Information forming apparatus, information processing apparatus control method, printing system and program

Abstract

The settings for perfect binding, including cover settings, which are print settings that cannot be specified by the functions of a generic print driver, could not be set using only a generic print driver. [Solution] A control method for an information processing device 102 comprising a general-purpose printing program 302 and an auxiliary printing program 303 that operate on an operating system 304, a means for holding print settings 206 and a display unit 204, characterized in that when the general-purpose printing program receives an instruction regarding print setting processing, and it is determined that the perfect binding function 1010 is selected as the function of the received print job, the general-purpose printing program controls the auxiliary printing program to display a setting function for the perfect binding function on the display unit and accept the setting.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, general-purpose print drivers that directly communicate with image forming apparatuses using industry-standard protocols such as IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) have been considered. The general-purpose print driver can communicate with printers from a plurality of printer vendors. Therefore, by using the general-purpose print driver, a user can transmit a print job to an image forming apparatus without installing a vendor-specific print driver. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an IPP Class Driver as an example of a general-purpose print driver.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2021-108001

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Since the above-described general-purpose print driver handles print jobs to be printed by image forming apparatuses from various vendors, there are restrictions on items and functions that can be set as print settings. In other words, not all print settings available via print drivers provided by printer vendors are provided through the standard general-purpose print driver mechanism. Furthermore, the general-purpose print driver also does not provide a setting means for print settings and the like required for jobs for creating deliverables that require complex processing.

[0005] For example, there is a perfect binding process in which multiple sheets that make up the main body are wrapped with a cover that is larger than the main body, glued together, and finished in a bound shape. However, the above-mentioned general-purpose print driver did not provide a setting means for this perfect binding process, nor a processing method for processing print job data based on the setting means, nor a processing method for processing setting values ​​to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus. This disclosure is made in light of the above, and aims to provide a mechanism that enables the setting function for perfect binding printing, which could not be provided by general-purpose print drivers alone. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This disclosure relates to a control method for an information processing apparatus comprising a general-purpose printing program and an auxiliary printing program that operate on an operating system, means for holding print settings, and a display unit, characterized in that when the general-purpose printing program receives an instruction relating to print setting processing, and it is determined that a perfect binding function is selected as the function of the received print job, the general-purpose printing program controls the auxiliary printing program to display a perfect binding function setting function on the display unit and accept the setting. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to realize setting functions for perfect binding printing, which could not be provided by general-purpose print drivers alone. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Diagram showing the overall configuration of the printing system of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Hardware configuration diagram of the client terminal in the first embodiment [Figure 3] Software configuration diagram of the client terminal in the first embodiment [Figure 4] Conceptual diagram of the walnut binding process in the first embodiment [Figure 5] Internal configuration diagram of the walnut binding unit of the first embodiment [Figure 6] Control of the page order of the cover and the main body in the perfect binding process of the first embodiment [Figure 7] Timing diagram of the perfect binding process in the first embodiment [Figure 8] Display screen of the document generation application of the first embodiment [Figure 9] Print queue selection screen of the first embodiment [Figure 10A] Print settings screen of the general-purpose print driver / print settings extension application of the first embodiment [Figure 10B] Print settings screen of the general-purpose print driver / print settings extension application of the first embodiment [Figure 10C] Print settings screen of the general-purpose print driver / print settings extension application of the first embodiment [Figure 10D] Range of values ​​for setting items related to walnut binding in the first embodiment [Figure 11] Sequence diagram of the setting / execution of the walnut binding process in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] Flowchart of print settings processing in the client terminal of the first embodiment [Figure 13] Flowchart of print settings processing for extended application on client terminal in the first embodiment [Figure 14] Flowchart of print setting process for perfect binding on a client terminal in the first embodiment [Figure 15] Print settings screen of the print settings extension application of the second embodiment [Figure 16] Print settings screen of the print settings extension application of the third embodiment [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as defined in the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0010] [First Embodiment] • Overall configuration of the printing system First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a printing system according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 101 is used as an image forming apparatus, and a client terminal 102, which is a PC serving as an information processing apparatus, will be described as an example. The MFP 101 and the client terminal 102 are communicably connected via a network 100. Note that although FIG. 1 illustrates a case where one information processing apparatus is provided in the printing system, the printing system may be configured such that the MFP 101 and a plurality of information processing apparatuses are communicably connected via the network 100.

[0011] (Client Terminal) First, the client terminal 102, which is an information processing apparatus, will be described. The client terminal 102 can create and edit print job data, and execute various programs such as an application program that performs an operation of submitting the print job data to the MFP 101. Also, a print driver, which is a print program having a function of converting print data into a printer language compatible with the MFP 101, is installed in the client terminal 102. The present embodiment shows an example where the print driver is not provided by a printer vendor, but a general-purpose print driver, which is a general-purpose print program provided by a vendor of an operating system running on the client terminal 102, is installed. In the following description, it is assumed that the print driver is a general-purpose print driver.

[0012] Users who wish to print can issue print commands from the various application programs mentioned above. After configuring the necessary print settings on the general-purpose print driver, the application outputs print target data based on these settings, which can then be converted into print job data that the MFP101 can interpret, and sent to the MFP101 connected to the network 100. However, as will be described later, complex settings such as those required for perfect binding jobs cannot be performed using the general-purpose print driver alone. Therefore, an auxiliary printing program is introduced, and by performing the various settings necessary for perfect binding, this system enables the MFP101 to perform the process of creating perfect-bound output.

[0013] (MFP) Next, the MFP101 will be described. The MFP101 has a printing function for printing images onto sheets. The MFP101 also has post-processing functions for binding multiple sheets with printed images, aligning multiple sheets, and separating the output destinations of multiple sheets into multiple trays. Various types of sheets can be used, such as plain paper, cardboard, coated paper, and film. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus will be assumed to have the various configurations described below as an example.

[0014] Alternatively, the MFP may be configured with an external controller device called a DFE (Digital Front End) 103, which has some of the functions of the MFP 101 or other incidental functions. In this case, the client terminal 102 can perceive the DFE 103 as providing the functions of the MFP 101 via the network 100. The DFE 103 may be equipped with various input / output devices similar to those provided by the client terminal 102, such as a monitor 105-1. Furthermore, even when such an incidental device as the DFE 103 is attached, the MFP 101 may be configured to be directly connected to the network 100 using a network cable 104.

[0015] In a system to which the DFE103 is connected, the monitor 105-1 can be configured to be used as a display and operating means for the DFE103. However, the MFP according to the present invention can also be configured to allow the DFE to be displayed or operated via the operating unit 105-2. The MFP101 is configured with multiple interconnected devices, each with a different function, to enable complex sheet processing. The following describes each component of the MFP101.

[0016] The printer unit 106 forms (prints) an image on the media (sheet) fed from the paper feed unit using toner, based on the image data. The configuration and operating principle of this printer unit 106 are as follows. A light beam, such as a laser beam, modulated according to the image data, is reflected by a rotating polyhedron mirror (such as a polygon mirror) and irradiated onto the photosensitive drum as scanning light. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum by this laser light is developed by toner, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet attached to a transfer drum. By sequentially performing this series of image formation processes for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners, a full-color image is formed on the sheet. In addition to these four colors, the system may also be configured to transfer spot colors or transparent toners. The sheet on the transfer drum with the full-color image formed thereon is transported to the fuser. The fuser includes rollers and belts, and has a heat source such as a halogen heater built into the rollers, which melts the toner on the sheet with the transferred toner image using heat and pressure, fixing it to the sheet.

