JP2003208301A - Printing information setting device and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate setting of printing by displaying pictures and drawings indicating various kinds of information accompanying data to be printed in a form conforming to actual images. <P>SOLUTION: Size of a printing image P1 indicating a printing area in a logical sheet which is displayed on a layout display column E14 is determined in accordance with scale of magnification, reduction specified from a data input column E11 of 'magnification/reduction'. In addition, size of a stamp mark to be drawn by being superposed on the printing image P1 is also determined in accordance with the scale of magnification, reduction specified from the data input column E11 of 'magnification/reduction'. Thus, the pictures and the drawings to be displayed on the layout display column E14 can be displayed in the form conforming to the actual images which are printed by being magnified, reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique of setting various information for printing in a predetermined printing device (eg printer).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when a printer is connected to a computer and print data created by the computer is to be printed by the printer, it is necessary to incorporate a device driver for the printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer driver) into the computer. The printer driver is a computer program that sets various kinds of information about the printer, such as printer functions and interfaces, font information, and control codes, in the computer to control the printer, and is prepared for each printer model to be printed.

The operator operates the computer to
The printer driver installed in the computer can be started and various information can be set. The setting is performed as follows. When the printer driver is activated, the computer displays a setting screen on the monitor. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a setting screen displayed on such a monitor. As shown in the figure, on this setting screen, a data input field A1 for the above various information is provided.
Is provided, and the operator operates a keyboard and a mouse to input data into these data input fields A1 to set various kinds of information. In addition,
It has been proposed that this setting screen is provided with not only a data input field A1 but also a display field A2 in which predetermined information of information based on the input data is shown in a pictorial form. The predetermined information indicated by the display field A2 is information indicating the size of the printing paper. Display column A
In FIG. 2, an outer shape B1 of the printer is three-dimensionally drawn, and a printing paper B2 having a size according to the size of the printing paper is drawn on the paper discharge side of the drawn printer. By looking at the display field A2, the operator can intuitively know the size of the print sheet, and thus the usability of the printer driver is excellent.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the above conventional technique,
Although the size of the printing paper can be known at a glance, information about the print target data recorded on the printing paper could not be known at a glance. Therefore, the applicant of the present application, as shown in FIG. 27, displays not only the print sheet B2 but also the letter "A" (any letter is not limited to this letter) B3 on the print sheet B2 in the display field A2. I developed the composition that I drew. According to this configuration, not only the size of the printing paper, but also the printing direction of the print target data and the size of the print target data in page units can be known at a glance from the character "A".

However, even with this configuration, when enlarging or reducing the print target data or when printing the print target data for a plurality of pages on one output sheet, the size of one page of the print target data is required. Since the ratio is different from the actual print result (ratio to the print paper size), it cannot be known at a glance from the displayed picture.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and prints by displaying a pictorial diagram showing various information accompanying the print target data in a form suitable for an actual image. The purpose is to facilitate setting of information.

[0007]

In order to solve such a problem, a first device of the present invention is a display device, an input device for capturing an input operation by an operator, and the display device. While displaying a screen area for data input on the screen, based on an input operation from the input device according to the contents of the screen area, an information input means for capturing various information for printing in a predetermined printing device, and the captured information. In a print information setting device including information setting means for setting various kinds of information, the information input means includes predetermined information input means for taking in logical paper information indicating a paper size that can be taken by the print target data to be printed. ,further,
Allocation information input means for allocating a plurality of pages of the print target data to the output paper set in the printing device and printing the allocated area, and the predetermined information input means in the screen area. And a rectangle indicating the logical paper information captured by the predetermined information input means in the screen area, which displays a pictorial image schematically showing a printed image on the logical paper according to the logical paper information captured by And a rectangular display control means for displaying, and the pictorial display control means comprises pictorial diagram determining means for determining the content of the pictorial diagram according to the information of the allocation area, and the rectangular display control means, information of the allocation area The rectangle determining means for determining the size of the rectangle is provided.

According to the first device having the above-mentioned configuration, the image of the pictorial diagram schematically showing the print image displayed from the logical sheet information fetched by the predetermined information inputting unit and the rectangle showing the logical sheet information are allocated. It can be determined according to the information of the allocation area in printing. Therefore, it is possible to display the pictorial diagram schematically showing the printed image in a form suitable for the actual layout-printed image. Therefore, since the worker can know the predetermined information at a glance from the displayed pictorial diagram, according to the first device, it is possible to easily set the print information.

A second device of the present invention is a display device, an input device for capturing an input operation by an operator, and a display device for displaying a screen area for data input, and the input according to the contents of the screen area. In a print information setting device including an information input unit that captures various information for printing in a predetermined printing device based on an input operation from the device, and an information setting unit that sets the captured various information,
The information input unit includes a predetermined information input unit that captures information about a stamp mark to be watermark-printed on the output paper set in the printing device, and further allocates a plurality of pages of the print target data to the output paper. Allocation information input means for capturing the information of the allocation area for allocation printing, and the screen area,
And a picture display control means for displaying an image showing the information about the stamp mark taken in by the predetermined information input means by a picture, and the picture display control means determines the content of the picture according to the information of the allocation area. It is characterized in that it is provided with a picture determination means.

According to the second device having the above-mentioned structure, the image of the pictorial diagram of the stamp mark taken in by the predetermined information input means can be determined according to the information of the layout area in layout printing. Therefore, it is possible to display the pictorial diagram of the stamp mark in a form suitable for the actual image printed on the layout. Therefore, since the operator can know the contents of the stamp mark at a glance from the displayed pictorial diagram, according to the second device, it is possible to easily set the print information.

In the second apparatus, the information input means includes logical paper information input means for taking in logical paper information indicating a paper size that can be taken by the print target data to be printed, and the print information setting device. Further comprises a print image / pictorial figure control means for displaying a pictorial image schematically showing a print image on the logical paper according to the logical paper information fetched by the predetermined information input means in the screen area. The picture control means can be configured to include a print image picture determination means that determines the content of the picture of the print image according to the information of the allocation area.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a display device, an input device for capturing an input operation by an operator, a screen region for data input on the display device, and the input according to the contents of the screen region are displayed. In a print information setting device including an information input unit that captures various information for printing in a predetermined printing device based on an input operation from the device, and an information setting unit that sets the captured various information,
The information input unit includes a predetermined information input unit that takes in predetermined information that can change at least a printing surface formed by the printing, and further includes a printing direction including at least 180 degrees on an output sheet set in the printing apparatus. And a pictorial display control means for displaying an image showing a picture of the predetermined information taken in by the predetermined information input means in the screen area, and the pictorial display control. The means is characterized by including pictorial diagram determining means that determines the contents of the pictorial diagram according to the information on the printing direction.

