Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To improve user convenience when printing with perforations or creases. [Solution] The print settings screen 500 is provided with a perforation selection unit 502 for selecting the arrangement pattern of perforations on the paper, and the computer 101 sets the number of perforations based on the selection operation of the perforation selection unit 502. In addition, the print settings screen 600 is provided with a page layout selection unit 602 for selecting the number of logical pages to be arranged on the print surface of the paper, and the computer 101 sets the number of pages to be arranged based on the selection operation of the page layout selection unit 602. Based on the number of perforations selected in the perforation selection unit 502, the computer 101 performs a prohibition process to avoid selecting a predetermined number of pages to be arranged in the page layout selection unit 602.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In a printing system, as a processing using a finisher attached to a printer, there is a perforation processing that makes it easy to cut by hand by making fine dashed cuts on the paper on which an image is printed. In Patent Document 1, it is described that in a printer driver, when an in-stitching process (a process of stapling at the center position of the paper) is set in addition to the perforation processing, the position of the perforation cannot be specified within a predetermined distance from the stapling position.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Since the perforation processing is premised on cutting the printed matter, when a function of aggregating a plurality of logical pages and printing them on one physical page is set in addition to the perforation processing, the printed matter may be cut at an incorrect position. Therefore, the user has to check the relationship between the position of the perforation and the layout of the logical pages by trial printing or the like, which is troublesome.

[0005] )]] An object of the present invention is to improve the convenience of the user when performing printing involving perforation or crease processing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a first setting means for setting an arrangement pattern of perforations or creases on a sheet of paper according to the user's selection; a second setting means for setting the number of pages to be aggregated and arranged on the printed surface of the paper according to the user's selection; and a control means for performing a first processing to prevent the second setting means from selecting a predetermined number of pages based on the first arrangement pattern selected by the first setting means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, user convenience can be improved when printing with perforations or creases. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing an example of a printing system configuration. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a computer. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing the software configuration of a computer. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the print setting process according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the print settings screen. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the print settings screen. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram illustrating perforated printed material. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing the print setting process according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the print settings screen. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram illustrating perforated printed material. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram illustrating perforated printed material. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [Embodiment 1] Figure 1 shows an example configuration of a printing system according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the printing system includes a computer 101 and a plurality of printing devices 102a, 102b. The computer 101 is connected to the printing devices 102a, 102b via a wired or wireless network 100. The computer 101 is an example of an information processing device. The printing devices 102a, 102b perform printing according to instructions from the computer 101.

[0011] In this embodiment, the printing system includes multiple printing devices 102a, 102b, but it may also consist of a single printing device. Since printing devices 102a and 102b can be implemented with similar configurations, they will be collectively referred to as printing device 102 in the following description. Printing device 102 forms an image on paper and prints it. Printing device 102 is an example of an image forming device. Printing device 102 also includes a finisher (not shown) that performs finishing processes such as perforation and crease on the printed paper. In this embodiment, printing device 102 has the function of perforating only in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction (here, the long side of the paper).

[0012] Figure 2 shows the hardware configuration of the computer 101 according to this embodiment. The computer 101 consists of a CPU 201, RAM 202, ROM 203, display operation interface 205, display operation interface 206, network interface 207, network module 208, external memory interface 209, and external memory 211. These components are interconnected by a system bus 204.

