece of page data in the manuscript data area 402 and dragging and dropping it into the editing area 401. This adds the selected page data as one page in the booklet. In the example of FIG. 4, the page marked "C" is selected from the data expanded in the manuscript data area 402.

[0066] The page data selected in this manner is inserted by dragging and dropping into any position in the editing area 401 and incorporated into the booklet data as the page corresponding to that position. For example, consider a case where page data is inserted by dragging and dropping into a predetermined range between the page marked "F" and the page marked "G" in the editing area 401. In this case, the bookbinding application 201 generates booklet data in which page data marked "C" is inserted between the page data for "F" and the page data for "G." When such page data is inserted, reallocation is performed based on the inserted booklet data, and the spread relationship is reconfigured. In other words, page "F" and the newly added page "C" form a spread relationship, and page "G" and page "H" form a spread relationship due to the addition of page "C."

[0067] Furthermore, when the "Add Blank Page" button 412 is pressed, a blank page is added. For example, when the "Add Blank Page" button 412 is pressed while a page with "C" written on it is selected, a blank page is added between the page with "C" written on it and the page with "E" written on it. In this case, the bookbinding application 201 generates booklet data that includes blank page data between the page data for "C" and the page data for "E." The manner in which a blank page is added can be changed by settings. For example, a blank page may be added before the selected page, or may be added between two selected pages. This makes it possible to add a blank page to any position in the booklet based on the user's preferences, such as when the user wants the inside of the front cover to be blank.

[0068] When page data in manuscript data area 402 is used in editing area 401, it is preferable to add information identifying this to the upper left of each data. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, page data labeled "A" and page data labeled "C" are used on the front cover (for "C," the inside of the front cover). Also, page data labeled "B" and page data labeled "D" are used on the back cover (for "D," the inside of the back cover). Furthermore, other page data are used in the body of the document. This allows the user to relatively easily recognize whether the page data is being used appropriately, for example, whether page data that should be included in booklet pages is not being used, or whether page data that should not be included in booklet pages is being used.

[0069] Furthermore, the user can delete page data that will not be used in the booklet in the manuscript data area 402. For example, a deletion icon 413 is displayed in the upper right corner of selected page data, and the user can delete the selected page data from the manuscript data area 402 by selecting this icon 413. This makes it possible to prevent editing work from becoming cumbersome due to the existence of a large amount of unused data in the manuscript data area 402.

[0070] Furthermore, the user can select multiple pieces of data at once in the manuscript data area 402 and manipulate them all at once. For example, if page data marked "C" and page data marked "D" are selected and then inserted together into the editing area 401 by dragging and dropping, the page data will be incorporated into the booklet data as two consecutive pages. The same applies when three or more page data are selected.

[0071] Furthermore, when multiple page data are selected and the "Delete Multiple" button 414 is pressed, the multiple page data can be deleted all at once from the manuscript data area 402. Note that when one data or no data is selected, the "Delete Multiple" button 414 is displayed, for example, in a grayed-out state, which may restrict pressing of the "Delete Multiple" button 414.

[0072] After the booklet editing is completed as described above, printing for the booklet (so-called bookbinding printing) is executed by pressing the print setting button 416. That is, the bookbinding application 201 outputs application data based on the booklet data including the page data arranged in the desired order by the above-mentioned editing. The printer driver 202 generates print data based on the output application data.

[0073] In the case of edge binding (1 in 1), double-sided printing is performed so that the (2n-1)th page and the 2nth page are front and back, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Double-sided printing is also performed so that the front cover and its inside are front and back, and the back cover and its inside are front and back.

[0074] [Saddle stitching, when the cover and body are created on the same paper type] Like Fig. 4, Fig. 6 shows an example of an editing screen 600 when the binding method is saddle-stitched (2-in-1) and the same type of paper is used for the cover and the body. In the case of saddle-stitched binding, the binding position is between pages, so as can be seen from Fig. 6, a mark indicating the binding position is unnecessary and is not displayed in this example. However, if printing is performed on paper, a mark indicating the binding position may be displayed.

