Program, method for displaying print result images, information processing device.

Abstract

To provide a program that can bring a print result image closer to an actual print result.SOLUTION: A program causes an information processing apparatus requesting an image forming apparatus to print document data to function as: a setting information acquisition unit that, when receiving an instruction to display a preview of the document data, acquires setting information on the printing of the document data from at least either one of a print application or a printer driver; and a preview determination unit that, according to the setting information, switches between a first print result image obtained by visualizing a content of the document data and a second print result image in which the document data is ejected according to the setting information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Before a user operates an information processing apparatus to print a document with a printing apparatus, the user may want to confirm whether an expected printing result can be obtained. For this reason, a printer driver has a preview function and a function of displaying a printing result image before actual printing.

[0003] However, depending on printing settings and the like, there are cases where the actual printing result and the printing result image are different, and techniques for bringing the printing result image closer to the actual printing result are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for acquiring an initial printing setting of a printing target, acquiring document format information actually printed on the printing target, updating the initial printing setting based on the acquired document format information, and creating a printing result image reflecting the updated printing setting.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, there are cases where the printing result image is different from the actual printing result, and there are cases where the expected printing result is not obtained when printing.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a program capable of bringing a printing result image closer to an actual printing result.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an information processing device that requests an image forming apparatus to print document data, and when it receives an instruction to display a preview of the document data, it acquires setting information related to printing the document data from at least one of a print application or a printer driver. , obtain information about the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus. The setting information acquisition unit and the content of the document data Without reflecting the paper output status in the aforementioned printing settings information The first visualized print result image and the document data The paper output status, reflecting the printing settings and information from the image forming apparatus, is visualized. A preview determination unit switches between the second print result image and the first print result image according to the setting information. and , If the setting information does not include a predetermined condition, the preview determination unit determines to display the first print result image; if the setting information includes a predetermined condition, the preview determination unit determines to display the second print result image that reflects the predetermined condition; the preview determination unit switches between the first print result image and the second print result image according to the setting information by referring to the determination condition information in which the predetermined condition is registered; the preview generation unit generates a preview of the first print result image or the second print result image; and the preview display unit displays the preview of the first print result image or the second print result image generated by the preview generation unit. We provide a program that functions as such. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] We can provide a program that can make the printed output image more closely resemble the actual printed result. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram illustrates an example of a print result image displayed on the preview screen. [Figure 2] This is an example of a system configuration diagram for a printing system. [Figure 3] This is an example of a computer hardware configuration diagram. [Figure 4] This is an example of a printer hardware configuration diagram. [Figure 5] This is an example of a diagram showing software running on an information processing device. [Figure 6] This is an example of a functional block diagram that shows the functions of preview processing software in a block-like structure. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the judgment condition information set in the judgment condition information table. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of how the preview determination unit decides whether to display preview 1 or preview 2. [Figure 9]This diagram shows examples of print application settings information stored in the information table (print application) and printer driver settings information stored in the information table (printer driver). [Figure 10] This diagram illustrates the printer information stored in the information table (printer). [Figure 11] This diagram illustrates the information stored in the information table (post-processing device) of the post-processing device. [Figure 12] This diagram illustrates how to create print result images when printer and post-processing device information can be obtained, and when it is difficult to obtain that information. [Figure 13] This is an example of two preview screens that appear when the printer is ready to print the data. [Figure 14] This is an example of an error message screen that may appear when a printer encounters an error while attempting to print data. [Figure 15] This is an example of a preview screen showing the state after the paper has been output to the output destination. [Figure 16] This is an example of an error message screen that appears when the number of printed pages exceeds the number of sheets that can be stapled. [Figure 17] This is an example of two preview screens when the user has configured the system to insert separators (Part 1). [Figure 18] This is an example of a preview screen (part 2) when the user has configured the system to insert separators. [Figure 19] This is an example of an error message screen displayed when a print setting is subject to forced printing, and two preview screens showing the print result image when forced printing is performed. [Figure 20] This is an example of two preview screens for a print setting where two A3-sized pages are combined and then cut to A4 size using a paper cutter. [Figure 21] This is an example of a screen transition diagram for the preview 2 screen and the error message screen displayed by the preview display unit or error message display unit. [Figure 22]This is a diagram for explaining the update of Preview 2 due to the update of the printer state after the display of Preview 2. [Figure 23] This is an example of a sequence diagram for explaining the overall flow of the processing of a printing system. [Figure 24] This is an example of a flowchart diagram for explaining the process in which the printer information acquisition unit and the post-processing device information acquisition unit acquire information from the printer and the post-processing device. [Figure 25] This is an example of a flowchart diagram for explaining the process in which the preview determination unit determines which of Preview 1, Preview 2, and error messages to display. [Figure 26] This is a diagram for explaining the effect of Preview 2 compared with Preview 1.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, as an example of embodiments for carrying out the present invention, an information processing apparatus and a printing result image display method performed by the information processing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] <Overview of Operations> FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a printing result image displayed on the preview screen of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus displays a more detailed printing result image (referred to as Preview 2) in addition to the conventional printing result image (referred to as Preview 1).

[0011] Figure 1(a) shows an example of Preview 1 screen 9. Preview 1 screen 9 is a screen that displays the conventional Preview 1 (an example of the first print result image), and displays a print result image 9a that reflects simple print conditions. Preview 1 screen 9 can be displayed mainly through the conventional process of RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing of document data. It is also easy for users who are familiar with the conventional print result image to see. Even if Preview 2, which will be described below, is added, if only the judgment condition information items described below are set in the print settings, Preview 1 screen 9 will be displayed as the initial preview screen, so users can operate it without any discomfort. When the user presses the detailed mode button 9b, Preview 2 screen 200 or error message screen 210 will be displayed.

[0012] Figure 1(b) shows an example of the Preview 2 screen 200, and Figure 1(c) shows an example of the Error Message screen 210. The Preview 2 screen 200 is a screen that displays Preview 2 (an example of a second print result image), and is a print result image that is displayed by combining various print conditions. As will be described in detail later, Preview 2 is a print result image after the document data has been printed according to the print settings. The Preview 2 screen 200 reflects the following print settings. (1) Preview 2 screen 200 displays a print result image of the paper after processing such as stapling, punching holes, and separators have been added to Preview 1 and the paper has been ejected to the output destination (output tray, stacker, etc.). Therefore, the user can check the stapling position, punching hole position, or separator insertion position. (2) Preview screen 200 displays an image of the print result as the paper is fed into the tray, ejected from the stacker, and ejected using the specified ejection method such as face up / face down. Therefore, the user can check in advance whether the paper will be ejected from the tray or stacker, face up or face down, and the cutting results.

[0013] Error messages are displayed in the following cases: (3) If there is a discrepancy between the print settings and the information of the printer or post-processor (e.g., no paper, paper size mismatch), and an error occurs when printing is attempted, the error message screen 210 will display a message indicating that an error will occur when printing.

[0014] Additionally, the preview screen 200 and the error message screen 210 may be displayed alternately. (4) If the printer status changes while Preview 2 screen 200 is being displayed (e.g., another user performs printing), a print result image reflecting that status will be displayed. For example, if Preview 2 shows that the printer is ready to print when a preview is performed to print a 90-page form, but another user performs printing of 50 pages on the target printer, a message will be displayed stating that "paper needs to be replenished in order to print," and the operator will be notified.

[0015] In this way, the preview screen 200 allows users to see the printed result image as it will appear when output to the output tray after processing. As a result, it is possible to reduce wasted paper due to reprinting and reduce the time spent reviewing settings.