[0013] The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201 controls the entire computer 101. The CPU 201 reads programs stored in ROM 203 or external memory 211 into RAM 202 and executes them, thereby realizing each process related to the flowchart described later. RAM 202 functions as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 201. ROM 203 stores various types of data. The display operation unit 206 is connected to the CPU 201 via the display operation unit interface 205. The display operation unit 206 is, for example, a liquid crystal screen equipped with a touch panel, and combines the function of an operation unit that accepts user input and a display unit that displays the results of processing to the user. Note that the operation unit, such as a keyboard or mouse, and the display unit, such as a liquid crystal screen, may be configured separately. The network module 208 is connected to the CPU 201 via the network interface 207. The network module 208 is connected to the network 100. The network interface 207 communicates with the printing device 102 connected to the network 100 under the control of the CPU 201. External memory 211 is connected to the CPU 201 via external memory I / F 209. External memory 211 is a storage medium such as flash memory or SSD (Solid State Disk). The external memory I / F 209 accesses external memory 211 under the control of the CPU 201. External memory 211 stores various programs, including the OS (operating system), various applications, and printer driver programs.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows the software configuration of the computer 101 according to this embodiment. The computer 101 includes, as software modules, an application 301, an OS 302, and a printer driver 303. By the CPU 201 executing a program stored in the external memory 211, the functions of the software modules shown in FIG. 3 are realized. The application 301 has functions such as creating manuscript data such as documents and presentation materials, and issuing a print instruction. The OS 302 performs basic control of the computer 101. The printer driver 303 converts the manuscript data received from the application 301 via the OS 302 into print data interpretable by the printing apparatus 102 based on print setting information, and transmits the print data to the printing apparatus 102.

[0015] The printer driver 303 includes, as software modules, a graphic rendering (GR) module 311, a UI control module 312, a backend module 313, and an input / output control module 314. The GR module 311 converts the manuscript data provided from the application 301 into a format processable by the printing apparatus 102 according to the print setting information provided from the UI control module 312 or the application 301, and generates print data. The UI control module 312 sets the paper size, number of copies, and other items used for printing. Specifically, it sets items related to layout processing and items related to finishing processing. The layout processing includes Nin1 printing in which a plurality of logical pages are aggregated and arranged on one print surface. The logical page here corresponds to the page of the manuscript data. The finishing processing includes perforation processing. The UI control module 312 displays a print setting screen (FIGS. 5 and 6) on the display operation unit 206, sets each item of printing based on the user's input to the print setting screen, and provides the print setting information in which the set values of the respective items are stored to the GR module 311. The backend module 313 provides the print data generated by the GR module 311 to the input / output control module 314. The input / output control module 314 transmits the print data provided from the backend module 313 to the printing apparatus 102.

[0016] Next, the printing setting process executed by the computer 101 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the printing setting process according to this embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 starts when, for example, manuscript data generated by the application 301 is selected and the user is instructed to perform printing settings by input, and the printer driver 303 is started in response to the instruction. Hereinafter, each step (step) of the flowchart will be described with "S (step)" added to the beginning of those reference numerals.

[0017] When the printer driver 303 is started, in S401, the CPU 201 displays the printing setting screen of the printer driver 303 on the display operation unit 206. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the printing setting screen. The printing setting screen 500 in FIG. 5 is provided with an item tab 501. The item tab 501 includes setting items such as basic settings, page settings, finishing, paper feeding, and print quality. FIG. 5 shows a state in which "finishing" is selected in the item tab 501. The printing setting screen 500 in FIG. 5 is provided with a perforation processing selection unit 502 for selecting the setting value of the perforation processing item. In this embodiment, "none", "one place", and "two places" are selectable and listed. The CPU 201 sets whether to specify perforation processing and the number of perforations based on the user's selection operation in the perforation processing selection unit 502. When the user presses the OK button 503, the CPU 201 reflects the contents set in each item of the printing setting screen 500 in the printing setting information.

[0018] In this embodiment, when "one place" is selected as the number of perforations, a pattern in which one perforation is arranged at the center of the long side of the paper is set. Also, when "two places" is selected as the number of perforations, a pattern in which two perforations are arranged at positions that trisect the long side of the paper is set.

