Computer-readable recording medium, print content editing apparatus, and print content editing method

Abstract

To improve convenience related to additional printing to printing contents.SOLUTION: And a display control unit configured to display an area associated with the printing content on a display unit, wherein when it is set to cut the printing medium on which the printing content is printed at the position of the finishing line, the display control unit displays a margin line corresponding to a position where printing processing is performed up to a position different from the finishing line and outside the cutting position, and a preview area where the printing content is displayed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a program, a print content editing device, and a print content editing method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, web printing systems have been provided that allow users to create and print various printed materials using a web server and a computer and printer installed at home or in the office. In such web printing systems, print jobs generated on the web server are downloaded to a computer via a printing application running on the computer, and then printed by sending the job from the computer to the printer via a printer driver. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-72419 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In web applications for web printing systems, it is possible to create print content that assumes that the paper (recording medium) will be cut after printing, such as business cards. One process is to design (position) the print content up to the bleed line outside the finish line that corresponds to the paper's cut position, as displayed in the web application. This process increases the likelihood that unintended white space will not appear between the edge (edge) of the paper after cutting and the colored part of the print content, even if there is an error in the actual cutting position. This process is called bleed processing, and simply put, it is the process of bleed-filling the print content up to the bleed line outside the finish line.

[0005] However, for example, while editing print content in a web application, the manuscript size may be changed from business card size to A4 size. While business card size requires trimming, A4 size does not, and therefore no bleed is required. Therefore, the user may need to adjust the size of an object that was placed so that it extends into the bleed area during editing so that it fits within the finish line. The bleed data creation system disclosed in Patent Document 1 automatically creates bleed data for DTP data corresponding to print content. This system creates bleed data by extending rectangular objects that touch the finish line in the DTP data outside the boundary. However, because the user cannot check the bleed state before printing, there is a possibility that the user will have to go back and adjust the design after printing to account for the bleed.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to improve convenience related to bleed-through of print content. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a program that causes a computer to function as an editing means capable of editing print content including one or more objects in an editing area in which a finish line corresponding to the cutting position of the recording medium is displayed, and a display control means that displays an area related to the print content on a display unit, and when the recording medium on which the print content is printed is set to be cut at the position of the finish line, the display control means displays a bleed line that is different from the finish line and corresponds to the position where printing processing is carried out up to a position outside the cutting position, and a preview area in which the print content is displayed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve convenience in relation to bleed-over of print content. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a printing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a terminal device included in the printing system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a printing device included in the printing system. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a Web server included in the printing system. [Figure 5] FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing the software configuration of a computer serving as a terminal device included in the printing system, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing the software configuration of a mobile terminal serving as a terminal device included in the printing system. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of a Web server included in the printing system. [Figure 7] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of a display of a print content editing screen in the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a background object. [Figure 8] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of a preview screen when no cutting is performed after printing in the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a preview screen when cutting is performed after printing in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a part specific to a first operation example in the first embodiment of the printing system. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a part common to first to third operation examples in the first embodiment of the printing system. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a part specific to a second operation example in the first embodiment of the printing system. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a part specific to a third operation example in the first embodiment of the printing system. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a print content editing screen in the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an example of a preview screen when no cutting is performed after printing in the second embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of a preview screen when cutting is performed after printing in the second embodiment. [Figure 15] (a) is a partially enlarged view showing an example of a preview screen when no cutting is performed after printing in the second embodiment, and (b) is a partially enlarged view showing an example of a preview screen when cutting is performed after printing in the second embodiment. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing a part of an operation example of a printing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17] This figure explains how to perform modification processing on a background object, where (a) shows print content including the background object before modification, and (b) to (d) show print content including the background object after modification using different modification methods. [Figure 18] This figure explains how to perform modification processing on background objects and general objects, where (a) shows print content including background objects and general objects before modification, and (b) to (d) show print content including background objects and general objects after modification using different modification methods. [Figure 19] This figure explains how to perform modification processing on general objects, where (a) shows print content including a general object before modification, and (b) to (d) show print content including a general object after modification using different modification methods. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the disclosure according to the claims. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the disclosure, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations may be omitted.

[0011] First Embodiment 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a print processing system according to this embodiment. The print processing system includes a terminal device 101, a printing device 102, and a Web server 103.

[0012] Based on user operations, a Web application 601 (see FIG. 6) provided by the Web server 103 edits and generates print content (also simply referred to as "content"). Image data generated based on content data that constitutes the content is sent from the Web server 103 to the printing device 102 via the terminal device 101. The printing device 102 prints the content on a sheet-like recording medium such as paper based on the image data. Hereinafter, a sheet-like recording medium such as paper will be simply referred to as a "recording medium" regardless of the thickness of the sheet. Recording media include both roll paper and cut paper.

[0013] The terminal device 101 is an information processing device such as a smartphone, personal computer, tablet device, mobile phone, or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The printing device 102 is a printer that forms an image on a recording medium (i.e., prints) by applying a recording agent such as ink to the recording medium. The printing device 102 may also be a multifunction peripheral that has multiple functions such as a copying function, a facsimile function, and a printing function. Note that in this embodiment, the printing device 102 is assumed to be a device that prints using an inkjet method, but is not limited to this form and may also be a device that prints using an electrophotographic method or a thermal dye sublimation method, for example.

[0014] The terminal device 101 communicates with the printing device 102 via a network established by the access point 104. The access point 100 functions as, for example, a wireless LAN router, and the terminal device 101 is connected to the Internet 105 via the access point 104, which functions as this wireless LAN router. Therefore, the terminal device 101 can communicate with a Web server 103 for controlling a Web application 601 via the Internet 105. The terminal device 101 stores programs such as a print application 502 (see FIG. 5). Therefore, the terminal device 101 receives image data created by rendering based on content data from a rendering processing unit 611 (see FIG. 6) of the Web server 103, and transfers the image data to the printing device 102 via the network as print data. Note that the terminal device 101 and the printing device 102 may each be connected to the access point 100 via a wired LAN. The terminal device 101 and the printing device 102 may also be connected to each other via a wired LAN.

[0015] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal device 101. As an example, the terminal device 101 includes an input interface 201, a processor 202 such as a CPU, a ROM 203, a display unit 204, a RAM 205, an external storage device 206, a communication unit 207, and a short-range wireless communication unit 208. These functional blocks are interconnected by an internal bus. Furthermore, multiple functional blocks may be integrated into one, or one functional block may be divided into two or more functional blocks. These are also true for the configurations shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0016] The processor 202 is a system control unit and performs overall control of the entire device. The RAM 205 is configured, for example, with a static RAM (SRAM) that requires a backup power source. The RAM 205 retains data using a primary battery (not shown) for data backup, allowing data such as program control variables to be stored without volatilization. The RAM 205 also includes a memory area for storing configuration information and management data for the terminal device 101. The RAM 205 is also used as the main memory and work memory for the processor 202. The ROM 203 stores fixed data such as control programs, data tables, and OS programs executed by the processor 202. The print application 502 (see FIG. 5 ) is also stored in the ROM 203. The operation of the terminal device 101 in this embodiment is realized, for example, by the processor 202 transferring a program stored in the ROM 203 to the RAM 205 and then reading and executing the program from the RAM 205.

[0017] The display unit 204 includes an LED (light-emitting diode), an LCD (liquid crystal display), and the like, and displays a UI screen based on various data. The display unit 204 may also include a touch display or the like, and have the function of accepting various inputs from the user. That is, the display unit 204 may function as an interface for accepting data inputs and operation instructions from the user. That is, the display unit 204 may be an operation panel including a physical keyboard, buttons, a touch panel, and the like.