[0016] <About Terminology> Print settings refer to settings related to the settings configured in the printing application or printer driver. In this embodiment, at least one of the printing application settings information or the printer driver settings information constitutes the print settings.

[0017] The setting information related to printing document data refers to at least one of the printing application setting information or the printer driver setting information, as described later.

[0018] Visualizing document data refers to displaying how the document data created by a printing application will be converted into an image before actual printing.

[0019] Visual information corresponding to the setting information refers to display components that reflect the predetermined processing or paper output method included in the setting information. In this embodiment, staple marks, punch marks, separators, paper flow, and cutting status are used as examples.

[0020] Preview 1 is a printed output image that visualizes the content of the document data. Preview 2 is a printed output image that visualizes the state of the printed paper after it has been ejected. Therefore, Preview 2 reflects the predetermined processing or paper ejection method in addition to Preview 1.

[0021] <Example System Configuration> Figure 2 shows the system configuration of the printing system 100. The printing system 100 includes an information processing device 10, a printer 50, and a post-processing device 40, all of which are connected via a network N for communication. The post-processing device 40 is connected to the printer 50 via a paper transport path and signal lines for mutual detection. The post-processing device 40 may be detachable from the printer 50 or integrated with it. The network N may be, for example, a LAN (including Wi-Fi), WAN, Wide Area Ethernet (registered trademark), VPN (Virtual Private Network), etc., installed within the company. The printer 50 and the information processing device 10 may also be directly connected via a USB cable or the like.

[0022] The information processing device 10 requests the printer 50 to print document data in response to user input. The information processing device 10 can be a desktop PC (personal computer), notebook PC, smartphone, tablet device, etc., running on a common OS such as Windows®, MAC OS®, Android®, or iOS®. In addition, the information processing device 10 can be any device capable of running a predetermined printing application 11 and printer driver 12.

[0023] The printer 50 is a device that prints document data onto paper. Therefore, the printer 50 only needs to have a printer function. In addition to the printer function, the printer 50 may have multiple functions such as copying, scanning, and fax transmission / reception. Such a device with multiple functions is sometimes called a multifunction device or MFP (Multifunction Peripheral). The printer 50 may also be called an image forming device, image processing device, printing device, etc. The method by which the printer 50 forms images can be any method, such as electrophotography, inkjet, thermal transfer, or stencil printing.

[0024] The post-processing device 40 is a device that processes the paper after the document data has been printed. The post-processing device 40 includes a paper cutter for cutting the paper, a folding machine for folding the paper in a tri-fold or Z-fold, or a binding machine for binding printed materials with staples or spine glue.

[0025] <Example Hardware Configuration> The hardware configuration of the information processing device 10 and the printer 50 according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0026] <<Information Processing Device>> Figure 3 shows the hardware configuration of an example of a computer 500 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the information processing device 10 is constructed by the computer 500. The computer 500 includes a CPU 501, ROM 502, RAM 503, HD 504, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, display 506, external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, network I / F 509, bus line 510, keyboard 511, pointing device 512, optical drive 514, and media I / F 516.

[0027] Of these components, the CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the computer 500. The ROM 502 stores programs used to drive the CPU 501, such as the IPL. The RAM 503 is used as the work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data, such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls the reading or writing of various data to the HD 504 according to the control of the CPU 501. The display 506 displays various information such as cursors, menus, windows, characters, or images. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, external devices include, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory and printer 50. The network I / F 509 is an interface for data communication using network N. The bus line 510 is an address bus, data bus, etc., for electrically connecting each component, such as the CPU 501 shown in Figure 3.

[0028] The keyboard 511 is a type of input means equipped with multiple keys for inputting characters, numbers, and various instructions. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting processing targets, and moving the cursor. The optical drive 514 controls the reading or writing of various data to the optical media 513, which is an example of a removable recording medium. The optical media 513 may be a CD, DVD, Blu-ray (registered trademark), etc. The media interface 516 controls the reading or writing (storage) of data to the recording medium 515, such as flash memory.

[0029] <<Printer>> Figure 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of printer 50. As shown in Figure 4, printer 50 includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network interface 950.

[0030] Of these, the controller 910 includes the main components of the computer: the CPU 901, system memory (MEM-P) 902, northbridge (NB) 903, southbridge (SB) 904, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, local memory (MEM-C) 907 (storage unit 49), HDD controller 908, and HD909 (storage unit 49). The NB903 and ASIC906 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

[0031] Of these, the CPU901 is a control unit that performs overall control of the printer 50. The NB903 is a bridge for connecting the CPU901 with the MEM-P902, SB904, and AGP bus 921, and has a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P902, as well as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master and an AGP target.

[0032] MEM-P902 consists of ROM902a, which is a memory for storing programs and data that realize the various functions of the controller 910, and RAM902b, which is used for program and data deployment and drawing during memory printing. The programs stored in RAM902b may be configured to be provided as installable or executable files recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD.

[0033] SB904 is a bridge for connecting NB903 to PCI devices and peripheral devices. ASIC906 is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing applications that has hardware elements for image processing and acts as a bridge connecting the AGP bus 921, PCI bus 922, HDD controller 908, and MEM-C907, respectively. This ASIC906 consists of a PCI target and AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC906, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C907, multiple DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that perform image data rotation using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that performs data transfer via PCI bus 922 between the scanner unit 931, the printer unit 932, and the facsimile unit. Note that ASIC906 may have a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface.

[0034] MEM-C907 is local memory used as a copy image buffer and code buffer. HD909 is storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, and forms. HD909 controls data reading or writing to it according to the control of CPU901. The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for graphics accelerator cards proposed to speed up graphics processing, and by directly accessing MEM-P902 with high throughput, the graphics accelerator card can be made faster.

[0035] Furthermore, the short-range communication circuit 920 is equipped with an antenna 920a for the short-range communication circuit. The short-range communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0036] Furthermore, the engine control unit 930 includes a scanner unit 931, a printer unit 932, and a facsimile unit 933. The operation panel 940 includes a panel display unit 940a, such as a touch panel, which displays current settings and selection screens and accepts input from the operator, and hard keys 940b, which consist of a numeric keypad that accepts setting values ​​for image formation conditions such as density settings and a start key that accepts copy start instructions. The controller 910 controls the entire printer, for example, controlling drawing, communication, and input from the operation panel 940. The scanner unit 931 or the printer unit 932 includes an image processing section, such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

[0037] Furthermore, the printer 50 can be sequentially switched between document box function, copy function, printer function, and facsimile function using the application switching key on the control panel 940. When the document box function is selected, the printer 50 enters document box mode; when the copy function is selected, it enters copy mode; when the printer function is selected, it enters printer mode; and when the facsimile mode is selected, it enters facsimile mode.

[0038] Furthermore, the network interface 950 is an interface for data communication using network N. The short-range communication circuit 920 and the network interface 950 are electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via the PCI bus 922.

[0039] <About the features> Figure 5 shows the software running on the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 runs a print application 11, a printer driver 12, a print spooler 13, and preview processing software 14.

[0040] The printing application 11 is software that prints user-created document data to the printer 50 by calling the printer driver 12. The printing application 11 can be any application that calls the printer driver 12, such as word processing software or browser software.

[0041] The printer driver 12 is software for controlling the printer 50. It converts the position of characters, fonts, and image positions in the document data into print data described in PDL (Printer Description Language) that the printer 50 can interpret. The print data also includes print settings to be used by at least one of the printer 50 and the post-processing unit 40.

