JP2003231325A - Information processor, printer and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically avoid occurrence of improper print results which are illegible because the characters are collapsed or too small by making a decision whether a reduced layout specified at the time of printing is appropriate or not. <P>SOLUTION: A print mode specifying section 301 specifies a print mode, e.g. a normal print mode or a reduced layout mode. An intermediate data generating section 302 generates intermediate data based on information delivered by an application under use through an OS. A character judging section 305 compares a content specified at the print mode specifying section 301 with the intermediate data generated at the intermediate data generating section 302 and stored temporarily in a spool section 304. A print data generating section 303 generates final print data being transmitted to a printer. The spool section 304 stores the print data generated at the intermediate data generating section 302 and the print data generated at the print data generating section 303. <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 an information processing apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a method thereof, and more particularly, an information processing apparatus and a printing apparatus that can use the printing apparatus in an information processing apparatus (host computer) and the same. Regarding the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing system including a printing device (hereinafter referred to as a printer) having a function of printing in page units and a data processing device such as an information processing device (hereinafter referred to as a host) connected to the printer. In print processing, as a page layout function, a reduced page layout (reduced layout) for reducing and outputting a plurality of pages (N pages) within one page (one output sheet)
Printing is known.

This reduced layout printing is a printing method suitable for saving output paper and draft printing.
For example, by reducing print data for two pages into one page of paper and performing layout printing (2 in 1 printing),
It is possible to cut the output paper in half.

Further, in this reduced layout printing, "2
In addition to “in1” printing, print data for four pages is reduced and laid out on one page of paper and printed “4 in1”
Printing, similarly "6 in 1" printing, "8 in 1" printing,
It is known that there are “9 in 1” printing, “16 in 1” printing, and the like.

[0005]

However, in the case of the above-described conventional example, when a specific reduced layout print is designated, the page is edited according to the designated reduced layout regardless of the output contents to be printed, and the page is reduced within one page. Depending on the print result, the specified reduced layout may not be appropriate and the reduction ratio may be too low, resulting in crushed characters or characters that are too small to be read. In this case, you need to specify a reduced layout with a small number of pages and a high reduction ratio and print again, or cancel the reduced layout mode (Nin1) specification and try printing again in the normal print mode (1in1 print). However, there is a problem in that printing must be executed again from an application or the like.

Further, there is a problem that the paper is wasted when the printing is performed again although the paper is saved by executing the reduced layout mode printing.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object thereof is to judge whether a reduced layout designated at the time of printing is appropriate or not, so that a character collapse or a character is too small. An information processing apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a method thereof, which automatically avoids an improper print result such as being unreadable, reduces operator labor such as reprinting, and eliminates paper waste. To do.

[0008]

In order to achieve such an object, the invention according to claim 1 determines whether to perform printing by a page layout function such as normal printing or reduced layout printing. A first print mode designating unit for designating and a second print mode for designating whether or not the mode of the reduced layout is further automatically changed when the reduced layout printing is designated by the first print mode designating unit. A designating means, a third print mode designating means for designating a minimum character size that is acceptable as a print result when the automatic layout mode is designated by the second print mode designating means, and the first print mode. When the reduced layout is designated by the print mode designating means, the intermediate data for generating the intermediate data for the reduced layout process before the print data is generated. And a character size calculation means for calculating the character size when the reduced layout mode designated by the first print mode designation means is executed for the characters in the data generated by the intermediate data generation means, A character determining means for comparing the character size acquired by the character size calculating means with a minimum character size designated by the third print mode designating means; and a character size calculated by the character size detecting means in the character determining means. Is smaller than the minimum character size designated by the third print mode designating means, the reduced layout printing designated by the first print mode designating means is canceled and print data is generated in the normal print mode. 1 and the character size calculated by the character size detection means in the character determination means. Is larger than the minimum character size designated by the third print mode designating means, print data for editing the intermediate data according to the reduced layout designated by the first print mode designating means is generated. No. 2 print data generating means, spool means for storing the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generating means and the print data generated by the print data generating means, and the print data stored in the spool means for a printing device. And a print data transmitting unit that transmits the print data to the printer.

