JP2002014797A - Information processor, print controller and its control method, and storage medium and its control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide for a user a mechanism which actualizes print outputs having been finished differently such as materials for presentation and materials to be distributed by one print job. SOLUTION: A print data generating means temporarily hold inputted data to be printed, generates 1st drawing data for 1st finishing processing and 2nd drawing data for 2nd finishing processing, and generates one group of print data from the 1st drawing data and 2nd drawing data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a print control apparatus, a control method therefor, a storage medium, and a control program therefor, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer and a printer or printer controller. The present invention relates to a printing control apparatus, a control method thereof, and a printer driver program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to obtain a print result obtained by performing a plurality of finishing processes on a document generated by an application running on a computer, it is necessary to specify each finish and execute the printing a plurality of times. Was. For example, printing on an OHP sheet for presentation and N
In the case of printing laid out with up,
First, print once on the OHP sheet, change the print settings in the driver or application separately from this, and then execute printing again to distribute the Nup for distribution materials.
It was necessary to output the required number of copies.

[0003]

However, if the user executes the printing process a plurality of times, the load on the user is large, and a different finishing process is specified, so that it is difficult for a user unfamiliar with the operation to handle the printing process. There is.

[0004] Further, since printing is divided into a plurality of times, in a system shared by a plurality of users such as a network printer, printing is performed by another user between the output of the OHP for presentation and the output of the material for distribution. The result may be included, and the burden of the sorting process is considered.

In order to insert a memo column or the like as a material for distribution, it is necessary to start up a new application and generate a document in which the memo column is inserted again.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a user with a print output that has been subjected to a plurality of finishing processes in one print job.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a print control apparatus and a print control method for deleting a print job after performing a print process in which a plurality of finishing processes are performed from one received print job.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus for generating one print job to be subjected to a plurality of finishing processes in a printing apparatus, a control method therefor, a storage medium, and a control program therefor.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following arrangement.

That is, a print control apparatus for performing print processing of print data received from an information processing apparatus, comprising: holding means for holding print data included in one print job; 1x print processing means for printing one logical page on one recording medium based on the print data, and layout printing processing for printing a plurality of logical pages on one recording medium based on the held print data Means for holding print data in the holding means even after one of the printing processes is completed, and deleting the printing data held in the holding means when both printing processes are completed. Means.

An information processing apparatus for generating print data to be printed by a printing apparatus, wherein a spool means for temporarily holding input print target data and a predetermined print mode are set A first finishing process for performing a first finishing process based on the held print target data;
Drawing generating means for generating drawing data and second drawing data for performing a second finishing process; and generating a set of print data from the first drawing data and the second drawing data generated by the drawing generating means. Print data generating means.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described. As an example, printing in a presentation mode, which is one of the embodiments of the present invention, is described. The printing in the presentation mode is a printing mode in which printing on an OHP sheet used as a presentation material and distribution material with a Nup layout are collectively performed in one printing operation.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, as long as the functions of the present invention are performed, a single device or a system including a plurality of devices can be connected via a network such as a LAN or WAN. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a system in which the processing is performed.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer which is an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. The host computer 3000 stores figures, images, characters, and tables based on a document processing program or the like stored in a ROM 3 for a program or an external memory 11. C that executes document processing that includes calculations, etc.)
The CPU 1 has a PU 1 and controls each device connected to the system bus 4 as a whole. Further, the program ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 11 includes a CP.
An operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS), which is a control program of U1, is stored. A font ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 11 stores font data used at the time of the document processing. The external memory 11 stores various data used when performing the document processing and the like. The printer driver program of the present invention is also stored in the program ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 11.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory of the CPU 1, a work area, and the like. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls a key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). Reference numeral 6 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC), and a CRT display (CR
T) Control the display of 10. Reference numeral 7 denotes a disk controller (DKC), which is a hard disk (HD) that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, a printer control command generation program (hereinafter, printer driver), a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) to control access to the external memory 11. Reference numeral 8 denotes a printer controller (PRTC) which is connected to the printer 1500 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1500. The CPU 1 executes, for example, a process of developing (rasterizing) the outline font on the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, and executes WYSI on the CRT 10.
WYG is possible. Further, the CPU 1 has a CRT 1
Various registered windows are opened based on a command designated by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on 0 to execute various data processing. When performing printing, the user opens a window related to print settings, and can set a printer and a print processing method for a printer driver including selection of a print mode.

Printer 15 including print control device of the present invention
In 00, a printer CPU 12 is connected to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected to a system bus 15 based on a control program or the like stored in a program ROM of a ROM 13 or a control program or the like stored in an external memory 14. An image signal is output as output information. The program ROM of the ROM 13 has C
The control program for the PU 12 is stored. The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information. If the printer has no external memory 14 such as a hard disk, the data ROM of the ROM 13 is used on the host computer. Information to be stored. The CPU 12 is capable of performing communication processing with the host computer via the input unit 18, and transmits information and the like in the printer to the host computer 3000.
Is configured to be notified. Further, the print control program of the present invention is stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13 or the external memory 14.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). Note that RAM1
9 is an output information development area, environment data storage area, NVR
Used for AM and the like. Hard disk (H
D), access to the external memory 14 such as an IC card is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. Reference numeral 18 denotes the above-described operation panel on which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged.
The number of the external memories is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided. In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages having different language systems can be connected. It may be configured. Furthermore, NVRA (not shown)
M, and the printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501 may be stored. Reference numeral 1000 denotes a print control device (controller) that performs basic control of the printer 1500.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a typical printing process in a host computer to which a printing device such as a printer is directly connected or connected via a network. The application 201, the graphic engine 202, the printer driver 203, and the system spooler 204 exist as files stored in the external memory 11, and when executed, are loaded into the RAM 2 and executed by the OS or a module using the module. It is a program module. Further, the application 201 and the printer driver 203
It can be added to the FD of the external memory 11, a CD-ROM (not shown), or the HD of the external disk 11 via a network (not shown). External memory 1
Application 201 stored in RAM 2
Is loaded and executed, but this application 2
01 to the printer 1500,
Similarly, output (drawing) is performed using the graphic engine 202 which is loaded into the RAM 2 and is executable. The graphic engine 202 also stores a printer driver 203 prepared for each printing device in the external memory 11.
From the application 210, and converts the output of the application 210 into a printer control command using the printer driver 203. The converted printer control command is sent to the printer 15 via the interface 21 via the system spooler 204 loaded into the RAM 2 by the OS.
00 is output.

