Program, information processing device, and control method for the information processing device

Abstract

To provide a technology that allows for the selection of the appropriate paper feed unit when using a printing device equipped with multiple paper feed units and when performing a margin removal process on the print data. [Solution] A program that causes the computer of an information processing device to function as: a first acquisition means for acquiring first information indicating the size of a recording medium placed on each paper feed unit in a printing device capable of receiving paper from multiple paper feed units; a second acquisition means for acquiring second information indicating the size of a page to be printed included in print data for causing the printing device to perform printing; a first selection means for selecting a paper feed unit on which a recording medium is placed such that the difference between the size of the recording medium and the size of the page to be printed satisfies a first condition, based on the first and second information; and a control means for controlling the selection of a paper feed unit by the first selection means to be performed before the process of removing the margins of the page to be printed, if it is set to remove the margins of the page to be printed.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] When efficiently executing a plurality of print jobs using job submission software, it is required to easily combine and print a plurality of print files using output papers of different sizes. For example, in a large-format printer, it is necessary to be able to efficiently print various outputs such as drawings, posters, and photos on roll paper. For example, a technique for causing a recording apparatus capable of feeding paper across a plurality of paper feed ports to execute printing is known. Patent Document 1 discloses including a command for the apparatus to automatically select a paper feed port in a print job.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, a process of deleting margins from a print page may be performed when generating a print job. When the margin deletion process is performed, the print sizes of each page may be different. If the print sizes of each page are different, depending on which page is used as a reference for automatically selecting the paper feed unit, a part of the print page may be printed in a missing state. Therefore, when using a printing apparatus having a plurality of paper feed units and performing a margin deletion process on print data, a technique capable of selecting an appropriate paper feed unit is required.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide an exemplary technique for selecting an appropriate paper feed unit when using a printing apparatus equipped with multiple paper feed units and when performing a margin removal process on print data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, a program is provided that causes the computer of an information processing device to function as: a first acquisition means for acquiring first information indicating the size of a recording medium placed on each paper feed unit in a printing device capable of feeding paper from a plurality of paper feed units; a second acquisition means for acquiring second information indicating the size of a page to be printed included in print data for causing the printing device to perform printing; a first selection means for selecting a paper feed unit on which a recording medium is placed, based on the first information acquired by the first acquisition means and the second information acquired by the second acquisition means, such that the difference between the size of the recording medium and the size of the page to be printed satisfies a first condition; and, if it is set to delete the margins of the page to be printed, a control means for controlling the selection of the paper feed unit by the first selection means to be performed before the process of deleting the margins of the page to be printed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when using a printing device equipped with multiple paper feeding units, and when performing a margin removal process on the print data, it is possible to select an appropriate paper feeding unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing the configuration of the printing system. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the screen displayed by a printing application. [Figure 3] A diagram showing a table that stores print settings information. [Figure 4] A diagram showing the paper feed list displayed in the paper feed setting section. [Figure 5] A diagram illustrating the calculations required to select the paper feed section. [Figure 6] A flowchart illustrating the processes performed by a printing application. [Figure 7] A flowchart illustrating the processes performed by a printing application. [Figure 8] A diagram illustrating the print area. [Figure 9] A flowchart illustrating the processes performed by a printing application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. While the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any way. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, identical or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0010] <First Embodiment> <System Configuration> First, the configuration of the printing system according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of each device constituting the printing system. The printing system according to this embodiment consists of a PC 100, which is an information processing device on which a printing application program is installed, and a printing device (image forming apparatus) 101. The PC 100 and the printing device 101 are connected via bus communication or network communication such as wireless LAN (Local Area Network), wired LAN, short-range wireless communication, or USB. The printing application program is sometimes called job submission software or printing application. In this embodiment, the printing system is configured to have one printing device 101, but the number of printing devices 101 in the printing system is not limited to one and may be two or more. Similarly, although there is one PC 100, there may be two or more. Furthermore, if the functions of the PC 100 are incorporated into the printing device 101, the printing system may consist only of the printing device 101.

[0011] Furthermore, while the PC 100 is described as an example of an information processing device in this embodiment, it is not limited to this, and various devices such as mobile terminals, tablet terminals, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), and digital cameras can be applied. The printing device 101 is, for example, a printer. For instance, any printer can be an inkjet printer, a full-color laser beam printer, a monochrome printer, etc. It can also be applied to multifunction devices equipped with multiple functions such as copying, faxing, printing, and scanning.

[0012] First, the printing device 101 will be described. The printing device 101 is controlled by the CPU 130. The CPU 130 is sometimes called the processing unit or control unit. The CPU 130 operates based on programs stored in the program ROM 131, or programs stored in the external memory 138. These programs include printing applications. The CPU 130 outputs an image signal as output information to the printing unit 137, which is connected to the printing unit interface (I / F) 135 via the system bus 133.

[0013] The printing device 101 includes a paper feed unit 140. A recording medium is placed on the paper feed unit 140. The recording medium placed on the paper feed unit 140 is fed into the inside of the printing device 101 by a feeding unit (not shown), and an image is recorded (printed) by the printing unit 137, which will be described later. Note that "recording" includes not only cases where meaningful information such as characters and figures is formed, but also cases where images, patterns, etc. are formed on the recording medium, regardless of whether they are meaningful or not, or where the medium is processed, and does not matter whether it is made apparent in a way that can be perceived by human eyes. In this embodiment, a roll of paper is described as an example of a recording medium, but it may also be cloth, plastic film, etc. Furthermore, the paper feed unit 140 is not limited to cases where a roll of recording medium is placed on it, for example, but a bundle of recording media may also be placed on it. In this example, the printing device 101 is shown as having one paper feed unit 140, but it is assumed that it has multiple paper feed units 140. Furthermore, each paper feed unit 140 may contain recording media of different sizes (widths), or it may contain recording media of the same size.

[0014] The CPU 130 can communicate with the PC 100 via the input unit 134 and can notify (transmit) information from the printing device 101 to the PC 100. The CPU 130 can also receive output data and other information from the PC 100 to the printing unit 137 via the input unit 134.

[0015] The input unit 134 may be, for example, a communication I / F (i.e., a communication unit) such as a LAN, and is connected to a communication network 102 to which the PC 100 is also connected. The input unit 134 may output signals to communication partners such as the PC 100.

[0016] The RAM 132 is a memory that functions as the main memory and work area of the CPU 130, and is configured such that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). Note that the RAM 132 is used for an output information expansion area, an environment data storage area, a non-volatile memory, etc.

[0017] External memories 138 such as a hard disk (HDD) and an IC card are controlled for access by a memory controller 136. The external memory 138 can be connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, information about the paper registered in the printing device 101, etc. Information about the paper includes, for example, information indicating the size of the paper and attribute information of the paper (information indicating the type of the paper). Information indicating the size of the paper is, for example, information indicating the width and height of the paper. Also, the operation unit 139 includes an operation panel, can display various information such as the user interface screen shown in FIG. 2, and is configured to receive inputs from the user.

