Program, information processing device, and control method

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: arrangement processing in arranging image data on a printing medium is different depending on the type of a printer, and a printed material intended by a user may not be obtained.SOLUTION: A program causes a computer to execute: a setting acquisition step of acquiring print setting information on printing of image data including setting information on borderless printing; an acquisition step of acquiring printer type information being information on the type of a printer that performs printing of the image data; and a determination step of, when the printer type information specifies that the type of the printer is a large-sized printer, determining that processing in which the image data is generated without addition of a margin is executed, and when the printer type information specifies that the type of the printer is a small-sized printer and the print setting information specifies that the borderless printing is executed, determining that processing in which the image data is generated with the addition of a margin is executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] When sending image data to a printing device (hereinafter referred to as a printer), a method is known in which the image is printed by sending the image to the printing device via a printer driver. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique in which the printer driver performs image processing related to printing and display and then sends the image data to the printer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-373068 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there is a possibility that the print (output) results will differ depending on the type of printer to which the image data is sent. For example, the layout process that a printer uses to lay out image data on a recording medium may change depending on the type of printer to which the image data is sent. As a result, there is a risk that the print (output) results will differ and the user will not obtain the printed material they intended. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above-described problems, the program according to the present disclosure includes a setting acquisition step of acquiring print setting information related to printing of image data, including setting information related to borderless printing; an acquisition step of acquiring printer type information, which is information related to the type of printer that will print the image data; The first type of printerWhen the printer type information specifies that the image data is created without adding a margin, it is determined that a process for creating the image data without adding a margin is to be executed, and the type of the printer is Second type of printer a determining step of determining that a process of adding margins to create the image data is to be executed when the printer type information specifies that the printer is a printer with no margins and the print setting information specifies that borderless printing is to be executed. The first type of printer is a printer that performs the borderless printing by enlarging or reducing the image data so that the image data fits within the area for the borderless printing, and the second type of printer is a printer that performs the borderless printing by enlarging or reducing the image data so that the image data does not fit within the area for the borderless printing. It is characterized by the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible for a user to obtain the printed matter that he or she intends. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the system. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a screen of a Web application and a screen of a print application. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a problem of differences in print results. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the software configuration of the system. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing rendering processing performed according to the type of printer and settings related to borderless printing. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing how rendering processing is determined according to the type of printer and settings related to borderless printing, and how rendering processing is performed. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing how a small-format printer or a large-format printer determines image layout processing and performs printing processing. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing how a print application determines a rendering process according to the type of printer and settings related to borderless printing. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing how the server computer performs a rendering process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present disclosure according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of the present disclosure. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0009] (Embodiment 1) 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a system according to this embodiment, which includes a client computer 1000, a display 1100, a router 1200, a mobile terminal 2000, a server computer 3000, and a printer 4000.

[0010] The client computer 1000 is connected to a router 1200 by wired or wireless communication, and is connected to other communication devices via the router 1200 that can communicate over the Internet 1300 .

[0011] The display 1100 is connected to the client computer 1000 via a communication cable, for example, and displays on its display (screen) data stored in the client computer 1000. The client computer 1000 and the display 1100 may be integrated into one device.

[0012] The mobile terminal 2000 is connected to the router 1200 by wireless communication, and can communicate with other communication devices via the router 1200 and the Internet 1300 .

[0013] Server computer 3000 can communicate with other communication devices via Internet 1300. Server computer 3000 receives data held by client computer 1000 and mobile terminal 2000, stores the data in memory (external storage device 304, described later in FIG. 2), processes the data, and transmits the data to other devices. Note that the functions realized by server computer 3000 may be realized by a single information processing device, or may be realized by multiple information processing devices operating in cooperation with each other.

[0014] The printer 4000 is connected to the router 1200 by wired or wireless communication, and can communicate with other communication devices via the router 1200 and the Internet 1300. The printer 4000 also receives data stored in the client computer 1000, the mobile terminal 2000, or the server computer 3000, and prints on a print medium based on the received data.

[0015] The communication method used to connect the devices is, for example, the IEEE802.11 series communication standard (Wi-Fi) or Bluetooth (Bluetooth Classic, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), etc.). Alternatively, a wired connection such as USB, IEEE1394, or LAN may be used. Furthermore, the devices may communicate via mobile communication (3G, 4G, or 5G).

[0016] The client computer 1000 is, for example, a personal computer (PC). The mobile terminal 2000 is, for example, a tablet computer or a smartphone. The printing method of the printer 4000 used in this embodiment may be an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, or another method.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the system according to this embodiment.

[0018] The client computer 1000 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an external storage device 104, a data communication I / F 105, an input device control unit 106, an input device 107, and a display device control unit 108.

[0019] The CPU 101 is a central processing unit that performs processing according to a designated program. For example, the CPU 101 receives programs and image data stored in the ROM 102, RAM 103, and external storage device 104, and performs arithmetic processing.

[0020] The ROM 102 is a non-volatile storage and can hold table data and programs used in the processing of each embodiment described below.

[0021] The RAM 103 is a volatile storage device that temporarily stores programs and data.

[0022] The external storage device 104 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data, such as a browser and a print application 1500.

[0023] The data communication I / F 105 controls the transmission and reception of data between the client computer 1000 and the server computer 3000 or the printer 4000 via the router 1200. The data communication I / F 105 may also control the transmission and reception of data between the client computer 1000 and the mobile terminal 2000.

[0024] The input device control unit 106 is an I / F that acquires information operated by the user and transmits control information to each processing unit.

[0025] The input device 107 is a HID (Human Interface Device) such as a keyboard, a mouse, etc. A user can perform input operations via the input device 107.

[0026] The display device control unit 108 is an I / F that transmits drawing data from the ROM 102 , RAM 103 , and external storage device 104 to the display 1100 .

[0027] The display 1100 includes a display device 110. The display device 110 displays the drawing data received from the display device control unit 108 of the client computer 1000 on a display (screen).

[0028] The router 1200 includes a data communication I / F 120 , which controls the transmission and reception of data between the client computer 1000 , the mobile terminal 2000 , the server computer 3000 , and the printer 4000 .

[0029] The mobile terminal 2000 includes a CPU 201 , a ROM 202 , a RAM 203 , an external storage device 204 , a data communication I / F 205 , an input device control unit 206 , an input device 207 , a display device control unit 208 , and a display device 209 .

[0030] The CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, external storage device 204, and input device control unit 206 have the same configurations as the CPU 101, ROM 102, RAM 103, external storage device 104, and input device control unit 106, respectively.

