program

Abstract

To provide a technique of reducing time and effort of a user when creating a long printed material by using a printer that can perform printing on a long sheet.SOLUTION: When images 72 are created on pages of an image file composed of a plurality of pages by using a drawing application 44 and the images are printed, if 90-degree rotation is set in a print setting, the images 72 are rotated by 90 degrees and thereby the images on the pages after 90-degree rotation are continuously printed on a long sheet in a printer, and a long printed material in which the images 74 on the pages are connected side by side is output. Thus, as compared with a procedure for creating a long printed material by pasting printed materials together, an operation of pasting the printed materials together is not required, which reduces time and effort of a user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a program that accepts print settings. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a technology that accepts settings of paper size and paper feed method by a printer driver built into an information processing device such as a personal computer. Options that can be set for paper size may include general standard paper sizes as well as user-defined sizes defined by the user. Also, options that can be selected for paper feed method may include a paper feed tray that can feed standard paper as well as a tray that can feed roll paper, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-102961 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There are cases where a long printout (for example, a banner with "ABCD" written on it) is created using an application program (hereinafter also referred to as "app") that does not support long document sizes. In this case, even if the printer supports long paper, the app cannot create a long image. Therefore, for example, a long printout can be created by first creating a multi-page standard-sized image (for example, four pages of images with "A", "B", "C", and "D") using the app, printing the multi-page images on standard paper using a printer, and then pasting the multi-page printouts side by side by the user. However, this procedure requires the user to take the time and effort to paste the printouts together.

[0005] This specification discloses a technique for reducing the effort required of a user when creating a long printed matter using a printer capable of printing on long paper. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A program made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, which is executable by a computer of an information processing device, causes the computer to execute an acceptance process to accept print settings to be used for printing on a printer via a user interface of the information processing device, the print settings including a paper size and a rotation setting indicating whether to rotate an image by 90 degrees, the printer being capable of printing on long paper, and further causes the computer to accept a print instruction to cause the printer to print from an application program built into the information processing device, the print settings in the print instruction being set to indicate the long paper and the rotation setting being set to rotate the image by 90 degrees, and when an image corresponding to the input paper size set in the application program is input from the application program based on the print instruction, executes a rotation process to rotate the input image by 90 degrees for each page.

[0007] In the program configured as described above, if the print settings indicate long paper and 90 degree rotation is set, the image of each page input from the application program is rotated 90 degrees, and the printer prints the 90 degree rotated images of each page continuously on the long paper, outputting a long printout with the images of each page connected side-by-side. Therefore, compared to the procedure of pasting printouts together to create a long printout, there is no need to paste printouts together, reducing the user's effort. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The technology disclosed in this specification realizes a technology that reduces the effort required of a user when creating a long printed document using a printer capable of printing on long paper. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1A is a schematic electrical configuration diagram of a personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a print setting screen for setting print settings. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an extended print setting screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a printer. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer. [Figure 6] FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a drawing area when an image is created over multiple pages using a drawing application, FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of an output drawing area, and FIG. 1C is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a long printed matter printed by a printer. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for an extended print setting process in a personal computer. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an extended print setting screen with the "rotate pages 90 degrees when printing" function turned on, (B) an explanatory diagram showing an example of an extended print setting screen with an output paper size specification dialog displayed, and (C) an explanatory diagram showing an example of an extended print setting screen after a user operates the OK button. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for a rotated printing process in a personal computer. [Figure 10] 1A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a preview screen, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a warning screen. [Figure 11] 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a printing process in a printer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a program will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment discloses a program executed on a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as "PC") that can be connected to a printer, which is a device having a printing function.

[0011] The PC 2 in this embodiment is a device capable of executing various application programs (hereinafter, referred to as "apps") to cause the printer 3 to perform various functions. The PC 2 is an example of an information processing device. Instead of the PC 2, for example, a smartphone or a tablet computer may be used.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1(A), the PC 2 includes a control unit 20 including a CPU 21 and a memory 24. Furthermore, the PC 2 includes a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 26 and a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "user IF") 28, which are electrically connected to the control unit 20. Note that the control unit 20 in Fig. 1(A) is a general term for hardware and software used to control the PC 2, and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware actually present in the PC 2.

[0013] The CPU 21 executes various processes according to the programs read from the memory 24 and based on the user's operation. The CPU 21 is an example of a computer. The memory 24 is, for example, a HDD or a flash memory, and is used as an area for storing various programs, data such as image data and document data, and various settings. A buffer provided in the CPU 21 is also an example of a memory.

[0014] An example of the memory may be a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, the non-transitory medium also includes recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs.

[0015] The communication IF 26 includes hardware for communicating with an external device such as the printer 3. The communication method of the communication IF 26 may be wireless or wired, and may be any standard method such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), USB, LAN, etc.

[0016] The user IF 28 includes hardware for displaying information on a screen and hardware for accepting input operations by the user. For example, as shown in Fig. 1(B), the user IF 28 may be a combination of a display 28A for displaying information on a screen and a keyboard 28B and a mouse 28C for accepting input operations by the user, or may be a touch panel having a display function and an input acceptance function.

[0017] 1A, an operating system (hereinafter, referred to as "OS") 41, a print application 42, a printer driver 43, and a drawing application 44 are installed in the memory 24 of the PC 2 in this embodiment. The OS 41 is, for example, Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark), or Linux (registered trademark).

