Printer driver, information processing apparatus, and method for controlling the same

Abstract

To solve the problem in which conventionally, in order to perform spread printing, a print application dedicated thereto is used, or document creation operations are needed, including creating images in advance obtained by dividing a target image to be printed horizontally (or vertically) and arranging the images on an appropriate page, which requires time and effort.SOLUTION: A printer driver receives drawing data from an application and generates print information. The printer driver acquires print settings input through a setting screen for performing print settings, and when the print settings include spread settings, divides an original image of a page shown by the drawing data into a first image and a second image. The printer driver controls the arrangement of the first image and the second image on a first sheet and a second sheet according to a binding position for binding a plurality of printed sheets and a direction of the original image, which are included in the print settings.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer driver, an information processing apparatus, and a control method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] As a sheet bonding device for bonding sheets together, Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which sheets coated with a toner that functions as an adhesive are heated and pressed together to thermocompress the sheets together.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes a technique in which an original image is divided into a plurality of images, each of which is printed on a different sheet of paper, and the sheets of paper are pasted together to form the original image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-209859 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2004-289660 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] A two-page spread can be created by gluing the back and front of adjacent sheets together at one edge using a sheet bonding device, etc. However, in the past, two-page spread printing required the use of a dedicated printing application or the creation of a manuscript, such as dividing the image to be printed into left and right (or top and bottom) images in advance and arranging them on the appropriate pages, which was time-consuming.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the above-mentioned conventional techniques.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for printing an image created by an application in a two-page spread. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a printer driver according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration: A printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates print information, An acquisition means for acquiring print settings input via a setting screen for making print settings; a dividing means for dividing an original image of a page represented by the drawing data into a first image and a second image when the print setting includes a two-page spread setting; The printing method further includes a layout means for controlling the placement of the first image and the second image on the first sheet and the second sheet in accordance with a binding position for binding multiple printed sheets and an orientation of the original image, which are included in the printing settings. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to advantageously print an image created by an application in a two-page spread format without the need for a special printing application or special operations by the user.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components throughout the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating the main hardware configuration of a PC according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2A is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an automatic document feeder of a reading unit of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a buffer unit of the sheet processing apparatus. [Diagram 5] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a thermocompression bonding operation performed by a thermocompression bonding unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a toner image formed on a sheet S. [Figure 7] FIG. 7(a) shows an example of a print setting screen displayed on a display by a printer driver of a PC according to an embodiment, and FIG. 7(b) shows an example of a setting screen for specifying the position to which the binding method set in the binding method is to be applied when the position specification button in FIG. 7(a) is pressed. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining a print setting screen corresponding to a two-page spread printing function by a printer driver according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining examples of input documents for each style of double-page printing in an embodiment, and how the print results and final deliverables will look for each input document orientation and setting option settings. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart for explaining a process for generating print information when the print style is single-sided, performed by a printer driver according to the embodiment. [Figure 12A] 11 is a flowchart for describing a process for generating print information when the print style is double-sided, performed by a printer driver according to the embodiment. [Figure 12B] 11 is a flowchart for describing a process for generating print information when the print style is double-sided, performed by a printer driver according to the embodiment. [Figure 13A] 11 is a flowchart for explaining a process for generating print information when the print style is bookbinding, performed by a printer driver according to the embodiment. [Figure 13B] 11 is a flowchart for explaining a process for generating print information when the print style is bookbinding, performed by a printer driver according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a plurality of features, not all of these features are necessarily essential to the invention, and the plurality of features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are given to the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted. In this specification, the term "image forming apparatus" broadly includes an apparatus for forming (recording) an image on a recording material (recording medium), such as a single-function printer, a copying machine, a multifunction machine, a commercial printing machine, etc. The image forming apparatus may be a system (image forming system) in which an image forming apparatus main body for forming an image on a recording material is connected to equipment such as a sheet processing device and a sheet feeding device. The recording material includes paper, a sheet, or a resin sheet such as a film.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] This printing system has a PC (personal computer) 100, which is an information processing device, and an image forming device 1100, which are connected by a communication line 150 such as a LAN (local area network) or a USB (universal serial bus). The PC 100 may be, for example, a mobile terminal (electronic device such as a PDA (personal digital assistant) or a mobile phone). The communication line 150 is not limited to wired communication and may be wireless communication.

[0015] FIG. 2(a) is a block diagram illustrating the main hardware configuration of the PC 100 according to the embodiment.

[0016] The PC 100 includes a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, a network IF (interface) 24, a display (display unit) 25, a keyboard 26, a pointing device 27, and a HDD (hard disk drive) 28. The CPU 21 and each of the above devices are connected via a bus 29. The CPU 21 loads and executes programs stored in the HDD 28 and the ROM 23 in the RAM 22, thereby controlling the entire PC 100 and executing each process described below. The RAM 22 includes an area for temporarily recording programs and data read from the HDD 28 and loaded therein. The RAM 22 also includes a work area used when the CPU 21 executes various processes and programs and data received from an external device via the network IF 24. The ROM 23 stores a boot program and setting data for each hardware device constituting the PC 100. The network IF 24 functions as an interface unit for connecting the PC 100 to a communication line 150, and the PC 100 can perform data communication with an external device via the network IF 24 and the communication line 150. The type of network IF 24 does not matter.

[0017] The display 25 includes, for example, a CRT or a liquid crystal display, and can display the processing result of the CPU 21 (for example, a print setting screen described later) in the form of images or characters. The keyboard 26 and the pointing device 27 are typical examples of input devices, and function as a user interface for inputting various instructions to the CPU 21. The types of input devices are not limited to these. If the display 25 has a touch panel function, the display 25 also functions as an input device. The HDD 28 stores an OS (operating system), a document creation program, a printer driver and tables described later, and the like. The HDD 28 may be another storage device such as an SSD (solid state drive) as long as it can store data. The PC 100 creates a document by expanding and executing these installed operating systems and programs in the RAM 22, and then transmits print information to the image forming apparatus 1100 via the printer driver and the communication line 150 when printing the document.

[0018] FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 1100 according to an embodiment.

[0019] The image forming apparatus 1100 has a CPU 200 as a central processing unit. The CPU 200 is connected to a ROM 201, a RAM 202, and a HDD 203 via a bus 210. The CPU 200 performs an image forming operation by expanding various programs stored in the ROM 201 into the RAM 202 and executing them. In addition, various control data used by the CPU 200 during the image forming operation is stored in the RAM 202. The image forming apparatus 1100 also has a HDD 203 for holding print data. Furthermore, a reading unit 209, a printing unit 204, an operation unit 205, a conveying unit 206, and a pressing unit 207 are connected via a bus 210. The reading unit 209 reads an image of a document and generates image data. When the CPU 200 receives a request to start an image forming operation via the operation unit 205 or the network IF 208, it controls the conveying unit 206 and the like to convey the paper, and controls the printing unit 204 to perform a printing operation. The CPU 200 also executes copying by causing the printing unit 204 to print based on image data generated by the reading unit 209. Depending on the settings, the CPU 200 also controls the pressing unit 207 to perform a pressing operation for the paper.

[0020] 3A is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an automatic document feeder of a reading unit 209 of an image forming apparatus 1100 according to an embodiment. This automatic document feeder is also called an automatic document transport device or an ADF (Auto Document Feeder).

[0021] The automatic document feeder has a document tray 600 on which documents to be read are loaded. On the document tray 600, there are two document guides 601, and further, a document sensor 602 for detecting the presence or absence of a document and three document size detection sensors 603, 613, and 614 are arranged. The document guide 601 can move in a direction perpendicular to the document transport direction, and the user can move it until it contacts both ends of the document placed on the document tray 600 in the main scanning direction to stabilize the transport of the document. The two document guides 601 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction of the document (perpendicular to the document transport direction), and the documents loaded on the document tray 600 are transported by the rotation of three rollers, a pickup roller 604, a transport roller 606, and a paper discharge roller 609. The pickup roller 604 is a roller for transporting the documents loaded on the document tray 600 into a document transport path inside the automatic document feeder. The transport rollers 606 transport the document transported by the pickup rollers 604 into the document transport path, and the paper discharge rollers 609 transport the document transported by the transport rollers 606 to a paper discharge tray 610 .

[0022] The discharge tray 610 is provided with a discharge tray document sensor 612 for detecting the presence or absence of a document transported to the discharge tray 610. The document transported by the pickup roller 604 is detected by a document passing detection sensor 605, and based on the detection time, it is determined whether or not the first document has passed. Although not shown in the figure, the transport roller 606, pickup roller 604, and discharge roller 609 are all driven by a stepping motor.