[0031] The data communication I / F 205 controls the transmission and reception of data between the mobile terminal 2000 and the printer 4000. The mobile terminal 2000 may transmit and receive data to and from the printer 4000 using, for example, Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) without going through the router 1200. The data communication I / F 205 may also control the transmission and reception of data to and from the client computer 1000 or the server computer 3000.

[0032] The input device 207 is a device that has the same functions as the input device 107, as well as the display and input functions of a tablet computer or a smartphone, and allows operations to be performed on the screen. For example, it is a device that has a device such as a touch panel.

[0033] The display device control unit 208 is an I / F that transmits drawing data from the ROM 202 , RAM 203 , and external storage device 204 to the display device 209 .

[0034] The display device 209 displays the drawing data received from the display device control unit 208. The display device 209 is often built into the mobile terminal 2000.

[0035] The server computer 3000 includes a CPU 301 , a ROM 302 , a RAM 303 , an external storage device 304 , and a data communication I / F 305 .

[0036] The CPU 301, the ROM 302, and the RAM 303 have the same configuration as the CPU 101, the ROM 102, and the RAM 103, respectively.

[0037] The external storage device 304 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data, such as a Web application 1400.

[0038] The data communication I / F 305 controls the transmission and reception of data with the client computer 1000 or the printer 4000 via the router 1200. The data communication I / F 305 may also control the transmission and reception of data with the mobile terminal 2000. The data communication I / F 305 is capable of transmitting print data. The print data mainly includes an image file created by processing to reduce the data size of image data used for printing, and print setting data related to the printing of image data for issuing a print instruction. The print setting data also includes setting information related to paper size, whether double-sided printing is specified, whether borderless printing is specified, whether special ink is used, etc.

[0039] The printer 4000 includes a data communication I / F 401 , a printer controller 402 , and a printer engine 403 .

[0040] The data communication I / F 401 controls the transmission and reception of data between the client computer 1000, the mobile terminal 2000, and the server computer 3000 via the router 1200. The data communication I / F 401 receives print data generated by any of the client computer 1000, the mobile terminal 2000, and the server computer 3000. The print data mainly includes an image file created by processing to reduce the data size of image data used for printing, and print setting data for issuing print instructions. The print setting data also includes the paper size, whether double-sided printing is specified, whether borderless printing is specified, whether special ink is used, etc.

[0041] The printer controller 402 controls the printer engine 403 in accordance with the instruction data included in the received print data. It also converts the image data using color space conversion and color separation into color materials required for printing, depending on the paper type, which is the print setting data. It also converts the image data into printable recording data using image processing parameters such as lookup tables for image processing such as output tone correction and halftoning. The printer controller 401 is comprised of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and the CPU of the printer controller 401 performs the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, which will be described later. That is, it determines whether to perform inscribing processing or circumscribing processing as the layout processing for the print image data D3, which will be described later, and then performs the layout processing for the print image data D3. The RAM and ROM of the printer controller 401 have the same configurations as the ROM 102 and RAM 103, respectively.

[0042] The printer engine 403 converts the image data of the received print data into data for each ink color and executes the print process. The main process of the print process is to control the heating operation and pressure operation of the heater mounted on the print head based on the recording data, and eject ink.

[0043] Here, we will explain the data related to the creation of output image data sent to server computer 3000. Note that the following Web application 1400 and print application 1500 and their respective setting contents are merely examples and are not limited to these. Furthermore, the data related to the creation of output image data is not necessarily created and sent to server computer 3000 according to the flow described below.

[0044] The client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000 has a browser and a print application 1500 for setting print settings. A user launches a browser on the screen (display 1100) of the client computer 1000 or the screen of the mobile terminal 2000 and accesses the URL of the Web application 1400. As a result, the Web application 1400 used by the browser is sent to the client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000. The browser uses the sent Web application 1400 to display the screen of the Web application 1400 and displays a screen according to user operations. The Web application 1400 is stored in the server computer 3000. For example, when a user inputs image data into the Web application 1400 using the screen of the Web application 1400, the input image data is sent to the server computer 3000. A preview image of the image data is displayed on the screen of the Web application 1400. Furthermore, when a user performs an editing operation on the displayed preview image in the browser, a preview image reflecting the editing operation is created by the server computer 3000 and displayed on the browser. Note that the Web application 1400 used by the browser may not be transmitted to the client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000, and the server computer 3000 may perform an operation in response to a user operation. The content of the operation and a preview image may be displayed on the screen of the client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000, and this is not a limitation.

[0045] The user edits images and sets image areas to use special ink on the screen of the Web application 1400. Information related to operations performed on the screen of the Web application 1400 is transmitted to the server computer 3000 as needed. When the user presses, for example, the "Next button 706" on the screen of the Web application 1400, the print application 1400 is launched. Information related to operations performed on the screen of the Web application 1400 is transmitted to the print application 1500, and may also be transmitted to the server computer 1000 when, for example, the print button 708 described below is pressed.

[0046] On the screen of the print application 1500, the user sets, for example, the printer selection, paper type, paper size, whether to use special ink, whether to specify borderless printing, the intensity of special ink to be used, etc., and then presses the ``Print button 708.''

[0047] As an example, FIG. 3 shows the screen of a web application 1400 and the screen of a print application 1400. (a) in FIG. 3 is the screen of a print application 1500, and (b) in FIG. 3 is the screen of a web application 1400. As shown in FIG. 3, a user edits an image in area 704 in FIG. 3(b) and sets the image area to use special ink in setting 705. In setting 705, the user selects a color (one of color A, color B, color C, and color D) using special ink for the selected image area. Although not displayed, each color using special ink has a specific RGB value corresponding to the special ink. Then, when the user presses, for example, the "Next button 706" on the screen of FIG. 3(b), the print application 1500 in FIG. 3(a) is launched. The user selects a printer (printer driver) in setting 701, whether to use special ink in setting 702, and the intensity of special ink use in setting 703. The special ink usage intensity indicates the percentage of special ink used when printing a color that uses special ink. Setting 701 is a combo box that accepts the user's specification of the printer (printer driver) to be used for printing. Setting 703 is a combo box with setting values, for example, "0," "1," "2," and "3," which indicate the special ink usage intensity: "weakest," "weak," "standard," and "strong," respectively. If the user wants to specify "standard" as the special ink usage intensity, for example, the user selects "2" in setting 703. Note that the setting values ​​for setting 703 are not limited to these. The user also specifies print settings such as paper type and paper size on the screen shown in FIG. 3(a) (not shown). Furthermore, the print settings specify whether or not borderless printing is to be performed. For example, border setting 707 is a combo box that accepts the specification of either borderless printing or bordered printing.