According to the third device having the above-mentioned configuration, the image of the picture displayed from the predetermined information taken in by the predetermined information input means can be determined according to the printing direction information including at least 180 degrees on the output paper. . Therefore, the pictorial diagram showing the predetermined information can be displayed in a form adapted to the actual image of the printing rotated by 180 degrees. Therefore, since the worker can know the predetermined information at a glance from the displayed pictorial diagram, according to the third device, it is possible to easily set the print information.

In the third device, the predetermined information taken in by the predetermined information input means is information about a printable area that limits a possible range of the printing surface of the printing paper set in the printing device. It is possible.

According to a first method of the present invention, (1) a predetermined printing device is provided in a predetermined printing device based on an input operation from the input device according to the contents of the screen region while displaying the screen region for data input on the display device. In the print information setting method including the step of fetching various information for printing and (2) the step of setting the fetched various information, the step (1) includes
(1a) including a step of fetching logical paper information indicating a paper size that can be taken by the print target data to be printed, and (3) a plurality of pages of the print target data on an output paper set in the printing device. (4) a step of fetching information on an allocation area for allocation printing for allocating and printing minutes;
A step of displaying an image of a pictorial diagram schematically showing a print image on the logical paper according to the logical paper information captured by
(5) a step of displaying a rectangle indicating the logical paper information taken in by the predetermined information input means in the screen area, and the step (4) is (4a) according to the information of the allocation area. The step (5) includes the step of determining the content of the pictorial diagram, and the step (5) includes the step of determining the size of the rectangle according to the information of the allocation area.

According to a second method of the present invention, (1) in a predetermined printing device, based on an input operation from the input device according to the contents of the screen area while displaying the screen area for data input on the display device. In the print information setting method including the step of fetching various information for printing and (2) the step of setting the fetched various information, the step (1) includes
(1a) including a step of fetching information about a stamp mark to be watermark-printed on the output paper set in the printing device, and (3) allocating and printing a plurality of pages of the print target data on the output paper. A step of fetching information on the layout area for layout printing,
(4) a step of displaying, in the screen area, an image showing information about the stamp mark captured by the step (1a) by a pictorial diagram, and the step (a) is performed according to the information of the allocation area. It is characterized by including the step of determining the contents of the picture.

The third method of the present invention is: (1) In a predetermined printing device, based on the input operation from the input device according to the contents of the screen area while displaying the screen area for data input on the display device. In the print information setting method including the step of fetching various information for printing and (2) the step of setting the fetched various information, the step (1) includes
(1a) including a step of fetching predetermined information capable of changing at least a printing surface formed by the printing,
(3) a step of taking in information of a printing direction including at least 180 degrees on an output paper set in the printing device, and (4) a picture of the predetermined information taken in by the step (1a) in the screen area. And a step of displaying an image shown by
(4a) The method is characterized by including the step of determining the content of the picture according to the information of the printing direction.

Also by the first to third methods with the above-described structure, like the first to third devices of the present invention, it is possible to display a pictorial diagram showing predetermined information in a form adapted to an actual image. . Therefore, the predetermined information can be known at a glance from the displayed pictorial diagram, and the setting of the print information can be facilitated.

The first to third devices and the printing device in the first to third methods may be any device having a printing function, and may be a single device such as a printer. Alternatively, it may be a printing mechanism built in a specific device (for example, a facsimile device).

[0020]

Other Embodiments of the Invention The present invention also includes the following other embodiments. First, a first aspect is a recording medium that stores a computer program that realizes each unit or each step of the above-described invention by being executed by a microprocessor of a computer. The second aspect is an aspect as a program supply device that supplies the computer program via a communication path. In the second aspect, the above-described device or method can be realized by placing the program on a server or the like on the network, downloading the required program to the computer via the communication path, and executing the program.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In order to further clarify the structure and operation of the present invention described above, the embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on Examples. FIG. 1 is an external view of a computer system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. This computer system includes a computer 10, a CRT display 12 as a peripheral device, and a printer 1.
4 is provided. The computer 10 is a computer body 1
6, a keyboard 18 and a mouse 20. The computer body 16 is equipped with a floppy disk drive 24 for reading the contents of the floppy disk 22. The printer 14 is a so-called inkjet printer that forms dots on the surface of the paper by ejecting ink droplets. The printer 14 reciprocates in the main scanning direction and conveys the paper in the sub-scanning direction to the paper. Image recording of.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of hardware of a computer system. As shown in the figure, the computer main body 16 includes a CPU 32 as a central processing unit, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a mouse interface 34, which are connected to each other by a bus.
Keyboard interface 35, FDC36, HDC3
7, a CRTC 38, a printer interface 39 and an I / O port 40.

The ROM 32 is a read-only memory that stores therein various programs and the like. RAM
Reference numeral 33 is a readable / writable memory that stores various data and the like. The mouse interface 34 is an interface that controls the exchange of data and the like with the mouse 20. The keyboard interface 35 is the keyboard 18
This is an interface that controls key input from. FDC3
A floppy disk controller 6 controls a floppy disk drive (FDD) 24. HDC
A hard disk controller 37 controls the hard disk drive (HDD) 41. CRTC38
Is a CRT display 12 for displaying necessary data
Is a CRT controller for controlling the signal output to. The printer interface 39 is an interface that controls the output of data to the printer 14. The I / O port 40 has a serial output port, and the modem 4
4 and is connected to the public telephone line 46 via the modem 44. The computer 10 is connected to an external network via a modem 44 and can connect to a specific server 48.

In this computer system, the operating system is stored in the HDD 41.
When the computer main body 16 is powered on according to the loader written in the boot block of D41, the RAM
It is loaded into 33 predetermined areas. In addition, the printer 14
The printer driver prepared for each model is stored in the floppy disk 22 in advance, and is installed in the computer main body 16 from the floppy disk drive 24 by starting a predetermined installation program. This installed printer driver is
It is stored in the DD 41 and is loaded into a predetermined area of the RAM 33 together with the operating system when the computer main body 16 is powered on.