[0018] The communication unit 207 is configured to include a circuit and an antenna for performing communication according to a predetermined wireless communication method. For example, the communication unit 207 can wirelessly connect to the access point 104. The communication unit 207 may also operate as a temporarily used access point 104. The wireless communication used in this embodiment may be communication that operates according to a wireless LAN wireless communication method (Wi-Fi ("WiFi" is a registered trademark)) that complies with the IEEE802.11 standard series, or communication that operates according to another wireless communication method.

[0019] The short-range wireless communication unit 208 performs short-range wireless communication with other devices that are present within a certain short-range range of the terminal device 101. Note that the short-range wireless communication unit 208 communicates using a wireless communication method different from that of the communication unit 207. Examples of communication methods include Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth (registered trademark) Classic, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Wi-Fi Aware.

[0020] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the printing device 102. In the printing device 102, the printing function is realized by a printer unit 301, the scanner function is realized by a scanner unit 302, and the storage function is realized by a memory card mounting unit 303 and a memory card 304.

[0021] The printer unit 301 executes printing based on image data included in print data received from an external device (for example, the terminal device 101) or image data stored on a memory card 304. The printer unit 301 also manages consumable information such as the remaining amount of ink and paper.

[0022] The scanner unit 302 optically reads an original placed on a platen (not shown) and converts it into electronic data. The converted electronic data is further converted into a specified file format, and the converted image data is sent to an external device via a network or stored in a storage area (not shown) such as a hard disk drive. The copy function is realized by the scanner unit 302 reading an original placed on the platen and generating image data, which is then transferred to the printer unit 301, which then prints an image based on the image data on a recording medium.

[0023] Various file data are stored in a memory card 304 that can be inserted into a data readable / writable memory card insertion unit 303. This file data can be read and edited by an external device connected to the printing device 102 via a network or an external device not connected to the printing device 102. The external device can also store file data in the memory card 304.

[0024] The printing device 102 further includes a processor 305 such as a CPU, a program memory 306, a work memory 307, a display unit 308, an operation unit 309, a network communication unit 310, a network connection unit 311, and a flash memory 312. The processor 305 is a processor for overall control of each unit within the printing device 102. The program memory 306 is composed of a ROM or the like and stores various program codes and an application 314 for communicating with the Web server 103. The application 314 can also access the printer unit 301 to obtain consumable information, for example, by transmitting the remaining amount of consumables to the Web server 103 at a predetermined timing. The work memory 307 is composed of a RAM or the like and temporarily stores or buffers image data and the like when executing each service. The operation of the printing device 102 in this embodiment is realized, for example, by the processor 305 reading a program stored in the program memory 306 into the work memory 307 and executing it.

[0025] The display unit 308 is configured with LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and LCDs (liquid crystal displays), and displays a UI screen based on various data. The operation unit 309 is configured with switches and the like for the user to perform various input operations. The network communication unit 310 is connected to a network such as the Internet 105 via a network connection unit 311 and performs various communications. The network communication unit 310 communicates with the outside world, for example, via a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. If the network communication unit 310 is compatible with a wired LAN, the network connection unit 311 is, for example, a connector for connecting a wired LAN cable, and if the network communication unit 310 is compatible with a wireless LAN, the network connection unit 311 is, for example, an antenna. The network connection unit 311 may be compatible with both a wired LAN and a wireless LAN. In this embodiment, the network communication unit 310 is compatible with a wireless LAN and connects to the access point 104 in accordance with a wireless LAN wireless communication method compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard series. The flash memory 312 is a non-volatile memory for storing image data received by the network communication unit 310. The above-mentioned units are connected to one another via a bus 313.

[0026] The printing device 102 may include a cutting unit for cutting a recording medium on which image data has been printed by the printer unit 301. Also, a cutting machine may be connected to the terminal device 101 via the access point 104. In such a case, the cutting unit or cutting machine may cut the recording medium based on an instruction from the terminal device 101.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the Web server 103. The processor 401, such as a CPU, is a processor for comprehensively controlling the device. The disk device 402 stores various files, as well as an application program 412, a database 413, and an OS that are read by the processor 401. The external storage medium reader 403 is a device for reading information such as files stored in an external storage medium such as an SD card. The memory 404 is composed of RAM or the like, and the processor 401 temporarily stores and buffers data as needed. The operation of the Web server 103 in this embodiment is realized, for example, by the processor 401 reading a program stored in the disk device 402 into the memory 404 and executing it.

[0028] The display unit 405 is composed of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and LCDs (liquid crystal displays), and displays a UI screen based on various data. The operation unit 406 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, and the like for the user to perform various input operations. The network communication unit 407 is connected to a network such as the Internet 105 via a network connection unit 408, and performs various communications. The network communication unit 407 communicates via, for example, a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. When the network communication unit 407 is compatible with a wired LAN, the network connection unit 408 is, for example, a connector for connecting a wired LAN cable, and when the network communication unit 407 is compatible with a wireless LAN, the network connection unit 408 is, for example, an antenna. The network connection unit 408 may be compatible with both a wired LAN and a wireless LAN. The USB communication unit 410 (Universal Serial Bus) is connected to various peripheral devices via a USB connection unit 411, and performs various communications according to the USB standard. The above-mentioned units are interconnected by a bus 409.

[0029] <Application configuration> 5(a) is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration when the terminal device 101 is a personal computer. The web browser 501 is a web browser, and may be, for example, "Microsoft Edge," "Google Chrome (registered trademark)," "Firefox (registered trademark)," or "Safari (registered trademark)."

[0030] The print application 502 is an application for printing based on print settings set by the user, and includes a print setting processing unit 503 and a thumbnail display unit 504. For example, the print application 502 is a native application associated with the Web application 601, and is an application for causing the printing device 102 to print content created by the Web application 601. The print setting processing unit 503 performs print settings. The thumbnail display unit 504 displays thumbnails based on content data created by the print application 502 in response to user operations. When the terminal device 101 is a PC, a printer driver 505 generates print data for printing on the printing device 102. The printer driver 505 includes printer model information 506 and a print data generation processing unit 507. The print data generated by the print data generation processing unit 507 includes image data. The printer driver 505 is distributed by the printer vendor and can be used by the user by installing it. The printer driver 505 may also be included in the OS. Setting information that can be set when printing for each printer is stored in the model information 506. Usable setting values ​​include, for example, settings for the paper feed method, paper type (including size), and the like.

[0031] FIG. 5(b) is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration when the terminal device 101 is a mobile terminal. The differences from FIG. 5(a) will be explained. When the terminal device 101 is a mobile terminal, the printer driver 505 does not exist. Therefore, the terminal device 101 is configured with a print processing module 508 that performs print data generation processing. The print processing module 508 includes a model information acquisition processing unit 509. The model information acquisition processing unit 509 acquires model information 506 from the printing device 102. The acquired model information acquisition processing unit 509 is stored in, for example, the external storage device 206.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the Web server 103. The front end 602 mainly controls the display of the Web browser 501. Specifically, the front end 602 includes a UI control unit 604 that controls user operations on the Web browser 501 and a content editing unit 603 that can edit content created by the Web application 601 in accordance with user editing operations. The front end 602 also includes a change processing unit 605 that performs change processing on objects included in the content and a preview unit 606 that generates a preview of the content and displays the preview screen on the display unit 204. The change processing is intended to prevent unintended margins from occurring due to cutting errors, and will be described later. The back end 607 includes a user management unit 608, a user authentication unit 609, a content management unit 610, a rendering processing unit 611, and a model information management unit 612. The user management unit 608 manages user information that identifies users. For example, the user management unit 608 manages user information included in cookies. A user authentication unit 609 issues a unique identifier for each user in association with the user information. A content management unit 610 manages content data that constitutes content created by the Web application 601. A rendering processing unit 611 performs rendering processing based on the content data managed by the content management unit 610. A model information management unit 612 manages model information including model information of the user's printing device 102.

[0033] FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an example of a print content editing screen 700 that the Web browser 501 causes the display unit 204 of the terminal device 101 to display in accordance with control by the UI control unit 604 of the front end 602 of the Web application 601.

