Information processing system and program

Abstract

To reduce the possibility that an image may not be arranged as intended by a user when determining an arrangement of the image on a printed matter, more than when determining the arrangement of the image on the printed matter without any regard.SOLUTION: A control part 34 obtains, from a template memorizing part 35, a template that is model-type information including at least information concerning a plurality of regions where images are arranged on a printed matter, to which identifiers different from each other are allocated respectively, and memorizes the template while associating the templates with a folder that stores image data. Further, when the image data are stored in the folder associated with the template, the control part 34 generates a printing job of a printed matter on which an image corresponding to the stored image data is arranged, on the basis of the template associated with the folder and a preset rule.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic album editing device that, when editing an electronic album using a program on a personal computer, detects the number of images on the page being edited in the electronic album, automatically selects the optimal layout according to the detected number of images, and arranges the images according to the selected layout. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-074592 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing system and program that, when determining the placement of images on a printed material, can reduce the possibility of the placement differing from the user's intention, compared to when the placement of images on a printed material is determined without any consideration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information processing system according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a processor, and the processor acquires template information including at least information regarding a plurality of areas on a printed material where images are arranged, each area being assigned a different identifier; storing the template information in association with a folder for storing image data; When image data is stored in the folder, a print job for a printed matter in which an image corresponding to the stored image data is arranged is generated based on the template information associated with the folder and preset rules.

[0006] An information processing system of a second aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing system of the first aspect, in which the predetermined rule is determined based on the name of the image data stored in the folder and the identifier.

[0007] An information processing system of a third aspect of the present disclosure is the information processing system of the first aspect, wherein the predetermined rule is a rule determined based on the time when the image data is stored in the folder and the identifier.

[0008] An information processing system according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the information processing system according to the first aspect, wherein the processor acquires the number of areas indicated by template information associated with the folder; When the number of image data stored in the folder is equal to or greater than the number of areas acquired, a print job is generated.

[0009] An information processing system according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the information processing system according to the first aspect, wherein the processor acquires the number of areas indicated by template information associated with the folder; If the number of image data stored in the folder is less than the number of areas acquired, a print job is not generated.

[0010] In a sixth aspect of the information processing system of the present disclosure, in the information processing system of the first aspect, when the size of the area on the printed material indicated by the template information differs from the size of the image to be placed in that area, the processor places the image in the area by scaling it to a size where the entire image is included in the area and where the image is at its largest, without changing the aspect ratio of the image.

[0011] A seventh aspect of the information processing system of the present disclosure is the information processing system of the first aspect, wherein when the number of multiple image data to be placed in the area indicated by the template information is greater than the number of areas on the printed matter indicated by the template information, the processor generates a print job by repeating the pattern of the area indicated by the template information.

[0012] An information processing system of an eighth aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing system of the first aspect, in which the processor creates and saves template information by accepting specifications of the range of an area for setting the position and size of an image to be placed on a printed material.

[0013] A program according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure includes a step of acquiring template information including at least information regarding a plurality of areas on a printed material where an image is to be placed, each area being assigned a different identifier; storing a folder for storing image data and the template information in association with each other; When image data is stored in the folder, the computer is caused to execute a step of generating a print job for a printed material in which an image corresponding to the stored image data is arranged, based on template information associated with the folder and preset rules. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the information processing system of the first aspect of the present disclosure, when determining the placement of images on a printed matter, the possibility of the placement differing from the user's intention can be reduced compared to when determining the placement of images on a printed matter without any consideration.

[0015] According to the information processing system of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the possibility of an image being placed in an unintended manner by the user can be reduced compared to when the area on the printed material where the image corresponding to the stored image data is placed is determined without any consideration.

[0016] According to the information processing system of the third aspect of the present disclosure, the possibility of an image being placed in an unintended manner by the user can be reduced compared to when the area on the printed material where the image corresponding to the stored image data is placed is determined without any consideration.

[0017] According to the information processing system of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the possibility that an image will not be placed in an area included in a template.