The invention described in claim 2 is the same as claim 1.
In the invention described in (3), the character size calculated by the character size detecting means in the character determining means by the first print data generating means is smaller than the minimum character size specified by the third print mode specifying means. In this case, for the reduced layout printing designated by the first print mode designating means, the process is changed to a reduced layout mode having a smaller number of pages and a higher reduction ratio than the designated reduced layout mode to generate print data. It is characterized by

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first print mode designating means for designating whether or not to perform printing by a page layout function such as normal printing or reduced layout printing, and the first print mode designation. Second print mode designating means for designating whether or not to automatically change the mode of the reduced layout when the reduced layout printing is designated by the means, and the automatic layout mode is designated by the second print mode designating means. Third character that specifies the minimum character size that is acceptable as a print result when
Print mode designation means, intermediate data generation means for generating intermediate data, spool means for storing the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generation means, and the first, second, and third print mode designation means A printing device connected to an information processing device having a printing device transmitting unit for transmitting to the printing device the print mode information designated in step 1 and the intermediate data stored by the spooling device,
A character size calculation unit that calculates a character size when executing the reduced layout mode designated by the first print mode designation unit with respect to the characters in the intermediate data received from the information processing apparatus, and the character size calculation unit. The character determining means for comparing the acquired character size with the minimum character size designated by the third print mode designating means, and the character size calculated by the character size detecting means in the character determining means are the third character size. If the size is smaller than the minimum character size designated by the print mode designating unit, the reduced layout printing designated by the first print mode designating unit is canceled, and print data is generated in the normal print mode. Means and the character size calculated by the character size detecting means in the character determining means is the third When it is larger than the minimum character size designated by the printing mode designating means, a second print data generating means for generating print data for editing the intermediate data according to the reduced layout designated by the first printing mode designating means. A print buffer means for storing the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generating means and the print data generated by the print data generating means; and a data printing means for printing with the print data stored in the print buffer means. It is characterized by having.

The invention according to claim 4 is the same as claim 3
In the invention described in (3), the character size calculated by the character size detecting means in the character determining means by the first print data generating means is smaller than the minimum character size specified by the third print mode specifying means. In this case, with respect to the reduced layout printing designated by the first print mode designating means, the process is changed to a reduced layout mode having a smaller number of pages and a higher reduction ratio than the designated reduced layout mode to generate print data. It is characterized by doing.

The invention described in claim 5 is the same as claim 1.
Or a plurality of information processing devices according to claim 2;
The printing system is characterized in that it is communicably connected to at least one printing apparatus described in 1 above via a network or a bidirectional interface.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a first print mode designation step for designating whether or not to perform printing by a page layout function such as normal printing or reduced layout printing, and the first print mode designation. When the reduced layout printing is designated in the step, a second print mode designation step for designating whether or not the mode of the reduced layout is further automatically changed, and the automatic layout mode is designated in the second print mode designation step. If a reduced layout is designated in the third print mode designating step that designates the minimum character size that is acceptable as the print result and the first print mode designating step, before the print data is generated. An intermediate data generation step for generating intermediate data for the reduced layout process, and the intermediate data generation step. A character size calculation step for calculating the character size when the reduced layout mode designated in the first print mode designation step is executed for the characters in the data generated in the data generation step; The character size calculated by the character size detecting step in the character determining step, and the character size calculating step in the character determining step. When the size is smaller than the minimum character size designated by the mode designating step, a first print data generation step of canceling the reduced layout printing designated by the first print mode designating step and generating print data in the normal print mode; Detecting the character size in the character determining step When the character size calculated by the step is larger than the minimum character size specified by the third print mode specifying step, printing is performed by editing the intermediate data according to the reduced layout specified by the first print mode specifying step. A second print data generating step for generating data; a spool step for storing the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generating step and the print data generated by the print data generating step; and a spool step stored in the spool step. A print data transmitting step of transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus.

