Image forming system, image forming apparatus, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, a control method, and a program that can efficiently perform operations to create a print that displays images having a story as folds develop.SOLUTION: An MFP 101 has a printer 213 that prints different pieces of print data on both sides of a sheet, and a folding unit 104 that physically folds the sheet on which the print data is printed by the printer 213. When receiving a print request including three or more pieces of image data, type of folding of the sheet, and an image arrangement pattern indicating the allocation of the three or more pieces of image data according to the type of folding of the sheet, the MFP 101 generates print data in which all or part of the three or more pieces of image data are laid out according to the image arrangement pattern included in the received print request.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, a control method, and a program, and more particularly to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, a control method, and a program that perform printing processing of multiple images accompanied by folding processing of printed matter and display of preview images. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printed matter intended for advertising or promotion to customers, such as pamphlets or direct mail, has been folded in thirds, fourths, or the like.

[0003] Some printed materials involving folding processes have a story-like printed content that is printed in the order in which the folds are unfolded from the folded state, enhancing their advertising effect and appeal. For example, when folded closed, the contents of customer complaints and worries are printed, and when the folds are unfolded, the previously hidden folded parts are revealed, and the contents of products and services that solve the problems are printed there, enhancing the customer's desire to purchase. This type of story-like guidance by unfolding the folds leads the reader in a more natural way than regular printed materials that use numbers and arrows, and the fact that the hidden parts are revealed is expected to have the effect of increasing the surprise and emphasis of the advertisement.

[0004] Also, when the folded state is unfolded, printing may be performed so that a single image is formed on the apparent display surface, which is formed by folding the paper and where the front and back sides are adjacent to each other. For example, consider a case where a paper is divided into thirds along the long side and folded inward at the rightmost dividing line. In this case, an image on the outer surface appears in the right third of the folded area of ​​the paper, and this image and an image on the inner surface of the left third of the paper form an apparent display surface that is two-thirds the size of the original paper. In this way, a method is known in which printing is performed on the outer and inner surfaces so that a single image is formed on the apparent display surface.

[0005] When printing images on this display surface, larger images can be printed as the folding process unfolds from a closed state, and as before, this can be expected to lead to story-like advertisements, as well as to increase the element of surprise and cooperation.

[0006] When generating a printed matter involving such folding, it is important to determine how image data is laid out on the front and back of the paper for each folding surface formed by the fold lines for each type of folding. In Patent Document 1, when a paper is folded in thirds, it is possible to specify how image data is arranged for each folding surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-94185 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, in printed matter involving folding, when displaying images with a storyline according to the order of folding and allocating image data according to the display surface when folding is performed, it is very difficult to determine how to lay out images on the paper. In particular, when allocating image data according to the display surface when folding is performed, the image data must be divided and the divided image data must be arranged on the front and back sides of the paper. In addition, such arrangement must take into account the folding direction, the printing direction, and the setting value of the folding position adjustment function of the printing device. For this reason, in the past, it was necessary to determine the optimal arrangement of image data by trial and error with layout and printing involving folding, and the increased effort and time required for these tasks was a problem.

[0009] In Patent Document 1, it is possible to specify how image data is arranged for each folding surface, but it does not take into consideration allocating image data that matches the display surface when the folding surface is unfolded, so it is necessary to determine the arrangement of image data through trial and error as described above.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system, an image forming device, a control method, and a program that can efficiently create printed materials that display images that have a story-like quality according to the order in which the folds are unfolded. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to solve the above problem, the image forming system according to claim 1 of the present invention is an image forming system that connects an information processing device and an image forming device having a printing unit that prints different print data on both sides of a sheet of paper and a paper folding unit that physically folds the printed sheet of paper by the printing unit so that they can communicate with each other, wherein the information processing device comprises: an image acquisition means for acquiring three or more image data; a paper folding type designation means for designating a type of paper folding; a display surface that shows the appearance of the paper when the paper is folded by a folding process of the designated type of paper folding, including the overlap of the paper that is visible when the folded state is unfolded; and an image arrangement pattern designation means for designating an image arrangement pattern that shows the allocation of the acquired three or more image data to the display surface; and a print request sending means for sending a print request to the image forming device that includes the acquired three or more image data, the designated type of paper folding, and the designated image arrangement pattern, and the image forming device comprises: a print request receiving means for receiving the print request; and an image layout means for generating print data in which all or a part of each of the three or more image data is laid out on each display surface according to the designated image arrangement pattern included in the received print request.

[0012] In order to solve the above problem, the image forming apparatus of claim 8 of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a printing unit that prints different print data on both sides of a sheet of paper and a paper folding unit that physically folds the paper printed by the printing unit, and is characterized in that it comprises a print request receiving means that receives a print request including three or more image data, a type of paper folding, and an image arrangement pattern indicating an allocation of the three or more image data according to the type of paper folding, and an image layout means that generates print data in which all or a part of each of the three or more image data is laid out according to the image arrangement pattern included in the received print request. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently create a printed matter that displays an image having a story-like nature according to the unfolding order of the folds. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the MFP in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a server appearing in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen in the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting details screen in the present invention. [Figure 6] 6A to 6C are diagrams showing examples of three pieces of image data to be printed in Pattern 1 on the folding detail setting screen of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a printout obtained by printing using pattern 1 on the folding detail setting screen of FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a folding position adjustment screen in the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed preview screen that is displayed when a preview button in FIG. 8 is pressed. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a print preview screen in the present invention. [Figure 11] 5 is a flowchart of a print setting process which is a server-side process of the print process according to the present invention. [Figure 12] 4 is a flowchart of a print / fold execution process which is an MFP-side process of the print process according to the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a gate-shaped four-fold, which is one of the types of folding processes selectable on the print setting screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Note that the components described in the embodiment are merely examples of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these components.

[0016] Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] In this embodiment, a multifunction peripheral (hereinafter, MFP 101) having copy and print functions will be described as an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

[0019] In FIG. 1, an image forming system 1 includes an MFP 101 and a server 102 (information processing device) that are connected to each other via a LAN 103.

[0020] The MFP 101 has a folding unit 104 (paper folding section) that physically folds printed paper. Note that the MFP 101 may not have the folding unit 104, but may be physically connected to an external folding unit and capable of communicating with each other.

[0021] Folding unit 104 is provided after the paper transport in MFP 101, and performs folding processing such as folding in thirds on the paper printed by MFP 101.

[0022] The server 102 includes an image DB 105 .

[0023] Image DB 105 (image storage means) is a database that stores image data of images to be printed. Image DB 105 mainly stores image data such as advertisement contents and notices, and image data that has a story-like nature in a plurality of images. The image data in image DB 105 is stored together with an image ID (image identification information) that uniquely identifies each image. Note that image DB 105 does not have to be a database as long as it is a unit that manages image data together with information that uniquely identifies the image data. For example, image DB 105 may be a file system with a hierarchical structure based on directories. In this case, the directory hierarchy and file name are information that uniquely identifies the image data managed by image DB 105. Furthermore, image DB 105 may be configured to exist outside server 102 as long as it can communicate with server 102 via a network such as LAN 103.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the MFP 101. As shown in FIG.

[0025] 2, the MFP 101 includes a control unit 200, a scanner 212, a printer 213, a folding unit 104, and an operation unit 211.

[0026] The control unit 200 is connected to the LAN 103, and includes devices such as a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, a HDD 204, an operation unit I / F 205, a network I / F 206, a scanner I / F 207, a printer I / F 208, and a folding unit I / F 209. These devices are arranged on a system bus 210, and are connected to each other so that they can communicate data with each other.