[0018] The print application 42 is a program that is called from the drawing application 44 and the like, and receives various instructions related to printing. The print application 42 receives, for example, the specification of the printer 3 to be used for printing, the specification of the number of copies to be printed, the specification of the print range, and an instruction to execute printing. In addition, the print application 42 may also receive the specification of the type and size of the paper to be printed on, an instruction for double-sided printing, and the like.

[0019] The printer driver 43 is a program corresponding to the printer 3, and communicates with the printer 3 via the communication IF 26 to control the operation of the printer 3. The printer driver 43 is started, for example, when an instruction to set properties of the printer 3 is received while the printer 3 is specified in the print application 42 or the like.

[0020] When the printer driver 43 is started, the CPU 21 displays, for example, a print setting screen 51 shown as an example in FIG. 2 on the display 28A. On the basic tab 51A of the print setting screen 51, for example, a paper type selection field 511, a print quality selection field 512, a paper size selection field 513, a print orientation selection field 514, a number of copies selection field 515, a paper feed method selection field 516, a cut unit selection field 517, an OK button 518, and a cancel button 519 are displayed. The CPU 21 accepts the user's operation on each selection field and each button displayed on the print setting screen 51 through the operation of the keyboard 28B or the mouse 28C. Thus, the user can set print settings to be used for printing on the printer 3.

[0021] Specifically, in the paper type selection field 511, the user can select one of plain paper, glossy paper, inkjet paper, roll paper, and the like.

[0022] In addition, in the paper size selection field 513, the user can select one of the precut standard size paper names, for example, A4, B4, A5, B5, A6, Letter, Legal, A3, etc. In the paper size selection field 513, the user can select roll paper. In the paper size selection field 513, the user can select a user-defined size in which the user arbitrarily specifies the paper width and paper height.

[0023] In addition, in the paper feed method selection field 516, the user can select the paper feed tray of the printer 3, i.e., one of the multipurpose tray 3A, the first tray 3B, and the second tray 3C shown in FIG. 4, which will be described later, or select "automatic selection," which will allow the printer 3 to select the paper feed tray.

[0024] Furthermore, in the cutting unit selection field 517, the user can select, by a numerical value, at which page the image file created over multiple pages using the drawing application 44 should be cut when printed by the printer 3. For example, if the user selects "1", the print paper will be cut every one page when printed by the printer 3, and if the user selects "4", the print paper will be cut every four pages when printed by the printer 3. Note that the cutting unit is an example of a setting that indicates long paper.

[0025] Also, for example, when the user selects the extension tab 51B of the print setting screen 51 in a state where the print setting screen 51 shown in Fig. 2 is displayed on the display 28A, the CPU 21 displays the extended print setting screen 52, an example of which is shown in Fig. 3, on the display 28A. In this extended print setting screen 52, a scaling off selection field 521 for selecting off the scaling function, a selection field 522 for selecting the "fit to print paper size" scaling function, a paper size selection field 523 for selecting the paper size at that time, a selection field 524 for selecting the scaling function at an arbitrary magnification, an arbitrary magnification selection field 525 for selecting the arbitrary magnification at that time, a selection field 526 for selecting the "rotate page 90 degrees when printing" function, an OK button 527, a cancel button 528, and the like are displayed. The CPU 21 accepts the user's operation on each selection field and each button displayed on the extended print setting screen 52 through the operation of the keyboard 28B or the mouse 28C. Thus, the user can set extended print settings, which are part of the print settings used for printing on the printer 3.

[0026] Furthermore, when printer driver 43 receives print instruction information from OS 41, it generates print data based on image data specified in the print instruction information. Furthermore, printer driver 43 transmits a print job including the generated print data and print settings set on print setting screen 51 or the like to printer 3.

[0027] Printer 3 is a device that has at least an inkjet printing function and a communication function for communicating with PC 2, and is capable of printing based on a print job sent from PC 2. There are certain limitations on the range of paper sizes that can be printed by the printing function of printer 3. In the following, the size of the paper in the direction in which the paper is transported by printer 3 is referred to as the "paper height," and the size in the direction perpendicular to the paper height is referred to as the "paper width." The range of paper sizes includes the range of paper heights and the range of paper widths, and printer 3 is capable of printing on paper that is within both the paper height and paper width ranges.

[0028] 4 is a schematic external view of the printer. That is, the printer 3 of this embodiment is provided with a paper feed tray consisting of three types of trays. Specifically, the three types of paper feed trays are a multipurpose tray 3A, a first tray 3B, and a second tray 3C. The printer 3 also has a paper discharge tray 3D, and paper fed from each tray of the paper feed tray is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 3D by a conveying mechanism through a printing mechanism 61 (shown in FIG. 5) that is responsible for the printing function of the printer 3.

[0029] Specifically, in the printer 3, the first transport mechanism 62 (shown in FIG. 5) from the multipurpose tray 3A to the paper discharge tray 3D is configured with a so-called straight path arranged in a substantially straight line. Therefore, the multipurpose tray 3A can supply paper of various paper sizes, such as A4, B4, A5, B5, A6, Letter, Legal, A3, long paper (297 mm x 600 mm), and long paper (297 mm x 1200 mm).

