Program, storage medium, control method of information processing device, and information processing device

Abstract

To solve a problem that there is a case where an image is printed on a cutting part of a printed product when performing specific page aggregation at punching in a printing system in which an image processing system and an information processing device are coordinated.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: means for allowing display means to display a first item of the number of pages to be printed on one face of one sheet, to be accepted from a user, and a second item of a setting for making punched holes in a plurality of columns, to be accepted from the user; and control means for controlling not to accept the setting in the second item when a prescribed number of pages has been accepted in the first item.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] As a setting of an application on an information processing device that generates a print instruction to an image processing device, there is a function of page aggregation that aggregates data of multiple pages. Regarding this, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing system that enables a user to fit all pages onto a specified number of sheets of paper without being aware of calculations such as the number of pages to be aggregated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2003-233475 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, there are optional devices for printing devices that support a so-called punch function that punches holes in output paper for purposes such as binding the output paper. There are also optional devices for printing devices that support a double punch function that punches two rows of holes, one at the edge of the output paper and one in the center. By cutting a product that has already been double punched to a larger paper size in the center, two punched sheets can be obtained from one product.

[0005] When punching in this way and simultaneously combining specific pages, there are cases where an image is printed on the cut portion when the punched output is cut.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to prevent the output of a page-aggregated output in which the image portion is cut off during cutting. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the information processing device of the present invention comprises: means for displaying on a display means a first item for accepting from a user the number of pages to be printed on one side of a sheet of paper; and a second item for accepting from the user settings for punching holes in multiple columns in the paper; and control means for controlling so that when a predetermined number of pages is accepted in the first item, the settings are not accepted in the second item. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a result having an imposition such that an image portion is cut off when the result is cut from being output. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a printing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information processing device 102. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing device 101. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a software configuration diagram of the printing system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a print setting UI of a printer driver. [Figure 6] Schematic diagram of the output after punching. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a determination process for UI prohibition control of the printing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] A schematic diagram of a typical output when 9in1 is set. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of a determination process for controlling a special page layout in a printing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an output of a special page layout in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 shows an example of a display message in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a determination process for UI prohibition control of a printing system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] Schematic diagram of the output when 2in1 is set. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a determination process for UI prohibition control of a printing system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] 13 is a correspondence table of paper sizes and page aggregation directions in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] A diagram comparing the reduction ratio when using 2in1. [Figure 17] Schematic diagram of the output when 6in1 is set. [Figure 18] Schematic diagram of an output with three two-hole punches applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The following embodiments do not limit the present invention as defined by the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in each embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention. EXAMPLES

[0011] First, the configuration of the printing system in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 shows an example of the printing system in this embodiment. An image processing device 101 and an information processing device 102 are connected to a network 100. An OS and an application are installed in the information processing device 102. In this system, a user transmits a print job to the image processing device 101 from the information processing device 102 using the application. When the information processing device 102 is an information device represented by a general PC (Personal Computer), a configuration in which a print job is transmitted to the target image processing device 101 via a printer driver as an application is conceivable.

[0012] Next, the hardware configuration of the devices that make up the printing system will be described. Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the information processing device 102. The input device 206 corresponds to a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel that allows the user to operate the information processing device. The display device 207 corresponds to a display that allows the user to operate the information processing device 102. For example, there is a configuration in which part or all of the display device 207, such as a touch panel, also serves as the input device 206. The storage device 205 corresponds to a storage medium, such as a non-volatile hard disk for storing large amounts of data, and is used to read and write applications and data. The network device 208 is connected to the network 100 described in Fig. 1, and is capable of communicating with other devices.

[0013] Typically, an initial program for starting up the information processing device 102 and a basic program for controlling each module of the information processing device 102 are stored in the ROM 203. The OS and applications are stored in the storage device 205. When the power supply of the information processing device 102 is turned on, a program (boot loader) for starting up the computer stored in the ROM 203 is executed first. Then, the program loads the OS stored in the storage device 205 into the RAM 202, and then passes control to the OS. The OS further loads necessary modules and drivers from the storage device 205 into the RAM 202. Furthermore, at the user's instruction, a necessary application is loaded from the storage device 205 into the RAM 202 and executed.