FIG. 3 shows a memory map in a state where the printing program in this embodiment is loaded into the RAM 2 on the host computer 3000 and is executable. The print control program in the present embodiment is a print program 1
It exists as part of 104.

FIG. 4 shows a user interface screen displayed by a printer driver which is a print control program according to the present embodiment. In this user interface screen, a presentation mode can be set. This screen is displayed by specifying the properties of the printer driver in a print dialog that is opened when printing from an application. The driver properties are divided into multiple sheets consisting of "General", "Details" and "Share" provided by the OS and "Page Setup", "Finishing", "Paper Feed", "Print Quality" and "Device Settings" provided by the printer driver. Various print settings can be made on each sheet.
Although illustration is omitted, the page layout can be set on the “page setting” sheet, and the entire page layout (X pages / sheet) at the time of normal printing can be set. This page layout setting is reflected on the page layout for presentation in the presentation mode. The layout for distribution will be described later.

FIG. 4 shows a setting window for a “finishing” sheet, in which “single-sided printing”, “double-sided printing”, “bookbinding printing” can be selected, and “presentation mode” can be further specified. When the presentation mode radio button is turned on, the number of copies to be distributed can be specified in the range of 1 to 255. When the detail button 401 is selected, more detailed setting of the presentation mode can be performed. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 12 shows a presentation detail window 1200 screen. This window is divided into a paper feeding method area 1201 and a layout area for distribution 1202, and various settings can be made.

In the paper feeding method area 1201, it is possible to select whether to print the printed matter for presentation and the printed matter for distribution on the same sheet or on different sheets by pressing radio buttons. The page designation switches depending on which radio button is selected. In FIG. 12, since “print by designating paper for presentation and distribution” is selected, the paper feed for “page for presentation” and “page for distribution” are immediately below that. The destination can be specified. By default, the “page for presentation” is manual feed (tray), and the “page for distribution” is “cassette 1”. This designation is a pull-down menu as shown, and can be selected from “manual (tray)”, “cassette 1”, “cassette 2”, “cassette 3”, and “automatic”.

In the distribution layout area 1202, a page layout can be set for a printed material for distribution. This page layout is the same as the page layout assigned to the print job, and includes “1 page / sheet”, “2 pages / sheet”, “4 pages / sheet”.
"6 pages / sheet""8 pages / sheet""9 pages /
Sheet "and" 16 pages / sheet ".
As described above, the presentation layout can be similarly set using the “page layout” pull-down menu on the “page setting” sheet.

Further, with respect to the materials for distribution, it is possible to specify whether or not “insert a memo column”. When the insertion of the memo column is specified, one logical page is inserted in the memo column for one logical page of the document. That is, when the page layout is “4 pages / sheet” and “insert memo column” is specified, as shown in FIG.
For one physical page, one page of print data in which two logical pages of the document and two logical pages of the memo column are arranged is generated and printed.

As described above, when the user specifies the presentation mode in the user interface window of the printer driver, a print result of a print job having a plurality of layouts can be obtained. This realizing method will be described based on this embodiment.

[First Embodiment] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the presentation mode is designated by the printer driver, so that the printer
A process for presentation printing at 00 will be described.

Here, a host computer 3000 as a client sends a printer 150 as a print control device.
The configuration of print data output to 0 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the content of print data generated by the printer driver 203 during normal printing.

Reference numeral 501 denotes a header portion of a print job, which is a group of job initialization commands. This part is PJ
It is described with a general control code called L (Print Job Language) independent of the printer language, and specifies a user name, a job name, a resolution, a color mode, a printer language name, and the like. The contents described in PJL can be interpreted by a device that cannot interpret the printer language, for example, a print server, and the print server can display each client as job information.

Reference numeral 502 denotes a print data portion, which is a drawing content described by the printer driver 203 in a device-dependent printer language. The printer language is L
There are IPSIV (registered trademark) and PCL5e (registered trademark). This portion is a black box portion for a device such as a print server that cannot interpret the printer language, and the content is not analyzed, and is interpreted for the first time by the printer when printing.

Reference numeral 503 denotes a footer portion of the print job, which is a job end processing command group. This footer portion is also described in PJL, indicating that the print job is completed.

The job initialization command group 501, print data 502, and job end processing command group 503 are collectively called a print job 504.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of print data generated when the presentation mode is selected in this embodiment. As described later, a new control command 605 is inserted in the job initialization command group 601 in the header portion. This control command includes a command for turning on the presentation mode and a command for specifying the number of copies. The result of printing in the presentation mode specified by the print data will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 shows an example of print data from the host computer and output results from the printer when the presentation mode is selected in the first embodiment.

Reference numeral 701 denotes the drawing content of the print data sent from the client PC to the printer.

Reference numeral 702 denotes an output result of a printed matter for presentation output by the printer, in this embodiment, OHP. The page layout for presentation has the same page layout as the drawing content of the print data.

Reference numeral 703 denotes an output result of a printed matter for distribution output by the printer. As described above, the layout for distribution is set to “4 pages / sheet” in the detailed presentation settings (FIG. 12), and the number of copies to be distributed in FIG.
This is the output result when "part" is specified.