[0017] Furthermore, the MFP101 in this embodiment is configured such that the printer unit 106 selects an appropriate printing speed mode and image processing mode to be applied during printing, depending on the type of sheet and basis weight used during the printing process by the MFP101. In this embodiment, the printer unit 106 of the MFP101, shown as an example, is equipped with an operation unit 105-2 located on its top surface. The operation unit 105-2 provides various interfaces for the user to perform various settings and operations of the printer unit 106. Furthermore, the MFP101 is configured to allow the attachment of various auxiliary devices in addition to the printer unit 106.

[0018] The high-capacity paper feeder 107 is a paper feeder that can be attached to and detached from the printer unit 106. These paper feeders are equipped with multiple paper feed sections (111-2, 111-3, 111-4). With this configuration, the printer unit 106 can perform printing on high-capacity sheets. In the example shown in the figure, the printer unit 106 is also equipped with a paper feed section 111-1. The perfect binding unit 109 is a device used to process a bound book by wrapping multiple stacked sheets with a larger cover sheet, gluing, and cutting. The processed perfect bound book is output to tray 112-1. The perfect binding unit 109 shown in the figure has an insert tray 111-5 to allow the use of pre-printed sheets as covers. The configuration of the device, its operating principle, and the structure of the perfect bound book will be described later.

[0019] The processing device 110 is provided for stapling multiple sheet bundles. The device allows for various types of stapling, such as corner stapling and two-point stapling, according to the user's preference. The processed output is output to trays 112-2 and 112-3 in the case of corner stapling or two-point stapling. The MFP101 can be broadly divided into three parts, with the printer unit 106 serving as the boundary. In Figure 1, the equipment located to the right of the printer unit 106 is called the paper feed system 107, and its main role is to continuously supply the sheets loaded inside to the printer unit 106 at appropriate timings. The printer unit 106 also has a paper feed unit 111-1 inside, which can perform the same function as the paper feed system 107. These paper feed units directly provided by the printer unit 106 will also be referred to as the paper feed system for the purposes of this explanation. On the other hand, in Figure 1, the equipment located to the left of the printer unit 106 is called the sheet processing device 108. It is also called the sheet processing device 108 or post-processing device. The sheet processing device 108 performs various processing operations on the printed sheets, or stacks them.

[0020] Hardware configuration (client terminal) Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of client terminal 102. The client terminal 102 includes a display unit 204, an operation unit 205, a storage unit 206, a control unit 201, and a network communication unit 207. The memory unit 206 refers to a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk or SSD, which is capable of storing and rewriting digital data. The control unit 201 consists of a CPU 202 and a memory 203, and controls the overall operation of the client terminal 102. The CPU 202 loads the program stored in the memory unit 206 into the memory 203 and executes it. Memory 203 is the main memory of the CPU 202 and is used as a work area and temporary storage area for deploying various programs.

[0021] The network communication unit 207 is a device that communicates with the network 100 and performs digital data input and output with external servers, client terminals, MFP 101, etc. via the network 100. The display unit 204 is a device for displaying visual information to the user in real time, such as a liquid crystal display. The operation unit 205 is a device for receiving input from the user via a keyboard, mouse, or the like. A device that combines the functions of both the display unit 204 and the operation unit 205, such as a touch panel, may also be used.

[0022] • Software configuration (client terminal) Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of client terminal 102. The configuration requirements shown in this figure represent the minimum configuration necessary to explain the effects of this embodiment. Document generation applications 301 is a general term for various applications used to create and edit data for printing. The general-purpose print driver 302 is a program module called and executed by the document generation application 301. It is a module for converting application data generated by the document generation application 301 into printable print job data. Furthermore, the general-purpose print driver 302 is characterized by its versatility, being provided together with the operating system 304. Unlike print drivers created by printer vendors, it is used for common, general-purpose printing applications and settings. This general-purpose printing program, the general-purpose print driver 302, is equipped and available to the client terminal 102. Therefore, when executing a print process from the document generation application 301 to the MFP 101, there is no need to use a vendor-specific print driver provided by the MFP 101 vendor. This makes it possible to execute print processes using a common mechanism for all MFPs and other image forming devices from any vendor.

[0023] However, while the above mechanism is highly versatile, it is difficult to use for applications involving vendor-specific or MFP101-specific functions, or for output generation processes that require complex print settings. The auxiliary printing program, Print Settings Extension Application 303 (hereinafter referred to as "Extension App"), is a module provided to compensate for this drawback. The mechanism by which the print settings extension application 303 operates is provided together with the operating system 304 and the general-purpose print driver 302, which is a general-purpose printing program. However, the print settings extension application 303 is provided additionally by the MFP 101 vendor, etc., as needed, and is in a format that can be installed so that it can be executed on the client terminal 102. There are many print setting processes that cannot be executed with the general-purpose print driver 302 alone, but can be executed by adding the auxiliary printing program, the print setting extension application 303. In this embodiment, the settings for perfect binding printing are shown as one example.

[0024] • Structure and creation method of perfect binding (Structure of a perfect-bound book) Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a perfect-bound book and an overview of its manufacturing method. First, multiple sheets corresponding to the main body 401 of the perfect bound book are stacked as shown in Figure 4(A). The stacked sheets have the same width (w) 403, and the thickness (t) 402 of the stacked sheets is as shown in the figure. In this state, glue is applied to the main body 401 at the location corresponding to the spine portion 404 of the finished case-bound book. This is because, later, as shown in Figure 4(B), the finished case-bound book cover sheet 405 will be attached to the spine portion 404 and then folded to form the finished case-bound book 410 shown in Figure 4(C).

[0025] The cover of a perfect-bound book must be a sheet with a size that is the sum of the width (w) of the front cover portion 406, the width (w) of the back cover portion 407, and the thickness (t) of the spine portion 408 in the perfect-bound book product 410. Furthermore, if the cutting process is to be considered, it is necessary to create the cover from a perfect-bound book cover sheet 405 that is larger than the sum of these dimensions. The settings for the cover sheet 405 of a perfect-bound book require consideration of the selection of images that make up the front cover 406 and back cover 407, as well as the thickness (t) of the spine 408. Then, the imposition process, the selection of a printable sheet size for the image size after imposition, and the method for specifying the thickness must be considered and set. In short, multiple interconnected and complex settings must be performed simultaneously, correctly, and appropriately.

[0026] (Configuration of the walnut binding unit) Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the transport path, the internal configuration of the perfect binding unit 109, and the operating principle of the MFP101 shown in Figure 1. First, a sheet corresponding to the main body 401 shown in Figure 4 is fed from one of the paper feeding sections (111-1 to 111-4), an image is formed in the printer section 106, and the sheet is accumulated in the stacking tray 501 in the perfect binding unit 109 via the transport path 502. Once the stacking of the main body sheets 401 is complete, the perfect binding cover sheets 405 are transported onto the transport path 504 from a paper feeding section other than the one that fed the main body sheets 401, or from the insert tray 111-5 and the transport path 509. In parallel with the image formation or transport process of the cover described above, the spine portion 404 of the book body 401, which has been accumulated in the accumulation tray 501, is glued by the gluing unit 503.