[0075] When the binding method is saddle stitching (2 in 1), double-sided printing is performed in 2 in 1, so the number of pages per sheet is 4. Therefore, if the number of pages added to the editing area 401 is not a multiple of 4, a blank page or the like may be added, for example, to the end so that the total number of pages becomes a multiple of 4.

[0076] For saddle-stitched (2-in-1) right-to-left binding, where N is the total number of pages and m is an integer greater than or equal to 0, the front side of a sheet is printed so that page (N / 2+2m+2) is on the right side and page (N / 2-2m-1) is on the left side. The back side is printed so that page (N / 2-2m) is on the right side and page (N / 2+2m+1) is on the left side. For example, if N=8, page 6 is printed on the right side and page 3 is printed on the left side on the front side, and page 4 is printed on the right side (the back of page 3) and page 5 is printed on the left side (the back of page 6) on the back side on both sides of one sheet. Similarly, page 8 is printed on the right side and page 1 is printed on the left side on the front side, and page 2 is printed on the right side (the back of page 1) and page 7 is printed on the left side (the back of page 8) on the back side on both sides of another sheet. In addition, the front side is printed on both sides, with the back cover on the right and the front cover on the left, and the back side is printed on both sides, with the inside of the front cover on the right and the inside of the back cover on the left. In the case of left binding, the same applies as above, except that the left and right relationships are reversed.

[0077] [Edge stitching, when the cover and the body are created on different paper types] 7 and 8 show examples of editing screens 700 and 800, respectively, when the binding method is edge binding (1 in 1) and settings have been made to use different types of paper for the cover and the body. When different types of paper are used for the cover and the body, the editing screen 700 for the cover shown in Fig. 7 and the editing screen 800 for the body shown in Fig. 8 are used, and editing and printing can be performed separately for the cover and the body. In other words, the user issues separate print instructions for the cover and print instructions for the body to the bookbinding application 201.

[0078] When the cover editing screen 700 and the body editing screen 800 are provided separately, a cover selection button 701 and a body selection button 702 for switching between the displays are displayed, for example, in the editing area 401. When the cover selection button 701 is selected, the cover editing screen 700 is displayed, and when the body selection button 702 is selected, the body editing screen 800 is displayed. Note that the buttons 701 and 702 may be displayed outside the editing area 401, or the screens 700 and 800 may be selectively switched in tab format, for example.

[0079] The cover editing screen 700 displays the front and back covers. The front and back covers are displayed as if the booklet were viewed from the spine side. That is, in the case of right-side binding, the front cover is displayed on the left side and the back cover is displayed on the right side. On the other hand, in the case of left-side binding, the front cover is displayed on the right side and the back cover is displayed on the left side. Therefore, when edge binding is used, the binding position 406 is displayed. In the cover editing screen 700, the binding position 406 is displayed in a position close to the back cover on the front cover, and in a position close to the front cover on the back cover.

[0080] In this way, the positional relationship between the front and back covers on the cover editing screen 700 is different from that on the editing screens 400 to 600 (see FIGS. 4 to 6) where the cover and the body are edited together, and the positional relationship is displayed in a mirrored state. This display mode allows the user to relatively easily recognize how the bound booklet will look from the spine side when opened.

[0081] In the above example, the inside surfaces of the front cover and the back cover are not used (i.e., are blank), but they may be used. If the inside surfaces of the front cover and the back cover are used, the inside page data of the front cover may be displayed next to the page data of the front cover, and the inside page data of the back cover may be displayed next to the page data of the back cover on the cover editing screen 700. For example, in the example of FIG. 7, the inside page data of the front cover may be displayed to the left of the page data of the front cover, and the inside page data of the back cover may be displayed to the right of the page data of the back cover.