[0030] Meanwhile, in the printer 3, the second transport mechanism 63 (shown in FIG. 5) from the first tray 3B to the discharge tray 3D is configured with a so-called U-shaped path in which the transport direction is largely reversed by approximately 180 degrees midway. Therefore, the first tray 3B cannot feed print media of paper sizes such as long paper (297 mm x 600 mm) and long paper (297 mm x 1200 mm).

[0031] The second tray 3C is a tray for roll paper that can supply a long (e.g., 5 m long) roll paper wound in a roll shape. The third transport mechanism 64 (shown in FIG. 5) that runs from the second tray 3C to the paper output tray 3D includes a cutting mechanism 65 (shown in FIG. 5) for cutting the rolled long paper at a predetermined dimension (paper height) in the transport direction. The third transport mechanism 64 also includes a curl correction mechanism (not shown) for correcting the curling tendency of the roll paper, i.e., curl. The second tray 3C can also store standard-sized paper, that is, long roll paper having a paper width the same as that of the standard-sized paper. For example, the roll paper has a paper width of 297 mm if it is the same as the A3 size paper width. The second tray 3C is an example of a specific tray. The long roll paper is an example of long paper.

[0032] The printer 3 of this embodiment also includes a paper size sensor 38 (shown in FIG. 5) on each of the multipurpose tray 3A, the first tray 3B, and the second tray 3C. Therefore, the printer 3 can detect whether or not paper is set in each tray, and further detect the paper size of the paper set in that tray, by the paper size sensor 38. The printer 3 stores the detected paper size for each of the paper feed trays. The user can also store the paper size of the paper set in each of the paper feed trays by operating the operation panel of the printer 3. Note that the printer 3 stores only the paper width of the roll paper stored in the second tray 3C.

[0033] Therefore, when the printer 3 of this embodiment receives a print job from the PC 2, it selects one of the paper feed trays based on the print settings included in the print job. In other words, it selects one of the paper feed trays specified by the paper feed method included in the print settings. Then, it feeds paper from the selected paper feed tray, making it possible to print. Also, when the print settings included in the print job received from the PC 2 include automatic selection as the paper feed method, it is possible to select one of the paper feed trays based on the paper size stored for each paper feed tray, and feed paper of the paper size set in the print settings from the selected tray.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer. Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0035] That is, the printer 3 is equipped with a controller 30 including a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, and an NVRAM (non-volatile RAM) 34. The printer 3 also has a user interface (hereinafter referred to as “user IF”) 35, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “communication IF”) 36, a USB interface (hereinafter referred to as “USB IF”) 37, and a paper size sensor 38, which are electrically connected to the controller 30.

[0036] The ROM 32 stores various control programs, various settings, initial values, etc. for controlling the printer 3. The RAM 33 is used as a working area from which the various control programs are read, or as a storage area for temporarily storing data. The CPU 31 controls each component of the printer 3 according to the control programs read from the ROM 32 while storing the processing results in the RAM 33 or the NVRAM 34. The RAM 33 or the NVRAM 34 constitutes a storage unit.

[0037] The CPU 31 is an example of a control unit. The controller 30 may be an example of a control unit. Note that the controller 30 in FIG. 5 is a general term for hardware used to control the printer 3, such as the CPU 31, and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware actually present in the printer 3.

[0038] The user IF 35 is hardware that displays notifications to the user and accepts user input instructions. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the user IF 35 is composed of a display 35A for displaying information on a screen and a number of keys 35B for accepting input operations by the user.

[0039] The communication IF 36 is hardware for communicating with the PC 2 connected via a network. The USBIF 37 is hardware for communicating with a device connected based on the USB standard, and is responsible for the communication function of the printer 3.

[0040] The printing mechanism 61, the first transport mechanism 62, the second transport mechanism 63, the third transport mechanism 64 and the cutting mechanism 65 are electrically connected to the controller 30. Therefore, the controller 30 is capable of controlling their operations.

[0041] Next, the printing preparations made by the user before printing a long printed matter consisting of multiple pages using the printer 3 will be explained in order.

[0042] That is, before a user prints a long printed matter of multiple pages using the printer 3, the user first sets the input paper size, etc. on the page layout tab of the drawing application 44 installed in the PC 2. For example, the user sets the print orientation to vertical writing and the input paper size to A4. Note that in this embodiment, the input paper size is not limited to a pre-cut standard size input paper size, and may be a user-defined size input paper size.

[0043] Next, the user uses the drawing application 44 built into the PC 2 to operate the user IF 28 to create an image 72 on each page of an image file consisting of multiple pages. For example, when a long printed matter on which a horizontal string of characters such as "FREE TRIAL" is printed is to be outputted by the printer 3, the user operates the user IF 28 to create images 72 of "FREE" on the first page of the image file, "FREE" on the second page, "Body" on the third page, and "EXPERIENCE" on the fourth page. Note that image 72 is an example of an image.

[0044] In this embodiment, text is used as the image 72, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, photographs, pictures, symbols, drawings, etc. may be used as the image 72. Also, a combination of these may be used.