[0027] The CPU 201 executes various control programs and controls the overall operation of the MFP 101. Specifically, the CPU 201 starts up the MFP 101 based on a boot program stored in the ROM 203. The CPU 201 also reads out a control program stored in the HDD 204 and executes a predetermined process using the RAM 202 as a work area.

[0028] The HDD 204 stores various control programs including functions such as copying and printing, and also stores scan data read from the scanner 212 and print image data received by the network I / F 206 .

[0029] An operation unit I / F 205 controls data input / output communication to / from an operation unit 211 .

[0030] The network I / F 206 is connected to the LAN 103 and controls input and output of information via the LAN 103 .

[0031] A scanner I / F 207 inputs image data from a scanner 212 and also inputs and outputs scanner control data.

[0032] A printer I / F 208 outputs output image data to a printer 213, and also inputs and outputs printer control data.

[0033] A folding unit I / F 209 outputs a paper folding process instruction to the folding unit 104, and also inputs and outputs folding unit control data.

[0034] The operation unit 211 is an interface that includes an input device such as a touch panel or hard keys, and a display device such as an LCD or LED, and that inputs instructions from the user and displays information to the user.

[0035] The scanner 212 includes an optical reading device such as a CCD, and has the function of optically scanning a paper medium and reading it as electronic image data.

[0036] The printer 213 (printing unit) has a function of forming an image from electronic image data on a recording medium such as paper.

[0037] The folding unit 104 is installed after the printer 213 and has a function of folding the paper after the printer 213 forms an image on the paper (folding process). In this embodiment, folding methods can be selected from two folds, saddle Z folds, saddle C folds, and gate-in-four folds. Here, folding in half is a folding method in which the paper is folded in half along the long side. The saddle Z fold is a folding method in which the paper is divided into approximately three equal parts along the long side and the two ends are folded into a Z shape by making valley folds and mountain folds, and the saddle C fold is a folding method in which the paper is divided into approximately three equal parts along the long side and the two outer sides are folded inward. The gate-in-four fold is a folding method in which the paper is divided into approximately four equal parts along the long side and folded in the manner shown in FIG. 13.

[0038] The MFP 101 also has a print function of receiving electronic image data and settings related to printing from an external information processing apparatus such as a server or a PC via a network via the LAN 103 , and printing the data using the printer 213 .

[0039] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server 102. As shown in FIG.

[0040] The server 102 is connected to the MFP 101 via a network such as a LAN 103, and transmits to the MFP 101 image data to be printed on paper and print setting data for that purpose.

[0041] In addition, in FIG. 3, the server 102 includes a control unit 300 , an operation display unit 307 , and an operation input unit 308 .

[0042] The control unit 300 is a control unit connected to the LAN 103, and includes a CPU 301, a RAM 302, a ROM 303, a HDD 304, an operation unit I / F 305, and a network I / F 306. These devices are placed on a system bus 309, and are connected to each other so that they can communicate data with each other.

[0043] The CPU 301 executes various control programs and controls the overall operation of the server 102. Specifically, the CPU 301 reads out control programs stored in the ROM 303 or HDD 304, and executes predetermined processes using the RAM 302 as a work area.

[0044] The HDD 304 stores various control programs such as a printer driver that transmits a print instruction together with image data and print settings to the MFP 101. Image data of the image DB 105 is also stored.

[0045] The operation unit I / F 305 controls data output communication to an operation display unit 307 and data input / output communication from an operation input unit 308 .

[0046] The network I / F 306 controls input and output of information via the LAN 103 .

[0047] The operation display unit 307 is a display output interface for the user, which includes a display device such as an LCD or LED.

[0048] The operation input unit 308 is an interface equipped with input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, for inputting instructions from the user.

[0049] Thereafter, the control unit 300 executes a control program called a printer driver to display a print setting screen 400 (print setting means) on the operation display unit 307 in order to perform print settings for the image data extracted by the user.

[0050] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a print setting screen 400, which is an example of the print setting screen in the present invention.

[0051] The user selects a finishing tab 401t when configuring various settings related to the print process, including the folding process for the printed paper, on this print setting screen 400. This selection switches the display of the print setting screen 400 to a finishing setting screen 401s.

[0052] The finishing setting screen 401s is a screen for setting what kind of processing is to be performed on the paper after printing. The finishing setting screen 401s has a folding setting pull-down 402, an image spread layout designation check 403, a folding detail setting button 404, an OK button 405, and a cancel button 406. Basic settings such as the number of copies and paper size for printing are set on a different setting screen, but a description thereof will be omitted.

[0053] The folding setting pull-down 402 (paper folding type designation means) is a pull-down menu for setting the type of folding process to be performed on the printed paper. In addition to the option of "Saddle C fold" shown in the figure, other folding types such as "2-fold", "Saddle Z fold", and "Four-fold" can be designated. If no folding process is to be performed on the printed paper, the folding setting pull-down 402 should remain set to the default setting of "Not set".

[0054] The image spread layout designation check 403 is a checkbox for setting whether or not to designate an image to be printed on the display surface of the spread when the fold is unfolded for the type of fold set in the fold setting pull-down 402. The image spread layout designation check 403 is enabled and can be set when some folding process is specified in the fold setting pull-down 402.

[0055] The folding details setting button 404 is a button for displaying a more detailed setting screen for the folding process (folding details setting screen 500). The folding details setting screen 500 will be described later with reference to Fig. 5. The folding details setting button 404 is also enabled and can be pressed when any folding process is specified in the folding setting pull-down 402.

[0056] An OK button 405 is a button for confirming the print-related settings made on the print setting screen 400 and executing the print process.

[0057] A cancel button 406 is a button for closing the print setting screen 400 without confirming the settings related to printing made on the print setting screen 400.

[0058] The finishing setting screen 401s may further include an image centering button and an image maximization button. These buttons are radio buttons (print setting UI) that specify how to arrange the images to be printed within the double-page spread display surface when the image double-page spread layout specification check 403 is checked.

[0059] The image center placement button is a button that allows the user to specify that the image should be placed in the center of the display surface of the spread. Note that if the original size of the image to be placed is large and the image would extend beyond the display surface of the spread if placed in the center of the fold as is, the protruding portion of the image will be trimmed.

[0060] The image maximization button is a button that allows the user to specify that the image be arranged so as to be maximized within the display surface of the double-page spread.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a folding details setting screen 500, which is an example of a print setting details screen in the present invention.

[0062] The folding details setting screen 500 is displayed when the folding details setting button 404 is pressed on the print setting screen 400. The folding details setting screen 500 specifies more detailed settings for the type of folding specified on the folding settings pull-down 402 on the print setting screen 400. Therefore, on the folding details setting screen 500, the contents of the setting items differ depending on the type of folding specified on the folding settings pull-down 402. FIG. 5 shows, as an example, the folding details setting screen 500 when the folding type of "saddle C fold" is set on the folding settings pull-down 402 and the image double page layout specification check 403 is checked.

[0063] The folding details setting screen 500 has pattern selection buttons 501 to 504, an OK button 509, and a cancel button 510.

[0064] Pattern selection buttons 501 to 504 (image arrangement pattern designation means) are radio buttons for the user to designate one of patterns (image arrangement patterns) 1 to 4 that indicate the folding method and image arrangement method when arranging images on the double-page spread in saddle C folding. In other words, the user selects one of the pattern selection buttons 501 to 504. The pattern selection buttons 501 to 504 show illustrations that represent the respective folding methods and image arrangement methods.