[0034] The basic menu area 701 is an area where a list of multiple basic menu items is displayed. In the example of Fig. 7, the basic menu area 701 displays a list of a template basic menu item 702A, a file basic menu item 702B, a photo basic menu item 702C, and a background basic menu item 702D. The basic menu area 701 also displays a list of a text basic menu item 702E, a shape basic menu item 702F, and a repeat print basic menu item 702G.

[0035] The template basic menu item 702A is used by the user to select any pre-designed content template and place it in the editing area 713. A template includes one or more display objects. Some templates include a background object, which will be described later, and some do not. The content editing unit 603 can edit print content including one or more objects in the editing area 713.

[0036] The file basic menu item 702B is for selecting any of the saved contents and placing it in the editing area 713 in response to a user operation.

[0037] The basic menu item 702C for photo is used to select any photo object and place it in the editing area 713 in response to an operation by the user.

[0038] The background basic menu item 702D is used to select one of the background objects 714 in response to a user operation and place it in the editing area 713. The background object 714 has an existence range that covers the entire editing area 713, which will be described later. Therefore, the four sides of the background object 714 coincide with the finish line 712 that defines the editing area 713. The background object 714 placed in the editing area 713 in FIG. 7(a) is shown in FIG. 7(b).

[0039] The basic menu item 702E of text is for placing a text object containing a character string entered by the user in the editing area 713.

[0040] The basic menu item 702F for graphics is used to select any graphics object and place it in the editing area 713 in response to a user operation. The user can also adjust the size, angle, etc. of the graphics object.

[0041] The repeat print basic menu item 702G is for repeatedly printing on a recording medium the content that has been edited and created in the edit area 713. This will be described in the second embodiment.

[0042] In the sub-menu area 703, a sub-menu corresponding to a basic menu item selected by the user from the basic menu area 701 is displayed as necessary.

[0043] When the user selects the template basic menu item 702A, a list of template thumbnails is displayed in the submenu area 703. When the user selects one of the template thumbnails and drags and drops it into the editing area 713, that template is placed in the editing area 713. Figure 7 shows the screen in this case. The background object 714 included in the content being edited in the editing area 713 is the background object included in the template second from the top in the list, as is clear from the fact that they have the same pattern. This background object is made up of two parts: a lower half with a pattern 715 and a transparent upper half, but its presence range is the entire editing area 713.

[0044] When the user selects the file basic menu item 702B, a list of thumbnails of saved content is displayed in the submenu area 703. When the user selects a thumbnail of any content and drags and drops it into the editing area 713, that content is placed in the editing area 713. Note that a description of the screen and operations for saving content will be omitted.

[0045] When the user selects the photo basic menu item 702C, a list of photo thumbnails is displayed in the submenu area 703. When the user selects one of the photo thumbnails and drags and drops it into the editing area 713, the photo is placed in the editing area 713. Note that a description of the screen and operations for saving a photo will be omitted.

[0046] When the user selects background basic menu item 702D, a list of background thumbnails is displayed in submenu area 703. When the user selects one of the background thumbnails and drags and drops it into editing area 713, that background is placed in editing area 713. The list of background thumbnails may also include a thumbnail of background object 714 as shown.

[0047] When the user selects basic menu item 702E for text, no particular change occurs in submenu area 703. In that case, a pop-up menu for selecting vertically written text or horizontally written text is displayed, and when the user selects one, the text can be placed in editing area 713. The character string "ABC" 718, the character string "Taro Yamada" 719, and the character string "ABC Co., Ltd." 720 included in the content displayed in editing area 713 are entered and placed using this method. However, they may also be modified text (not shown) that is originally present in the template.

[0048] When the user selects basic menu item 702F for shapes, no particular change occurs in submenu area 703. In that case, a pop-up menu for selecting a line, rectangle, or ellipse is displayed, and when the user selects one, the selected shape can be placed in editing area 713. A circular shape 717 included in the content existing in editing area 713 has been placed using this method. However, shape 717 may also be a shape (not shown) that is originally present in the template.

[0049] Note that it is also possible to place objects such as text and graphics so that some of them extend beyond the editing area 713. However, since the range of the content is limited to the entire editing area 713, in such cases the extending portion is cut off from the content. In other words, the object itself remains as is, but the extending portion is treated as a non-printing portion.

[0050] In the control area 704, three control objects are arranged: a "change document size" button 705, a "trim after printing" check box 706, and a "proceed to printing" button 707.

[0051] The "Change Original Size" button 705 allows the user to change the original size. When the "Change Original Size" button 705 is pressed by the user, a screen (not shown) containing a menu for selecting the original size is displayed. The user can select the original size from this menu. The original size can also be changed by using this menu. For example, even if postcard size is initially selected as the original size and content is being edited, the original size can be changed to A4 size midway through. When printing, paper of the originally selected original size or the changed original size is selected. The same applies to repeat printing in the second embodiment.

[0052] The "Trim after printing" checkbox 706 is used by the user to specify whether or not the recording medium on which the content is printed is to be trimmed using a paper cutter or the like. When the user presses the "Trim after printing" checkbox 706, the checkbox toggles between ON and OFF. Also, for example, when business card size is selected, the checkbox may be set to ON as the initial value.

[0053] The "Proceed to Print" button 707 is used to display a preview and then execute printing in response to a user instruction, as will be described in detail later.

[0054] An editing area 713 surrounded by a rectangle formed by four finishing lines 712 is placed in the work area 708. The content has an existence range within the editing area 713. Therefore, as described above, if an object is placed so that part of it extends beyond the editing area 713, only the part that does not extend beyond the area is included in the content. The part that extends beyond the area is not displayed in the work area 708. Therefore, the user can visually confirm the objects included in the content whose existence range is within the editing area 713.

[0055] Whether the "Trim after printing" checkbox 706 is checked or not, the extent of the content coincides with the editing area 713. Therefore, the user can edit the content whether the "Trim after printing" checkbox 706 is checked or not, in the same way as when it is not checked. In particular, the user does not need to perform bleed processing themselves, even when the "Trim after printing" checkbox 706 is checked. As will be described later, bleed processing is performed when the Web application 601 previews the content if the "Trim after printing" checkbox 706 is checked or not.

[0056] A screen for editing the currently selected object is displayed in edit menu area 709. In the example shown in Fig. 7, designs 711A to 711D that can be used to replace design 715 of currently selected background object 714 are displayed.

[0057] FIG. 8 shows a preview screen displayed on the display unit 204 of the terminal device 101 by a front end 602 included in a Web application 601.

[0058] The user presses the "Proceed to printing" button 707 located on the print content editing screen 700 shown in Fig. 7. Then, a preview screen 801 as shown in Fig. 8(a) or a preview screen 802 as shown in Fig. 8(b) is displayed on the print content editing screen 700. If the "Trim after printing" checkbox 706 is set to not perform cutting after printing (i.e., the checkbox 706 is OFF), the preview screen 801 shown in Fig. 8(a) is displayed. If the "Trim after printing" checkbox 706 is set to perform cutting after printing (i.e., the checkbox 706 is ON), the preview screen 802 shown in Fig. 8(b) is displayed.

[0059] A preview area 803 included in a preview screen 801 displays a preview of the content whose existence range is an editing area 713 surrounded on all four sides by a finishing line 712. A background object 714 exists within the editing area 713, just like the content.

[0060] A preview area 803 included in the preview screen 802 displays a preview of content including an extended background object 808 whose existence range is an extended area 807 surrounded on all four sides by a bleed line 806. A method for changing the background object 714 to the extended background object 808 will be described later. Note that in the example of FIG. 8(b), the existence range of the extended background object 808 is equal to the extended area 807, but this is not necessarily the case. It is sufficient that the existence range of the extended background object 808 includes the extended area 807. This will be described later. Furthermore, even if the extended background object 808 has a portion that extends beyond the extended area 807 on the preview screen 802, the protruding portion is not displayed or printed.