[0045] When obtaining the above-mentioned "free trial" printout, as shown in FIG. 6A, the drawing application 44 secures four pages of drawing area 71 corresponding to input paper size A4 in the storage area of ​​memory 24. Since the input paper size is A4, this drawing area 71 has a paper width W1 equivalent to 210 mm and a paper height H1 equivalent to 297 mm. Then, the drawing application 44 stores "nothing" input by the user via the user IF 28 in the first page of the drawing area 71, and similarly stores "fee" input by the user in the second page of the drawing area 71, "body" input by the user in the third page of the drawing area 71, and "experiment" in the fourth page of the drawing area 71.

[0046] Next, the user launches the print application 42 from the drawing application 44, and then issues a property setting instruction to launch the printer driver 43. When the printer driver 43 is launched, the PC 2 displays, for example, a print setting screen 51, an example of which is shown in FIG. 2, on the display 28A.

[0047] Next, the user selects a cutting unit in the cutting unit selection field 517. Specifically, in this embodiment, image 72 created over four pages on drawing application 44 is printed on one long sheet of paper, so the user selects the number "4" as the cutting unit in the cutting unit selection field 517.

[0048] Next, the user selects the extension tab 51B of the print setting screen 51. Then, the PC 2 displays, for example, an extension print setting screen 52, an example of which is shown in FIG.

[0049] Next, the user operates the selection field 526 for selecting the function "rotate pages 90 degrees when printing" on the extended print setting screen 52 to turn on the function "rotate pages 90 degrees when printing." Then, the PC 2 executes the extended print setting process by the printer driver 43 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG.

[0050] Next, the extended print setting process by the printer driver 43 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The following process and each processing step of the flowchart basically indicate the process of the CPU 21 according to the instructions written in each program. That is, the process by the CPU 21 also includes hardware control using the API of the OS 41 of the PC 2. In this specification, the description of the OS 41 will be omitted and the operation of each program will be described. That is, in the following description, a statement to the effect that "program B controls hardware C" may also mean that "program B controls hardware C using the API of the OS 41". Also, the process of the CPU 21 according to the instructions written in the program may be described in abbreviated terms. For example, it may be described as "performed by the CPU 21" or "performed by the program".

[0051] First, in step 11 (hereinafter referred to as S11), the CPU 21 turns on the "rotate pages 90 degrees when printing" function by the user operating the selection field 526 for selecting the "rotate pages 90 degrees when printing" function. Also, on the extended print setting screen 52, as shown in FIG. 8(A), a check mark is displayed in the selection field 526 for selecting the "rotate pages 90 degrees when printing" function to notify the user that the "rotate pages 90 degrees when printing" function is on. This process is an example of the rotation setting.

[0052] Next, in S12, as shown in Fig. 8(B), the CPU 21 pops up an output paper size designation dialog 53 on the extended print setting screen 52. In this output paper size designation dialog 53, a guide message 531, an OK button 532, and a cancel button 533 are displayed. This process is an example of a notification process.

[0053] In this embodiment, the output paper size specification dialog 53 is configured to be popped up on the extended print setting screen 52, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the output paper size specification dialog 53 may be configured to be displayed independently on the display 28A.

[0054] Next, in S13, the CPU 21 specifies the print paper size in the guide message 531 of the output paper size specification dialog 53. In this embodiment, since A4 is selected as the input paper size in the drawing application 44, the "A3 roll width" having the paper width W3 of the same value as the paper height H1 of A4 is specified.

[0055] Next, in S14, the CPU 21 determines whether the OK button 532 or the cancel button 533 of the output paper size designation dialog 53 has been operated. If the user operates the OK button 532 here, the CPU 21 determines that the OK button 532 has been operated (S14: OK), and proceeds to the next S15.

[0056] Next, in S15, CPU 21 sets the "fit to print paper size" scaling function to ON. Also, as shown in Fig. 8(C), the fact that the "fit to print paper size" scaling function is ON is displayed in selection field 522. Also, the print paper size specified in guide message 531 in S13 is set in specified paper size selection field 523. Here, for example, "A3 roll width" is specified.

[0057] Also, at this time, in S15, the CPU 21 may gray out the designated paper size selection field 523 to restrict the user from changing the print paper size. In addition to graying out the field, for example, a message may be displayed to the effect that the change is prohibited, or the change may be automatically cancelled when the user makes a change. This process is an example of a restriction process.

[0058] In this manner, in this embodiment, by restricting changes to the print paper size made by the user, setting errors can be further reduced.

[0059] Also, in S15, the CPU 21 resets the tray capable of supplying roll paper in the paper feed method in the print settings. In this embodiment, the second tray 3C capable of supplying roll paper is reset. In other words, even if the user has selected either automatic selection, the multipurpose tray 3A, or the first tray 3B as the paper feed method, the second tray 3C is reset as the paper feed method in the print settings. Then, this process ends.

[0060] On the other hand, if the user operates the cancel button 533, the CPU 21 determines that the cancel button 533 has been operated (S14: Cancel), and proceeds to the next step S16. Then, in S16, the CPU 21 hides the output paper size designation dialog 53.

[0061] Next, in S17, CPU 21 turns off the “Rotate pages 90 degrees when printing” function and hides the check mark in selection box 526 for selecting the “Rotate pages 90 degrees when printing” function, and then terminates this process.