[0014] 3 is a block diagram of the image processing device 101. The CPU 301, RAM 302, ROM 303, storage device 305, display device 307, and network device 308 have the same configuration as those of the information processing device 102, so their description will be omitted. The input device 306 may be composed of a numeric keypad, various buttons, etc. The printing device 304 loads print data included in a print job into the RAM 302, executes printing, and outputs a printed matter.

[0015] This embodiment is realized by loading a program stored in the storage device 205 or 305 of each device into the RAM 202 or 302 and executing it by the CPU 201 or 301 .

[0016] Next, the functions of the devices constituting the printing system in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4, which is a diagram showing the software configuration of the printing system in this embodiment.

[0017] The image processing device 400 includes a communication unit 401, a printing unit 402, and an input / output control unit 403. The communication unit 401 realizes communication with other devices via the network 100. The printing unit 402 executes print jobs in the image processing device 101 and realizes output of printed matter. The input / output control unit 403 realizes control of input information from the input device 306 and output information to the display device 307.

[0018] The information processing device 410 includes a communication unit 411, a job creation unit 412, and an input / output control unit 413. The communication unit 411 realizes communication with other devices through the network 100. The job creation unit 412 realizes creation of print data interpretable by the image processing device 101 as a print job. The input / output control unit 413 realizes control of input information from the input device 206 and output information to the display device 207. These devices communicate via the communication units 401 and 411 to form a printing system.

[0019] The process of the printing system in this embodiment will be described below.

[0020] FIG. 5 shows the print setting UI of the printer driver in this embodiment. 500 is the print setting UI. 501 and 503 are function selection tabs. Since the printer driver has a wide range of functions, this is a mechanism for realizing each print setting on a different sheet according to the type of function. Here, "Finishing" is selected as the function sheet, and settings related to imposition processing and finishing during printing are possible. A preview 511 shows the output result obtained with the current print settings, either schematic or reduced. A print method selection section 521 allows one to select either single-sided printing or double-sided printing. A print orientation selection section 522 allows one to select either portrait or landscape. A page layout selection section 523 allows one to select the number of pages to be aggregated as imposition. Here, it is assumed that one of 1in1, 2in1, 4in1, 6in1, 8in1, 9in1, and 16in1 can be selected. Nin1 is a setting for arranging N pages on one side (front or back) of one sheet of paper. That is, the number before in1 is the number of pages to be arranged on one side of one sheet of paper. The binding direction selection section 524 allows the user to select the position where the binding margin is to be added. Here, it is assumed that long side binding or short side binding can be selected. The punch hole selection section 525 allows the user to specify the number of punch holes to be made as finishing. Here, it is assumed that no punching, 2 holes, 3 holes, 2 holes (double), and 3 holes (double) can be selected. Note that punching is performed based on the value selected by the binding direction selection section 524. Note that double means two columns.

[0021] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of an output product after punching. In both cases, it is assumed that portrait is selected in the print direction selection section 522. FIG. 6(a) is a diagram showing a case where long side binding is selected in the binding direction selection section 524 and 2 holes are selected in the punch hole selection section 525. FIG. 6(b) is a diagram showing a case where short side binding is selected in the binding direction selection section 524 and 3 holes are selected in the punch hole selection section 525. FIG. 6(c) is an example of a case where short side binding is selected in the binding direction selection section 524 and 2 holes (double) are selected in the punch hole selection section 525. FIG. 6(d) is an example of a case where long side binding is selected in the binding direction selection section 524 and 3 holes (double) are selected in the punch hole selection section 525. As shown in FIG. 6(c) and (d), when 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double) are selected in the punch hole selection section 525, a product is obtained in which punch holes are punched in parallel to the direction specified in the binding direction selection section 524.

[0022] Pressing the OK button 531 starts a process of generating a print job that reflects the contents set in the print setting UI 500. Pressing the cancel button 532 ends the print setting.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of a determination process for UI prohibition control in the printing system according to this embodiment.