The CPU 31 executes the printer driver to realize the various constituent features of the present invention.
The software program of this printer driver is stored in the floppy disk 22 as described above, but instead of this, other portable recording media such as a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, etc. It may be configured to be stored in (portable recording medium). Further, the software program described above may be obtained by downloading program data provided via a network from a specific server 48 connected to an external network and transferring the program data to the RAM 33 or the HDD 41. .

The state of printing by the computer system having the above-described hardware configuration will be described below. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a state of processing from image information handled by the computer main body 16 to printing. As shown in the figure, an image is displayed on the CRT display 12 via the video driver 52 while the image is processed by the application program 51 operating inside the computer main body 16. Also,
When the application program 51 issues a print command, the printer driver 53 in the computer main body 16 receives the image information from the application program 51 and converts it into a signal printable by the printer 14.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the printer driver 5
3, a rasterizer 54 for converting the image information handled by the application program 51 into color information in dot units, and the color development of the printer 14 for the image information (gradation data) converted into color information in dot units. A color correction module 55 that performs color correction according to the characteristics of the above, a halftone that generates so-called halftone image information that expresses the density in a certain area depending on the presence or absence of ink in dot units from the image information after color correction A module 56 is provided. Further, inside the printer driver 53, an information setting module 57 for setting various information for printing by the printer 14 is provided. Various types of information for printing include information about basic settings such as print resolution and color correction, and information about paper settings such as paper size and paper orientation. The color correction information set by the information setting module 57 is sent to the color correction module 55. The information setting module 57 displays an image showing the setting contents on the CRT display 12 via the video driver 52.

Further, inside the information setting module 57, a predetermined information input section 57a and a magnification data input section 57b are provided.
A picture display control unit 57c and a picture determination unit 57d are provided. Here, the operation of each module except the information setting module 57 is well known, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted in principle, and the information setting module 57 including the above-mentioned units 57a to 57d will be described below.

The printer driver 53 can variously control printing by the printer 14 by changing the settings, but the operator needs to make such settings in advance. The information setting module 57 executes the work of setting various kinds of information for printing. Here, this information setting module 5
The operation performed by the operator according to the operation 7 will be described first. In this description, Windows 95 (a trademark of Microsoft Corporation) is used as an operating system on which the printer driver 53 operates.
Will be described as an example. The name of the printer 14 will be described as "PM-00".

First, the operator operates the computer 10 as follows to open a dialog box for setting various information for printing. That is, [Start] →
Open the "Printers" window by selecting [Settings] → [Printers]. Then, double-click the icon of the target printer, here "PM-00", on that window to open the window for that printer. Then from that window, click Printer
→ Click [Properties] to display the dialog box for setting various information about the printer.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the dialog box DB1. As shown in the figure, the dialog box DB1 has six types of cards CD1, CD2, CD3, CD that are "information", "details", "basic setting", "paper setting", "layout", and "utility".
4, CD5, CD6 are prepared. The "information" card CD1 is for setting information about the printer, such as a comment of the printer. The "details" card CD2 is for setting detailed information about the printer, such as the port to which the printer is connected.
The "basic setting" card CD3 is for setting basic information relating to print quality. The "sheet setting" card CD4 is for setting various information about the sheet. The "layout" card CD5 is for setting layout information about a sheet. The "utility" card CD6 is for setting other useful information. These card CDs
Any one of 1 to CD6 is selected by the operator operating the mouse 20, and is displayed in the dialog box DB1.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the dialog box DB1 in which the "paper setting" card CD4 is opened. As shown, this "paper setting" card CD3
"Paper size", "Number of copies", "Print direction",
Data input field E to set each "printable area"
1, E2, E3, E4, and a pictorial diagram display field E5 that shows these setting contents as a three-dimensional pictorial diagram of the printer 14 are provided.

The "paper size" data input field E1 is used to set the paper size of the print document indicated by the print target data together with the type of paper. For example, "A4 210 ×
297 mm "," A4 width 210 x 297 mm "," B
5 182 x 257 mm "," Western envelope 120 x 23
5 ”,“ postcard 100 × 147 mm ”, etc. are prepared as options. It should be noted that the paper of the print original indicated by the print target data is called "logical paper". Enlarging or reducing the size of the print target data on the output paper The "fit page" or "arbitrary enlargement" described later is not set, and the number of pages to be assigned to one print paper is set. If the setting of “Allocation” is not set, this logical paper has the same size as the output paper, which is the paper that is actually printed. , Or “allocation” is set, the logical paper indicates only the paper size of the print target data created by the application program, and is different from the output paper.

The data input field E2 for the "number of copies" is used to set the number of copies to be printed. In addition to the number of copies, the printing order is whether or not to print in units of copies, either normal order or reverse order. You can also specify whether to print by clicking the check box. The "printing direction" data input field E3 indicates the printing direction on the paper, and "vertical", "horizontal", and "180 degree rotation" can be selected. It should be noted that this “180 degree rotation” cannot be selected alone, and can be selected in a state where either “vertical” or “horizontal” is selected. That is, when “180 ° rotation” is selected with “vertical” selected, the state in which the printing direction is rotated by 180 ° from the “vertical” state is specified. Also, if "Rotate 180 degrees" is selected with "Horizontal" selected, the printing direction changes from "Horizontal" to 1
Specify the state rotated by 80 degrees.

The data input field E4 for the "printable area" is
It sets the printable area on the paper.
Any one of "standard", "maximum" and "centering" can be selected. As shown in FIG. 6, the "standard" is defined as a printable area (called a standard area) so that a large margin is left at the lower end of the paper P. "maximum"
As shown in FIG. 7, the printable area is determined to be the maximum area by adding the expansion area to the lower end side of the standard area. As shown in FIG. 8, “centering” means that the printable area is defined so that blank spaces are equally provided in four directions of the upper, lower, left and right sides of the paper P.