The invention according to claim 7 is the same as claim 6
In the invention described in above, in the first print data generating step, the character size calculated in the character size detecting step in the character determining step is smaller than the minimum character size specified in the third print mode specifying step. In this case, with respect to the reduced layout printing designated by the first print mode designation step, the process is changed to the reduced layout mode having a smaller number of pages and a higher reduction rate than the designated reduced layout mode to generate print data. It is characterized by

Further, according to the invention of claim 8, there is provided a first printing mode designating step for designating whether or not to perform printing by a page layout function such as normal printing or reduced layout printing, and the first printing mode designation. When the reduced layout printing is designated in the step, a second print mode designation step for designating whether or not the mode of the reduced layout is further automatically changed, and the automatic layout mode is designated in the second print mode designation step. In the case of being performed, a third print mode designating step of designating a minimum character size that is acceptable as a print result, an intermediate data generating step of generating intermediate data, and intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generating step. Is stored in the spool step and the first, second, and third print mode designation steps are performed. And the printing mode information that has been specified it is,
A printing method in a printing apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus having an information processing function, comprising: a printing apparatus transmitting step of transmitting the intermediate data stored by the spooling step to the printing apparatus; A character size calculation step for calculating a character size when executing the reduced layout mode designated in the first print mode designation step for the characters in the received intermediate data; and a character size obtained in the character size calculation step. The character determination step of comparing with the minimum character size designated by the third print mode designation step, and the character size calculated by the character size detection step in the character determination step are determined by the third print mode designation step. If it is smaller than the specified minimum character size, the first The first print data generation step of canceling the reduced layout printing designated in the print mode designation step and generating print data in the normal print mode, and the character size calculated in the character size detection step in the character determination step are If the size is larger than the minimum character size designated by the third print mode designation step, the second print for generating print data for editing the intermediate data according to the reduced layout designated by the first print mode designation step. A data generation step, a print buffer step for storing the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generation step and the print data generated by the print data generation step, and printing is performed by the print data stored in the print buffer step. Data printing step And wherein the door.

The invention described in claim 9 is the same as claim 8.
In the invention described in (3), in the first print data generation step, the character size calculated by the character size detection means in the character determination step is smaller than the minimum character size specified by the third print mode specifying step. In this case, for the reduced layout printing designated by the first print mode designation step, the processing is changed to a reduced layout mode with a smaller number of pages and a higher reduction ratio than the designated reduced layout mode to generate print data. It is characterized by doing.

The invention described in claim 10 is a program for causing a computer to execute each step according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium in which a program for executing the steps of any of the sixth to ninth aspects is recorded.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the reduced layout is designated, by providing the "automatic layout mode", it is possible to judge whether or not the reduced layout designated at the time of printing is appropriate. To determine the size of the characters used in the print document, and if the characters to be printed are smaller than a specified size, the layout is automatically reduced. By canceling the mode, it is possible to automatically avoid improper print results, such as crushed characters and characters that are too small to read, and to reduce the operator's trouble such as reprinting. An object of the present invention is to realize an information processing apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a method thereof capable of eliminating waste of paper.

Further, according to the present invention, when the reduced layout is designated, by providing the "automatic layout mode", it is possible to judge whether or not the reduced layout designated at the time of printing is appropriate. Execution determines how large the characters used in the printed document will be, and if the characters to be printed are smaller than a specified size, the specified reduction will be performed automatically. By changing the processing to a reduced layout mode with a smaller number of pages and a higher reduction ratio than the layout mode, it is possible to automatically avoid the improper print results, such as crushed characters and characters that are too small to read. In addition, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the operator such as the execution of reprinting, and to reduce the waste of paper, as well as the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus. In is to realize the method.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, before describing the configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of a laser beam printer as a printer applicable to the printing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The device used as the printer in the present embodiment is not limited to the laser beam printer,
It goes without saying that printers of other printing methods may be used. Further, it goes without saying that the printer may be either a color printer or a monochrome printer.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the arrangement of a laser printer as a printer applicable to the printing system of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1500 denotes a laser beam printer main body, which inputs and stores print information (character codes, etc.), form information, macro commands, etc. supplied from an externally connected host computer, and according to the information. A corresponding character pattern or form pattern is created, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper.

Reference numeral 1501 denotes an operation panel, on which switches for operation and an LED display are arranged. 10
A printer control unit 00 controls the entire printer 1500 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer. This printer control unit 1000
Mainly converts the character information into a video signal having a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1502.