[0062] In this manner, in this embodiment, when A4 is selected as the input paper size in the drawing application 44, the "A3 roll width" having a paper width W3 equal to the A4 paper height H1 is specified in the specified paper size selection field 523, making it possible to print on long A4-sized paper spanning multiple pages using the printer 3.

[0063] However, this embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, when A4 is selected as the input paper size, roll paper having a paper width W3 smaller than the paper height H1 of A4, for example, "A4 roll width", may be specified in the specified paper size selection field 523. In this case, it is possible to print on long paper having a paper width W3 smaller than the paper height H1 of A4 in a reduced state by the printer 3. Also, when A5 is selected as the input paper size, roll paper having a paper width W3 larger than the paper height H1 of A5, for example, "A4 roll width" or "A3 roll width", may be specified in the specified paper size selection field 523. In this case, it is possible to print on long paper having a paper width W3 larger than the paper height H1 of A5 in an enlarged state by the printer 3.

[0064] Next, the rotated printing process by the printer driver 43 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The following process and each processing step of the flowchart basically indicate the process of the CPU 21 according to the instructions written in each program. That is, the process by the CPU 21 also includes hardware control using the API of the OS 41 of the PC 2. In this specification, the description of the OS 41 will be omitted and the operation of each program will be described. That is, in the following description, a description to the effect that "program B controls hardware C" may also mean "program B controls hardware C using the API of the OS 41". In addition, the process of the CPU 11 according to the instructions written in the program may be described in abbreviated terms. For example, it may be described as "performed by the CPU 11" or "performed by the program". In addition, the rotated printing process of this embodiment is repeatedly executed by the CPU 21 at a predetermined interval.

[0065] First, in S21, the CPU 21 judges whether or not print instruction information has been received. If the user has not instructed printing execution on the print application 42, the CPU 21 judges that print instruction information has not been received (S21: NO), and then proceeds to the next S22, where the CPU 21 executes other processes.

[0066] On the other hand, when the user instructs printing on the printing application 42, in S21, the CPU 21 determines that the printing instruction information has been accepted (S21: YES), and proceeds to the next step S23, where the CPU 21 determines whether the function of "rotating pages 90 degrees when printing" is set to ON.

[0067] Here, when the user operates the selection field 526 to select the function "rotate pages 90 degrees when printing" and turns on the function "rotate pages 90 degrees when printing", the CPU 21 determines that the function "rotate pages 90 degrees when printing" is set to on (S23: YES), and proceeds to the next step S24. This process is an example of the first timing.

[0068] In this embodiment, the first timing is the timing when the "rotate pages 90 degrees when printing" function is turned on by operating the selection field 526 for selecting the "rotate pages 90 degrees when printing" function, but is not limited to this. For example, it may be the timing when the user issues a print command on the print application 42 in a state in which the "rotate pages 90 degrees when printing" function has been previously set to on. Also, it may be the timing when the CPU 21 processes the application of the setting in a state in which the user has set the "rotate pages 90 degrees when printing" function to on.

[0069] On the other hand, if the user does not operate the selection field 526 and therefore the "rotate pages 90 degrees when printing" function is not on, i.e., it is off, the CPU 21 determines that the "rotate pages 90 degrees when printing" function is not set on (S23: NO), and then proceeds to the next step S22, where the CPU 21 executes other processing.

[0070] Next, in S24, the CPU 21 acquires a cutting unit. Here, the cutting unit acquired by the CPU 21 is a numerical value selected by the user in the cutting unit selection field 517 of the print setting screen 51 shown in Fig. 2. In this embodiment, the numerical value "4" is selected, so the CPU 21 acquires the numerical value "4".

[0071] Next, in S25, CPU 21 adds a cutting command written in PDL to the beginning of the print job. Here, the cutting command is a command for operating cutting mechanism 65 in printer 3. The cutting command also includes a cutting unit, that is, a numerical value selected by the user in cutting unit selection field 517, in this embodiment, the numerical value "4". Note that the cutting command is an example of a cutting command.

[0072] In this embodiment, the cut command written in PDL is added to the beginning of the print job, but this is not limited to this. For example, it may be inserted in the header command for each job or the page command for the first page. It may also be added to the end of the print job. In this case, it may be inserted in the page command for the last page, that is, the fourth page in this embodiment.

[0073] Next, in S26, the CPU 21 calculates the length of the paper height H3 of the output paper 75. That is, as shown in Fig. 6C, the length of the paper height H3 of the output paper 75 is calculated by multiplying the paper width W1 (=H4) of the input paper size A4 specified in the drawing application 44 or the like by the numerical value of the cutting unit. In this embodiment, A4 is selected as the input paper size, and the numerical value of the cutting unit is "4", so that the length of the paper height H3 is 210 mm x 4, or 840 mm.

[0074] Next, in S27, the CPU 21 secures on the memory 24 an output drawing area 73 corresponding to the paper height H3 of the output paper 75. In this embodiment, the size of the output paper 75 is a paper width W3 of 297 mm and a paper height H3 of 840 mm, so the CPU 21 secures on the memory 24 an output drawing area 73 corresponding to that size.

[0075] Next, in S28, the CPU 21 renders and stores a drawn image 74 corresponding to one page of image 72 in the working memory area of ​​the memory 24 based on the image data specified in the print instruction information. In this embodiment, the CPU 21 stores the drawn image 74 corresponding to "NONE" on the first page in the working memory area.