[0082] 8, on editing screen 800 for the main text, page data for the main text excluding the front and back covers (and their insides) is displayed in editing area 401. Editing screen 800 is similar to that shown in FIG. 4 except that it does not include page data for the front and back covers and their insides.

[0083] [Saddle stitching, when the cover and body are created on different paper types] When saddle stitching is selected and different paper types are used for the cover and the body, the editing screen is similar to that shown in Figures 7 and 8, except that the binding position marks are not displayed. For saddle stitching, the page count must be a multiple of four. However, when different paper types are used for the cover and the body, the page count for the body must be a multiple of four. That is, while the above example explained adjusting the page count for the cover and body combined to be a multiple of four, in this example, the page count for the body alone is adjusted to be a multiple of four. As a result, if the back side of the cover is printed single-sided, the page count for the cover and body combined will not be a multiple of four (where a is an integer, the total number of pages is 4a + 2). Therefore, for example, if the body contains six pages of data, two blank pages can be inserted so that the page count for the body is a multiple of four.

[0084] When a setting is made to use different types of paper for the cover and the body, borderless printing can be achieved by using, for example, glossy paper for the cover. FIG. 9 shows an example of an editing screen 900 in this case. Borderless printing requires making the image to be printed larger than the finished size, a process known as "bleeding." Therefore, when paper capable of borderless printing, such as glossy paper, is selected, an area 902 with a size that includes the bleed and a corresponding explanation 903 may be displayed. In addition, an option 901 for adjusting the image to a size that includes the bleed is displayed as one way of scaling the page data. This allows the user to create a cover using borderless printing with relatively simple operations.

[0085] After the booklet editing is completed in the above manner, printing for the booklet is executed by pressing the print setting button 416. That is, the bookbinding application 201 outputs application data based on the booklet data obtained by the above editing, and the printer driver 202 generates print data based on the output application data.

[0086] When printing the cover and the body text on the same paper, the application data includes both the pages to be placed on the cover and the pages to be placed on the body text. On the other hand, when printing the cover and the body text on different paper, the cover and the body text will be printed separately, so a message for selecting the cover or the body text to be printed may be displayed on a specific screen. When the user instructs printing with the cover selected, the application data includes only the page data to be placed on the cover, and print data for the cover is generated by printer driver 202. On the other hand, when the user instructs printing with the body text selected, the application data includes only the page data to be placed on the body text, and print data for the body text is generated by printer driver 202.

[0087] (About print settings) 10 shows an example of a print setting screen 1000 that is displayed when the print setting button 416 is pressed after the above-described editing process (see FIG. 4, etc.) is completed with basic settings made on the basic setting screen 300 in FIG. 3. The print setting screen 1000 includes areas 1001 and 1002, an area 1003 for setting the number of copies to be printed, and an area 1004 for setting the print range.

[0088] Areas 1001 and 1002 are areas that present the information set on the basic setting screen 300. If the user wishes to change the information in areas 1001 and 1002, the user can press "Cancel" to return to the edit screen, and then press the "Basic Settings" button on the edit screen to return to the basic setting screen 300 and perform the change process.

[0089] The print quantity setting area 1003 is an area for setting the number of booklets to be created. Area 1004 is an area for setting whether to print the entire body and cover, or only some of the pages. For example, the user can print all pages at once by selecting the radio button corresponding to "Cover and body." If the body and cover are to be created on different types of paper, the display of "Body and cover" is divided into two items: "Body" and "Cover." This makes it possible to select a mode in which the entire body is printed at once (a mode in which the cover is not printed) or a mode in which the entire cover is printed at once (a mode in which the body is not printed).

[0090] On the other hand, if the radio button corresponding to "Page Designation" is selected, only some of the pages will be printed. The number "(1-8)" shown to the right of "Page Designation" indicates the number of pages in the booklet, and in this case indicates that the printing range is from page 1 to page 8. The number of sheets of paper is determined according to the total number of pages and the binding method settings, and this information is displayed in area 1005. This allows the user to relatively easily recognize the number of sheets of paper to be loaded into the printing device 151.