[0065] The content and number of selectable pattern illustrations will vary depending on the double-sided / single-sided setting, the print paper orientation setting, etc., but a detailed explanation will be omitted here. Here, an example is shown in which double-sided printing is set and the print paper orientation is landscape.

[0066] Pattern selection buttons 501 and 502 indicate patterns 1 and 2 for folding in a saddle C fold setting, in which the right folded surface of the paper is folded over the left folded surface of the paper.

[0067] Pattern selection buttons 503 and 504 show patterns 3 and 4, in which a saddle C fold is set so that the left folded surface of the paper overlaps the right folded surface of the paper.

[0068] Furthermore, pattern selection buttons 501 and 503 indicate a pattern in which the first of three pieces of image data that are ordered and instructed to be printed, as described later in FIG. 6, are arranged on the front and back sides of a folded sheet of paper.

[0069] Pattern selection buttons 502 and 504 indicate a pattern in which the third image data of three image data which are ordered and instructed to be printed as described later in FIG. 6 is arranged on the front and back sides of a folded sheet of paper.

[0070] Furthermore, taking as an example a case where the user selects pattern selection button 501 for image arrangement, illustrations 505 and 506 represent the arrangement of the first image data that has been instructed to be printed on the front and back sides of the paper when folded in thirds. "1L" in illustration 505 represents the left side of the first image data being arranged on the front side of the paper when folded in thirds. Also, "1R" in illustration 506 represents the right side of the first image being arranged on the back side of the paper when folded in thirds.

[0071] Illustration 507 shows the state when the first fold is unfolded from the state of the paper in illustration 505. In this state, it shows that the second image data that is instructed to be printed is placed on the apparent display surface. Specifically, the left side of the second image data is placed in the "2L" portion shown in illustration 507 of the paper, and the right side of the second image data is placed in the "2R" portion shown in illustration 507 of the paper.

[0072] Illustration 508 shows the state when the second fold is unfolded from the state of the paper in illustration 507. In this state, the third image data for which printing is instructed is placed on the apparent display surface that is displayed by unfolding. Specifically, the left side of the third image data is placed in the "3L" portion shown in illustration 508 of the paper, and the right side of the third image data is placed in the "3R" portion shown in illustration 508 of the paper.

[0073] The user selects one of these pattern selection buttons 501 to 504 to select a desired folding method and image arrangement pattern from among patterns 1 to 4.

[0074] An OK button 509 is a button for confirming the selection made on this folding details setting screen 500 and closing this screen.

[0075] The cancel button 510 is a button for closing this folding details setting screen 500 without confirming the selection made on this screen.

[0076] A user who has made print settings, including settings for post-print folding processing, on the print setting screen 400 and the folding detail setting screen 500 executes printing by selecting an OK button 405 on the print setting screen 400.

[0077] Next, in order to explain the relationship between folding specifications in the present invention and the layout of image data in a printed matter, an example of image data and a printed matter with folding specifications will be shown.

[0078] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing image data 601 to 603, which are examples of three pieces of image data to be printed in pattern 1 of the folding detail setting screen 500 in FIG.

[0079] Image data 601 to 603 are image data selected by the user from the image DB 105. Here, three image data are selected by the user to be printed on paper that will be printed in pattern 1 and then folded in saddle C-folding.

[0080] Moreover, image data 602 and 603 are examples of advertisement content with a story. Advertisement content often has a story-like quality, where some problem or dissatisfaction is first raised and then a product or service that solves the problem is presented. Here, the image data 602 and then the image data 603 are set to be displayed in sequence in a two-page spread by unfolding the saddle-C folded paper.

[0081] The following describes a case where the user orders the image data 601, 602, and 603 to be printed in that order, selects "Saddle C fold" as the fold setting (FIG. 4), and "Pattern 1" as the detailed fold setting (FIG. 5).

[0082] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a printout obtained by printing using Pattern 1 on the folding detail setting screen of FIG.

[0083] Print data 701 and 702 are print data generated by control unit 200 of MFP 101 for printing on paper. For the sake of simplicity, print data 701 and 702 are data equivalent to the same size as the paper to be printed on, and are printed on paper at this size.

[0084] Also, for the sake of simplicity, the following description will be given assuming that the paper is folded into three equal parts along the long side when performing Saddle C folding. However, in reality, the initial value of the folding position is set so that the inner fold in the Saddle C folding is slightly shorter, taking into account the interference of the folded paper, and the user can further change the folding position by adjusting the folding position. Details of the layout of the image data resulting from these changes in folding position will be described later.

[0085] Folding positions 706 and 707 and folding positions 708 and 709 indicate folding positions in print data 701 and 702, respectively. Folding positions 706 and 707 are equal divisions that divide print data 701 into thirds in the long side direction. Similarly, folding positions 708 and 709 are equal divisions that divide print data 702 into thirds in the long side direction.

[0086] Print data 701 is data to be printed on the front side of the paper, which will be the inside side when folded using a saddle C fold. Meanwhile, print data 702 is data to be printed on the back side of the paper, which will be the outside side when folded using a saddle C fold.

[0087] The user selects the pattern selection button 501, and pattern 1 is selected as the folding details setting. Therefore, the left two-thirds of the print data 701 becomes the area displayed by the second folding and development, and the third image data 603 is maximized and laid out in its entirety in this area. At this time, the layout is performed so that the folding position 707 is at the center in the left-right direction, and so that the image data 603 is at the center position relative to the short side of the paper in the up-down direction.

[0088] Next, from this print data 701, image data 602 is maximized and laid out on the apparent display surface (folded state 705) created by folding the paper at folding position 707. That is, a part of the image data 602, i.e., the right half image data 602R (FIG. 7(a)), is laid out to the right of folding position 706 of the print data 701. Meanwhile, the remaining part of the image data 602, i.e., the left half image data 602L (FIG. 7(b)), is laid out to the right of folding position 708 of the print data 702. When the long side of the paper is divided into thirds and a saddle C fold is performed, the part of the print data 702 to the right of folding position 708 is folded back, and the right side of the print data 702 (the left side of the print data 701) and the folding position 706 of the print data 701 coincide with each other. In this case, the layout is performed so that the folding position 706 and the left side of the image data 602R coincide, and the right side of the print data 702 and the right side of the image data 602L coincide. In the vertical direction, the layout is performed so that the image data 602 is at the center position with respect to the short side of the paper.

[0089] Furthermore, the image data 601 is laid out to the left of the folding position 708 of the print data 702 so as to be maximized. At this time, the image data 601 is laid out so that the folding position 709 is at the center in the left-right direction, and the image data 601 is at the center position with respect to the short side of the paper in the up-down direction. Also, when the pattern selection button 501 (pattern 1) is selected by the user, the portion of the print data 702 to the left of the folding position 708 corresponds to the front side (folded state 703) and the back side (folded state 704) in the state of being folded in a saddle C fold. Therefore, the image data 601 is equally divided left and right, and a part of it, that is, the right half image data 601R, is laid out between the left side of the print data 702 and the folding position 709. Also, the remaining portion of the image data 601, that is, the left half image data 601L, is laid out between the folding positions 709 and 708. In this example, the image data 601 is not divided, that is, no margin is provided between the image data 601R and 601L, and the image data 601 is laid out so that the folding position 709 is in the center of the left and right sides.