[0042] The print spooler 13 is a function that temporarily stores print data to be sent to the printer 50 and sequentially sends and executes it to the printer 50. The print spooler 13 sends print data little by little depending on the availability of print data on the printer 50 and the progress of printing. The print spooler 13 is one of the functions provided by the operating system (OS), and it monitors the status of the printer 50 through the printer driver 12 and starts sending the next print data when printing is complete. The printing application 11 only needs to pass the print data to the OS and can accept user operations and proceed with processing while waiting for the printer 50 to print.

[0043] Preview processing software 14 is software that performs processing related to preview display (an example of a program). Preview processing software 14 is explained in Figure 6. Note that preview processing software 14 may be integrated with printer driver 12.

[0044] Figure 6 is an example of a functional block diagram showing the functions of the preview processing software 14 in a block-like structure. In the information processing device 10 in Figure 6, the print application 11 and the printer driver 12 are running.

[0045] The preview processing software 14 includes a setting information acquisition unit 21, a setting information collection unit 26, a preview judgment unit 27, an information table (printer) 34, an information table (post-processing unit) 35, an information table (printing application) 36, an information table (printer driver) 37, a judgment condition information table 38, a display content generation unit 28, a preview display unit 32, and an error message display unit 33. Each functional unit of the preview processing software 14 is a function or means realized by the CPU 501 shown in Figure 3 executing the instructions included in the preview processing software 14 installed in the information processing device 10.

[0046] The setting information acquisition unit 21 further includes a print application setting information acquisition unit 22, a printer information acquisition unit 23, a printer driver setting information acquisition unit 24, and a post-processing device information acquisition unit 25.

[0047] The print application setting information acquisition unit 22 acquires print application setting information such as paper size and margins for document data set in the print application 11.

[0048] The printer driver setting information acquisition unit 24 displays the print settings screen on the display 506 when the user inputs a document printing operation to the printing application 11. The user can configure print settings related to printing, such as paper size, tray, stacker, separator, stapling, punch holes, print orientation, face up / face down, black and white / color, duplex, collation, binding, scaling, and number of copies, on the print settings screen. The printer driver setting information acquisition unit 24 acquires this printer driver setting information set by the user.

[0049] The printer driver settings information acquired by the print application settings information acquisition unit 22 is stored in the information table (print application) 36. The printer driver settings information acquired by the printer driver settings information acquisition unit 24 is stored in the information table (printer driver) 37.

[0050] The printer information acquisition unit 23 acquires information about the printer 50 from the printer 50, including connection status, paper size and remaining amount of each type of paper in the paper tray, number of stackers, presence or absence of duplex mechanism, presence or absence of stapler mechanism, toner level, normal / abnormal status, etc.

[0051] The post-processing device information acquisition unit 25 acquires information about the post-processing device 40 from the post-processing device 40 (connection status, what type of post-processing device 40 is installed). Preferably, the information about the post-processing device 40 includes the number of sheets that can be cut and bound, and the number and locations of sheets that can be punched or stapled.

[0052] Furthermore, the printer information acquisition unit 23 and the post-processor information acquisition unit 25 can arbitrarily acquire information stored in the MIB (Management Information Base) from the printer 50 and the post-processor 40. The MIB is a text file that describes information usable by SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), a network management protocol, in a tree structure.

[0053] The information acquired by the printer information acquisition unit 23 and the post-processor information acquisition unit 25 may include, in addition to the above, information necessary to create a print result image (either preview 1 or 2). The printer information acquired by the printer information acquisition unit 23 is stored in the information table (printer) 34. The information acquired by the post-processor information acquisition unit 25 is stored in the information table (post-processor) 35.

[0054] The configuration information collection unit 26 collects each piece of information from the configuration information acquisition unit 21 and stores each piece of information in the information table (printer) 34, information table (post-processing unit) 35, information table (printing application) 36, and information table (printer driver) 37.

[0055] The preview determination unit 27 primarily determines whether to display Preview 1 or automatically display Preview 2 when displaying the print result image, based on the information table (printing application) 36, the information table (printer driver) 37, and the determination condition information. The preview determination unit 27 also determines whether to display an error message based on the information table (printing application) 36, the information table (printer driver) 37, the information table (printer) 34, and the information table (post-processing device) 35. The determination condition information is explained in Figure 7.

[0056] The display content generation unit 28 includes a preview 1 generation unit 29, a preview 2 generation unit 30, and an error message generation unit 31.

[0057] The Preview 1 generation unit 29 creates a print result image that reflects the print settings acquired by the Print Application Setting Information Acquisition Unit 22 and the Printer Driver Setting Information Acquisition Unit 24 onto the document data to be printed acquired by the Print Application Setting Information Acquisition Unit 22. The Preview 1 display unit creates image data by performing RIP processing similar to that of the printer 50, for example, on the print data described in PDL, and then creates a print result image (Preview 1) by reducing the size of the image data.

[0058] The Preview 2 generation unit 30 generates Preview 2. Preview 2 is a print result image of the processed paper as it appears when output to the output destination (output tray, stacker, etc.) according to the output method. Processing includes staple positions, punch hole positions, separators, etc. Output methods include face-up / face-down, input tray, output stacker, etc. Thus, Preview 2 includes a print result image other than the document data itself. The print flow generation unit 41 of the Preview 2 generation unit 30 generates an animation of the paper moving from the input tray to the output stacker.

[0059] The error message generation unit 31 generates an error message when the number of printed pages exceeds the number of pages that can be stapled, exceeds the number of pages that can be punched, or when there is insufficient paper remaining.

[0060] The preview display unit 32 displays either Preview 1 generated by the Preview 1 generation unit 29, or Preview 2 generated by the Preview 2 generation unit 30, on the display 506.

[0061] The error message display unit 33 displays the error message generated by the error message generation unit 31 on the display 506.

[0062] The information processing device 10 also has a communication unit 39. The communication unit 39 is realized by the CPU 501 shown in Figure 3 executing a program and a network I / F 509, etc., and communicates with the printer 50 via the network N and transmits print data.

[0063] <<Judgment condition information>> Figure 7 shows an example of the judgment condition information set in the judgment condition information table 38. The judgment condition information is a table in which conditions for automatically displaying Preview 1 or 2 are set in advance. The judgment condition information has "○" and "×" set in the setting column corresponding to the setting items of the print application 11 and the setting items of the printer driver 12. If only the items marked "○" in the setting column of Figure 7 are set in the print application setting information obtained from the print application 11 and the printer driver setting information obtained from the printer driver 12, the preview judgment unit 27 decides to display Preview 1. If even one item marked "×" in the setting column of Figure 7 is set in the print application setting information or printer driver setting information, the preview judgment unit 27 decides to display Preview 2. The items marked "×" in the setting column of Figure 7 correspond to the processing or paper output method reflected in Preview 2. In Figure 7, margins, separators, stapling, print orientation, and others correspond to processing, while stacker, face up / face down, and cutting correspond to paper output methods.

[0064] Figure 8 shows an example of how the preview determination unit 27 determines whether to display preview 1 or preview 2. The preview determination unit 27 compares the presence or absence of various print settings with the determination condition information to determine whether to display preview 1 or preview 2. For example, according to the determination condition information in Figure 7, whether to display preview 1 or preview 2 is determined as follows.

[0065] Condition 1: When the print settings do not apply any processing to the print data (stapling, punching holes, inserting separators, rotating, specifying print orientation, etc.). → Preview 1 Conditions 2, 3, and 4: Print settings that specify processing (stapling, punching holes, inserting separators, rotation, specifying print orientation, etc.) or paper output method (stacker, face up / face down) for the print data. → Preview 2 <<Information Table>> Next, we will describe the information set in the information table (printer) 34, the information table (post-processing unit) 35, the information table (printing application) 36, and the information table (printer driver) 37.