[0061] In the preview area 803 included in the preview screen 802, four cutting lines 809 are also displayed superimposed on the preview of the content including the extended background object 808. Each cutting line 809 is an extension of the corresponding finish line 712 so that it straddles the extended area 807, and indicates that the recording medium will be cut by a cutting machine using the cutting lines 809 as targets. Note that although the cutting lines 809 are displayed superimposed on the preview of the content including the extended background object 808, they are not printed on the recording medium. However, printer's marks (not shown) corresponding to the cutting lines 809 may be printed so as not to affect the printed material after cutting.

[0062] The cut line 809 is displayed on the preview screen 802 primarily for the purpose of enabling the user to identify that the content includes an object that has been bled outside the editing area 713. Therefore, the cut line 809 may be changed to a display object that suits this purpose. For example, the cut line 809 may be replaced with the finish line 712 that surrounds the editing area 713 on all sides. The cut line 809 may also be replaced with an L-shaped display object that indicates the four corners of the editing area. Furthermore, the bled portion that extends outside the editing area 713 may be displayed dark, or conversely, bright, or with a mesh.

[0063] Here, even if the recording medium is cut using the position of the cut line 809 as a target, the actual cutting position generally deviates from the position of the cut line 809. In other words, a cutting error may occur between the target cut line 809 and the actual cut line (not shown). If a conversion process (bleed process) is not performed on an object (e.g., background object 714) that has a portion that contacts the finish line 712, any cutting error will result in an unintended margin between the edge of the recording medium after cutting and the object. The margin is an unprinted area. However, if a conversion process (bleed process) is performed on an object that has a portion that contacts the finish line 712, the occurrence of such a margin can be avoided even if there is a cutting error. In particular, by appropriately setting the distance between the finish line 712 and the bleed line 806 and bleeding the object that has a portion that contacts the finish line 712 up to the bleed line 806 in the conversion process, the occurrence of a margin can be reliably avoided. Therefore, the bleed line 806 can be said to be a guideline for preventing the occurrence of blank spaces. The maximum possible cutting error is used as the distance ΔE between the finish line 712 and the bleed line 806. Alternatively, the distance ΔE is taken as n·σ, where σ is the standard deviation of the cutting error. Here, the value of n can be set appropriately, and may be, for example, a value of about 3 to 6.

[0064] In FIG. 8(b), the distance between the left and right cutting lines 809 in the actual scale is indicated by W1, and the distance between the left and right bleed lines 806 in the actual scale is indicated by W2. W2 is set so that ΔE = (W2 - W1) / 2. Similarly, in FIG. 8(b), the distance between the top and bottom cutting lines 809 is indicated by H1, and the distance between the top and bottom bleed lines 806 is indicated by H2. H2 is set so that ΔE = (H2 - H1) / 2. Because W1 varies depending on the size of the recording medium, the ratio of ΔE to W1 also varies depending on the size of the recording medium. Similarly, because H1 varies depending on the size of the recording medium, the ratio of ΔE to H1 also varies depending on the size of the recording medium. Therefore, the size of the extension area 807 when normalized by the size of the editing area 713 may vary depending on the size of the recording medium, or may be fixed to match the minimum size of the recording medium.

[0065] If the user determines that there is a problem with printing the non-enhanced content displayed on the preview screen 801, the user presses the "Cancel" button 804. This ends the display of the preview screen 801, and the focus returns to the print content editing screen 700.

[0066] If the user determines that there is no problem with printing the non-enhanced content displayed on the preview screen 801, the user presses the "Print" button 805. This starts the print application 502, and the non-enhanced content is printed onto a recording medium by the printing device 102. In this case, too, the display of the preview screen 801 ends, and the focus returns to the print content editing screen 700.

[0067] If the user determines that there is a problem with printing the content with expanded background objects displayed on the preview screen 802, the user presses the "Cancel" button 804. This ends the display of the preview screen 801, and the focus returns to the print content editing screen 700.

[0068] If the user determines that there is no problem with printing the content with augmented background objects displayed on the preview screen 802, the user presses the "Print" button 805. This starts the print application 502, and the content with augmented background objects is printed on a recording medium by the printing device 102. In this case, too, the display of the preview screen 801 ends, and the focus returns to the print content editing screen 700. Thereafter, the recording medium on which the content with augmented background objects has been printed is cut by a cutting machine or cutting unit. The cutting machine or cutting unit may be controlled by the Web application 601.

[0069] When the focus returns to the print content editing screen 700, the content before the background object was extended has been maintained or restored by the process described below. A use case will now be described. For example, a user checks content with extended background objects, which is previewed on the preview screen 802. The user then realizes that they mistakenly checked the "Trim After Printing" checkbox 706 due to the presence of bleed areas, and presses the "Cancel" button 804. In such a case, the user switches the check box for "Trim After Printing" 706 from ON to OFF, and then presses the "Proceed to Printing" button 707 again. Thereafter, via the display on the preview screen 801, the user can instruct the printing device 102 to print the content without extended background objects onto a recording medium.

[0070] 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing an example of a method performed by the front end 602 after the web browser 501 accesses the web application 601 in response to a user operation. The front end 602 may be a program executed by the web server 103, or a program executed on the web browser 501 in the terminal device 101, or a combination of both. Therefore, the front end 602 is executed by the processor 401, the processor 202, or both. Therefore, in the following description, what is executed by the front end 602 is physically executed by the processor 401, the processor 202, or both, which read the front end 602 and operate according to the instructions contained therein.

[0071] In S901, the front end 602 receives the print content editing screen 700 of FIG.

[0072] Next, in S902, the front end 602 waits for a user to input information to the print content editing screen 700. The input information is input by operating an input function unit included in the display unit 204.

[0073] If there is an input, the front end 602 determines YES in S902 and advances the process to S903.

[0074] In S903, the front end 602 determines whether the input is a press of the "Proceed to Print" button 707.

[0075] If the input is a press of the "Proceed to Print" button 707, the front end 602 advances the process to S904; otherwise, the front end 602 advances the process to S926.

[0076] In S926, the front end 602 determines whether the input is a mouse click on the "cut after printing" check box 706.

[0077] If the input is a mouse click on the "trim after printing" checkbox 706, the front end 602 advances the process to S927; otherwise, the front end 602 advances the process to S930.

[0078] In S927, the front end 602 determines whether the "cut after printing" check box 706 is ON.

[0079] If the "cut after printing" check box 706 is ON, the front end 602 advances the process to S928, otherwise, the front end 602 advances the process to S929.

[0080] In S928, the front end 602 turns OFF the "cut after printing" check box 706. On the other hand, in S929, the front end 602 turns ON the "cut after printing" check box 706.

[0081] In S930, the front end 602 determines whether the input is an input for editing the content (that is, an input related to an editing operation).

[0082] If the input is for editing the content, the front end 602 advances the process to S931; otherwise, the front end 602 advances the process to S932.

[0083] In S931, the front end 602 executes editing processing of the content. In S932, the front end 602 executes other processing.

[0084] After executing S928, S929, S931, or S932, the front end 602 returns the process to S901.

[0085] In S904, the front end 602 determines whether the "cut after printing" check box 706 is ON.

[0086] If the "cut after printing" check box 706 is ON, the front end 602 advances the process to repeat steps S905 to S910, and if not, advances the process to S913.

[0087] The process from S905 to S910 is repeated for all objects included in the content.

[0088] In each iteration, the front end 602 first determines the type of object in the current iteration in S906.

[0089] If the object in the current iteration is a background object, the front end 602 advances the process to S907, and if it is a general object, the front end 602 advances the process to S908. Here, a general object is an object that is not a background object.