[0091] As described above, it is possible to print some pages by specifying a paper number, but when printing a booklet, the settings are complicated and there is a possibility that the pages will be printed in a format different from what the user expected. Therefore, in this embodiment, a settings screen is used that allows the user to intuitively select the pages to print.

[0092] Fig. 11(A) is an example of a setting screen 1100 for page-specified printing that is displayed when the "Select" button 1006 in Fig. 10 is pressed. For ease of understanding, it is assumed here that printing is to be performed for a 40-page booklet.

[0093] The setting screen 1100 displays the page layout for each sheet of paper, that is, the layout of the page data to be printed on the front and back of the sheet of paper is displayed within a frame 1101 representing the sheet of paper so that the user can recognize the page data to be allocated to each sheet of paper. For example, in the example of Fig. 11(A), page data with "Body 3" written on the front and page data with "Body 4" written on the back are arranged vertically side by side. In other words, each content of the page data selected from the manuscript data is displayed.

[0094] Note that "body X" in FIG. 11(A) and the following drawings is an expression for convenience, where X is an integer of 1 or more, and in reality, a preview screen of the contents of that page may be displayed.

[0095] 11 and other settings screens show the print results on the sheets that make up the booklet, and so may also be called sheet preview images. The sheet preview image is generated based on multiple page data and print setting information.

[0096] Here, we will explain the differences between the editing screens in Figures 4 to 9 and the setting screens in Figures 11 to 13. The editing screens in Figures 4 to 9 can be said to be page preview images based on page data arranged in the order in which the pages will appear when a user turns the pages of a printed and bound booklet. On the other hand, the setting screens in Figures 11 to 12, which will be described later, can be said to be sheet preview images that show the results of page data being laid out for each sheet of paper so that the contents of the page data will appear in the order in which the pages will appear when a user turns the pages of a printed and bound booklet.

[0097] For example, when saddle stitching is set, the page preview images on the editing screen 600 in Fig. 6 are arranged in the order in which the pages appear when the user turns over the pages of the printed booklet (i.e., page 1, page 2, etc.). On the other hand, when saddle stitching is set, the page data is laid out in an order that differs from the order in which the pages appear when the user turns over the pages of the printed booklet (i.e., page 1, page 2, etc.). For example, the page data for pages 1 and 40 is laid out on the front side of the first sheet of paper, and the page data for pages 2 and 39 is laid out on the back side of the first sheet of paper. In this way, the preview images displayed on the editing screen and the setting screen differ.

[0098] A setting screen 1100 for page-specified printing has a check box 1102 for each frame 1101. When a check box 1102 is checked, the corresponding paper is selected as the printing target.

[0099] In the example of FIG. 11A, the check box 1102 is shown within the frame 1101; however, it may be shown outside the frame 1101 or anywhere along the line of the frame 1101. Alternatively, another interface may be used instead of the check box 1102. When the check box 1102 is checked, the color of the area within the frame 1101 corresponding to the check box 1102 may change, so that the user can recognize that the frame 1101 has been selected. The selected frame 1101 is highlighted by being filled in, as shown in area 1103 in FIG. 11A. When the "OK" button 1104 is pressed in this state, the print settings for the selected items are reflected in the print setting screen 1000. When the "OK" button is pressed on the print setting screen 1000, the selected items are printed. At that time, the information displayed in area 1005 is changed or updated depending on the number of sheets of paper, and the number of sheets of paper required for printing is notified to the user.

[0100] When the "Cancel" button 1105 is pressed on the setting screen 1100 for page-specified printing, the screen returns to the print setting screen 1000 regardless of the content of the operation up to that point.

