Information processing device, control method for information processing device, and program

Abstract

In a printing system that integrates an image processing device and an information processing device, when specific pages were grouped together during punching, images sometimes ended up being printed on the cut portion of the output. [Solution] An information processing device characterized by having a first item for receiving from the user the number of pages to be printed on one side of a sheet of paper, a second item for receiving from the user a setting to punch holes in multiple columns on the sheet of paper, and a control means for controlling the second item not to accept the setting when a predetermined number of pages is received in the first item.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Some applications on an information processing apparatus that generate print instructions to an image processing apparatus have a page aggregation function for combining data of a plurality of pages. In relation to this, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing system that allows all pages to be accommodated in a specified number of sheets without requiring a user to be conscious of calculations such as the number of pages to be aggregated. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-233475 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] Incidentally, for purposes such as binding output sheets, there are optional devices for printing apparatuses compatible with the so-called punching function for punching holes in output sheets. Furthermore, there are optional devices for printing apparatuses compatible with a double punching function that performs punching in two rows: an edge row and a center row of an output sheet. By cutting a product that has been double-punched in advance on a large paper size at the center, two punched sheets can be obtained from one product.

[0005] When such punching is performed and specific page aggregation is additionally performed, an image may be printed on a cut portion when the product after punching is cut.

[0006] This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to prevent the output of a page-aggregated output in which the image portion is cut off during the cutting process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the information processing device of the present invention includes a first item for receiving from a user the number of pages to be printed on one side of a sheet of paper, a second item for receiving from a user a setting to punch holes in multiple columns on the sheet of paper, and a control means for controlling the second item so as not to accept the setting when a predetermined number of pages is received in the first item. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the output of a product in which the image portion is cut off during the cutting process. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the configuration of the printing system. [Figure 2] Block diagram of the information processing device 102. [Figure 3] Block diagram of the image processing device 101. [Figure 4] Software configuration diagram of the printing system. [Figure 5] A diagram showing the printer driver's print settings UI. [Figure 6] A schematic diagram of an output product after punching. [Figure 7] A flowchart showing the process for determining UI hyphenation control in the printing system in Example 1. [Figure 8] A schematic diagram of the typical output when 9in1 is configured. [Figure 9] A flowchart showing the process for determining the control of a special page layout in the printing system in Example 2. [Figure 10] Schematic diagram of an output with a special page layout in Example 2. [Figure 11] Example of a display message in Example 2. [Figure 12] Flowchart showing the procedure for determining UI prohibition control of a printing system in Example 3. [Figure 13] Schematic diagram of an output when 2-in-1 is set. [Figure 14] Flowchart showing the procedure for determining UI prohibition control of a printing system in Example 4. [Figure 15] Correspondence table between paper size and page aggregation direction in Example 4. [Figure 16] Diagram for comparing reduction ratios in 2-in-1 mode. [Figure 17] Schematic diagram of an output when 6-in-1 is set. [Figure 18] Schematic diagram of an output where 2-hole punching processing is performed at three positions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the respective embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention. EXAMPLES

[0011] First, the configuration of the printing system in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an example of the printing system according to the present embodiment. An image processing apparatus 101 and an information processing apparatus 102 are connected to a network 100. An OS and applications are installed in the information processing apparatus 102. In this system, a user transmits a print job from the information processing apparatus 102 to the image processing apparatus 101 using an application. When the information processing apparatus 102 is an information device represented by a general PC (Personal Computer), a configuration in which a print job is transmitted as an application to the target image processing apparatus 101 via a printer driver is conceivable.

[0012] Next, the hardware configuration of apparatuses constituting the printing system will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the information processing apparatus 102. An input device 206 corresponds to a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel for a user to operate the information processing apparatus. A display device 207 corresponds to a display for a user to operate the information processing apparatus 102. For example, there is also a configuration in which part or all of the display device 207 also serves as the input device 206, such as a touch panel. A storage device 205 corresponds to a storage medium represented by a non-volatile hard disk for storing large-capacity data, and reading and writing of applications and data are performed thereon. A network device 208 is connected to the network 100 described in FIG. 1 and is capable of communicating with other apparatuses.