[0019] When "Page Setup" is selected in the item tab 501 of the print settings screen 500 in Figure 5, the screen transitions to the state shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the print settings screen according to this embodiment. Figure 6 shows the state in which "Page Setup" is selected in the item tab 601 provided on the print settings screen 600. The print settings screen 600 shown in Figure 6 is provided with a page layout selection unit 602 for selecting the setting value for the Nin1 printing item. By operating the pull-down button on the page layout selection unit 602, 1in1, 2in1, 4in1, 6in1, 8in1, 9in1, and 16in1 are displayed as selectable options. Nin1 is a layout in which N logical pages are placed on a single print surface. The layout configuration when placing N logical pages on a single print surface is fixed. Here, if N is 2 or more, it represents the number of pages (hereinafter referred to as the page aggregation number) when consolidating logical pages on a single print surface. Based on the user's selection operation on the page layout selection unit 602, the CPU 201 determines whether or not to perform page aggregation printing and sets the page aggregation number. When the user presses the OK button 603, the CPU 201 reflects the settings configured in each item of the print settings screen 600 into the print settings information.

[0020] Next, in S402, the CPU 201, upon receiving user input on the printer driver 303's print settings screen, determines whether perforation has been specified. Here, the CPU 201 determines that perforation has been specified if one or two locations are selected in the perforation selection unit 502 in Figure 5. If the CPU 201 determines that perforation has been specified, the process proceeds to S403; otherwise, the process proceeds to S406. In S403, the CPU 201 determines whether one location (a pattern in which perforations are placed in the center of the long edge of the paper) or two locations (a pattern in which perforations are placed in positions that divide the long edge of the paper into three equal parts) has been selected in the perforation selection unit 502. If the CPU 201 determines that one location has been selected, the process proceeds to S404; if it determines that two locations have been selected, the process proceeds to S405.

[0021] Figure 7 schematically shows a perforated printed surface. In Figure 7, the position of the thick dotted line within each printed surface indicates the position of the perforation, and the number within each printed surface indicates the logical page arrangement order. Figures 7(a), (b), and (e) show the case where one perforation is selected in the perforation selection unit 502. As shown in Figure 7(a), in the combination of one perforation and 2-in-1 printing, the position of the perforation matches the boundary between the first and second pages of the logical pages. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7(b), in the combination of one perforation and 6-in-1 printing, the position of the perforation overlaps with the second and fifth pages of the logical pages. Also, as shown in Figure 7(e), in the combination of one perforation and 9-in-1 printing, the position of the perforation overlaps with the fourth to sixth pages of the logical pages.

[0022] Therefore, in S404, the CPU 201 performs a hyphenation process (first process) in the page layout selection unit 602 to avoid selecting a predetermined number of pages. In this embodiment, based on the selection of one location in the perforation processing selection unit 502, the 6in1 and 9in1 options are grayed out in the page layout selection unit 602 so that the user cannot select them. As another example of hyphenation processing, 6in1 and 9in1 may be excluded from the options. Alternatively, if 6in1 or 9in1 is selected, a warning message indicating that an inappropriate layout has been selected may be displayed on the display operation unit 206, or a warning sound may be output from the audio output unit (not shown) to notify the user of the warning. Alternatively, the OK button 603 on the print settings screen 600 may be masked to prevent the generation of print data. Alternatively, the system may be controlled to change to another number of pages, such as 4in1 or 8in1. As described above, the CPU 201 controls the system to avoid the selection of a pattern that places the perforation processing in the center of the long edge of the paper in combination with 6in1 and 9in1 page aggregation printing. The subsequent processing proceeds to S407.

[0023] Figures 7(c), (d), and (f) show the case where two locations are selected in the perforation selection unit 502. As shown in Figure 7(c), in the combination of two perforations and 6-in-1 printing, the position of the perforations conforms to the boundaries of the logical pages. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7(d), in the combination of two perforations and 2-in-1 printing, the position of the perforations overlaps with the logical pages. As shown in Figure 7(f), in the combination of two perforations and 4-in-1 printing, the position of the perforations also overlaps with the logical pages. Although not shown, in the combination of two perforations and 8-in-1 printing, and in the combination of two perforations and 16-in-1 printing, the position of the perforations also overlaps with the logical pages.