The laser driver 1502 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1503, and switches on / off the laser beam 1504 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1503 according to the input video signal. Laser light 1
A rotary polygon mirror 1505 scans the surface 504 in the left-right direction, the direction of which is converted by a reflecting mirror, and then reaches the electrostatic drum 1506. The surface of the electrostatic drum 1506 is uniformly charged in advance, and an electrostatic latent image (such as a character pattern) corresponding to a video signal is formed on the surface by irradiation with laser light.

This latent image is developed by a developing device 1507 arranged around the electrostatic drum 1506 and then transferred to a recording paper. A cut sheet is used as this recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1508 mounted on the printer 1500, and is taken into the apparatus by a paper discharge roller 1509 and a conveyance roller 1511, and is transferred to an electrostatic drum 1506. An image (toner image) developed by being supplied to the opposing position is transferred.

Further, the printer 1500 is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown) and is constructed so that an optional font card and a card (emulation card) having a different language system can be connected in addition to the built-in font.

Further, it has a network interface and a communication interface, and is configured to be able to communicate with a host computer directly connected via a network or by a cable.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the printer shown in FIG. 1 and a host computer that can use this printer. The printer 1500 and the host computer 3000 are communicably connected.

In the figure, reference numeral 3000 is a host computer, which is based on the text processing program stored in the program ROM 32 of the ROM 3 and the like.
A CPU 1 that executes text processing in which tables (including spreadsheets and the like) are mixed is provided, and the CPU 1 generally controls each device connected to the system bus 4.

The program ROM of the ROM 3
The control program of the CPU 1 and the like are stored in the memory 32.
The font ROM 31 of M3 stores font data and the like used in the above-described text processing, and the data ROM 33 of ROM 3 stores various data used in the above-described text processing.

Reference numeral 2 is a RAM, which is the main memory of the CPU 1,
Functions as a work area, etc. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls input from a pointing device (not shown) such as a keyboard (KB) 9 or a mouse or tablet. 6 is a CRT controller (CRTC)
Controls the display of the CRT display (CRT) 10.

Reference numeral 7 is a disk controller (DKC)
A hard disk (HD), floppy (registered trademark) for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, etc.
Rewritable recording device such as disk (FD), magneto-optical disk (MO), IC card (semiconductor memory), and / or
Alternatively, it controls access to the external memory 11 such as a read-only storage device such as a CD-ROM.

Reference numeral 8 is a printer controller (PRT).
In C), the printer 1500 is connected to the printer 1500 via a predetermined bidirectional interface 21 and executes a communication control process with the printer 1500.

The CPU 1 executes, for example, a process (rasterize) of the outline font to the display information RAM set on the RAM 2 to enable WYSIWYG on the CRT 10.

Further, the CPU 1 opens various windows registered on the basis of a command designated by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

In the printer 1500, 12 is a printer CPU (CPU), which is a program RO in the ROM 13.
Based on a control program or the like stored in the M132 or a control program stored in the external memory 14, access to various devices connected to the system bus 15 is controlled in a centralized manner, and the connection is performed via the printing unit interface 16. The image signal as output information is output to the printing unit (printer engine) 17 that performs the printing.

Also, the program RO of the ROM 13
A control program for the printer CPU 12 is stored in M132. The font ROM 131 of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the above-mentioned output information, and HD, FD, MO, IC card, CD-RO.
If the printer does not have the external memory 14 such as M, RO
Information and the like used on the host computer are stored in the data ROM 133 of the M13.

The printer CPU 12 is capable of communicating with the host computer 3000 via the input unit 18, and transfers information in the printer to the host computer 3000.
It is configured to be able to notify. 19 is the printer CP
RAM that functions as the main memory and work area of U12
Option RA connected to an expansion board not shown
The memory capacity can be expanded by M.

The RAM 19 is an output information expansion area,
It is used as an environment data storage area. The external memory 14 such as the hard disk (HD) described above is access-controlled by the disk controller (DKC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option and stores font data, emulation programs, form data and the like.

Further, it has a non-volatile RAM 22 and stores printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501.
Hold. The non-volatile RAM 22 also stores and holds specific information regarding printer error information.

Reference numeral 1501 denotes the above-mentioned operation panel, on which switches for operation and an LED display are arranged. Further, the above-mentioned external memories 11 and 14 are not limited to one, but at least one is provided, and in addition to the built-in font, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different languages are connected. It may be configured to be capable.