[0024] In S701, the information processing apparatus 102 acquires a setting value of the print setting UI 500. In S702, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether the value set in the page layout selection section 523 (i.e., the page layout selection item 523.) is 9in1. If it is determined in S702 that the value set in the page layout selection section 523 is 9in1, in S703, the information processing apparatus 102 performs prohibition control regarding the punch hole selection section 525. Specifically, if the value set in the punch hole selection section 525 (i.e., the punch hole selection item 525.) is 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double), the setting value is changed to another value, and the options of 2 holes (double) and 3 holes (double) are displayed in gray so that they cannot be selected. As another example of prohibition control, when 9in1 is selected in the page layout selection section 523, a warning message is displayed to the effect that the options of 2 holes (double) and 3 holes (double) cannot be selected in the punch hole selection section 525. In either case of prohibition control, when 9in1 is specified in the page layout selection section 523, the options of 2 holes (double) and 3 holes (double) are maintained in a state in which they cannot be selected in the punch hole selection section 525. As another method, a control method is conceivable in which 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double) are set and both 9in1 settings are permitted to the user, but a print job in which both settings are set is not issued. Specifically, a method is conceivable in which the OK (print setting completion) button for issuing a print job is masked. Also, a method is conceivable in which one of the settings is automatically changed before issuing a print job (for example, changing double to single, or changing 9in1 to 1in1). These methods are also part of this embodiment.

[0025] In this flowchart, it is determined whether the printhead is 9in1 or not, but it may be determined whether 2-hole (double) or 3-hole (double) is selected. In that case, it is preferable to exclude 9in1 from the options for the number of pages to be aggregated.

[0026] On the other hand, if it is determined in S702 that the value set in the page layout selection portion 523 is not 9in1, the information processing apparatus 102 does not perform special character prohibition control on the options in the punch hole selection portion 525.

[0027] The timing at which this series of UI character prohibition control determination processes is executed may be the timing at which any of the setting values ​​in the print setting UI 500 is changed, or may be limited to the timing at which the setting values ​​in the page layout selection area 523 and the punch hole selection area 525, which are setting values ​​related to character prohibition control, are changed, or may be the timing at which the OK button 531 is pressed.

[0028] This series of UI prohibition control judgment processes makes it possible to prohibit punching that assumes cutting when the page layout is 9 in 1. As a result, it is possible to prevent the output of a product with an imposition that results in the image portion being cut off when the product is cut.

[0029] The number of pages to be printed represents the number of pages printed on one side (front or back) of one sheet of paper.

[0030] As described above, 9in1 has been used as an example, but similar control may be performed for values ​​other than 9in1 (for example, 25in1, etc.). Note that 9in1 and values ​​for which control equivalent to 9in1 is performed are called "predetermined values" in this embodiment. EXAMPLES

[0031] In this embodiment, a series of processes for performing a special page layout when 9in1 is set in page layout selection section 523 and 2-hole (double) or 3-hole (double) is selected in punch hole selection section 525 is shown.

[0032] Fig. 8(a) is a schematic diagram of a normal output when 9in1 is set in the page layout selection section 523, and shows the correspondence between the output paper for single-sided printing and the page numbers in the original data. Note that the layout order on the paper may be the order shown in Fig. 8(b) or (c).

[0033] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of a determination process for special page layout control in the printing system according to this embodiment.

[0034] In S901, the information processing apparatus 102 acquires a setting value of the print setting UI 500. In S902, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether or not the value set in the page layout selection section 523 is 9in1. If it is determined in S902 that the value set in the page layout selection section 523 is 9in1, in S903, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether or not the value set in the punch hole selection section 525 is 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double). If it is determined in S902 that the value set in the page layout selection section 523 is not 9in1 and if it is determined in S903 that the value set in the punch hole selection section 525 is not 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double), the process proceeds to S904. In S904, the information processing apparatus 102 generates a print job based on a normal page layout. On the other hand, if it is determined in S903 that the value set in the punch hole selection unit 525 is 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double), then in S905 the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is long side binding. If it is determined in S905 that the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is long side binding, then in S906 the information processing apparatus 102 generates a print job based on a page layout that assumes cutting in the long side direction. On the other hand, if it is determined in S905 that the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is not long side binding, then in S907 the information processing apparatus 102 generates a print job based on a page layout that assumes cutting in the short side direction.