As described above, the printed matter for presentation and the printed matter of a plurality of copies with different page layouts for distribution are printed out by one print job.

Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS.

In the processing in this embodiment, the printer driver program is loaded on the RAM 2 under the control of the OS 305 by the user using the keyboard controller KBC5 shown in FIG. The process is started when a printer to be printed is specified and a print execution instruction is issued.

For example, the printing process is performed in a plurality of finishing methods (for presentation, such as “presentation mode”).
HP 1 page / sheet, high quality paper 4 pages / sheet for distribution, etc.)
In the case of printing that specifies, the processing shown in the embodiment of the present invention is performed. The main flow of this embodiment is, as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 10, after the print data generation processing on the host computer and the reception of the data generated by the host computer on the printer, to the designated finishing method. Print processing. The print setting processing may or may not be performed. If not, the subsequent print processing is executed without changing the default setting value or the previously set print setting. First, the print data generation processing on the host computer will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the printing process executed by the CPU 1 by the printer driver program on the host computer in this embodiment.

First, when print data generation processing is started by a print execution instruction from the application 201,
In step 801, the CPU 1 performs a job initialization process based on an instruction from a printer driver. Specifically, a DEVMODO (a print setting structure) that describes a document name specified by an application, a user name obtained from the OS, a printer name as a specified output destination, and contents set by a printer driver is stored. Obtained from the OS, the CPU 1 generates a job initialization command group according to the description format of PJL.

Subsequently, in step 802, processing of print data to be actually drawn is performed. Specifically, the GDI function output from the application 201 is converted by the graphic engine 202 of the OS into a DDI function supported by the printer driver and output, and the printer driver 203 is described in a printer language based on the DDI function. Generate print data.

When the print data is generated, finally, in step 803, the CPU 1 performs a job end process based on an instruction from the printer driver.

In brief, the processing flow is as described above, and a print job 504 as shown in FIG. 5 is generated by this series of processing.

Next, the processing of step 801 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process when the presentation mode is selected among the print processes on the host computer in the present embodiment.

First, step 801 during the job initialization process
The process is passed to step 901, and the CPU 1 determines whether the presentation mode is set here (step 901). As shown in FIG. 4, the presentation mode is set by the user operating the setting screen of the printer driver, and the contents specified here are stored in DEVMODE. In the setting screen of the present embodiment, the setting is performed by selecting a presentation mode from among printing methods including one-sided printing, two-sided printing, bookbinding printing, and presentation mode. At this time, the number of copies of the distribution material to be simultaneously Nup-printed can be simultaneously specified. If the presentation mode has not been set, the process immediately returns to step 801. On the other hand, if the CPU 1 determines that the presentation mode is set,
As shown in the figure, a presentation designation command and a distribution copy designation command are issued as the command 605 added by the CPU 1, and the CPU 1 issues the control command to the job initialization command group 6
01 (step 902). In the example shown in FIG. 6, $ PJL SET PRESENTSAION-M
ODE = ON is a presentation designation command.
L SET RESUME-COPIES = 6 is a distribution copy number designation command, and in this case, indicates that the distribution copy number is 6. After issuing these two commands, the process returns to step 801.

The print data generated on the host computer by the above processing is sent to the printer through the data transfer means 21 shown in FIG. Of course, the host computer and the printer are integrated, and the data transfer means may be an internal bus, or may be an external interface such as a Centro interface, USB, IEEE 1394, or a network. Further, all the printing processes from the application are completed, the processes of the printing program in this embodiment are also completed, and the data is erased from the RAM 2 by the function of the OS 405.

Next, the printing process on the printer will be described mainly with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the present embodiment, as an example of print data generated on the host computer, print data for presentation consisting of seven pages is used as shown at 701 in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the determination unit for determining whether to perform the printing process in the presentation mode and the normal mode or another mode among the printing processes on the printer in this embodiment.

In step 1001, the printer 15
The CPU 12 of 00 interprets the print data sent from the host computer 3000 and first determines whether or not the initialization command group includes the designation of the presentation mode. If the designation of the presentation mode is not included, the process proceeds to step 1003, a normal print process in which the layout of all pages of one job is the same is performed, and the print process ends. FIG.
In the case of the print data example shown in (1), seven pages of presentation data sent from the host computer are printed out as seven pages. On the other hand, if the designation of the presentation mode is included, the process proceeds to step 1002, and the CPU 12 starts the process in the presentation mode in which the page layout is different for presentation and distribution.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of the processing when the presentation mode is selected in step 1002 in FIG. 10 among the printing processing on the printer in the present embodiment.

First, in step 1101, the CPU
Numeral 12 temporarily stores the print data 602 shown in FIG. 6 in the print data sent from the host computer in the RAM 19 or the hard disk 20 mounted on the printer as shown in FIG. At the time of this storage, the print data described in the printer language is analyzed to generate a display list which is an intermediate data format that can be easily developed into a bitmap, and is sorted in the drawing band order. The printer 1500, which is a print control apparatus described in the present embodiment, is an electrophotographic printer, but does not have a page memory due to cost considerations and performs band control. Therefore, the video output cannot be stopped within the page, and the raster image must be developed for each band within a predetermined time during which the paper is conveyed. Therefore, in order to shorten the development time, the print data is sorted in the drawing order, and a display list is generated.