[0027] The spine portion 408 of the cover sheet 405 of the perfect bound book, which has been transported along the transport path 504, is adjusted to overlap with the spine portion of the glued book body 401, and then the gluing process is performed by the gluing unit 503. The bonded book body 401 and the perfect binding cover sheet 405 are then guided to the folding unit 505. This unit folds the perfect binding cover sheet 405 so that the front cover 406 and back cover 407 are aligned with the book body 401, with the spine portion 408 as the dividing line. After this, the sheet is guided to the cutting unit 506, where it is cut by a cutter 507 located within the unit. However, whether or not cutting is performed depends on the settings information in the perfect binding product creation process, and it is also possible to create a perfect binding product without cutting.

[0028] After the cutting process is performed by the unit, the cut waste is separated and guided into the waste bin 508, and the finished product into the tray 112-1. The above describes the process for creating a perfect-bound book product processed by the perfect-bound bookbinding unit 109, as well as the internal configuration and operating principle of the unit.

[0029] (Perfect binding process) Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the control of the page order of the cover and the main body in perfect binding, and the details of the imposition process for the cover. The following explanation assumes that Figure 6(A) represents document data created by the document generation application 301. Figure 6(A) shows the pages constituting the document data in alphabetical order. In this figure and subsequent figures, positive numbers indicate page numbers from the beginning of the document data, while negative numbers indicate page numbers from the end of the document data.

[0030] Figure 6(B) is a diagram illustrating an example of rearranging the page order of the document data shown in Figure 6(A) to form the cover of a bound book. As shown in the figure, the front cover 601 shows the rearranged page order, consisting of two pages: page 1, which is the first page of the document data, and page -1, which is the last page. Similarly, the back cover 602 shows the rearranged page order, consisting of two pages: page 2 from the beginning of the document data and page -2 from the end. The diagram shows that the main body consists of the remaining pages from page 3 to page -3, which are the pages that make up the front cover 601 and back cover 602 as described above.

[0031] Figure 6(C) illustrates the state after rearranging the page order as shown in Figure 6(B) and printing the front cover 601, back cover 602, and main body 603 onto a sheet. The figure shows the pages shown in Figure 6(B) imposed on the front surface 604 and back surface 605 of the cover sheet, respectively. However, in order to ensure the spine width of the finished perfect-bound book, the pages are imposed with a gap of the spine width equal to the thickness of the main body 606. Details of the perfect-bound spine are explained in Figure 5 and are therefore omitted here.

[0032] Figure 6(D) is a diagram illustrating another example of how the page order of the document data shown in Figure 6(B) has been rearranged to form the cover portion of a bound book. As shown in the diagram, the front cover 607 shows the page order rearranged so that it consists only of page 1, the first page of the document data. Similarly, the back cover 602 shows the page order rearranged so that it consists only of page 2 of the document data. The diagram shows that the main body 609 is composed of the remaining pages from page 3 to page -1, which are the pages that make up the front cover 607 and back cover 608 mentioned above.

[0033] Figure 6(E) illustrates the state after rearranging the page order as shown in Figure 6(D) and printing the front cover 607, back cover 608, and main body 609 onto a sheet. The figure shows the pages shown in Figure 6(D) imposed on the front surface 610 and back surface 611 of the cover sheet, respectively. However, in order to ensure the spine width of the finished perfect-bound book, the pages are imposed with a gap of the spine width equal to the thickness of the main body 606. Details of the perfect-bound spine are explained in Figure 5 and are therefore omitted here.

[0034] Figure 6(F) is a diagram illustrating an example where the cover portion is composed of an insertable cover that involves printing, when the document data shown in Figure 6(A) is bound into a perfect-sheet format. The insertable cover corresponds to the example where the cover sheet is supplied from the insert tray 111-5 described in Figures 1 and 4. When using an insertable cover, it is not necessary to assign pages generated by the document generation application 301 to the cover page for the pages that make up the front and back covers. Therefore, the order and configuration of the pages will be as shown in the figure. Also, in the case of an insertable cover, there is no need for the imposition process shown in Figures 6(B) and 6(D) to form the cover, so the spine does not need to be considered. However, this is premised on the insertable cover being properly made in advance and placed in the insert tray 111-5, taking into full consideration the thickness of the bound book body that is to be created.

[0035] Figure 6(G) is a diagram illustrating a further example to illustrate the control of the page order of the cover and the main body 616 in the perfect binding process, and the details of the imposition process of the cover. In the example shown in this figure, the cover 614 and back cover 615 of the perfect binding are shown in a state where they are pre-imposed, including the spine, and the example shows -2 pages and -1 pages being created by the document generation application 301. Figure 6(H), like Figure 6(G), is another example where pages 1 and 2 are created by the document generation application 301 with the front cover 617 and back cover 618 of a perfect-bound book pre-imposed, including the spine. In this example, the pages for the front and back covers are placed at the beginning of the document data.

[0036] There are various ways in which these multiple page sequences can be obtained, depending on the document generation application 301 or the perfect binding unit 109 and its control method. The system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured to be compatible with each of the various perfect binding output products and perfect binding cover configuration patterns shown in Figure 6.

[0037] • Timing of perfect binding process (parallel processing) Figure 7 is a timing diagram of the processing when the MFP101 generates the typeface-bound output shown in Figure 4 from the various typeface-bound document data created by the document generation application 301 shown in Figure 6, using the mechanism shown in Figure 3. First, the sheets corresponding to the pages of the main body of the first part 701 are printed and the stacking process 704 is performed. The stacking process was described in the explanation of the stacking tray 501 in Figure 5, so details are omitted here. After the stacking of the main bodies is complete, the printing process 705 for the cover of the first copy 701 is performed. However, this is the case when printing is involved in the various examples shown in Figure 6. In the case where printing is not involved, i.e., in Figure 6(F), it corresponds to the process of transporting the printed cover sheet from the insert tray 111-5 to the designated position without printing.

[0038] Next, the spine portion of the stacked book is glued using the gluing unit 503 shown in Figure 5 (gluing process 706). Subsequently, it is processed by the folding unit 505, and then similarly cut using the cutting unit 506 shown in Figure 5 (cutting process 707), before being output to the tray 112-1. The processing of the second part, from part 702 onwards, is carried out in the same manner as the first part. However, the figure shows an example in which the perfect binding unit 109 in this embodiment is configured so that the processing of the second part is partially carried out in advance for parts that can be processed in parallel with the processing of the first part.

[0039] Specifically, while the gluing process 706 of the first part 701 is being performed, the printing and stacking process 704 of the second part 702 can be executed in parallel. This is because, as shown in Figure 5, after the gluing process 706 has started, the stacking tray 501 becomes empty, allowing the printing and stacking process 704 of the next part to be executed. The same applies to the third part 703.

[0040] <Display screen of the document generation application> Figure 8 shows the display screen of the document generation application 301, which operates on the client terminal 102 and is used when performing perfect binding printing in the system of this embodiment. By selecting [Print] 801, a series of processes related to print settings and execution of the print process for the print target data created by the application, which will be described later, are started.

[0041] <Print Queue Selection Screen> Figure 9 shows an example of the print queue selection screen displayed by the operating system 304, triggered by selecting [Print] 801 in Figure 8. The print queue list area 901 is the area used when selecting a print queue that can be selected on the client terminal 102, i.e., a printer that can perform the printing process. In the example shown in the figure, the following explanation will be based on the case where PrinterA902 corresponds to MFP101 shown in Figure 1. The [Print] button 903 is used to execute a print operation on the printer selected in the print queue list area 901. In the example shown in the figure, the print operation is executed on PrinterA902.