[0018] Next, the PC 100 will be described. Inside the computer 117 has a CPU 110, a ROM 111, a RAM 112, a keyboard controller 114, a display controller 115, a disk controller 116, and a communication I / F 121.

[0019] The CPU 110 may also read control programs and the like from the ROM 111. The CPU 110 may also be a dedicated circuit such as an ASIC. The CPU 110 executes the various processes and controls described below by loading the printing application program stored in memory such as the ROM 111 into the RAM 112 and executing it. The CPU 110 and the dedicated circuit are examples of hardware circuits and hardware processors. Like the CPU 100, the CPU 110 is sometimes called a processing unit or control unit.

[0020] The disk controller 116 controls access to external memory 120 such as HD, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and USB. The RAM 112 is configured to allow expansion of its capacity with optional RAM (not shown) and is primarily used as a work area for the CPU 110.

[0021] The keyboard controller 114 controls key input from the keyboard 118 and a pointing device (not shown). The display controller 115 controls the display on the display 119. The communication interface 121 controls communication with external devices that are connected to the communication network 102. In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the CPU 110 controls each part connected to the main bus 113 via the main bus 113.

[0022] <Display screen and print settings by the printing application> Figure 2(a) shows an example of the main screen displayed on the display screen 119 when a printing application installed on the PC 100 is executed. The main screen 200 displays the file display section 201, the preview display section 202, the device selection section 203, the print settings section 204, the print execution button 205, etc.

[0023] The file display unit 201 displays information about the files to be printed (referred to as print target files). This information includes the file name, information indicating the page structure of the print target file (e.g., number of pages), etc. As shown in Figure 2(a), the file display unit 201 displays multiple print target files. The file display unit 201 displays the file name, information indicating the page structure of the print target file, etc., in a way that allows user selection. In other words, a print target file is an output data file (print data file) to be output to the printing device 101. The print target file may be selected as a parameter when the printing application is executed, or it may be selected by the user by specifying the file name in the file display unit 201. The selection of a print target file may also be done by displaying the file names of files stored in a predetermined folder as candidates in a pop-up, for example, and selecting from there.

[0024] The preview display unit 202 displays a preview of the print layout of each page of the print target file selected via the file display unit 201. In other words, the preview display unit 202 displays the print target pages contained in the print target file selected by the user. The print target pages contain data that constitutes the print area, such as original documents and images.

[0025] The device selection section 203 is an item (pull-down list) that accepts user selection of the printing device to which the print job will be sent. The device selection section 203 displays the name of the printing device for which user selection has been accepted.

[0026] The print settings unit 204 displays various items related to print settings, for example. The user can select print settings using the various print settings items (pull-down lists) displayed in the print settings unit 204. The print settings unit 204 includes the paper feed setting unit 210, output size specification unit 207, rotation specification unit 208, margin removal specification unit 209, etc. Note that the device specification unit 203 may be included in the print specification unit 204.

[0027] The paper feed setting unit 210 is an item that accepts user selection of the paper feeding method of the printing device. The paper feed setting unit 210 displays the name of the paper feeding method.

[0028] The output size specification section 207 is an item that accepts the selection of paper size during printing. Figure 2(b) shows an example of the display of the output size specification section 207. As shown in Figure 2(b), the output size specification section 207 displays a list of configurable output sizes (selection items).

[0029] The rotation specification section 208 is an item that accepts settings related to the process of rotating the print area, such as images or documents, during printing. Figure 2(c) shows an example of the display of the rotation specification section 208. As shown in Figure 2(c), the rotation specification section 208 displays a list of configurable rotation processes (selection items). The rotation specification section 208 includes, for example, items for rotating the print area 90 degrees relative to the output direction, items for rotating it 180 degrees, etc.

[0030] The margin removal specification section 209 is an item that accepts user selection whether or not to perform a process to remove unnecessary margins from the printed material. Figure 2(d) shows an example of the display of the margin removal specification section 209. As shown in Figure 2(d), the margin removal specification section 209 includes an item to turn the margin removal setting ON and an item to turn the margin removal setting OFF. If the margin removal setting is set ON by the margin removal specification section 209, the CPU 110 performs a process to remove unnecessary margins from the pages to be printed when creating a print job. On the other hand, if the margin removal setting is set OFF, the CPU 110 does not perform a process to remove unnecessary margins from the pages to be printed when creating a print job.

[0031] When the CPU 110 receives user input for various print setting items in the device specification unit 203 or the print setting unit 204, it controls the system to store the settings (print setting information) configured for each item in memory such as RAM 112. Further details will be explained using Figure 3 below. The print setting information stored in memory is then referenced in processes such as those shown in Figure 4, which will be described later. The CPU 110 may also control the system to store the print setting information in memory such as RAM 112 when the print button 205, described later, is pressed.

[0032] Furthermore, when the CPU 110 receives user input for various print settings via the print setting unit 204, it displays a print preview with the changed print settings applied in the preview display unit 202. The preview display unit 202 displays one or more pages simultaneously, and previews of pages to be printed that cannot be displayed can be viewed using page forward and page back buttons (not shown). In this way, the user can check the print preview according to the print settings before having the printer 101 execute printing. This helps to suppress printing failures.

[0033] The print button 205 is a button that can accept user instructions to start printing. When the print button 205 is pressed (clicked or tapped), the CPU 110 creates a print job from the file to be printed, including print setting information, based on the print settings specified in the print setting unit 204. The CPU 110 also sends the created print job to the printing device 101.

[0034] In this embodiment, the CPU 110 arranges the print area for each page to be printed based on the top edge and left edge, according to the various print settings received on the main screen 200. The top edge is the edge that is in the direction of paper transport when the printing device 101 performs printing, and the left edge refers to the perpendicular edge to the left of the top edge.

[0035] When positioning the printable area on the paper, excluding the margins from the page to be printed, ensure that the top and left edges of the printable area are parallel to the top and left edges of the paper.

[0036] Arranging the print area means determining how to lay out the pages to be printed on the paper. Once the layout of the pages to be printed is determined, the result is displayed, for example, on the preview display unit 202. The final determined arrangement of the pages to be printed and the print settings are included as information in the print job generated by the printing application, and that print job is sent to the printing device 101. Then, each page to be printed is printed according to the print settings, as arranged by the printing application.

[0037] Figure 3 shows an example of a table 300 that registers (holds) print setting information stored in memory such as RAM 112. For example, when the print button 205 is pressed on the menu screen 200, the CPU 110 registers the print setting information based on the user operation on the menu screen 200 into the table 300. In Figure 3, print setting information for multiple jobs is shown as an example, but the print setting information created in response to a single print command is for one job. For example, each time the print button 205 is pressed, print setting information for one job may be additionally registered in the table 300.