[0066] Figure 9 shows the print application settings information stored in the information table (print application) 36 and the printer driver settings information stored in the information table (printer driver) 37.

[0067] The line headings for the print application settings information include paper size, margins, and others. The print application settings information provides details such as paper size and margins.

[0068] The line headings in the printer driver settings information include paper size, tray, stacker, separator, stapling, print orientation, duplex printing, face-up / face-down printing, cutting, and others. This information can be obtained from the printer driver settings information.

[0069] If there are settings other than standard or automatic in the print application settings information and printer driver settings information, the system will determine that "settings exist" when compared with the judgment criteria information.

[0070] If the same setting exists in both the print application settings and the printer driver settings, such as paper size, the print application settings take precedence.

[0071] Figure 10 illustrates the information about the printer 50 stored in the information table (printer) 34. As shown in Figure 10, the row headings for the printer 50 information are connection status, tray 1, tray 2, tray 3, stacker 1, stacker 2, duplex mechanism, stapling mechanism, and punching mechanism. This information is stored in real time for each printer 50.

[0072] Furthermore, for stapling and punching mechanisms, if they are present, the number of sheets that can be stapled and the number of sheets that can be punched (number of sheets that can be stapled and number of sheets that can be punched) are also obtained.

[0073] Furthermore, values ​​marked with the note "pre-registered" are values ​​that the user has manually entered or otherwise set in advance when the printer 50 is not connected, or values ​​obtained when the printer 50 was last connected.

[0074] Figure 11 illustrates the information of the post-processing device 40 stored in the information table (post-processing device) 35. As shown in Figure 11, the row headings for the post-processing device 40 information are connection status, cutting machine, folding machine, bookbinding, and others. This information is stored in real time for each post-processing device 40.

[0075] The information marked with the note "pre-registered" is either a value that the user manually entered or otherwise set in advance when the post-processing device 40 was not connected, or a value that was obtained when the post-processing device 40 was last connected.

[0076] <<Printer>> Let's return to Figure 6 for explanation. The printer 50 includes a second communication unit 51, a display control unit 52, an operation reception unit 53, a printing unit 54, an image data generation unit 55, and a facsimile processing unit 56. Each of these functional units is a function or means realized by the CPU 901 shown in Figure 4 executing instructions included in one or more programs installed in the printer 50.

[0077] The second communication unit 51 sends and receives various types of information to and from the information processing device 10. In this embodiment, the second communication unit 51 receives print data from the information processing device 10 and also transmits information about the printer 50 to the information processing device 10.

[0078] The display control unit 52 interprets screen information from various screens and displays it on the panel display unit 940a. The operation reception unit 53 receives various user operations on the various screens displayed on the panel display unit 940a.

[0079] When the printing unit 54 receives print data from the information processing device 10 or the image data generation unit 55, it converts the print data into CMYK image data and forms an image on the paper based on the image data.

[0080] The image data generation unit 55 generates image data by scanning the document with the scanner unit 931 if the operation selected by the operation reception unit 53 is to generate image data. The facsimile processing unit 56 performs processing related to the reception and transmission of facsimile via the telephone line by the facsimile unit 933.

[0081] <Obtaining information on printers and post-processing devices> The error message generation unit 31 requires information from the printer 50 and the post-processing device 40 in order to generate an error message. The printer information acquisition unit 23 and the post-processing device information acquisition unit 25 can acquire the necessary information from MIBs, etc. If the printer information acquisition unit 23 and the post-processing device information acquisition unit 25 cannot acquire the information, the preview 2 generation unit 30 will generate preview 2 based on the information of the printer 50 and the post-processing device 40 that have been registered in advance, or the error message generation unit 31 will generate an error message.

[0082] Figure 12(a) illustrates how to create a print result image when information from the printer 50 and the post-processing device 40 can be obtained. The printer information acquisition unit 23 and the post-processing device information acquisition unit 25 acquire information from the printer 50 and the post-processing device 40, respectively.

[0083] Figure 12(b) illustrates how to create a print result image when information from the printer 50 and the post-processing device 40 cannot be obtained. As shown in Figure 12(b), only the printer information acquisition unit 23 can acquire information from the printer 50. In such cases, the setting information collection unit 26 acquires pre-registered information from the setting table (post-processing device).

[0084] If the pre-registered information includes the statement "The post-processing device 40 can cut to A4 size," the preview 2 generation unit 30 can generate a print result image of the printed material after it has been cut.

[0085] <Examples of various preview 2 displays> The following describes examples of how Preview 2 is displayed, referring to Figures 13 to 20. Figure 13 shows the Preview 2 screen 200 displayed when the printer 50 is able to print the print data. In the Preview 2 screen 200 of Figure 13, the print result image 201 of the first page of multiple pages, the front 206, the back 205, and the paper flow 204 are displayed. Printable means that no error message is displayed. Front 206 and back 205 indicate the top and bottom of the ejected paper. Front 206 is the direction of the front of the printer 50, and back 205 is the direction of the back of the printer 50.

[0086] The paper flow 204 is visual information that shows the correspondence between the paper feed tray 202 and the paper ejection stacker 203. The paper feed tray 202 and the paper ejection stacker 203 are included in the printer driver settings information. For example, the paper flow 204 may be an animation in which the print result image of multiple pages moves in page order from the paper feed tray 202 to the paper ejection stacker 203. This animation is generated by the print flow generation unit 41. The OK button 207 is a button to execute printing. The Cancel button 208 is a button to return to the screen of the print application 11 without printing.

[0087] Figure 14 shows the error message screen 210 when an error occurs when the printer 50 attempts to print the print data. The error message screen 210 in Figure 14 displays an error message 211 that includes the expected nature of the error and how to resolve it. The tray specified for printing is included in the printer driver settings information, and the fact that there is no paper in the printer 50's tray is included in the printer information. The OK button 212 is the button to execute the print operation. The Cancel button 213 is the button to return to the print application 11 screen without printing.

[0088] Therefore, users can understand that errors occur due to their current print settings or tray status and take appropriate action.

[0089] <<Example of a print result image showing the state after the paper has been output to the output destination>> Figure 15 shows Preview 2, which indicates the state when paper has been output to the output destination. Figure 15 explains Preview 2 when the print setting is to staple the paper to the upper left corner.

[0090] Figure 15(a) shows preview screen 220 when the document data is only one page and face-up output is used. Because it is face-up output, the printed side of the paper 222 is displayed, and a staple mark 221 is displayed in the upper left corner.

[0091] The number of pages to print from the document data is clear from the document data itself. Face-up output means that the printed side is facing upwards when ejecting the paper to the stacker. Face-down output means that the printed side is facing downwards. Whether to use face-up or face-down output is included in the printer driver settings.

[0092] Figure 15(b) shows preview screen 230 when the document data is only one page and face-down output is used. Because it is face-down output, the back side of the paper 231 is displayed, and a staple mark 232 is shown in the upper right corner. The user can confirm that the paper will be output face-down and the position of the staples.

[0093] Furthermore, the Preview 2 screen 230 in Figure 15(b) has a face-up button 233. When the user presses the face-up button 233, the Preview 2 generation unit 30 generates Preview 2 in a face-up output state, and the Preview display unit 32 displays it. The user can confirm that the paper is output in a face-down state, and can confirm the staple position by pressing the face-up button.

[0094] Note that in Figure 15(b), the printed result image when the screen is face down shows the text inverted and at low brightness. This inverted image makes it easy to understand that the screen is face down. The inverted image is not necessary.