[0090] The following diagrams will be used to explain how the printed output will look when folded when print data 701 and 702 are generated in this way. Here, too, the folding setting is set to "Saddle C Fold" (Fig. 4), the detailed folding setting is set to "Pattern 1" (Fig. 5), and for simplicity, the long side of the paper is divided into thirds before folding.

[0091] Folded state 703 shows the appearance of the front side of a printout folded in three. This corresponds to illustration 505 in pattern 1 of Fig. 5, and the left half of image data 601 is printed.

[0092] Folded state 704 shows the appearance of the back of the printed product folded in three. This is how the printed product of folded state 703 looks when turned over. This corresponds to illustration 506 in pattern 1 of Figure 5, and the right half of the image data 601 is printed.

[0093] Folded state 705 shows the appearance of the printout when the first fold is unfolded from folded state 703. It corresponds to illustration 507 in pattern 1 of Fig. 5, and the left half of folded state 705 has overlapping paper, which makes the entire image data 602 appear as a single image data.

[0094] If a second fold is made from this folded state 705, the result will be the same appearance as the print data 701.

[0095] In this way, when the first fold is unfolded, image data 602 appears to be printed on the opening, and when the second fold is unfolded, image data 603 appears to be printed on the opening. In this way, when the image data 602 and 603 have a continuous story-like content, the order in which the folds are unfolded can be made to match the order of the story, making it possible to more effectively display image data such as advertising content.

[0096] Next, the layout of image data when folding is performed without equally dividing the long side of the paper and when the folding position is changed by folding position adjustment will be described.

[0097] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a folding position adjustment screen 800, which is an example of the folding position adjustment screen in the present invention.

[0098] Folding position adjustment screen 800 is a screen that is displayed on operation unit 211 by control unit 200 (paper folding position adjustment designation means) of MFP 101 executing a setting value management control program. On this folding position adjustment screen 800, the user designates fine adjustment of the folding position for the paper folding process. The fine adjustment of the folding position can be set independently for each size of paper to be folded and for each fold type of the folding process. Fig. 8 shows an example of the adjustment screen when the paper size is A4 and the fold type is saddle C fold.

[0099] The folding position adjustment screen 800 has an upper surface position adjustment value 801 , a lower surface position adjustment value 804 , decrease buttons 802 and 805 , increase buttons 803 and 806 , an OK button 808 , and a cancel button 807 .

[0100] The upper surface position adjustment value 801 indicates a value that adjusts how much the folding position of the upper surface of the overlap in the saddle C fold is shifted from a specified value. The value of this upper surface position adjustment value 801 can be adjusted by using a decrease button 802 and an increase button 803.

[0101] The lower surface position adjustment value 804 indicates a numerical value for adjusting how much the folding position of the lower surface of the overlap in the saddle C fold is shifted from a specified value. The numerical value of this lower surface position adjustment value 804 can be adjusted by using a decrease button 805 and an increase button 806.

[0102] The numerical values ​​of these top surface position adjustment value 801 and bottom surface position adjustment value 804 are limited by the upper and lower limits of the folding position of a triple fold that can be mechanically achieved by the folding unit 104, and cannot be set to values ​​above the upper limit or below the lower limit. This makes it possible to prevent the edge of the folded part below the paper from overlapping with the folding position of the top surface and folding it on the inside, even if the top surface position adjustment value 801 is set to the maximum value and the bottom surface position adjustment value 804 is set to the minimum value.

[0103] An OK button 808 is a button for confirming the settings made on this folding position adjustment screen 800 and closing this screen.

[0104] A cancel button 807 is a button for closing this folding position adjustment screen 800 without confirming the settings made on this screen.

[0105] The preview button 809 is a button for displaying a preview image of a printout obtained with the settings made on this folding position adjustment screen 800.

[0106] When instructed to print with folding processing that places an image on the folding surface, the control unit 200 of the MFP 101 executes the image layout and folding processing in the print data, taking into account the folding position adjustment value set on this folding position adjustment screen 800.

[0107] Next, the image data and the printed matter specified for folding when the folding position is adjusted on the folding position adjustment screen 800 will be described.

[0108] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a detailed preview image 900, which is an example of a detailed preview screen that is displayed when the preview button 809 in FIG. 8 is pressed.

[0109] When preview button 809 is pressed, control unit 200 (detailed preview image generating means / detailed preview image display means) generates and displays a detailed preview image of the display surface that reflects the folding position adjustment values ​​for each unfolded fold.

[0110] The forward button 910 and the back button 909 are buttons for switching the display when there are multiple detailed preview images of multiple folding states to be displayed. The forward button 910 switches the display in the forward direction, and the back button 909 switches the display in the reverse direction.

[0111] Detailed preview image 900 is an image showing the folded state 705 (FIG. 7) of the print result, and the folding position has been changed from the initial value by the folding position adjustment screen in FIG. 8. For simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that the print data is the same size as the paper to be printed on, and that the data is printed on the paper as is. Also, the change in folding position adjustment will be described assuming that bottom surface position adjustment value 804 on folding position adjustment screen 800 is set to some positive value between 0 and the upper limit value.

[0112] Paper position 901 is the reference position for the bottom surface folding position that is the inside of the paper to be folded in thirds, and is the position set as the initial value. In the explanation of Fig. 7, the paper is divided into thirds, but in reality, the position is set slightly toward the left edge of the paper from the third division to take into account overlapping of the paper. Length 902 is the length of bottom surface position adjustment value 804 set on folding position adjustment screen 800.

[0113] Paper position 903 is the actual bottom folding position for the paper, and in this case, it is a position moved toward the left edge of the paper by the amount of length 902 from paper position 901. The area from paper position 903 to the right edge of the paper becomes the apparent display surface that is displayed when the first fold is unfolded, and image data 602 is maximized here and laid out so that it is centered vertically and horizontally. The vertical magnification is calculated based on the length of the short side of the paper, and the horizontal magnification is calculated based on the length of the paper minus the length from the left edge of the paper to length 903. The smaller of these two calculated magnifications is the actual magnification.

[0114] Furthermore, since the left side of the image data 602 is printed on the folded-back portion of the paper, it is necessary to divide the image data into left and right halves. The following describes at what position the image is divided in the left-right direction (width direction).

[0115] Paper position 904 is the position where the left edge of the paper overlaps when the left side of the paper is folded back at paper position 903 .

[0116] Length 905 is the length of the folded back portion of the bottom surface of the paper folded in thirds, and is the length from the left edge of the paper to paper position 903 .

[0117] Length 906 is the length from paper position 904, which is the overlapping position of the left edge of the paper, to the right edge of the paper when the fold of the top fold in three is unfolded, and is the length obtained by subtracting twice the length 905 from the paper length. At this time, image data 602 is divided so that the ratio of length 907 (width of image data 602L of the left half of image data 602) to length 908 (width of image data 602R of the right half of image data 602) is the same as the ratio of length 905 to length 906. Furthermore, the left side of image data 602R is laid out in the print data so that it matches the right side of image data 602L (right edge of the paper). Similarly, the right side of image data 602L is laid out in the print data so that it matches the left side of image data 602R (paper position 904). This allows the image data to be maximized and centered in the vertical and horizontal directions on the apparent display surface displayed when the first fold in three is unfolded, even if the bottom fold position is adjusted.

[0118] The layout of the image data 603 when the second fold is unfolded may be such that the image data 603 is laid out on a display surface twice the length 905, with the paper position 903 at the center.