[0038] Table 300 includes setting items such as ID 301, printer name 302, paper feed unit 303, paper width 304 indicating the width of the paper placed in the paper feed unit 140, paper type 308, output size 305, rotation 306, margin removal 307, etc. In addition to the print setting information shown in Figure 3, other print setting information may be added to Table 300, or some of the print setting information shown here may be omitted. For example, the name of the file to be printed may be included as a setting item in Table 300. That is, for example, the name of the file to be printed may be registered in Table 300 and linked to the print job identification information. Also, although a form in which all print setting information is managed in one Table 300 is shown here, tables for each setting value related to specific setting items may be prepared (for example, a table corresponding to printer 1 and a table corresponding to printer 2).

[0039] The ID 301 column of the settings item registers the identification information of the print job. The printer name 302 column of the settings item registers the name of the printer set in the device specification unit 203. In other words, the printer name 302 column registers information indicating the printing device to which the print job will be output (sent). The paper feed unit 303, paper width 304, and paper type 308 columns register the paper feed method set in the paper feed setting unit 210. The output size setting 305, rotation 306, and margin removal 307 columns register the values ​​set in the output size specification unit 207, rotation specification unit 208, and margin removal specification unit 209 settings shown in the print settings unit 204. For example, the rotation 306 column registers the value set in the rotation specification unit 208. For example, the rotation 306 column registers "Automatic," which is a setting for the printing application to rotate the print area as appropriate, or a rotation angle specified by the user. Note that the rotation angle allowed in the rotation process (i.e., the settable rotation angle) may be either 0 degrees or 90 degrees, or it may be in the form of registering multiples of 90 degrees. The value set in the margin removal specification section 209 is registered in the margin removal 307 column. Specifically, either "on" to perform margin removal or "off" to not perform margin removal is registered in the margin removal setting 307 column.

[0040] In the column for the paper feed unit 303, you can also register a setting value such as "Roll Auto," which indicates that the paper feed unit 140 will be automatically selected by the printing application. If "Roll Auto" is registered in the column for the paper feed unit 300, you can also register multiple candidate values ​​that may change automatically in the corresponding paper width 304 column. In the example in Figure 3, multiple setting values ​​are registered only in the paper width 304 column, but for example, you could register a single setting value in the paper width 304 column and multiple setting values ​​in the paper type 308 column.

[0041] In this way, Table 300 stores various print settings information for each print job, such as paper width, output size, image rotation, and margin removal.

[0042] Figure 4 shows an example of the display on the paper feed setting unit 210. The paper feed setting unit 210 displays a list of paper feed units that can be selected by the user. For example, the paper feed setting unit 210 displays information such as the setting name for each paper feed unit 140 of the printing device 101, the type of paper placed in each paper feed unit 140, and the width of the paper as part of the paper feed unit list.

[0043] In the example in Figure 4, for example, Roll 1, Roll 2, and Cut Sheet are the setting names for each paper feed unit 104 of the printing device 101. Also in the example in Figure 4, Automatic Roll is the setting name for automatically selecting a paper feed unit 140 from among the paper feed units 140 of the printing device 101 when printing. In the example in Figure 4, Automatic Roll indicates that either Roll 1 or Roll 2 paper feed unit 140 can be selected if the paper type is the same. When Automatic Roll is selected in the paper feed setting unit 210, the CPU 110 selects either Roll 1 or Roll 2 as the paper feed unit 140 to be used for printing, according to the size of the page to be printed. The paper feed setting unit 210 will also display a message indicating that no paper is loaded in the paper feed unit 140 if no paper is loaded.

[0044] Figure 5 illustrates the processing performed by the CPU 110 when automatic roll feeding is selected in the paper feed setting unit 210. When automatic roll feeding is selected in the paper feed setting unit 210, the CPU 110 performs processing to select a paper feed unit 140 suitable for the output size of the page to be printed. This process will be described in detail later using Figure 7.

[0045] First, the CPU 110 checks whether the output size of the page to be printed is smaller than the width of the paper placed in each paper feed unit 140. Specifically, when printing the page to be printed, the CPU 110 calculates whether any part of the printed material will be lost based on the information indicating the width of the paper placed in the paper feed unit 140 that can be used with automatic rolls, and stores the result.

[0046] Furthermore, if there are multiple paper widths larger than the output size, the CPU 110 calculates the margin area for each paper width. The CPU 110 then selects the paper feed unit 140 with the paper width that minimizes the margin area.

[0047] Furthermore, when the CPU 110 calculates whether there are any missing pages in the print target page and the minimum margin area, it may also include the case where the print target page is rotated in its calculations. For example, the CPU 110 calculates whether any part of the printout is missing in at least one case, whether the print target page is rotated or not, based on information indicating the width of the paper placed in the paper feed unit 140 that can be used with automatic rolls. The CPU 110 may then retain the results. Also, if the CPU 110 determines that there are no missing pages in the printout, whether the print target page is rotated or not, it may calculate the minimum margin area for the paper width for which it was determined that there are no missing pages. The CPU 110 may then select the paper feed unit 140 with the paper width that minimizes the margin area.

[0048] For example, as shown in Figure 5, if the output size is A2 (width 420mm, height 594mm), no pages (print data) will be lost on either Roll 1 (24 inches, width 610mm) or Roll 2 (36 inches, width 914mm). Therefore, CPU 110 calculates the minimum margin area for both rolls. When the output size is A2, rotating the pages 90 degrees when printing them on Roll 1 and Roll 2 will result in smaller margins. Therefore, the margin area is calculated with the pages rotated 90 degrees. The margin area for Roll 1 is calculated as 420mm × (610mm - 594mm) = 6720 square mm. The margin area for Roll 2 is calculated as 420mm × (914mm - 594mm) = 134400 square mm. As a result, the CPU 110 selects roll 1 because it has the smallest margin area. In another example, if the output size is A0 (width 841 mm, height 1189 mm), the CPU 110 will similarly check for missing pages in the print target, and the only paper feed unit 140 without missing print data will be roll 2. In this case, the CPU 110 will select roll 2 as the output paper feed unit 140 without calculating the minimum margin area.

[0049] <Processing performed by the printing application> Figure 6 shows an example of a flowchart for creating the paper feed list displayed in the paper feed setting section 210 of the menu screen 200. This flowchart is started when the CPU 110 detects that the printer 101 has been changed in the device designation section 203, or when the paper information of the paper feed section 140 has been changed. The process in Figure 6 is realized, for example, by the CPU 110 loading a print application program stored in memory such as ROM 111 into RAM 112 and executing it.

[0050] Changes in paper information are detected by the CPU 110 periodically obtaining status information from the printer 101 via the printing application. For example, the CPU 110 queries the printer 101 every predetermined time (e.g., every second). That is, the CPU 110 requests status information from the printer 101. When the printer 101 receives a request for status information, it sends status information, including information about the paper feed unit 140, to the PC 100. The information about the paper feed unit 140 includes, for example, information about the paper placed in each paper feed unit 140 (information indicating paper size, information indicating paper type). The CPU 110 compares the paper information obtained from the printer 101 in the past with the paper information obtained this time, and if different paper information is included, it determines that the paper information has changed and starts the following processing.