[0095] The OK buttons 223 and 234 on the preview 2 screens 220 and 230 in Figures 15(a) and 15(b) are for executing the print operation. The Cancel buttons 224 and 235 are for returning to the print application 11 screen without printing. The same applies to the following preview 2 screens. The preview 2 screen 220 in Figures 15(a) and 15(b) may also have a face-down button.

[0096] Figure 15(c) shows two preview screens 240 when the document data consists of multiple pages and is output face up. Because it is output face up, the printed side of the paper 241 is displayed, and a staple mark 242 is shown in the upper left corner.

[0097] Furthermore, the preview 2 screen 240 in Figure 15(c) has page-turning buttons 243. When the user presses the page-turning buttons 243, the preview 2 generation unit 30 creates a print result image of the second page, and the preview display unit 32 displays the print result image.

[0098] Figure 15(d) shows two preview screens 250 when the document data consists of multiple pages and is output face down. Because it is output face down, the back side of the paper 251 is displayed, and a staple mark 252 is shown in the upper right corner.

[0099] Furthermore, the Preview 2 screen 250 in Figure 15(d) has a face-up button 253 and a page-turning button 254. When the user presses the face-up button 253, the Preview 2 generation unit 30 generates a print result image in a face-up paper output state, and the preview display unit 32 displays the print result image. The face-up button 253 is also erased.

[0100] Figure 16 shows the case where the number of printed pages of the document data is less than or equal to the number of sheets that can be stapled. In contrast, if the number of printed pages exceeds the number of sheets that can be stapled, the error message display unit 33 displays an error message.

[0101] Figure 16 shows the error message screen 260 that appears when the number of printed pages exceeds the number of pages that can be stapled. The error message screen 260 in Figure 16 displays the message 261: "You cannot staple pages that exceed the number of pages that can be stapled (50 pages). Please print only up to the number of pages that can be stapled."

[0102] The number of sheets that can be stapled is set in the information table (printer) 34. The preview determination unit 27 compares the number of pages to be printed from the document data with the number of sheets that can be stapled and determines whether to display an error message or display Preview 2.

[0103] The OK button 262 on the error message screen 260 in Figure 16 is a button to execute printing. However, if an error message is displayed, printing will not be performed. The Cancel button 263 is a button to return to the screen of the printing application 11 without printing. The same applies to the following error message screens.

[0104] <<With separator>> Next, referring to Figures 17 and 18, we will explain Preview 2 when the user has set up the insertion of separators. A separator refers to inserting a colored sheet of paper or a sheet of paper with the separator indicated on it between each copy when printing multiple copies.

[0105] Figure 17 shows two preview screens when the user has configured the system to insert separators. Note that the separator insertion positions can be front, back, or front / back.

[0106] Figure 17(a) shows preview screen 270 when the separator is inserted at the front and face-up output is used. In preview screen 270 of Figure 17(a), the separator 271 is displayed at the very front because the separator is inserted at the front. The user can confirm that the paper will be output face-up and that the separator 271 is inserted in front of the paper.

[0107] Furthermore, the Preview 2 screen 270 in Figure 17(a) has page-turning buttons 272. When the user presses the page-turning buttons 272, the Preview 2 generation unit 30 erases the separators and creates print result images for the first page and subsequent pages, and the Preview display unit 32 displays the print result images.

[0108] Figure 17(b) shows preview screen 280 when the separator is inserted at the front and face-down output is used. Although the separator is inserted at the front, because it is face-down output, the frontmost page is the back of the last page 281. Separator 282 is shown at the very end.

[0109] Furthermore, the Preview 2 screen 280 in Figure 17(b) has a face-up button 283 and a page-turning button 284. When the user presses the face-up button 283, the Preview 2 generation unit 30 generates a print result image in a face-up output state, and the preview display unit 32 displays Preview 2. The face-up button 283 is also cleared. The user can confirm that the paper is output in a face-down state and that the separator 282 is inserted in front of the paper when the face-up button 283 is pressed.

[0110] Figure 17(c) shows preview screen 290 when the separator is inserted later and face-up paper output is used. In preview screen 290 of Figure 17(c), since the separator is inserted later, the printed surface of the first page 291 is displayed at the front and the separator 292 is displayed at the back.

[0111] Furthermore, the preview 2 screen 290 in Figure 17(c) has page-turning buttons 294. When the user presses the page-turning buttons 294, the preview 2 generation unit 30 creates print result images for the second page and subsequent pages, and the preview display unit 32 displays the print result images.

[0112] Figure 17(d) shows preview screen 2300 when the separator is inserted later and the paper is output face down. Because the separator is inserted later and the paper is output face down, the separator 301 is displayed at the very front.

[0113] Furthermore, the Preview 2 screen 300 in Figure 17(d) has a face-up button 302 and a page-turning button 303. When the user presses the face-up button 302, the Preview 2 generation unit 30 generates a print result image in a face-up paper output state, and the preview display unit 32 displays it. The face-up button 302 is then erased.

[0114] Figure 18(a) shows preview screen 2 310 when the separators are inserted at the front and rear and face-up output is used. Because the separators are inserted at the rear, separators 311 and 312 are displayed at the very front and very back.

[0115] Furthermore, the preview 2 screen 310 in Figure 18(a) has page-turning buttons 313. When the user presses the page-turning buttons 313, the preview 2 generation unit 30 erases the separator 311 and creates the print result image for the first page and subsequent pages, and the preview display unit 32 displays the print result image.

[0116] Figure 18(b) shows preview screen 2320 when the separators are inserted at the front and rear and the paper is output face down. Because the separators are inserted at the front and rear and the paper is output face down, separators 321 and 322 are displayed at the very front and very back.

[0117] Furthermore, the Preview 2 screen 320 in Figure 18(b) has a face-up button 323 and a page-turning button 324. When the user presses the face-up button 323, the Preview 2 generation unit 30 generates a print result image in face-up paper output mode, and the preview display unit 32 displays it. The face-up button 323 is then cleared.

[0118] <<Confirmation of forced printing and print result image>> Some printers 50 have a function that allows them to force printing onto the currently available paper (such as plain paper) even if the specified paper type (such as coated paper) is not available. In this embodiment, the printer driver 12 displays a confirmation message for forcing printing and the print result when forced printing is performed, in the case of print settings that are subject to forced printing.

[0119] Figure 19 shows the error message screen 330 displayed when the print settings are subject to forced printing, and the preview screen 2 340 showing the print result image when forced printing is performed. In Figure 19(a), the error message 331 is displayed, which reads, "There is no paper source with the same attributes as the paper specified in the print command. Do you want to perform forced printing? If you want to force print, click the "Force Print" button." The print attributes of the print command 332 and the print attributes of the paper source 333 are also displayed. The user can see the error message and decide whether or not to force print.

[0120] The print attributes 332 (paper size, paper type) of the print instruction are included in the printer driver settings information, and the print attributes 333 (paper size, paper type) of the paper source are included in the printer 50 information. The preview determination unit 27 compares this information and, if they do not match, determines to display an error message.

[0121] The error message screen 330 in Figure 19(a) has a forced print button 334. When the user presses the forced print button 334, the preview 2 generation unit 30 generates a print result image, which is then displayed by the preview display unit 32, as shown in Figure 19(b). In Figure 19(b), the paper size in the print application settings information is A4, while the paper size in the printer 50 information is A5, resulting in a print result image 341 where the text extends beyond the A5 size paper.

[0122] <<Image of print results after post-processing>> The printer driver settings may include a setting for processing by the post-processing device 40, which may perform cutting, bookbinding, folding, etc. The preview display unit 32 in this embodiment can also display a print result image of the state after post-processing.