[0024] Therefore, in S405, the CPU 201 performs a hyphenation process (first process) in the page layout selection unit 602 to avoid selecting a predetermined number of pages. In this embodiment, based on the selection of two locations in the perforation processing selection unit 502, the page layout selection unit 602 grays out 2in1, 4in1, 8in1, and 16in1 so that the user cannot select them. Other examples of hyphenation processes are the same as in S404, so their explanation is omitted. As described above, the CPU 201 controls the system to avoid the selection of a pattern in which perforations are placed at positions that divide the long side of the paper into three equal parts, and the combination of 2in1, 4in1, 8in1, and 16in1 page aggregation printing. The process then proceeds to S407.

[0025] As shown in S403 to S405 above, the CPU 201 performs appropriate hyphenation processing in the page layout selection unit 602 based on the number of perforations selected in the perforation processing selection unit 502. To this end, in S403, for each number of pages to be combined, the CPU 201 compares the position of the perforations on the printed surface with the position of the logical pages laid out on that printed surface and determines whether the position of the perforations overlaps with the logical pages. As a result, the CPU 201 determines that the number of pages to be combined where the positions of the perforations overlap will be subject to hyphenation processing, and the number of pages to be combined where the positions of the perforations do not overlap will not be subject to hyphenation processing. Note that the processing shown in S403 to S405 is an example where the arrangement patterns selectable by the perforation processing selection unit 502 are fixed at one or two locations. If other arrangement patterns can be selected by the perforation processing selection unit 502, the CPU 201 appropriately changes the number of pages to be aggregated according to the other arrangement patterns.

[0026] Alternatively, the external memory 211 may store as prohibited information a number of page aggregates that are prohibited from being selected in combination with the number of perforations selectable by the perforation processing selection unit 502. In this case, the CPU 201 reads the prohibited information from the external memory 211 and makes the page aggregates that are associated with the number of perforations selected by the perforation processing selection unit 502 the target of prohibited processing.

[0027] In S406, the CPU201 configures the print settings as needed based on user input to the print settings screen of the printer driver 303. In S407, CPU201 determines whether the OK button on the print settings screen (OK button 503 in Figure 5, or OK button 603 in Figure 6) has been pressed. If CPU201 determines that the OK button has been pressed, it closes the print settings screen and starts the process of generating print data based on the print settings information that reflects the settings made in each item on the print settings screen. After that, the processing of the series of flowcharts is completed. If CPU201 determines that the OK button has not been pressed, the process returns to S402 and waits for user input again.

[0028] According to Embodiment 1 described above, when performing page-collation printing in conjunction with perforation, it is possible to prevent the output of a product in which pages are printed in the wrong position when separated.

[0029] In the flowchart of Figure 4 above, the CPU 201 performs a hyphenation process to avoid selecting a predetermined number of perforations in the page layout selection unit 602 based on the number of perforations selected in the perforation selection unit 502. Conversely, the CPU 201 may also perform a hyphenation process to avoid selecting a predetermined number of perforations in the perforation selection unit 502 based on the number of perforations selected in the page layout selection unit 602. For example, the CPU 201 removes one option from the selection in the perforation selection unit 502 based on the selection of 6in1 or 9in1 in the page layout selection unit 602. Alternatively, the CPU 201 may perform a hyphenation process to avoid selecting a predetermined number of perforations in the perforation selection unit 502 based on the number of perforations selected on the print layout screen (not shown) of the application 301.

[0030] In the printing system of Embodiment 1 described above, the perforation pattern is fixed at one or two locations, but there are also cases where the position of the perforations can be varied (for example, in 1 mm increments). When the above function is enabled, the versatility of perforation processing is increased because the position of the perforations can be freely set, but it is less compatible with layout processing that places logical pages at fixed positions on the printing surface, as in this embodiment. Therefore, when the function to vary the position of the perforations is enabled, the CPU 201 may control the page layout selection unit 602 so that selections other than 1-in-1 are disabled.

[0031] [Embodiment 2] Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. In the description of Embodiment 2 below, we will omit explanations of matters that are common to Embodiment 1 described above, and will focus on matters that differ from Embodiment 1 described above.