The margin at the lower end of the paper P defining the standard area shown in FIG. 6 is caused by the paper feeding mechanism of the printer 14. Further, the blank space at the right end of the paper P that defines this standard area is caused by the carriage return. The expansion area as shown in FIG. 7 is defined because of the change in the relationship of the paper feeding mechanism of the printer 14 with respect to the paper. Hereinafter, the paper feed mechanism of the printer 14 will be described, and the difference between the standard area and the extended area will be described.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing a mechanism (paper feed mechanism) for conveying the paper P in the printer 14. The mechanism for transporting the paper P includes a paper feed roller 7 provided on the paper feed side.
5a and a driven roller 75b, and a paper discharge roller 77a and a serrated roller 77b provided on the paper discharge side. These rollers are driven by transmitting the rotation of a paper feed motor (not shown) by a gear train.
As shown in FIG. 9, first, the sheet P is nipped by the sheet feeding roller 75a and the driven roller 75b from the sheet feeding side, and is conveyed by the rotation of both rollers. The upper end of the paper P is the discharge roller 77.
When sandwiched between a and the serrated roller 77b, these rollers also feed the sheet to the paper discharge side. An image is recorded on the sheet P by the head 78 in an area on the platen 76.

In this way, the paper feed roller 75a and the driven roller 75b, the paper discharge roller 77a and the serrated roller 77b.
The case where the paper is fed in both cases corresponds to the case where the standard area is printed. On the other hand, even after the lower end of the paper P is disengaged from the paper feed roller 75a and the driven roller 75b, the paper can be fed by the paper discharge roller 77a and the serrated roller 77b. To do. Since the paper feeding accuracy is ensured by the rollers 75a and 75b on the paper feeding side, when printing the expanded area, the lower end of the paper P is disengaged from the paper feeding roller 75a and the driven roller 75b. Is lower than that in the case where the rollers 75a and 75b on the paper feed side convey the sheet. That is, the standard area is an area in which the image recording accuracy is sufficiently guaranteed, whereas the extended area is an area in which the image recording accuracy is lower than that of the standard area.

As described above, the pictorial diagram display field E5 in FIG. 5 is an area in which a pictorial diagram showing the appearance of the printer 14 in a three-dimensional manner is displayed, and represents the attributes of printing by the printer 14. Specifically, it is a pictorial diagram in which the following contents can be understood. Paper type (Aspect ratio) Paper setting orientation Paper conveyance path for printing Paper printing direction Paper printable area on paper

The above-mentioned pictorial diagrams 1 to 3 are changed each time the setting contents of the data input fields E1, E3 and E4 are changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the “paper size” data input field E1 is “A4 210 × 297 m.
When set to "m", the picture in the picture display field E5 is
The paper has a size corresponding to A4 and is set in the vertical direction with respect to the printer body. On the other hand, "paper size"
Data input field E1 is "A4 width 210 x 297 mm"
10 is set, as shown in FIG. 10, the planar image in the pictorial display field E5 is in a state in which the paper has a size corresponding to A4 and is set laterally with respect to the printer body. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the "paper conveying path during printing" is drawn with an arrow, the "printing direction on the paper" is the direction of the letter "A", and the "printable area" is drawn on the paper portion. This is indicated by the position of the dashed line.

FIG. 11 shows the "layout" card CD5.
It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the dialog box DB1 in which was opened. As shown in the figure, the "layout" card CD5 has "enlargement / reduction", "allocation", as data input fields for receiving data input from the operator.
Three data entry fields E11 and E1 for "stamp mark"
2, E13 are provided. Also, this card CD5
Is provided with a layout display field E14 for displaying some information set in the card CD5 among the contents of the current setting of the printer driver using a pictorial diagram.

The "Enlargement / Reduction" data input field E11 is
This is for setting the enlargement / reduction printing for enlarging or reducing the size of the print target data printed on the output paper. In the data input field E11, "none",
Three types of buttons, "Fit page" and "Arbitrary magnification" b
t1, bt2, and bt3 are provided. The “none” button bt1 is used to specify that enlargement or reduction is not performed.

The "fit page" button bt2 is used to specify automatic enlargement / reduction according to the size of the output paper (paper set in the printer 14). "Fit page" button bt2 is mouse 2
When selected by 0, as shown in FIG. 12, the data input field er1 of "output paper" becomes active.
The "output paper" data input field er1 sets the size of the output paper together with the type of paper, and is similar to the options provided in the "paper size" data input field E1 of the "paper setting" card CD1. Is prepared. That is, "A4210 x 297 mm", "A4 width 210
X 297 mm "," B5 182 x 257 mm "," Western envelope 120 x 235 "," Postcard 100 x 147 m "
"m" etc. are prepared as options.

When the operator clicks the "fit page" button bt2, the size of the output paper that is actually set in the printer 14 is set in the data input field er1.
Specify from. As a result, the print target data created in the size of the paper (logical paper) selected in the "Paper size" data input field E1 can be automatically enlarged and reduced in accordance with the output paper. Becomes For example,
The paper size input from the "paper size" data input field E1 is A4 size, and the "output paper" data input field er1
When the B5 version is set to, the print layout (the number of lines, the number of columns, the number of characters, the margin, etc.) of the print target data created with the format information of the A4 version is automatically reduced linearly to the B5 version. Is possible. At this time, the magnifications for enlargement and reduction are stored as magnification data.

The "arbitrary magnification" button bt3 is used for designating the enlargement or reduction at an arbitrary magnification desired by the operator. When the "arbitrary magnification" button bt3 is selected by the mouse 20, as shown in FIG.
The "output paper" data input field er1 and the "magnification" data input field er2 are in an active state. When the operator clicks the button bt3, the operator inputs the size of the output paper actually set in the printer 14 from the data input field er1 and the desired magnification from the data input field er2. As a result, it is possible to print at an arbitrary magnification or reduction desired by the operator. At this time, the magnification input from the data input field er2 is stored as magnification data.

[Fit Page] or [Arbitrary Magnification] is selected, and the data input field er of [Output Paper] is selected.
When a paper size different from the paper size selected in the "paper size" data input field E1 is input from 1, the pictorial diagram displayed in the pictorial display field E5 is the "paper size" data input field E1. Instead of the paper size selected in, the setting contents of the data input field er1 of this "output paper" are reflected.

Returning to FIG. 11, the "layout" data input field E12 is used to set the number of pages to be assigned to one print sheet. "2 pages" means "1 page" or an array of 2 pages arranged side by side. , “4 pages”, which means a grid-like arrangement of 4 pages, is prepared as an option.

