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

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method for information processing, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] As a setting of an application on an information processing apparatus that generates a print instruction to an image processing apparatus, there is one having a page aggregation function for aggregating data of a plurality of pages. In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing system that enables all pages to fit on the specified number of sheets of paper without the user being aware of calculations such as the aggregation number.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, for the purpose of binding output sheets, there is an optional device for a printing apparatus that supports a so-called punching function for punching holes in the output sheets. Furthermore, there is an optional device for a printing apparatus that supports a double punching function for punching in two columns, namely, the end column and the center column of the output sheet. By cutting the resulting product that has been double punched in a large paper size at the center, it is possible to obtain two sheets of punched paper from one resulting product.

[0005] When performing punching in this way and also performing specific page aggregation, there are cases where an image is printed on the cutting portion when cutting the resulting product after punching.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to prevent an output product with a layout in which an image portion is cut off during cutting from being output with respect to an output product with page aggregation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: means for causing a display means to display a first item for receiving from a user the number of pages printed on one side of one sheet of paper, and a second item for receiving from the user a setting for making holes in a plurality of columns on the sheet; and control means for controlling so as not to receive the setting with the second item when a predetermined number of pages is received with the first item.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an output product with a layout in which an image portion is cut off during cutting of the output product from being output.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of the features described in each embodiment are essential for the solution means of the present invention.

Examples

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

[0012] Next, the hardware configuration of the devices constituting the printing system will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the information processing apparatus 102. The input device 206 corresponds to a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel for the user to operate the information processing apparatus. The display device 207 corresponds to a display for the user to operate the information processing apparatus 102. For example, there is a configuration in which part or all of the display device 207 also serves as the input device 206, such as a touch panel. The storage device 205 corresponds to a storage medium typified by a non-volatile hard disk for storing a large amount of data, and reading and writing of applications and data are performed. The network device 208 is connected to the network 100 described in FIG. 1 and can communicate with other devices.

[0013] Generally, the initial program for starting the information processing apparatus 102 and the basic programs for controlling each module of the information processing apparatus 102 are stored in the ROM 203. Also, the OS and applications are stored in the storage device 205. When the information processing apparatus 102 is powered on, first, the program (boot loader) for starting the computer stored in the ROM 203 is executed. Then, that program loads the OS stored in the storage device 205 into the RAM 202, and thereafter, transfers the control right to the OS. The OS further reads the necessary modules and drivers from the storage device 205 into the RAM 202. Furthermore, according to the user's instruction, the necessary application is read from the storage device 205 into the RAM 202 and executed.

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

[0015] This embodiment is realized by loading the programs stored in the storage devices 205 and 305 of each device into the RAMs 202 and 302 and executing them by the CPUs 201 and 301.

[0016] Subsequently, the functions of the devices constituting the printing system in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the software configuration of the printing system in this embodiment.

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

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

[0019] Hereinafter, the processing of the printing system in this embodiment will be described.

[0020] FIG. 5 is the print settings UI of the printer driver in this embodiment. 500 is the print settings UI. 501 and 503 are function selection tabs. Since the functions of the printer driver are diverse, it is a mechanism for realizing each print setting on different sheets according to the types of the functions. Here, "finishing" is selected as the function sheet, and settings related to the coating process and finishing at the time of printing become possible. The preview 511 schematically or in a reduced size shows the output result obtained with the current print settings. The print method selection section 521 can select either single-sided printing or double-sided printing. The print direction selection section 522 can select either vertical or horizontal. The page layout selection section 523 can select the number when aggregating pages as the coating. Here, it is assumed that any one of 1in1, 2in1, 4in1, 6in1, 8in1, 9in1, and 16in1 can be selected. Nin1 is a setting for arranging N pages on one side (front or back) of one sheet of paper. That is, the number before in1 is the number of pages arranged on one side of one sheet of paper. The folding direction selection section 524 can select the position to which the fold margin is added. Here, it is assumed that long-edge folding and short-edge folding can be selected. The punch hole selection section 525 can specify the number of punch holes when making punch holes as the finishing. Here, it is assumed that none, 2 holes, 3 holes, 2 holes (double), and 3 holes (double) can be selected. In addition, at the time of the punch process, the punch process is performed based on the value selected by the folding direction selection section 524. Note that "double" means two columns.