[0018] According to the information processing system of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the possibility that an image will not be placed in an area included in a template.

[0019] According to the information processing system of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the possibility that an image will be of a size that is not intended by the user, compared to when an image is arranged without taking the size of the area into consideration.

[0020] According to the information processing system of the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a print job for a printed material on which image data is arranged can be generated even if the number of areas included in the template information differs from the number of image data to be arranged.

[0021] According to the information processing system of the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the user can create template information simply by setting the position and size at which the image is to be placed.

[0022] According to the program of the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, when determining the placement of images on a printed matter, the possibility of the placement differing from the user's intention can be reduced compared to when determining the placement of images on a printed matter without any consideration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of an operation screen when a user generates a print job for a printed material on which multiple pieces of image data are arranged. [Figure 5] 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen when performing basic settings of a template displayed by operating an operation button 41 on the operation screen of FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen on which image data to be displayed is arranged when the user operates an OK button 42 on the operation screen shown in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an editing screen for a saved template. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an operation when creating a hot folder by associating a saved template with a folder for storing image data. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen when creating a hot folder. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen for a template to be set in association with a hot folder. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how image data is stored in a hot folder. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a print job generated by storing image data in a hot folder. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining how image data is arranged in each area of ​​a template in the order of file names. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining how image data is arranged in each area of ​​a template in the order of creation date and time. [Figure 15] 9 is a flowchart for explaining details of the imposition process in step S107 described in the flowchart of FIG. 8. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement when the number of image data is smaller than the number of regions of the template. [Figure 17]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of arrangement when the number of image data is greater than the number of regions of the template. [Figure 18] 16 is a flowchart for explaining details of the size adjustment process in step S205 described in the flowchart of FIG. 15. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of image data placement when the aspect ratio of the template area and the image data to be placed are different. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation when a print job is generated after waiting until image data for the number of regions in a template is stored. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] 1, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured with an image forming apparatus 10 and a terminal apparatus 20 interconnected via a network 30. The image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, a so-called production printer used for commercial printing, and has the functionality to perform high-quality, high-speed printing processing.

[0027] Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 in the image forming system of this embodiment is shown in FIG.

[0028] 2, the image forming apparatus 10 has a CPU 11, a memory 12, a storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive, a communication interface (abbreviated as IF) 14 that transmits and receives data to and from external devices such as a terminal device 20 via a network 30, a user interface (abbreviated as UI) device 15 that includes a touch panel or a liquid crystal display and a keyboard, and an image forming unit 16. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 17.

[0029] The image forming unit 16 prints an image on a recording medium such as printing paper through processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing.

[0030] The CPU 11 is a processor that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 by executing predetermined processes based on a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13. While the present embodiment describes the CPU 11 as reading and executing the control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13, this is not limiting. The control program may be provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the program may be provided on an optical disc such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or on a semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a memory card. The control program may also be acquired from an external device via a communication line connected to the communication interface 14. The control program may be provided as standalone application software, or may be incorporated into the software of each device of the image forming apparatus 10 as a function of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 realized by executing the above control program.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes an operation input unit 31, a display unit 32, a data transmission / reception unit 33, a control unit 34, a template storage unit 35, an image data storage unit 36, and a print processing unit 37.

[0033] The display unit 32 is controlled by the control unit 34 and displays various information to the user. The operation input unit 31 inputs various operation information performed by the user. The data transmission / reception unit 33 transmits and receives data to and from external devices such as the terminal device 20. The print processing unit 37 prints an image on a recording medium such as printing paper based on a print job generated by the control unit 34.

[0034] The control unit 34 generates a print job based on image data and the like received from the terminal device 20 via the data transmission / reception unit 33, and performs control such that print processing based on the generated print job is executed in the print processing unit 37. The template storage unit 35 stores the templates generated by the control unit 34. The image data storage unit 36 ​​stores various image data to be printed.

[0035] Here, a template is an example of prototype information, which is a pre-set information that specifies the position and size of each of the multiple image data when printing a printed material with multiple images arranged on it, such as a photo album.