[0013] Typically, the initial program for starting the information processing unit 102 and the basic programs for controlling each module of the information processing unit 102 are stored in ROM 203. The OS and applications are stored in storage device 205. When the information processing unit 102 is powered on, the program for starting the computer (boot loader) stored in ROM 203 is executed first. This program then loads the OS stored in storage device 205 into RAM 202, and then hands over control to the OS. The OS then loads the necessary modules and drivers from storage device 205 into RAM 202. Furthermore, according to user instructions, it loads the necessary applications from storage device 205 into RAM 202 and executes them.

[0014] Figure 3 is a block diagram of the image processing device 101. The CPU 301, RAM 302, ROM 303, storage device 305, display device 307, and network device 308 are the same as those in the information processing device 102, so their explanation is omitted. The input device 306 may consist of a numeric keypad or various buttons. The printing device 304 loads the print data included in the print job into RAM 302, executes printing, and outputs the printed material.

[0015] This embodiment is achieved by loading programs stored in the storage devices 205 and 305 of each device into RAM 202 and 302, and then executing them using CPUs 201 and 301.

[0016] Next, the functions of the equipment constituting the printing system in this embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the software configuration of the printing system in this embodiment.

[0017] The image processing device 400 includes a communication unit 401, a printing unit 402, and an input / output control unit 403. The communication unit 401 enables communication with other devices via the network 100. The printing unit 402 executes print jobs within the image processing device 101 and outputs printed materials. The input / output control unit 403 controls input information from the input device 306 and output information to the display device 307.

[0018] The information processing device 410 comprises a communication unit 411, a job creation unit 412, and an input / output control unit 413. The communication unit 411 enables communication with other devices via the network 100. The job creation unit 412 enables the creation of print data that can be interpreted by the image processing device 101 as a print job. The input / output control unit 413 enables the control of input information from the input device 206 and output information to the display device 207. These devices communicate via the communication units 401 and 411 to form a printing system.

[0019] The following describes the processing of the printing system in this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 5 shows the printer driver's print settings UI in this embodiment. 500 is the print settings UI. 501 and 503 are function selection tabs. Because the printer driver has a wide range of functions, this mechanism allows for different print settings on different sheets depending on the type of function. Here, "Finishing" is selected as the function sheet, allowing settings related to imposition and finishing during printing. Preview 511 shows a schematic or reduced version of the output result obtained with the current print settings. The print method selection unit 521 allows you to select either single-sided printing or double-sided printing. The print direction selection unit 522 allows you to select either portrait or landscape. The page layout selection unit 523 allows you to select the number of pages to be combined for imposition. Here, it is assumed that you can select 1in1, 2in1, 4in1, 6in1, 8in1, 9in1, or 16in1. Nin1 is a setting that places N pages on one side (front or back) of a single sheet of paper. In other words, the number before "in1" is the number of pages to be placed on one side of a single sheet of paper. The binding direction selection unit 524 allows you to select the position where the binding margin will be added. Here, you can select between long-edge binding and short-edge binding. The punch hole selection unit 525 allows you to specify the number of punch holes to be made as a finishing touch. Here, you can select none, 2 holes, 3 holes, 2 holes (double), and 3 holes (double). When punching, the punching process will be performed based on the value selected in the binding direction selection unit 524. Note that "double" means two rows.

[0021] Figure 6 shows schematic diagrams of punched output. In all cases, it is assumed that vertical is selected in the printing direction selection unit 522. Figure 6(a) shows the case where long edge binding is selected in the binding direction selection unit 524 and 2 holes are selected in the punch hole selection unit 525. Figure 6(b) shows the case where short edge binding is selected in the binding direction selection unit 524 and 3 holes are selected in the punch hole selection unit 525. Figure 6(c) is an example where short edge binding is selected in the binding direction selection unit 524 and 2 holes (double) are selected in the punch hole selection unit 525. Figure 6(d) is an example where long edge binding is selected in the binding direction selection unit 524 and 3 holes (double) are selected in the punch hole selection unit 525. As shown in Figures 6(c) and (d), when 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double) are selected in the punch hole selection unit 525, an output is obtained in which punch holes are punched parallel to the direction specified in the binding direction selection unit 524.