[0090] In step S907, the front end 602 changes the background object to an extended background object and then ends the current iteration. Because the extended background object has a portion that contacts the bleed line 806, even if a cutting error occurs, no unintended blank space is created between the edge of the recording medium after cutting and the extended background object.

[0091] In S908, the front end 602 determines whether the generic object in the current iteration has a portion that touches the finish line 712.

[0092] If the generic object in the current iteration has a portion that touches the finish line 712, the front end 602 proceeds to step S909; otherwise, the front end 602 ends the current iteration.

[0093] In S909, the front end 602 changes the general object in the current iteration to an object that has a portion that touches the bleed line 806, and then ends the current iteration. The portion of the changed general object that touches the bleed line 806 corresponds to the portion of the original general object that touches the finish line 712. Because the changed general object has a portion that touches the bleed line 806, even if a cutting error occurs, no unintended blank space will occur between the edge of the recording medium after cutting and the changed general object. Note that, as will be described later, in S909, the front end 602 may change the general object in the current iteration to an object that has a portion that is further away from the editing area 713 than the bleed line 806. However, in this case, it is sufficient to print the portion of such a general object that touches the bleed line 806; it is not necessary to print the portion that is further away from the editing area 713 than the bleed line 806.

[0094] When the repetition of steps S905 to S910 is completed, the original content has been converted into expanded content that will not produce unintended blank spaces even if cutting errors occur.

[0095] In S911, the front end 602 generates a preview based on the augmented content.

[0096] Next, in S912, the front end 602 adds a cutting line 809 to the preview generated in S911. Note that the cutting line 809 may also be added to the preview when the preview is generated in S911. In either case, the cutting line 809 is not added to the expanded content itself, and therefore the cutting line 809 is not printed. However, the above-described printer's marks may be added to the expanded content so that they are printed.

[0097] In S913, the front end 602 generates a preview based on the original content, without adding any cut lines to the preview.

[0098] After S912 or S913, the front end 602 displays a preview screen in S914. Here, if the process proceeds from S912 to S914, the front end 602 displays the preview screen 802. Also, if the process proceeds from S913 to S914, the front end 602 displays the preview screen 801.

[0099] Next, the front end 602 waits in a loop of steps S915 and S916 until the user presses the "Cancel" button 804 or the "Print" button 805.

[0100] If the "Cancel" button 804 is pressed, the front end 602 advances the process to S919, and if the "OK" button 805 is pressed, the front end 602 starts S917 and advances the process to S919 at the same time. However, the front end 602 may advance to S919 after confirming the completion of S917 or S918.

[0101] In S917, the print application 502 is started. The print application 502 requests print data from the backend 607. In response, the backend 607 performs rendering processing in the rendering processing unit 611 based on the content it holds, and sends the result to the print application 502. In response, the terminal device 101 sends the print data to the printing device 102 via the print application 502 and the printer driver 5050.

[0102] In S918, the printing device 102 receives the print data from the terminal device 101 and executes printing processing based on the received print data.

[0103] The content held by the backend 607 is the original content when the "trim after printing" checkbox 706 is OFF, and is the extended content when the "trim after printing" checkbox 706 is ON. Therefore, when the "OK" button 805 is pressed while the preview screen 801 or 802 is displayed depending on whether the "trim after printing" checkbox 706 is ON or OFF, the print application 502 is launched. Then, in the print process, the original content or the extended content is printed depending on whether the "trim after printing" checkbox 706 is ON or OFF.

[0104] In S919, the front end 602 determines whether the "cut after printing" check box 706 is ON.

[0105] If the "cut after printing" checkbox 706 is ON, the front end 602 advances the process to the repeated process from S920 to S925, and if it is OFF, returns the process to S901.

[0106] The process from S920 to S925 is repeated for all objects included in the content, which is the expanded content.

[0107] In each iteration, the front end 602 first determines the type of object in the current iteration in S921.

[0108] If the object in the current iteration is a background object, the front end 602 proceeds to step S922; if it is a general object, the front end 602 proceeds to step S923.

[0109] At S922, the front end 602 converts the augmented background object back into a non-augmented background object.

[0110] In S923, the front end 602 determines whether the general object in the current iteration is the object after the change in S909.

[0111] If the general object in the current iteration is the object changed in S909, the front end 602 advances the process to S924; otherwise, the front end 602 ends the current iteration.

[0112] In S924, the front end 602 restores the general object in the current iteration to the object before the change.

[0113] When the repetition of steps S920 to S925 is completed, the expanded content is restored to the original content.

[0114] When the repetition of steps S920 to S925 is completed, the front end 602 returns the process to step S901.

[0115] 9 and 10, in the process from S920 to S925, the object after the change in S907 or S909 is restored to the object before the change based on the object after the change. However, the object before the change may be saved and returned later. Therefore, the part shown in FIG. 9 may be changed as shown in FIG. 11.

[0116] Among the steps shown in FIG. 11, steps that differ from the steps shown in FIG. 9 will be described.

[0117] If the front end 602 determines in S906 that the object in the current iteration is a background object, it saves the background object in S1101. Next, the front end 602 changes the background object to an augmented object in S1102. In the method shown in Figure 9, it is necessary to change the background object in S907 so that the pre-augmented background object can be restored based on the augmented background object in S922. In contrast, in the method shown in Figure 11, it is not necessary to change the background object in this way in S1102.

[0118] If the front end 602 determines in S908 that the generic object in the current iteration has a portion that touches the finish line 712, it saves the current generic object in S1103. Next, the front end 602 changes the generic object that has a portion that touches the finish line 712 to a generic object that has a portion that touches the bleed line in S1104. In the method shown in Figure 9, it is necessary to change the generic object in S909 so that the pre-change generic object can be restored based on the changed generic object in S924. In contrast, in the method shown in Figure 11, it is not necessary to change the generic object in this way in S1104.

[0119] If the front end 602 determines in S921 that the object in the current iteration is a background object, it returns the expanded background object in S1105 to the background object saved in S1101.

[0120] If the front end 602 determines in S923 that the general object in the current iteration is the general object changed in S1104, it returns the changed general object to the general object saved in S1103 in S1106.

[0121] In the method shown in Fig. 11, the object before the change is saved and then returned later. However, it is also possible to save the entire content before the change and then return it later. Therefore, the part shown in Fig. 9 can be changed as shown in Fig. 12.

[0122] Among the steps shown in FIG. 12, steps that differ from the steps shown in FIG. 9 will be described.

[0123] If the front end 602 determines in S904 that the "cut after printing" check box 706 is ON, it generates a copy of the content in S1201 before proceeding to the repeated processing from S905 to S910.

[0124] In the repeated process from S905 to S910, the objects included in the copy of the content are processed.

[0125] In S911, the front end 602 generates a preview based on a copy of the content that has been subjected to the repeated processes from S905 to S910.

[0126] If the "trim after printing" check box 706 is ON, the process proceeds from S912 to S914. Then, in S917, print data is generated based on the copy of the content that has been subjected to the repeated processes from S905 to S910.

[0127] 12, the process of restoring the original content is not necessary, so if the determination in S915 is YES, the process returns to S901. Also, if the determination in S916 is YES, S917 is started and the process returns to S901.

[0128] Second Embodiment The second embodiment corresponds to repeat printing, which prints multiple contents on one recording medium. In the following explanation, the same content is repeatedly printed on one recording medium. The basic configuration and operation of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, so duplicated explanations will be omitted and only the differences will be explained.

[0129] 13, when the repeat printing basic menu item 702G in the basic menu area 701 is selected, a "repeat printing" check box 1301 and a "print paper size" combo box 1302 are displayed in the submenu area 703. The "repeat printing" check box 1301 allows the user to select whether or not to perform repeat printing. The "print paper size" combo box 1302 allows the user to select the size of the recording medium to be used for repeat printing.