[0023] The document conveyed by the automatic document feeder is read by a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) 608 provided in a sensor unit 611 below a reading window 607 of the automatic document feeder. The sensor unit 611 can move freely in the sub-scanning direction (the document conveying direction) and can move in the same direction as the document conveying direction conveyed from the conveying roller 606 to the paper discharge roller 609. The reading window 607 has a certain length in the sub-scanning direction, and within the range of the length, the CIS 608 can be moved to any position and the document can be read at the moved position. The CIS 608 has a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD and a FIFO for storing image data obtained by each photoelectric conversion element, and simultaneously generates a control signal for controlling the FIFO and the CCD. The CIS 608 is generally realized by arranging a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements in a row.

[0024] FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the main part of the image forming apparatus 1100 according to the embodiment.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 1100 includes a printer main body 1101 as the main body of the image forming apparatus having an image forming function (printing function), and a sheet processing apparatus 1106 having a sheet bonding function. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1100 can be said to be an image forming system including the printer main body 1101 that functions as an image forming apparatus even by itself, and the sheet processing apparatus 1106 that performs post-processing.

[0026] The image forming apparatus 1100 according to the embodiment can create a booklet that has been printed and bound in one apparatus by forming an image on each sheet S in a printer main body 1101 and thermocompressing the multiple sheets S in a sheet processing apparatus 1106. Note that the sheets S can be made of a variety of sheet materials of different sizes and materials, including paper such as plain paper or thick paper, sheet materials with a surface treatment such as coated paper, plastic film, cloth, or sheet materials with special shapes such as envelopes and index paper.

[0027] First, we will explain the configuration of the printer body 1101. The printer body 1101 includes the printing unit 204 and the transport unit 206 shown in FIG.

[0028] The printer main body 1101 is an electrophotographic device equipped with a housing 1101A and an electrophotographic image forming unit 1101B housed inside the housing 1101A. The image forming unit 1101B is equipped with an intermediate transfer belt 1108 as an intermediate transfer body, process cartridges arranged along the intermediate transfer belt 1108, a scanner unit 1104 as an exposure means, and a primary transfer roller 1107. The process cartridges have four colors, yellow 1195y, magenta 1195m, cyan 1195c, and black 1195k, and each contains toner as a recording agent of the corresponding color.

[0029] The process cartridge 1195k uses black toner Tk to form a monochromatic image corresponding to the black component of a color image. The process cartridge 1195y uses yellow toner Ty to form a monochromatic image corresponding to the yellow component of a color image. The process cartridge 1195m uses magenta toner Tm to form a monochromatic image corresponding to the magenta component of a color image. The process cartridge 1195c uses cyan toner Tc to form a monochromatic image corresponding to the cyan component of a color image.

[0030] The process cartridge 1195 includes a photosensitive drum 1102 as an image carrier, a charging device 1103 as a charging means, and a developing unit 1105 as a developing means. Although only the process cartridge 1195k is shown in Fig. 3(b), the process cartridges 1195y, 1195m, and 1195c also have the same structure. Monochrome images formed in the process cartridges 1195y, 1195m, 1195c, and 1195k are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 1108 so as to be superimposed on each other, and then secondarily transferred onto a sheet at a secondary transfer section.

[0031] The developing unit 1105 includes a developing roller 1105a as a developing means and a toner container 1105b that contains toner (developer). The developing roller 1105a is rotatably supported by the toner container 1105b. In FIG. 3B, only the developing unit 1105 in the process cartridge 1195k is shown, but the process cartridges 1195y, 1195m, and 1195c have the same structure.

[0032] The process cartridges 1195y, 1195m, 1195c, and 1195k are detachable from the housing 1101A. The "housing 1101A" of the printer body 1101 refers to the printer body 1101 excluding the process cartridges 1195. The housing 1101A includes frame members such as a metal frame that constitute the frame of the printer body 1101 and members fixed to the frame, and forms an installation space into which the process cartridge 1195 is installed.

[0033] The printer main body 1101 can use at least one of the toners of multiple colors as a toner for adhering sheets together. For example, black toner Tk can be used both as a toner for recording an image on a sheet and as a toner for adhesion. In this case, the process cartridge 1195k creates a monochrome image corresponding to the black component of the color image and an adhesive toner image 39 (FIG. 6) to be transferred to the adhesive area of ​​the sheet. Here, the adhesive toner is a toner with a higher adhesive ability than normal toner.

[0034] A scanner unit 1104 serving as an exposure unit is disposed below the process cartridge 1195 within the housing 1101A. A cassette 1113 (also called a sheet tray or storage) serving as a storage unit for storing sheets S used in image formation is attached to the housing 1101A so as to be removable below the scanner unit 1104. Furthermore, one or more optional sheet feeding devices 1130 including additional cassettes 1113 may be connected below the housing 1101A.

[0035] The intermediate transfer belt 1108 is a movable (rotatable) endless belt stretched around a drive roller 1109a, a tension roller 1109b, and a tension roller 1110, which rotate around parallel axes. The intermediate transfer belt 1108 is moved (rotated, conveyed) counterclockwise in the figure by the rotation of the drive roller 1109a. A primary transfer roller 1107 as a primary transfer member is disposed on the inner circumference side of the intermediate transfer belt 1108 at a position facing the photosensitive drum 1102 via the intermediate transfer belt 1108. A secondary transfer roller 1111 as a transfer member (secondary transfer member) is disposed on the outer circumference side of the intermediate transfer belt 1108 at a position facing the drive roller 1109a via the intermediate transfer belt 1108. A secondary transfer portion as a transfer portion is formed as a nip portion between the intermediate transfer belt 1108 and the secondary transfer roller 1111. The intermediate transfer belt 1108, the primary transfer roller 1107, and the secondary transfer roller 1111 constitute a transfer unit (transfer means) for transferring a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1102, which is an image carrier, onto the sheet S.

[0036] A fixing device 1118 is disposed above the secondary transfer unit in the housing 1101A as a fixing means. The fixing device 1118 has a thermal fixing configuration in which a toner image is fixed by heating. The fixing device 1118 has a pair of rotating bodies (e.g., a pair of rollers including a fixing roller and a pressure roller) that sandwich and transport the sheet S, and a heat source (e.g., a halogen lamp or an induction heating mechanism) that heats the toner image on the sheet S via the fixing roller.

[0037] When the printer main body 1101 performs an image forming operation, a sheet S is fed by a feed roller 1114 as a feeding means from a cassette 1113 at the bottom of the housing 1101A or from a cassette 1113 of a sheet feeding device 1130. A separation roller pair 1115 separates and conveys the fed sheet S one by one. The sheet S is conveyed by a pull-out roller 1116 toward a registration roller pair 1117, and the leading edge of the sheet S hits a nip portion of the registration roller pair 1117 in a stopped state, correcting the skew of the sheet S. The registration roller pair 1117 sends the sheet S to a secondary transfer unit at a timing synchronized with the progress of the toner image creation process by the image forming unit 1101B.

[0038] Meanwhile, in the image forming section 1101B, a photosensitive drum 1102 and an intermediate transfer belt 1108 rotate. A charging device 1103 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1102. A scanner unit 1104 irradiates the photosensitive drum 1102 with laser light based on image information representing an image to be recorded on a sheet S, and writes an electrostatic latent image. This electrostatic latent image is developed (visualized) as a toner image by a developing unit 1105 using toner.

[0039] When the sheet processing device 1106 performs thermocompression bonding as described below, the scanner unit 1104 writes an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the photosensitive drum 1102 with laser light based on information indicating the adhesion position of the sheet S. This electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by the developing unit 1105 in the process cartridge 1195k, so that an adhesive toner image is formed in an area on the photosensitive drum 1102 corresponding to the adhesion position on the sheet S.

[0040] Monochrome images formed on the photosensitive drums 1102 in the process cartridges 1195y, 1195m, 1195c, and 1195k are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 1108 so as to be superimposed on each other. The images are then conveyed toward a secondary transfer section by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 1108. In the secondary transfer section, a voltage is applied to a secondary transfer roller 1111, whereby a toner image is transferred (secondary transfer) onto a sheet S fed from a pair of registration rollers 1117. The sheet S that has passed through the secondary transfer section is sent to a fixing device 1118, where the toner image is heated and pressurized while passing through a nip portion between a fixing roller and a pressure roller, softening the toner, and then fixing the image onto the sheet S.

[0041] The conveying path of the sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 1118 is switched by a switching unit 1119. In the case of single-sided printing, the sheet S is guided to a discharge path 1190 by the switching unit 1119, and is discharged from the housing 1101A by a pair of discharge rollers 1191. In this embodiment, the printer body 1101 is connected to the sheet processing device 1106 via a relay conveying unit 1192. The sheet S discharged from the pair of discharge rollers 1191 is delivered to the sheet processing device 1106 via a pair of conveying rollers 1193 and 1194 of the relay conveying unit 1192. In addition, when the relay conveying unit 1192 and the sheet processing device 1106 are not connected, the pair of discharge rollers 1191 discharges the sheet S as a product onto a stacking tray 1135 provided at the top of the housing 1101A.