[0076] At this time, if the paper height H1 of the input paper size specified in the drawing application 44 or the like does not match the paper width W3 of the roll paper specified in the paper size selection field 523, the image 72 is enlarged or reduced to fit within the roll paper width W3 when drawn. In this embodiment, the paper height H1 of the input paper size matches the paper width W3 of the roll paper specified in the paper size selection field 523, so the image 72 is not enlarged or reduced when drawn. This process is an example of an adjustment process. Also, in S28, when the image 72 is enlarged or reduced to fit within the roll paper width W3 when drawn, the output drawing area 73 is also enlarged or reduced in accordance with the enlargement or reduction of the image 72.

[0077] Next, in S29, the CPU 21 rotates the drawn image 74 for one page stored in the working memory area of ​​the memory 24 by 90 degrees to the right, and then stores it again in the working memory area of ​​the memory 24. In this embodiment, the CPU 21 rotates the drawn image 74 corresponding to "NONE" on the first page by 90 degrees to the right, and then stores it again in the working memory area of ​​the memory 24. This process is an example of a rotation process.

[0078] Next, in S30, the CPU 21 reads out the drawn image 74 rotated 90 degrees to the right, which is stored in the working memory area, and copies and stores it in the output drawing area 73 secured in the memory 24.

[0079] Next, in S31, the CPU 21 judges whether the last page of the cut unit has been processed. In this embodiment, since only the image of the first page of the image data specified in the print instruction information has been processed up to this point, the CPU 21 judges that the last page of the cut unit has not been processed (S31: NO), and then returns to S28 to process the image of the next page of the image data specified in the print instruction information.

[0080] On the other hand, when the CPU 21 processes the last page of the cutting unit by repeatedly processing S28 to S30, and in this embodiment, processes image 72 of the fourth page of the image data specified in the print instruction information, the CPU 21 determines that the last page of the cutting unit has been processed (S31: YES), and proceeds to the next step S32. Note that Fig. 6(B) shows a schematic state of the output drawing area 73 after image 72 of the fourth page of the image data has been processed.

[0081] Next, in S32, the CPU 21 redefines the paper size of the print settings based on the size of the output drawing area 73. That is, in this embodiment, the size of the output drawing area 73 is a paper width W3 of 297 mm and a paper height H3 of 840 mm, so the paper size is redefined as a paper width of 297 mm and a paper height of 840 mm in the user-defined size of the paper size. The CPU 21 also converts the drawing image 74 over multiple pages stored in the output drawing area 73 into a print job described in PDL (page description language) based on the redefined paper size. In this embodiment, the drawing image 74 over four pages stored in the output drawing area 73 is created as a print job for one page on the redefined paper size.

[0082] Next, in S33, CPU 21 judges whether all pages have been converted into print jobs described in PDL. If all pages have not been converted into print jobs, CPU 21 judges that all pages have not been converted into print jobs (S33: NO), and then returns to S26 to process the image data of the next cut unit among the image data specified in the print instruction information. In this embodiment, all four pages have been converted into print jobs, so CPU 21 judges that all pages have been converted into print jobs (S33: YES), and then proceeds to the next S34.

[0083] Next, in S34, the CPU 21 displays, on the display 28A, a preview screen 54 as shown in FIG. 10A, for example, based on the drawn image 74 across multiple pages stored in the output drawing area 73.

[0084] Next, in S35, the CPU 21 determines whether the user has operated the OK button 541 or the cancel button 542 on the preview screen 54. Here, if the user has operated the OK button 541, the CPU 21 determines that the OK button 541 on the preview screen 54 has been operated (S35: OK), and then proceeds to the next S36.

[0085] Next, in S36, the CPU 21 transmits the created print job to the printer 3, and then ends this process.

[0086] On the other hand, if the user operates the cancel button 542, the CPU 21 determines that the cancel button 542 on the preview screen 54 has been operated (S35: Cancel), and then proceeds to the next step S37.

[0087] Next, in S37, the CPU 21 performs a print cancel process and then ends this process.

[0088] Next, the procedure of the print process by the printer of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Figure 11. The print process by the printer is executed by the CPU 31.

[0089] That is, in S41, the CPU 31 judges whether or not data has been received from PC 2. If data has been received from PC 2, the CPU 31 judges that data has been received (S41: YES) and proceeds to S42. On the other hand, if data has not been received from PC 2, the CPU 31 judges that data has not been received (S41: NO) and repeats the process of S41.

[0090] Next, in S42, the CPU 31 judges whether the received data is a print job. If the received data is a print job, the CPU 31 judges that the received data is a print job (S42: YES) and then proceeds to S44. If the received data is not a print job, the CPU 31 judges that the received data is not a print job (S42: NO) and then proceeds to S43 to execute other processes, and then returns to S41.

[0091] Next, in S44, CPU 31 analyzes the print settings and cutting commands included in the received print job. Then, based on the cutting unit included in the cutting command, a cutting command is set in the print data included in the print job at a cutting position corresponding to the final position of the cutting unit. Next, in S45, CPU 31 determines whether or not second tray 3C is selected as the supply method in the analyzed print settings.

[0092] Here, in the case of the print job sent in S36 of FIG. 9, the second tray 3C is set as the supply method, so in S45, the CPU 31 determines that the second tray 3C has been selected as the supply method (S45: YES), and then proceeds to S46.