[0036] First, the user operates the operation input unit 31 to generate a template containing at least information about a plurality of areas on a printed material where an image is to be placed, each area being assigned a different identifier such as a number, and the template is stored in the template storage unit 35. As will be described later, the template may be generated based on the position, size, etc. of image data placed when creating a print job, or may be generated by receiving, from the operation input unit 31, the specification of a frame indicating the position and size for placing the image data.

[0037] The control unit 34 acquires a template from the template storage unit 35, and stores the template in association with a folder for storing image data. The image data is stored in this folder, and is then stored in the image data storage unit 36. The folder referred to here may be any storage location that is at least capable of storing image data and associating it with a template, and includes a directory, etc.

[0038] When image data is stored in a folder associated with a template, the control unit 34 generates a print job for a printed material in which an image corresponding to the stored image data is arranged, based on the template associated with the folder and preset rules. A folder in which file data such as image data is stored and preset processing is performed on the stored file data in this way is sometimes called a hot folder.

[0039] Here, the predetermined rule is, for example, a rule determined based on the name and identifier of the image data stored in the folder, or, for example, a rule determined based on the time when the image data was stored in the folder and the identifier.

[0040] Here, the user may store image data to be included in one print product in the folder one by one, rather than storing them all at once in a folder. Therefore, the control unit 34 may acquire the number of areas indicated by the template associated with the folder, and generate a print job if the number of image data stored in the folder is equal to or greater than the acquired number of areas. In this case, the control unit 34 acquires the number of areas indicated by the template associated with the folder, and does not generate a print job if the number of image data stored in the folder is less than the acquired number of areas.

[0041] In addition, the size of the image of the image data stored in the folder may differ from the size of the area of ​​the template. Therefore, if the size of the area on the printed material indicated by the template differs from the size of the image to be placed in that area, the control unit 34 enlarges or reduces the image to a size that is maximum and that includes the entire image in the area without changing the aspect ratio of the image, and places the image in the area. Here, enlarging or reducing an image means enlarging or reducing the image.

[0042] Furthermore, the number of image data stored in the folder may differ from the number of areas in the template. Therefore, if the number of image data to be placed in the areas indicated by the template is greater than the number of areas on the print indicated by the template, the control unit 34 may generate a print job by repeating the pattern of the areas indicated by the template.

[0043] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment when generating a print job for a printed material using a template will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0044] First, the operation when generating a template by accepting a user operation via the operation input unit 31 will be described.

[0045] 4 shows an example of an operation screen when a user generates a print job for printing a printed material such as a photo album in which multiple image data are arranged. The operation screen shown in FIG. 4 shows how the user selects multiple image data or a print job and operates an operation button 41 named "Custom Importer."

[0046] An example of an operation screen for making basic template settings, which is displayed by operating this operation button 41, is shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, the basic settings of the template to be created are selected. Specifically, "saddle stitching" is selected as the binding method, and "A3" is selected as the output sheet size. Also, "landscape" is selected as the layout, "left binding" is selected as the binding direction, and "16" pages are selected as the number of pages. Then, when the user operates the OK button 42 on the operation screen shown in Fig. 5, an operation screen for arranging the selected image data or print job, such as that shown in Fig. 6, is displayed.

[0047] Fig. 6 shows how images are arranged while setting the position, size, etc. of the image data in a virtual booklet based on the basic settings selected on the operation screen of Fig. 5. Then, when the user operates OK button 43 on the operation screen shown in Fig. 6, the imposition settings such as the position, size, etc. of the image data to be arranged are saved as a template as shown in Fig. 7, and a print job is generated in which the image data selected in Fig. 4 is assigned to the saved template. The name of the saved template may be "Travel Album," the same as the name of the generated print job.

[0048] The saved template can then be edited, for example, on an editing screen such as that shown in FIG. 7. The saved template editing screen shown in FIG. 7 allows editing of the layout and size of image data on each page of the template. The saved template includes the paper size at the time of output, the number of pages to be output, and the binding method at the time of output. The saved template also stores information for each area where image data is to be placed, such as the position, number, image size and magnification at the time of placement, rotation angle at the time of placement, and whether the image to be placed is transparent. The number saved for each area is an example of an identifier.