[0130] When the "Repeat printing" checkbox 1301 is ON and the "Trim after printing" checkbox 706 is OFF, the user presses the "Proceed to printing" button 707. This causes a preview screen 1401, such as that shown in FIG. 14(a), to be displayed on the print content editing screen 700. As shown in FIG. 14(a) and a partially enlarged view in FIG. 15(a), a preview area 1402 on the preview screen 1401 displays a preview of a recording medium 1403 on which content including an unextended background object 714 is repeatedly arranged.

[0131] When the "Repeat printing" checkbox 1301 is ON and the "Cut after printing" checkbox 706 is ON, the user presses the "Proceed to printing" button 707. Then, a preview screen 1404 such as that shown in FIG. 14(b) is displayed on the print content editing screen 700. As shown in FIG. 14(b) and a partially enlarged view in FIG. 15(b), a preview area 1405 of the preview screen 1404 displays a preview of a recording medium 1406 on which content including an extended background object 808 is repeatedly arranged. A cutting line 1501 is superimposed on the preview. The cutting line 1501 corresponds to multi-printing. In other words, the cutting line 1501 is used when multiple contents are obtained from a single recording medium by cutting the recording medium for each content.

[0132] When the user presses the "Print" button 805 located on the preview screen 1401, multiple pieces of content including the non-extended background object 714 are printed on the recording medium specified in the "Print paper size" combo box 1302. When the user presses the "Print" button 805 located on the preview screen 1404, multiple pieces of content including the extended background object 808 are printed on the recording medium specified in the "Print paper size" combo box 1302.

[0133] It should be noted that when repeat printing is performed, it may be assumed that cutting will always be performed after printing. In such a case, when the "Proceed to Print" button 707 is pressed, the preview screen 1404 may always be displayed, and printing may be performed accordingly.

[0134] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a portion of an operation example in the second embodiment. This is based on the first operation example in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9. In the operation example in the second embodiment, S1601 to S1603 are inserted between S910 and S911. Also, if the answer is NO in S904, S1604 to S1606 are inserted before S913. In the operation example in the second embodiment, S915 to S925 are common to the first operation example in the first embodiment, and are therefore omitted in FIG. 16. The operation example in the second embodiment also includes the processing shown in FIG. 10.

[0135] In S1601, the front end 602 determines the number of objects, including the extended background object 808, to be arranged vertically on the recording medium of the size selected in the “print paper size” combo box 1302.

[0136] In S1602, the front end 602 determines the number of objects, including the extended background object 808, that are to be arranged horizontally on the recording medium of the size selected in the "print paper size" combo box 1302.

[0137] In S1603, the front end 602 repeatedly arranges the objects, including the extended background object 808, on the recording medium based on the numbers determined in S1601 and S1602.

[0138] The front end 602 generates a preview 1406 in S911, and adds a cutting line 1501 to the preview in S912. In this case, the front end 602 displays a preview screen 1404 on the display unit in S914.

[0139] In S1604, the front end 602 determines the number of objects, including the non-extended background object 714, that are to be arranged vertically on the recording medium of the size selected in the "print paper size" combo box 1302.

[0140] In S1605, the front end 602 determines the number of objects, including the non-extended background object 714, that are to be arranged horizontally on the recording medium of the size selected in the “print paper size” combo box 1302.

[0141] In S1606, the front end 602 arranges the objects, including the unaugmented background object 714, on the recording medium in a repeating manner based on the numbers determined in S1604 and S1605.

[0142] In S913, the front end 602 generates a preview 1403. In this case, in S914, the front end 602 displays a preview screen 1401 on the display unit.

[0143] For example, in S1601, the number of contents to be arranged vertically may be determined based on the vertical size of the recording medium selected by pressing the "Change Original Size" button 705 and the vertical size of the recording medium selected in the "Print Paper Size" combo box 1302. Also, for example, in S1602, the number of contents to be arranged horizontally may be determined based on the horizontal size of the recording medium selected by pressing the "Change Original Size" button 705 and the horizontal size of the recording medium selected in the "Print Paper Size" combo box 1302. The same applies to S1604 and S1605. However, this is not limited to the above, and for example, the user may be able to specify the number of contents to be arranged vertically and horizontally.

[0144] Figure 17 is a diagram illustrating three methods for expanding a background object. Figure 17(a) shows content including an unaugmented background object 714. Figures 17(b) to 17(d) show content including background objects 1701 to 1703 expanded by the first to third methods, respectively.

[0145] 17(b) is obtained by enlarging the background object 714 so that the background object 1701 includes the extended area 807 within its range and the aspect ratio of the background object 714 matches that of the background object 1701. Therefore, the background object 1701 has portions that extend beyond the extended area 807 on both sides. These portions that extend beyond the left and right are not actually displayed on the preview screen 802, nor are they printed.

[0146] 17(c) is obtained by enlarging the background object 714 so that the range of the background object 1702 coincides with the extended area 807. Therefore, the aspect ratio of the background object 1701 is different from that of the background object 714. Furthermore, the background object 1701 does not have any portions that extend beyond the extended area 807 on the left or right.

[0147] An extended background object 1703 shown in FIG. 17(d) is obtained by adding a bleed portion to a background object 714. Therefore, the image content of the portion of the background object 1703 that exists in the editing area 713 matches the image content of the background object 714. The image content of the portion of the background object 1703 that exists outside the editing area 713 (the bleed portion) may be prepared in advance, or may be generated based on the image content of the background object 714. For generation, for example, a spatial filter for extrapolating image data may be used, or a trained model generated by machine learning may be used.

[0148] 18 is a diagram illustrating three methods for changing an object included in content and having a portion that contacts the finish line 712. The object before the change is changed to an object having a portion that contacts the bleed line 806. Note that the object having a portion that contacts the bleed line 806 may have a portion that is farther away from the editing area 713 than the bleed line 806.

[0149] FIG. 18(a) shows content including objects having portions that contact the finish line 712. The objects having portions that contact the finish line 712 are a background object 714 and ellipse objects 1801, 1802, and 1803. A method for changing the background object 714 to one of the background objects 1701 to 1703 that contact the bleed line 806 has already been described, so a redundant description will be omitted. Although not shown, the ellipse object 1801 has a portion that is farther from the editing area 713 than the finish line 712, in addition to a portion that contacts the finish line 712. In other words, the ellipse object 1801 originally has a perfect elliptical shape. Only the portion of the ellipse object 1801 that is within the editing area 713 is displayed. The portion of the ellipse object 1801 that extends beyond the editing area 713 is also displayed, although it is not. The same applies to the ellipse object 1802. The entire ellipse object 1803 is contained within the editing area 713.

[0150] If the "trim after printing" checkbox 706 is OFF, only the content that exists in the editing area 713 is printed. Therefore, if the "trim after printing" checkbox 706 is OFF, the part that extends beyond the editing area 713 will not be printed.

[0151] Ellipse objects 1804, 1805, and 1806 shown in FIG. 18(b) have been modified to match the background object 1701, and each has a portion that contacts the bleed line 806 and a portion that is further away from the editing area 713 than the bleed line 806. Although not shown, the ellipse objects 1804 and 1805 have portions that extend beyond the background object 1701 in addition to portions that overlap with the background object 1701. The background object 1701 also has portions that extend beyond the bleed line 806 to the left and right. Therefore, the ellipse objects 1804 and 1805 also have portions that extend beyond the bleed line 806 to the right. For the sake of explanation, FIG. 18(b) illustrates the entire background object 1701, and only the portions of the ellipse objects 1804 and 1805 that overlap with the background object 1701 are illustrated.

[0152] If the "trim after printing" checkbox 706 is ON, only the content that exists in the extension area 807 is printed. Therefore, if the "trim after printing" checkbox 706 is OFF, the part that extends beyond the extension area 807 is not printed.