[0035] Figure 10(a) is a schematic diagram of the output of a page layout that assumes cutting in the long side direction in S906, and shows the correspondence between the output paper in single-sided printing and the page numbers in the original data. Figure 10(b) is a schematic diagram of the output of a page layout that assumes cutting in the short side direction in S907, and shows the correspondence between the output paper in single-sided printing and the page numbers in the original data. As shown in Figure 10, in S906 and S907, a special page layout is performed based on the 9in1 page layout, with no drawing in the areas that correspond to the cut parts.

[0036] The sequence of processes for this special page layout is executed when the OK button 531 is pressed. Note that with this special page layout, the number of pages aggregated on one output sheet is no longer nine, so a configuration may be such that a message as shown in Fig. 11 is displayed between the processes of S903 and S905 to prompt the user for confirmation. When the Continue button 1101 is pressed, the process proceeds to S905, and when the Cancel button 1102 is pressed, the process does not proceed to S905 but returns to the print setting screen using the print setting UI 500.

[0037] This series of processes for creating a special page layout can prevent the output of a product with an imposition that results in the image portion being cut off when the product is cut. EXAMPLES

[0038] In this embodiment, the flow of the determination process for UI prohibition control of the printing system when 2in1 is set in the page layout selection section 523 will be described.

[0039] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of a determination process for UI prohibition control in the printing system according to this embodiment.

[0040] In S1201, the information processing apparatus 102 acquires a setting value of the print setting UI 500. In S1202, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether or not the value set in the page layout selection section 523 is 2in1. If it is determined in S1202 that the value set in the page layout selection section 523 is 2in1, in S1203, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether or not the value set in the binding direction selection section 524 is long side binding. If it is determined in S1203 that the value set in the binding direction selection section 524 is long side binding, in S1204, the information processing apparatus 102 performs prohibition control for the punch hole selection section 525. The prohibition control in S1204 is the same as the prohibition control described in the first embodiment. In either prohibition control, when 2in1 is specified in the page layout selection section 523 and long edge binding is selected in the binding direction selection section 524, the options of 2 holes (double) and 3 holes (double) cannot be selected in the punch hole selection section 525.

[0041] On the other hand, if it is determined in S1202 that the value set in the page layout selection section 523 is not 2in1, the information processing apparatus 102 does not perform special prohibition control on the options in the punch hole selection section 525. Also, if it is determined in S1203 that the value set in the binding direction selection section 524 is not long side binding, the information processing apparatus 102 does not perform special prohibition control on the options in the punch hole selection section 525.

[0042] The timing at which this series of UI character prohibition control determination processes is executed may be the timing at which any of the setting values ​​in the print setting UI 500 is changed, as in the first embodiment. Alternatively, the timing may be limited to the timing at which the setting values ​​in the page layout selection area 523 and the punch hole selection area 525, which are setting values ​​related to character prohibition control, are changed. Alternatively, the timing may be the timing at which the OK button 531 is pressed.

[0043] This series of UI prohibition control judgment processes makes it possible to prohibit punching that assumes cutting when the page layout is 2 in 1. As a result, it is possible to prevent the output of a product with imposition that results in the image portion being cut off when the product is cut. EXAMPLES

[0044] In the third embodiment, the page aggregation direction of the paper when 2in1 is set in the page layout selection unit 523 is described under the assumption that two pages are drawn in the long side direction as shown in Fig. 13(a). However, the page aggregation direction of the paper when 2in1 is set in the page layout selection unit 523 may be such that two pages are drawn in the short side direction as shown in Fig. 13(b). Based on this, in this embodiment, the flow of the determination process of UI prohibition control of the printing system when 2in1 is set in the page layout selection unit 523 will be described.

[0045] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of a determination process for UI prohibition control in the printing system according to this embodiment.

[0046] In S1401, the information processing apparatus 102 acquires a setting value of the print setting UI 500. In S1402, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether or not the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 is 2in1. If it is determined in S1402 that the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 is 2in1, in S1403, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether or not the page aggregation direction of the paper is to draw two pages in the long side direction. If it is determined in S1403 that the page aggregation direction of the paper is to draw two pages in the long side direction, in S1404, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether or not the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is to bind on the long side. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1403 that the page aggregation direction of the paper is not to draw two pages in the long side direction, in S1405, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether or not the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is to bind on the short side. If it is determined in S1404 that the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is long-side binding, and if it is determined in S1405 that the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is short-side binding, the process proceeds to S1406. In S1406, the information processing apparatus 102 performs prohibition control for the punch hole selection unit 525. The prohibition control in S1406 is the same as the prohibition control shown in the third embodiment. In either prohibition control, the state in which the options of 2 holes (double) and 3 holes (double) cannot be selected in the punch hole selection unit 525 is maintained.