[0022] Pressing the OK button 531 starts the process of generating a print job that reflects the settings configured in the print settings UI 500. Pressing the Cancel button 532 exits the print settings.

[0023] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the UI hyphenation control determination process in the printing system in this embodiment.

[0024] In S701, the information processing device 102 obtains the setting value of the print setting UI 500. In S702, the information processing device 102 determines whether the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 (i.e., page layout selection item 523) is 9in1. If, in S702, it is determined that the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 is 9in1, then in S703, the information processing device 102 performs hyphenation control for the punch hole selection unit 525. Specifically, if the value set in the punch hole selection unit 525 (i.e., punch hole selection item 525) is 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double), the setting value is changed to a different value, and the 2-hole (double) and 3-hole (double) options are grayed out so that they cannot be selected. As another example of hyphenation control, when 9in1 is selected in the page layout selection unit 523, a warning message is displayed in the punch hole selection unit 525 indicating that the 2-hole (double) and 3-hole (double) options cannot be selected. In any of the hyphenation control methods, when 9in1 is specified in the page layout selection unit 523, the options for 2-hole (double) and 3-hole (double) will remain unavailable in the punch hole selection unit 525. Alternatively, one could control the system to allow the user to set both 2-hole (double) or 3-hole (double) and 9in1, but not issue print jobs with both settings. Specifically, one could mask the OK (print settings complete) button for issuing a print job. Another could be to automatically change one of the settings before issuing a print job (for example, changing double to single, or changing 9in1 to 1in1). These methods are also part of this embodiment.

[0025] Note that this flowchart first determines whether it is a 9-in-1 type, but it is also acceptable to first determine whether 2-hole (double) or 3-hole (double) types are selected. In that case, it is preferable to exclude 9-in-1 from the options for the number of pages to be combined.

[0026] On the other hand, in S702, if it is determined that the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 is not 9in1, the information processing device 102 does not perform any special prohibition control regarding the selection of the punch hole selection unit 525.

[0027] The timing at which this series of UI hyphenation control determination processes are executed may be when any setting value in the print settings UI 500 is changed. Alternatively, it may be limited to when the setting values ​​of the page layout selection unit 523 and the punch hole selection unit 525, which are setting values ​​related to hyphenation control, are changed. Alternatively, it may be when the OK button 531 is pressed.

[0028] This series of UI hyphenation control processes makes it possible to prohibit punching operations that are intended for trimming when the page layout is 9-in-1. As a result, it is possible to prevent the output of a product with an imposition that would result in the image portion being cut off during the trimming process.

[0029] Note that the page count refers to the number of pages printed on one side (front or back) of a single sheet of paper.

[0030] As explained above, 9in1 was used as an example, but similar control may be performed for other values ​​(for example, 25in1, etc.). In this embodiment, 9in1 and values ​​for which 9in1 equivalent control is performed are referred to as predetermined values. [Examples]

[0031] This embodiment shows a series of processes that create a special page layout when 9in1 is set in the page layout selection unit 523 and 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double) are selected in the punch hole selection unit 525.

[0032] Figure 8(a) is a schematic diagram of a typical output when 9in1 is set in the page layout selection unit 523, showing the correspondence between the output paper and the page numbers in the original data for single-sided printing. Note that the arrangement order on the paper may be as shown in Figures 8(b) and (c).

[0033] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the determination process for controlling a special page layout in the printing system in this embodiment.

[0034] In S901, the information processing device 102 obtains the setting value of the print setting UI 500. In S902, the information processing device 102 determines whether the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 is 9in1. If it is determined in S902 that the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 is 9in1, then in S903, the information processing device 102 determines whether the value set in the punch hole selection unit 525 is 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double). If it is determined in S902 that the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 is not 9in1, and if it is determined in S903 that the value set in the punch hole selection unit 525 is not 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double), then the process proceeds to S904. In S904, the information processing device 102 generates a print job based on a normal page layout. On the other hand, if the value set in the punch hole selection unit 525 in S903 is determined to be 2 holes (double) or 3 holes (double), then in S905, the information processing device 102 determines whether the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is long-edge binding or not. If the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 in S905 is determined to be long-edge binding, then in S906, the information processing device 102 generates a print job based on a page layout that assumes cutting along the long edge. On the other hand, if the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 in S905 is determined not to be long-edge binding, then in S907, the information processing device 102 generates a print job based on a page layout that assumes cutting along the short edge.