[0021] Fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram of the output after the punching process. Assume that the vertical direction is selected by the printing direction selection unit 522 in all cases. Fig. 6(a) is a diagram when the long-side closing is selected by the closing direction selection unit 524 and two holes are selected by the punch hole selection unit 525. Fig.(b) is a diagram when the short-side closing is selected by the closing direction selection unit 524 and three holes are selected by the punch hole selection unit 525. Fig. 6(c) is an example when the short-side closing is selected by the closing direction selection unit 524 and two holes (double) are selected by the punch hole selection unit 525. Fig. 6(d) is an example when the long-side closing is selected by the closing direction selection unit 524 and three holes (double) are selected by the punch hole selection unit 525. As shown in Figs. 6(c) and (d), when two holes (double) or three holes (double) are selected by the punch hole selection unit 525, a finished product with punch holes made in parallel with the direction specified by the closing direction selection unit 524 can be obtained.

[0022] By pressing the OK button 531, the process of generating a print job reflecting the content set in the print setting UI 500 is started. By pressing the cancel button 532, the print setting is terminated.

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

[0024] In S701, the information processing apparatus 102 acquires the set value of the print settings UI 500. In S702, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether the value set in the page layout selection section 523 (i.e., the page layout selection item 523) is 9-in-1. In S702, if it is determined that the value set in the page layout selection section 523 is 9-in-1, in S703, the information processing apparatus 102 performs prohibited control regarding the punch hole selection section 525. Specifically, if the value set in the punch hole selection section 525 (i.e., the punch hole selection item 525) is 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double), the set value is changed to another value, and a grayed-out display is made so that the options of 2 holes (double) and 3 holes (double) cannot be selected. As another example of prohibited control, when 9-in-1 is selected in the page layout selection section 523, a warning message indicating that the options of 2 holes (double) and 3 holes (double) cannot be selected in the punch hole selection section 525 is displayed. In any of the prohibited controls, when 9-in-1 is specified in the page layout selection section 523, the state where the options of 2 holes (double) and 3 holes (double) cannot be selected in the punch hole selection section 525 is maintained. As another method, although 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double) are set and both settings are allowed for the user, a method of controlling so that a print job with both settings is not issued is also conceivable. Specifically, a method of masking the OK (print settings completed) button for issuing the print job is also conceivable. Also, a method of automatically changing any setting before issuing the print job (for example, changing double to single, or changing 9-in-1 to 1-in-1) is also conceivable. These methods are also part of this embodiment.

[0025] Note that in this flowchart, it is determined first whether it is 9-in-1, but instead, it may be determined first whether 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double) are selected. In that case, for example, it is preferable to exclude 9-in-1 from the options of the page aggregation number.

[0026] On the other hand, in S702, when it is determined that the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 is not 9-in-1, the information processing apparatus 102 does not perform special prohibition control regarding the options of the punch hole selection unit 525.

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

[0028] By this series of UI prohibition control determination processes, when the page layout becomes 9-in-1, it becomes possible to prohibit the punching process on the premise of cutting. As a result, it is possible to prevent in advance the output of a finished product with a layout in which the image part is cut during the cutting of the finished product.

[0029] Note that the page aggregation number represents the number of pages printed on one side (front or back) of one sheet of paper.

[0030] As described above, 9-in-1 has been described as an example, but the same control may be performed in the case of other values other than 9-in-1 (for example, 25-in-1, etc.). Note that in this embodiment, the value for which 9-in-1 and the control equivalent to 9-in-1 are performed is called a predetermined value.

Embodiment

[0031] In this embodiment, when 9-in-1 is set in the page layout selection unit 523 and 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double) are selected in the punch hole selection unit 525, a series of processes for a special page layout are shown.

[0032] FIG. 8(a) is a schematic diagram of a normal output when 9in1 is set in the page layout selection unit 523, showing the correspondence between the output paper in single-sided printing and the page numbers in the original data. Note that the arrangement order within the paper may be in the order shown in FIGS. 8(b) and (c).