[0051] In the S600, the CPU 110 adds the physical paper feed unit to the ROM 111 or RAM 112, which is the source of the paper feed unit list. For example, the CPU 110 stores setting values ​​in the ROM 111 or other memory for displaying user-selectable items of the paper feed unit 140 individually in the paper feed setting unit 210. As an example, in Figure 4, the CPU 110 makes settings to add roll 1, roll 2, and cut paper to the paper feed unit list.

[0052] In S601, the CPU 110 determines whether there is a combination of paper types that match but have different paper sizes among the multiple paper feed units 140. If the CPU 110 determines that there is such a combination, it proceeds to S602. On the other hand, if the CPU 110 determines that there is no such combination, it proceeds to S603.

[0053] In S602, the CPU 110 adds a virtual paper feed unit to the ROM 111 or RAM 112, which is the source of the paper feed unit list. For example, the CPU 110 stores in memory such as ROM 11 a setting value for displaying a setting item (roll auto) that accepts automatic selection of the paper feed unit 140 in the paper feed setting unit 210. The CPU 110 also updates the table 300 stored in memory such as ROM 111. Specifically, the CPU 110 registers "roll auto" in the column for paper feed unit 303, and registers the setting value for the paper width (24 inches and 36 inches in the example in Figure 4) in the column for paper width 304, and the setting value for the paper type in the column for paper type 308.

[0054] In S603, the CPU 110 refers to a table 300 stored in memory such as the ROM 111 and displays a list of supply units corresponding to the paper feed unit 140 of the printing device 101 specified in the device designation unit 203 on the paper feed setting unit 210.

[0055] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by a printing application. The processing in Figure 7 is achieved, for example, by the CPU 110 loading the printing application program stored in memory such as ROM 111 into RAM 112 and executing it. Figure 7 describes the process by which the CPU 110 executes the printing application to select the paper feed unit 140 and set the print area. The CPU 110 starts the processing in Figure 7 based on the press of the print button 205. The CPU 110 also starts when the creation of a print job begins and when the display of the preview display unit 202 is updated (redrawn). The timing for updating the preview display unit 202 is, for example, when any setting in the print settings unit 204 that affects the preview is changed.

[0056] In S700, the CPU 110 determines whether the print target file is set to automatic roll feeding in the paper feed unit 303. That is, in S700, the CPU 110 determines whether automatic roll feeding is selected in the paper feed setting unit 210. If the CPU 110 determines that the print target file is set to automatic roll feeding, it proceeds to S701. If the result in S700 is YES, it is necessary to select a paper feed unit 140 of a size appropriate for the size of the print target pages contained in the print target file, so the process proceeds to S701 and beyond. On the other hand, if the CPU 110 determines that the print target file is not set to automatic roll feeding, it proceeds to S708. If the result in S700 is NO, the process proceeds to S708 in order to update the print setting information to use the paper feed unit 303 specified in the paper feed setting unit 210 as the paper feed unit 140 to be used during printing.

[0057] In S701, the CPU 110 determines whether the page size of all pages in the file to be printed is the same. If the CPU 110 determines that they are the same size, it proceeds to S702. On the other hand, if the CPU 110 determines that they are not the same size, it proceeds to S707. Specifically, the CPU 110 obtains information (such as header information) indicating the page size of all pages to be printed contained in the file to be printed. Then, the CPU 110 compares the information indicating the page size of all pages to be printed. The CPU 110 also determines, for example, whether the comparison results match.

[0058] In S702, the CPU 110 obtains information indicating the size of the paper placed on the paper feed unit 140, which is assigned to automatic roll feeding. Specifically, the CPU 110 refers to a table 300 stored in memory such as RAM 112 and obtains the paper width setting value corresponding to the automatic roll feeding setting value. In the example in Figure 4, the CPU 110 obtains 24 inches and 36 inches, which are registered in the paper width 304 column.

[0059] In S703, CPU110 obtains information indicating the size (width and height) of the first page of the file to be printed.

[0060] In S704, CPU110 compares the size (width and height) of the first page of the file to be printed, obtained in S703, with the size (paper width) of each sheet of paper, obtained in S702.

[0061] In S705, CPU110 refers to the comparison result in S704 and determines whether the paper size is larger than the size of the first page of the file to be printed. If CPU110 determines that it is larger, it proceeds to S706. On the other hand, if CPU110 determines that it is not larger, it proceeds to S707.

[0062] In S705, specifically, the CPU 110 determines whether the width of the paper is greater than the width or height of the first page. That is, the CPU 110 determines whether there is a paper feed unit 140 on which paper that can accommodate the first page is placed, either when the first page is not rotated or when it is rotated 90 degrees. In S705, if the rotation specification unit 208 is set not to rotate, the CPU 110 determines whether the width of the paper is greater than the width of the first page.

[0063] In this embodiment, in S703, the CPU 110 obtains information indicating the size of the first page, but it is not limited to this. In S703, the CPU 110 may also obtain information indicating the size of pages after the first page of the file to be printed. Alternatively, the CPU 110 may use the information indicating the size of pages after the first page to perform the processing in S704 to S706.

[0064] In S706, the CPU 110 selects the paper feed unit 140 that has the paper width that minimizes the margins of the printed document, since there is a paper feed unit 140 that has paper with a width that allows the target page to be printed without any loss.

[0065] In other words, in S706, the CPU 110 selects the paper feed unit 140 that has paper placed in it that satisfies the first condition, where the difference between the size of the paper and the size of the page to be printed is greater than the size of the page to be printed. The first condition includes that the size of the paper is larger than the size of the page to be printed. The first condition also includes that the difference between the size of the paper and the size of the page to be printed is minimized. By selecting the paper feed unit 140 that has paper that satisfies this first condition, the page to be printed can be printed without any loss and without any extra margins in the printed material.

[0066] In the S707, the CPU 110 determines that page loss may occur regardless of which paper feed unit 140 is selected. Therefore, it selects the paper feed unit 140 on which the largest size (width) of paper is placed to minimize the amount of page loss.

[0067] In S708, the CPU 110 updates (sets) the print settings information to use the paper feed unit 140 selected in S706 or S707 as the paper feed unit to be used during printing. The paper feed unit used during printing is, in other words, the paper feed unit of the output destination.

[0068] In S709, CPU110 determines whether the margin removal setting is ON for the file to be printed. If CPU110 determines that the margin removal setting is ON, it proceeds to S710. On the other hand, if CPU110 determines that the margin removal setting is OFF, it proceeds to process S717.