[0101] The setting screen 1100 allows the user to select multiple page data at once. For example, when the "Select All" button 1106 is pressed, all of the currently displayed check boxes 1102 are checked, and it is also possible to uncheck some of them from this state. Furthermore, when the "Deselect All" button 1107 is pressed, all of the checked check boxes 1102 are unchecked, and it is also possible to return to the initial state where none are selected. According to this aspect, the user can select or deselect multiple items without checking the check boxes 1102 individually, and can print desired page data all at once.

[0102] Furthermore, when the "Select pages after selected page" button 1108 is pressed, all check boxes 1102 are checked, including the check box 1102 containing the currently selected page data and subsequent check boxes. For example, in FIG. 11A, when "Select pages after selected page" button 1108 is pressed with "Body 6" selected, check boxes 1102 corresponding to "Body 5" and "Body 6" and subsequent check boxes are checked. This allows the user to appropriately retry printing only those pages if printing of any of the multiple sheets of paper is not properly performed due to, for example, a paper jam or insufficient ink. Similarly, when the "Select pages before selected page" button 1109 is pressed, all check boxes 1102 are checked, including the check box 1102 containing the currently selected page data and subsequent check boxes. This allows the user to appropriately retry printing only those pages if printing of any of the multiple sheets of paper is not properly performed after printing has started.

[0103] The order of the displayed page data may be changed depending on whether right-side binding or left-side binding is selected in the basic settings. For example, if right-side binding is selected on the setting screen 1100, the page data may be displayed in order from right to left (see FIG. 11(A)), and if left-side binding is selected, the page data may be displayed in order from left to right (see FIG. 11(B)). This makes it possible to provide the user with a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that is intuitively easy to understand.

[0104] Fig. 12(A) shows an example of a setting screen 1200 when saddle stitching (2 in 1) and right binding are selected. Fig. 12(B) shows an example of a setting screen 1210 when saddle stitching (2 in 1) and left binding are selected.

[0105] When saddle stitching (2 in 1) and right binding are selected, where N is the total number of pages and m is an integer greater than or equal to 0, page (N / 2+2m+2) is printed on the right side of the front of a sheet of paper. Page (N / 2-2m-1) is printed on the left side of the front of the same sheet, and similarly, page (N / 2-2m) is printed on the right side of the back of the same sheet, and page (N / 2+2m+1) is printed on the left side of the back of the same sheet.

[0106] In this example, N=40. Page (40 / 2+2m+2) (page 40 when m=9) is printed on the right side of the front side of a certain sheet of paper, and page (40 / 2-2m-1) (page 1 when m=9) is printed on the left side of the front side of the same sheet. Also, page (40 / 2-2m) (page 2 when m=9) is printed on the right side of the back side of the same sheet, and page (40 / 2+2m+1) (page 39 when m=9) is printed on the left side of the back side of the same sheet.

[0107] If saddle stitching (2 in 1) and left binding are selected, then for one sheet of paper, page (N / 2-2m-1) will be printed on the right side of the front of a sheet, page (N / 2+2m+2) will be printed on the left side of the front of the same sheet, and similarly, page (N / 2+2m+1) will be printed on the right side of the back of the same sheet, and page (N / 2-2m) will be printed on the left side of the back of the same sheet.

[0108] Thus, when saddle stitching is selected, calculation processing is required to identify the page data to be printed on each sheet of paper. According to this embodiment, as in setting screen 1200 (and 1210), all of the page data to be printed on each sheet of paper is indicated by a frame 1201. This allows the user to visually confirm the content to be printed on each sheet of paper, and by checking checkbox 1202, the user can relatively easily select the paper on which to print. Furthermore, like area 1103 in FIGS. 11(A) and 11(B), page data selected using checkbox 1202 is highlighted by being filled in, as shown in area 1203.

[0109] Fig. 13(A) shows a setting screen 1300 as another example of the setting screen 1100 illustrated in Fig. 11(A). Fig. 13(B) shows a setting screen 1310 as another example of the setting screen 1200 illustrated in Fig. 12(A).