[0042] In the case of double-sided printing, the sheet S with an image formed on its first side is guided to a pair of reversing rollers r1 by a switching unit 1119. Then, the sheet S is reversed and conveyed (switchback conveyed) by the pair of reversing rollers r1, and then conveyed via a double-sided conveying path r2 toward a pair of registration rollers 1117. Then, the sheet S passes through a secondary transfer unit and a fixing device 1118, whereby an image is formed on a second side opposite to the first side, and then the sheet S is discharged from the housing 1101A by a pair of discharge rollers 1191.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a toner image formed on a sheet S. As shown in FIG.

[0044] The illustrated sheet S is formed with a toner image (recording toner image) 38 for recording images such as text, figures, and photographs, and a toner image (adhesive toner image) 39 for adhering sheets together. The position, shape, size, etc. of the adhesive toner image 39 can be changed in accordance with the configuration of a thermocompression bonding unit 1167, which will be described later.

[0045] When the image forming apparatus 1100 produces a booklet with single-sided printing, the adhesive toner image 39 is formed on only one side (the same side as the recording toner image) of the sheet S. When the image forming apparatus 1100 produces a booklet with double-sided printing, the adhesive toner image 39 may be formed on only one side of the sheet S or on both sides of the sheet S.

[0046] Next, the configuration of the sheet processing apparatus 1106 will be described.

[0047] The sheet processing apparatus 1106 has a buffer section 1120 as a buffer means for stacking a plurality of sheets S, an alignment section 1156 as an alignment means for aligning the plurality of sheets S, and a thermocompression bonding section 1167 for thermocompression bonding the sheets S together. The thermocompression bonding section 1167 corresponds to the bonding section 207 in Fig. 1 and is an example of a sheet bonding device (bonding unit, bonding means, thermocompression bonding means, lamination processing section) for bonding sheets together. The sheet processing apparatus 1106 also has an upper discharge tray 1125 and a lower discharge tray 1137, which can be raised and lowered, as discharge destinations for discharging the product of the image forming apparatus 1100.

[0048] The sheet processing device 1106 is a sheet processing device that receives a plurality of sheets S on which images are formed one by one by the printer body 1101, performs a bonding process (thermocompression bonding) and discharges the sheets as a sheet bundle (booklet). The buffer unit 1120, the alignment unit 1156, and the thermocompression bonding unit 1167 will be described in detail later. The sheet processing device 1106 can also discharge the sheets S on which images are formed by the printer body 1101 to the upper discharge tray 1125 or the lower discharge tray 1137 without performing any processing.

[0049] Next, the configuration of the buffer section 1120 will be described with reference to Figure 3(b) and Figure 4. Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the buffer section 1120.

[0050] The buffer unit 1120 includes an inlet roller pair 1121, a pre-buffer roller pair 1122, a check valve 1123, a reverse roller pair 1124, and an inner discharge roller pair 1126. The buffer unit 1120 also includes an inlet sensor 1127 that detects a sheet, and a separation mechanism including a plunger solenoid 1145 or the like for opening and closing (contacting and separating) the reverse roller pair 1124.

[0051] The entrance roller pair 1121, the pre-buffer roller pair 1122, the reversing roller pair 1124, and the inner discharge roller pair 1126 are roller pairs that sandwich and transport a sheet. The entrance roller pair 1121 and the pre-buffer roller pair 1122 are disposed on a transport path (entrance path) for the sheet processing device 1106 to receive the sheet S. The reversing roller pair 1124 is disposed on a transport path (first discharge path, see FIG. 3(b)) that communicates with the upper discharge tray 1125. The inner discharge roller pair 1126 is disposed on a transport path (inner discharge path, see FIG. 3(b)) from the reversing roller pair 1124 toward the thermocompression bonding unit 1167. The sheet processing device 1106 includes a transport path (second discharge path, see FIG. 3(b)) from the thermocompression bonding unit 1167 toward the lower discharge tray 1137.

[0052] The entrance path is formed by the entrance upper guide 1140 and the entrance lower guide 1141 in FIG. 4. The first discharge path is formed by the inverting upper guide 1142 and the inverting lower guide 1143. The inner discharge path is formed by the inner discharge upper guide 1146 and the inner discharge lower guide 1147. The entrance sensor 1127 is disposed so as to detect the sheet received by the entrance roller pair 1121. The entrance sensor 1127 may be, for example, a reflective photosensor that irradiates infrared light onto the entrance path through an opening provided in the entrance upper guide 1140 and detects the reflected light from the sheet to determine the presence or absence of the sheet S. The entrance lower guide 1141 may be provided with a hole larger than the spot diameter of the infrared light emitted by the entrance sensor 1127 so as not to reflect the infrared light when no sheet is passing through the entrance path.

[0053] The check valve 1123 is disposed downstream of the pre-buffer roller pair 1122 in the sheet conveying direction in the entrance path. The check valve 1123 is disposed rotatably about a rotation shaft 1123a with respect to the inner discharge upper guide 1146. The check valve 1123 is movable between a first position that prevents the sheet from moving (backflowing) from the first discharge path to the entrance path and a second position that allows the sheet to move from the entrance path to the first discharge path. The check valve 1123 is biased in the C2 direction from the second position toward the first position by a spring (not shown). The check valve 1123 is configured to move in the C1 direction from the first position toward the second position when pressed by the sheet, and to return to the first position when the sheet passes through.

[0054] When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the check valve 1123, the tip of the check valve 1123 in the first position overlaps with the inverted upper guide 1142. In addition, the tip of the check valve 1123 is formed in a comb shape so as to enable overlap with the inverted upper guide 1142. In addition, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the check valve 1123, a space is formed between the check valve 1123 in the second position and the inverted upper guide 1142, allowing the sheet to pass through.

[0055] The pair of reversing rollers 1124 includes an upper reversing roller 1124a and a lower reversing roller 1124b, and driving force is supplied to both rollers. The upper reversing roller 1124a and the lower reversing roller 1124b are configured to rotate in sync at all times. A separation lever 1144 is connected to the upper reversing roller 1124a. The separation lever 1144 is supported rotatably about a lever fulcrum shaft 1144a relative to the upper reversing guide 1142. The separation lever 1144 is rotatably connected to a plunger solenoid 1145 at a solenoid connection shaft 1144b.

[0056] When a current flows through the plunger solenoid 1145, the core moves in the direction D1 in the figure, and the separation lever 1144 rotates in the direction E1 in the figure. In this case, the pair of reversing rollers 1124 is in a separated state (a state in which the nip portion is opened) in which the upper reversing roller 1124a and the lower reversing roller 1124b are separated from each other. Also, when the current flowing through the plunger solenoid 1145 is stopped, the upper reversing roller 1124a moves in the direction E2 due to the biasing force of the pressure spring 1148, and the core of the plunger solenoid 1145 moves in the direction D2. In this case, the pair of reversing rollers 1124 is in an abutting state (a state in which the upper reversing roller 1124a and the lower reversing roller 1124b are in contact with each other (a state in which the nip portion is formed).

[0057] As described below, the buffer unit 1120 performs an operation of stacking newly conveyed sheets on the sheets (stack) while reciprocating the sheets (stack) between the pair of reversing rollers 1124 and the pair of inner discharge rollers 1126. By this operation, the buffer unit 1120 can send the sheets to the alignment unit 1156 in a state where a predetermined number of sheets (for example, five sheets) are stacked.

[0058] 3B, the stack of sheets stacked in the buffer section 1120 is transported from the inner discharge roller pair 1126 through the intermediate transport roller pair 1128 to the kick-out roller pair 1129. The sheet stack is then transported by the kick-out roller pair 1129 to an alignment section 1156 (intermediate stacking section, processing stage) consisting of an intermediate upper guide 1151, an intermediate lower guide 1152, etc. In addition, downstream of the kick-out roller pair 1129, a bundle holding flag 1150 is disposed to suppress lifting of the trailing end of the stacked sheets so that the trailing end of the sheets already stacked in the alignment section 1156 does not interfere with the leading end of the succeeding sheet transported to the alignment section 1156.

[0059] 5(a) to 5(f) are diagrams illustrating a thermocompression bonding operation by a thermocompression bonding unit 1167 according to an embodiment. Each of Fig. 5(a) to 5(f) is a diagram of the thermocompression bonding unit 1167 as viewed in the sheet conveying direction (Y direction).

[0060] 5A shows a state where the alignment of the sheets S1 to S5 in the sheet conveying direction (Y direction) is completed. In this state, the heater portion 1171 is located at a position separated from the sheet stack in the Z direction.

[0061] 5B shows a state where the alignment of the sheets S1 to S5 in the width direction is completed. The sheets S1 to S5 are aligned in the sheet width direction (X direction) by being abutted against width alignment reference plates 1172a and 1172b.