Subsequently, in step 1102, using the print data temporarily stored in step 1101, the CPU 12 prints the same-size image on the OHP sheet based on the processing procedure of the print control program stored in the ROM 13. I do. In this embodiment, the OHP sheet is set in a paper feed port designated by the user in advance, for example, a manual feed tray, or "Please set OHP" is displayed on the operation unit 1501 to display the OHP sheet. The setting is made so that printing on the OHP sheet is reliably performed. More specifically, when interpreting the print data described in the printer language in the above step, a paper feed port is specified, and 1-up (one page / sheet) expansion processing is performed on the fed paper. Then, printout of all document pages is executed. Here, when the print output of each page is completed, the display list is deleted because the capacity of the RAM 19 is small, but the print data itself is not deleted but is kept as it is. In general, the size of print data described in the printer language is as small as several tens to several hundreds of kilobytes, which does not significantly affect the memory capacity of the printer, but since the intermediate data format is close to a raster image,
Fonts are rasterized, and for each page,
This is because it has several hundred kilobytes to several megabytes. When the print processing of the printed matter for presentation is completed, the process proceeds to step S1103 without ending the print processing.

In step 1103, the CPU 12 determines the page layout specified in the print data of the print job (4 pages / sheet in this case), analyzes the specified number of logical pages of print data, and temporarily stores the data. Based on the stored print data, a print image laid out for distribution (4 pages (4 pages / sheet)) is generated. Here, it is assumed that “4 pages / sheet” is specified as the print data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the print data is generated with the specified layout. In the case of 4 pages / sheet, print processing is performed by preparing intermediate data for 4 pages. For this reason, the memory may be insufficient, and if there is a large amount of intermediate data and a memory shortage is predicted, a degrading process for reducing the resolution is performed.

When the preparation of the raster image of the N page layout for distribution is completed, in step 1104, the CP
U12 is @PJL SET RESUME-COPI
The number of copies specified by ES = 6 is substituted for a variable X for the number of copies provided in the print processing program of the printer.

Thereafter, from step 1105 to step 1
Step 11 for the number of copies specified by the processing of step 107
03, the distribution data is printed using the Nup-completed data, and when all the printing processes for the presentation and distribution copies are completed, the print data stored in the storage unit (RAM 19) is deleted. Then, the entire printing process ends. FIG. 7 shows an example of a print processing result in the presentation mode according to the present embodiment. First, print data 701 consisting of seven pages sent from the host computer is converted to an OHP sheet as indicated by reference numeral 702. Is output (one logical page is printed on one recording medium), followed by 4
2 pages laid out in up is 6 as distribution material
Partial output (a plurality of logical pages are allocated and printed on one recording medium).

As described above, when the presentation mode is designated by the client, the printer does not delete the print data even after finishing the print processing for the presentation based on the print job, and does not delete the print data. Or, perform print processing for distribution with the page layout changed, print out the specified number of copies, and then end the print processing.
The user can obtain a plurality of layouts, a plurality of media, and a plurality of copies of print output without issuing a print job from the client a plurality of times.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the printer 1500 serving as the print control device receives
This was achieved by performing print output for presentation and print output for distribution from one print job. However, in order to realize the function by the printer 1500, it is necessary to add the function to the print control program stored in the ROM 13, so that it is necessary to newly develop print control programs for various printers. Load is large and human costs are high. for that reason,
In the second embodiment, print data laid out in a presentation mode desired by a user is generated by a printer driver program of a host computer 3000, which is an information processing device of a client, and the print control device performs normal print processing as it is. The mechanism will be described.

FIG. 14 is an extension of the system shown in FIG. 2, in which a spool file 1403 composed of intermediate codes is temporarily generated when a print command is sent from the graphic engine 202 to the printer driver 203. FIG.
In this system, the application 201 is released from the printing process when the printer driver 203 has converted all print commands from the graphic engine 202 into printer control commands. On the other hand, in the system shown in FIG. 14, the spooler 1402 converts all the print commands into intermediate code data and outputs them to the spool file 1403. Usually, the latter requires less time. Further, in the system shown in FIG. 14, the contents of the spool file 1403 can be processed. As a result, it is possible to realize functions that the application or the printer device does not have, such as enlargement / reduction of print data from an application and printing by reducing a plurality of pages to one page.

For these purposes, the system of FIG. 2 is extended so that spooling is performed with intermediate code data as shown in FIG. In order to process print data, settings are usually made from a window provided by the printer driver 203, and the printer driver 203 stores the settings in the RAM 2 or the external memory 11. The extension module corresponds to a module in 1400 surrounded by a broken line, and is supplied to the information processing apparatus at the same time when a printer driver program is installed.

Hereinafter, the module configuration of the information processing apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 14, each has a module configuration developed in the RAM 2, and is realized by the CPU 1 executing various operations based on a program of each module.

As shown in FIG. 14, in this extended processing method, the dispatcher 1401 receives a DDI function as a print command from the graphic engine 202.
D which is a print command received by the dispatcher 1401 from the graphic engine 202 which is a drawing unit of the OS
If the DI function is a print command (GDI function) issued from the application 201 to the graphic engine 202, the dispatcher 1401 loads the spooler 1402 stored in the external memory 11 into the RAM 2, and replaces the spooler 1402 with the spooler instead of the printer driver 203. 1402
A print command (DDI function) is sent to the printer.

The spooler 1402 interprets the received print command, converts it into an intermediate code which can be easily processed in page units, and outputs the intermediate code to the spool file 1403. The spool file of the intermediate code stored for each page is converted to a page drawing file (PDF: Page Description Fil).
Call it e). The spooler 1402 acquires processing settings (Nup, double-sided, staple, color / monochrome designation, etc.) related to print data set for the printer driver 203 from the printer driver 203 and obtains a spool file 1403 as a file for each job. To save. The setting file stored for each job is converted to a job setting file (SDF: Spool Descri
ption File). As for the processing settings relating to the print data, the operator sets the printer driver in advance before issuing a print instruction from the application.