[0042] The [Advanced Settings] button 904, which is a means for specifying detailed print settings, is used to select various settings to be applied during printing. When the [Advanced Settings] button 904 is pressed, the settings screen for the print driver corresponding to the printer selected in the print queue list area 901 is displayed. In this embodiment, the displayed print driver is the settings screen for the general-purpose print driver 302 shown in Figure 3. Therefore, the print driver settings screen displayed when the [Advanced Settings] button 904, which is a means for specifying detailed print settings, is intended for selecting common setting items, as will be described later. However, if a vendor-specific print driver corresponding to a printer selectable in the print queue list area 901 is installed on the client terminal 102, the settings screen for the corresponding vendor-specific print driver is displayed.

[0043] <Print settings screen> Next, we will explain the print settings screen by referring to Figures 10A to D (hereinafter, Figures 10A to D will be collectively referred to as "Figure 10"). Figure 10(a) is an example of the settings screen for the general-purpose print driver 302, which is displayed on the display unit 204 when the [Advanced Settings] button 904 is selected in Figure 9. The general-purpose setting items 1002, which are the setting functions that can be configured by the general-purpose print driver 302, are presented. These consist only of print setting items that are applicable to any printer. Therefore, there are no means to configure specific functions provided by the print vendor or complex functions such as the perfect binding function shown in this embodiment. The [Advanced Settings] button 1003, which is a means for selecting advanced settings, is used when using the print settings extension application 303 to select setting items for settings functions that are not provided in the general-purpose print driver 302. The [OK] button 1001 is used to retain the settings of the general-purpose print driver 302 shown in the figure and to select it when transitioning to the screen state shown in Figure 9. The [Cancel] button 1004 is used to discard the settings of the general-purpose print driver 302 shown in the figure and to select it when transitioning to the screen state shown in Figure 9.

[0044] Figure 10(b) shows the selection screen for print settings provided by the auxiliary printing program, the print settings extension application 303. This screen is displayed when the [Advanced Settings] button 1003 is pressed in Figure 10(a). While the figure shows an example of various setting items 1005 provided, the setting items provided by the print settings extension application 303 are numerous, unlike the general-purpose print settings that can be set by the general-purpose print driver 302 shown in Figure 10(a). Therefore, the figure shows an example where a scroll bar 1006 is provided to display items that cannot be displayed in the display area shown. The [OK] button 1007 is used to retain the settings processed by the print settings extension application 303 and to select it when transitioning to the screen state shown in Figure 10(a). The [Cancel] button 1008 is used to discard the settings processed by the print settings extension application 303 shown in the same figure and to select it when transitioning to the screen state shown in Figure 10(a).

[0045] Figure 10(c) shows a second example of the selection screen for print settings items provided by the print settings extension application 303. This figure shows an example that includes the print method setting item 1009. Among the selectable print methods is the perfect binding setting, and the example in this figure shows the perfect binding (double-sided) setting 1010 selected. In the state shown in this figure, selecting the [Binding Settings] button 1011 allows for the selection of further detailed settings related to perfect binding.

[0046] Figure 10(d) shows an example of the selection screen 1012 for the detailed settings of the perfect binding function, provided by the print settings extension application 303. Each of the detailed settings for the perfect binding function shown in the figure will be explained in more detail below. The opening direction 1013 is used to select the opening direction of the perfect-bound book. The example shown in the figure illustrates the case where "left-opening" is selected. The area 1014 for setting the cover in perfect binding provides various settings related to the perfect binding cover that are applied when generating the perfect binding output. The settings for the perfect binding output, especially the cover settings, require complex settings as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6. Therefore, it is difficult to provide these settings using the general-purpose print driver 302 described above. Accordingly, as shown in this embodiment, the settings for the perfect binding cover function are provided by the print setting extension application 303. The following describes each setting item included in the area 1014 for setting the cover in perfect binding.

[0047] The paper size 1015 sets the sheet size for the cover of the perfect-bound book. As will be described later in Figure 10(e), this embodiment shows an example where the body paper size 1025 is set to "A4". Therefore, as mentioned in Figure 4, the paper size 1015 for the cover of the perfect-bound book needs to be a sheet of a size that can wrap around the body. Accordingly, the example shown in the same figure shows an example where the "A3+" size is selected. However, if the perfect-bound processing settings are based on the assumption of trimming, the size of the cover does not need to be exactly the size of the body sheet plus the thickness of the bundle, and even if the sizes are slightly different, it is possible to obtain the desired perfect-bound product by trimming during the trimming process. The paper specification method 1016 is a means for specifying the method of selecting the sheet to be used as the cover for a perfect-bound book. The example in the figure shows an example where the method of "specifying in the paper feed unit" is selected, and the insert tray 111-5 is specified in the paper feed unit 1017.

[0048] Paper type 1018 is a means of specifying the type of sheet to be used as the cover for a perfect-bound book. In the example shown in the figure, "Plain paper 1 (80-105gsm)" is selected. Printing method 1019 is a means for specifying the printing surface and printing method for the cover of a perfect-bound book. In the example shown in the figure, the option "Do not print" is selected. This is because, for the cover of a perfect-bound book, a pre-printed cover sheet from the insert tray 111-5 is used when creating the finished perfect-bound book. The front cover printing surface 1020 and the back cover printing surface 1021 are selection methods when setting up a perfect-bound cover that involves image formation processing. In the example shown in the figure, since it is an example of settings when a pre-printed cover sheet is inserted from the insert tray 111-5, both of these settings are selected as "none," showing an example where no printing process is performed on either the front or back cover. Note that the front cover printing surface 1020 and the back cover printing surface 1021 are grayed out and their selection is disabled in conjunction with the "do not print" setting in printing method 1019.

[0049] In addition to the settings shown in the diagram, there are other settings related to perfect binding. Therefore, a scroll bar 1022 is provided to allow for further selection of other settings. The details of these settings will be described later. The [OK] button 1023 retains the settings processed on the detailed settings selection screen 1012 for the perfect binding function and is selected when transitioning to the screen state shown in Figure 10(c). The [Cancel] button 1024 discards the settings processed on the detailed settings selection screen 1012 for the perfect binding function shown in the same figure and is selected when transitioning to the screen state shown in Figure 10(c).

[0050] Figure 10(e) illustrates a second example of the selection screen 1012 for the detailed settings of the perfect binding function provided by the print settings extension application 303. Each of the detailed settings for the perfect binding function shown in the figure will be explained in more detail below. The "Paper Size 1025" setting is used to specify the size of the sheet used for the main body of the book in perfect binding. In the example shown in the figure, "A4" is selected. Method 1026 for specifying the finishing process is an item for specifying the trimming process for the finished book. The example shown in the figure illustrates a case where the amount of trimming is selected by "specifying the finished size".

[0051] The finished size 1027 is an item used to specify the size after the trimming process has been applied. In the example shown in the figure, a finished size of "290mm x 200mm" is specified. Since the size of the book itself in perfect binding is "A4," that is, 297mm in height and 210mm in width, the above example shows a case where a trimming process of 7mm in the height direction and 10mm in the width direction is performed when specifying the finished size. The finish adjustment 1028 is an area for making various fine adjustments when creating a perfect-bound finished product. Specifically, it allows specifying the printing position on the main body, the printing position on the cover, and the angle adjustment during the cutting process. A detailed explanation of these adjustment items will be omitted, but as previously mentioned, the settings required for the perfect-bound function are complex, and therefore, the means of setting these settings must be provided by the print setting extension application 303 rather than by the general-purpose print driver 302.