[0110] If a multi-feed (where overlapping sheets of paper are transported) occurs in the printing device 151 during printing, the paper may be printed on only one side and output. In this case, printing on one side may be completed properly, so printing on only the other side of that paper may be retried. Therefore, as illustrated in FIGS. 13(A) and 13(B), check boxes 1302 and 1312 that allow the user to select the front and back sides individually may be provided separately from check boxes 1301 and 1311. When either check box 1302 or 1312 is checked, only the corresponding page data is identified as the page to be printed, and only that page data is printed.

[0111] 13, check boxes 1302 and 1312 are displayed for all of the corresponding page data, but they may be displayed in different ways. For example, check box 1302 (or 1312) may be displayed when check box 1301 (or 1311) is checked. As another example, when multiple check boxes 1301 (or 1311) are checked, check boxes 1302 and 1312 may not be displayed.

[0112] According to this embodiment, the manuscript data is displayed in a manner in which page data is arranged to correspond to each of the multiple sheets that make up the booklet. This makes it relatively easy to identify the page data to be printed or the sheet number thereof, which means that partial printing can be performed in a desired manner, thereby improving the convenience of booklet printing.

[0113] 11 to 12, when the "OK" button 1104 is pressed with the paper to be printed selected, the bookbinding application 201 displays the print setting screen 1000 of FIG. 10. When the "OK" button 1009 is pressed here, the bookbinding application 201 generates application data based on the page data to be laid out on the paper selected in either of FIGS. 11 to 12. Similarly, when the check box 1302 (or 1312) is checked in FIG. 13, the bookbinding application 201 generates application data based on the page data to be laid out on the selected paper. The printer driver 202 receives the generated application data and executes printing.

[0114] 14 shows an example of an editing screen 1400 in the case where settings have been made in the editing screen 400 of FIG. 4 so that the left binding is performed and the cover and the body text use the same type of paper, and further, page data has been arranged in the manuscript data area 402 by the method illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 19, which will be described later. In this example, since the pages of a booklet made up of bound printed materials progress in order from left to right, the page data is displayed in order from left to right in the editing area 401. Note that A, B, C, and D are displayed as the cover, and E, F, G, and H are displayed in order as the body text from page 1 onwards. In the manuscript data area 402, after the page data for the cover, E, F, G, and H are displayed in order from left to right.

[0115] Fig. 15 shows an example of an editing screen 1500 when settings are made on the editing screen 400 of Fig. 4 so that the binding is on the right side and the cover and the body are made of the same type of paper, and further, page data is arranged in the manuscript data area 402 by the method exemplified in Figs. 16 to 19, which will be described later. In this example, since the pages of a booklet made up of bound printed materials progress in order from right to left, the page data is displayed in order from right to left (the opposite direction to Fig. 14) in the editing area 401.

[0116] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the contents of the calculation process when page data is added to the manuscript data area 402 in the bookbinding application 201.

[0117] In step 1601, it is determined whether page data has been added to the document data area 402. Here, using a parameter x (initial value x=1), if page data has been added, x=x+1 (1 is added to x) is set, and the process proceeds to step 1602.

[0118] In step 1602, the image type of the page data to be added is determined. In this example, if it is JPEG or PNG, the process proceeds to step 1603, and if it is PDF, the process proceeds to step 1604. Optionally, other image types may also be taken into consideration. This determination is made based on, for example, whether or not one file contains multiple pages. If the image format to be added contains multiple files, the process proceeds to step 1604; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 1603.

[0119] In step 1603, the page data is added to the sort order N[x], and the process proceeds to step 1607.

[0120] In step 1604, the number of pages in the file to be added is counted, and the counted number of pages is set to n.

[0121] In step 1605, page data is added from the sort order N[x] to N[x+n], and then in step 1606, x=x+n is set (n is added to x), and the process proceeds to step 1607.

[0122] In step 1607, it is determined whether or not further page data has been added. If further page data has been added, the process returns to step 1601; if not, the process proceeds to step 1608.