[0047] An example of determining the page aggregation direction of paper in S1403 is shown below. One example is a method of determining based on a correspondence table prepared in advance. When the paper size is a standard paper size, the aspect ratio is known, so the page aggregation direction is determined in advance for each paper size as shown in the table in Fig. 15, and the determination is based on that.

[0048] As another example, there is a method of calculating the aspect ratio of the paper size and making a judgment based on that. When combining two pages, if the vertical length of the paper is more than twice as long as the horizontal length, drawing two pages in the short side direction can be drawn larger than drawing two pages in the long side direction. Figure 16 illustrates this comparison. Figure 16(a) is a diagram of the case where two pages are drawn in the short side direction when the vertical length h of the paper is more than twice as long as the horizontal length w. The reduction ratio in this case is (w / 2) / w=0.5. On the other hand, Figure 16(b) is a diagram of the case where two pages are drawn in the long side direction when the vertical length h of the paper is more than twice as long as the horizontal length w. The reduction ratio in this case is w / h, which is smaller than 0.5 because h>2w, resulting in a drawing smaller than that in Figure 16(a). When combining pages, it is desirable to draw the pages to be combined as large as possible. This method calculates the aspect ratio of the paper size, and if the vertical length h of the paper is more than twice as long as the horizontal length w, it is determined that two pages are drawn in the long side direction, and if not, it is determined that two pages are drawn in the short side direction.

[0049] On the other hand, if it is determined in S1404 that the value set in the binding direction selection section 524 is not the long side binding, the information processing apparatus 102 does not perform special prohibition control on the options in the punch hole selection section 525. Also, if it is determined in S1405 that the value set in the binding direction selection section 524 is not the short side binding, the information processing apparatus 102 does not perform special prohibition control on the options in the punch hole selection section 525.

[0050] The timing at which this series of UI character prohibition control determination processes is executed may be the timing at which any of the setting values ​​in the print setting UI 500 is changed, as in the third embodiment. Alternatively, the timing may be limited to the timing at which the setting values ​​in the page layout selection area 523 and the punch hole selection area 525, which are setting values ​​related to character prohibition control, are changed. Alternatively, the timing may be the timing at which the OK button 531 is pressed.

[0051] This series of UI prohibition control judgment processes makes it possible to prohibit punching that assumes cutting when the page layout is 2 in 1. As a result, it is possible to prevent the output of a product with imposition that results in the image portion being cut off when the product is cut.

[0052] [Other formats] In the third embodiment, an example in which the number of aggregated pages is 2 has been described, but the number of aggregated pages is not limited to 2. For example, in the case in which the number of aggregated pages is 6, the output will be arranged as shown in Fig. 17. Here, if it is determined that the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is short-side binding, the same effect as in the third embodiment can be obtained even in the case in which the number of aggregated pages is 6 by performing the prohibition control described above.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the punching process is assumed to cut the output paper in the center, but the cutting location is not necessarily limited to the center. For example, when a punch hole selection such as "2 holes (triple)" is selected in which 2-hole punching is performed in 3 places as shown in Fig. 18, it can be determined that the output will not be cut in the center but to cut the paper into thirds. In this case, the same effect can be obtained by controlling the imposition that cuts off the image portion on the assumption that the paper will be divided into three equal parts.

[0054] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program for implementing one or more of the 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 the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 101 Image processing device 102 Information processing equipment

Claims

[Claim 1] An information processing device, a means for displaying on a display means a first item for receiving from a user the number of pages to be printed on one side of one sheet of paper, and a second item for receiving from the user settings for punching holes in a plurality of columns on the sheet of paper; and a control means for controlling so as not to accept the setting in the second item when a predetermined number of pages is accepted in the first item.

Images