[0119] Even if the top folding position is adjusted, the image data 602 can be divided and arranged in a similar manner.

[0120] Next, a method for previewing the print data 701 and 702 shown in FIG. 7 will be described.

[0121] FIG. 10 shows print preview screens 1001 to 1006, which are examples of print preview screens in the present invention.

[0122] Print preview screens 1001-1006 are screens that are displayed on operation unit 211 by control unit 200 of MFP 101 executing a setting value management control program. When MFP 101 receives a print request from server 102, and if the print setting values ​​included in the print request include a preview display setting, print preview screens 1001-1006 are displayed before printing is performed. A user can check the contents of the print data to be printed on paper using print preview screens 1001-1006. For the sake of explanation, the print data displayed on print preview screens 1001-1006 is print data 701 and 702 in FIG. 7, and the folding settings and detailed folding settings are also the same as those described in FIG. 7.

[0123] Preview images 1007-1012 are images showing what the printed paper will look like, and are displayed in the center of each print preview screen 1001-1006.

[0124] The next button 1014 and the previous button 1013 (first and second image forward instruction means) are buttons for switching the display to one of multiple images when there are multiple images to be previewed, such as the front and back of a page, multiple folding states, etc. Here, the preview images 1007 to 1012 are switched in the forward direction by the next button 1014, and in the reverse direction by the previous button 1013.

[0125] A zoom-in button 1015 and a zoom-out button 1016 are buttons for enlarging and reducing the display of the preview images 1007 to 1012, respectively.

[0126] The print button 1017 is a button for executing the printing and folding process of all the print data displayed on the print preview screen.

[0127] The cancel button 1018 is a button for closing the print preview screens 1001 to 1006.

[0128] The fold and unfold display button 1019 and the page display button 1020 (preview display switching means) are buttons for switching the display method of the preview image on the print preview screen. These buttons are displayed on the print preview screens 1001 to 1006 when the user sets a fold in the fold setting pull-down 402 on the print setting screen 400 and checks the image double-page spread layout specification check 403.

[0129] Preview images 1007 to 1012 include images in two display methods, page display and fold-and-unfold display. Preview images 1007 and 1008 are images displayed in a page display display method that displays a preview image for each page (back and front print surfaces) of the paper to be printed. On the other hand, preview images 1009 to 1012 are images displayed in a fold-and-unfold display display method that displays a preview image for each display surface of the appearance when the set folds are unfolded.

[0130] Print preview screens 1001 and 1002 are screens for displaying preview images 1007 and 1008 which perform page display, and print preview screens 1003 to 1006 are screens for displaying preview images 1009 to 1012 which perform folded and unfolded display.

[0131] The fold and unfold display button 1019 and the page display button 1020 are toggle buttons. When the fold and unfold display button 1019 of the print preview screens 1001 and 1002, which are in the page display state, is pressed, the screen display switches to the print preview screen 1003, which is in the fold and unfold display state. On the other hand, when the page display button 1020 of the print preview screens 1003 to 1006, which are in the fold and unfold display state, is pressed, the screen display switches to the print preview screen 1001, which is in the page display state.

[0132] Preview images 1007 and 1008 displayed on print preview screens 1001 and 1002, respectively, are screens for showing print data to be printed on paper, and are the same as the print data 701 and 702 shown in FIG.

[0133] Pressing the next button 1014 and the back button 1013 switches between preview image 1007 and preview image 1008. Preview images 1009 to 1012 displayed on print preview screens 1003 to 1006 respectively show the display surface when the folds are unfolded in order, and are the same as the folding states 703 and 705, the print data 701, and the folding state 704 shown in FIG.

[0134] First, when the user presses the folded and unfolded display button 1019 on either of the print preview screens 1001 and 1002 to switch the preview image to the folded and unfolded display, the screen switches to the print preview screen 1003, and a preview image 1009 is displayed. The preview image 1009 is an image showing the appearance of the front side of the printed matter when it is all folded with the specified folding settings (here, saddle C fold), and has the same appearance as the folded state 703.

[0135] Next, when the user presses the forward button 1014 on the print preview screen 1003, the screen switches to the print preview screen 1004, and a preview image 1010 is displayed. The preview image 1010 is an image showing the appearance of the printout with the first fold unfolded with the specified folding settings (here, saddle C fold), and has the same appearance as the folded state 705.

[0136] Furthermore, when the user presses the forward button 1014 on the print preview screen 1004, the screen switches to a print preview screen 1005, and a preview image 1011 is displayed. The print preview screen 1005 is an image showing the appearance of the printout with the second fold unfolded with the specified fold setting (here, saddle C fold), and has the same appearance as the print data 701.

[0137] In this way, in the fold development display, in printing for which folding is specified, it is possible to check the appearance of the printed matter when the folds are developed in order from a state in which all the paper is folded. This makes it easy to check whether image data having some kind of story-like content, such as image data 602 and 603, is displayed in the correct order and arrangement according to the development of the folds. Note that even when the preview button 809 in Fig. 8 is pressed to display the detailed preview screen in Fig. 9, it is also possible to make it possible to check the appearance of the printed matter when the folds are developed in order from a state in which all the paper is folded by pressing the feed button 910.

[0138] Conventionally, only preview images 1007 and 1008 were displayed on print preview screens 1001 and 1002. Therefore, when the folds were unfolded, the user had to imagine the folds three-dimensionally or actually print them out, through trial and error, to determine whether the image data 602 and 603 were correctly laid out on the display surface. In contrast, in the present invention, for printing with a specified fold, the appearance of the printed matter is displayed as a preview image in the order of fold unfolding, so that it is possible to efficiently print content in which images that tell a story are displayed in sequence as the folds are unfolded.

[0139] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the print setting process which is the server side process of the print process according to the present invention.

[0140] Each step in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is processed by CPU 301 executing a control program stored in HDD 304 in control unit 300.

[0141] First, control unit 300 waits for an instruction input from operation input unit 308 (step S1101), and if there is no instruction input from operation input unit 308 (NO in step S1102), the process returns to step S1101. On the other hand, if there is an instruction input from operation input unit 308 (YES in step S1102), the process proceeds to step S1103.

[0142] In step S1103, control unit 300 determines whether the instruction input is an instruction input for image data. Specifically, the instruction input here refers to an operation in which an image selection screen that displays images in image DB 105 so that the user can select them is displayed on operation input unit 308, and the user selects image data 601-603 from the image selection screen. If the instruction input is not an instruction input for image data (NO in step S1103), the process proceeds to step S1105. On the other hand, if the instruction input is an instruction input for image data (YES in step S1103), the process proceeds to step S1104.

[0143] In step S1104, the control unit 300 (image acquisition means) acquires from the image DB 105 the actual data of the image data that has been instructed and input.

[0144] Next, in step S1105, control unit 300 determines whether the instruction input from operation input unit 308 is an instruction input related to print settings. If the instruction input is not related to print settings (NO in step S1105), the process returns to step S1101. On the other hand, if the instruction input is related to print settings (YES in step S1105), the process proceeds to step S1106.

[0145] In step S1106, control unit 300 determines whether the instruction input regarding the print settings is an instruction input regarding the folding settings. Specifically, the instruction input here is a specification input in folding setting pull-down 402 on print setting screen 400, or a selection of pattern selection buttons 501-504 on folding detail setting screen 500. If there is no instruction input regarding the folding settings (NO in step S1106), the process proceeds to step S1108. On the other hand, if the instruction input is regarding the folding settings (YES in step S1106), the process proceeds to step S1107.