[0032] The configuration of the printing system according to Embodiment 2 is the same as the configuration of the printing system according to Embodiment 2 shown in Figures 1A to 3. In Embodiment 1 described above, a method was explained in which a hyphenation process was performed in the page layout selection unit 602 in Figure 6 to avoid selecting a predetermined number of pages based on the number of perforations selected in the perforation processing selection unit 502 in Figure 5. In contrast, Embodiment 2 will explain a method in which a hyphenation process is also performed on the arrangement order in which logical pages are placed on a single print surface.

[0033] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the print settings process according to this embodiment. Steps S801 to S806 in the flowchart of Figure 8 are the same as steps S401 to S406 in the flowchart of Figure 4, so their explanation is omitted. In this embodiment as well, the same print settings screen 500 as in Figure 5 is displayed, but when page settings is selected in the item tab 501, the print settings screen of Figure 9 is displayed instead of the print settings screen 600 of Figure 6. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the print settings screen according to this embodiment. The page layout selection unit 902 in Figure 9 is the same as the page layout selection unit 602 in Figure 6. The print settings screen 900 in Figure 9 is provided with a print orientation selection unit 903 for selecting the setting value for the orientation of the logical pages to be printed on the print surface (print orientation), and an arrangement order selection unit 904 for selecting the setting value for the arrangement order in which the logical pages are arranged on the print surface (page arrangement order). In the print orientation selection unit 903, either portrait or landscape can be selected as the print orientation. Furthermore, the layout order selection unit 904 allows selection of one of the following: top left to right, top left to bottom, top right to left, or top right to bottom. In Figure 9, 6-in-1 printing is selected in the page layout selection unit 902, portrait orientation is selected in the print orientation selection unit 903, and top left to right orientation is selected in the layout order selection unit 904. The layout configuration of the print surface when these selections are made is displayed on the left side of the print settings screen 900. The CPU 201 sets the print orientation and page layout order based on the user's selections in the print orientation selection unit 903 and the layout order selection unit 904. When the user presses the OK button 905, the CPU 201 reflects the settings made in each item of the print settings screen 900 into the print settings information.

[0034] In S807, the CPU 201 determines whether portrait or landscape orientation is selected in the print orientation selection unit 903. If the CPU 201 determines that portrait orientation is selected, the process proceeds to S808; if it determines that landscape orientation is selected, the process proceeds to S809.

[0035] Figure 10 schematically shows a perforated printed surface. In Figure 10, the position of the thick dotted line within each printed surface indicates the position of the perforation, and the number within each printed surface indicates the page layout order. Here, we will explain using the case where two locations are selected in the perforation selection unit 502 and 6-in-1 printing is selected in the page layout selection unit 902 as an example. In Figures 10(a) to (d), the print orientation selection unit 903 shows that portrait orientation is selected. When the print orientation is portrait in 6-in-1 printing, the layout configuration will be such that logical pages are arranged in 2 rows and 3 columns on a landscape print surface. Figure 10(a) shows the case where the layout order selection unit 904 selects to go from the top right to the left (the so-called Z direction). Figure 10(b) shows the case where the layout order selection unit 904 selects to go from the top right to the bottom (the so-called N direction). Figure 10(c) shows the case where the layout order selection unit 904 selects to go from the top left to the right (the so-called Z direction). Figure 10(d) shows the case where the layout order selection unit 904 selects to go from the top left to the bottom (the so-called N direction). In Figures 10(e) to (f), landscape orientation is selected in the print orientation selection unit 903. When the print orientation is landscape in 6-in-1 printing, the layout configuration will be such that logical pages are arranged in 3 rows and 2 columns on the portrait-oriented print surface. Figure 10(e) shows the case where the arrangement order selection unit 904 selects the direction from top left to right (the so-called Z direction). Figure 10(f) shows the case where the arrangement order selection unit 904 selects the direction from top left to bottom (the so-called N direction).