[0049] Next, the operation when creating a hot folder by associating the template saved in this way with a folder for storing image data is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

[0050] 8, first, the control unit 34 executes a process of associating a template with a hot folder in step S101. An example of an operation screen when creating such a hot folder is shown in FIG.

[0051] The example operation screen in Figure 9 shows operations for creating a new logical printer and creating a hot folder. Also in Figure 9, "combined job" is selected as the job type, and the setting "use as custom imposition job" is selected. Furthermore, in Figure 9, the rule "arrange images in the order of their file names" is selected as a pre-set rule for determining which image data is assigned to which area of ​​the template when multiple pieces of image data are stored in the hot folder. As rules other than the one selected, it is also possible to select rules such as "arrange images in the order of the time they were stored in the folder" or "arrange images in the order of the date and time the images were created."

[0052] Then, when the user makes a selection as shown in Fig. 9 and operates the setting button 44, a selection screen for a template to be set in association with this hot folder is displayed, as shown in Fig. 10. The example selection screen in Fig. 10 shows the selection of a custom imposition template named "Travel Album" that was generated by operating the operation screen shown in Fig. 6. After selecting such a template, the user operates the OK button 45 to create a hot folder.

[0053] Once the hot folder is created in this manner, the control unit 34 monitors the hot folder in step S102. Then, the control unit 34 determines whether image data has been stored in the hot folder in step S103. If it is determined in step S103 that image data has not been stored in the hot folder, the control unit 34 returns to step S102 and continues monitoring the hot folder.

[0054] If it is determined in step S103 that image data has been stored in the hot folder, the control unit 34 determines whether writing of image data is continuing in step S104. If it is determined in step S104 that writing of image data is continuing, the control unit 34 waits for a certain period of time in step S105 and then returns to the processing of step S104 again.

[0055] If it is determined in step S104 that the writing of image data is not continuing, that is, that the writing of image data has ended, the control unit 34 sorts the multiple image data stored in the hot folder in alphabetical order in step S106. Note that in this explanation, it is assumed that the rule "arrange images in the order of their file names" has been selected as the preset rule.

[0056] Then, in step S107, the control unit 34 performs imposition processing to arrange the image data sorted in alphabetical order in each area of ​​the template, thereby generating a print job. Finally, in step S108, the control unit 34 deletes the image data in the hot folder and ends the processing.

[0057] The state in which image data is stored in a hot folder in this way is shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 11 shows the state in which a plurality of image data is stored in a hot folder 46 named "Travel Album."

[0058] An example of a print job generated by storing image data in the hot folder in this way is shown in Fig. 12. Referring to Fig. 12, it can be seen that images based on multiple pieces of image data stored in the hot folder 46 are automatically placed in each area of ​​the template.

[0059] Here, since the setting to arrange image data in file name order has been selected, image data stored in the hot folder 46 is arranged in each area of ​​the template in file name order. For example, as shown in Fig. 13, image data with the file name "Photo001" is arranged in the first area of ​​the template. Also, image data with file names "Photo002", "Photo003", etc. are arranged in the second area, third area, etc. of the template, respectively. Also, instead of simply arranging in file name order, it is possible to arrange image data with the file name "Cover XXX" in the cover area of ​​the template.

[0060] Furthermore, if the option "Arrange images in order of creation date and time" is selected on the setting screen shown in FIG. 9, the image data will be automatically arranged in each area of ​​the template in order of creation date and time, as shown in FIG. 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, an image with a creation date and time of "2024 / 04 / 04 15:03:21" will be arranged in the first area of ​​the template. Also, image data with creation dates and times of "2024 / 04 / 04 15:12:35", "2024 / 04 / 04 16:43:09", etc. will be arranged in the second area, third area, and etc. of the template, respectively.