[0146] In step S1107, the control unit 300 (type designation means) updates (designates) the currently set folding settings to the contents of the folding settings (folding type and image arrangement pattern) that have been specified (step S1107). Depending on the contents of the folding settings that have been specified, the control unit 300 performs processing to display or not display the finishing setting screen 401s and the folding detail setting screen 500.

[0147] Next, control unit 300 determines whether the instruction input from operation input unit 308 is an instruction regarding other print settings other than the folding settings (step S1108). If it is not an instruction regarding other print settings (NO in step S1108), the process proceeds to step S1110. On the other hand, if it is an instruction regarding other print settings other than the folding settings (YES in step S1108), the process proceeds to step S1109.

[0148] In step S1109, control unit 300 updates the currently set other print settings to the contents of the other print settings that have been specified and input. Here, the other print settings include basic settings related to printing, such as the number of copies and the print paper size.

[0149] Furthermore, control unit 300 determines whether the instruction input from operation input unit 308 is a print execution instruction (step S1110). Specifically, it determines whether OK button 405 on print setting screen 400 has been pressed. If it is not a print execution instruction (NO in step S1110), the process returns to step S1101. On the other hand, if it is a print execution instruction (YES in step S1110), the process proceeds to step S1111.

[0150] In step S1111, control unit 300 (print request sending means) confirms the print settings, generates a print request including the updated print settings and the image data acquired in step S1104, and sends this to MFP 101 (step S1111), thereby completing this process.

[0151] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the print / fold execution process which is the MFP-side process of the print process according to the present invention.

[0152] 12 is processed by CPU 201 executing a control program stored in HDD 204 in control unit 200. Here, the flow of print processing in MFP 101 will be described, and a description of the setting processing in folding position adjustment screen 800 will be omitted.

[0153] First, the control unit 200 (print request receiving means) waits for a print request via a network such as the LAN 103 (step S1201), and determines whether or not a print request has been received from the server 102 via the network (step S1202). If a print request has not been received (NO in step S1202), the process returns to step S1201. On the other hand, if a print request has been received (YES in step S1202), the process proceeds to step S1203.

[0154] In step S 1203 , the control unit 200 receives the print setting values ​​and image data transmitted together with the print request, and temporarily stores them in the RAM 202 or the HDD 204 .

[0155] Furthermore, the control unit 200 judges whether or not the received print setting value includes an image spread layout setting (step S1204). Specifically, if the image spread layout designation check 403 on the print setting screen 400 is checked and the setting to arrange the image on the display surface of the spread when the fold is unfolded is enabled, it is judged that some type of folding is specified. In this case, it is further judged that an instruction has been given to arrange the image data according to the spread surface of the folded and unfolded paper, rather than on the entire print paper. If there is no image spread layout setting (NO in step S1204), the process proceeds to step S1210 to print the image data on the entire print paper. On the other hand, if there is an image spread layout setting (YES in step S1204), the process proceeds to step S1205.

[0156] In step S1205, the control unit 200 calculates the folding position according to the type of folding process and paper size included in the received print settings, and calculates a numerical range that can be set as the folding position adjustment value. The control unit 200 then displays the folding position adjustment screen 800 showing the calculated results, and acquires the folding position adjustment value based on a user input on this screen. The folding position adjustment value is a setting value for fine-tuning the folding position set by the user on the folding position adjustment screen 800 displayed on the operation unit 211 at this time. From the print settings acquired in step S1203, a folding position adjustment setting value corresponding to the print paper size and folding setting type is acquired.

[0157] Next, the control unit 200 (image layout means) changes the size of the image data and divides the image data (step S1206). This is done by taking into consideration the paper size and fold type in the print settings, as well as the setting value for adjusting the fold position, in order to determine the size of the image on each spread. Furthermore, the image data to be placed on the spread that requires image division is divided at a ratio determined from the fold position and paper size, also as explained in FIG. 9.

[0158] Next, the control unit 200 (image layout means) lays out the image data and the divided image data to generate print data (step S1207). As explained in Figures 7 and 9, the image data is laid out so that it is centered on the spread surface, and the divided image data is laid out so that it is aligned with the edge or folding position of the paper. This generates print data such as the print data 701 and 702 in Figure 7.

[0159] Furthermore, control unit 200 determines whether or not a preview setting is set in the received print setting values ​​(step S1208). If a preview setting is set (YES in step S1208), the process proceeds to step S1211. On the other hand, if a preview setting is not set (NO in step S1208), the process proceeds to step S1209.

[0160] In step S1209, the control unit 200 actually prints the generated print data onto paper. If a folding process is included in the print settings, the folding process is executed according to the set folding type. Then, the process ends.

[0161] Meanwhile, in step S1210, the control unit 200 lays out the image data relative to the paper size to generate print data. Since step S1210 is a step executed when the image spread layout setting is not set (NO in step S1204), the control unit 200 lays out each image data so that it is arranged one by one on the paper size to generate print data. This is the same process as normal printing that is unrelated to the present invention, so a description thereof will be omitted. Then, the control unit 200 executes the process of step S1208.

[0162] In step S1211, control unit 200 (first preview image generating means) generates a preview image and displays a print preview screen. The preview image is generated by performing image size conversion for screen display based on the print data generated in step S1207 or step S1210. Specifically, preview images such as those shown as preview image 1007 and preview image 1008 are generated here. Also, the print preview screen here displays a screen equivalent to print preview screen 1001, but does not display fold and unfold display button 1019.

[0163] Next, in step S1212, control unit 200 determines whether or not the image spread layout setting is set in the received print setting value. If the image spread layout setting is not set (NO in step S1212), the process proceeds to step S1214. On the other hand, if the image spread layout setting is set (YES in step S1212), the process proceeds to step S1213.

[0164] In step S1213, control unit 200 (second preview image generating means) generates a preview image for a print preview screen that displays a folded and unfolded document. Also, on the print preview screen displayed in step S1211, folded and unfolded document display button 1019 and page display button 1020 are displayed. The preview images generated here are the images shown in preview images 1009 to 1012, and are generated by converting the image size and dividing the image data based on the print data generated in step S1207. That is, in step S1213, the preview images are generated by dividing the image data and using the layout method as described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 9.

[0165] Next, control unit 200 waits for an input from operation unit 211 (step S1214), and if there is no instruction input from operation unit 211 (NO in step S1215), the process returns to step S1214. On the other hand, if there is an input from operation unit 211 (YES in step S1215), the process proceeds to step S1216.

[0166] In step S1216, control unit 200 determines whether the input from operation unit 211 is an instruction to switch the display method (step S1216). Specifically, it determines whether either fold and unfold display button 1019 or page display button 1020 has been pressed. If the input is not an instruction to switch the display method (NO in step S1216), the process moves to step S1217. On the other hand, if the input is an instruction to switch the display method (YES in step S1216), the process moves to step S1209.

[0167] In step S1217, control unit 200 (preview image display means) switches the display of the print preview screen. That is, the display method of the print preview screen is switched to one of page display and unfolded display. For example, in the example of FIG. 7, when one of print preview screens 1001, 1002 having unfolded display button 1019 is displayed, it switches to print preview screen 1003 in response to pressing of fold and unfolded display button 1019. On the other hand, when one of print preview screens 1003 to 1006 having page display button 1020 is displayed, it switches to print preview screen 1001 in response to pressing of page display button 1020.