[0069] The processing from S710 to S716 is performed for each page included in the print target file. In this embodiment, a print job is associated with one print target file by, for example, an identification number, and the print target file is described as containing print data for one or more print target pages. Note that the print data for one page may be one file, and one or more files may constitute one job. The processing in Figure 7 is repeated for the print target file selected by the CPU 110 in the file display unit 201 until the print target pages selected in that file have been processed. When a print target file is selected and execution is instructed, the print settings 204 in Figure 2, such as the output size setting 207, rotation setting 208, margin removal setting 209, etc., are referenced.

[0070] In S711, the CPU 110 determines whether the page of interest is subject to margin removal. If the CPU 110 determines that it is subject to margin removal, it proceeds to S712. On the other hand, if the CPU 110 determines that it is not subject to margin removal, it proceeds to S714. Here, the margins to be removed are the blank areas around the print area (drawing area) where text or image graphics are drawn. For example, in S711, if the file format of the page of interest is a drawing file (drawing data), the CPU 110 determines that margins are not necessary for the drawing and therefore determines that it is subject to margin removal. On the other hand, if the file format of the page of interest is an image data file, the photographs and graphic art on the page of interest can be part of the print area, so even if there are margins, it is not necessarily appropriate to remove them. Therefore, if the file format of the page of interest is an image data file, the CPU 110 determines that it is not subject to margin removal. This is because photographs and graphic art designs are sometimes composed of margins as well.

[0071] Drawing files are a common file format used for drawing output, for example. Examples include PDF files, HPGL / 2 files, and other formats used as save files for drawing output applications. Image data, on the other hand, is a file format used for saving image data such as JPEG and TIFF, as well as output data from other graphic design applications.

[0072] The file format of the page of interest can be identified by the file name (e.g., extension). The CPU 110 performs the determination in S711 based on the file name, for example. The CPU 110 may determine whether the file to be printed is a drawing file or an image file, and if neither is true, it may determine that it is the other type of file. In addition, other methods besides the determination described above may be used as the criteria for determination in S711.

[0073] Furthermore, CPU 110 may perform this check if margin removal 307 is registered as "automatic" in table 300. Also, if margin removal 307 is registered as "on", CPU 110 may always perform a check to remove margins (checking YES in S711).

[0074] Note that in file formats such as PDF, a single file to be printed may contain multiple pages. In such a file structure, S711 may determine the type (file format) of the file containing the page of interest. For example, in Figure 2(a), the file to be printed is a PDF file called Drawing1.pdf, and it contains pages 1 through 10 to be printed. In such a case, S711 may determine, based on the file name of the file to be printed, whether each page contained in that file is subject to margin removal.

[0075] In S712, the CPU 110 obtains the size of the print area from the print data of the page of interest. Specifically, the CPU 110 obtains the size of the print area from the print data of the page of interest, excluding the margin area. Refer to Figure 8 here. Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the print area. The print area 802 is a rectangular area surrounding the drawing object 801 in the print data 800. The drawing object 801 includes, for example, a text object 801a, a text object 801b, a graphic object 801c, etc., as shown in Figure 8. Note that Figure 8 shows an example in which the drawing object 801 contains both text and graphic objects, but it may also contain only one of these objects. The CPU 110 scans the print data 800 from the edge of each side, at least one side (top, bottom, left, and right), and obtains the size of the print area 802 surrounding the drawing object 801. If the print data 800 is a dot image, it may scan line by line, for example. Furthermore, if the print data 800 is data that defines the position of the drawing object 801, the size of the print area 802 may be obtained from the position and extent of the drawing object 801, using the point closest to each side. Also, in S712, the CPU 110 identifies the area outside the print area 802 as the margin area. Since there is no drawing object 800 in the margin area, paper can be saved during printing by removing this margin area.

[0076] In S713, the CPU110 sets the acquired print area as the drawing area for that page.

[0077] In S714, CPU110 sets the entire page of interest as the drawing area.

[0078] In S715, the CPU 110 determines whether rotating the drawing area will reduce the paper area used. If the CPU 110 determines that it will reduce the paper area, it proceeds to S716. On the other hand, if the CPU 110 determines that it will not reduce the paper area, it proceeds to S710. For example, when printing on roll paper, the paper is cut to the size of the printed material, so the shorter the length in the direction of transport of the printed material, the less paper is consumed. Therefore, the CPU 110 makes a decision in S715 based on the result of comparing whether the paper area used (sheet area) is smaller when the drawing area is not rotated or when it is rotated by 90 degrees. In other words, in S715, the CPU 110 determines to rotate if the paper area is smaller when the drawing area is rotated by 90 degrees than when it is not rotated. On the other hand, the CPU 110 determines not to rotate if the paper area is smaller when the drawing area is not rotated than when it is rotated by 90 degrees.

[0079] Note that while the example given here is paper area, you can also compare the margin area outside the drawing area. Alternatively, you can compare the vertical (in the transport direction) and horizontal (in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction) lengths of the page of interest. You can then determine that rotation is necessary if the vertical length is longer and the page fits within the output width after rotation.

[0080] In S716, the CPU 110 rotates the drawing area, which is the print data excluding the margins, by 90 degrees and positions it. After S716, if there are other pages of interest, the CPU 110 returns to S710. On the other hand, if there are no other pages of interest, the CPU 110 terminates the process shown in Figure 7. The rotation angle in S716 may be determined according to post-processing methods such as binding and packaging, or according to other criteria.

[0081] The processing in S710-S716 may also involve displaying a preview of the page of interest, which is the result of the processing, and then proceeding with the processing of the next page if the user performs an action such as moving to the next page.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the CPU 110 executes the processes S715 to S716, but the processes S715 to S716 may be omitted. For example, if the drawing area is set not to rotate by the rotation setting 208, the CPU 110 omits the processes S715 to S716.

[0083] In S717, CPU110 sets the entire page of interest as the drawing area.

[0084] In S718, the CPU 110 determines whether rotating the drawing area will reduce the paper area used. If the CPU 110 determines that it will reduce the paper area, it proceeds to S719. On the other hand, if the CPU 110 determines that it will not reduce the paper area, it terminates the process shown in Figure 7. This determination is performed in the same manner as in S715, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0085] In S719, CPU110 rotates and positions the drawing area by 90 degrees. The rotation angle in S719 may be determined according to post-processing methods such as binding and packaging, or according to other criteria.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the CPU 110 executes the processes S718 to S719, but the processes S718 to S719 may be omitted. For example, if the drawing area is set not to rotate by the rotation setting 208, the CPU 110 omits the processes S718 to S719.

[0087] Once the print settings for the pages to be printed are complete through the process shown in Figure 7, the CPU 110 displays a preview image corresponding to the print settings in the preview unit 202. The CPU 110 also stores information about each page to be printed, including margin removal and rotation processing, in memory such as the RAM 112.

[0088] Furthermore, when the processing shown in Figure 7 is completed, the CPU 110 generates a print job that includes information about the paper feed unit 140 and each page to be printed, selected in S706 or S707, and sends it to the printing device 101.