[0153] Object 1801 is changed to object 1804 so that the positional relationship between the editing area 713 (or background object 714) and each part of object 1801 is similar to the positional relationship between the background object 1701 and each part of object 1804. Objects 1802 and 1803 are similarly changed to objects 1805 and 1806, respectively. Therefore, the shapes and positions of objects 1804, 1805, and 1806 are changed relative to objects 1801, 1802, and 1803, respectively.

[0154] If the "Trim after printing" checkbox 706 is ON, the portions of the objects 1804-1806 that are farther from the editing area 713 than the bleed line 806 (i.e., the portions outside the range of the extension area 807) may be cut off. Even if they are not cut off, they will not be printed. The same applies to the background object 1701.

[0155] 18(c) are modified to match the background object 1702, and each has a portion that contacts the bleed line 806. Although not shown, the ellipse objects 1807 and 1808 have portions that extend beyond the background object 1702 in addition to portions that overlap with the background object 1702. Furthermore, unlike the background object 1701, the background object 1702 does not have portions that extend beyond the bleed line 806 in the left and right directions.

[0156] Object 1801 is changed to object 1807 so that the positional relationship between the editing area 713 (i.e., background object 714) and each part of object 1801 is similar to the positional relationship between the background object 1702 and each part of object 1807. Objects 1802 and 1803 are similarly changed to objects 1808 and 1809, respectively.

[0157] The objects 1807 to 1809 do not have any portion that is farther from the editing area 713 than the bleed line 806, so there is no need to perform any particular truncation processing. The same applies to the background object 1702.

[0158] 18(d) is an ellipse object 1810 in which a bleed portion has been added to the ellipse object 1801. Here, the bleed portion refers to a portion that is in the ellipse object 1810 but not in the ellipse object 1801. The bleed portion can also be said to be a portion that is included in the area defined by the bleed line 806 (extended area 807) but exists in an area that is not included in the editing area 713.

[0159] An ellipse object 1810 shown in Fig. 17(d) is obtained by adding a bleed portion to the ellipse object 1801 shown in Fig. 17(a). Therefore, the image content of the portion of the ellipse object 1810 that exists in the editing area 713 matches the image content of the ellipse object 1801. The image content of the portion of the ellipse object 1810 that exists outside the editing area 713 (the bleed portion) may be prepared in advance, or may be generated based on the image content of the ellipse object 1801. Object 1802 and object 1811 are similarly changed. Object 1812 is identical to object 1803.

[0160] The objects 1810 to 1812 do not have any portion that is farther from the editing area 713 than the bleed line 806, so there is no need to perform any particular truncation processing. The same applies to the background object 1703.

[0161] Even when changing background object 714 to background object 1703, the sameness of the design may be considered and the following may be done: In other words, ellipse objects 1804 to 1806 or ellipse objects 1807 to 1809 may be combined with background object 1703 instead of ellipse objects 1810 to 1812.

[0162] 19 is a diagram illustrating three methods for changing an object included in content and having a portion that contacts the finish line 712. The object before the change is changed to an object having a portion that contacts the bleed line 806. Note that the object having a portion that contacts the bleed line 806 may also have a portion that is further away from the editing area 713 than the bleed line 806.

[0163] 19(a) shows content including objects having portions that contact the finish line 712. Here, the objects having portions that contact the finish line 712 are ellipse objects 1801 to 1803.

[0164] In the example shown in Figure 19, the content does not include a background object. However, objects 1801 to 1803 are changed in the same way as when the content includes a background object. Therefore, the positions of objects 1804 to 1806 are the same in Figures 18(b) and 19(b). The positions of objects 1807 to 1809 are the same in Figures 18(c) and 19(c). The positions of objects 1810 to 1812 are the same in Figures 18(d) and 19(d).

[0165] As described above, according to this embodiment, the bleed process is automatically applied before proceeding to printing, so the user does not need to take bleed into consideration when editing the content. Furthermore, when cutting the recording medium on which the content has been printed, the bleed state can be checked on the preview screen before printing, which reduces the need for rework due to printing errors.

[0166] In this embodiment, business card-sized content and A4-sized content have been described as examples of content to be printed by the printing device 102, but the size of the content is not limited to these. For example, A0-sized or A1-sized posters may be used as content. The size of the content may also be postcard-sized. This embodiment can be applied as long as the content created by the user on the Web application 601 can be printed on the printing device 102 using the print application 502.

[0167] <Other embodiments> A "Preview" button may be placed in the control area 704. When the "Preview" button is pressed by the user, a preview of the content that has been modified or the content that has not been modified may be displayed depending on whether the "Print and then trim" checkbox 706 is ON or OFF.

[0168] A "Print" button may be placed in the control area 704. When the "Print" button is pressed by the user, the content that has undergone the change process or the content that has not undergone the change process may be printed without previewing, depending on whether a "Cut after printing" checkbox 706 is ON or OFF.

[0169] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by a computer in a system or device that reads and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) for performing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments, recorded on a storage medium (sometimes more fully referred to as a “non-transitory computer-readable storage medium”), and / or includes one or more circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) for performing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments, and may also be implemented by a method executed by the computer in the system or device by reading and executing the computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) for performing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments, recorded on a storage medium, and / or controlling one or more circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) for performing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), microprocessing unit (MPU)), and may include separate computers or a network of separate processors for reading and executing the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or a storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), storage of a distributed computing system, an optical disk (compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD), or Blu-ray disk (BD)®), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

[0170] <Technical Features of the Present Disclosure> The present disclosure includes the following programs, configurations, and methods.

[0171] [Program 1] an editing means for editing print content including one or more objects in an editing area in which a finish line corresponding to a cutting position of the recording medium is displayed; a display control means for displaying an area relating to the print content on a display unit; Make the computer function as When it is set that the recording medium on which the print content is printed is to be cut at the position of the finish line, the display control means displays a bleed line that is different from the finish line and corresponds to the position where printing processing is performed up to a position outside the cutting position, and a preview area in which the print content is displayed. A program characterized by:

[0172] [Program 2] a modifying unit that performs a modifying process to modify an object having a portion that contacts the finish line into an object having a portion that contacts the bleed line, The display control means displays the object on which the change processing has been performed in the preview area. The program according to Program 1, characterized in that

[0173] [Program 3] the object having a portion in contact with the finish line further has a portion that is farther away from the editing area than the finish line; The program according to Program 2, characterized in that

[0174] [Program 4] the object having a portion in contact with the bleed line further has a portion that is farther away from the editing area than the bleed line; 4. The program according to Program 2 or 3,

[0175] [Program 5] one of the objects having a portion contacting the finish line is a first background object whose existence range is the editing area, In the change process, the change means changes the first background object to a second background object whose existence range includes the area defined by the bleed line. 5. The program according to any one of Programs 2 to 4,

[0176] [Program 6] the second background object is an enlarged version of the first background object; The program according to Program 5, characterized in that

[0177] [Program 7] the second background object is the first background object with a bleed added to it; The program according to Program 5, characterized in that

[0178] [Program 8] The image content of the bleed portion is prepared in advance in correspondence with the first background object, or is generated based on the image content of the first background object. The program according to Program 7, characterized in that

[0179] [Program 9] the modification means modifies the shape, position, or both of the object that has been the target of the modification process into the object after the modification process; The program according to Program 2, characterized in that

[0180] [Program 10] the modifying means performs the modifying process on the object that is the target of the modifying process so that a positional relationship between an area defined by the bleed line and each part of the object after the modifying process is similar to a positional relationship between the editing area and each part of the object before the modifying process. The program according to Program 2, characterized in that

[0181] [Program 11] the modifying means adds a bleed portion to the object that has been subjected to the modifying process, compared to the object before the modifying process; The program according to Program 2, characterized in that

[0182] [Program 12] the bleed portion is included in an area defined by the bleed line but is present in an area not included in the editing area; The program according to program 11, characterized in that

[0183] [Program 13] the bleed portion is prepared in advance for the object that is the target of the change processing, or is generated based on a portion of the object that is the target of the change processing that exists before the change processing. 13. The program according to program 11 or 12,