[0123] Figure 20 shows Preview 2 screen 350 for a print setting where the print result of a two-page A3-sized document is cut to A4 size using a paper cutter. In this Preview 2 screen 350, the paper size "A3" 351 before post-processing and the paper size "A4" 352 after post-processing are displayed, and the two print result images 353 and 354 after cutting are displayed. The two print result images 353 and 354 show the state in which the print result image, which was printed on an A3 sheet of paper, has been cut into two. In this way, Preview 2 can also display the print result image after post-processing even when the post-processing device 40 performs post-processing.

[0124] The information about which paper sizes the post-processing device 40 can cut is included in the post-processing device 40's specifications. If the printer driver settings specify the paper size after cutting, and the post-processing device 40 does not support that paper size, the preview determination unit 27 determines that it will display an error message.

[0125] <Screen transition> Referring to Figure 21, the screen transitions for Preview 1, Preview 2, and Error Message, as described in Figures 13 to 20, will be explained. Figure 21 is a screen transition diagram of the Preview 2 screen and Error Message screen displayed by the Preview display unit 32 or Error Message display unit 33.

[0126] Based on the print application settings, printer driver settings, and the judgment condition information shown in Figure 7, the preview display unit 32 displays either preview screen 1 or preview screen 2. Based on the print application settings, printer driver settings, printer 50 information, and post-processing device 40 information, the error message display unit 33 displays an error message screen.

[0127] The transition from Preview 1 screen 9 to Preview 2 screen 200 is made by pressing the detailed mode button 9b. In some cases, Preview 2 screen 200 may be displayed without Preview 1 screen 9 being shown.

[0128] Preview 2 screen 200's print output image changes depending on the print settings. All screens described below are Preview 2 screens (excluding error message screens). Note that even if the screen after clearing an error is a Preview 2 screen, the print output image will change depending on the print application settings and printer driver settings.

[0129] Preview 2 screens (240) are displayed when there are multiple pages, stapled pages, and a face-up view.

[0130] Preview screen 250 is displayed when there are multiple pages, stapled pages, and the page is in a face-down state. Pressing the face-up button will transition Preview screen 250 to Preview screen 240.

[0131] Preview screen 270 is displayed when the separator insertion position is forward and face up.

[0132] Preview screen 280 is displayed when there are multiple pages, the separator insertion position is forward, and the screen is face down. Pressing the face up button transitions Preview screen 280 to Preview screen 270.

[0133] Preview screen 290 is displayed when there are multiple pages, the separator is inserted later, and the page is face up.

[0134] Preview screen 2300 is displayed when there are multiple pages, the separator is inserted later, and the screen is face-down. Pressing the face-up button transitions Preview screen 2300 to Preview screen 290.

[0135] Preview screen 2 (350) is displayed when the document is cut from A3 to A4 size during post-processing.

[0136] Error message screen 330 is displayed when the paper size or paper type is incorrect. Pressing the Force Print button will transition error message screen 330 to preview screen 2 340.

[0137] <Updating Preview 2 due to printer status update after displaying Preview 2> If the preview display unit 32 displays Preview 2, but the printer 50's status is updated and printing is initiated, a paper out error may occur midway through. Therefore, if there is a possibility of a paper out error occurring after displaying Preview 2, the preview display unit 32 will display a message indicating that a paper out error has occurred. Also, if more paper than the number of printable pages is supplied to the printer 50, the preview display unit 32 will display the original Preview 2.

[0138] Figure 22 illustrates the update of Preview 2 due to a status update of the printer 50 after Preview 2 is displayed. Figure 22(a) is an example of the Preview 2 screen (referred to here as Preview 2 screen 270). After this Preview 2 screen 270 is displayed, another user prints using printer 50, and the number of remaining papers becomes less than the number of papers required for the print data. The preview determination unit 27 detects that "number of remaining papers < number of papers required for the print data" using the information table (printer) 34, which is updated in real time.

[0139] The preview display unit 32 switches from the preview 2 screen 270 in Figure 22(a) to the error message screen 360 in Figure 22(b). In Figure 22(b), the error message 361 is displayed, which reads, "If you proceed with printing as is, a paper error will occur midway through. Please replenish the paper." If the OK button 362 or the Cancel button 363 is pressed, the screen returns to the print application 11 screen without printing.

[0140] Next, if more paper than the number of printable pages is supplied to the printer 50, the preview determination unit 27 detects the supply using the real-time updated information table (printer) 34, and the preview display unit 32 displays the original preview 2 screen 270 as shown in Figure 22(c).

[0141] In this way, even after displaying Preview 2, the information processing device 10 can detect in real time whether an error has occurred and display an error message. Furthermore, even after displaying an error message, the information processing device 10 can detect in real time whether the error has been resolved and display Preview 2.

[0142] <Processing or operation flow> Figure 23 is a sequence diagram illustrating the overall processing flow of the printing system 100.

[0143] S1: First, the setting information collection unit 26 is pre-configured to determine whether the preview processing software 14 will use the information table (printer) 34 and the information table (post-processing device) 35 when the printer 50 and post-processing device 40 are not connected. Use The preview processing software 14 uses the pre-registered information set in the information table (printer) 34 and the information table (post-processing device) 35. Do not use Preview processing software 14 displays an error indicating that it is not connected.

[0144] S2: The print application 11 accepts print settings from the user for document data, such as paper size, margins, font size, color, font, and underlining.

[0145] S3: The printing application 11 calls the printer driver 12 in response to user input and accepts settings for the printer driver 12. The user instructs the information processing device to display the print result image.

[0146] S4, S4-1, S4-2: Upon receiving instructions from the user, the print application 11 requests the setting information acquisition unit 21 to display a preview.

[0147] S5: The printer information acquisition unit 23 and the post-processing device information acquisition unit 25 of the setting information acquisition unit 21 repeatedly acquire information from the printer 50 and the post-processing device 40, respectively.

[0148] S6: Next, the print application setting information acquisition unit 22 acquires print application setting information from the print application 11.

[0149] S7: Next, the printer driver setting information acquisition unit 24 acquires printer driver setting information from the printer driver 12.

[0150] S8: The printer information acquisition unit 23 and the post-processing device information acquisition unit 25 constantly acquire information (settings, status) of the printer 50 and information (settings, status) of the post-processing device 40, and notify the setting information collection unit 26 in real time.

[0151] S9: The configuration information collection unit 26 acquires the information obtained by the configuration information acquisition unit 21, and if there are any changes, for example, it saves (updates) them in each information table. Further details are explained in the flowchart in Figure 24. • Information Table (Print Application) 36 • Information Table (Printer Driver) 37 • Information table (printer) 34 • Information table (post-processing unit) 35

[0152] S10: The configuration information collection unit 26 periodically notifies the preview determination unit 27 of the latest information in the information table (printing application) 36, information table (printer driver) 37, information table (printer) 34, and information table (post-processing device) 35.

[0153] S11~S11-4: The preview determination unit 27 decides whether to display preview 1, preview 2, or an error message based on this information. The details are explained in the flowchart in Figure 25.

[0154] S12: If it is determined that Preview 1 should be displayed, the preview display unit 32 determines whether or not the operation to switch to Preview 2 (pressing the detailed mode button) has been accepted.

[0155] S13: If the switching operation is not accepted, the preview display unit 32 displays preview 1 on the display 506.

[0156] S14, S15: If it is determined that Preview 2 should be displayed, or if a switch operation from Preview 1 is received, the Preview display unit 32 displays Preview 2 on the display 506.