[0089] The timing of sending the print job is not limited to this. For example, when the CPU 110 updates the print settings information in S708, it may generate a print job including information about the paper feed unit 140 selected in S706 or S707 and each page to be printed, and send it to the printer 101. Alternatively, for example, when the CPU 110 has finished processing S710 to S716 for each page of interest, it may generate a print job including information about the paper feed unit 140 selected in S706 or S707 and each page to be printed, and send it to the printer 101. Even if the processing for each page from S710 to S716 has not been completed for all pages of interest, by sending the print job to the printer 101 after processing one page, the margin removal process by the CPU 110 can proceed while the printer 101 performs printing.

[0090] Furthermore, if the paper placed in the paper feed unit 140 selected for printing runs out after printing has started, the CPU 110 may receive a notification from the printer 101 that printing has been interrupted. This notification of interrupted printing may, for example, be included in the status information described above. If the CPU 110 receives a notification of interrupted printing from the printer 101, it will perform the processes from S704 to S708 again. The CPU 110 will update the print settings information to set the paper feed unit 140 selected from the remaining paper widths 304 that are subject to automatic roll allocation as the output paper feed unit. With the updated print settings, the CPU 110 will resend the print job for the pages to be printed that are currently interrupted by the printer 101, and send the print jobs for the remaining pages to be printed.

[0091] Furthermore, if the CPU 110 receives notification from the printer 101 that printing has been interrupted, it may display an interface on the main screen 200 that allows the user to select whether or not to continue printing. If the CPU 110 receives a user selection to continue printing, it may repeat the processes from S704 to S708. Also, if the CPU 110 receives notification from the printer 101 that printing has been interrupted, it may display a message on the main screen 200 prompting the user to place paper in the paper feed unit 140 of the printer 101.

[0092] As described above, according to this embodiment, the CPU 110 executes the process shown in Figure 7 based on the printing application. If the CPU 110 is set to remove the margins of the page to be printed (YES in S709), it performs the process of removing the margins of the page to be printed in S710 to S713. Before performing the process of removing the margins of the page to be printed, the CPU 110 controls the selection of a paper feed unit 140 in S706 where the difference between the paper size and the size of the page to be printed satisfies the first condition. In this way, in this embodiment, by selecting the paper feed unit 140 before the margin removal process, it is possible to prevent the printing of the page with a portion of it missing.

[0093] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the margin removal setting is ON, and for pages subject to margin removal, the printable area (colored rectangular area) obtained by removing the margins from the page of interest is placed on the printable page as the drawing area. In addition, if rotating the drawing area would save more paper, the drawing area is rotated and then placed on the printable page. This allows for efficient printing.

[0094] In this embodiment, in S703, the CPU 110 obtains the size information of the first page, but is not limited to this. For example, there may be cases where the print target file contains only one page of data. In such cases, where there is only one print target page, the margin removal setting is turned on, and the page is subject to margin removal, the CPU 110 may obtain the size of the print area within the print target page in S703. Then, in S704, the CPU 110 may compare the print area size information obtained in S703 with the paper size information obtained in S702. If, as a result of the comparison, there is paper with a width larger than the obtained print area size (width or height), the print target page will not be printed with a portion cut off. Therefore, paper can be saved compared to when the size of the first page is obtained. That is, in the process of Figure 7, if the print target file contains only one print target page, the CPU 110 may select the paper feed unit 140 based on the print area. Furthermore, if the file to be printed contains multiple pages, the CPU 110 may switch to selecting the paper feed unit 140 based on the size information of the first page.

[0095] <Second Embodiment> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, in the first embodiment, an example was shown in which the paper feed unit 140 to be output is selected based on the size of the first page of the file to be printed. However, there may be cases where a paper feed unit 140 is loaded with paper that is larger than the size of the print area of ​​all pages of the file to be printed, but smaller than the size of the first page. In such cases, rather than selecting the paper feed unit 140 to be output based on the size of the first page, it is possible to select the paper feed unit 140 to be output with paper that is loaded with paper that can reduce the margins during printing more effectively. However, since it is necessary to obtain information indicating the size of the print area of ​​all pages in advance and compare the size of each page with each of the multiple paper feed widths, the processing time is longer than when the paper feed unit 140 is selected based on the size of the first page.

[0096] In this embodiment, the CPU 110 first performs the processes from S700 to S708 in Figure 7. That is, the CPU 110 selects the output paper feed unit 140 based on the size of the first page. Next, the CPU 110 performs the process in S709, and if it determines that the margin removal setting is ON, it performs the processes from S710 to S716 for each page to be printed. In this embodiment, in S712, the CPU 110 temporarily stores the size of the specified print area in memory such as ROM 111. In this embodiment, when the processes from S710 to S716 for each page to be printed are completed, the CPU 110 displays a preview of that page. The CPU 110 also generates a print job and sends it to the printer 101. That is, each time the margin removal process for a page to be printed is completed, the CPU 110 instructs the printer 101 to start printing the page for which the margin removal process has been completed.

[0097] In this embodiment, the CPU 110 starts the process shown in Figure 9 once the processing from S710 to S716 has been completed for all pages to be printed. In other words, the process shown in Figure 9 starts when the print area for all pages to be printed has been acquired.

[0098] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by the CPU 110. In the process shown in Figure 9, the CPU 110 selects the paper feed unit 140 based on the size of the print area and the size of the paper placed on the paper feed unit 140. The process shown in Figure 9 is achieved, for example, by the CPU 110 loading a print application program stored in memory such as ROM 111 into RAM 112 and executing it.

[0099] In S900, the CPU 110 temporarily stores in ROM 111 or RAM 112 the paper feed unit 140 on which the smallest width paper is placed, which is subject to automatic roll assignment. The processes from S901 to S909 are repeated for each page to be printed included in the print target file.

[0100] In S902, the CPU 110 refers to ROM 111 or RAM 112 to obtain the size of the print area.

[0101] In S903, the CPU 110 compares the acquired print area size (width and height) with the size of the paper placed in each of the multiple paper feed units 140.

[0102] In S904, the CPU 110 refers to the comparison result from S903 and determines whether there is a sheet of paper larger than the size (width or height) of the print area obtained in S902. If the CPU 110 determines that there is, it proceeds to S905. On the other hand, if the CPU 110 determines that there is no such sheet of paper, it proceeds to S906.

[0103] Specifically in S904, the CPU 110 determines whether the width of the paper is greater than the width or height of the print area. That is, the CPU 110 determines whether there is a paper feed unit 140 on which paper is placed so that the print area fits within the paper, either when the print area is not rotated or when it is rotated by 90 degrees. In S904, if the rotation specification unit 208 is set not to rotate, the CPU 110 determines whether the width of the paper is greater than the width of the print area.

[0104] In the S905, the CPU 110 selects the paper feed unit 140 that has the paper width that minimizes the margins of the printed document, since there is a paper feed unit 140 that has paper with a width that allows the target page to be printed without any loss.