Further, the spooler 1402 is connected to the external memory 11
File manager 1404 stored in the
Is loaded into the RAM 2 and the spool file manager 1
The generation status of the spool file 1403 is notified to the 404. After that, the spool file manager 140
No. 4 determines whether or not printing can be performed in accordance with the contents of the processing settings relating to the print data stored in the spool file 1403.

When the spool file manager 1404 determines that printing can be performed using the graphic engine 202, the despooler 1405 stored in the external memory 11 is loaded into the RAM 2 and the despooler 140 is loaded.
5 is instructed to print the page drawing file of the intermediate code described in the spool file 1403.

The despooler 1405 stores the spool file 1
The page drawing file of the intermediate code included in 403 is processed in accordance with the contents of the job setting file including the processing setting information included in the spool file 1403, the GDI function is regenerated, and again via the graphic engine 202, which is the drawing means of the OS. Output GDI function.

When the print command (DDI function) received by the dispatcher 1401 from the graphic engine 202, which is the drawing means of the OS, is a print command (GDI function) issued from the despooler 1405 to the graphic engine 202, the dispatcher 1401 performs the spooler operation. 1
A print command is sent to the printer driver 203 instead of 402.

The printer driver 203 receives the DDI acquired from the graphic engine 202 as the OS drawing means.
A printer control command composed of a page description language or the like is generated based on the function, and output to the printer 1500 via the system spooler 204.

In this system, a process of generating a print job in the presentation mode will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 15 shows a process executed by the CPU 1 based on each module in the extension module 1400, and therefore, the operation of each module will be described. This processing is started when the graphic engine outputs a DDI function, which is drawing data, in response to a print request from the application 201.

In step 1501, the dispatcher 1401 receives the drawing data (DDI function) input from the graphic engine 202, and passes the drawing data to the spooler 1402 when confirming that the transmission source is the application. Is interpreted to generate a PDF file that is intermediate data, and is stored in the spool file 1403 having an area secured in the RAM 2 (or the external memory 11). Further, the spooler 1402 acquires the DEVMODE in which the contents set by the printer driver are described, reads the setting of the printer driver 203 in the extended area of the DEVMODE, and stores the setting in the spool file 1403 as a setting file.

Subsequently, in step 1502, the spool file manager 1404 is started, the setting file is read, and the “presentation mode” is set as the finish.
Is set. If it is determined that the presentation mode is not set, step 1
The process proceeds to step 503. On the other hand, if it is determined that the presentation mode is set, step 1504 is executed.
Processing proceeds to

In step 1503, the spool file manager 1404 sequentially reads the PDF data, which is intermediate data temporarily stored in the spool file, and designates the layout mode of the entire print job held in the setting file to specify the despooler. The data is passed to 1405. The despooler 1405 scales and arranges the PDF data based on the layout mode, regenerates the drawing data (GDI function), and outputs the drawing data to the graphic engine 202 as drawing means of the OS. The processing after the graphic engine is the same as before.

On the other hand, in step 1504, the spool file manager 1404 analyzes the contents set in the DEVMODE or the setting file, and determines the paper feeding method for presentation. As shown in the presentation detail window 1200 of FIG. 12, if “print all the numbers on the same paper” is designated, the paper feeding method is the same for the presentation and the distribution, and the paper feeding destination for one print job is That is, if “print by specifying the paper for presentation and distribution” is specified, the paper feeding method (“manual feed ( Tray))) will be designated.

In step 1505, the spool file manager 1404 sequentially reads the PDF data, which is the intermediate data temporarily stored in the spool file, specifies the layout for presentation (1 page / sheet by default), and specifies the despooler. The data is passed to 1405. The despooler 1405 processes the PDF data based on the specified layout mode and outputs the drawing data (GD
I function) and outputs it to the graphic engine 202, which is a drawing means of the OS. After the output of the drawing data, the setting file and the intermediate data file (PDF) are held in the spool file 1403.

In step 1506, the spool file manager 1404 analyzes the contents set in the DEVMODE or the setting file, and determines the paper feeding method for distribution. The paper feeding method (“cassette 1” in FIG. 12) specified by “distribution page” in the presentation detail window 1200 in FIG. 12 is specified.

Subsequently, in step 1507, the spool file manager 1404 analyzes the contents set in the DEVMODE or the setting file, and inserts the layout mode specified in the “layout for distribution” and further inserts the “memo field”. Is obtained and notified to the despooler 1405.

In step 1508, the despooler 1405 scales down or expands the intermediate data based on the distribution layout acquired in step 1507 and whether or not the memo field can be inserted, and draws the drawing data (GDI
Function), and outputs it to the GDI function, which is a drawing means of the OS. If the memo field is not inserted, the intermediate data is reduced and arranged in the distribution layout.If the memo field is inserted, the intermediate data is reduced and arranged by half the number of logical pages specified in the distribution layout. A memo field is arranged in the other half as shown in FIG. The memo column may be inserted as a blank page, or the despooler 1405 may insert drawing data indicating a ruled line and output it to the graphic engine.

In step 1509, the spool file manager 1404 obtains the number of copies specified by the number of copies in FIG. 4 from the DEVMODE or the setting file, and determines whether the number of copies equal to the number of copies has been output from the despooler 1405 as drawing data. If not, the process returns to step 1508, and if it is determined that the output of the number of copies has been completed, the rendering data regeneration process ends.

The regenerated drawing data (GDI function) is sent to the dispatcher 1401 via the graphic engine to the drawing data (DDI function). If the dispatcher 1401 determines that the data is from the despooler 1405, the dispatcher 1401 passes the drawing data to the printer driver 203. The printer driver converts the print data into print data in a printer language based on the drawing data, and outputs the print data to the printer 1500 via the system spooler 204.