[0052] Figure 10(f) is a diagram showing the content and range of possible setting values ​​for each setting item related to perfect binding in Figures 10(d) and (e) described above. Figures 10(d) and (e) show an example of a state where a certain value from the possible setting values ​​for each setting item is selected, but in reality, the values ​​shown in the figure can be taken. The print setting extension application 303 in this embodiment controls the system to appropriately detect and resolve conflicts in setting values ​​based on the selected setting value.

[0053] • Perfect binding settings / execution process Figure 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operations, primarily within the client terminal 102, during the execution of the perfect binding setting process and the perfect binding process in this embodiment. The operations shown in the figure are realized by the CPU 202 executing the various programs shown in Figure 3 and controlling the modules shown in Figure 2. In S1101, the document generation application 301 selects a print queue. This print queue selection process corresponds to the process in which the [Print] 801 shown in Figure 8 is selected and the operating system 304 performs the print queue selection means shown in Figure 9. Then, with an appropriate print queue selected in S1101, the print setting detail specification means 904 shown in Figure 9 is selected.

[0054] In S1102, the display process for the setting UI of the general-purpose print driver 302 is started, and the setting screen shown in Figure 10(a) is displayed on the display unit 204. In S1103, the selection process for various print settings provided by the generic print driver 302 is executed. In S1104, the setting selected in the setting selection process for the general setting item 1002 presented in Figure 10(a) is stored in the storage unit 206. In S1105, the [Advanced Settings] button 1003, which is the advanced settings selection means in the setting means of the general-purpose print driver 302 shown in Figure 10(a), is selected. In this case, the print settings means provided by the print settings extension application 303 must be displayed on the display unit 204. In S1106, the generic print driver 302 requests the operating system 304 to display the extended settings. In S1107, the operating system 304 issues a startup request to the print settings extension application 303. In response, the print settings extension application 303 displays the settings means for displaying the extended settings on the display unit 204.

[0055] In S1108, the print settings extension application 303 receives confirmation that perfect binding has been selected from the print method selection means 1009 (see Figure 10(c)). In S1109, the print settings extension application 303 displays the selection screen 1012 for detailed settings of the perfect binding function on the display unit 204 (see Figure 10(d)). Note that this selection screen 1012 for detailed settings of the perfect binding function is also provided by the print settings extension application 303 and not by the general-purpose print driver 302.

[0056] In S1110 and S1111, various settings for perfect binding and settings for the cover of perfect binding are executed, respectively. Specifically, these correspond to the processes that perform the various setting operations shown in Figures 10(d) and 10(e). As shown in Figure 10(d), perfect binding requires specifying the cover size to be different from the main body size, and there are various methods for specifying the cover. Therefore, the specification of the function is complex, and it is difficult to provide a setting means by the general-purpose print driver 302. For this reason, in this embodiment, these specifications are configured to be executable by the print setting extension application 303. In S1112, when the [OK] button 1023 in Figures 10(d) and 10(e) is selected, the settings changes related to perfect binding are retained, and the setting means is closed. This corresponds to the operation of transitioning to the state shown in Figure 10(c).

[0057] At S1113, the settings changes related to the print settings extension application 303 are retained, and the settings screen is closed. This corresponds to the action of selecting the [OK] button 1007 in Figure 10(b) or (c), and transitioning to the state in Figure 10(a). With this, all necessary print settings using the print settings extension application 303 are completed. At S1114, the operating system 304 is notified that the setting process by the print settings extension application 303 has been completed. At S1115, the configuration process by the general-purpose print driver 302 is completed, and the configuration means is closed. This corresponds to the operation in Figure 10(a) where the [OK] button 1001 is selected, and the state transitions to Figure 9.

[0058] The figure shows the state after the printing process has been executed in S1116. In other words, it corresponds to the process when the print button 903 is selected in the state shown in Figure 9. In the subsequent steps, the actual printing process is executed based on the settings made up to S1116. In other words, in the example shown in this embodiment, a print job with perfect binding settings is executed. Specifically, the process of creating a perfect-bound output in the form based on the settings made in Figures 10(d) and 10(e) is executed. In the example of this embodiment, the execution of a print job including print settings provided by the print settings extension application 303 is instructed. Specifically, the execution of a print job including perfect binding settings set by the print settings extension application 303 is instructed. The process of creating print job data including settings from the print settings extension application 303 cannot be performed solely by the print job data creation process possessed by the general-purpose print driver 302. In S1117, the operating system 304 instructs the print settings extension application 303 to execute the print process command received in S1116. Specifically, it sends the data to be printed, created by the document generation application 301, to the print settings extension application 303 as intermediate data.

[0059] The print settings extension application 303, upon receiving the intermediate data, performs a conversion process from the intermediate data to print data based on the contents of the stored print settings. However, in the example of this embodiment, the execution of a print job including perfect binding settings is instructed. Therefore, the process of creating intermediate data is performed based on the settings related to perfect binding included in the stored print settings. In S1118, print data for the cover of a perfect-bound book is generated from the intermediate data. In S1119, print data for the perfect-bound book body is generated from intermediate data. During the print data generation process in S1118 and S1119, the print setting extension application 303 in this embodiment is configured to be performed appropriately based on the perfect-bound settings shown in Figure 10. The perfect-bound settings include various settings for the perfect-bound cover shown in Figure 6, namely the page order shown in Figures 6(B), (D), (G), and (H), the imposition settings shown in Figures 6(C) and (E), and the control of the inserted cover (Figure 6(F)), etc.

[0060] In S1120, the print job data converted in S1118 and S1119 is combined to generate a single print job data. In S1121, the print job data is sent to the operating system 304. This corresponds to the response to what was instructed in S1117. In S1122, the operating system 304 generates print data. Specifically, it adds print setting information to the print job data received in S1121, generating data in a format that the MFP 101 can process. In S1123, the print job data generated in S1112 is sent to the network communication unit 207. In S1124, the network communication unit 207 further transmits that data to the MFP 101.

[0061] In S1125, the MFP101 performs image formation processing based on the received job data. In this embodiment, image formation processing related to the generation of a perfect-bound book product is performed. The specific details of this image formation processing are shown in Figures 4 and 5, so further details are omitted here. Please note that the selection and order of settings described above are merely examples, and the order of selection is not necessarily limited to that shown in the diagram. Also, if some setting operations are not selected, the corresponding setting steps will be omitted. • Print settings processing: Client terminal Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the client terminal 102 in relation to the print setting process execution process in this embodiment. The operation shown in the figure is achieved by the CPU 202 calling and executing the general-purpose print driver 302 shown in Figure 3.

[0062] At S1201, the request for print settings is received. In S1202, the configuration means for the general-purpose print driver 302 is activated. This detects that the [Print] button 903 shown in Figure 9 has been pressed and corresponds to the process of displaying the configuration screen shown in Figure 10(a) on the display unit 204.

[0063] In step S1203, the system remains in a state where it is accepting configuration operations from the user, and stays within this step until one of the configuration methods provided by the general-purpose print driver 302 is selected. If a configuration method provided by some generic print driver 302 is selected, the process proceeds to S1204. In S1204, the selected settings are determined. In S1205, it is determined whether the processing details identified in S1204 are provided by the print settings extension application 303. If the [Advanced Settings] button 1003 is selected (Yes in S1205), the process proceeds to S1211. The print settings items provided by the print settings extension application 303 are displayed. This corresponds to the process of displaying the settings screen shown in Figure 10(b). Details of the process in S1211 will be described later using Figure 13.