"Stamp mark" data input field E13
Is for setting a stamp mark for mark-added printing. Marked printing here means, for example,
This refers to printing in which marks such as “confidential”, “important”, and “urgent” (hereinafter, these marks are called stamp marks) are automatically added on the print screen. The "stamp mark" data input field E13 is provided with a mark name input field er5 and a setting button bt7. Mark name input field er5
Is for setting a name (stamp mark name) for specifying the type of stamp mark. In the mark name input field er5, when the button er5a at the right corner is clicked with the mouse 20, as shown in FIG. 14, the menu field er5b is displayed in a pull-down format, and “confidential”, “”, “ Stamp marks such as "Important", "Prohibition", and "Confidential" are available as options.

The setting button bt7 is a switch for instructing switching to the detailed mode when various information about the stamp mark is set in detail. Specifically, the setting button bt7 is clicked by the mouse 20. The dialog box D shown in FIG.
B2 opens on the screen.

As shown in FIG. 15, in this dialog box DB2, a data input field E for "mark name", "position", "size", "color", and "density" is displayed.
21, E22, E23, E24, E25 are provided.

The data input field E21 for "mark name" is
It is the same as the mark name input field er5 provided on the "layout" card CD5, and the stamp mark name for specifying the type of the stamp mark can be input from both the "layout" card CD5 and this dialog box DB1. It looks like this.

The "position" data input field E22 is for setting the printing position on the one page surface of the stamp mark in the mark printing, and is "center", "upper left", "upper right", "lower left", "right". Five types of "lower" are prepared as options. The "size" data input field E23 is used to set the size of the stamp mark to be printed on one page surface, and a slide lever type button E23a is prepared.

The "color" data input field E24 is used to set the color of the stamp mark, and can be "black", "blue",
"Red", "yellow", etc. are prepared as options. The "density" data input field E25 is used to set the density of the stamp mark to be printed on one page surface, and a slide lever type button E25a is prepared.

Further, in this dialog box DB2, a display column of a pictorial diagram showing the contents of the marked print (hereinafter,
A stamp mark display field) E26 is provided. The picture displayed in the stamp mark display field E26 shows that only one page of the page on which the stamp mark is printed (not the surface of the printing paper, for example, when two pages are assigned to the printing paper) (Corresponding to the above), and more specifically, an image in which the following contents can be understood. Stamp mark type Stamp mark layout position on one page surface Stamp mark size Stamp mark color Stamp mark density

The above-mentioned pictorial diagrams (1) to (4) are changed each time the setting contents of the data input fields E21 to E25 are changed. For example, as shown in the drawing, the "mark name" data input field E21 is "", the "position" data input field E22 is "center", and the "size" data input field E23 is a predetermined size. The data input field E23 for "color" is red, and the data input field E2 for "density" is
When 4 is set to the darkest side, the display column E26
As shown in the figure, the image of is the one in which the character "" is displayed in the center of a rectangular paper with a predetermined size, color (the color is unknown in the figure, but red) and density. Becomes Note that the outer rectangle r1 in the display field E26 indicates the division of the display field E26, the middle rectangle r2 indicates the size of one page to be printed, and the inner rectangle r3 indicates the document in one page. It shows an area in which desired data such as is printed.

Returning to FIG. 11, the "layout" card C
Next, the pictorial diagram displayed in the layout display field E14 provided in D5 will be described. This layout display field E
14 is a "layout" card CD as described above.
The various types of information set in 5 are displayed using pictorial diagrams, and pictorial diagrams corresponding to the actual print results on the output paper are displayed. Specifically, it is a pictorial diagram in which the following contents are understood. Output paper type (aspect ratio), printing direction and printable area Number of pages allocated to one output paper and allocation position of that page surface (corresponding to logical paper) About stamp marks printed on each page surface Mark type, position, size, color and density of print area on page side

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a pictorial diagram displayed in the layout display field E14. As shown in the drawing, a solid line rectangle R1 is drawn in the layout display field E14, and a broken line rectangle R2 is drawn inside the rectangle R1. The solid line rectangle R1 indicates the type (aspect ratio) of the output paper. A broken-line rectangle R2 indicates a printable area on the output paper (area set by the data input field E4 of “printable area” of the card CD4 of “paper setting”). Furthermore, inside the dashed rectangle R2,
A print image P1 schematically showing an image printed on a sheet (logical sheet) is drawn. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing only the print image P1, but as shown in FIG. 17, the print image P1 has no boundary line with the outside.

When there is the above-mentioned mark-added print setting, as shown in FIG. 16, a stamp mark ("") is overlaid on the print image P1. The position, size, color, density, etc. of this stamp mark on the page surface are determined in the same manner as the pictorial diagram displayed in the stamp mark display field E26 shown in FIG.

The example shown in FIG. 16 is an example in which the number of pages assigned to one output sheet is one page. Next, an example in which the number of pages to be allocated is plural will be described below. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the pictorial diagram displayed in the layout display field E14 when the layout page is four pages. As shown,
In the layout display field E14, a solid line rectangle R1 and a broken line rectangle R2 are drawn as in the case of the example shown in FIG. Inside the broken-line rectangle R2, solid-line rectangles R3 indicating the page surfaces assigned to the output sheets are drawn by the number corresponding to the number of pages (here, four). Then, a print image P schematically showing an image to be printed on the logical paper is provided on one of the plurality of page surfaces.
2 is drawn.

The solid line rectangle R1 described above indicates the aspect ratio of the output paper and has a rectangular shape. However, this is a rectangular shape for simplification of the description. As shown in FIG. 19, one of the four corners C1 is folded back. The folded corner C1 indicates the printing direction on the output paper depending on its position. That is, in the "print direction" data input field E3 of the "paper setting" card CD4,
When "Portrait" is selected, the corner C1 at the upper left corner has a folded shape as shown in FIG. 19, whereas when "180 degree rotation" is selected, the corner at the lower right corner becomes It will be folded back.

Further, the print image P1 shown in FIG.
The print image P2 shown in FIG. 18 is "enlarge / reduce".
The size of the data input field E11 changes according to the setting contents. Hereinafter, this point will be described in detail using a flowchart.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a display control process for displaying in the layout display field E14.
This flowchart is executed by the CPU 31.
As shown, when the process is started, the CPU 31
First, by executing a data acquisition / calculation routine (step S100), various data required for display in the layout display field E14 are acquired or calculated. Then, the CPU 31 executes a drawing routine (step S200) to draw a picture in the layout display field E14 based on the data. Then, the execution of this display control process is terminated.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing the data fetching / calculating routine executed in step S100. As shown in the figure, when the processing shifts to the data fetching / calculating routine, the CPU 31 first fetches the paper size and margin information about the logical paper and the paper size and margin information about the output paper (step S110). ). The paper size and margin information are stored in the RAM 33 in advance when data is input to the data input fields of the "sheet setting" and "layout" cards CD4 and CD5. In step S110, the sheet size and the margin information are stored in the RAM 33. Performs the process of importing data.