[0035] Figure 10(a) is a schematic diagram of the output page layout in S906, assuming trimming along the long side, showing the correspondence between the output paper and the page numbers in the original data for single-sided printing. Figure 10(b) is a schematic diagram of the output page layout in S907, assuming trimming along the short side, showing the correspondence between the output paper and the page numbers in the original data for single-sided printing. As shown in Figure 10, in S906 and S907, a special page layout is used based on the 9-in-1 page layout, but the areas corresponding to the trimming portion are not drawn.

[0036] The sequence of processes that create this special page layout is executed when the OK button 531 is pressed. Note that because this special page layout results in a page count of 9 pages per output sheet, a message as shown in Figure 11 may be displayed between processes S903 and S905 to prompt the user for confirmation. If the Continue button 1101 is pressed, the process proceeds to S905, and if the Cancel button 1102 is pressed, the process does not proceed to S905, and the user returns to the print settings screen using the print settings UI 500.

[0037] This series of processes for creating a special page layout prevents the output of a product where the image portion is cut off during the trimming process. [Examples]

[0038] This embodiment describes the process for determining UI hyphenation control in the printing system when 2in1 is set in the page layout selection unit 523.

[0039] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the UI hyphenation control determination process in the printing system in this embodiment.

[0040] In S1201, the information processing device 102 obtains the setting value of the print setting UI 500. In S1202, the information processing device 102 determines whether the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 is 2-in-1. If in S1202 it is determined that the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 is 2-in-1, then in S1203 the information processing device 102 determines whether the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is long-edge binding. If in S1203 it is determined that the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is long-edge binding, then in S1204 the information processing device 102 performs hyphenation control related to the punch hole selection unit 525. The hyphenation control in S1204 is the same as the hyphenation control shown in Example 1. In any of the hyphenation control methods, if 2-in-1 is specified in the page layout selection unit 523 and long-edge binding is selected in the binding direction selection unit 524, the options for 2-hole (double) and 3-hole (double) will remain unavailable in the punch hole selection unit 525.

[0041] On the other hand, if in S1202 the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 is determined not to be 2-in-1, the information processing device 102 does not perform any special hyphenation control regarding the selection in the punch hole selection unit 525. Also, if in S1203 the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is determined not to be long-edge binding, the information processing device 102 does not perform any special hyphenation control regarding the selection in the punch hole selection unit 525.

[0042] The timing at which this series of UI hyphenation control determination processes are executed may be the same as in Example 1, when any of the settings in the print setting UI 500 are changed. Alternatively, it may be limited to the timing when the settings of the page layout selection unit 523 and the punch hole selection unit 525, which are settings related to hyphenation control, are changed. Alternatively, it may be the timing when the OK button 531 is pressed.

[0043] This series of UI hyphenation control processes makes it possible to prohibit punching operations that are intended for trimming when the page layout is 2-in-1. As a result, it is possible to prevent the output of a product with an imposition that would result in the image portion being cut off during the trimming process. [Examples]

[0044] In Example 3, when 2in1 is set in the page layout selection unit 523, the page aggregation direction of the paper was explained based on the premise that two pages are drawn in the long side direction as shown in Figure 13(a). However, when 2in1 is set in the page layout selection unit 523, there are cases where two pages are drawn in the short side direction as shown in Figure 13(b). Based on this, this embodiment will explain the determination process flow of the UI hyphenation control of the printing system when 2in1 is set in the page layout selection unit 523.

[0045] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the UI hyphenation control determination process in the printing system in this embodiment.

[0046] In S1401, the information processing device 102 obtains the setting value of the print setting UI 500. In S1402, the information processing device 102 determines whether the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 is 2in1. If in S1402 it is determined that the value set in the page layout selection unit 523 is 2in1, then in S1403 the information processing device 102 determines whether the page aggregation direction of the paper will draw two pages in the long edge direction. If in S1403 it is determined that the page aggregation direction of the paper will draw two pages in the long edge direction, then in S1404 the information processing device 102 determines whether the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is long edge binding. On the other hand, if in S1403 it is determined that the page aggregation direction of the paper will not draw two pages in the long edge direction, then in S1405 the information processing device 102 determines whether the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 is short edge binding. If the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 in S1404 is determined to be long-edge binding, and if the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 in S1405 is determined to be short-edge binding, the process proceeds to S1406. In S1406, the information processing device 102 performs prohibition control with respect to the punch hole selection unit 525. The prohibition control in S1406 is the same as the prohibition control shown in Embodiment 3. In either prohibition control, the state in which the 2-hole (double) and 3-hole (double) options cannot be selected in the punch hole selection unit 525 is maintained.