[0168] Next, control unit 200 determines whether the input from operation unit 211 is a print instruction input (step S1218). Specifically, it determines whether the input is an instruction to press print button 1017 in FIG. 10. If it is a print instruction input (YES in step S1218), the process moves to step S1209 and executes printing. On the other hand, if it is not a print instruction input (NO in step S1218), the process moves to step S1219.

[0169] In step S1219, control unit 200 determines whether the input from operation unit 211 is a print cancel instruction input. Specifically, it determines whether the input is an instruction to press cancel button 1018 in Fig. 10. If it is a print cancel instruction input (YES in step S1219), the process moves to step S1222. On the other hand, if it is not a print cancel instruction input (NO in step S1219), the process moves to step S1220.

[0170] In step S1220, control unit 200 determines whether the input from operation unit 211 is an instruction input regarding other operations. Specifically, it determines whether the input is an instruction to press forward button 1014, back button 1013, zoom-in button 1015, or zoom-out button 1016 in Fig. 10. If the input is not an instruction input regarding other operations (NO in step S1220), the process returns to step S1214. On the other hand, if the input is an instruction input regarding other operations (YES in step S1220), the process proceeds to step S1221.

[0171] In step S1221, the control unit 200 switches the screen display in accordance with the instruction. Specifically, the control unit 200 switches the preview image and enlarges or reduces the image, but details are omitted. Then, the process returns to step S1214.

[0172] In step S1222, the control unit 200 executes a process to cancel printing, and then closes the print preview screen to end this process.

[0173] In this way, the present invention makes it possible to easily associate image data, taking into account the display order, with the display surface that is seen when the folded printed matter is unfolded in order. It also makes it possible to easily check before printing how the image data is associated with the display surface that is seen when the folded matter is unfolded. This makes it possible to efficiently create printed matter such as pamphlets and direct mail that display images that tell a story according to the folding order.

[0174] (Modification) In the above embodiment, the operation display unit 307 of the server 102 is used to input the various instructions in FIG. 11, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration as long as the user can input the various instructions in FIG. 11. For example, the image selection screen, print setting screen 400 (FIG. 4), and folding detailed setting screen 500 (FIG. 5) transmitted from the server 102 may be displayed on the operation display unit of a PC 102' (not shown) that can communicate with the server 102. In this case, the user inputs the various instructions in FIG. 11 using the operation display unit of the PC 102', and the contents of the various input instructions are transmitted to the server 102. In addition, the server 102 updates the folding settings, updates the print settings of the PC 102' and others, and generates a print request (steps S1107, S1109, S1111) in response to the various input instructions from the PC 102'.

[0175] In the above embodiment, the print setting screen (FIG. 4), print setting details screen (FIG. 5), and print preview screen (FIG. 10) are displayed on MFP 101, but the present invention is not limited to this as long as the configuration allows a preview of the resulting printout before printing. For example, these screens may be generated by control unit 300 of server 102 in accordance with the contents of a print request before the print request is transmitted from server 102. In this case, control unit 300 (preview image display means) may display the print preview screen on server 102 (or PC 102'). In such a configuration, a preview button is provided on print setting screen 400 for previewing a printout obtained with the print settings made by the user.

[0176] Since generating the preview images 1009 to 1012 imposes a high processing load, when the print preview screen is displayed on the MFP 101 (or PC 102'), the image data may be generated by the server 102 and transmitted to the MFP 101 (or PC 102').

[0177] In the above embodiment, the folding type is a saddle C fold, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, it is sufficient that a printout having three or more images laid out is folded in three or more, and the order in which the folds are unfolded gives the printed content a story-like quality, thereby enhancing the advertising effect and appeal. For example, the folding type may be a gate-fold in four as shown in FIG. 13. Note that FIG. 13 shows only one example of an image allocation pattern, but it is preferable to configure the user to be able to select from a plurality of patterns, similar to patterns 1 to 4 (FIG. 5) in the saddle C fold.

[0178] (Other embodiments) In this embodiment, a program for implementing one or more functions may be provided to a computer of the system or device via a network or storage medium, and the system controller of the system or device may read and execute the program. The system controller may have one or more processors or circuits, and may include multiple separate system controllers or a network of multiple separate processors or circuits to read and execute the executable instructions.

[0179] The processor or circuitry may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), a data flow processor (DFP), or a neural processing unit (NPU).

[0180] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0181] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. (Configuration 1) An image forming system that connects an information processing device and an image forming device having a printing unit that prints different print data on both sides of a sheet of paper and a paper folding unit that physically folds the paper printed by the printing unit so that they can communicate with each other, wherein the information processing device comprises: an image acquisition means for acquiring three or more pieces of image data; a paper folding type designation means for designating a type of paper folding; a display surface that shows the appearance of the paper when the paper is folded by a folding process of the designated type of paper folding, including the overlap of the paper that is visible when the folds are unfolded from the folded state; and an image arrangement pattern designation means for designating an image arrangement pattern that shows the allocation of the three or more pieces of image data acquired to the display surface; and a print request sending means for sending a print request to the image forming device that includes the three or more pieces of image data acquired, the designated type of paper folding, and the designated image arrangement pattern, wherein the image forming device comprises: a print request receiving means for receiving the print request, and an image layout means for generating print data in which all or a part of each of the three or more pieces of image data is laid out on each display surface according to the designated image arrangement pattern included in the received print request. (Configuration 2) The image forming system described in Configuration 1, characterized in that the image forming device further includes a paper folding position adjustment designation means for fine-tuning the folding position of the specified paper folding type, and the image layout means generates print data in which all or part of the acquired three or more image data are laid out for each display surface in accordance with the image arrangement pattern, taking into account the fine-tuned folding position. (Configuration 3) The image forming system according to Configuration 2, further comprising: a first preview image generating means for generating a preview image for each printing surface of a paper on which the generated print data is printed; a second preview image generating means for generating a preview image of an appearance of a display surface including overlapping of the paper generated by folding processing with the specified paper folding type from the generated print data for each folding and unfolding; a preview display switching means for switching whether to display a preview image for each printing surface or a preview image of each appearance of the display surface generated for each folding and unfolding; and a preview image display means for displaying the preview image switched by the preview display switching means. (Configuration 4) The image forming system described in Configuration 3, characterized in that the preview image display means includes a first image advance instruction means for switching the display to one of the preview images for each printing side in response to a user operation, and a second image advance instruction means for switching the display to one of the preview images for each appearance display side in response to a user operation, and when the preview display switching means switches from the preview image for each printing side to a preview image for each appearance display side, the second image advance instruction means displays the preview image for each appearance display side in response to a user operation in the order in which the folds are unfolded from a fully folded state in accordance with the specified image arrangement pattern. (Configuration 5) The image forming system according to configuration 3 or 4, wherein the information processing device comprises the first preview image generating means, the second preview image generating means, the preview display switching means, and the preview image display means. (Configuration 6) The image forming system according to configuration 3 or 4, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises the first preview image generating means, the second preview image generating means, the preview display switching means, and the preview image display means. (Configuration 7) The image forming system described in any one of configurations 3 to 6, wherein the image forming device further comprises a detailed preview image generating means for generating a detailed preview image of the appearance display surface reflecting the fine-tuned folding position for each folding and unfolding, and a detailed preview image display means for switching the display to one of the detailed preview images of each appearance display surface in response to a user operation. (Configuration 8) An image forming device having a printing unit that prints different print data on both sides of a sheet of paper and a paper folding unit that physically folds the paper printed by the printing unit, characterized in that the image forming device comprises: a print request receiving means that receives a print request including three or more pieces of image data, a type of paper folding, and an image arrangement pattern indicating an allocation of the three or more pieces of image data according to the type of paper folding; and an image layout means that generates print data in which all or part of each of the three or more pieces of image data is laid out according to the image arrangement pattern included in the received print request. (Method 1) A control method for an image forming system that connects an information processing device and an image forming device having a printing unit that prints different print data on both sides of a sheet of paper and a paper folding unit that physically folds the paper printed by the printing unit so that they can communicate with each other, wherein the information processing device executes an image acquisition step of acquiring three or more image data, a paper folding type designation step of designating a type of paper folding, an image arrangement pattern designation step of designating a display surface that includes the overlap of the paper that is seen when the paper is unfolded from the folded state when the paper is folded by a folding process of the designated type of paper folding, and an image arrangement pattern that indicates the allocation of the acquired three or more image data to the display surface, and a print request transmission step of sending a print request to the image forming device that includes the acquired three or more image data, the designated type of paper folding, and the designated image arrangement pattern, and the image forming device executes a print request reception step of receiving the print request, and an image layout step of generating print data in which all or a part of each of the three or more image data is laid out on each display surface according to the designated image arrangement pattern included in the received print request. (Method 2) A control method for an image forming device having a printing unit that prints different print data on both sides of a sheet of paper and a paper folding unit that physically folds the paper printed by the printing unit, the control method comprising: a print request receiving step of receiving a print request including three or more pieces of image data, a type of paper folding, and an image arrangement pattern indicating an allocation of the three or more pieces of image data according to the type of paper folding; and an image layout step of generating print data in which all or part of each of the three or more pieces of image data is laid out according to the image arrangement pattern included in the received print request. (Program 1) A program executable by a computer, causing the computer to function as each of the means of the image forming system according to any one of configurations 1 to 7. (Program 2) A program executable by a computer, causing the computer to function as each of the means of the image forming apparatus according to configuration 8. [Explanation of symbols]