[0036] Looking closely at Figures 10(a) to (f), we can see that the manuscript data is divided into two-page sections by perforations. In Figures 10(a), (c), and (f), pages 1 and 4 (and subsequently pages 2 and 5, and pages 3 and 6) are included within the same area separated by perforations. When discontinuous pages are included within the same area separated by perforations in this way, the pages included in the perforated section of paper become discontinuous, which is undesirable for the final output. On the other hand, in Figures 10(b), (d), and (e), consecutive pages are included in the perforated section of paper, resulting in a natural output.

[0037] Therefore, if vertical is selected in the print orientation selection unit 903, in S808, the CPU 201 performs a prohibition process (second process) to prevent the selection of the left-right arrangement order (so-called Z direction) in the arrangement order selection unit 904. In this embodiment, based on the fact that vertical is selected in the print orientation selection unit 903, the left-right arrangement order is grayed out in the arrangement order selection unit 904 so that the user cannot select it. Another example of prohibition processing is to exclude the left-right arrangement order from the options. Alternatively, if the left-right arrangement order is selected, a warning message indicating that an inappropriate layout has been selected may be displayed on the display operation unit 206, or a warning sound may be output from the audio output unit (not shown) to notify the user of the warning. Alternatively, the OK button 905 on the print settings screen 900 may be masked to prevent the generation of print data. Alternatively, the system may be controlled to change to the up-down arrangement order. As described above, when a pattern is selected in which perforations are placed at positions that divide the long side of the paper into three equal parts, along with 6-in-1 printing and a vertical printing orientation, CPU201 controls the system to avoid selecting the arrangement order in the left-right direction. The subsequent processing proceeds to S810, which is the same as S407.

[0038] Furthermore, if landscape is selected in the print orientation selection unit 903, in S809, the CPU 201 performs a hyphenation process (second process) in the arrangement order selection unit 904 to avoid selecting the arrangement order in the vertical direction (so-called N direction). In this embodiment, based on the fact that landscape is selected in the print orientation selection unit 903, the arrangement order selection unit 904 displays the vertical arrangement order in gray so that the user cannot select it. Other examples of hyphenation processes are the same as in S808, so their explanation is omitted. As described above, when a pattern of placing perforations at positions that divide the long side of the paper into three equal parts, 6-in-1 printing, and a landscape print orientation are selected in combination, the CPU 201 controls the system to avoid selecting the arrangement order in the vertical direction. The process then proceeds to S810, which is the same as in S407.

[0039] As shown in S807 to S809 above, the CPU 201 performs appropriate hyphenation processing in the layout order selection unit 904 based on the combination of settings selected in the perforation processing selection unit 502, the page layout selection unit 902, and the print orientation selection unit 903, respectively. To this end, in S807, it is determined whether the order of logical pages laid out within the same area separated by perforations is discontinuous, for both the left-right and up-down layout orders. As a result, the CPU 201 decides to apply hyphenation processing to layout orders that are determined to be discontinuous, and does not apply hyphenation processing to layout orders that are determined not to be discontinuous.

[0040] As another example, the external memory 211 may store page arrangement orders that are prohibited from being selected in combination, associated with combinations of setting values ​​that can be selected in the perforation processing selection unit 502, the page layout selection unit 902, and the print orientation selection unit 903. In this case, the CPU 201 reads the prohibition information from the external memory 211 and applies the page arrangement orders associated with the selections of the perforation processing selection unit 502, the page layout selection unit 902, and the print orientation selection unit 903 to the prohibition processing.

[0041] Note that the processing shown in S807 to S809 is an example where two locations are selected in the perforation processing selection unit 502 and 6-in-1 printing is selected in the page layout selection unit 902. Therefore, the CPU 201 appropriately changes which of the vertical and horizontal arrangement order is subject to the hyphenation processing, according to the selection in the print orientation selection unit 903, based on the combination of settings selected in the perforation processing selection unit 502 and the page layout selection unit 902.