[0062] FIG. 5C shows a state in which the heater portion 1171 moves in the pressure direction (-Z side) due to forward rotation of the motor, and the contact surface of the pressure plate 1169 abuts against the uppermost sheet S5.

[0063] Fig. 5(d) shows a state in which the sheets S1 to S5 are being thermocompression-bonded while being sandwiched between the pressure plate 1169 and the receiving plate 1180 by continuing to drive the motor. Fig. 5(d) also shows a state in which the next sheets S6 to S10 are being conveyed to the alignment section 1156 in parallel with the thermocompression-bonding of the sheets S1 to S5.

[0064] Fig. 5(e) shows a state in which, after the thermocompression bonding of sheets S1 to S5 is completed, the heater unit 1171 moves (retreats) to the opposite side of the pressure direction (+Z side) due to reverse rotation of the motor, and the pressure plate 1169 moves away from sheet S5. Fig. 5(e) also shows a state in which the next sheets S6 to S10 are aligned, and sheets S6 to S10 are abutted against width alignment reference plates 1172a and 1172b after the heater unit 1171 has retracted.

[0065] 5(f) shows a state in which the heater unit 1171 moves again in the pressure direction (-Z side) due to the forward rotation of the motor, sheets S1 to S10 are sandwiched between the pressure plate 1169 and the receiving plate 1180, and sheets S6 to S10 are being thermocompression-bonded together. Here, an adhesive toner image is formed on the upper surface of sheet S5 and / or the lower surface of sheet S6, so that the sheet stack made up of sheets S1 to S5 and the sheet stack made up of sheets S6 to S10 are thermocompression-bonded together.

[0066] In this way, the thermocompression bonding unit 1167 can create a booklet consisting of more than the predetermined number of sheets by performing one thermocompression operation each time a stack of a predetermined number of sheets is aligned by the alignment unit 1156. Here, an example in which a booklet consisting of 10 sheets S1 to S10 is created has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a booklet consisting of several tens of sheets or more can also be created.

[0067] When the thermocompression bonding of all sheets constituting a part of a booklet is completed, the booklet consisting of sheets S1 to S10 is pushed out by the vertical alignment reference plate and transported in the sheet transport direction toward the pair of bundle discharge rollers 1136 (FIG. 3(b)) (-Y side). In other words, the vertical alignment reference plate is an example of a pushing member that pushes out the sheet bundle from the alignment unit 1156 and the thermocompression bonding unit 1167. Note that a pushing member that pushes out the processed sheet bundle may be provided separately from the vertical alignment reference plate that serves as a reference for aligning the sheet bundle.

[0068] The bundle discharge roller pair 1136 is a roller pair that can be opened and closed (capable of contact and separation), and receives a booklet in a separated state. After the leading edge of the booklet in the direction in which the vertical alignment reference plate pushes the booklet passes the position of the bundle discharge roller pair 1136, the movement of the vertical alignment reference plate is stopped, and the bundle discharge roller pair 1136 is switched to the contact state. As a result, the bundle discharge roller pair 1136 clamps and transports the booklet, and discharges it onto the lower discharge tray 1137. Meanwhile, the vertical alignment reference plate returns to the standby position again after delivering the booklet to the bundle discharge roller pair 1136.

[0069] In this manner, the configurations of the embodiments make it possible to provide a sheet bonding device, a sheet processing device, and an image forming apparatus that are capable of bonding sheets together more stably.

[0070] FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen 700 displayed on the display 25 by the printer driver of the PC 100 according to the embodiment.

[0071] The printer driver is a print control program installed in the PC 100, and is executed by the CPU 21. The printer driver is also called from a document program also installed in the PC 100, and generates print information consisting of print setting commands for printing and drawing data commands to be printed. The print information generated by the CPU 21 using the printer driver is sent to the image forming apparatus 1100 connected via the communication line 150 by the CPU 21 using an OS (operating system), and print processing and sheet processing are performed. This print setting screen 700 is displayed on a display device such as the display 25 based on an instruction from the CPU 21, and the user performs print settings via this screen using an input device such as a pointing device or a keyboard.

[0072] The print setting screen 700 provides basic print settings such as document size 701, paper size 702, number of copies 703, collated printing 704, and print orientation 705. In addition, as an extended print function, it is possible to set page layout 706 for setting layout printing, single-sided / double-sided / bookbinding 707 for setting single-sided, double-sided, bookbinding printing, and binding direction 708 for setting the binding direction of printed matter. Furthermore, the print setting screen 700 has a binding method 709 control for setting the binding method for printed matter. The print setting screen 700 in FIG. 7(a) shows a screen for setting the binding method 709 when the binding direction 708 is "long edge binding (left binding)". Here, it is possible to set "none" 711 for no binding, "staple" 712 for stapling, and "pressure" 713 for thermo-press bonding.

[0073] FIG. 7(b) is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for specifying a position to which the binding method set in the binding method 709 is to be applied, which is displayed on the display 25 based on an instruction from the CPU 21 when the position specification 710 button in FIG. 7(a) is pressed.

[0074] When the binding direction 708 is set to "long side binding (left binding)" and the binding method 709 is set to "pressure bonding 713", a pressure bonding position designation screen 720 as shown in FIG. 7(b) is displayed. In this pressure bonding position designation screen 720, the user can set the pressure bonding position 721 for left binding. Here, the radio buttons of the pressure bonding positions that can be set are displayed in a valid state, and the radio buttons of the pressure bonding positions that cannot be set are displayed in a disabled state. The user selects and designates the desired pressure bonding position from among the radio buttons of the pressure bonding positions that are in a valid state. In the example of FIG. 7(b), the state in which "left side" is selected is shown, with three positions, the upper left, lower left, and left side, being valid and settable. In this position designation screen 720, the pressure bonding position corresponding to the left side is displayed in a mesh pattern.

[0075] When the bonding 713 is set in the binding method 709, the CPU 21 uses the printer driver to write a command to perform thermocompression bonding at the position selected in the bonding position 721 in Fig. 7(b) into the printing information. As a result, the bonding unit 207 of the image forming apparatus 1100 that received the printing information performs the bonding process at the bonding position.

[0076] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit 205 of an image forming apparatus 1100 according to an embodiment.

[0077] A user can input and set various conditions and information to the image forming apparatus 1100 via this operation unit 205. Fig. 8(a) is a top view of the operation unit 205. The display unit 301 is a touch panel display, and can display a menu screen for copying, for example, as shown in Fig. 8(b). On this menu screen, the number of copies, selected paper size, magnification, and copy density are displayed. When the application mode 309 on this screen is pressed, the screen transitions to a screen on which various settings for the copy job can be made.

[0078] In FIG. 8(a), the reset key 302 is used to return the copy mode to the standard mode. The start key 303 instructs the start of a copy operation. The stop key 304 is used to interrupt the copy operation. The clear key 305 returns the copy mode to the standard mode. The numeric keypad 306 is a numeric input key for setting the number of copies, etc. When the user mode key 307 is pressed, a menu can be selected, and various settings for the image forming apparatus 1100 can be registered. When the counter key 308 is pressed, the display on the touch panel display 301 becomes a screen as shown in FIG. 8(c), and various counter information can be viewed. In FIG. 8(c), the total number of color prints, the total number of monochrome prints, and the sum of these are displayed. The touch panel display 301 is also used to notify the user of information such as paper jam information and toner information.

[0079] In the embodiment, a tandem type color printer configuration including four process cartridges is exemplified, but the number of types of toner may be five or more, or three or less. Also, instead of a configuration in which at least one of the toners of multiple colors is used both as a toner for recording an image on a sheet and as a toner for adhesion, a toner dedicated to adhesion may be used. In this case, the process cartridge using the toner dedicated to adhesion forms only the adhesive toner image 39 (FIG. 6).

[0080] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a print setting screen 900 corresponding to the double-page spread printing function by the printer driver according to the embodiment.

[0081] Fig. 9(a) shows a print setting screen 900, and Fig. 9(b) shows an example of a double-page detailed setting screen 910. The print setting screen 900 in Fig. 9(a) is displayed on a display device such as the display 25 based on an instruction from the CPU 21 of the PC 100, and the user performs print setting via this screen using an input device such as the pointing device 27 or the keyboard 26.

[0082] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A, a spread setting 901 is provided in the page layout 706, and a spread details button 902 is provided for calling up a screen for making detailed settings for spread printing.

[0083] When a spread 901 is set in the page layout 706, the original image is divided and placed on each side of the two sheets that make up the spread when consecutive sheets are bound on one side, as will be described in detail later.