[0064] If it is determined in S1205 that the [Advanced Settings] button 1003 is not selected (i.e., the result in No in S1205), the process proceeds to S1206. In S1206, it is determined whether the selected setting means provided by the general-purpose print driver 302 is the [Cancel] button 1004. If it is determined that the [Cancel] button 1004 has been selected (if the answer is Yes in S1206), the process proceeds to S1210. In S1210, the configuration information stored in the memory unit 206 and accumulated up to the time the above flow is executed is discarded, and the process shown in the flow diagram is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the [Cancel] button 1004 is not selected (i.e., No in S1206), the process proceeds to S1207.

[0065] In S1207, it is determined whether the processing content identified in S1204 is the [OK] button 1001 provided by the general-purpose print driver 302. If it is determined that the [OK] button 1001 is selected (if the answer is Yes in S1207), the process proceeds to S1209. In S1209, the settings that have been executed up to this point and are stored in the storage unit 206 are stored in the storage unit 206 as print job setting information, and the process shown in the flow is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the [OK] button 1001 is not pressed (i.e., No in S1207), the process proceeds to S1208. In S1208, the processing content determined in S1204 corresponds to the case where it is not one of the above-mentioned [Advanced Settings] button 1003, [Cancel] button 1004, or [OK] button 1001. In other words, it means the selection of various setting items provided by the general-purpose print driver 302, as shown as an example in Figure 10(a). Therefore, in that case, the process proceeds to S1208, the content selected as a setting item provided by the general-purpose print driver 302 is stored in the storage unit 206, and the process transitions back to the setting input waiting state in S1203.

[0066] • Print settings processing: Extended application (client terminal) Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the client terminal 102 in relation to the print settings process in this embodiment. The operation shown in the figure is achieved by the CPU 202 calling and executing the print settings extension application 303 shown in Figure 3. At S1301, the request for extended print settings is received. In S1302, the setting means for the print settings extension application 303 is activated. This detects that the [Advanced Settings] button 1003 shown in Figure 10(a) has been selected, and corresponds to the process of displaying the extended settings screen shown in Figure 10(b) on the display unit 204.

[0067] In step S1303, the system remains in a state where it is accepting configuration operations from the user, and stays within this step until one of the configuration methods provided by the print settings extension application 303 is selected. If a setting method provided by some kind of print setting extension application 303 is selected, the process proceeds to S1304, where the selected setting content is determined. In S1305, it is determined whether the processing content identified in S1304 is the selection process for perfect binding settings provided by the print settings extension application 303, that is, the selection process for the [Binding Settings] button 1011 shown in Figure 10(c). If the process is to select the perfect binding setting (Yes in S1305), the process proceeds to S1311, where the display process for the selection screen 1012 of the detailed setting items for the perfect binding function provided by the print setting extension application 303 is performed. This corresponds to the process of displaying the setting screen shown in Figure 10(d). Details of the process in S1311 will be described later in Figure 14.

[0068] If the setting for perfect binding is not selected (if the answer is No in S1305), the process proceeds to S1306. In S1306, it is determined whether the selected setting method from those provided by the print settings extension application 303 is the [Cancel] button 1008. If it is determined that the [Cancel] button 1008 has been selected (if Yes in S1306), the process proceeds to S1310. In S1310, the configuration information stored in the memory unit 206 and accumulated up to the time the above flow is executed is discarded, and the process shown in the flow diagram is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the [Cancel] button 1008 is not selected (i.e., No in S1306), the process proceeds to S1307.

[0069] In S1307, it is determined whether the processing content identified in S1304 is the [OK] button 1007 provided by the print settings extension application 303. If the [OK] button is selected (Yes in S1307), the process proceeds to S1309. In S1309, the settings that have been executed up to this point and are stored in the storage unit 206 are stored in the storage unit 206 as print job setting information, and the process shown in the flow is terminated. On the other hand, if it is not the [OK] button 1007 (the answer is No in S1307), it corresponds to the case where neither the [Cancel] button 1008 nor the [OK] button 1007 is selected on the selection screen 1012 for detailed settings of the perfect binding function. In other words, it means that the selection is for one of the various setting items provided by the print setting extension application 303, as shown as an example in Figure 10(b). Therefore, in that case, the process proceeds to S1308, the selected setting items provided by the print setting extension application 303 are stored in the storage unit 204, and the process transitions back to the setting input waiting state in S1303.

[0070] • Perfect binding printing settings processing (client terminal) Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the client terminal 102 in relation to the print setting process for perfect binding in this embodiment. The operation shown in the figure is achieved by the CPU 202 calling and executing the print setting extension application 303 shown in Figure 3. In S1401, a request for the provision of a perfect binding setting means is received by the print setting extension application 303. In S1402, the perfect binding setting means held by the print setting extension application 303 is activated. This detects that the [Binding Settings] button 1011 shown in Figure 10(c) has been selected, and corresponds to the process of displaying the selection screen 1012 for detailed settings of the perfect binding function shown in Figure 10(d) on the display unit 204.

[0071] In step S1403, the system remains in a state where it is accepting setting operations from the user, and stays within this step until one of the perfect binding setting methods provided by the print setting extension application 303 is selected. If a perfect binding setting method provided by some kind of print setting extension application 303 is selected, the process proceeds to S1404. In S1404, the selected settings are determined. In S1405, it is determined whether the processing content identified in S1404 is the [OK] button 1023 in the selection screen 1012 for detailed settings of the perfect binding settings provided by the print settings extension application 303.

[0072] If it is determined that the [OK] button 1023 is selected (if Yes in S1405), the process proceeds to S1408. In S1408, the settings that have been executed up to this point and are stored in the storage unit 206 are stored in the storage unit 206 as print job setting information, and the process shown in this processing flow is terminated. If it is determined that the [OK] button 1023 is not pressed (i.e., the result is No in S1405), the process proceeds to S1406. In S1406, it is determined whether the selected item on the selection screen 1012 for the detailed settings of the perfect binding settings provided by the print settings extension application 303 is the [Cancel] button 1024. If it is determined that the [Cancel] button 1024 is selected (if Yes in S1405), the process proceeds to S1409. In S1409, the configuration information stored in the memory unit 206 and accumulated up to the time the above flow is executed is discarded, and the process shown in this processing flow diagram is terminated.

[0073] If it is determined that the [Cancel] button 1024 is not pressed (i.e., the result is No in S1405), the process proceeds to S1407. In S1407, it is determined whether the processing content identified in S1404 relates to the perfect binding cover settings on the selection screen 1012 for detailed settings of perfect binding settings provided by the print setting extension application 303. This means determining whether or not it is a selection process for a setting item belonging to the perfect binding cover setting means 1014 shown in Figure 10(d). If the issue is not related to the settings for the cover of a perfect-bound book (i.e., the answer is No in S1407), proceed to S1418. In S1418, the settings process is performed for all settings except the cover of the perfect binding function, from the selection screen 1012 of the detailed settings items for the perfect binding function provided by the print setting extension application 303. Specifically, the settings process is performed for all settings except the perfect binding cover setting means 1014 from the various settings shown in Figures 10(d) and (e). Then, the process proceeds to S1419.

[0074] If the issue concerns the settings for the cover of a perfect-bound book (if the answer is Yes in S1407), proceed to S1410. In S1410, it is further determined whether the selected item is printing method 1019 among the settings for perfect binding covers. If the issue is not related to the settings for the cover of a perfect-bound book (i.e., the answer is No in S1407), proceed to S1417. In S1417, the setting process is performed for all setting items included in the perfect binding cover setting means 1014, excluding the printing method 1019. Then, the process proceeds to S1419. If the printing method is 1019 (if Yes in S1410), proceed to S1411. In S1411, it is determined whether the printing method 1019 for the set perfect binding cover is "printed" or not. If a non-printed cover is selected for the perfect binding cover settings (resulting in a "No" in S1411), the process proceeds to S1412. Specifically, selecting a non-printed cover corresponds to the setting for using insert paper as the perfect binding cover, as shown in Figures 6(F) and 10(d).