[0184] [Program 14] Cutting the recording medium along the finish line means cutting the recording medium using the finish line as a target cutting line, The bleed line is a line that serves as a guide for indicating that even if an error occurs between the target cutting line and the actual cutting line when the recording medium is cut along the finishing line, as long as the change processing is performed on an object having a portion that contacts the finishing line, no margin will occur between the object after the change processing and the actual cutting line. 14. The program according to any one of Programs 2 to 13,

[0185] [Program 15] When it is set that the recording medium on which the print content is printed is not to be cut in the finished state, the display control means displays the print content in the preview area without the change processing being performed on any of the objects. 15. The program according to any one of programs 2 to 14,

[0186] [Program 16] and when it is set that the recording medium on which the print content is printed is to be cut in the finished state, by accepting an input for printing, the computer further functions as a means for causing a printing means to print the print content that has been subjected to the change processing onto the recording medium. 16. The program according to any one of programs 2 to 15,

[0187] [Program 17] When it is set that the recording medium on which the print content is printed is not to be cut in the finished state, by accepting an input for printing, the computer further functions as a means for causing a printing means to print the print content that has not been subjected to the change processing onto the recording medium. 17. The program according to any one of Programs 2 to 16,

[0188] [Program 18] When it is set that the recording medium on which the print content is printed is to be cut according to the finishing line, the computer is further caused to function as a cutting unit that cuts the recording medium on which the print content that has been changed is printed according to the finishing line. 18. The program according to any one of programs 2 to 17,

[0189] [Program 19] When an input to proceed to printing is received, the preview area is displayed. 19. The program according to any one of programs 1 to 18,

[0190] [Program 20] When an input for preview is received, the preview area is displayed. 20. The program according to any one of programs 1 to 19,

[0191] [Program 21] and when the display control means receives an input for printing while the preview area is being displayed, the computer further functions as a means for causing a printing means to print the print content displayed in the preview area onto the recording medium. 21. The program according to any one of programs 1 to 20,

[0192] [composition] an editing means for editing print content including one or more objects in an editing area in which a finish line corresponding to a cutting position of the recording medium is displayed; a display control means for displaying an area relating to the print content on a display unit; Make the computer function as When it is set that the recording medium on which the print content is printed is to be cut at the position of the finish line, the display control means displays a bleed line that is different from the finish line and corresponds to the position where printing processing is performed up to a position outside the cutting position, and a preview area in which the print content is displayed. A print content editing device comprising:

[0193] [method] an editing step in which print content including one or more objects can be edited in an editing area in which a finish line corresponding to a cutting position of the recording medium is displayed; a display control step of displaying an area relating to the print content on a display unit; Make the computer function as When it is set that the recording medium on which the print content is printed is to be cut at the position of the finish line, the display control step displays a bleed line that is different from the finish line and corresponds to the position where printing processing is performed up to a position outside the cutting position, and a preview area in which the print content is displayed. A print content editing method comprising:

Claims

1. an editing means for editing print content including one or more objects in an editing area in which a finish line corresponding to a cutting position of the recording medium is displayed; a display control means for displaying an area relating to the print content on a display unit; Make the computer function as When it is set that the recording medium on which the print content is printed is to be cut at the position of the finish line, the display control means displays a bleed line that is different from the finish line and corresponds to the position where printing processing is performed up to a position outside the cutting position, and a preview area in which the print content is displayed. A program characterized by:

2. a modifying unit that performs a modifying process to modify an object having a portion that contacts the finish line into an object having a portion that contacts the bleed line, The display control means displays the object on which the change processing has been performed in the preview area.

2. The program according to claim 1 .

3. the object having a portion in contact with the finish line further has a portion that is farther away from the editing area than the finish line; 3. The program according to claim 2.

4. the object having a portion in contact with the bleed line further has a portion that is farther away from the editing area than the bleed line; 3. The program according to claim 2.

5. one of the objects having a portion in contact with the finish line is a first background object whose existence range is within the editing area; In the change process, the change means changes the first background object to a second background object whose existence range includes an area defined by the bleed line.

3. The program according to claim 2.

6. the second background object is an enlarged version of the first background object; 6. The program according to claim 5.

7. the second background object is obtained by adding a bleed portion to the first background object; 6. The program according to claim 5.

8. the image content of the bleed portion is prepared in advance in correspondence with the first background object, or is generated based on the image content of the first background object.

8. The program according to claim 7,

9. the modification means modifies the shape, position, or both of the object that has been the target of the modification process into the object after the modification process; 3. The program according to claim 2.

10. the modifying means performs the modifying process on the object that is the target of the modifying process so that a positional relationship between an area defined by the bleed line and each part of the object after the modifying process is similar to a positional relationship between the editing area and each part of the object before the modifying process.

3. The program according to claim 2.

11. the modifying means adds a bleed portion to the object that has been subjected to the modifying process, compared to the object before the modifying process; 3. The program according to claim 2.

12. the bleed portion is included in an area defined by the bleed line but is present in an area not included in the editing area; 12. The program according to claim 11 .

13. the bleed portion is prepared in advance for the object that is the target of the change processing, or is generated based on a portion of the object that is the target of the change processing that exists before the change processing.

12. The program according to claim 11 .

14. Cutting the recording medium along the finish line means cutting the recording medium using the finish line as a target cutting line, The bleed line is a line that serves as a guide for indicating that even if an error occurs between the target cutting line and the actual cutting line when the recording medium is cut along the finishing line, as long as the change processing is performed on an object having a portion that contacts the finishing line, no margin will occur between the object after the change processing and the actual cutting line.

3. The program according to claim 2.

15. When it is set that the recording medium on which the print content is printed is not to be cut in the finished state, the display control means displays the print content in the preview area without the change processing being performed on any of the objects.

3. The program according to claim 2.

16. and when it is set that the recording medium on which the print content is printed is to be cut in the finished state, by accepting an input for printing, the computer further functions as a means for causing a printing means to print the print content that has been subjected to the change processing onto the recording medium.

3. The program according to claim 2.

17. When it is set that the recording medium on which the print content is printed is not to be cut in the finished state, by accepting an input for printing, the computer further functions as a means for causing a printing means to print the print content that has not been subjected to the change processing onto the recording medium.

3. The program according to claim 2.

18. When it is set that the recording medium on which the print content is printed is to be cut according to the finishing line, the computer is further caused to function as a cutting unit that cuts the recording medium on which the print content that has been changed is printed according to the finishing line.

3. The program according to claim 2.

19. When an input to proceed to printing is received, the preview area is displayed.

2. The program according to claim 1 .

20. When an input for preview is received, the preview area is displayed.

2. The program according to claim 1 .

21. and when the display control means receives an input for printing while the preview area is being displayed, the computer further functions as a means for causing a printing means to print the print content displayed in the preview area onto the recording medium.

2. The program according to claim 1 .

22. an editing means for editing print content including one or more objects in an editing area in which a finish line corresponding to a cutting position of the recording medium is displayed; a display control means for displaying an area relating to the print content on a display unit; Make the computer function as When it is set that the recording medium on which the print content is printed is to be cut at the position of the finish line, the display control means displays a bleed line that is different from the finish line and corresponds to the position where printing processing is performed up to a position outside the cutting position, and a preview area in which the print content is displayed. A print content editing device comprising:

23. an editing step in which print content including one or more objects can be edited in an editing area in which a finish line corresponding to a cutting position of the recording medium is displayed; a display control step of displaying an area relating to the print content on a display unit; Make the computer function as When it is set that the recording medium on which the print content is printed is to be cut at the position of the finish line, the display control step displays a bleed line that is different from the finish line and corresponds to the position where printing processing is performed up to a position outside the cutting position, and a preview area in which the print content is displayed. A print content editing method comprising:

Images