Here, the print data generated by the printer driver 203 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
Shows print data 502 described in the printer language in the print job (504 in FIG. 5). (A) shows print data when a finishing mode other than the presentation mode is designated. Applicable finishing modes include single-sided printing, double-sided printing, and bookbinding printing. In these finishing modes, the number of copies does not change in the middle of one print job, and therefore, as shown in FIG.
It is a series of data contents up to the logical page. The paper feed destination and the number of copies are specified in the header portion.

On the other hand, in the presentation mode, the printer 1500 cannot perform print processing in the conventional print data format because the paper feed destination differs depending on the number of copies or the number of copies changes in the middle. for that reason,
It is conceivable to store the control code.
Since updating the 500 print control programs is costly, it is not advisable to increase the number of control codes. Therefore, print data is generated as shown in FIG. 1601
Is a paper feed destination designation command.
This command is inserted by the printer driver based on the paper feed method for presentation specified in 04. Reference numeral 1602 denotes presentation drawing content, in which 1 to N logical pages are described in a printer language based on the drawing data generated in step 1505 of FIG.

Next, reference numeral 1603 denotes a paper feed destination designation command, which is inserted by the printer driver based on the paper feed method for distribution designated in step 1506 of FIG. Such expressions are possible because recent printer languages such as LIPSIV (registered trademark) support designating a paper feed destination in units of a page in one job.

Reference numeral 1604 denotes drawing contents for distribution.
5, 1 to N logical pages are described in the printer language based on the drawing data generated in step 1508 of FIG. The layout for distribution is the layout acquired in step 1507, and is reduced and arranged in the page layout specified in the layout for distribution in FIG. 12 as described above. For example, if “4 pages / sheet” is specified in the layout for distribution and a memo field is not inserted, a print job of a total of 10 logical pages will have “4, The print data is three pages arranged as “4, 2”. Also,
When a memo field is inserted, a print job of a total of 10 logical pages is displayed as “2, 2, 2, 2, 2 (also in the memo field, 2,
Print data of 5 pages arranged as (2, 2). Note that this drawing content is print data after layout, so that the printer 1500 can perform print processing in the same manner as normal printing even if the printer 1500 does not have a reduced layout function.

Even in a recent printer language such as LIPSIV, since there is no command to change the number of copies in one job, "1 for announcement and 4 for distribution"
Specifying such as "part" cannot be done without extending the language. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by sending the data for distribution continuously with the X portion, as viewed from the printer 1500, processing is performed as if one long job had been received, so that the printer 1500 does not need to be extended more than before. .

As described above, when the client designates the presentation mode, the printer driver spools the drawing data from the application, and generates presentation data and distribution data from the spooled drawing data. Since these are generated as one print data and output to the printer, the user can obtain a print output of a plurality of layouts, a plurality of media, and a plurality of copies without issuing a print job from the client a plurality of times.

The present invention described in the first and second embodiments is applied to an apparatus (printer, copier, information processing apparatus, host computer) composed of one device as in the first and second embodiments. The present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer and a printer). When applied to a system, the processing of both the first embodiment and the second embodiment is included.

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of a system or apparatus storing a program stored in the storage medium. It is also achieved by reading and executing the code.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of a storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM,
A DR, a CD-RW, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, or the like can be used.

The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the readout program codes, and the OS (Operating System) running on the computer is executed based on the instructions of the program codes. ) Performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
The case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention.
That is, the claims of the present invention also include the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

As described above, the method of supplying the computer program is not limited to the case where the program is stored in the FD or the CD-ROM, read by the computer and installed in the computer, and the method using the browser of the client computer is used. The computer program of the present invention or a compressed file having an automatic installation function can be supplied from the Internet by connecting to the Internet homepage. Also, the present invention can be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. In other words, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for implementing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also related to the present invention.

The program of the present invention is encrypted to
D, etc., distributed to the user and distributed to the user, and the user who clears the predetermined conditions is caused to download the key information for decrypting from the homepage via the Internet, and to encrypt by using the key information. It is also possible to execute the installed program and install it on a computer.

[0098]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a user with a print output that has been subjected to a plurality of finishing processes in one printing process without bothering the user, thereby reducing the burden on the user and allowing other printing processes to be performed during different finishing processes. An effect is obtained that the printing process from the user is not interrupted.

When the present invention is realized on the printing apparatus side, a plurality of finishing processes are realized by one job in which a predetermined command is inserted, so that traffic given to a data transfer path between the host computer and the printer can be reduced. The effect that the load can be reduced is also obtained.

Further, when the present invention is realized on the information processing apparatus side, the printing apparatus can realize a print result subjected to different finishing processes in one job without special extension from the past. This can reduce the number of development steps required by the user, leading to an effect of reducing costs.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus and a print control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of each module that generates typical print data in the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 illustrates a print-related module including a print control program according to the present exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a memory map in a state where it is loaded on M2 and becomes executable.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen showing a method of setting a presentation mode in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of print data generated during normal printing.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the content of print data generated when a presentation mode is selected in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of print data from a host computer and an output result from a printer when a presentation mode is selected in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process on a host computer in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process when a presentation mode is selected among print processes on a host computer in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a determination unit for determining whether to perform a print process in a presentation mode and a normal mode or another mode among print processes on a printer in the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating details of a process when a presentation mode is selected among printing processes on a printer in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen for setting details of a presentation mode.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a document generated by an application when a memo field is inserted and a print result for distribution.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of each module for generating print data in the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a print data generation process on the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of print data generated by a printer driver during normal printing and presentation mode printing in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 4 System bus 12 CPU 13 ROM 19 RAM 3000 Host computer 1500 Printer

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 AR03 AS02 AS13 HN06 HN20 2C087 AA09 AA18 AB05 BA03 BA04 BA05 BC14 BD06 BD07 CA02 DA02 5B021 AA01 CC04 DD15 KK01 LB07 LE00

Claims (50)