[0075] Therefore, in this case, the printing surface 1020 of the front cover and the printing surface 1021 of the back cover, which are among the cover-related setting items included in the perfect binding cover setting means 1014, become unnecessary. In S1412, these settings are disabled under the above conditions. The disabled state is as shown in Figure 10(d). Then, the process returns to S1403. If "Print cover page" is selected in S1411 (i.e., "Yes" in S1411), the process can proceed to S1413 and beyond. In S1413, the paper specification method 1016 is checked. The paper specification method 1016 is as shown in Figure 10(d).

[0076] In S1414, it is determined whether the "Specify at the paper feed unit" mode is selected as the paper specification method 1016. If the "Specify at paper feed unit" mode is selected (Yes in S1414), the process proceeds to S1415. In S1415, it is determined whether the selected paper feed unit 1017 is an "inserter," that is, whether the insert tray 111-5 is specified. If an inserter is specified (Yes in S1415), it corresponds to the following situation: If the setting is configured to print on a perfect-bound cover, but an inserter is specified as the tray for feeding the sheets to be used, printing will not be possible. Therefore, when such a setting is made, it means that the print settings are conflicting and the output generation process based on the settings cannot be executed as is.

[0077] There are various ways to present conflict information when settings conflict in this way, but this embodiment shows an example of a system that proceeds to S1416 and disables the [OK] button 1023. If no inserter is specified (No in S1415), the MFP101 shown in Figure 1 is configured so that the selected tray can feed printable sheets. Therefore, in this case, there is no need to disable the [OK] button 1023, and the process proceeds to S1419.

[0078] Once processes S1414, S1415, S1417, and S1418 are completed, the process proceeds to S1419, where the selected configuration process is executed, and then the system returns to the input waiting state in S1403. As described above, perfect binding covers are complex and require a systematic arrangement of numerous interconnected elements. Therefore, providing the setting means and controlling based on the set information using a general-purpose print driver 302 is difficult. For this reason, this embodiment provides a system that achieves these goals through a print setting extension application 303.

[0079] [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, since there are various cover forms for perfect binding covers, it was explained that these must be specified using the multiple perfect binding cover settings available in the print setting extension application 303, and that the form of the perfect binding output must be controlled accordingly. In the second embodiment, an example is given of a case where the cover of the perfect-bound book has a more complex form, and, as in the first embodiment, the objective is to enable control over the output generation by setting these settings using the print setting extension application 303.

[0080] Figure 15 shows an example of the spine setting screen for the perfect binding function, provided by the print setting extension application 303 in the second embodiment. This is done in conjunction with the display of setting items shown in Figures 10(d), (e), etc., in the first embodiment, and in the example shown in the figure, it is configured so that the setting location of a predetermined item can be selected using the scroll bar 1022. The spine settings 1501 include the various setting items shown below, and these settings are provided by the print settings extension application 303 in the manner shown in the figure. The spine width setting 1502 is a setting item for specifying the width of the portion corresponding to the spine width of the cover when constructing a perfect-bound book. Specifically, it is a setting for specifying the amount (width) of the spine portion 408 located between the front cover portion 406 and the back cover portion 407 of the perfect-bound book cover sheet 405, as shown in Figure 4(B). It is desirable that this specified amount be the same as the thickness 402 of the stacked sheets in order to create a perfect-bound book with the correct form. However, the thickness 402 of the stacked sheets varies depending on the amount of sheets to be stacked and the type of sheets used, and it is generally difficult to determine it accurately by measurement in advance.

[0081] Therefore, the spine width setting 1502 shown in the figure can be controlled in the system of this embodiment by providing a print setting extension application 303, allowing for flexible changes to the setting. Automatic 1503 is a setting method used by this system to specify the amount (width) of the spine portion 408 of the perfect-bound cover sheet 405 when the system automatically determines this amount from the conditions of other print jobs. This is used when the system automatically calculates the amount of spine width from the conditions of the perfect-bound output creation print job, which is executed as a print job and set by the general-purpose print driver 302 and the print setting extension application 303, and then determines and sets the setting value. Specifically, it calculates the thickness of the stacked body from the number of sheets to be stacked as the main body, the type of sheet used, and the thickness of each sheet for each type.

[0082] Unlike automatic setting 1503, manual setting 1504 is a setting method used by the user of this system to specify the width of the spine portion 408 of the perfect-bound cover sheet 405 using a numerical value. It is mainly used when the user calculates and inputs the thickness 402 of the sheet, which is accumulated from the number of pages of the deliverable to be created and the specifications of the sheet to be used. It is also well known that after executing the perfect-bound deliverable creation process, the user observes the finished state and makes minor adjustments by specifying the numerical value of the spine width and redoing the deliverable creation. The thickness input area 1505 is a field used to input the width of the spine section 408 when manual input 1504 is selected. By correctly and appropriately inputting the spine width setting 1502 in the spine setting 1501 described above using the print settings extension application 303, the resulting perfect-bound book can have the desired size and width for both the book body and spine.

[0083] [Third Embodiment] In the first embodiment, an example was shown in which the print setting extension application 303 provides all the setting means for perfect binding settings and perfect binding covers. However, as shown in Figure 10(F), the setting items related to perfect binding are numerous and are closely related to each of the settings for the perfect binding cover. In the third embodiment, instead of the print setting extension application 303 performing all the setting items and setting values ​​for perfect binding and perfect binding covers, a configuration is shown in which some or all of these settings are performed on the MFP 101 side. In this case, the system according to this embodiment shows an example where the print setting extension application 303 only allows specifying whether to perform perfect binding, and all other processing for perfect binding and perfect binding cover settings is performed on the MFP101 side.

[0084] Figure 16(a) shows an example of a print settings screen provided by the print settings extension application 303 operating on the client information terminal 102 in the third embodiment. In the example shown, the perfect binding (double-sided) setting 1010 is selected, but unlike the first embodiment, the [Binding Settings] button 1011 does not exist. Instead, information 1601 is presented to the user informing them that the binding settings function is performed on the MFP 101 main unit. Figure 16(b) shows an example of a job setting screen displayed on the operation panel, such as the monitor 105-1, on the MFP101 side. In the third embodiment, although the settings for perfect binding and its cover were not performed on the client information terminal 102 in Figure 16(a), perfect binding, perfect binding cover, and other settings can be performed using the [Perfect Binding Detailed Settings] button 1602 on the MFP101.

[0085] [Fourth Embodiment] The first embodiment shows an example of a configuration in which all settings related to perfect binding printing and perfect binding covers can be implemented by the print settings extension application 303. Figure 14 shows an example of a configuration in the same embodiment in which the print settings extension application 303 can also perform processing to detect and resolve conflicts when conditions equivalent to a conflict occur among the settings that can be specified by the print settings extension application 303. In the system according to the fourth embodiment, the settings for perfect binding and the perfect binding cover are performed in the print setting extension application 303. However, the detection and resolution of conflicts included in the settings are performed by a job setting screen, as shown in Figure 16(b), which is displayed on the monitor monitor 105-1, which is the operation unit of the MFP 101. As a result, even for functions with a large and complex setting system, such as perfect binding and perfect binding cover settings, excessive processing is not required in the print setting extension application 303. Furthermore, by combining it with functions provided by the MFP 101, it is possible to configure it so that equivalent functions can be achieved in a simpler way.