[0123] In step 1608, the document data area 402 is displayed, as will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0124] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing how to arrange page data displayed in the document data area 402.

[0125] In step 1701, setting parameters are determined based on the order of page data set in the pull-down menu 405 and the binding method set in the binding direction setting area 305. In this example, if "reading order" and "right binding" are set, the process proceeds to step 1702, where the page data is arranged from right to left in the sorting order n[x] of FIG. 16. If "reading order" and "left binding" are set, the process proceeds to step 1703, where the page data is arranged from left to right in the sorting order n[x] of FIG. 16. If "file name order" and "right binding" are set, the process proceeds to step 1704, where the page data is arranged from right to left in the order of file name. If "file name order" and "left binding" are set, the process proceeds to step 1705, where the page data is arranged from left to right in the order of file name.

[0126] In this way, the page data is displayed side by side in the layout desired by the user, based on the order of the page data set using the pull-down menu 405 and the binding method set in the binding direction setting area 305. If the page data to be displayed does not fit in the manuscript data area 402, some of the corresponding data may be displayed using a slider bar or the like.

[0127] 17 is a flowchart for the case where the manuscript data area 402 is provided in the horizontal direction, but the manuscript data area 402 may be provided in the vertical direction. In this case, the page data will be displayed side by side in the vertical direction.

[0128] 18 shows a flowchart for changing or updating the display on the edit screen in response to the setting of the binding direction. That is, when the binding direction is set in the binding direction setting area 305 in FIG. 3, the sorting of the page data displayed in the manuscript data area 402 is performed.

[0129] In step 1901, it is determined whether or not a binding method has been set, and if a binding method has been set, the process proceeds to step 1608, and if not, the process returns to step 1901. In step 1608, the display in the manuscript data area 402 is changed or updated based on the flowchart described with reference to Fig. 17. Thereafter, in step 1903, the binding setting is notified to the user, and, for example, a message indicating the state after the setting change is displayed.

[0130] According to this embodiment, the information processing device 101 generates booklet data by using the bookbinding application 201 to rearrange the order of multiple pages of manuscript data and perform booklet layout. The booklet data includes a front cover, a back cover, and additionally, page data for the cover, which is page data for the inside pages of the front and back covers, and page data for the main text. A user can arbitrarily select pages of manuscript data to add to the booklet data, and by accepting the user's input of the selection, necessary page data from the manuscript data can be incorporated into the booklet data all at once. The manuscript data and booklet data are each displayed in one direction on the display unit 108 as an editing screen 400, such as that shown in FIG. 4. The booklet layout is performed based on the binding method settings for bookbinding, and the order of the page data of the booklet data to be displayed is changed or adjusted based on the settings.

[0131] Printing for a booklet may be performed for all of the booklet data generated in this manner, or for only a portion of it. When printing only a portion of the booklet data, the user can visually check the page data for each corresponding sheet of paper, and can edit, such as change, insert, or delete, all of the data at once, and even manage them as needed. This aspect makes it relatively easy to print for a booklet, which can often require complicated print settings, thereby improving convenience.

[0132] The concept of information processing device 101 includes a device on which bookbinding application 201 (or a program that can substantially realize its functions) is installed, and information processing device 101 may also be expressed as an image processing device, an image layout device, etc.

[0133] In the above description, for ease of understanding, each element is denoted by a name related to its function. However, each element is not limited to having the content described in the embodiment as its main function, and may have that function auxiliary to the content. Therefore, each element is not strictly limited to the expression, and the expression can be replaced with a similar expression. In the same spirit, the expression "apparatus" may be replaced with "unit," "component," "piece," "member," "structure," "assembly," etc., or may be omitted.

[0134] (program) The present invention may be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. For example, the present invention may be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0135] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0136] 101: information processing device, 102: input interface, 103: CPU, 104: ROM, 105: RAM, 107: output interface, 108: display unit, 109: communication unit, 151: printing device, 201: bookbinding application, 202: printer driver.