[Claims] 1. A print control device for performing print processing of print data received from an information processing device, comprising: a holding unit that holds print data included in one print job; and the print data that is held. 1x printing processing means for printing one logical page on one recording medium based on the print data, and layout printing processing for printing processing for allocating a plurality of logical pages to one recording medium based on the held print data Means for holding print data in the holding means even after one of the printing processes is completed, and deleting the printing data held in the holding means when both printing processes are completed. And a printing control device. 2. The layout print processing means performs layout print processing for allocating a plurality of logical pages to one recording medium by the number of copies specified by print data. 2. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data stored in the storage unit is deleted after the layout printing process is completed. 3. An input unit for inputting designation of presentation printing, and when the designation of presentation printing is input by the input unit, the one-size printing process and the layout printing process are performed for one print job. Control means for controlling both print processing means so as to execute both of them and to execute printing with a layout designated in one print job when designation of presentation printing is not inputted by the input means. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. A print control method for performing print processing of print data received from an information processing apparatus, wherein print data included in one print job is stored in a storage unit, and wherein the stored print data is stored. A print process for printing one logical page on one recording medium based on the print data, and a layout print process for allocating a plurality of logical pages to one recording medium based on the held print data. The printing method further comprising: holding the print data in the holding unit even after one of the printing processes is completed; and deleting the print data held in the holding unit when both of the printing processes are completed. Control method. 5. The layout printing process performs a layout printing process of allocating a plurality of logical pages to one recording medium by the number of copies specified by print data, and after the layout printing process of the specified number of copies is completed. 5. The print control method according to claim 4, wherein the print data stored in the storage unit is deleted. 6. A designation of presentation printing is inputted, and when the designation of presentation printing is inputted, both the same size printing process and the layout printing process are executed for one print job. 6. The print control method according to claim 4, wherein when the designation of the presentation print is not input, each print processing unit is controlled to execute the print in the layout designated in one print job. . 7. An information processing apparatus for generating print data for printing by a printing apparatus, wherein a spool means for temporarily storing input print target data and a predetermined print mode are set A drawing generating unit that generates first drawing data for performing a first finishing process and second drawing data for performing a second finishing process based on the held print target data; An information processing apparatus, comprising: print data generation means for generating a set of print data from the generated first drawing data and second drawing data. 8. The first finishing process is a process of allocating one logical page of the data to be printed to the drawing data of one logical page, and the second finishing process is a process of allocating a plurality of logical data of the data to be printed. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the processing is processing for allocating a page to drawing data of one logical page. 9. The drawing data is a GDI function, the drawing generating means outputs the generated drawing data to a drawing means of an OS, and the print data generating means is a DDI function input from the drawing means of the OS. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein print data dependent on a printer language is generated based on the print data. 10. The print object data is held in the spool unit even after one of the finishing processes is completed, and when both print processes are completed, the print object data held in the spool unit is deleted. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a deletion control unit for deleting. 11. The information according to claim 7, further comprising a print setting unit capable of simultaneously setting the first finishing process and the second finishing process by using a user interface window. Processing equipment. 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said print setting means can set a page layout as a finishing process. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined print mode is a presentation mode, and the drawing generation unit generates presentation data for performing a first finishing process and distribution data for performing a second finishing process. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein 14. The print setting means is capable of setting the number of copies of the distribution data, and the distribution data for performing the second finishing process is set so that the printing process is performed by the printing apparatus for the set number of copies. 14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the information processing apparatus is generated so as to be executed. 15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the drawing generation unit generates distribution data for performing the second finishing process for the set number of copies. 16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said drawing generating means inserts an instruction for designating the set number of copies into distribution data for performing a second finishing process. 17. The print setting means can further specify whether to insert a memo column in the distribution data. If the insertion of the memo column is designated, the print setting unit performs the memo column generation process when generating the distribution data. 17. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein drawing data in which a logical page is inserted is generated. 18. An information processing method for generating print data to be printed by a printing apparatus, comprising: a spooling step of temporarily storing input print target data in a spool file; and a predetermined print mode being set. The first drawing data for performing the first finishing process and the second drawing data for performing the second finishing process based on the held print target data; A print data generating step of generating a set of print data from the first drawing data and the second drawing data generated in the generating step. 19. The first finishing process is a process of allocating one logical page of the print target data to drawing data of one logical page, and the second finishing process is a process of allocating a plurality of logical pages of the print target data. 19. The information processing method according to claim 18, wherein the process is a process of allocating a page to drawing data of one logical page. 20. The drawing data is a GDI function. The drawing generating step outputs the generated drawing data to a drawing means of an OS. The print data generating step includes a DDI function input from the drawing means of the OS. The print data dependent on a printer language is generated based on the print data.
10. The information processing method according to item 9. 21. The print data is held in the spool file even after one of the finishing processes is completed, and when both print processes are finished, the print data held in the spool file is deleted. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a deletion control step of deleting.
9. The information processing method according to any one of 8. 22. The information according to claim 18, further comprising a print setting step capable of simultaneously setting the first finishing process and the second finishing process using a user interface window. Processing method. 23. The information processing method according to claim 22, wherein in the print setting step, a page layout can be set as a finishing process. 24. The predetermined print mode is a presentation mode, and the drawing generation step includes generating presentation data for performing a first finishing process and distribution data for performing a second finishing process. The information processing method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein 25. In the print setting step, the number of copies of the distribution data can be set, and the distribution data to be subjected to the second finishing process is subjected to the printing process for the set number of copies by the printing apparatus. The information processing method according to claim 24, wherein the information is generated so as to be generated. 26. The information processing method according to claim 25, wherein the drawing generation step generates distribution data for performing the second finishing process for the set number of copies. 27. The information processing method according to claim 25, wherein in the drawing generation step, an instruction for designating the set number of copies is inserted into distribution data for performing a second finishing process. 28. The print setting step can further specify whether to insert a memo column into the distribution data. If the insertion of the memo column is designated, the memo column is generated at the time of distribution data generation processing. 28. The drawing data in which a logical page is inserted for generating drawing data.