The paper size of the logical paper is
It is the information specified from the data input field E1 of the “paper size” of the card CD4 of the “paper setting”, and in detail, the information such as the specified “210 × 297 mm” is 360d.
It is stored in the form of the number of dots converted at the resolution of pi. The margin for the logical paper indicates the size outside the printable area on the logical paper, and the margin for the logical paper is set according to the contents specified from the data input field E4 of the “printable area” of the card CD4 of “paper setting”. It is a value obtained from the paper size. That is, when the “printable area” is designated as “standard”, for example, FIG.
As shown in, the size of the margin is set so that a large space is left at the bottom of the paper.

The paper size and margin information regarding the output paper are described in "Enlargement / Expansion" of the card CD5 in "Layout".
This is information designated from the data entry field E11 of "reduction", and is stored in the form of the number of dots converted at the resolution of 360 dpi as in the case of the logical paper. The margin information about the output paper is calculated from the paper size about the output paper taking into account the contents specified from the data input field E4 of the “printable area”, as in the case of the logical paper.

After completing the process of step S110, the CPU 31 then performs a process of calculating the paper size and the margin of the output paper (display output paper) used for display in the layout display field E14 (step S12).
0). This calculation is performed by converting the paper size and margin information about the output paper loaded in step S110 into a size suitable for the size of the layout display field E14.

Subsequently, the CPU 31 performs a process of calculating the paper size and drawing size of the logical paper (display logical paper) used for display in the layout display field E14 (step S130). The paper size is calculated by converting the paper size of the logical paper loaded in step S110 into a size suitable for the size of the layout display field E14. However, here, when the data input field E12 of “layout” of the “layout” card CD5 is designated to be assigned to a plurality of pages, a process of dividing the paper size of the logical display paper according to the number of pages of the assignment is performed. There is a need. On the other hand, the drawing size indicates the size of an area where printing can be actually performed on the logical display paper. The drawing size is calculated by taking into consideration the enlargement / reduction magnification (the above-mentioned magnification data) from the "enlargement / reduction" data input field E11 based on the paper size of the display logical paper. .

That is, when there are a plurality of allocated pages, the output paper size is divided by the number of allocated pages to obtain the logical paper size. When the "fit page" button bt2 of the "enlarge / reduce" data input field E11 is specified, the print target data created in the size of the logical paper is multiplied by the magnification required to match the output paper. Is performed to obtain the drawing size of the logical paper. Further, when the "arbitrary magnification" button bt3 of the "enlargement / reduction" data input field E11 is specified, the multiplication is performed by the magnification specified from the "magnification" data input field er2. Find the drawing size.

After that, the CPU 31 inputs the "stamp mark" data input field E1 of the "layout" card CD5.
It is determined whether or not 3 is designated (step S14).
0). If it is determined that the stamp mark is designated, various information about the stamp mark is fetched (step S150). Various information about the stamp mark is available in the "Stamp mark" data input field E13.
Is designated from the dialog box DB2 for setting the stamp mark, and in step S150, a process of taking in these pieces of information is performed.

After executing step S150, the CPU 31
Performs a process of calculating the size and position of the stamp mark (display stamp mark) used for display in the layout display field E14 (step S160). Regarding the size of the stamp mark, the size of the stamp mark for display is calculated in consideration of the number of pages to be allocated and the magnification data for enlargement / reduction, as in the process of step S130. That is, the dialog box D
The size designated from the data input field E12 of "size" of B2 is corrected by the number of pages of the allocation and the magnification data of enlargement / reduction. After that, the CPU 31 exits this routine by exiting to "return". on the other hand,
When a negative determination is made in step S140, the processing of steps S150 and S160 is skipped, the process directly returns to "return", and this routine is once ended.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the drawing routine executed in step S200. As shown in the figure, when the processing shifts to this drawing routine, the CPU 31 first draws a rectangle R1 (see FIG. 16) in the layout display field E14 with a solid line according to the size of the output paper for display calculated in step S120. Processing is performed (step S210). Note that the rectangle R1 has a shape in which one corner C1 is folded back as described above, but here, the rectangle R1 is a rectangle for simplification of description. Next, based on the sheet size of the display output sheet and the margin information calculated in step S120, a rectangle R2 (see FIG. 16) indicating the printable area of the display output sheet is drawn with a broken line (step S220). ).

Thereafter, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the number of pages to be allocated is plural (step S230),
If it is determined that there are a plurality of rectangles, a rectangle R is formed according to the paper size of the display logical paper calculated in step S130.
3 (see FIG. 18) is drawn with a solid line (step S240). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S230 that the number of pages to be allocated is 1, a process of drawing the rectangle R3 in a transparent color according to the paper size of the logical display paper calculated in step S130 is performed (step S250). .

After execution of step S240 or S250, the CPU 31 prints a image schematically showing the image printed on the logical paper (when the number of pages to be allocated is 1, it corresponds to P1 shown in FIG. In the case of a plurality, the bitmap data indicating (corresponding to P2 shown in FIG. 18) is reduced, and the above step S240 or S25 is performed.
A process of pasting inside the rectangle R3 drawn with 0 is performed (step S260). At this time, step S1
The pasting is performed according to the drawing size calculated in 30.

When the processing of step S260 is completed, the CPU 31 then determines whether or not there is a designation in the data input field E13 of "stamp mark" (step S27).
0). If it is determined that the stamp mark is designated, the stamp mark according to the stamp mark information fetched in step S150 is placed in the rectangle R3 according to the size and position of the display stamp mark calculated in step S160. A pasting process is performed (step S280).

After execution of step S280, the CPU 31
Exits to "return" and ends this routine. On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step S270, the process of step S280 is skipped, the process directly returns to “return”, and this routine is once ended.

By the display control processing thus constructed,
The layout display field E14 is drawn. In the example shown in FIG. 11, a rectangle R1, a rectangle R2, and a print image P1 are drawn in the layout display field E14. In this example, since the number of pages to be allocated is 1 and the “enlargement / reduction” data input field E11 is set to “none”, the rectangle R3 indicating the display logical sheet is not displayed (transparent color). Therefore, the print image P1 is drawn inside the rectangle R3. Since the display logical sheet at this time has the same size as the output sheet, the print image P1 is drawn in a size suitable for the output sheet.