Claims

1. A program comprising: The computer of the information processing device, a first display means for displaying in a first display area a preview corresponding to at least one page among a plurality of pages included in a booklet-shaped printed matter to be printed based on the booklet data; a second display means for displaying a plurality of pieces of allocation target data in a second display area different from the first display area; A setting means for setting a binding method for the booklet-like printed matter; Operate as when any one of the plurality of data to be allocated is selected, the selected data to be allocated is allocated to any one of the plurality of pages, and the selected data to be allocated is displayed in the first display area as a preview corresponding to the page to which the selected data to be allocated is allocated; The second display means changes the order of the plurality of pieces of layout target data displayed in the second display area based on whether the binding setting is a first setting or a second setting different from the first setting. A program characterized by:

2. The first display means changes the order of a plurality of previews corresponding to a plurality of pages among all pages displayed in the first display area based on whether the binding setting is the first setting or the second setting.

2. The program according to claim 1 .

3. The booklet data includes page data for a front cover and a back cover, and page data for a body of the booklet.

2. The program according to claim 1 .

4. The first setting and the second setting are any of a plurality of settings including edge binding, center binding, left binding, and / or right binding.

2. The program according to claim 1 .

5. When the binding setting is the first setting which is right binding, the plurality of allocation target data are arranged in order from the right in the second display area, When the binding setting is the second setting which is left binding, the plurality of pieces of layout target data are arranged in order from the left in the second display area.

2. The program according to claim 1 .

6. The order of the multiple allocation target data is controlled based on the order of file names.

2. The program according to claim 1 .

7. The first display area and the second display area are displayed by the program, the plurality of pieces of allocation target data are data that are selected in a file selection dialog and loaded by the program; The order of the plurality of allocation target data is controlled based on the read order.

2. The program according to claim 1 .

8. The preview displayed in the first display area displays a mark indicating a binding position.

2. The program according to claim 1 .

9. The printing device further functions as an execution unit that executes a process for causing a printing device to execute printing based on the booklet data.

2. The program according to claim 1 .

10. When the second display area includes PDF data including a plurality of the allocation target data corresponding to a plurality of pages, the second display means changes an order of the plurality of the allocation target data displayed in the second display area and included in the PDF data based on whether the binding setting is a first setting or a second setting different from the first setting.

2. The program according to claim 1 .

11. The program is an application program.

11. The program according to claim 1 ,

12. An information processing device, a first display means for displaying in a first display area a preview corresponding to at least one page among a plurality of pages included in a booklet-shaped printed matter to be printed based on the booklet data; a second display means for displaying a plurality of pieces of allocation target data in a second display area different from the first display area; A setting means for setting a binding method for the booklet-like printed matter; having when any one of the plurality of data to be allocated is selected, the selected data to be allocated is allocated to any one of the plurality of pages, and the selected data to be allocated is displayed in the first display area as a preview corresponding to the page to which the selected data to be allocated is allocated; The second display means changes the order of the plurality of pieces of layout target data displayed in the second display area based on whether the binding setting is a first setting or a second setting different from the first setting.

23. An information processing apparatus comprising:

13. A method for controlling an information processing device, comprising: a first display step of displaying in a first display area a preview corresponding to at least one page among a plurality of pages included in a booklet-shaped printed matter to be printed based on the booklet data; a second display step of displaying a plurality of pieces of allocation target data in a second display area different from the first display area; A setting step for setting a binding method for the booklet-like printed matter; having when any one of the plurality of data to be allocated is selected, the selected data to be allocated is allocated to any one of the plurality of pages, and the selected data to be allocated is displayed in the first display area as a preview corresponding to the page to which the selected data to be allocated is allocated; The second display step varies an order of the plurality of pieces of layout target data displayed in the second display area based on whether the binding setting is a first setting or a second setting different from the first setting. A control method comprising:

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