[0086] As shown in Figure 16(b), even if a conflict occurs in the settings between setting items and setting values, the job setting screen's functions allow for the efficient presentation of information such as the identification of the conflict, the nature of the conflict, and the procedure for resolving it.

[0087] (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. Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention as described in the claims.

[0088] This embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs. (Method 1) A control method for an information processing device comprising a general-purpose printing program and an auxiliary printing program that operate on an operating system, means for holding print settings, and a display unit, A control method for an information processing device, characterized in that when the general-purpose printing program receives instructions regarding print setting processing, and it is determined that the perfect binding function is selected as a function of the received print job, the general-purpose printing program controls the auxiliary printing program to display a setting function for the perfect binding function on the display unit and accept the setting. (Method 2) The aforementioned setting function for perfect binding includes a setting function for the perfect binding body and a setting function for the perfect binding cover. A control method for an information processing device according to Method 1, characterized by the features described above. (Method 3) The general-purpose printing program and the auxiliary printing program have detection and resolution means for detecting and resolving conflicting print settings. A control method for an information processing device according to method 1 or 2, characterized by the features described herein. (Method 4) The aforementioned detection resolution means disables conflicting settings so that they cannot be set. A control method for an information processing device according to method 3, characterized by the features described herein. (Method 5) The conflicting settings mentioned above are setting the insert tray as the paper feed unit and setting the settings for printing the cover. A control method for an information processing device according to method 4, characterized in that it is a method for controlling an information processing device. (Method 6) The aforementioned setting function for the cover of a perfect-bound book has means for setting the spine width of the cover of a perfect-bound book. A control method for an information processing device according to Method 2, characterized by the features described above. (Method 7) The aforementioned spine width setting means automatically sets the spine width based on the thickness of the book itself. A control method for an information processing device according to method 6, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 1) A printing system in which an information processing device and an image forming device are connected via a network, The information processing device includes a general-purpose printing program and an auxiliary printing program that operate on an operating system, and means for holding print settings. When the general-purpose printing program receives instructions regarding print setting processing, and it determines that the perfect binding function is selected as the function of the received print job, the general-purpose printing program controls the auxiliary printing program to display the perfect binding function setting function on the operation unit of the information processing device and accept the setting. The aforementioned auxiliary printing program provides a part of the perfect binding function as a setting means. Settings for the perfect binding function, which are not provided by the aforementioned auxiliary printing program, are configured using the setting means of the image forming apparatus connected via the network. A printing system characterized by the following features. (Configuration 2) The printing system according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the information processing device includes a notification means for notifying that setting items for perfect binding functions not provided by the auxiliary printing program are to be set by an image forming apparatus connected via a network. (Composition 3) The image forming apparatus includes a detection and resolution means for detecting and resolving conflicting print settings. A printing system according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized by the above. (Program 1) A program for causing the computer of the information processing device to execute one of the control methods described in any one of Methods 1 to 7. (Composition 4) An information processing device comprising a general-purpose printing program and an auxiliary printing program that operate on an operating system, means for holding print settings, and a display unit, An information processing apparatus characterized in that, when the general-purpose printing program receives instructions regarding print setting processing, and it is determined that the perfect binding function is selected as the function of the received print job, the general-purpose printing program controls the auxiliary printing program to display the perfect binding function setting function on the display unit and accept the setting. (Composition 5) An information processing device in which a general-purpose printing program and an auxiliary printing program operate on an operating system, The aforementioned general-purpose printing program displays a screen on the display unit that can accept print setting processing, If a function requiring settings provided by the auxiliary printing program is selected on the aforementioned screen, the display unit will display a screen on which the auxiliary printing program can accept the selection of setting items related to that function. When the perfect binding function is selected among the above functions, the auxiliary printing program controls the display unit to display a screen that accepts the perfect binding print settings. An information processing device characterized by the following: [Explanation of Symbols]

[0089] 101 MFP 102 Client terminals 202 CPU 206 Memory section 301 Document Generation App 302 Generic Print Driver 303 Print Settings Extension App

Claims

1. A control method for an information processing device comprising a general-purpose printing program and an auxiliary printing program that operate on an operating system, means for holding print settings, and a display unit, A control method for an information processing device, characterized in that when the general-purpose printing program receives instructions regarding print setting processing, and it is determined that the perfect binding function is selected as a function of the received print job, the general-purpose printing program controls the auxiliary printing program to display a setting function for the perfect binding function on the display unit and accept the setting.

2. The aforementioned bookbinding function settings include a bookbinding body setting function and a bookbinding cover setting function. A control method for an information processing device according to feature 1.

3. The general-purpose printing program and the auxiliary printing program have detection and resolution means for detecting and resolving conflicting print settings. A control method for an information processing device according to feature 1.

4. The aforementioned detection resolution means disables conflicting settings so that they cannot be set. The control method for the information processing device according to feature 3.

5. The conflicting settings mentioned above are setting the insert tray as the paper feed unit and setting the printing of the cover page. The control method for the information processing device according to feature 4.

6. The aforementioned setting function for the cover of a perfect-bound book has means for setting the spine width of the cover of a perfect-bound book. The control method for the information processing device according to feature 2.

7. The aforementioned spine width setting means automatically sets the spine width based on the thickness of the book itself. The control method for the information processing device according to feature 6.

8. A printing system in which an information processing device and an image forming device are connected via a network, The information processing device includes a general-purpose printing program and an auxiliary printing program that operate on an operating system, and means for holding print settings. When the general-purpose printing program receives instructions regarding print setting processing, and it determines that the perfect binding function is selected as the function of the received print job, the general-purpose printing program controls the auxiliary printing program to display the perfect binding function setting function on the operation unit of the information processing device and accept the setting. The aforementioned auxiliary printing program provides a part of the perfect binding function as a setting means. Settings for the perfect binding function, which are not provided by the aforementioned auxiliary printing program, are configured using the setting means of the image forming apparatus connected via the network. A printing system characterized by the following features.

9. The printing system according to claim 8, characterized in that the information processing device includes a notification means for notifying that setting items for perfect binding functions not provided by the auxiliary printing program are to be set by an image forming apparatus connected via a network.

10. The image forming apparatus includes a detection and resolution means for detecting and resolving conflicting print settings. The printing system according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by the above.

11. A program for causing the computer of the information processing device to execute the control method described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

12. An information processing device comprising a general-purpose printing program and an auxiliary printing program that operate on an operating system, means for holding print settings, and a display unit, An information processing apparatus characterized in that, when the general-purpose printing program receives instructions regarding print setting processing, and it is determined that the perfect binding function is selected as the function of the received print job, the general-purpose printing program controls the auxiliary printing program to display the perfect binding function setting function on the display unit and accept the setting.

13. An information processing device in which a general-purpose printing program and an auxiliary printing program operate on an operating system, The aforementioned general-purpose printing program displays a screen on the display unit that can accept print setting processing, If a function requiring settings provided by the auxiliary printing program is selected on the aforementioned screen, the display unit will display a screen on which the auxiliary printing program can accept the selection of setting items related to that function. When the perfect binding function is selected among the above functions, the auxiliary printing program controls the display unit to display a screen that accepts the perfect binding print settings. An information processing device characterized by the following:

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