[0093] Next, in S46, the CPU 31 executes printing for one page based on the print settings and print data included in the print job. In this case, the third transport mechanism 64 supplies long sheets of paper from the roll paper in the second tray 3C, and the printing mechanism 61 sequentially prints images on the long sheets of paper supplied by the third transport mechanism 64.

[0094] Next, in S47, CPU 31 judges whether or not a cut command is set. In this embodiment, since CPU 31 has set the cut command at the cut position of the print data in S44, the cut command is not read here. Therefore, CPU 31 judges that the cut command has not been read (S47: NO), and then proceeds to the next step S49.

[0095] Next, in S49, the CPU 31 judges whether or not all printing has been completed. Since printing has not yet been completed here, the CPU 31 judges that printing has not been completed (S49: NO), and continues to execute the process of S46 to continue printing.

[0096] When all printing in the cutting unit is completed by repeatedly executing the process of S46 by the CPU 31, in S47, the CPU 31 determines that a cutting instruction command has been set (S47: YES), and then proceeds to the next step S48.

[0097] Next, in S48, the CPU 31 cuts the roll paper by the cutting mechanism 65, and then proceeds to the next step S49. Meanwhile, the cut paper is transported by the third transport mechanism 64 and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 3D. FIG. 6C shows an example of output paper 75 discharged onto the paper discharge tray 3D. That is, the words "FREE TRIAL", created by the user using the drawing application 44, are printed side by side on the long output paper 75 having a length equivalent to four A4 sheets.

[0098] In this manner, in this embodiment, a printout is created in which multiple pages are printed on a long sheet of paper, so compared to the procedure of pasting printouts on standard size paper together to create a long printout, the amount of pasting work is reduced, and the user's time and effort is reduced. In addition, there are no seams in the completed long printout. Therefore, a better finish can be expected compared to pasting.

[0099] In this embodiment, when printing of all four pages created by the user using the drawing application 44 is completed, in S49, the CPU 31 determines that printing is completed (S49: YES), and then ends this printing process. On the other hand, if there is printing of the next cutting unit, in S49, the CPU 31 determines that printing is not completed (S49: NO), returns to S46, and executes printing of the next cutting unit.

[0100] On the other hand, in the case of normal printing, in S45, the CPU 31 determines that the second tray 3C has not been selected as the supply method (S45: NO), and proceeds to the next step S50.

[0101] Next, in S50, the CPU 31 executes printing of one page based on the print settings and print data included in the print job, and then proceeds to S51. At this time, the paper supplied from the multipurpose tray 3A is transported by the first transport mechanism 62, or the paper supplied from the first tray 3B is transported by the second transport mechanism 63. In either case, the paper is printed by the printing mechanism 61 and then discharged to the paper discharge tray 3D.

[0102] Next, in S51, the CPU 31 judges whether printing is completed. If all images 72 in the image file created by the user using the drawing application 44 have been printed, the CPU 31 judges that printing is completed (S51: YES), and then ends this printing process. On the other hand, if not all images have been printed, in S51, the CPU 31 judges that printing is not completed (S51: NO), returns to S50, and executes printing of the next page.

[0103] It should be noted that this embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can be modified and improved in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the printer 3 is not limited to a device with a single printing function, but may be a device having a document reading function or a fax sending / receiving function. This embodiment can also be applied to a PC 2 connected to a multifunction machine, a copier, a fax machine, etc. instead of the printer 3. Also, two or more printers may be connected to the PC 2.

[0104] In addition, the screen configurations shown in each drawing are merely examples and are not limited to the illustrated examples. For example, the screen of the basic tab 51A of the print setting screen 51 accepts all of the selections of paper size, double-sided printing, and paper feed tray, but some of the selections may be accepted on a different screen, or each may be a different screen.

[0105] In addition, in this embodiment, the second tray 3C is used as the specific tray, but this is not limited to this. For example, the multipurpose tray 3A capable of supplying long paper (297 mm x 1200 mm) having the same paper width W3 as the A3 size may be used.

[0106] In addition, in this embodiment, when the user operates selection field 526 to select the “Rotate pages 90 degrees when printing” function on extended print setting screen 52, and turns on the “Rotate pages 90 degrees when printing” function, PC 2 is configured to execute the extended print setting process shown in FIG. 7, but is not limited to this.

[0107] For example, when the user turns on the function "rotate pages 90 degrees when printing", the CPU 21 may display a warning screen 55 shown in FIG. 10B on the display 18A. In this case, the warning screen 55 displays a guide message 551, an OK button 552, and a cancel button 553. When the user operates the OK button 552, the CPU 21 sets the function "rotate pages 90 degrees when printing" to OFF. When the user operates the cancel button 553, the CPU 21 sets the "fit to print paper size" zoom function to ON, sets "A3 roll width" in the designated paper size selection field 523, and resets the paper feed method to the second tray 3C. The process of displaying the warning screen 55 on the display 18A is an example of a notification process.