[0047] This section shows an example of determining the page aggregation direction of paper in S1403. One example is a method of determination based on a pre-prepared correspondence table. When the paper size is a standard size, the aspect ratio is known, so the page aggregation direction is predetermined for each paper size as shown in the table in Figure 15, and the determination is made based on that.

[0048] Another example involves calculating the aspect ratio of the paper size and making a decision based on that. When combining two pages, if the vertical length of the paper is more than twice as long as the horizontal length, drawing the two pages along the shorter side will result in a larger image than drawing them along the longer side. Figure 16 illustrates this comparison. Figure 16(a) shows the result of drawing two pages along the shorter side when the vertical length h is more than twice as long as the horizontal length w. In this case, the reduction ratio is (w / 2) / w = 0.5. On the other hand, Figure 16(b) shows the result of drawing two pages along the longer side when the vertical length h is more than twice as long as the horizontal length w. In this case, the reduction ratio is w / h, and since h > 2w, this becomes less than 0.5, resulting in a smaller image than in Figure 16(a). When combining pages, it is desirable to draw the combined pages as large as possible. This method calculates the aspect ratio of the paper size and determines that two pages will be drawn along the longer side if the vertical length h is more than twice as long as the horizontal length w; otherwise, it determines that two pages will be drawn along the shorter side.

[0049] On the other hand, if the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 in S1404 is determined not to be long-edge binding, the information processing device 102 does not perform any special prohibition control regarding the selection of the punch hole selection unit 525. Similarly, if the value set in the binding direction selection unit 524 in S1405 is determined not to be short-edge binding, the information processing device 102 does not perform any special prohibition control regarding the selection of the punch hole selection unit 525.

[0050] The timing at which this series of UI hyphenation control determination processes are executed may be the same as in Example 3, when any of the settings in the print setting UI 500 are changed. Alternatively, it may be limited to the timing when the settings of the page layout selection unit 523 and the punch hole selection unit 525, which are settings related to hyphenation control, are changed. Alternatively, it may be the timing when the OK button 531 is pressed.

[0051] This series of UI hyphenation control processes makes it possible to prohibit punching operations that are intended for trimming when the page layout is 2-in-1. As a result, it is possible to prevent the output of a product with an imposition that would result in the image portion being cut off during the trimming process.

[0052] [Other forms] In Example 3, an example was described for the case where the number of pages to be aggregated is 2, but the number of pages to be aggregated is not limited to 2. For example, in the case where the number of pages to be aggregated is 6, the output will be arranged as shown in Figure 17. In this case, if the value set by the binding direction selection unit 524 is determined to be short-edge binding, the above-described hyphenation control can be performed to obtain the same effect as in Example 3 even when the number of pages to be aggregated is 6.

[0053] Furthermore, while the above-described embodiment explained punching assuming that the output paper would be cut in the center, the cutting location is not necessarily limited to the center. For example, if a punch hole selection such as "2-hole (triple)" is made, where two-hole punching is performed in three locations as shown in Figure 18, it can be determined that the output will be cut not in the center, but to divide the paper into three equal parts. In this case, assuming that the paper will be divided into three equal parts, a similar effect can be obtained by using imposition control to prevent the image portion from being cut off.

[0054] Furthermore, 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]

[0055] 101 Image Processing Device 102 Information Processing Device

Claims

[Claim 1] An information processing device, A means for displaying a first item that accepts from the user the number of pages to be printed on one side of a sheet of paper, and a second item that accepts from the user the setting to punch holes in multiple columns on the said sheet of paper, An information processing apparatus characterized by having a control means that, when a predetermined number of pages is received in the first item, controls the second item not to accept the setting.

Images