[0084] 9B shows a spread detail setting screen 910 that is displayed on a display device such as the display 25 based on an instruction from the CPU 21 when the spread detail button 902 in FIG. 9A is pressed. In this spread detail setting screen 910, a spread printing style 911 is selected from three styles: single-sided 912, double-sided 913, and bookbinding 915, each of which will be described in detail later. Furthermore, when the style 911 is double-sided 913, a check box 914 is provided for setting whether to arrange from the inside surface. Furthermore, when the style 911 is bookbinding 915, a check box 916 is provided for setting whether to treat the first page as the front cover / back cover. By providing these option settings, it is possible to accommodate various types of spread printing.

[0085] Next, the printing mode of each style of double-page spread printing will be described.

[0086] Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining examples of input documents for each style of double-page printing in the embodiment, and the print results and final product for each input document orientation and setting option setting. Note that the print results in Fig. 10 show the state of the sheet output from the image forming apparatus 1100, and do not show the state of the sheet output from the sheet processing apparatus 1106. Also, in the configuration of the embodiment, the final product shows the state of the sheet output from the sheet processing apparatus 1106, but sheet processing such as lamination may be performed offline.

[0087] Fig. 10 shows the print results and final product when double-page spread printing is set and when the input document orientation, binding direction, arrangement order, and whether or not there is a cover are used, for each of the print styles 911 in Fig. 9(b) for single-sided, double-sided, and bookbinding. Note that the gray edges of the print results and final product indicate the edges along which the sheets are bound, and when a sheet processing device 1106 that performs thermocompression bonding is installed, thermocompression bonding will be performed at this position.

[0088] First, we will explain an example in which the image of the input document is divided into two, and each sheet is printed on one side and bound together in a double-page spread.

[0089] The example of reference number 1001 shows a case where the print style 911 is single-sided 912, the input document is landscape, and left binding is performed. In this case, the left half of the original image is arranged on the back side of the first sheet, and the right half of the original image is arranged and printed on the front side of the second sheet. When these two sheets are bound with left binding, a product is obtained in which the original image of the input document is arranged on one side of the left and right spreads, as shown in the final product. Note that, although not shown in FIG. 10, in the case of right binding, the left and right sides are switched, and the right half of the original image is arranged and printed on the back side of the first sheet, and the left half of the original image is arranged and printed on the front side of the second sheet.

[0090] The example of reference number 1002 shows a case where the print style 911 is single-sided 912, the input document is portrait-oriented, and top binding is performed. In this case, the upper half of the original image is arranged on the back side of the first sheet, and the lower half of the original image is arranged and printed on the front side of the second sheet. When these two sheets are bound at the top, a product is obtained in which the original image of the input document is arranged on the entire top and bottom spreads, as shown in the final product.

[0091] Although an example of a single-page original image is shown here, if the print style 911 is single-sided 912 and there are multiple original images, the above-described division, arrangement, and printing of the original image are repeated for each page.

[0092] Next, an example will be described in which the images of two input manuscripts are divided into two, and the two sheets are printed on both sides and bound together in a double-page spread.

[0093] The example of reference number 1003 shows a case where the print style 911 is double-sided 913, the input document is landscape, the check box 914 is checked to instruct "arrange from inside face", and left binding is performed. In this case, the right half (D) of the image of the second page of the original image is arranged on the front side of the first sheet, and the left half (A) of the image of the first page of the original image is arranged and printed on the back side of the first sheet. Next, the right half (B) of the image of the first page of the original image is arranged on the front side of the second sheet, and the left half (C) of the image of the second page of the original image is arranged and printed on the back side of the second sheet. When the two sheets obtained in this way are bound with left binding, a product is obtained in which the image of the first page of the original image is arranged on the entire inside face of the left and right spreads, and the image of the second page of the original image is arranged on the outside face, as shown in the final product. Although not shown in Fig. 10, in the case of right binding, the left and right sides are switched and the left half (C) of the image of the second page of the original image is printed on the front side of the first sheet and the right half (B) of the image of the first page of the original image is printed on the back side of the first sheet.Then, the left half (A) of the image of the first page of the original image is printed on the front side of the second sheet and the right half (D) of the image of the second page of the original image is printed on the back side of the second sheet.

[0094] The example of reference number 1004 shows a case where the print style 911 is double-sided 913, the input document is landscape, and the check box 914 is not checked, so that the original images are arranged "from the outside" instead of "from the inside". In this case, compared to the case of reference number 1003, the first and second pages of the original image are swapped, and the right half (B) of the image of the first page of the original image is arranged on the front side of the first sheet, and the left half (C) of the image of the second page of the original image is arranged and printed on the back side. Then, the right half (D) of the image of the second page of the original image is arranged and printed on the back side of the second sheet. When the two sheets obtained in this way are bound with left binding, a product is obtained in which the image of the second page of the original image is arranged on the entire inside surface of the left and right spreads, and the image of the first page of the original image is arranged on the outside surface, as shown in the final product. Although not shown in Fig. 10, in the case of right binding, the left and right sides are switched and the left half (A) of the image of the first page of the original image is printed on the front side of the first sheet, and the right half (D) of the image of the second page of the original image is printed on the back side. Also, the left half (C) of the image of the second page of the original image is printed on the front side of the second sheet, and the right half (B) of the image of the first page of the original image is printed on the back side.

[0095] The example of reference number 1005 shows a case where the print style 911 is double-sided 913, the input document is in portrait orientation, the check box 914 is checked, and top binding is performed with "arrangement from inside face". In this case, the lower half (D) of the image of the second page of the original image is arranged on the front side of the first sheet, and the upper half (A) of the image of the first page of the original image is arranged and printed on the back side of the first sheet. Then, the lower half (B) of the image of the first page of the original image is arranged and printed on the back side of the second sheet. When these two sheets are bound at the top, as shown in the final product, a product is obtained in which the first page of the original image is arranged on the entire inside surface of the top and bottom spreads, and the image of the second page of the original image is arranged on the outside surface.

[0096] The example of reference number 1006 shows a case where the print style 911 is double-sided 913, the input document is in portrait orientation, and the check box 914 is not checked, so that the original images are arranged "from the outside" instead of "arranged from the inside" and bound at the top. In this case, compared to the case shown by reference number 1005, the first and second pages of the original image are swapped, and the lower half (B) of the image of the first page of the original image is arranged on the front side of the first sheet, and the upper half (C) of the image of the second page of the original image is arranged and printed on the back side. Then, the lower half (D) of the image of the second page of the original image is arranged and printed on the back side of the second sheet. When these two sheets are bound at the top, as shown in the final product, a product is obtained in which the image of the second page of the original image is arranged on the entire inside surface of the top and bottom spreads, and the image of the first page of the original image is arranged on the outside surface.

[0097] Although an example of a two-page original image is shown here, if the print style 911 is double-sided 913 and the original image is three or more pages, the above-described division and arrangement of the original image is repeated for each set of two pages.

[0098] Next, an example will be described in which images of a plurality of input documents are divided and printed on both sides of a plurality of sheets, which are then bound in a double-spread fashion.

[0099] The example of reference number 1007 shows a case where the print style 911 is bookbinding 915, the input document is landscape and opens from the left, the check box 916 is not checked, and "treat the first page as the front / back cover" is off, that is, the front / back cover is not set. In this case, the left half (1L) of the image of the first page of the original image is printed on the back side of the first sheet, the right half (1R) of the image of the first page of the original image is printed on the front side of the second sheet, and the left half (2L) of the image of the second page of the original image is printed on the back side of the first sheet. Then, the right half (2R) of the image of the second page of the original image is printed on the front side of the third sheet, and the left half (3L) of the image of the third page of the original image is printed on the back side of the third sheet. Furthermore, the right half (3R) of the image of the third page of the original image is printed on the front side of the fourth sheet, and these four double-sided printed sheets are bound with the opening from the left. As a result, as shown in the final product, a product is obtained in which the original images are arranged in page order on each spread.

[0100] The example of reference number 1008 shows a case where the print style 911 is bookbinding 915, the input document is landscape and opens to the left, and the check box 916 is checked, so that the first page is treated as the front and back covers. In this case, the right half of the image of the first page of the original image is treated as the front cover and the left half as the back cover, in contrast to the case of reference number 1007 described above. Then, the right half of the image of the first page of the original image (front cover) is placed on the front side of the first sheet, and the left half of the image of the first page of the original image (back cover) is placed and printed on the back side of the last sheet. The other sheets are bound with the image of the original image placed on them, opening to the left, in the same manner as in the case of reference number 1007 described above. This results in the original images being arranged in page order on each spread side with a front cover and back cover, as shown in the final deliverable.