(Pre-Processing) Next, pre-processing until the present print control system having the print data reduction layout function and the like in the present embodiment operates will be described. The print control system operates by the CPU 1 executing a basic I / O program, an operating system (OS), and the print control program.

The basic I / O program is written in the ROM 32, and the operating system (OS) is
Hard disk (HD) or floppy (registered trademark)
It is written in the external memory 11 such as a disk (FD).

First, when the power of the host computer is turned on, it is stored in the external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) by the initial program loading function in the basic I / O program. Operating system (O
S) is read into the RAM 2 and the OS operates.

Next, the operator uses the keyboard (KB)
9 and a pointing device (not shown)
When a command image or the like in the command menu displayed on the screen of T10 is selected to instruct execution of the application, the application stored in the external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) is stored in the RAM2. And the application runs.

Next, when printing is instructed by the operator in the same procedure as when the application is started,
Hard disk (HD) or floppy (registered trademark)
A print control program and a printer data generation program (printer driver) having a function of combining print data stored in an external memory 11 such as a disk (FD)
Is read into the RAM 2 and the print control system operates.

(Overall Configuration of Printing System) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of a host computer and a printer used in the printing system according to the present embodiment. Each block is a program R of the host computer
The OM 32 and / or the external memory 11, the program ROM 132 of the printer, and / or the programs stored in advance in the external memory 14 are stored in the CPUs 1 and 12 as necessary.
Is loaded into the RAMs 2 and 19 and executed.

This printing system, as shown in FIG.
A host computer (host) 300 creates a print job and sends the print job to the printer 310 via the bidirectional interface 320. The printer 310 processes the print job received from the host and outputs the print result.

The bidirectional interface 320 is
It is only necessary that data can be transferred between the host 300 and the printer 310.
It goes without saying that they may be directly connected by a cable or the like, or may be connected via a network such as a LAN.

Specifically, the host 300 shown in FIG.
Print mode designation unit 301 and intermediate data generation unit 302
A print data generation unit 303, a spool unit 304,
The character determination unit 305, the page editing unit 306, the information storage unit 307, and the host transmission / reception unit 308 are included.

The print mode designation unit 301 designates which of the normal print mode and the reduced layout mode is used, the number of pages (N) in the reduced layout mode, and the automatic layout mode ON / OFF designation. Specify the print mode, such as specifying the minimum character size.

The intermediate data generation unit 302 creates intermediate data based on the information passed via the OS by the application or the like being used. The character determination unit 305 performs a comparison determination between the content designated by the print mode designation unit 301 and the intermediate data temporarily stored in the spool unit 304 generated by the intermediate data generation unit 302.

The information storage unit 309 includes a print mode designation unit 3
Information regarding the content designated by 01 and the content obtained by the character determination unit 305 is stored as necessary. The page editing unit 306 edits the intermediate data temporarily stored in the spool unit 304 based on the information obtained by the character determination unit 305.

The print data generation unit 303 is provided with the information passed through the OS by the application used and the like.
Based on the information edited by the page editing unit 306, final print data to be transmitted to the printer is created. The spool unit 304 stores the print data and the like created by the intermediate data generation unit 302 and the print data generation unit 303.

Next, the printer 310 shown in FIG. 3 includes a printer transmitting / receiving unit 311, a printer control unit 312, a print buffer unit 313, and a data printing unit 314.

The printer transmission / reception unit 311 is used by the host 300.
The processing unit receives print data transmitted from the printer. The print buffer unit 313 is the printer transmitting / receiving unit 31 described above.
The print data received in 1 is saved. Data printing part 3
14 prints on the paper. Printer control unit 312
Is a control unit that gives processing instructions and the like through the exchange of print jobs with each processing unit.

The contents of processing in each processing unit have been described above, and a specific method of realizing this embodiment will be described below. [First Embodiment] Next, using the flowcharts, reduced layout printout examples, user interface (UI) screen diagrams, and reduced layout mode table diagrams included in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7, a book A method of operating the print control system having a print data reduction layout function in the host computer according to the embodiment will be described.
It should be noted that this process is started in a state where a program such as a printable application is operating in the operation step.

The reduced layout in the first embodiment means a page (hereinafter, logical page) on an application and a page (hereinafter, referred to as physical page) that is actually output as a plurality of logical patterns as a print format. It means to arrange and output pages so that they fit on one physical page.