[0108] Also, in this embodiment, the user can select the page number at which to cut when printing with the printer 3 as the cutting unit, but this is not limited to this. For example, the user may specify the value of the paper height H3 of long roll paper. For example, if the input paper size is A4 and four pages of an image file are to be printed seamlessly on long roll paper, the paper width W1 is 210 mm x 4 pages, and the user sets the length to 840 mm instead of the cutting unit on the print setting screen 51. Note that the setting of the paper height H3 value is an example of a setting that indicates long paper.

[0109] In this case, PC2 inserts the paper height H3: 840 mm and a cutting command into the print job. This process is an example of the second cutting process. In this case, printer 3 cuts the roll paper using cutting mechanism 65 when the roll paper has been transported 840 mm.

[0110] In addition, in this embodiment, one cutting command written in PDL is added to the beginning of the print job, but this is not limited to this. For example, a cutting command may be inserted into the print job for each page or length specified by the cutting unit. In this case, the cutting command does not have to specifically include a numerical value representing the cutting unit. In other words, the numerical value of the cutting unit is represented by the position where the cutting command is inserted.

[0111] In addition, in this embodiment, the processing of the printer driver 43 has been described, but the program of the present invention is not limited to a printer driver. It can also be applied to a PC having a so-called driverless configuration, in which an OS equipped with a general-purpose printing program instead of a printer driver is installed. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a program related to printing that is installed in a PC separately from a general-purpose printing program, or a program that cooperates with a general-purpose printing program to accept print settings.

[0112] In addition, in any of the flowcharts disclosed in each embodiment, the execution order of multiple processes in any of the steps can be changed as desired or the processes can be executed in parallel, as long as no contradiction occurs in the process content.

[0113] The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by a single CPU, multiple CPUs, hardware such as ASIC, or a combination of these. The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be realized in various forms, such as a recording medium having a program for executing the processes recorded thereon, or a method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 2 PC 3. Printer 11 CPU 16 Communication Interface 18 User Interface 18A Display 41 OS 43 Printer Driver 44 Drawing Apps 51 Print setting screen 511 Paper type selection field 516 Paper feed method selection field 517 Cut unit selection field 52 Extended Print Settings Screen 526 Selection field for selecting the "Rotate pages 90 degrees when printing" function

Claims

1. A program executable by a computer of an information processing device, The computer includes: executing a reception process for receiving print settings to be used for printing on a printer via a user interface of the information processing device, the print settings including a paper size and a rotation setting indicating whether or not to rotate an image by 90 degrees, the printer being capable of printing on long paper; The computer further comprises: receiving a print instruction from an application program incorporated in the information processing device to cause the printer to perform printing, the print setting according to the print instruction is set to indicate the long paper and the rotation setting is set to rotate an image by 90 degrees, and when an image corresponding to an input paper size is input from the application program based on the print instruction, executing a rotation process to rotate the input image by 90 degrees for each page; In the reception process, When the rotation setting is changed from a setting that does not rotate the image by 90 degrees to a setting that rotates the image by 90 degrees, the paper size is set to a size that indicates the long paper. A program characterized by:

2. The program according to claim 1, the print settings received in the reception process include a paper feed method, options selectable for the paper feed method include a specific tray capable of conveying long paper, and the printer has a plurality of trays including the specific tray; The computer includes: execute a change process for changing the paper feed method of the print settings to the specific tray at a first timing in a state in which a setting indicating the long paper is set among the print settings and the rotation setting is set to rotate the image by 90 degrees; A program characterized by:

3. The program according to claim 2, In the change process, changing the paper feed method of the print settings to the specific tray, which is a specific tray corresponding to a conveying mechanism having a curl correction mechanism; A program characterized by:

4. In the program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The computer includes: executing an adjustment process for adjusting the magnification of the image to be printed in accordance with the width of the paper size set in the print settings when the image is rotated 90 degrees in the rotation process; A program characterized by:

5. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The print settings received in the reception process include a cut unit that specifies how many pages the paper is cut into as a setting indicating the long paper, The computer includes: When the image is rotated 90 degrees in the rotation process, a first cut process is executed to insert a cut command for cutting paper including the cut unit into the print job, and the printer has a function of cutting the paper after printing in response to the cut command. A program characterized by:

6. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The print settings received in the reception process include a cut length that specifies the length to cut the paper as a setting indicating the long paper, The computer includes: When the image is rotated 90 degrees in the rotation process, a second cut process is executed to insert a cut command for cutting paper, the cut command including the cut length, into the print job, and the printer has a function of cutting the paper after printing in response to the cut command. A program characterized by:

7. In the program according to claim 5 or 6, The computer includes: When the image is rotated 90 degrees in the rotation process, before outputting a print job for printing the rotated image to the printer, an image to be printed for each cut sheet is displayed on the user interface, and a preview process is executed in which a selection of whether or not to print is received via the user interface, and when the selection of printing is received in the preview process, the print job is output to the printer, and when the selection of not printing is received in the preview process, the print job is not output to the printer and the print job is canceled. A program characterized by:

8. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The computer includes: when the paper size is changed from a size other than the size indicating the long paper to the size indicating the long paper in response to the change in the rotation setting in the reception process, a notification process is executed to notify, using the user interface, that the paper size will be changed to the size indicating the long paper. A program characterized by:

9. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The computer includes: When the paper size is set to a size indicating the long paper in response to the change in the rotation setting in the reception process, a restriction process is executed to restrict the change in the paper size using the user interface. A program characterized by:

Images