An information processing method according to claim 1. 29. A storage medium storing a printer driver program executable by an information processing apparatus for generating print data for printing by a printing apparatus, the printer driver program spooling input print target data. A spooling step of temporarily holding the file, a judging step of judging the set print mode, and the judging step judges that the predetermined print mode is set in the judging step. A drawing generation step of generating first drawing data for performing a first finishing processing and second drawing data for performing a second finishing processing based on the data; and a first drawing data generated in the drawing generation step. A printer driver program for causing the information processing apparatus to execute a print data generating step of generating a set of print data from the second drawing data. Storage medium storing the beam. 30. The first finishing process is a process of allocating one logical page of the data to be printed to drawing data of one logical page, and the second finishing process is a process of allocating a plurality of logical data of the data to be printed. 30. The storage medium according to claim 29, wherein the process is a process of allocating a page to drawing data of one logical page. 31. The drawing data is a GDI function. The drawing generation step outputs the generated drawing data to a drawing unit of an OS. The print data generation step includes a DDI function input from the drawing unit of the OS. 31. The storage medium according to claim 29, wherein the information processing device is executed to generate print data depending on a printer language based on the information. 32. The printer driver program, according to claim 1, further comprising: storing print target data in the spool file even after one of the finishing processes is completed, and storing the data in the spool file when both the printing processes are completed. And causing the information processing apparatus to further execute a deletion control step of deleting the print target data.
32. The storage medium according to any one of 9 to 31. 33. The information processing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the printer driver program provides the information processing apparatus with a user interface window capable of simultaneously setting a first finishing process and a second finishing process. A storage medium according to any one of the above. 34. The storage medium according to claim 33, wherein in the print setting step, a page layout can be set as finishing processing. 35. The predetermined print mode is a presentation mode, and the drawing generating step generates presentation data for performing a first finishing process and distribution data for performing a second finishing process. 35. The storage medium according to claim 33, wherein the information processing apparatus is executed. 36. The print setting step, wherein the number of copies of the distribution data can be set, and the distribution data to be subjected to the second finishing process is executed by the printing apparatus for the set number of copies. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information is generated by the information processing apparatus.
5. The storage medium according to 5. 37. The storage according to claim 36, wherein in the drawing generation step, the information processing apparatus is executed so as to generate distribution data for performing the second finishing process for the set number of copies. Medium. 38. The drawing generating step causes the information processing apparatus to execute an instruction for inserting the set number of copies into distribution data for performing a second finishing process. Item 38. The storage medium according to Item 37. 39. The print setting step can further specify whether to insert a memo column into the distribution data. If the insertion of the memo column is specified, the memo column is generated during the distribution data generation processing. 39. The storage medium according to claim 35, wherein the information processing device is executed to generate drawing data into which a logical page for use has been inserted. 40. A printer driver program executable by an information drilling device for generating print data to be printed by a printing device, comprising: a spooling step of temporarily storing input print target data in a spool file; A determining step of determining the set print mode; and, if it is determined in the determining step that the predetermined print mode is set, the first finishing processing is performed based on the held print target data. A drawing generating step of generating first drawing data to be performed and second drawing data for performing a second finishing process; and a set of print data from the first drawing data and the second drawing data generated in the drawing generating step A printer driver program for causing an information processing apparatus to execute a print data generation step of generating a print data. 41. The first finishing process is a process of allocating one logical page of the print target data to the drawing data of one logical page, and the second finishing process is a process of allocating a plurality of logical pages of the print target data. 41. The printer driver program according to claim 40, wherein the processing is for allocating a page to drawing data of one logical page. 42. The drawing data is a GDI function, the drawing generating step outputs the generated drawing data to a drawing means of an OS, and the print data generating step includes a DDI function input from the drawing means of the OS. 42. The printer driver program according to claim 40, wherein the information processing apparatus is executed to generate print data depending on a printer language based on the information. 43. The printer driver program stores data to be printed in the spool file even after one of the finishing processes is completed, and stores the data in the spool file when both the printing processes are completed. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a deletion control step of deleting the data to be printed.
43. The printer driver program according to any one of 0 to 42. 44. The information processing apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the printer driver program provides the information processing apparatus with a user interface window capable of simultaneously setting a first finishing process and a second finishing process. Printer driver program described in 45. The printer driver program according to claim 44, wherein in the print setting step, a page layout can be set as finishing processing. 46. The method according to claim 46, wherein the predetermined print mode is a presentation mode, and wherein the drawing generating step generates the presentation data for performing the first finishing process and the distribution data for performing the second finishing process. 46. The printer driver program according to claim 44, wherein the program executes an information processing device. 47. The print setting step, wherein the number of copies of the distribution data can be set, and the distribution data to be subjected to the second finishing process is executed by the printing apparatus for the set number of copies. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information is generated by the information processing apparatus.
6. The printer driver program according to 6. 48. The printer according to claim 47, wherein in the drawing generation step, the information processing apparatus is executed so as to generate distribution data for performing the second finishing process for the set number of copies. Driver program. 49. The drawing generating step causes the information processing apparatus to execute an instruction for designating the set number of copies into distribution data for performing a second finishing process. Item 48. The printer driver program according to Item 48. 50. The print setting step can further specify whether to insert a memo column into the distribution data. If the insertion of the memo column is specified, the memo column is generated at the time of distribution data generation processing. 50. The printer driver program according to claim 46, wherein the information processing apparatus is executed to generate drawing data into which a logical page for the drawing is inserted.