[0048] Then, the user presses the "print button 708" on the screen of FIG. 3(a). When the print button 708 is pressed, the information set on the screen of the print application 1500 and an instruction to create image data are sent to the server computer 3000. Note that in FIG. 3(b), settings 702 and 703 may be displayed on the screen of the Web application 1400, and various settings may be made. Furthermore, an operation other than the print button 708 may be used as a trigger to send the information set on the screen of the print application 1500 and an instruction to create image data to the server computer 3000.

[0049] Next, the rendering process will be described. The rendering process is a process in which print image data (hereinafter referred to as D3) is created using input image data (hereinafter referred to as D1) input by the user and print setting data (hereinafter referred to as D2) set by the user. Specifically, the image size of the image data is calculated by performing at least one of enlargement and reduction (hereinafter referred to as enlargement / reduction process) so that the input image data D1 fits within the printable area. The image data is then arranged within the calculated printable area, and print image data D3 is created. The print image data D3 created by the server computer 3000 is sent to the printer, and printing is performed based on the print image data D3. The rendering process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0050] Incidentally, depending on whether the printer type is a large-format printer or a small-format printer, the layout process performed on the print image data D3 after the rendering process described above, which is a process performed by the printer, may differ, and the print result (printed material) may differ. Specifically, if the printer type is a large-format printer, the layout process on the print image data D3 is an inscription process, which will be described later. If the printer type is a small-format printer, the layout process on the print image data D3 may differ depending on whether borderless printing is set or not, and the print result may differ. Specifically, if the printer type is a small-format printer and borderless printing is set, the layout process on the print image data D3 is a circumscription process, which will be described later. Furthermore, if the printer type is a small-format printer and borderless printing is not set, the layout process on the print image data D3 is an inscription process, which will be described later.

[0051] Therefore, if borderless printing is set in the print setting data D2 of the print data, the layout process for the print image data D3 will be an inscribed process on a large format printer, but an circumscribed process on a small format printer. As a result, the print results may differ. Note that borderless printing is a printing method that prints an image that extends beyond the edges of at least two sides of the paper (recording medium) area onto the paper area, resulting in a print result with no margins on at least the edges of those two sides.

[0052] FIG. 4 illustrates how print results differ depending on the type of destination printer. In FIG. 4, the area of ​​input image data D1 is designated area 20, the printable area is designated area 21, the area of ​​input image data D1 arranged within the printable area is designated area 22, and the paper area is designated area 23. The borderless overflow area is designated area 26, which is indicated by a dotted line. The borderless overflow area is an area for borderless printing that indicates how much the image must extend beyond the paper area to perform borderless printing. Information indicating the borderless overflow area is acquired by the printing application 1500 from the printer 4000 or a printer driver corresponding to the printer 4000 and transmitted to the server computer 3000. The borderless overflow area is the area into which the printer ejects recording material (ink, toner, etc.), but the area of ​​the borderless overflow area that extends beyond the paper area is not printed because there is no paper available. The printable area 21 may be the same size as the borderless overflow area 26. In this case, a region 24, which will be described later, has the same region size as the region 22. Here, the input image data D1 is enlarged so that it fits into the region 21 without changing the aspect ratio, and is placed in the center of the region 21. Therefore, a difference occurs between the top and bottom sides of the region 21 and the top and bottom sides of the region 22. Note that the position where the input image data D1 is enlarged and placed so that it fits into the region 21 does not have to be the center of the region 21. Furthermore, depending on the aspect ratio of the input image data D1 and the region 21, a difference may or may not occur between the left and right sides of the region 21 and the left and right sides of the region 22, rather than a difference between the top and bottom sides of the region 21 and the top and bottom sides of the region 22. Furthermore, if the input image data D1 is larger in size than the region 21, it may be reduced rather than enlarged and placed.

[0053] Then, area 22, which is the result of the scaling process on area 20 as described above, is sent to the printer as print image data D3, which is the result of the rendering process, and the print image data D3 is placed in area 26, which is the borderless overflow area. Here, the placement process for print image data D3 differs between Case A and Case B shown below, and the print results may differ. Case A is when the printer type is a large format printer or a small format printer and borderless printing is not set (bordered printing is set). Case B is when the printer type is a small format printer and borderless printing is set.

[0054] For example, in case A, inscribing processing is executed as a placement process for the printing image data D3 in area 26. For example, in Fig. 4, the printing image data D3 is placed in area 26 at the size of area 24. The inscribing processing is a process in which an enlargement / reduction process is executed to place the image area including the four sides of the printing image data D3 within area 26.

[0055] Specifically, the inscribing process is a process in which at least two of the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the print image data D3 are overlapped with at least two of the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the region 26 so that all four sides of the print image data D3 fit within the region 26 without changing the aspect ratio of the print image data D3. Note that the print image data D3 is positioned in the center of the region 26, but it may be positioned closer to the top, bottom, left, or right, etc., rather than the center, and is not limited thereto. In the inscribing process, if the aspect ratio of the region 22 and the aspect ratio of the region 26 differ, a difference may occur between any two of the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the region 24 and any two of the top, bottom, left, or right sides of the region 26. Furthermore, if the aspect ratio of region 24 and the aspect ratio of region 26 are the same, the four sides of region 24 overlap with the four sides of region 26, so there is no difference between any two of the two top and bottom sides or two left and right sides of region 24 and any two of the two top and bottom sides or two left and right sides of region 26.

[0056] Also, in case B, for example, circumscribing is performed as a placement process for area 26 of print image data D3. For example, in Fig. 4, print image data D3 is placed in area 26 at the size of area 25. Circumscribing is a process in which scaling is performed to place the print image data D3 so that two sides of the print image data D3 overlap with the two sides that define area 26, and the other two sides extend beyond area 26. Note that the printer does not eject recording material (ink, toner, etc.) onto the area of ​​area 25 that extends beyond area 26.

[0057] Specifically, the circumscribing process overlaps at least two of the top and bottom sides and two of the left and right sides of the print image data D3 with at least two of the top and bottom sides and two of the left and right sides of the region 26 so that two sides of the print image data D3 are positioned outside the region 26 without changing the aspect ratio of the print image data D3. Note that while the print image data D3 is positioned in the center of the region 26, this is not a limitation and the print image data D3 may be positioned closer to the top, bottom, left, or right sides rather than the center. In the circumscribing process, if the aspect ratios of the region 22 and the region 26 are different, two sides of the region 25 that do not overlap with the two sides of the region 26 and a portion of the region 25 may extend outside the region 26. Note that if the aspect ratios of the region 25 and the region 26 are the same, the four sides of the region 25 overlap with the four sides of the region 26, and therefore no portion of the region 25 extends outside the region 26.

[0058] As described above, depending on whether the printer is a large-format printer or a small-format printer, the layout process when the printer lays out the print image data D3 in the area 26 may differ, and the print results may differ.