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

[0034] In S901, the information processing apparatus 102 acquires the setting value of the print setting UI500. In S902, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 is 9in1. If it is determined in S902 that the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 is 9in1, then in S903, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether the value set in the punch hole selection unit 525 is 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double). If it is determined in S902 that the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 is not 9in1 and if it is determined in S903 that the value set in the punch hole selection unit 525 is not 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double), the process proceeds to S904. In S904, the information processing apparatus 102 generates a print job based on the normal page layout. On the other hand, if it is determined in S903 that the value set in the punch hole selection unit 525 is 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double), then in S905, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is long-side binding. If it is determined in S905 that the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is long-side binding, then in S906, the information processing apparatus 102 generates a print job based on the page layout assuming cutting in the long-side direction. On the other hand, if it is determined in S905 that the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is not long-side binding, then in S907, the information processing apparatus 102 generates a print job based on the page layout assuming cutting in the short-side direction.

[0035] FIG. 10(a) is a schematic diagram of the output of the page layout assuming cutting in the long side direction in S906, showing the correspondence between the output paper in single-sided printing and the page numbers in the original data. FIG. 10(b) is a schematic diagram of the output of the page layout assuming cutting in the short side direction in S907, showing the correspondence between the output paper in single-sided printing and the page numbers in the original data. As shown in FIG. 10, in S906 and S907, a special page layout is performed in which no drawing is made at the location corresponding to the cutting part based on the 9-in-1 page layout.

[0036] The timing at which a series of processes for this special page layout is executed is the timing when the OK button 531 is pressed. Note that since the number of pages aggregated on one output paper is not 9 in this special page layout, a message shown in FIG. 11 may be displayed between the processes of S903 and S905 to prompt the user for confirmation. When the continue button 1101 is pressed, the process proceeds to the process of S905, and when the cancel button 1102 is pressed, the process may not proceed to the process of S905, but return to the printing setting screen using the printing setting UI500.

[0037] By a series of processes for this special page layout, it is possible to prevent the output of a finished product with a layout where the image part is cut during the cutting of the finished product.

Example

[0038] In this example, the flow of the determination process of the UI prohibition control of the printing system when 2-in-1 is set in the page layout selection unit 523 will be described.

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

[0040] In S1201, the information processing apparatus 102 acquires the setting value of the print setting UI 500. In S1202, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether the value set by the page layout selection unit 523 is 2 in 1. In S1202, if it is determined that the value set by the page layout selection unit 523 is 2 in 1, then in S1203, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether the value set by the closing direction selection unit 524 is long-side closing. In S1203, if it is determined that the value set by the closing direction selection unit 524 is long-side closing, then in S1204, the information processing apparatus 102 performs prohibited control regarding the punch hole selection unit 525. The prohibited control in S1204 is the same as the prohibited control shown in the first embodiment. In any of the prohibited controls, when 2 in 1 is specified by the page layout selection unit 523 and long-side closing is selected by the closing direction selection unit 524, the state where the options of 2 holes (double) and 3 holes (double) cannot be selected by the punch hole selection unit 525 will be maintained.

[0041] On the other hand, in S1202, if it is determined that the value set by the page layout selection unit 523 is not 2 in 1, the information processing apparatus 102 does not perform special prohibited control regarding the options of the punch hole selection unit 525. Also, in S1203, if it is determined that the value set by the closing direction selection unit 524 is not long-side closing, the information processing apparatus 102 does not perform special prohibited control regarding the options of the punch hole selection unit 525.

[0042] The timing at which this series of UI prohibited control determination processes is executed may be the timing when any setting value of the print setting UI 500 is changed, similar to the first embodiment. Alternatively, it may be limited to the timing when the setting values of the page layout selection unit 523 and the punch hole selection unit 525, which are the setting values related to the prohibited control, are changed. Alternatively, it may be the timing when the OK button 531 is pressed.

[0043] Through this series of UI prohibition control determination processes, it becomes possible to prohibit the punching process on the premise of cutting when the page layout becomes a 2-in-1. As a result, it is possible to prevent the output of a finished product with a layout in which the image part is cut during the cutting of the finished product.

Example

[0044] In Example 3, regarding the page aggregation direction of the paper when 2-in-1 is set in the page layout selection unit 523, it was explained on the premise of drawing two pages in the long side direction as shown in FIG. 13(a). However, regarding the page aggregation direction of the paper when 2-in-1 is set in the page layout selection unit 523, there may be a case of drawing two pages in the short side direction as shown in FIG. 13(b). Based on this, in this example, the flow of the determination process of the UI prohibition control of the printing system when 2-in-1 is set in the page layout selection unit 523 will be described.