[0101] The example of reference number 1009 shows a case where the print style 911 is bookbinding 915, the input document is landscape and opens to the right, the check box 916 is not checked, and "treat the first page as the front / back cover" is off, that is, the front / back cover is not set. In this case, the left and right sides of the original image are swapped compared to the case of reference number 1007. That is, the right half (1R) of the image of the first page of the original image is placed on the back side of the first sheet, the left half (1L) of the image of the first page of the original image is placed on the front side of the second sheet, and the right half (2R) of the image of the second page of the original image is placed on the back side of the first sheet. Then, the right half (2L) of the image of the second page of the original image is placed on the front side of the third sheet, the right half (3R) of the image of the third page of the original image is placed on the back side of the third sheet, and the left half (3L) of the image of the third page of the original image is placed on the front side of the fourth sheet, and then printed. Then, by binding these four printed sheets with the pages opening from the right, you will get a final product in which the original images are arranged in page order on each double-page spread, as shown in the final product.

[0102] The example of reference number 1010 shows a case where the print style 911 is bookbinding 915, the input document is portrait and opens from the top, the check box 916 is not checked, and "treat the first page as the front / back cover" is off, that is, the front / back cover is not set. In this case, the upper half (1T) of the image of the first page of the original image is arranged on the back side of the first sheet, the lower half (1B) of the image of the first page of the original image is arranged on the front side of the second sheet, and the upper half (2T) of the image of the second page of the original image is arranged on the back side of the second sheet. Then, the lower half (2B) of the image of the second page of the original image is arranged on the front side of the third sheet, and the upper half (3T) of the image of the third page of the original image is arranged on the back side of the third sheet, and the lower half (3B) of the image of the third page of the original image is arranged on the front side of the fourth sheet. When the four sheets printed in this way are bound with the top open, the original images are arranged in page order on each spread side, as shown in the final product.

[0103] Although not shown in FIG. 10, when check box 916 is checked to "treat first page as front / back cover", the left half of the image of the first page of the original image is treated as the front cover and the right half as the back cover. The left half of the image of the first page of the original image (front cover) is placed on the front side of the first sheet, and the right half of the image of the first page of the original image (back cover) is placed on the back side of the last sheet. Then, by printing the rest according to the above-mentioned arrangement, it is possible to obtain a final deliverable with a front and back cover.

[0104] Note that, although an example is shown here in which the original image is three pages or four pages including the front and back covers, even if the print style 911 is bookbinding 915 and the original image is three or more pages, this can be accommodated by repeatedly arranging the divided original images on the back side and then the front side.

[0105] Furthermore, if the size of the original image is not the size of two sheets of output paper lined up, the original image may be divided horizontally or vertically in half and then enlarged or reduced to the size of the output paper before being output. For example, if the original image is A3 size and the output paper is A4 size, half the size of the original image will be equal to A4, so there is no need to enlarge or reduce the image. However, if the original image is A4 size and the output paper is also A4 size, it is necessary to enlarge half the size of the original image to the output paper size of A4 (= square root of 2 ≒ 144%).

[0106] Next, the process performed by the printer driver according to the embodiment will be described. As described above, the printer driver is called by a text program (application) installed on the same PC 100, and generates print information including print setting commands for printing and drawing commands to be printed. The print information generated by the printer driver is sent by the OS via communication line 150 to image forming device 1100, where it is printed and processed on a sheet. The original image created by the text program in units of pages is divided by the printer driver, and if there is no enlargement or reduction of the image, it is converted into print information instructing printing on paper that is half the size of the original image and sent to image forming device 1100.

[0107] For example, assume that the original image created by the document program and instructed to print by the printer driver is one A3 size page, double page printing is set, the print style 911 is single-sided 912, and no enlargement or reduction is performed. In this case, the printer driver generates print information for the image forming device 1100 for four pages, including blank pages, in A4 size, half the size of the original image.

[0108] 11 is a flowchart for explaining the process of generating print information by the printer driver according to the embodiment when the print style 911 is single-sided 912. The process shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 21 loading the printer driver, which is a print control program stored in the ROM 23 or HDD 28, into the RAM 22 and executing it.

[0109] First, in S1101, the CPU 21 acquires the print setting information set via the print setting screens 700 and 900 described above. This print setting information includes the print style 911, which is a detailed setting when the page layout 706 is a two-page spread 901, the binding direction 708, the document size 701, the output paper size 702, the print orientation 705, and other settings. Next, the process proceeds to S1102, and the CPU 21 refers to the document size 701 and the output paper size 702 included in the print setting information, and issues a command to the image forming apparatus 1100 to instruct the page size to be output and double-sided printing. Then, the process proceeds to S1103, where the CPU 21 receives drawing data for one page from the word processing program, and proceeds to S1104.

[0110] In S1104, the CPU 21 issues a drawing command to the image forming apparatus 1100 to output a blank sheet in order to issue a page corresponding to the front side of the sheet, and creates the front side of the first sheet. Then, the process proceeds to S1105, where the CPU 21 determines whether the print direction of the original image is landscape or not, and if it is landscape, the process proceeds to S1106 to determine whether the binding direction is left or not. If it is determined that the binding direction is left, the process proceeds to S1107, and if it is determined that the binding direction is right, the process proceeds to S1111. Also, in S1105, if the print direction of the original image is not landscape, that is, if the print direction is portrait, the process proceeds to S1113. In S1113, the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to arrange and draw the image of the upper half of the page acquired in S1103 on one page, and creates the back side of the first sheet. Next, in S1114, the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the image of the lower half of the page on the next page, and creates the front side of the second sheet, and proceeds to S1109. This is the case indicated by reference numeral 1002 in FIG.

[0111] If the print orientation of the original image is landscape and bound to the left, the process proceeds to S1107, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the image of the left half of the page acquired in S1103 on one page, creating the back side of the first sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1108, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the image of the right half of that page on another page, creating the front side of the second sheet, and the process proceeds to S1109. This corresponds to the case indicated by reference number 1001 in FIG. 10.

[0112] Also, if the print orientation of the original image is landscape and bound to the right, the process proceeds to S1111, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the right half of the image of the page acquired in S1103 on one page, and creates the back side of the first sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1112, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the left half of the image of the page acquired in S1103 on another page, and creates the front side of the second sheet, and then proceeds to S1109. In S1109, the CPU 21 issues a drawing command to the image forming apparatus 1100 to output blank paper, and creates the back side of the second sheet. Then, the process proceeds to S1110, where the CPU 21 determines whether all pages created by the document creation program have been processed, and if there are any pages that have not yet been processed, the process returns to S1103 and repeats the above-mentioned process. When all pages have been processed in this manner, the process of generating print information by the printer driver ends.

[0113] As described above, according to the embodiment, the created first sheet and second sheet can be pasted together at a specified binding position to obtain a printed material in which the original image is arranged on the entire inner spread.

[0114] 12A and 12B are flowcharts for explaining the process of generating print information by the printer driver according to the embodiment when the print style 911 is double-sided 913. The process shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 21 loading the printer driver, which is a print control program stored in the ROM 23 or HDD 28, into the RAM 22 and executing it.

[0115] First, in S1201, the CPU 21 acquires the print setting information set via the print setting screens 700 and 900 described above. This print setting information includes settings such as the print style 911, binding direction 708, document size 701, output paper size 702, and print orientation 705, which are detailed settings when the page layout 706 is a two-page spread 901. Next, the process proceeds to S1202, and the CPU 21 issues a command to the image forming apparatus 1100 to instruct the page size to be output and double-sided printing, with reference to the document size 701 and output paper size 702 included in the print setting information. Next, the process proceeds to S1203, and the CPU 21 receives drawing data for two pages from the document creation program. The pages to be acquired here are described as page N and page N+1 (N is an odd number), respectively. Note that if the total number of pages created by the document creation program is an odd number, page N+1 cannot be acquired. In this case, page N+1 is treated as blank in the subsequent processes. Next, the process proceeds to S1204, where the CPU 21 determines whether the print orientation of the original image is landscape or not, and if it is landscape, the process proceeds to S1205, where the CPU 21 determines whether the binding direction is left or not. If the binding direction is left, the process proceeds to S1206, where the CPU 21 determines whether "arrange from inside face" is set in the check box 914. If the CPU 21 determines in S1206 that "arrange from inside face" is set, the process proceeds to S1207, and if not, the process proceeds to S1212. Also, if the CPU 21 determines in S1205 that the binding direction is right, the process proceeds to S1216.

[0116] In this way, if the print orientation of the original image is landscape, bound to the left, and "placed from the inside face", the process proceeds to S1207, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the right half of the image of page N+1 acquired in S1203 on page 1, to create the front side of the first sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1208, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the left half of the image of page N on page 1, to create the back side of the first sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1209, where the CPU 21 issues a command to draw the right half of the image of page N on page 1, to create the front side of the second sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1210, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the left half of the image of page N+1 on page 1, to create the back side of the second sheet, and the process proceeds to S1211. This corresponds to the case indicated by reference number 1003 in FIG. 10.