[0059] Furthermore, inscription processing is an image data layout process that is primarily suited to poster printing. By performing inscription processing, there is a low possibility that the text in the poster will be cut off. However, when you want to print a poster, in Case B, where circumscribing processing is performed, there is a possibility that the text in the poster will be cut off.

[0060] Therefore, in this embodiment, control is performed so that the same print results are obtained regardless of whether the printer to which print data is sent is a large-format printer or a small-format printer. Specifically, when rendering is performed, a decision is made as to whether to create print image data D3 with margins added based on the type of printer and whether borderless printing is specified. For example, in the above-mentioned case B, margins are added to the area corresponding to the difference between area 21 and area 22. That is, the area corresponding to area 21, including area 22 and the margins, is sent to the printer as print image data D3, which is the result of the rendering process, and circumscribing is performed. As a result, even when circumscribing is performed on print image data D3, the same print results can be obtained as when inscribing is performed on print image data D3. That is, regardless of whether the printer is a large-format printer or a small-format printer, the same print results can be obtained.

[0061] Furthermore, in the case of poster printing, even in case B where circumscribing processing is executed, it is possible to reduce the possibility of characters in the poster being cut off.

[0062] In case B, if the user performs an editing operation to add margins when creating image data, it is possible to obtain a print result equivalent to that obtained when inscribing processing is performed. However, the user may not be able to recognize how much margin to add to achieve a print result equivalent to that obtained when inscribing processing is performed. Furthermore, the user must add margins to the image data themselves, which places a burden on the user. Therefore, in this embodiment, when rendering processing is performed, the CPU automatically creates print image data D3 with margins added to the area corresponding to the difference between area 21 and area 22 based on the type of printer and whether or not borderless printing is specified. This eliminates the need for the user to create image data with margins added, thereby improving usability.

[0063] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the software configuration of the system. Fig. 5 shows, as an example, the software configuration of the server computer 3000. Fig. 5 mainly explains each processing unit for the rendering process that generates image data for printing.

[0064] The server computer 3000 includes a data reception processing unit 501 , an input image data acquisition unit 502 , a print setting data acquisition unit 503 , a printer type determination unit 504 , a rendering processing unit 505 , an output image creation unit 506 , and a data transmission processing unit 507 .

[0065] The data reception processing unit 501 is a processing unit that receives data related to the generation of image data from the client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000 via the communication I / F of each terminal by the CPU 301. The data related to the generation of image data includes, for example, input image data, print setting data, and destination printer information. In the data reception processing unit 501, the CPU 301 stores the received data related to the creation (generation) of image data in the external storage device 304 or RAM 303.

[0066] The input image data acquisition unit 502 is a processing unit that acquires input image data (hereinafter referred to as D1) of data received by the CPU 301 via the data reception processing unit 501. For example, in the input image data processing unit 502, the CPU 301 acquires image data that has been converted into an image file as input image data D1. For example, the image data that has been converted into an image file is vector image data. The compression format (format) used when the image file is converted is, for example, the JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format. The compression format used when the image file is converted is, for example, the SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) format. The compression format used when the input image data D1 is converted into an image file may be any format as long as it can be converted into image data D3 for printing in the rendering process described below. The input image data D1 may be any image data as long as it can be converted into image data D3 for printing in the rendering process described below. The format of a file created by compressing using a certain compression format is also referred to as the compression format.

[0067] The print setting data acquisition unit 503 is a processing unit that acquires print setting data D2 from the data received by the CPU 301 via the data reception processing unit 501. The print setting data D2 includes printer model information, paper feeding method, paper size and type, print quality, whether borderless printing is specified, whether special ink is used, and other information related to the creation of print image data D3 (described later). Alternatively, the print setting data D2 includes size information for the output image calculated from various print settings.

[0068] The printer type determination unit 504 is a processing unit that acquires printer type information, which is information about the type of the destination printer 4000, from the data received by the CPU 301 via the data reception processing unit 501, and determines the type of the printer 4000. The printer type information indicates information that can be used to determine whether the destination printer 4000 is a large format printer or a small format printer. For example, there is command information that indicates a large format printer and a small format printer, respectively.

[0069] In the printer type determination unit 504, the CPU 301 creates printer type determination information (hereinafter referred to as D4) indicating whether the type of the printer 4000 determined based on the printer type information is a large format printer or a small format printer. Then, the CPU 301 transmits the printer type determination information D4 to the rendering processing unit 505.

[0070] The rendering processing unit 505 is a processing unit in which the CPU 301 creates print image data D3 from input image data D1 using print setting data D2 and printer type determination information D4. In the rendering processing unit 505, the CPU 301 acquires input image data D1 acquired by the input image data acquisition unit 502. The CPU 301 also acquires print setting data D2 acquired by the print setting data acquisition unit 503. The CPU 301 also acquires printer type determination information D4 acquired by the printer type determination unit 504. In the rendering processing unit 505, the CPU 301 then creates print image data D3 from the input image data D1 using the print setting data D2 and the printer type determination information D4. The creation of print image data D3 will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0071] The output image creation unit 506 is a processing unit that converts the print image data D3 generated by the rendering processing unit 505 by the CPU 301 into an image file (or performs output image creation processing). Image file conversion is a process that reduces the data size of image data. For example, in the output image creation unit 506, the CPU 301 converts the print image data D3 into an image file in a compressed format such as JPEG or PNG. The image file conversion method uses a well-known technique. Note that when image data is compressed in JPEG format, JPEG format data is generated, and when image data is compressed in PNG format, PNG format data is generated.

[0072] The data transmission processing unit 507 is a processing unit that transmits the image file (output image data) created by the CPU 301 in the output image creation unit 506 to another terminal via the data communication I / F 305. Specifically, in the data transmission processing unit 507, the CPU 301 transmits print data to the client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000. The print data is then transmitted to the printer 4000 by the CPU 101 of the client computer 1000 or the CPU 201 of the mobile terminal 2000. The print data includes the created image file and print setting data D2 for issuing a print instruction. The print setting data D2 also includes the paper size, whether double-sided printing is specified, whether borderless printing is specified, whether special ink is used, etc. Note that the CPU 301 in the data transmission processing unit 507 may transmit the print data directly to the printer 4000 without going through the client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000.

[0073] 6 shows how rendering processing is performed according to the printer type and borderless printing settings. In the rendering processing unit 505, the CPU 301 performs rendering processing that varies depending on whether or not margins are included, based on whether or not borderless printing is specified in the print setting data D2 and the printer type determination information D4.

[0074] 6, the area of ​​input image data D1 is area 50, the printable area is area 51, the area of ​​input image data D1 arranged within the print area is area 52, and the paper area is area 53. Although the borderless overflow area is not shown, it may be the same area size as printable area 51. In this case, it is the same size as area 55, which will be described later.