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

[0046] In S1401, the information processing apparatus 102 acquires the setting value of the print setting UI 500. In S1402, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 is 2 in 1. If it is determined in S1402 that the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 is 2 in 1, then in S1403, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether the page aggregation direction of the paper is to draw two pages in the long side direction. If it is determined in S1403 that the page aggregation direction of the paper is to draw two pages in the long side direction, then in S1404, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is to bind on the long side. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1403 that the page aggregation direction of the paper is not to draw two pages in the long side direction, then in S1405, the information processing apparatus 102 determines whether the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is to bind on the short side. If it is determined in S1404 that the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is long-side binding, or if it is determined in S1405 that the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is short-side binding, the process proceeds to S1406. In S1406, the information processing apparatus 102 performs prohibition control for the punch hole selection unit 525. The prohibition control in S1406 is the same as the prohibition control described in the third embodiment. In either case of prohibition control, the two-hole (double) and three-hole (double) options are kept unselectable in the punch hole selection unit 525.

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

[0048] As another example, there is a method of calculating the aspect ratio of the paper size and making a determination based on it. When aggregating two pages, if the vertical length of the paper is more than twice as long as the horizontal length, drawing two pages in the short-side direction can result in a larger drawing than drawing two pages in the long-side direction. Figure 16 illustrates this comparison. Figure 16(a) shows the case of drawing two pages in the short-side direction when the vertical length h of the paper is more than twice as long as the horizontal length w. The reduction ratio at this time is (w / 2) / w = 0.5. On the other hand, Figure 16(b) shows the case of drawing two pages in the long-side direction when the vertical length h of the paper is more than twice as long as the horizontal length w. The reduction ratio at this time is w / h, and since h > 2w, this is smaller than 0.5, resulting in a smaller drawing than Figure 16(a). In page aggregation, it is desirable to draw the aggregated pages as large as possible. This is a method of calculating the aspect ratio of the paper size, determining to draw two pages in the long-side direction when the vertical length h of the paper is more than twice as long as the horizontal length w, and determining to draw two pages in the short-side direction otherwise.

[0049] On the other hand, when it is determined in S1404 that the value set by the closing direction selection unit 524 is not the long-side closing, the information processing apparatus 102 does not perform special prohibition control regarding the options of the punch hole selection unit 525. Also, when it is determined in S1405 that the value set by the closing direction selection unit 524 is not the short-side closing, the information processing apparatus 102 does not perform special prohibition control regarding the options of the punch hole selection unit 525.

[0050] The timing at which this series of UI prohibition control determination processes is executed may be the timing when any setting value of the print setting UI500 is changed, similar to Example 3. Alternatively, it may be limited to the timing when the setting values of the page layout selection unit 523 and the punch hole selection unit 525, which are setting values related to the prohibition control, are changed. Alternatively, it may be the timing when the OK button 531 is pressed.

[0051] Through this series of UI rule control determination processes, when the page layout becomes a 2-in-1, it is possible to prohibit the punching process on the premise of cutting. As a result, it is possible to prevent the output of a finished product with a facing where the image part is cut during the cutting of the finished product.

[0052] [Other forms] In Example 3, an example where the page aggregation number is 2 was described, but the page aggregation number is not limited to 2. For example, as an example where the page aggregation number is 6, the output is arranged as shown in FIG. 17. Here, when it is determined that the value set by the closing direction selection unit 524 is the short-side closing, by performing the above-described rule control, the same effect as in Example 3 can be obtained even when the page aggregation number is 6.

[0053] Also, in the above-described embodiments, the punching process assumed to be cut in the center of the output paper was described, but the cutting location is not necessarily limited to the center. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, when a punch hole selection such as "2 holes (triple)" in which the 2-hole punching process is performed at three locations is made, it can be determined that this output is cut so as to divide the paper into three equal parts instead of the center. In this case, on the premise that the paper is divided into three equal parts, by performing rule control to prohibit the facing where the image part is cut, the same effect can be obtained.

[0054] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. Further, it can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0055] 101 Image processing apparatus 102 Information processing apparatus

Claims

Claim 1 An information processing apparatus, means for causing a display means to display a first item for receiving from a user the number of pages printed on one surface of a single sheet of paper, and a second item for receiving from the user a setting for making holes in a plurality of columns in the sheet; control means for controlling so as not to receive the setting by the second item when a predetermined number of pages is received by the first item, the information processing apparatus being characterized by having the control means.

Images