[0182] 1. Image forming system 101 MFP 102 Server 104 Folding unit 213 Printer 400 Print setting screen 500 Fold detailed setting screen 800 Folding position adjustment screen 1013 Back button 1014 Forward button 1019 Fold Expand View Button 1020 Page Display Button

Claims

1. An information processing device; an image forming apparatus having a printing unit that prints different print data on both sides of a sheet of paper and a paper folding unit that physically folds the sheet of paper that has already been printed by the printing unit; an image forming system in which The information processing device includes: An image acquisition means for acquiring three or more pieces of image data; A sheet folding type designation means for designating a type of sheet folding; a display surface showing the appearance of the overlapping of the paper sheets when the paper sheets are folded by the folding process of the specified paper folding type and the folding being unfolded from the folded state; and an image arrangement pattern designation means for designating an image arrangement pattern showing the allocation of the three or more pieces of image data acquired to the display surface; a print request sending unit that sends a print request including the acquired three or more image data, the specified type of paper folding, and the specified image arrangement pattern to the image forming device; Equipped with The image forming apparatus includes: a print request receiving means for receiving the print request; an image layout unit that generates print data in which all or a part of each of the three or more image data is laid out on each display surface in accordance with the specified image layout pattern included in the received print request; An image forming system comprising:

2. The image forming apparatus includes: The folding machine further includes a folding position adjustment designation means for finely adjusting the folding position of the designated folding type of paper, The image forming system according to claim 1, characterized in that the image layout means generates print data in which all or part of the acquired three or more image data are laid out for each display surface in accordance with the image arrangement pattern, taking into account the fine-tuned folding position.

3. a first preview image generating means for generating a preview image for each printing surface of a sheet of paper on which the generated print data is printed; a second preview image generating means for generating a preview image of an appearance of a display surface including overlapping of sheets generated by folding processing according to the specified sheet folding type from the generated print data for each folding and unfolding; a preview display switching means for switching between displaying a preview image for each of the printed surfaces and a preview image for each of the display surfaces that appears when the sheet is folded and unfolded; a preview image display means for displaying the preview image switched by the preview display switching means; The image forming system according to claim 2 , further comprising:

4. The preview image display means includes: a first image feed instruction means for switching the display to one of the preview images for each printing surface in response to a user operation; a second image feed instruction means for switching the display to one of the preview images of each of the appearance display surfaces in response to a user operation, The image forming system of claim 3, characterized in that when the preview display switching means switches from a preview image for each printed surface to a preview image for each apparent display surface, the second image feed instruction means displays a preview image for each apparent display surface in response to user operation in the order in which the folds are unfolded from a fully folded state in accordance with the specified image arrangement pattern.

5. 4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the information processing device comprises the first preview image generating means, the second preview image generating means, the preview display switching means, and the preview image display means.

6. 4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises the first preview image generating means, the second preview image generating means, the preview display switching means, and the preview image display means.

7. The image forming apparatus includes: a detailed preview image generating means for generating a detailed preview image of the appearance of the display surface, which reflects the fine-adjusted folding position, for each folding and unfolding; a detailed preview image display means for switching the display to one of the detailed preview images of each of the appearance display surfaces in response to a user operation; 4. The image forming system according to claim 3, further comprising:

8. 1. An image forming apparatus having a printing unit that prints different print data on both sides of a sheet of paper and a paper folding unit that physically folds the sheet of paper that has been printed by the printing unit, a print request receiving means for receiving a print request including three or more pieces of image data, a type of paper folding, and an image arrangement pattern indicating an allocation of the three or more pieces of image data according to the type of paper folding; an image layout unit that generates print data in which all or a part of each of the three or more image data is laid out in accordance with the image layout pattern included in the received print request; An image forming apparatus comprising:

9. An information processing device; an image forming apparatus having a printing unit that prints different print data on both sides of a sheet of paper and a paper folding unit that physically folds the sheet of paper that has already been printed by the printing unit; A control method for an image forming system in which In the information processing device, an image acquisition step of acquiring three or more image data; A paper folding type designation step for designating a type of paper folding; a step of designating an image arrangement pattern that designates a display surface including overlapping of the paper sheets that is visible when the paper sheets are unfolded from the folded state when the paper sheets are folded by the folding process of the designated paper folding type, and an image arrangement pattern that indicates an allocation of the three or more pieces of image data acquired to the display surface; a print request transmission step of transmitting a print request including the acquired three or more image data, the specified type of paper folding, and the specified image arrangement pattern to the image forming device; is executed, In the image forming apparatus, a print request receiving step of receiving the print request; an image layout step of generating print data in which all or a part of each of the three or more image data is laid out on each display surface according to the specified image layout pattern included in the received print request; A control method comprising:

10. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus having a printing unit that prints different print data on both sides of a sheet of paper and a paper folding unit that physically folds the sheet of paper that has been printed by the printing unit, comprising: a print request receiving step of receiving a print request including three or more pieces of image data, a type of paper folding, and an image arrangement pattern indicating an allocation of the three or more pieces of image data according to the type of paper folding; an image layout step of generating print data in which all or a part of each of the three or more image data is laid out in accordance with the image layout pattern included in the received print request; A control method comprising the steps of:

11. A computer-executable program that causes a computer to function as each of the means of the image forming system according to claim 1.

12. A computer-executable program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the image forming apparatus according to claim 8.

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