In the example shown in FIG. 12, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 11, the rectangle R1, the rectangle R2 and the print image P1 are drawn in the layout display field E14. , Expansion by "Fit Page",
Since the print image P1 is reduced in accordance with the reduction magnification data, the print image P1 is slightly smaller than that in the example shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the magnification data is 9
The print image P1 is 4%, which is 94% smaller than that of the example shown in FIG. Also, the stamp mark of "" drawn on the print image P1 is smaller than the example shown in FIG. 11 by the magnification data (94%). In the upper left corner of the layout display field E14, text data indicating that the magnification data is 94% is drawn.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 11, the rectangle R1, the rectangle R2 and the print image P1 are drawn in the layout display field E14, but the logical display paper at this time is , The print image P1 in FIG.
It is smaller than the example shown in. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the magnification data is 70%, and the print image P1 is 70% smaller than that in the example shown in FIG. Further, text data indicating that the magnification is 70% is drawn in the upper left corner of the layout display field E14.

Next, a case where there are a plurality of allocation pages will be exemplified. In the example shown in FIG. 23, in the layout display field E14, in addition to the rectangle R1 and the rectangle R2, a rectangle R3 corresponding to the paper size of the display logical paper is drawn. In this example, since the number of pages to be allocated is 4, the rectangle R3 is drawn by a solid line, and the four allocation positions are arranged in a grid pattern. Also, "enlarge / reduce"
Since the data input field E11 is set to “none”, the print image P1 is drawn in an appropriate size inside the rectangle R3 indicating the logical display paper. The print image P1 is drawn in one of the four rectangles, and the other rectangles are drawn with numbers 2 to 4.

In the example shown in FIG. 24, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 23, the rectangle R1, the rectangle R2, the rectangle R3 and the print image P1 are drawn in the layout display field E14. Since the drawing size of the logical paper is reduced according to the magnification data by "arbitrary magnification",
The print image P1 is smaller than that of the example shown in FIG. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 23, the magnification data is 70%, and the print image P1 is 70% smaller than in the example shown in FIG. Further, text data indicating that the magnification is 70% is drawn in the upper left corner of the layout display field E14.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, since the "stamp mark" is set to "none", the stamp mark is not overlaid on the print image P1. On the other hand, "stamp mark"
When the setting is made, the size of the stamp mark is reduced by the same magnification as that of the print image P1 and then the stamp mark is drawn on the print image P1.

Regarding how the layout display field E14 changes depending on the contents specified from the "print direction" data input field E3 of the "paper setting" card CD4,
It will be described next. When “Portrait” is selected in the data input field E3 for “Print direction”, FIG.
As shown in, the folded portion indicating the printing direction is located at the corner C1 of the upper left corner, and the lower end margin m2 of the printable area is larger than the upper end margin m1. On the contrary,
If "Rotate 180 degrees" is selected in addition to "Portrait",
As shown in (b) of 5, the folded-back portion has a corner C at the lower right corner.
4, the upper end margin m1 of the printable area is larger than the lower end margin m2.

As described above in detail, in this embodiment, the print image P1 showing the print area on the logical paper is
It can be determined according to the enlargement / reduction ratio designated from the "enlargement / reduction" data input field E11. Therefore, the picture including the print image P1 displayed in the layout display field E14 can be displayed in a form suitable for the actual image that has been enlarged or reduced and printed. Therefore, the print area on the logical sheet can be known at a glance from the displayed pictorial diagram, and the setting of print information can be facilitated.

In the above embodiment, the print image P1
The stamp mark to be printed on top of can be determined in accordance with the enlargement / reduction ratio designated from the "enlargement / reduction" data input field E11. Therefore, a pictorial diagram of the stamp mark displayed in the layout display field E14
It can be displayed in a form suitable for the actual image that is enlarged or reduced. Therefore, the stamp mark can be known at a glance from the displayed pictorial diagram, and the setting of print information can be facilitated.

Further, a data input field E3 for "printing direction"
When "rotate 180 degrees" is specified, the folded mark indicating the printing direction is rotated 180 degrees, and the upper and lower margins of the printable area are changed in accordance with the rotation of 180 degrees. . Therefore, the margin of the printable area when the printing direction is rotated by 180 degrees can be displayed in a form adapted to the actual image. Therefore, it is possible to further easily set the print information.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the present invention. be able to. In the above-described embodiment, the printer 14 is applied to the computer system in which the local computer 10 is directly connected to the cable. However, instead of this, the computer connected to the server on the LAN is shared by a plurality of computers. The configuration may be applied to the system. Alternatively, the printer connected to a server connected to the Internet may be applied to a computer system controlled by a computer via the Internet. Alternatively, consider a printing mechanism built in a specific device such as a facsimile device or a word processing device as a printing device,
The configuration may be applied to a computer connected to the printing mechanism.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a computer system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of hardware of a computer system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a state of processing from image information handled by the computer main body 16 to printing.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dialog box DB1 for setting various types of information about a printer.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dialog box DB1 in which a “paper setting” card is opened.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a printable area when “standard” is set.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a printable area when “maximum” is set.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a printable area when “centering” is set.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper feeding mechanism of the printer.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a picture displayed in a picture display field E5.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dialog box DB1 in which a “layout” card CD5 is opened.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dialog box DB1 when “fit page” is designated.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the dialog box DB1 when “arbitrary magnification” is designated.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a mark name input field er5 with a menu field er5b opened in a pull-down format.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dialog box DB2 for “stamp mark setting”.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a pictorial diagram displayed in a layout display field E14.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a print image P1.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a pictorial diagram displayed in the layout display field E14 when the layout page is four pages.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a shape in which a folded portion indicating a printing direction is added to a rectangle indicating an aspect ratio of output paper.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a display control process executed by the CPU 31.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a data acquisition / calculation routine executed in step S100 of the display control process.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a drawing routine executed in step S200.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a “layout” card CD5 when there are a plurality of allocation pages.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the “layout” card CD5 when there are a plurality of allocation pages.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a change in the layout display field E14 when “rotate 180 degrees” is designated.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a conventional setting screen.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a problem to be solved by the invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Computer 12 ... CRT display 14 ... Printer 16 ... Computer body 18 ... Keyboard 20 ... Mouse 22 ... Floppy disk 24 ... Floppy disk drive 31 ... CPU 32 ... ROM 33 ... RAM 34 ... Mouse interface 35 ... Keyboard interface 36 ... FDC 37 ... HDC 38 ... CRTC 39 ... Printer interface 40 ... I / O port 41 ... HDD 44 ... Modem 46 ... Public telephone line 48 ... server 51 ... Application program 52 ... Video driver 53 ... Printer driver 54 ... Rasterizer 55 ... Color correction module 56 ... Halftone module 57 ... Information setting module 57a ... Predetermined information input section 57b ... Magnification data input section 57c ... Picture display control unit 57d ... Pictorial drawing decision section 75a ... Paper feed roller 75b ... driven roller 76 ... Platen 77a ... Paper ejection roller 77b ... Giza Roller 78 ... Head