[0042] In this embodiment, when the direction of the perforations is limited to a direction perpendicular to the long side of the paper, the following rules can be assumed. For example, depending on the number of pages to be combined, such as in 6-in-1 printing or 8-in-1 printing, if a vertical printing orientation is selected, the print surface may be oriented horizontally and the logical pages may be arranged in two rows, top and bottom. In such a case, if the logical pages are arranged sequentially in the left-to-right direction, perforations will be placed between consecutive logical pages. Therefore, when a layout in which logical pages are arranged on a horizontal print surface is selected in the page layout selection unit 902, the CPU 201 performs a hyphenation process to prevent the selection of a left-to-right arrangement order in the print orientation selection unit 903.

[0043] Furthermore, in 6-in-1 and 8-in-1 printing, if a horizontal printing orientation is selected, the print surface is oriented vertically and the logical pages are arranged in two columns, left and right. In such cases, if the logical pages are arranged sequentially in the vertical direction, perforations will be placed between consecutive logical pages. Therefore, when a layout that arranges logical pages on a vertical print surface is selected in the page layout selection unit 902, the CPU 201 performs a hyphenation process to prevent the vertical arrangement order from being selected in the print orientation selection unit 903.

[0044] According to the above embodiment 2, when page aggregation is performed in conjunction with perforation, it is possible to prevent the creation of paper fragments containing discontinuous pages when the pages are separated.

[0045] In the embodiments described above, the case where the perforations are only perpendicular to the long edge of the paper was explained. However, below, we will explain the case where the perforations can be in two directions: parallel to and perpendicular to the long edge of the paper. In this case, we will explain with examples the combinations of perforation patterns subject to hyphenation processing and the number of pages to be combined.

[0046] Figure 11 schematically shows a perforated printed surface. In Figure 11, the position of the thick dotted line within each printed surface indicates the position of the perforation, and the number within each printed surface indicates the page layout order. Figure 11(a) shows an example of combining perforation in the center of the long edge of the paper with 2-in-1 printing. This combination is acceptable because the position of the perforation does not overlap with the logical page. Figure 11(b) shows an example of combining perforation in a cross shape to divide the paper into four equal parts with 2-in-1 printing. This combination is subject to hyphenation rules because the position of the perforation overlaps with the logical page. Figure 11(c) shows an example of combining perforation in a cross shape to divide the paper into four equal parts with 4-in-1 printing. This combination is acceptable. Figure 11(d) shows an example of combining a total of three perforations—one dividing the long edge of the paper into three equal parts and one in the center of the short edge—with 4-in-1 printing. This combination is subject to hyphenation rules because the position of the perforations overlaps with the logical page. Figure 11(e) shows an example of combining a total of three perforations—one dividing the long edge of the paper into three equal parts and one in the center of the short edge—with 6-in-1 printing. This combination is acceptable. Figure 11(f) shows an example of combining a cross-shaped perforation that divides the paper into four equal parts with 6-in-1 printing. This combination is subject to hyphenation rules because the position of the perforations overlaps with the logical pages.

[0047] Although the present invention has been described above along with its embodiments, these embodiments are merely examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by them. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its technical concept or its main features.

[0048] While perforation processing has been described in the embodiments described above, the present disclosure can also be applied to crease processing. Since crease processing is based on the premise that the paper will be folded at the crease position, if Nin1 printing is set in conjunction with crease processing, the printed material may be folded at the wrong position. Therefore, similar to Embodiment 1 described above, based on the number of creases selected in the crease processing selection unit (not shown), similar to the perforation processing selection unit 502 in Figure 5, the page layout selection unit 602 in Figure 6 performs a prohibition process to avoid selecting a predetermined number of pages. This prevents the output of a product in which pages are printed on the fold. Furthermore, similar to Embodiment 2 described above, based on the combination of settings selected in the crease processing selection unit (not shown), the page layout selection unit 902, and the print orientation selection unit 903, the arrangement order selection unit 904 performs a prohibition process to avoid selecting a predetermined arrangement order. This prevents discontinuous pages from being included in the surface formed when the paper is folded.