[0157] S16, S17: If it is determined that an error message should be displayed, the error message display unit 33 displays the error message on the display 506.

[0158] S18~S20: When the OK button is pressed in Preview 1, Preview 2, or in an error message, the screen returns to the print application 11 screen.

[0159] S21: The printing application 11 determines whether to proceed with printing or stop printing based on whether printing is possible (whether an error message is displayed).

[0160] S22: If printing is possible, the printing application 11 instructs the printer 50 to execute printing along with the print data via the print spooler 13. Even if printing is not possible, the information processing device 10 may instruct the printer 50 to execute printing if permitted by the user.

[0161] <<Acquisition of information from printers and post-processing devices>> Figure 24 is a flowchart illustrating the process by which the printer information acquisition unit 23 and the post-processing device information acquisition unit 25 acquire information from the printer 50 and the post-processing device 40.

[0162] The printer information acquisition unit 23 determines whether the printer 50 is connected to the network N (S31). This determination is made, for example, by whether or not there is a response to the MIB acquisition request.

[0163] If printer 50 is not connected to network N (No. in S31), the configuration information collection unit 26 sets the information table (printer) 34 to indicate that it is not connected (S32).

[0164] After a certain period of time has elapsed, the printer information acquisition unit 23 returns to step S31 (S33).

[0165] If the printer 50 is connected to network N (Yes in S31), the post-processing device information acquisition unit 25 determines whether the post-processing device 40 is connected to network N (S34). This determination is made, for example, by whether or not there is a response to the MIB acquisition request.

[0166] If the post-processing device 40 is not connected to network N (No. in S34), the configuration information collection unit 26 sets the information table (post-processing device) 35 to indicate that it is not connected (S35).

[0167] If the post-processing device 40 is connected to network N (Yes in S34), the configuration information collection unit 26 sets the information table (post-processing device) 35 to indicate that it is connected (S36). The configuration information collection unit 26 may also set the information table (printer) 34 to indicate that it is connected.

[0168] Next, the printer information acquisition unit 23 uses the MIB to acquire the settings for the printer 50 from the printer 50 (S37). The settings are items that can be set for the printer 50, such as the number of trays and stackers, duplex mechanism, stapling mechanism, and punching mechanism.

[0169] Furthermore, the printer information acquisition unit 23 uses the MIB to acquire values ​​for the printer 50's settings from the printer 50 (S38). These values ​​include the paper size for each tray, the number of remaining sheets, the stapling position and number of sheets that can be stapled for the stapling mechanism, the punching position and number of sheets that can be punched for the punching mechanism, etc. If there are any changes in the information acquired in steps S37 and S38, the setting information collection unit 26 saves it in the information table (printer) 34.

[0170] Similarly, the post-processing device information acquisition unit 25 performs the same processing steps S37 and S38 for the post-processing device 40. The setting information collection unit 26 saves any changes in the acquired information to the information table (post-processing device) 35.

[0171] The printer information acquisition unit 23 returns to step S31 after a certain period of time has elapsed (S39). Therefore, the setting information acquisition unit 21 can acquire information about the printer 50 and the post-processing device 40 in real time.

[0172] <<Preview 1, 2, Error message display criteria>> Figure 25 is a flowchart illustrating the process by which the preview determination unit 27 determines whether to display preview 1, preview 2, or an error message.

[0173] First, the configuration information collection unit 26 acquires information from each information table and notifies the preview judgment unit 27 of the latest information (S41).

[0174] Next, the preview determination unit 27 determines whether only the items for which the determination condition information is set to "○" are set in the print application settings information and the printer driver settings information (S42).

[0175] If the determination in step S42 is Yes, the preview determination unit 27 determines to display preview 1, and the preview 1 generation unit 29 generates preview 1 (S43). The preview determination unit 27 sets a display flag for preview 1 (S44). The preview display unit 32 refers to this flag to determine whether to display preview 1 or preview 2.

[0176] If the determination in step S42 is No, the preview determination unit 27 determines whether or not the printer is connected based on the information of the printer 50 (S45).

[0177] If printer 50 is not connected (No. in S45), the error message generation unit 31 generates an error message (printer not connected) (S46).

[0178] If the printer 50 is connected (Yes in S45), the preview determination unit 27 determines whether the post-processing device 40 is connected or not based on the information from the post-processing device 40 (S47).

[0179] If the post-processing device 40 is not connected (No. in S47), the preview determination unit 27 determines that an error message should be displayed, and the error message generation unit 31 generates an error message (post-processing device not connected) (S48).

[0180] If the post-processing device 40 is connected (Yes in S47), the preview determination unit 27 determines whether or not an error will occur during printing (S49). Specifically, the preview determination unit 27 determines, for example, the following. In addition, if there is a discrepancy between the printer 50 information or the post-processing device 40 information and the print settings, an error message will be displayed.

[0181] • Number of remaining pages included in the printer 50 information < Number of pages to print identified from printer driver settings information • Number of sheets that can be stapled by the stapling mechanism < Number of sheets per sheet as determined from the print application settings information • Number of sheets that can be punched by the punching mechanism < Number of sheets per piece as determined from the print application settings information • Is there a difference between the paper size or paper type included in the printer driver settings information and the paper size or paper type included in the printer 50 information (the paper tray destination included in the printer driver settings information)? • Is the paper size after shredding included in the printer driver settings information different from the paper size after shredding included in the information of the post-processing device 40? If an error occurs during printing (Yes in S49), the error message generation unit 31 generates an error message (an error occurred during printing) (S50).

[0182] If an error message is displayed in steps S46, S48, or S50, the preview determination unit 27 sets a display flag for the error message (S51).

[0183] If no error occurs during printing (No. in S49), the preview determination unit 27 decides to display preview 2, and the preview 2 generation unit 30 generates preview 2 (S52).

[0184] The preview determination unit 27 sets the display flag for preview 2 (S53).

[0185] <Effect of Preview 2> Figure 26 illustrates the effect of Preview 2 compared to Preview 1. As shown in Figure 26, Preview 2 is • Print results are available immediately after a print request. • It is possible to check the print results beforehand, just as they will appear when actually printed. • Printer status can be checked. • It is possible to pre-check the print results after processing by the post-processing device. • There are no concerns such as printing failures. This has the effect of...

[0186] <Other application examples> Although the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above using examples, the present invention is not limited in any way to these examples, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0187] For example, in this embodiment, the information processing device 10 displays a preview, but the printer 50 may also display the preview. The user operates the printer 50, for example, by pulling print or making copies. In this case, the user can set some of the print application settings information and printer driver settings information on the printer 50.

[0188] The configuration examples in Figure 6 and other figures are divided according to their main functions to facilitate understanding of the processing performed by the information processing device 10 and the printer 50. The present invention is not limited by the way the processing units are divided or the names of those units. The processing of the information processing device 10 and the printer 50 can be further divided into more processing units depending on the processing content. Furthermore, each processing unit can be divided to include even more processing.

[0189] Each of the functions of the embodiments described above can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Hereinafter, "processing circuit" as used herein includes processors programmed to execute each function by software, such as processors implemented by electronic circuits, as well as devices such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), and conventional circuit modules designed to execute each of the functions described above.