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A display device, an input device for capturing an input operation by an operator, and a display device for displaying a screen area for data input, and based on an input operation from the input device according to the contents of the screen area. A print information setting device including information input means for fetching various information for printing in a predetermined printing device, and information setting means for setting the fetched various information, wherein the information input means is a target of the printing. And a predetermined information input unit for taking in logical paper information indicating a paper size that the print target data can take, and further, allocating a plurality of pages of the print target data for printing on the output paper set in the printing device. Allocation information input means for fetching information on the allocation area for printing, and for the predetermined information input means in the screen area. Picture display control means for displaying a picture image schematically showing a print image on the logical paper according to the logical paper information taken in, and a rectangle showing the logical paper information taken in by the predetermined information input means in the screen area. And a rectangular display control means for displaying, and the pictorial display control means includes pictorial diagram determining means for determining the content of the pictorial diagram according to the information of the allocation area, and the rectangular display control means is for the information of the allocation area. A print information setting device, comprising: a rectangle determining means for determining the size of the rectangle according to the above. 2. A display device, an input device for capturing an input operation by an operator, and a display device for displaying a screen area for data input, and based on an input operation from the input device according to the contents of the screen area. And a print information setting device including information input means for fetching various information for printing in a predetermined printing device, and information setting means for setting the fetched various information, wherein the information input means is the print device. A predetermined information input means for taking in information about a stamp mark to be watermark-printed on the output paper to be set is provided, and further, a plurality of pages of the print target data are allocated and printed on the output paper, and an allocation area for allocation printing is provided. Allocation information input means for capturing information, and the predetermined information input means for capturing in the screen area With a picture display control means for displaying an image showing information about the tamper mark by a picture, the picture display control means is provided with a picture determination means for determining the content of the picture according to the information of the allocation area. Print information setting device. 3. The print information setting device according to claim 2, wherein the information input unit takes in logical paper information indicating a paper size that can be taken by the print target data to be printed. The print information setting device further includes, in the screen area, a print image pictorial diagram for displaying an image of a pictorial diagram schematically showing a print image on a logical paper according to the logical paper information fetched by the predetermined information input means. A print information setting device, comprising: a control unit, wherein the print image / pictorial image control unit includes a print image / pictorial image determining unit that determines the content of the pictorial image of the print image according to the information of the allocation area. 4. A display device, an input device for capturing an input operation by an operator, and a display device for displaying a screen area for data input, based on an input operation from the input device according to the contents of the screen area. A print information setting device including information input means for fetching various information for printing in a predetermined printing device and information setting means for setting the fetched various information, wherein the information input means is formed by the printing. A predetermined information input means for receiving predetermined information capable of changing at least the printed surface, and a print direction input means for receiving information of a print direction including at least 180 degrees on the output paper set in the printing device; In the screen area, an image showing the predetermined information taken in by the predetermined information inputting means by a pictorial diagram is displayed. Together and a FIG display control means, said pictorial display control means, the print information setting device, characterized in that in accordance with the print direction information comprises pictorial determining means for determining the content of the pictorial. 5. The predetermined information fetched by the predetermined information input means is information about a printable area that limits a possible range of the printing surface on the output paper set in the printing device. The described print information setting device. 6. (1) While displaying a screen area for data input on a display device, various information for printing in a predetermined printing device is displayed based on an input operation from the input device according to the contents of the screen area. In the print information setting method including the step of loading and (2) the step of setting the loaded various information, the step (1) includes (1a) determining a paper size that can be taken by the print target data to be printed. And (3) fetching information on an allocation area for allocation printing, in which a plurality of pages of the print target data are allocated and printed on the output paper set in the printing device. (4) In the screen area, an image of a pictorial diagram schematically showing a print image on a logical sheet according to the logical sheet information fetched in (1a) is displayed. And (5) displaying a rectangle indicating the logical paper information captured by the predetermined information input means in the screen area, and the step (4) includes (4a) the allocation area. A print information setting method comprising a step of determining the content of the pictorial diagram according to information, and the step (5) including a step of determining the size of the rectangle according to the information of the allocation area. 7. (1) While displaying a screen area for data input on a display device, various information for printing in a predetermined printing device is displayed based on an input operation from the input device according to the contents of the screen area. In a print information setting method including a step of taking in and (2) a step of setting the various information taken in, the step (1) includes (1a) a stamp which is watermark-printed on an output sheet set in the printing device. Including the step of fetching information about the mark; and (3) the step of fetching information on the layout area for the layout printing in which a plurality of pages of the print target data are printed on the output paper, and (4) the screen In the area, a step of displaying an image showing information about the stamp mark captured by the above (1a) by a pictorial diagram is provided, and The print information setting method, wherein the step (a) includes a step of determining the content of the picture according to the information of the allocation area. 8. (1) While displaying a screen area for data input on a display device, various information for printing in a predetermined printing device is displayed based on an input operation from the input device according to the contents of the screen area. In a print information setting method including a step of taking in and (2) a step of setting the various information taken in, the step (1) includes (1a) a predetermined printing surface capable of changing at least a printing surface formed by the printing And (3) capturing information of a printing direction including at least 180 degrees on the output paper set in the printing device, and (4) storing the information in the screen area in the step (1a). And a step of displaying an image showing the predetermined information taken in by a pictorial diagram, and the step (4) includes (4a) a step according to the information of the printing direction. A print information setting method comprising a step of determining the contents of a pictorial diagram.