[0075] Here, the creation of print image data D3 will be described in detail. First, in the rendering processing unit 505, the CPU 301 calculates the print area image size (hereinafter referred to as P1) for the paper from the input image data D1 and the print setting data D2. In other words, the size of the area 52 is calculated. The calculation of the print (printing) area image size P1 will be described in detail. For example, assume that the width and height of the input image data D1 are 3000 pixels and 4000 pixels. Furthermore, assume that the print setting data D2 includes information specifying borderless printing for A4 paper size, and that the width and height of the printable area size for the paper (hereinafter referred to as P2) are 4500 pixels and 6800 pixels. In other words, assume that the width and height of the area 51 are 4500 pixels and 6800 pixels. Note that the width and height of the printable area size P2 based on the settings may be stored in advance, or the sizes transmitted from the printer 4000 may be used. Next, the image size is calculated after scaling so that the input image data D1 fits within the printable area size P2. That is, CPU 301 calculates an image size that will allow input image data D1 to fit within printable area size P2 without changing the aspect ratio (width-to-height ratio) of input image data D1. The width and height of input image data D1 are 3,000 pixels and 4,000 pixels, while the width and height of printable area size P2 are 4,500 pixels and 6,800 pixels. Therefore, the image size that fits within printable area size P2 will have a width and height of 4,500 pixels and 6,000 pixels, respectively. This image size is designated print area image size P1. Then, image data is created by scaling input image data D1 so that it fits within the calculated print area image size P1. Here, input image data D1 is enlarged so that it fits within area 51 without changing the aspect ratio, and is positioned at the center of area 51. Therefore, a difference occurs between the top and bottom edges of area 51 and area 52. The position where the input image data D1 is enlarged and arranged so as to fit within the area 51 does not have to be the center. Also, depending on the aspect ratio of the input image data D1, there may or may not be a difference between the left and right sides of the area 51 and the left and right sides of the area 52, rather than a difference between the top and bottom sides of the area 51 and the top and bottom sides of the area 52.Furthermore, if the input image data D1 is larger than the area 51, it is arranged by reducing it rather than enlarging it.

[0076] Next, CPU 301 determines whether to add margins to the area corresponding to the difference between area 51 and area 52 based on print setting data D2 and printer type determination information D4. Specifically, CPU 301 identifies whether printer 4000 is a large format printer or a small format printer based on printer type determination information D4. If printer 4000 is a small format printer, CPU 301 determines whether borderless printing is set based on print setting data D2. If printer 4000 is a small format printer and borderless printing is set (Case B described above), CPU 301 adds margins to the area corresponding to the difference between area 51 and area 52. The area corresponding to area 52, which is the area of ​​image data obtained by enlarging or reducing input image data D1, and area 51, which is the area including the area to which margins have been added, becomes the area of ​​print image data D3. Furthermore, for example, if the printer 4000 is a large-format printer, or if it is a small-format printer and borderless printing is not set (Case A described above), no margins are added to the area corresponding to the difference between area 51 and area 52. Then, area 52, which is the area of ​​image data obtained by enlarging or reducing the input image data D1, becomes the area of ​​the printing image data D3.

[0077] In case A, area 54 is shown as an image in which print image data D3 is placed in the borderless overflow area. Area 54 is placed in the borderless overflow area (not shown) using inscribing processing. That is, in case A, area 52 representing print image data D3 without margins is placed in area 54 using inscribing processing. In addition, in case B, area 55 is shown as an image in which print image data D3 is placed in the borderless overflow area. Area 55 is placed in the borderless overflow area (not shown) using circumscribing processing. That is, in case B, an area equivalent to area 51 representing print image data D3 with margins is placed in area 55 using circumscribing processing. Note that the printer 4000 will not eject ink when RGB values ​​representing white data indicating margins, for example, (R, G, B) = (255, 255, 255), are input. Therefore, in case B, ink is not ejected onto the margins of the print image data D3, and therefore a print result equivalent to that in case A can be obtained.

[0078] 7 is a flowchart showing how rendering processing is determined based on the printer type and borderless printing settings, and then the rendering processing is performed. That is, it is a flowchart showing how whether or not to add margins during rendering processing is determined, and then the rendering processing is performed. The processing of each step in the flowchart in FIG. 7 is realized by the CPU 301 of the server computer 3000 reading and executing a program related to the processing of the flowchart.

[0079] The flowchart in FIG. 7 starts, for example, when the server computer 3000 receives an instruction to create the print image data D3 from a terminal that has the print application 1500.

[0080] In S601, the CPU 301 performs input image acquisition processing using the input image data acquisition unit 502 in FIG. 5. Specifically, the CPU 301 acquires input image data D1 from the data received by the data reception processing unit 501 in FIG. 5. The input image data may be, for example, photo image data obtained by capturing an image using a camera. It may also be, for example, image data edited using image editing software or the Web application 1400. It may also be, for example, image data in HTML / CSS format that can be displayed in a browser, vector image data such as SVG format, or image data in JPEG format. The input image data may be any data that can be converted into image data for printing in the rendering processing described below. The CPU 301 saves the acquired image data D1 in the external storage device 304 or RAM 303.

[0081] In S602, the CPU 301 performs print setting acquisition processing using the print setting data acquisition unit 503 in FIG. 5. Specifically, the CPU 301 acquires print setting data D2 from the data received by the data reception processing unit 501 in FIG. 5. The print setting data D2 indicates, for example, the printer model information selected by the user in the settings 701 in FIG. 3A, the printer's paper feed information, paper size, paper type, print quality, and whether borderless printing is specified. This print setting data D2 is information relevant to calculating the rendering size. Examples of information relevant to calculating the rendering size include the printable area size P2. For example, the printable area size P2 varies depending on the printer model, the paper feed information (e.g., cut paper or roll paper) set in the printer, the paper size, and the paper quality (e.g., high-quality paper or low-quality paper such as plain paper). The printable area size P2 also varies depending on the print quality setting (high or low image quality). With border settings, the printable area size P2 varies depending on whether bordered printing or borderless printing is selected. The CPU 301 also acquires settings related to special ink, such as whether or not to use special ink, the intensity of use of special ink, or the value of the color that uses special ink, which are set in the print setting data D2. The CPU 301 stores the acquired print setting data D2 in the external storage device 304 or RAM 303.

[0082] Furthermore, the CPU 301 acquires, as printer type information, information that can be used to determine the type of printer in the printer type determination unit 504 in Fig. 5. The printer type information indicates information that can be used to determine whether the destination printer 4000 is a large format printer or a small format printer. For example, there is command information that indicates a large format printer and a small format printer, respectively.