[0117] Also, if the print orientation of the original image is landscape, bound to the left, and the check box 914 is not checked and "placed from the outer side", the process proceeds to S1212. In S1212, the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the right half of the image of page N acquired in S1203 on one page, thereby creating the front side of the first sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1213, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the left half of the image of page N+1 on one page, thereby creating the back side of the first sheet. Then, the process proceeds to S1214, where the CPU 21 issues a command to draw the right half of the image of page N+1 on one page, thereby creating the front side of the second sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1215, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the left half of the image of page N on one page, thereby creating the back side of the second sheet, and the process proceeds to S1211. This corresponds to the case indicated by reference number 1004 in FIG. 10.

[0118] Also, if the print orientation of the original image is landscape and bound from the right, and the check box 914 is checked in S1216 to indicate "arrange from the inside face", the process proceeds to S1217. In S1217, the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the left half of the image of page N+1 acquired in S1203 on page 1, to create the front side of the first sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1218, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the right half of the image of page N on page 1, to create the back side of the first sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1219, where the CPU 21 issues a command to draw the left half of the image of page N on page 1, to create the front side of the second sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1220, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the right half of the image of page N+1 on page 1, to create the back side of the second sheet, and the process proceeds to S1211.

[0119] Also, in S1216, if the check box 914 is not checked and "place from the outer surface", the process proceeds to S1221. In S1221, the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the left half of the image of page N acquired in S1203 on page 1, thereby creating the front side of the first sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1222, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the right half of the image of page N+1 on page 1, thereby creating the back side of the first sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1223, where the CPU 21 issues a command to draw the left half of the image of page N+1 on page 1, thereby creating the front side of the second sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1224, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the right half of the image of page N on page 1, thereby creating the back side of the second sheet, and the process proceeds to S1211.

[0120] Next, referring to FIG. 12B, a case where the print direction of the original image is vertical will be described. If the print direction of the original image is vertical in S1204, the process proceeds to S1225 (FIG. 12B). If the check box 914 is checked and "arrange from the inside face", the process proceeds to S1226. In S1226, the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the lower half of the image of page N+1 acquired in S1203 on one page, creating the front side of the first sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1227, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the upper half of the image of page N on one page, creating the back side of the first sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1228, where the CPU 21 issues a command to draw the lower half of the image of page N on one page, creating the front side of the second sheet. Then, the process proceeds to S1229, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the upper half of the image of page N+1 on one page, creating the back side of the second sheet, and proceeds to S11.

[0121] Also, in S1225, if the check box 914 is not checked and "place from the outer surface", the process proceeds to S1230. In S1230, the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the lower half of the image of page N acquired in S1203 on page 1, thereby creating the front side of the first sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1231, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the upper half of the image of page N+1 on page 1, thereby creating the back side of the first sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1232, where the CPU 21 issues a command to draw the lower half of the image of page N+1 on page 1, thereby creating the front side of the second sheet. Then, the process proceeds to S1233, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the upper half of the image of page N on page 1, thereby creating the back side of the second sheet, and the process proceeds to S1211.

[0122] In S1211, the CPU 21 determines whether all pages created by the document creation program have been processed, and if there are any pages that have not been processed yet, the process returns to S1203 and repeats the above-described process. If all pages have been processed in S1211, the print information generation process of the printer driver by the CPU 21 ends.

[0123] By bonding the first sheet and the second sheet prepared as described above at the binding position, a printed matter can be obtained in which the original image is arranged on either the inner double-page spread surface or the outer surface.

[0124] 13A and 13B are flowcharts for explaining the process of generating print information by the printer driver according to the embodiment when the print style 911 is bookbinding 915. The process shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 21 loading the printer driver, which is a print control program stored in the ROM 23 or HDD 28, into the RAM 22 and executing it.

[0125] First, in S1301, the CPU 21 acquires the print setting information set via the print setting screens 700 and 900 described above. This print setting information includes the print style 911, which is a detailed setting when the page layout 706 is a two-page spread 901, and settings such as the binding direction 708, document size 701, output paper size 702, and print orientation 705 in Fig. 7. Next, the process proceeds to S1302, in which the CPU 21 refers to the document size 701 and output paper size 702 included in the print setting, and issues a command to the image forming apparatus 1100 instructing the page size to be output and double-sided printing.

[0126] Next, the process proceeds to S1303, where the CPU 21 determines whether or not a cover page has been set. At this time, if "Treat first page as front / back cover" is set in the check box 916 on the screen 910 in Fig. 9B, it is determined that a cover page exists, and if not, it is determined that a cover page does not exist. If no cover page has been set in S1303, the process proceeds to S1309, where the CPU 21 issues a drawing command to the image forming apparatus 1100 to output blank paper in order to print a page corresponding to the cover page, creates the front side of the first sheet, and proceeds to S1311.

[0127] On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines in S1303 that a cover page is set, the process proceeds to S1304, where the CPU 21 receives the drawing data of the first page from the document creation program. Next, the process proceeds to S1305, where the CPU 21 determines whether the print orientation of the image data of the first page, which is the original image, is landscape or not. If the print orientation is landscape, the process proceeds to S1306, where the CPU 21 determines whether the binding direction is left or not. In this way, it is determined which part of the drawing data acquired in S1304 is to be treated as the cover image, and a command to draw the cover image on one page is issued to the image forming apparatus 1100. Also, if the CPU 21 determines in S1305 that the print orientation of the original image is portrait, the process proceeds to S1310, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to treat the lower half of the page as the cover image and draw this image on one page, and the process proceeds to S1311.

[0128] If the CPU 21 determines in S1305 that the print orientation of the original image is landscape and determines in S1306 that the binding direction is left, the process proceeds to S1307. In S1307, the CPU 21 treats the right half of the first page as a cover image, issues a command to draw this image on one page, and proceeds to S1311. If the CPU 21 determines in S1306 that the binding direction is right, the process proceeds to S1308, where the CPU 21 treats the left half of the page as a cover image, issues a command to draw this image on one page, and proceeds to S1311.

[0129] In S1311, the CPU 21 acquires one page of drawing data for the main text from the document creation program. Then, the process proceeds to S1312, where the CPU 21 determines whether the printing direction of the drawing data for the main text, which is the original image acquired in S1311, is horizontal or not, as in the case of the cover, and determines whether the binding direction is left or not in S1313. In this manner, it is determined which portion of the drawing data acquired in S1311 is to be placed on which side of which sheet, and issues a command to the image forming apparatus 1100 to draw the corresponding image on one page. Also, if the CPU 21 determines in S1312 that the printing direction of the original image is vertical, the process proceeds to S1319, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the image of the upper half of the page on one page, and creates the back side of the sheet. The process then proceeds to S1320, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the image of the lower half of the page on one page, and creates the front side of the next sheet, and proceeds to S1316.

[0130] If it is determined in S1312 that the print orientation of the original image is landscape and in S1313 that the binding direction is left, the process proceeds to S1314, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the image of the left half of the page on one page, and creates the back side of the sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1315, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the image of the right half of the page on one page, creates the front side of the next sheet, and then proceeds to S1316. If it is determined in S1313 that the binding direction is right, the process proceeds to S1317, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the image of the right half of the page on one page, and creates the back side of the sheet. Next, the process proceeds to S1318, where the CPU 21 issues an instruction to issue a command to draw the image of the left half of the page on one page, creates the front side of the next sheet, and then proceeds to S1316. In S1316, the CPU 21 determines whether all pages created by the document creation program have been processed, and if there are any pages that have not yet been processed, the process proceeds to S1311 and repeats the above-mentioned return process. If there is no unprocessed page, the process proceeds to S1321 (FIG. 13B) where the CPU 21 determines whether or not a back cover has been set.

[0131] In S1321, the CPU 21 determines that there is a back cover if the check box 916 is checked and "treat the first page as the front / back cover" is set, and that there is no back cover if it is not set. If it is determined in S1322 that there is no back cover setting, the process proceeds to S1326, where the CPU 21 issues a drawing command to the image forming apparatus 1100 to output a blank sheet in order to issue a page corresponding to the back cover, creates the back of the final sheet, and ends this process.

[0132] On the other hand, if it is determined that a back cover is set, the process proceeds to S1322, where the CPU 21 determines whether the print orientation of the drawing data of the first page, which is the original image acquired in S1304, is landscape or not, and also determines whether the binding direction is left or not in S1323. Depending on the results of these determinations, it decides which part of the drawing data acquired in S1304 is to be treated as the back cover image, and issues a command to the image forming apparatus 1100 to draw the cover image on one page. Also, if the print orientation of the original image is portrait in S1323, the process proceeds to S1327, where the CPU 21 treats the upper half of the page as the back cover image, instructs the issuance of a command to draw this image on one page, and ends the process.

[0133] If it is determined in S1322 that the print orientation of the original image is landscape, the process proceeds to S1323, and if it is determined that the binding direction is left, the process proceeds to S1324. In S1324, the CPU 21 treats the left half of the first page as an image for the back cover, issues a command to draw this image on one page, and ends the process. If it is determined in S1323 that the binding direction is right, the process proceeds to S1325, where the CPU 21 treats the right half of the first page as an image for the back cover, issues a command to draw this image on one page, and ends the process.