[0105] In other words, in the S905, the CPU 110 selects the paper feed unit 140 that has paper placed in it that satisfies the second condition, where the difference between the size of the paper and the size of the print area is greater than the size of the print area. The second condition includes that the size of the paper is larger than the size of the print area, and that the difference between the size of the print area and the size of the page to be printed is minimized. By selecting the paper feed unit 140 that has paper that satisfies this second condition, the page to be printed can be printed without any loss, and without any extra margins in the printed material.

[0106] In the S906, the CPU 110 selects the paper feed unit 140 with the largest paper size (width) to minimize data loss, because data loss will occur regardless of which paper feed unit 140 is selected.

[0107] In S907, the CPU 110 compares the paper size (width) selected in S905 or S906 with the paper size of the minimum paper feed unit temporarily saved in S900. The CPU 110 then determines whether the paper size and width 304 of the paper feed unit 140 selected in S905 or S906 are greater than the paper size of the paper feed unit 140 temporarily saved in memory such as RAM 112 in S900. If the CPU 110 determines that it is greater, it proceeds to S908. On the other hand, if the CPU 110 determines that it is not greater, it proceeds to S909.

[0108] In S908, the CPU 110 obtains a paper feed unit 140 that matches the paper size and paper type selected in S905 or S906 by referring to the table 300. Then, the CPU 110 updates the paper feed units temporarily stored in memory such as RAM 112 with the paper feed unit 140 obtained in this process.

[0109] At the end of the repeated processing for each page, in S909, the CPU 110 determines whether the paper feed unit 140 on which the largest size paper is placed is temporarily stored in memory such as RAM 112, among the paper feed units 140 that are subject to automatic roll assignment. If the CPU 110 determines that it is temporarily stored, it proceeds to S910. On the other hand, if the CPU 110 determines that it is not temporarily stored, it proceeds to S901.

[0110] In the S910, the CPU 110 updates the print settings information to designate the paper feed unit 140, which is temporarily stored in memory such as RAM 112, as the paper feed unit to be used during printing.

[0111] In S910, if the print settings information is updated during preview display, the CPU 110 displays a message on the main screen 200 indicating an interface that allows the user to select whether or not to set the updated paper feed unit 140 in S910 as the paper feed unit 140 to be used during printing. In other words, in S910, the CPU 110 accepts a user selection whether or not to switch the paper feed unit 140 used during printing from the paper feed unit 140 selected in the process of Figure 7 to the updated paper feed unit 140 in S910. If the selection to switch the paper feed unit is made, the CPU 110 updates the preview image displayed on the preview unit 202 according to the print settings determined by the flow in Figure 9. If the paper feed unit 140 selected in the process of Figure 7 and the updated paper feed unit 140 in S910 are the same, there is no need to switch the paper feed unit 140, and therefore the user selection on the main screen 200 is not accepted.

[0112] Furthermore, there are cases where printing starts without displaying a preview, such as with shortcut printing or hot folder printing. In other words, if part of the print job has already been sent to the printer 101, the CPU 110 sends the remaining print job with the print settings determined by the flow in Figure 9.

[0113] Furthermore, the switching of the physical paper feed during preview display can be selected by the user via the UI exemplified in Figure 2, or it can be switched automatically. The printing application may also have a setting that allows the user to choose whether to select the paper feed or switch automatically.

[0114] In this embodiment, there may be cases where a paper feed unit 140 is loaded with paper that is larger than the print area size of all pages to be printed in the file to be printed, but smaller than the size of the first page. In such cases, instead of selecting the destination paper feed unit 140 based on the size of the first page, it is possible to select the paper feed unit 140 loaded with the smaller paper as the destination paper feed unit. This allows for the removal of margins in the printed material, thus saving more paper than selecting the destination paper feed unit 140 based on the size of the first page.

[0115] Furthermore, before the process shown in Figure 9, by selecting the output destination paper feed unit 140 based on the size of the first page in the process shown in Figure 7, the preview display and a portion of the print job can be sent to the printing device 101 without making the user wait.

[0116] Furthermore, the system may be configured to accept user selection via a reception screen on the main screen 200, allowing the user to choose whether to set the paper feed unit 140 selected based on the size of the first page in the first embodiment, or the paper feed unit 140 selected based on the size of the print area in the second embodiment, as the output paper feed unit 140. The paper feed unit 140 selected by the user may then be set as the output paper feed unit 140.

[0117] Furthermore, the system may be configured to allow the user to select whether or not to perform the process of selecting the output destination paper feed unit 140 based on the size of the print area in the second embodiment (the process shown in Figure 9) via a reception screen on the main screen 200. The system may also be configured to execute the process shown in Figure 9 when the user selects to do so.

[0118] Furthermore, the process of selecting the output destination paper feed unit 140 based on the size of the print area in the second embodiment (the process in Figure 9) may be executed only when the print target page included in the print target file is equivalent to one page of data.