[0083] 5, the CPU 301 determines whether the destination printer 4000 is a large format printer or a small format printer. Specifically, the CPU 301 determines whether the destination printer 4000 is a large format printer or a small format printer based on the printer type information, creates printer type determination information D4 that is information indicating the determination result, and transmits it to the rendering processing unit 505. If the CPU 301 determines that the destination printer 4000 is a large format printer in S603, the process proceeds to S604, and if the CPU 301 determines that the destination printer 4000 is a small format printer in S603, the process proceeds to S605.

[0084] If the destination printer is a large-format printer, inscription processing is executed as the layout processing of the print image data D3 regardless of whether borderless printing is specified, so whether borderless printing is required is not determined.

[0085] In S604, the CPU 301 determines not to add margins when performing the rendering process, and performs the rendering process in the rendering processing unit 505 in Fig. 5. Specifically, during the rendering process, the CPU 301 does not add margins to the area corresponding to the difference between the area 51 and the area 52 in Fig. 6. In other words, the CPU 301 determines that the area 52 will be the area of ​​the printing image data D3, and creates the printing image data D3.

[0086] In S605, CPU 301 determines whether borderless printing is set based on print setting data D2. If the determination in S605 is YES, the process proceeds to S606, and if the determination in S605 is NO, the process proceeds to S607. Note that the determination only needs to determine whether borderless printing or bordered printing is set.

[0087] In S606, the CPU 301 determines that a margin is to be added when performing the rendering process, and performs the rendering process in the rendering processing unit 505 in Fig. 5. Specifically, during the rendering process, the CPU 301 adds a margin to an area corresponding to the difference between area 51 and area 52 in Fig. 6. In other words, the CPU 301 determines that the area corresponding to area 51 including the margin is to be the area of ​​the printing image data D3, and creates the printing image data D3.

[0088] The process of S607 is the same as that of S604, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0089] In S608, the CPU 301 creates an image file (output image data) in the output image creation unit 506. Specifically, the CPU 301 performs processing to reduce the data size of the print image data D3. For example, the output image is created by compression processing. The compression processing is performed in JPEG format, PNG format, or the like, but is not limited to this. Furthermore, the data size of the print image data D3 may be reduced by reducing the image size of the print image data D3 rather than by compression processing.

[0090] Furthermore, CPU 301, in data transmission processing unit 507, transmits print data including an image file and print setting data to client computer 1000 via data communication I / F 305. Then, printing is initiated by CPU 101 of client computer 1000 transmitting print data including an image file and print setting data to printer 4000 via data communication I / F 105. Note that print data including an image file and print setting data may be transmitted to mobile terminal 2000, and CPU 201 may transmit print data including the image file and print setting data D2 to printer 4000 via data communication I / F 205. Furthermore, in data transmission processing unit 507, CPU 301 may transmit print data directly to printer 4000 without going through client computer 1000 or mobile terminal 2000.

[0091] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining layout processing of print image data D3 in printer 4000 and performing printing processing. FIG. 8(a) is a flowchart for when printer 4000 is a small-format printer, and FIG. 8(b) is a flowchart for when printer 4000 is a large-format printer. The processing of each step in the flowchart in FIG. 8 is implemented by printer controller 402 of printer 4000 reading and executing a program related to the processing of the flowchart. Specifically, the processing is implemented by a CPU included in printer controller 402 reading and executing a program related to the processing of the flowchart. The flowchart in FIG. 8 is initiated upon reception of print data including an image file and print setting data transmitted from, for example, server computer 3000, client computer 1000, or mobile terminal 2000.

[0092] First, a description will be given of FIG. 8(a), which is a flowchart for when the printer 4000 is a small format printer.

[0093] In S801, the printer controller 402 acquires an image file created in the server computer 3000. When the image file is expanded (decompressed), it becomes print image data D3.

[0094] The processing in S802 is the same as that in S602, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0095] The processing of S803 is the same as that of S605, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Note that the small format printer switches the layout processing of the print image data D3 depending on whether borderless printing is specified in the print setting data D2, so it determines whether borderless printing is set. If the printer controller 402 determines YES in S803, it proceeds to S804, and if the printer controller 402 determines NO in S803, it proceeds to S805.

[0096] In S804, the printer controller 402 determines to perform circumscribing processing as the layout processing of the print image data D3, and performs circumscribing processing on the print image data D3.

[0097] In S805, the printer controller 402 determines to perform inscription processing as the layout processing of the print image data D3, and performs the inscription processing on the print image data D3.

[0098] In S806, the printer controller 402 causes the printer engine 403 to execute print processing of the print image data D3 based on the print setting data D2.

[0099] Next, a description will be given of FIG. 8(b), which is a flowchart for when the printer 4000 is a large-format printer.

[0100] The processing in S811 is the same as that in S801, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0101] The process of S812 is the same as that of S802, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0102] The processing of S813 is the same as that of S805, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Note that the large-format printer performs inscription processing as the layout processing of the print image data D3, regardless of whether borderless printing is specified in the print setting data D2, and therefore does not determine whether borderless printing is set.

[0103] The process of S814 is the same as that of S806, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0104] As described above, in this embodiment, whether or not to create print image data D3 with margins added is determined based on the type of printer and whether or not borderless printing is specified. Specifically, if the printer type is a small format printer and borderless printing is set, circumscribing is performed as the layout process for the print image data D3, so print image data D3 with margins added is created. As a result, even if circumscribing is performed on the print image data D3, a print result equivalent to that obtained when inscribing is performed can be obtained.

[0105] Furthermore, in the case of poster printing, even in case B where circumscribing processing is executed, it is possible to reduce the possibility of characters in the poster being cut off.

[0106] Furthermore, since the user does not need to create image data with margins added by himself, usability can be improved.

[0107] In this embodiment, the determination of whether borderless printing is enabled is performed when the printer type is a small-format printer, but this is not limited to this. If borderless printing is assumed, the server computer 3000 need not determine whether borderless printing is enabled. For example, if borderless printing cannot be selected and a printing application that assumes borderless printing is available exists, the determination of whether borderless printing is enabled may not be performed. In this case, in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the process of S605 may not be performed, and the process of S607 may not be performed if it is determined that bordered printing is enabled. In other words, if it is determined in S603 that the printer is a small-format printer, a rendering process may be performed to create print image data D3 with margins added.