[0061] 9, the images are arranged in the template area in the order in which they were stored in the hot folder 46. In this case, by storing multiple pieces of image data one by one in the hot folder 46 at different times, the images are automatically arranged in the template area in the order in which they were stored.

[0062] When PDF (Portable Document Format) data is stored as image data in a hot folder, attribute information of the PDF data may be analyzed and the PDF data may be arranged in each area in an order based on this attribute information. For example, each page of the PDF data may be arranged in each area of ​​the template in the order of the page numbers written therein, or the arrangement order may be determined based on text data included in the PDF data and identifiers assigned to each area of ​​the template.

[0063] Next, the imposition process in step S107 described in the flowchart of FIG. 8 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0064] In the flowchart of FIG. 15, a case will be described in which the number of image data is N and the number of regions in the template is M.

[0065] First, in step S201, the control unit 34 acquires the number N of image data stored in the hot folder and the number M of regions in the template.

[0066] Then, the control unit 34 sets the variable I to 1 in step S202, and sets the variable J to 1 in step S203.

[0067] Next, in step S204, the control unit 34 determines whether the Jth area is allocated to the Ith image data.

[0068] If it is determined in step S204 that the Jth region is allocated to the Ith image data, the control unit 34 executes size adjustment processing to arrange the Ith image data in the Jth region in step S205. Then, in step S206, the control unit 34 arranges the Ith image data in the Jth region of the template.

[0069] Then, in step S207, the control unit 34 adds 1 to the variable J. Note that, even if it is determined in step S204 that the Jth area is not allocated to the Ith image data, the control unit 34 also adds 1 to the variable J in step S207.

[0070] Next, in step S208, the control unit 34 determines whether the variable J exceeds the number M of regions in the template.

[0071] If it is determined in step S208 that the variable J does not exceed the number M of regions, the control unit 34 returns to the processing of step S204. If it is determined in step S208 that the variable J exceeds the number M of regions, the control unit 34 repeatedly applies the template in step S209. In other words, the fact that the variable J has exceeded the number M of regions in the template means that images have been placed in all regions of the template, so the control unit 34 repeatedly applies the template again to continue placing image data.

[0072] Then, in step S210, the control unit 34 adds 1 to the variable I. After that, in step S211, the control unit 34 determines whether the variable I has exceeded the number N of image data.

[0073] If it is determined in step S211 that the variable I does not exceed the total number N of image data, the control unit 34 returns to the process of step S203 and sets the variable J to 1.

[0074] If it is determined in step S211 that the variable I exceeds the total number N of image data, the control unit 34 determines that the arrangement of all image data has been completed, and ends the process.

[0075] 16 and 17 show examples of image data arrangement when the number of image data arranged in each region of the template differs from the number of regions in the template. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement when the number of image data is smaller than the number of regions in the template. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement when the number of image data is greater than the number of regions in the template. Note that in FIGS. 16 and 17, a specific example will be described where the number of regions in the template is 12. FIG. 16 describes a case where the number of image data to be arranged is 10, and FIG. 17 describes a case where the number of image data to be arranged is 20.

[0076] Referring to Figure 16, it can be seen that the number of regions in the template is 12, but the amount of image data is 10, so a print job is generated in which the 11th and 12th regions of the template are blank. Also, referring to Figure 17, it can be seen that the number of regions in the template is 12, but the amount of image data is 20, so the template is applied twice. It can be seen that in the first template, all images in the 12 regions are placed, and in the second template, a print job is generated in which the 9th and subsequent regions are blank.

[0077] Next, the size adjustment process in step S205 described in the flowchart of FIG. 15 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0078] First, in step S301, the control unit 34 acquires information on the height Hi and width Wi of the image data and the height Ha and width Wa of the region.

[0079] Then, in step S302, when scaling the height Hi and width Wi of the image data to height Hj and width Wj, the control unit 34 calculates the maximum Hj and Wj that satisfy Hj≦Ha and Wj≦Wa while maintaining the aspect ratio of the image data.