[0134] Adjacent sheets prepared in the above manner are pasted together at a designated binding position to obtain a bound printed matter with the original images arranged on each spread.

[0135] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0136] This specification and the drawings disclose the following printer driver and information processing device, and a control method thereof.

[0137] [Item 1] A printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates print information, An acquisition means for acquiring print settings input via a setting screen for making print settings; a dividing means for dividing an original image of a page represented by the drawing data into a first image and a second image when the print setting includes a two-page spread setting; a layout unit that controls the placement of the first image and the second image on the first sheet and the second sheet according to a binding position for binding the printed sheets and an orientation of the original image, which are included in the print settings; 13. A printer driver comprising:

[0138] [Item 2] The printer driver described in item 1, characterized in that if the original image is a landscape image, the splitting means splits the original image in half horizontally to create the first image and the second image, and if the original image is a portrait image, the splitting means splits the original image in half vertically to create the first image and the second image.

[0139] [Item 3] The printer driver according to item 1 or 2, characterized in that the layout means arranges the sheets so that the original image is formed on one face of each spread when the sheets are bound at the binding position.

[0140] [Item 4] The printer driver described in item 2 is characterized in that, when the original image is a landscape image and the binding position is left binding, the layout means places the first image, which is obtained by dividing the original image into two equal parts left and right, on the back side of the first sheet, and places the second image on the front side of the second sheet.

[0141] [Item 5] The printer driver described in item 4, characterized in that when the original image is a landscape image and the binding position is right-hand binding, the layout means places the first image on the front side of the second sheet and places the second image on the back side of the first sheet.

[0142] [Item 6] The printer driver described in item 2 is characterized in that, when the original image is a portrait image and the binding position is top binding, the layout means places the first image, which is obtained by dividing the original image into two equal parts vertically, on the back side of the first sheet, and places the second image on the front side of the second sheet.

[0143] [Item 7] The printer driver described in any one of items 1 to 6, characterized in that the print settings further include a setting of whether the double-page spread setting is to arrange from the inside face, and the layout means switches the images to be arranged on the first sheet and the second sheet depending on whether the setting is to arrange from the inside face or not.

[0144] [Item 8] An information processing device that generates print information based on drawing data generated by an application and outputs the print information to a printing device, An acquisition means for acquiring print settings input via a setting screen for making print settings; a dividing means for dividing an original image of a page represented by the drawing data into a first image and a second image when the print setting includes a two-page spread setting; a layout unit that controls the placement of the first image and the second image on the first sheet and the second sheet according to a binding position for binding the printed sheets and an orientation of the original image, which are included in the print settings; 13. An information processing device comprising:

[0145] [Item 9] The information processing device described in item 8 is characterized in that, if the original image is a landscape image, the division means divides the original image into two equal parts horizontally to obtain the first image and the second image, and if the original image is a portrait image, the division means divides the original image into two equal parts vertically to obtain the first image and the second image.

[0146] [Item 10] The information processing device according to item 8 or 9, characterized in that the layout means arranges the sheets so that the original image is formed on one face of each spread when the sheets are bound at the binding position.

[0147] [Item 11] The information processing device described in item 9 is characterized in that, when the original image is a landscape image and the binding position is left binding, the layout means places the first image, which is obtained by dividing the original image into two equal parts left and right, on the back surface of the first sheet, and places the second image on the front surface of the second sheet.

[0148] [Item 12] The information processing device according to item 11, characterized in that, when the original image is a landscape image and the binding position is right binding, the layout means places the first image on the front side of the second sheet and places the second image on the back side of the first sheet.

[0149] [Item 13] The information processing device described in item 9 is characterized in that, when the original image is a portrait image and the binding position is top binding, the layout means places the first image, which is obtained by dividing the original image into two equal parts vertically, on the back surface of the first sheet, and places the second image on the front surface of the second sheet.

[0150] [Item 14] The information processing device described in any one of items 8 to 13, characterized in that the print settings further include a setting of whether the double-page spread setting is to arrange from the inside face, and the layout means switches the images to be arranged on the first sheet and the second sheet depending on whether the setting is to arrange from the inside face or not.

[0151] [Item 15] A control method for controlling an information processing device that generates print information based on drawing data generated by an application and outputs the print information to a printing device, comprising: An acquisition step of acquiring print settings input via a setting screen for making print settings; a dividing step of dividing an original image of a page represented by the drawing data into a first image and a second image when the print setting includes a two-page spread setting; a layout process for controlling the arrangement of the first image and the second image on the first sheet and the second sheet according to a binding position for binding the printed sheets and an orientation of the original image, which are included in the print settings; A control method comprising the steps of:

[0152] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0153] 21...CPU, 22...RAM, 23...ROM, 200...CPU, 201...ROM, 202...RAM, 100...PC, 1100...image forming device

Claims

1. A printer driver that receives drawing data from an application and generates print information, An acquisition means for acquiring print settings input via a setting screen for making print settings; a dividing means for dividing an original image of a page represented by the drawing data into a first image and a second image when the print setting includes a two-page spread setting; a layout unit that controls the placement of the first image and the second image on the first sheet and the second sheet according to a binding position for binding the printed sheets and an orientation of the original image, which are included in the print settings; 13. A printer driver comprising:

2. The printer driver according to claim 1, characterized in that the splitting means splits the original image in half horizontally to create the first image and the second image if the original image is a landscape image, and splits the original image in half vertically to create the first image and the second image if the original image is a portrait image.

3. 2. The printer driver according to claim 1, wherein said layout means arranges the sheets so that, when the sheets are bound at the binding position, the original image is formed on one face of each of the two-page spreads.

4. The printer driver according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the original image is a landscape image and the binding position is left binding, the layout means places the first image, which is obtained by dividing the original image into two equal parts left and right, on the back side of the first sheet, and places the second image on the front side of the second sheet.

5. The printer driver according to claim 4, characterized in that, when the original image is a landscape image and the binding position is right-hand binding, the layout means places the first image on the front side of the second sheet and places the second image on the back side of the first sheet.

6. The printer driver according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the original image is a portrait image and the binding position is top binding, the layout means places the first image, which is obtained by dividing the original image into two equal parts vertically, on the back side of the first sheet, and the second image on the front side of the second sheet.

7. The printer driver according to claim 1, characterized in that the print settings further include a setting as to whether the double-page spread setting is to arrange the images from the inside face, and the layout means switches the images to be arranged on the first sheet and the second sheet depending on whether the setting is to arrange the images from the inside face or not.

8. An information processing device that generates print information based on drawing data generated by an application and outputs the print information to a printing device, An acquisition means for acquiring print settings input via a setting screen for making print settings; a dividing means for dividing an original image of a page represented by the drawing data into a first image and a second image when the print setting includes a two-page spread setting; a layout unit that controls the placement of the first image and the second image on the first sheet and the second sheet according to a binding position for binding the printed sheets and an orientation of the original image, which are included in the print settings; 13. An information processing device comprising:

9. The information processing device described in claim 8, characterized in that the division means divides the original image in half horizontally to obtain the first image and the second image when the original image is a landscape image, and divides the original image in half vertically to obtain the first image and the second image when the original image is a portrait image.

10. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said layout means arranges the sheets so that, when the sheets are bound at the binding position, the original image is formed on one face of each of the two-page spreads.

11. The information processing device according to claim 9, characterized in that, when the original image is a landscape image and the binding position is left binding, the layout means places the first image, which is obtained by dividing the original image into two equal parts left and right, on the back surface of the first sheet, and the second image on the front surface of the second sheet.

12. The information processing device according to claim 11, characterized in that, when the original image is a landscape image and the binding position is right-hand binding, the layout means places the first image on the front side of the second sheet and the second image on the back side of the first sheet.

13. The information processing device according to claim 9, characterized in that, when the original image is a portrait image and the binding position is top binding, the layout means places the first image, which is obtained by dividing the original image into two equal parts vertically, on the back surface of the first sheet, and the second image on the front surface of the second sheet.

14. The information processing device according to claim 8, characterized in that the print settings further include a setting as to whether the double-page spread setting is to arrange the images from the inside face, and the layout means switches the images to be arranged on the first sheet and the second sheet depending on whether the setting is to arrange the images from the inside face or not.

15. A control method for controlling an information processing device that generates print information based on drawing data generated by an application and outputs the print information to a printing device, comprising: An acquisition step of acquiring print settings input via a setting screen for making print settings; a dividing step of dividing an original image of a page represented by the drawing data into a first image and a second image when the print setting includes a two-page spread setting; a layout process for controlling the arrangement of the first image and the second image on the first sheet and the second sheet according to a binding position for binding the printed sheets and an orientation of the original image, which are included in the print settings; A control method comprising the steps of:

Images