[0108] In this embodiment, whether to add margins when performing rendering processing is determined based on whether the printer type is a large-format printer or a small-format printer and whether borderless printing is enabled. However, if the layout processing of the print image data D3 performed by the printer is not configured to switch depending on the printer type and borderless printing settings, the rendering processing may be determined based on information that can determine the layout processing of the print image data D3. For example, even if the printer type is a large-format printer, the layout processing of the print image data D3 may differ depending on whether the printer supports only cut sheets or supports roll paper in addition to cut sheets. For example, if a large-format printer supports only cut sheets, the layout processing of the print image data D3 may be circumscribing. In this case, whether to add margins when performing rendering processing may be determined based on information that can determine whether the layout processing of the print image data D3 performed by the printer is circumscribing. The information that can determine the layout processing of the print image data D3 performed by the printer is tag or command information that can determine whether inscribing or circumscribing processing will be performed.

[0109] Even if the destination printer is a large-format printer, if the layout processing of the print image data D3 differs depending on whether borderless printing is specified, a determination as to whether borderless printing is specified may be made. Then, based on the determination as to whether borderless printing is specified, a decision as to whether to add margins when performing rendering processing may be made.

[0110] In addition, in this embodiment, printer type information is used as information indicating whether the printer type is a large format printer or a small format printer. However, any information indicating whether the printer type is a large format printer or a small format printer will suffice. For example, when a large format printer is used, print data is often sent via a printer driver as the communication method. On the other hand, when a small format printer is used, print data is often sent using commands without going through a printer driver as the communication method. Therefore, information regarding the communication method may be used to determine whether the printer type is a large format printer or a small format printer.

[0111] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the server computer 3000 determines whether to add margins when performing rendering processing based on the printer type and borderless printing settings, and then performs the rendering processing. However, the client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000 may perform the processing. In other words, the client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000 may have a software configuration such as that shown in Fig. 5, execute a flowchart such as that shown in Fig. 7, and send print setting data to the printer 4000 via another device. Alternatively, the client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000 may send print data directly to the printer 4000 without going through another device.

[0112] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, the server computer 3000 determines whether to add margins when performing rendering processing based on the printer type and borderless printing settings, and then performs the rendering processing. In this embodiment, a form will be described in which the print application 1500 determines whether to add margins when performing rendering processing based on the printer type and borderless printing settings, and the server computer 3000 performs the rendering processing.

[0113] 9 is a flowchart showing the process in which the print application 1500 determines whether to add margins when performing rendering processing based on the printer type and borderless printing settings. In FIG. 9, the print application 1500 will be described as the subject of each process. However, in reality, the corresponding function is realized by executing the corresponding program by a processor such as the CPU 101 in the client computer 1000 or the CPU 201 in the mobile terminal 2000. It should be noted that not all processes are necessarily executed sequentially in a single process; there may be cases where the process is transferred to the OS and then called again by the OS. This flow shows the main processes for the sake of convenience and clarity.

[0114] The processing in S901 is the same as that in S602, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Note that the print application 1500 may create information related to the rendering processing based on the print setting data D2 acquired in S901 and issue a print instruction to the server computer 3000.

[0115] The process of S902 is the same as that of S603, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. If the print application 1500 determines in S902 that the printer is a large-format printer, the process proceeds to S903, and if the print application 1500 determines in S902 that the printer is a small-format printer, the process proceeds to S904.

[0116] In S903, the print application 1500 determines not to add margins when performing rendering processing. Specifically, the CPU 301 determines not to add margins to the area corresponding to the difference between area 51 and area 52 in Fig. 6 during rendering processing. In other words, it determines that area 52 is to be the area of ​​the print image data D3.

[0117] The process of S904 is the same as that of S605, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. If the print application 1500 determines YES in S904, the process proceeds to S905, and if the print application 1500 determines NO in S904, the process proceeds to S906.

[0118] In S905, the print application 1500 determines to add a margin when performing rendering processing. Specifically, the print application 1500 determines to add a margin to the area corresponding to the difference between area 51 and area 52 in Fig. 6 when performing rendering processing. In other words, the print application 1500 determines that the area corresponding to area 51 including the margin is to be the area of ​​the print image data D3.

[0119] The processing in S906 is the same as that in S903, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0120] In S907, the printing application 1500 transmits processing information indicating whether or not to add margins during rendering to the server computer 3000 external to the terminal device. It also transmits print setting data D2 and an instruction to create print image data D3. The instruction to create print image data D3 is an instruction (information) to perform rendering based on the processing information indicating whether or not to add margins during rendering, and to create print image data D3. It may also transmit an instruction to create an image file. Furthermore, the printing application 1500 may generate information regarding the rendering based on the print setting data D2 acquired in S901, and transmit the information regarding the rendering to the server computer 3000. Specifically, the printing application 1500 may calculate a printable area size P2 from the print setting information and transmit the information to the server computer 3000.

[0121] 10 is a flowchart showing how the server computer 3000 performs rendering processing based on information indicating whether or not to add margins during rendering processing from the print application 1500. The flowchart in Fig. 10 starts, for example, when the server computer 3000 receives an instruction to create print image data D3 from a terminal that has the print application 1500.

[0122] Steps S1001, S1002, and S1004 are similar to steps S601, S602, and S608, respectively, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. In step S1002, the CPU 301 acquires processing information indicating whether or not to add margins during rendering processing. The CPU 301 also acquires an instruction to create print setting data D2 and print image data D3. If an instruction to create an image file is transmitted, the CPU 301 also acquires the image file creation instruction. If information regarding rendering processing is transmitted, the CPU 301 also acquires information regarding the rendering processing. Specifically, the server computer 3000 acquires the printable area size P2. If information regarding the printable area size P2 is transmitted as information regarding rendering processing, the server computer 3000 does not need to acquire information regarding calculation of the printable area size P2 from the print settings.

[0123] In S1003, the CPU 301 executes the process of S604 or S606 based on the processing information indicating whether or not to add margins during rendering. That is, if the information indicating whether or not to add margins during rendering is information indicating that margins will not be added during rendering, the CPU 301 executes the same process as S604. On the other hand, if the information indicating whether or not to add margins during rendering is information indicating that margins will be added during rendering, the CPU 301 executes the same process as S606.

[0124] Furthermore, the CPU 301, in the data transmission processing unit 507, transmits print data including the created image file and print setting data to the client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000 via the data communication I / F 305. Then, the print data including the image file and print setting data is transmitted to the printer 4000 by the CPU 101 of the client computer 1000 or the CPU 201 of the mobile terminal 2000. As a result, the printer 4000 arranges the print image data D3 in the borderless overflow area and starts printing. Note that the CPU 301 may transmit the print data directly to the printer 4000 without going through the client computer 1000 or the mobile terminal 2000.

[0125] In the above, in this embodiment, the printing application 1500 determines whether to add margins when performing rendering processing based on the printer type and borderless printing settings, and the server computer 3000 performs rendering processing based on instructions from the printing application 1500. As a result, even if circumscribing processing is performed on the print image data D3, it is possible to obtain a print result that is equivalent to the print result when inscribing processing is performed.