[0080] Next, in step S303, the control unit 34 calculates the scaling ratio from the height Hi and width Wi of the image data before scaling and the height Hj and width Wj of the image data after scaling. Specifically, Hj / Hi = Wj / Wi = scaling ratio.

[0081] Finally, in step S304, the control unit 34 enlarges or reduces the image data based on the calculated enlargement or reduction ratio, and places the image on the region by aligning the upper left corner of the region with the upper left corner of the image data.

[0082] FIG. 19 shows an example of image data placement when the aspect ratio of the template area and the image to be placed differ.

[0083] Figure 19(A) shows a situation where a blank space is created at the bottom of the area due to scaling to match the width of the image data to be placed to the width of the template area, and Figure 19(B) shows a situation where a blank space is created at the right side of the area due to scaling to match the height of the image data to be placed to the height of the template area.

[0084] In the above description, a print job is generated based on a template according to the number of image data stored in the hot folder. However, a print job may be automatically generated after the number of image data stored in the hot folder reaches the number of areas in the template. In other words, a print job may be generated when the number of image data stored in the hot folder matches the number of areas in the template.

[0085] The flow chart of FIG. 20 shows the operation when a print job is generated after waiting until image data for the number of areas in the template is stored.

[0086] 20 differs from the flowchart shown in Fig. 8 only in that the processing in step S104 is replaced with the processing in step S404. Therefore, only the processing that differs from the flowchart in Fig. 8 will be described below.

[0087] If it is determined in step S103 that image data has been stored in the hot folder, the control unit 34 determines in step S404 whether image data for the number of areas in the template has been stored. If it is determined in step S404 that image data for the number of areas in the template has not been stored, the control unit 34 waits for a certain period of time in step S105 and then returns to the processing of step S404.

[0088] If it is determined in step S404 that image data for the number of regions of the template has been stored, the control unit 34 executes the processes from step S106 onwards to perform imposition processing for arranging image data in each region of the template.

[0089] In each of the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0090] Furthermore, the operations of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be performed not only by a single processor but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments and may be changed as appropriate.

[0091] In this embodiment, the term "system" includes both a system made up of multiple devices and a system made up of a single device.

[0092] [Variations] In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a print job for a printed material using a template is generated in an image forming device 10 capable of executing print processing, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The present disclosure can also be similarly applied to a case in which a print job for a printed material using a template is generated in various information processing devices or information processing systems, such as personal computers, that do not have the function of executing print processing.

[0093] [Note] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0094] (((1))) a processor; The processor: acquiring template information including at least information about a plurality of areas on a printed matter where images are to be arranged, each area being assigned a different identifier; storing the template information in association with a folder for storing image data; When image data is stored in the folder, a print job for a printed matter is generated in which an image corresponding to the stored image data is arranged based on template information associated with the folder and a preset rule. Information processing system.

[0095] (((2))) The predetermined rule is a rule determined based on the name of the image data stored in the folder and the identifier. The information processing system according to (((1))).

[0096] (((3))) The predetermined rule is determined based on the time when the image data is stored in the folder and the identifier. The information processing system according to (((1))).

[0097] (((4))) The processor: Obtain the number of areas indicated by the template information associated with the folder; generating a print job when the number of image data stored in the folder is equal to or greater than the number of areas acquired; An information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))).

[0098] (((5))) The processor: Obtain the number of areas indicated by the template information associated with the folder; If the number of image data stored in the folder is less than the number of areas acquired, a print job is not generated. An information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))).

[0099] (((6))) when the size of the area on the printed matter indicated by the template information differs from the size of the image to be placed in the area, the processor enlarges or reduces the image to a size where the entire image is included in the area and the image is at its largest, without changing the aspect ratio of the image, and places the image in the area. An information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((5))).

[0100] (((7))) when the number of image data to be arranged in the area indicated by the template information is greater than the number of areas on the print indicated by the template information, the processor generates a print job by repeating the pattern of the area indicated by the template information; An information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((6))).

[0101] (((8))) the processor creates and saves template information by accepting designations of ranges of areas for setting the position and size of an image to be placed on a print; An information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((7))).