[0119] <Other Embodiments> The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0120] This embodiment includes the following program, information processing device, and control method for the information processing device. (Item 1) The computer of the information processing device, A first acquisition means for acquiring first information indicating the size of a recording medium placed on each paper feeding unit in a printing device capable of feeding paper from multiple paper feeding units, A second acquisition means for acquiring second information indicating the size of the page to be printed, which is included in the print data for causing the printing device to perform printing. Based on the first information acquired by the first acquisition means and the second information acquired by the second acquisition means, a first selection means selects a paper feed unit on which a recording medium is placed in which the difference between the size of the recording medium and the size of the page to be printed satisfies the first condition. If the setting is to remove the margins of the page to be printed, the control means controls the selection of the paper feed unit by the first selection means to be performed before the process of removing the margins of the page to be printed. A program characterized by being designed to function as such. (Item 2) The first condition is, This includes the condition that the size of the recording medium is larger than the size of the page to be printed. The program described in item 1, characterized by the features described herein. (Item 3) The first condition is, This includes minimizing the difference between the size of the recording medium and the size of the page to be printed. The program described in item 2, characterized by the features described herein. (Item 4) The first information is information indicating the width of the recording medium placed on the paper feed section of the printing device, and the second information includes information indicating the width of the page to be printed. A program according to any one of items 1 to 3, characterized by the above. (Item 5) The first selection means is, When all the pages to be printed are the same size, select the paper feed unit on which the recording medium that satisfies the first condition is placed. A program according to any one of items 1 to 4, characterized by the above. (Item 6) The computer is further configured as a first setting means to set the paper feed unit selected by the first selection means as the paper feed unit for printing the print data. A program according to any one of items 1 to 5, characterized by the above. (Item 7) A means for identifying the size of the print area within each print target page, The computer further functions as a second selection means, which selects a paper feed unit on which a recording medium is placed, where the difference between the size of the recording medium and the size of the printing area satisfies a second condition, based on the first information acquired by the first acquisition means and the size of the printing area identified by the identification means. A program according to any one of items 1 to 6, characterized by the above. (Item 8) The second condition is, The size of the recording medium is larger than the size of the printing area, and the difference between the size of the printing area and the size of the recording medium is minimized. The program described in item 7, characterized by the features described therein. (Item 9) A first receiving means capable of receiving user operations for performing the selection of the paper feed unit by the second selection means, To further enable the aforementioned computer, The control means is When the first receiving means receives the user operation, the second selection means controls the selection of the paper feed unit. A program as described in item 7 or 8, characterized by the above. (Item 10) The control means is After the above process, control is performed so that the selection is made by the second selection means. A program according to any one of items 7 to 9, characterized by the features described herein. (Item 11) The control means is The second selection means controls the selection to be made when the print target page included in the print data is data for one page. A program according to any one of items 7 to 10, characterized in that it is a program. (Item 12) The computer is further configured as a second setting means to set the paper feed unit selected by the second selection means as the paper feed unit for printing the print data. A program as described in any one of items 7 to 11, characterized by the features described herein. (Item 13) The computer further functions as a second receiving means capable of receiving a user selection of whether or not to set the paper feed unit selected by the second selection means as the paper feed unit for printing the print data using the second setting means. The program described in item 12, characterized by the features described herein. (Item 14) An information processing device, A first acquisition means for acquiring first information indicating the size of a recording medium placed on each paper feeding unit in a printing device capable of feeding paper from multiple paper feeding units, A second acquisition means for acquiring second information indicating the size of the page to be printed, which is included in the print data for causing the printing device to perform printing, A first selection means selects a paper feed section on which a recording medium is placed, based on the first information obtained by the first acquisition means and the second information obtained by the second acquisition means, in which the difference between the size of the recording medium and the size of the page to be printed satisfies the first condition. If the setting is to remove the margins of the page to be printed, the control means controls the selection of the paper feed unit by the first selection means to be performed before the process of removing the margins of the page to be printed is performed, and the system comprises these means. An information processing device characterized by the following: (Item 15) A method for controlling an information processing device, A first acquisition step involves acquiring first information indicating the size of a recording medium placed on each paper feeding unit in a printing device capable of feeding paper from multiple paper feeding units, A second acquisition step involves acquiring second information indicating the size of the page to be printed, which is included in the print data for causing the printing device to perform printing. A first selection step involves selecting a paper feed unit on which a recording medium is placed, based on the first information obtained in the first acquisition step and the second information obtained in the second acquisition step, in which the difference between the size of the recording medium and the size of the page to be printed satisfies the first condition. If the setting is to remove the margins of the pages to be printed, the control step includes controlling the selection of the paper feed unit in the first selection step so that it is performed before the process of removing the margins of the pages to be printed. A control method for an information processing device characterized by the following features.

[0121] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 100 personal computers, 101 printers, 110 CPUs, 112 RAM

Claims

1. The computer of the information processing device, A first acquisition means for acquiring first information indicating the size of a recording medium placed on each paper feeding unit in a printing device capable of feeding paper from multiple paper feeding units, A second acquisition means for acquiring second information indicating the size of the page to be printed, which is included in the print data for causing the printing device to perform printing. Based on the first information obtained by the first acquisition means and the second information obtained by the second acquisition means, a first selection means selects a paper feed unit on which a recording medium is placed in which the difference between the size of the recording medium and the size of the page to be printed satisfies the first condition. If the setting is to remove the margins of the page to be printed, the control means controls the selection of the paper feed unit by the first selection means to be performed before the process of removing the margins of the page to be printed. A program characterized by being designed to function as such.

2. The first condition is, This includes the condition that the size of the recording medium is larger than the size of the page to be printed. The program according to feature 1.

3. The first condition is, This includes minimizing the difference between the size of the recording medium and the size of the page to be printed. The program according to feature 2.

4. The first information is information indicating the width of the recording medium placed on the paper feed section of the printing device, and the second information includes information indicating the width of the page to be printed. The program according to feature 1.

5. The first selection means is, When all the pages to be printed are the same size, select the paper feed unit on which the recording medium that satisfies the first condition is placed. The program according to feature 1.

6. The computer is further configured as a first setting means to set the paper feed unit selected by the first selection means as the paper feed unit for printing the print data. The program according to feature 1.

7. A means for identifying the size of the print area within each print target page, The computer further functions as a second selection means, which selects a paper feed unit on which a recording medium is placed, where the difference between the size of the recording medium and the size of the printing area satisfies a second condition, based on the first information acquired by the first acquisition means and the size of the printing area identified by the identification means. The program according to feature 1.

8. The second condition is, The size of the recording medium is larger than the size of the printing area, and the difference between the size of the printing area and the size of the recording medium is minimized. The program according to feature 7.

9. A first receiving means capable of receiving user operations for performing the selection of the paper feed unit by the second selection means, To further enable the aforementioned computer, The control means is When the first receiving means receives the user operation, the second selection means controls the selection of the paper feed unit. The program according to feature 7.

10. The control means is After the above process, control is performed so that the selection is made by the second selection means. The program according to feature 7.

11. The control means is The second selection means controls the selection to be made when the print target page included in the print data is data for one page. The program according to feature 7.

12. The computer is further configured as a second setting means to set the paper feed unit selected by the second selection means as the paper feed unit for printing the print data. The program according to feature 7.

13. The computer further functions as a second receiving means capable of receiving a user selection of whether or not to set the paper feed unit selected by the second selection means as the paper feed unit for printing the print data using the second setting means. The program according to feature 12.

14. An information processing device, A first acquisition means for acquiring first information indicating the size of a recording medium placed on each paper feeding unit in a printing device capable of feeding paper from multiple paper feeding units, A second acquisition means for acquiring second information indicating the size of the page to be printed, which is included in the print data for causing the printing device to perform printing, A first selection means selects a paper feed unit on which a recording medium is placed, based on the first information obtained by the first acquisition means and the second information obtained by the second acquisition means, in which the difference between the size of the recording medium and the size of the page to be printed satisfies the first condition. If the setting is to remove the margins of the page to be printed, the control means controls the selection of the paper feed unit by the first selection means to be performed before the process of removing the margins of the page to be printed. An information processing device characterized by the following:

15. A method for controlling an information processing device, A first acquisition step of acquiring first information indicating the size of a recording medium placed on each paper feeding unit in a printing device capable of feeding paper from multiple paper feeding units, A second acquisition step involves acquiring second information indicating the size of the page to be printed, which is included in the print data for causing the printing device to perform printing. A first selection step involves selecting a paper feed unit on which a recording medium is placed, based on the first information obtained in the first acquisition step and the second information obtained in the second acquisition step, in which the difference between the size of the recording medium and the size of the page to be printed satisfies the first condition. If the setting is to remove the margins of the pages to be printed, the control step includes controlling the selection of the paper feed unit in the first selection step so that it is performed before the process of removing the margins of the pages to be printed. A control method for an information processing device characterized by the following features.

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