[0126] In this embodiment, the print application 1500 determines in S902 whether the printer 4000 is a large-format printer or a small-format printer based on the printer type information. Then, printer type determination information D4 is created based on the determination result, and a decision is made as to whether to add margins when performing rendering processing. However, in S902, the printer type determination information D4 may be created based on the determination result and sent to the server computer 3000. The CPU 301 of the server computer 3000 may then execute the remaining processing of FIG. 9 based on the received printer type determination information D4. That is, if the printer type determination information D4 indicates a large-format printer, the CPU 301 may execute S903. If the printer type determination information D4 indicates a small-format printer, the CPU 301 may execute the determination of S904 and execute the processing of S905 or S906.

[0127] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiment is an example of a configuration for achieving the effects of the present invention, and any similar method or method that achieves the same effects using different parameters is included in the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to a system consisting of multiple devices (e.g., a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), and to an apparatus consisting of a single device (e.g., a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.).

[0128] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the processing of the embodiment is realized by the print application, the browser, and the program running on the server operating in cooperation with each other, but this is not limited thereto. For example, suppose that a single application (integrated application) that integrates the print application, the browser program, and the program running on the server is on a client computer. In this case, the processing of the above-described embodiment may be performed by the CPU 101 of the client computer executing the integrated application. Furthermore, if the integrated application is on a mobile terminal, the processing of the above-described embodiment may be performed by the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal executing the integrated application.

[0129] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can also be realized by executing the following process. That is, software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-described embodiments are supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the program. The program may be executed by a single computer, or may be executed by multiple computers in cooperation with each other. Furthermore, it is not necessary to realize all of the above-described processes by software; some or all of the processes may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC. Furthermore, the CPU is not limited to one that performs all processes by a single CPU, and multiple CPUs may perform processes in cooperation with each other as appropriate.

[0130] Furthermore, the functions of the above-described embodiments are not only realized by a computer reading and executing the program code, but also include cases where an operating system running on a computer performs some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, thereby realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1000 client computers 1100 Display 1200 Router 1400 Web Applications 1500 Printing Applications 2000 mobile devices 3000 server computers 4000 Printer

Claims

1. a setting acquisition step of acquiring print setting information related to printing of image data, including setting information related to borderless printing; an acquisition step of acquiring printer type information which is information regarding the type of printer that prints the image data; a determining step of determining that processing will be performed to create the image data without adding margins if the printer type information identifies that the printer type is a first type printer, and determining that processing will be performed to create the image data with margins added if the printer type information identifies that the printer type is a second type printer and the print setting information identifies that borderless printing will be performed; on the computer, the first type of printer is a printer that performs the borderless printing by enlarging or reducing the image data so that the image data fits within an area for the borderless printing, The program is characterized in that the second type of printer is a printer that performs the borderless printing by enlarging or reducing the image data and arranging it so that the image data does not fit within the area for the borderless printing.

2. The program described in claim 1, characterized in that the image data is print image data created for printing based on information regarding input image data input by a user and information regarding the printable area of ​​paper, which is information contained in the print setting information.

3. The program according to claim 2, characterized in that the margin is a margin added to an area corresponding to the difference between the input image data that has been subjected to at least one of enlargement and reduction processing to fit within the printable area and the printable area.

4. A program as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that if the printer type information identifies that the type of the printer is the second type of printer and the print setting information identifies that borderless printing will not be performed, it is determined that a process will be performed to create the image data without adding margins.

5. a transmitting step of transmitting processing information indicating a process for creating the image data determined in the determining step and the print setting information to a server external to the device having the computer; 5. The program according to claim 1, wherein the server executes a process for creating the image data based on the processing information.

6. 5. The program according to claim 1, further comprising an execution step of executing a process for creating the image data based on processing information indicating the process for creating the image data determined in the determination step.

7. 7. The program according to claim 1, wherein an image file is created by executing a process to reduce the data size of the image data.

8. 8. The program according to claim 7, wherein print data including the print setting information and the image file is sent to the printer, and the image data is printed.

9. When the image data created without adding margins is sent to a printer, an inscription process is performed as a layout process of the image data in the area for borderless printing, A program according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that when the image data created with margins added is sent to a printer, a circumscribing process is performed as a placement process of the image data in an area for borderless printing.

10. the inscription process is a process of overlapping at least two sides of the image data with at least two sides of the area for borderless printing so that the four sides of the image data fit within the area for borderless printing without changing the aspect ratio of the image data, 10. The program according to claim 9, wherein the circumscribing process is a process of overlapping at least two sides of the image data with at least two sides of the area for borderless printing without changing the aspect ratio of the image data and so that the two sides of the image data extend beyond the area for borderless printing.

11. 11. The program according to claim 9, wherein the area for borderless printing is an area for preventing borders from appearing on at least two sides of a printed product when the image data is printed.

12. 12. The program according to claim 9, wherein the area for borderless printing is an area where the printer places the image data beyond the edge of the recording medium and ejects recording material.

13. 13. The program according to claim 9, wherein the area for borderless printing corresponds to a printable area of ​​a sheet of paper.

14. The first type of printer is a printer that performs the borderless printing by performing the inscribed processing, 14. The program according to claim 9, wherein the second type of printer is a printer that performs the borderless printing by executing the circumscribing process.

15. a setting acquisition means for acquiring print setting information related to printing of image data, including setting information related to borderless printing; an acquisition means for acquiring printer type information, which is information regarding the type of printer that prints the image data; a determining means for determining that a process for creating the image data without adding margins will be executed when the printer type information identifies that the printer type is a first type printer, and for determining that a process for creating the image data with margins added will be executed when the printer type information identifies that the printer type is a second type printer and the print setting information identifies that borderless printing will be executed; and the first type of printer is a printer that performs the borderless printing by enlarging or reducing the image data so that the image data fits within an area for the borderless printing, An information processing device characterized in that the second type of printer is a printer that performs borderless printing by enlarging or reducing the image data and arranging it so that the image data does not fit within the area for borderless printing.

16. a setting acquisition step of acquiring print setting information related to printing of image data, including setting information related to borderless printing; an acquisition step of acquiring printer type information which is information regarding the type of printer that prints the image data; a determining step of determining that processing will be performed to create the image data without adding margins if the printer type information identifies that the printer type is a first type printer, and determining that processing will be performed to create the image data with margins added if the printer type information identifies that the printer type is a second type printer and the print setting information identifies that borderless printing will be performed; and the first type of printer is a printer that performs the borderless printing by enlarging or reducing the image data so that the image data fits within an area for the borderless printing, A control method characterized in that the second type of printer is a printer that performs borderless printing by enlarging or reducing the image data so that the image data does not fit within the area for borderless printing.

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