[0102] (((9))) acquiring template information including at least information about a plurality of areas on a printed material where images are to be arranged, each area being assigned a different identifier; storing a folder for storing image data and the template information in association with each other; When image data is stored in the folder, generating a print job for a printed material in which an image corresponding to the stored image data is arranged based on template information associated with the folder and a preset rule; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

[0103] The effects of the configuration described above will be described below.

[0104] According to the information processing system (((1))), when determining the layout of images on a printed matter, the possibility of the layout differing from the user's intention can be reduced compared to when the layout of images on a printed matter is determined without any consideration.

[0105] According to the information processing system (((2))), the possibility of an image being placed in an unintended manner by the user can be reduced compared to when the area on the printed material where the image corresponding to the stored image data is placed is determined without any consideration.

[0106] According to the information processing system (((3))), the possibility of an image being placed in an unintended manner by the user can be reduced compared to when the area on the printed material where the image corresponding to the stored image data is placed is determined without any consideration.

[0107] According to the information processing system (((4))), it is possible to reduce the possibility that an image will not be placed in an area included in the template.

[0108] According to the information processing system (((5))), it is possible to reduce the possibility that an image will not be placed in an area included in the template.

[0109] According to the information processing system (((6))), it is possible to reduce the possibility that the image will be sized in a way that is not intended by the user, compared to when the image is arranged without taking the size of the area into consideration.

[0110] According to the information processing system (((7))), even if the number of areas included in the template information differs from the number of image data to be arranged, a print job for a printed material on which image data is arranged can be generated.

[0111] According to the information processing system (((8))), the user can create template information simply by setting the position and size of the image.

[0112] According to the program (((9))), when determining the layout of images on a printed matter, the possibility of the layout differing from the user's intention can be reduced compared to when the layout of images on a printed matter is determined without any consideration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 10 Image forming device 11 CPU 12 Memory 13 Storage device 14 Communication Interface 15 User Interface Device 16 Image forming unit 17 Control Bus 20 Terminal equipment 30 Network 31 Operation input section 32 Display section 33 Data transmission and reception unit 34 Control Unit 35 Template memory section 36 Image data storage unit 37 Print processing unit 41 Operation buttons 42 OK button 43 OK button 44 Settings button 45 OK button 46 Hot Folders

Claims

1. a processor; The processor: acquiring template information including at least information about a plurality of areas on a printed matter where images are to be arranged, each area being assigned a different identifier; storing the template information in association with a folder for storing image data; When image data is stored in the folder, a print job for a printed matter is generated in which an image corresponding to the stored image data is arranged based on template information associated with the folder and a preset rule. Information processing system.

2. The predetermined rule is a rule determined based on the name of the image data stored in the folder and the identifier. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The predetermined rule is determined based on the time when the image data is stored in the folder and the identifier. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

4. The processor: Obtain the number of areas indicated by the template information associated with the folder; generating a print job when the number of image data stored in the folder is equal to or greater than the number of areas acquired; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

5. The processor: Obtain the number of areas indicated by the template information associated with the folder; If the number of image data stored in the folder is less than the number of areas acquired, a print job is not generated. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

6. when the size of the area on the printed matter indicated by the template information differs from the size of the image to be placed in the area, the processor enlarges or reduces the image to a size where the entire image is included in the area and the image is at its largest, without changing the aspect ratio of the image, and places the image in the area. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

7. when the number of image data to be arranged in the area indicated by the template information is greater than the number of areas on the print indicated by the template information, the processor generates a print job by repeating the pattern of the area indicated by the template information; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

8. the processor creates and saves template information by accepting designations of ranges of areas for setting the position and size of an image to be placed on a print; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

9. acquiring template information including at least information about a plurality of areas on a printed material where images are to be arranged, each area being assigned a different identifier; storing a folder for storing image data and the template information in association with each other; When image data is stored in the folder, generating a print job for a printed material in which an image corresponding to the stored image data is arranged based on template information associated with the folder and a preset rule; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

Images