[0190] <Additional notes regarding claims> [Claim 1] An information processing device that requests the printing of document data from an image forming apparatus, A setting information acquisition unit that acquires setting information related to printing the document data from at least one of a printing application or a printer driver, A preview determination unit switches between a first print result image that visualizes the contents of the document data and a second print result image after the document data has been printed according to the setting information, according to the setting information. A program that makes it function as such. [Claim 2] The program according to claim 1, characterized in that if the setting information does not include the predetermined processing, the preview determination unit determines to display the first print result image, and if the setting information includes the predetermined processing, the preview determination unit determines to display the second print result image that has undergone the predetermined processing. [Claim 3] The program according to claim 1, characterized in that if the setting information does not include a method for ejecting the paper after printing, the preview determination unit determines to display the first print result image, and if the setting information includes a method for ejecting the paper after printing, the preview determination unit determines to display the second print result image ejected using the ejection method. [Claim 4] The program according to claim 2, characterized in that the preview determination unit switches between the first print result image and the second print result image according to the setting information by referring to the determination condition information in which the predetermined processing is registered. [Claim 5] The program according to claim 3, characterized in that the preview determination unit switches between the first print result image and the second print result image according to the setting information by referring to the determination condition information in which the paper output method is registered. [Claim 6] The program according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that the predetermined processing is one of stapling, punching holes, inserting separators, adding margins, or specifying the print orientation. [Claim 7] The program according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that the paper output method is one of stacker designation, face-up, face-down, or shredding. [Claim 8] The program according to claim 3, characterized in that, if the setting information includes the provision for post-processing, the second print result image is processed by a post-processing device that processes the printed paper. [Claim 9] The aforementioned information processing device It functions as a printer information acquisition unit that acquires information about the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, if there is a discrepancy between the information of the image forming apparatus and the setting information, the preview determination unit determines to display an error message instead of the first print result image and the second print result image. [Claim 10] The aforementioned information processing device It functions as a post-processing device information acquisition unit that acquires information about the post-processing device from the post-processing device that processes the printed paper. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, if there is a discrepancy between the information of the post-processing device and the setting information, the preview determination unit determines to display an error message instead of the first print result image and the second print result image. [Claim 11] The aforementioned information processing device It functions as a preview display unit that displays the second print result image. If a discrepancy occurs between the information of the image forming apparatus and the setting information while the preview display unit is displaying the second print result image, the preview determination unit switches to the error message. Furthermore, the program according to claim 9, characterized in that if the discrepancy between the information of the image forming apparatus and the setting information is resolved while the error message is being displayed, the preview determination unit switches to the second print result image. [Claim 12] If the aforementioned paper output method is specified by the stacker, The program according to claim 7, characterized in that the preview determination unit determines to display an animation indicating that paper moves from the tray to the stacker as the second print result image. [Claim 13] The program according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the second print result image is a visualization of the state in which the document data has been ejected from the stacker. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0191] 10 Information Processing Devices 40 Post-processing equipment 50 Printers 100 Printing Systems [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0192] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-104532

Claims

1. An information processing device that requests the printing of document data from an image forming apparatus, When an instruction is received to display a preview of the document data, the setting information acquisition unit acquires setting information related to printing the document data from at least one of the printing application or the printer driver, and acquires information about the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus. A preview determination unit switches between a first print result image, which visualizes the contents of the document data without reflecting the paper output status from the print setting information, and a second print result image, which visualizes the paper output status reflecting the print setting information and the information of the image forming apparatus, according to the setting information. If the setting information does not include the predetermined conditions, the preview determination unit determines to display the first print result image, and if the setting information includes the predetermined conditions, it determines to display the second print result image that reflects the predetermined conditions. A preview determination unit that switches between the first print result image and the second print result image according to the setting information by referring to the determination condition information in which the predetermined conditions are registered, A preview generation unit that generates a preview of the first print result image or the second print result image, A preview display unit that displays a preview of the first print result image or the second print result image generated by the preview generation unit. A program that makes it function as such.

2. The predetermined condition is processing, The program according to claim 1, characterized in that if the setting information does not include the predetermined processing, the preview determination unit determines to display the first print result image, and if the setting information includes the predetermined processing, the preview determination unit determines to display the second print result image that has undergone the predetermined processing.

3. The program according to claim 1, wherein if the setting information does not include a method for ejecting the printed paper, the preview determination unit determines to display the first print result image, and if the setting information includes a method for ejecting the printed paper, the preview determination unit determines to display the second print result image ejected using the ejection method.

4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the setting information acquisition unit also acquires information of a post-processing device that processes the printed paper.

5. The program according to claim 3, characterized in that the preview determination unit switches between the first print result image and the second print result image according to the setting information by referring to the determination condition information in which the paper output method is registered.

6. The program according to claim 2, characterized in that the predetermined processing is one of stapling, punching holes, inserting separators, or creating margins.

7. The program according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that the paper ejection method is one of stacker designation, face-up, face-down, or shredding.

8. The program according to claim 3, characterized in that, if the setting information includes the provision for post-processing, the second print result image is processed by a post-processing device that processes the printed paper.

9. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that, if there is a discrepancy between the information of the image forming apparatus and the setting information, the preview determination unit determines to display an error message instead of the first print result image and the second print result image.

10. The program according to claim 4, characterized in that, if there is a discrepancy between the information of the post-processing device and the setting information, the preview determination unit determines to display an error message instead of the first print result image and the second print result image.

11. If a discrepancy occurs between the information of the image forming apparatus and the setting information while the preview display unit is displaying the second print result image, the preview determination unit switches to the error message, Furthermore, the program according to claim 9, characterized in that if the discrepancy between the information of the image forming apparatus and the setting information is resolved while the error message is being displayed, the preview determination unit switches to the second print result image.

12. If the aforementioned paper output method is specified by the stacker, The program according to claim 7, characterized in that the preview determination unit determines to display an animation indicating that the paper to be used for printing moves from the tray containing the paper to the designated stacker as the second print result image.

13. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the second print result image is a visualization of the state in which the paper on which the document data is printed has been ejected from the stacker.

14. A method for displaying a printed image result, performed by an information processing device that requests document data to be printed by an image forming apparatus, When an instruction is received to display a preview of the document data, the steps include obtaining setting information for printing the document data from at least one of the printing application or the printer driver, and obtaining information about the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus, A first print result image, which visualizes the contents of the document data without reflecting the paper output status from the print setting information, and a second print result image, which visualizes the paper output status reflecting the print setting information and the information of the image forming apparatus, are switched according to the setting information. If the setting information does not include the predetermined conditions, it is determined to display the first print result image; if the setting information includes the predetermined conditions, it is determined to display the second print result image that reflects the predetermined conditions. The steps include: referring to the judgment condition information in which the predetermined conditions are registered, and switching between the first print result image and the second print result image according to the setting information; The steps include generating a preview of the first print result image or the second print result image, The steps include displaying a preview of the generated first print result image or the second print result image, A method for displaying the print result image.

15. An information processing device that requests an image forming apparatus to print document data, When an instruction is received to display a preview of the document data, the setting information acquisition unit acquires setting information related to printing the document data from at least one of the printing application or the printer driver, and acquires information about the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus. A preview determination unit switches between a first print result image, which visualizes the contents of the document data without reflecting the paper output status from the print setting information, and a second print result image, which visualizes the paper output status reflecting the print setting information and the information of the image forming apparatus, according to the setting information. If the setting information does not include the predetermined conditions, the preview determination unit determines to display the first print result image, and if the setting information includes the predetermined conditions, the preview determination unit determines to display the second print result image that reflects the predetermined conditions. A preview determination unit that switches between the first print result image and the second print result image according to the setting information by referring to the determination condition information in which the predetermined conditions are registered, A preview generation unit that generates a preview of the first print result image or the second print result image, A preview display unit that displays a preview of the first print result image or the second print result image generated by the preview generation unit, An information processing device characterized by having the following features.

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