[0049] (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. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 101: Computer, 102: Printing device

Claims

1. A first setting means for setting the arrangement pattern of perforations or creases on the paper according to the user's selection, A second setting means for setting the number of pages to be consolidated and arranged on the printing surface of the aforementioned paper, according to the user's selection, A control means that performs a first process to prevent a predetermined number of aggregates from being selected by the second setting means based on a first arrangement pattern selected by the first setting means, An information processing device characterized by having the following features.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means determines the predetermined number of aggregates to be subjected to the first processing based on whether or not the processing position in the first arrangement pattern overlaps with the page arranged on the printing surface.

3. The system further includes a storage means for storing the predetermined number of aggregates in association with the arrangement patterns selectable by the first setting means, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means makes the predetermined number of aggregates associated with the first arrangement pattern the target of the first processing.

4. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control means sets the predetermined aggregation number to 6 or 9 when the first setting means selects a pattern in which processing is applied to the center of the long side of the paper.

5. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control means sets the predetermined aggregation number to 2, 4, 8, or 16 when the first setting means selects a pattern in which processing is applied at positions that divide the long side of the paper into three equal parts.

6. A third setting means for setting the orientation of the pages to be placed on the printing surface by user selection, The system further includes a fourth setting means for setting the arrangement order of pages to be placed on the print surface according to the user's selection, The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the control means performs a second process to prevent the fourth setting means from selecting a predetermined arrangement order based on a combination of the first arrangement pattern, the number of aggregates selected by the second setting means, and the orientation of the pages selected by the third setting means.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the control means determines whether or not discontinuous pages are included within the same area demarcated by the processing positions in the first arrangement pattern, and whether or not the arrangement order in the left-right direction or the arrangement order in the up-down direction is the target of the second processing.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the control means, when the first setting means selects an arrangement pattern in which processing is performed only in a direction perpendicular to the long side of the paper, when the third setting means selects a portrait orientation, and the second setting means selects a number of layouts in which pages are arranged on the landscape printing surface, the arrangement order in the left-right direction is the target of the second processing.

9. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the control means makes the vertical arrangement order the target of the second processing when the first setting means selects an arrangement pattern in which processing is performed only in a direction perpendicular to the long side of the paper, the third setting means selects a horizontal orientation, and the second setting means selects a number of layouts in which pages are arranged on the vertically oriented printing surface.

10. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first process is a process of displaying the target option in gray.

11. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the first process is a process that notifies a warning when a target option is selected.

12. A first setting means for setting the arrangement pattern of perforations or creases on the paper according to the user's selection, A second setting means for setting the number of pages to be consolidated and arranged on the printing surface of the aforementioned paper, according to the user's selection, A control means that controls the generation of print data when the first arrangement pattern is selected by the first setting means and a predetermined number of aggregates is selected by the second setting means, An information processing device characterized by having the following features.

13. A first setting means for setting the number of pages to be consolidated and arranged on the printing surface of the paper, according to the user's selection, A second setting means for setting the arrangement pattern of perforations or creases on the aforementioned paper according to the user's selection, A control means that controls the second setting means to avoid selecting a predetermined arrangement pattern based on the number of aggregates selected by the first setting means, An information processing device characterized by having the following features.

14. A first setting means for setting a function to make the position of perforations or creases on the paper variable, A second setting means for setting the number of pages to be consolidated and arranged on the printing surface of the aforementioned paper, according to the user's selection, A control means that controls the selection in the second setting means to be disabled based on the fact that the function is enabled in the first setting means, An information processing device characterized by having the following features.

15. A first setting step in which the user selects and sets the arrangement pattern of perforations or creases on the paper, A second setting step involves setting the number of pages to be consolidated and arranged on the printing surface of the aforementioned paper, according to the user's selection. A control step that performs a first process to avoid selecting a predetermined number of aggregates in the second setting step based on a first arrangement pattern selected in the first setting step, An information processing method characterized by including

16. A program for causing a computer to function as one of the means of an information processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 14.

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