Therefore, the reduced layout "Nin1" printing means that N logical pages are arranged on one physical page, and a specific output example of the reduced layout is shown in FIG. Example of "2 in 1" printing (Fig. 5
(A)). Similarly, an example of “4 in 1” printing (see FIG. 5)
(B)). Similarly, an example of “6 in 1” printing (see FIG. 5)
(C)). Hereinafter, the same applies even if the number of logical pages increases.

Next, when the reduction layout is designated, C
User interface (U
I) An example of the screen is shown in FIG. When a user issues a print start request in an application or the like running on the host computer, a user interface screen for print instruction is displayed on the CRT 10.

In the example of the user interface screen shown in FIG. 6, the print mode can be designated, and it is possible to select either normal printing (1 in 1 printing) or reduced layout printing (N in 1 printing) (601). When the reduced layout printing (Nin1 printing) is selected, it is possible to further select the number of logical pages (N) as the detailed setting of the reduced layout (602).

The "automatic layout mode" can be specified (603) and the "minimum character size" can be specified (604). By specifying the automatic layout mode and the minimum character size, the first embodiment is possible. The automatic layout mode in 1 is operable. In addition, when the setting button (605) is pressed in this user interface screen example, the designated print mode is set, and the image forming process in the first embodiment is performed based on the setting contents when printing is executed.

When the cancel button (605) is pressed in this user interface screen example, the specified print mode is canceled and the default print mode is maintained or the setting of the print mode specified at the time of the previous printing is canceled. It is possible to keep the setting as it is.

In addition to the print settings of the printer driver, there is a column for setting the size of the print paper used for printing, designation of the paper tray or paper cassette, the number of copies, etc. It is needless to say that the image forming process is started based on these pieces of information when the instruction corresponding to is issued.

In this user interface, when the reduced layout mode is designated, the intermediate data generator 302 generates intermediate data before generating print data to be transmitted to the printer via the bidirectional interface 320. It is generated and temporarily stored in the spool unit 304.

Next, the intermediate data is page-edited based on the specified settings of the reduced layout mode to generate print data to be transmitted to the printer. In the reduced layout mode referred to when the page is edited, An example of the table is shown in FIG.

The reduced layout mode table of FIG.
The designated reduction layout mode number (m), the configuration contents of the logical page and the physical page of the reduction layout, the reduction ratio when the page editing by the reduction layout is executed, and the like are stored.

Needless to say, the content of the reduced layout is not limited to this as long as the logical page can be reduced and re-edited in the physical page. Needless to say, the necessary data used for page editing the intermediate data includes coordinate positions and margin settings, and is not limited to the contents of the reduced layout mode table example.

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, an operation method of the present print control system having a print data automatic reduction layout function in the host computer of the present embodiment will be described. First, the print mode designated by the print mode designation unit 301 is a normal print (1in1) mode or a reduced layout (Nin1).
It is determined whether the mode is the mode (step S401). When the normal print (1 in 1) mode is designated in step S401, print data generation (creation) processing (step S410) is performed with the page configuration equivalent to the logical page output from the application.

If the reduced layout (Nin1) mode is designated in step S401, the intermediate data generating unit is generated before generating the print data to be transmitted to the printer via the bidirectional interface 320. Intermediate data is generated from the logical page by 302 and is temporarily stored in the spool unit 304 (step S40).
2).

Next, in the print mode designation unit 301,
It is determined whether the automatic layout mode is designated (step S403). In this step S403, if the automatic layout mode is not specified,
Based on the designated reduced layout configuration, data required for reduced layout and page editing is read from the reduced layout mode table described in FIG. 7 (step S
404).

For example, if the reduction layout mode designated by the print mode designation unit 301 is "4 in 1", information such as m = 2 reduction ratio = 50% is read.

Next, the page editing section 306 determines in step S
Based on the information read in 404, the intermediate data is page-edited so as to be configured as specified in the physical page, print data to be transmitted to the printer is created, and the print job is stored in the spool unit 304. Yes (Step S
405, step S410).

Next, in step S403, when the automatic layout mode is designated, the reduced layout mode (m) and page editing are performed from the reduced layout mode table described with reference to FIG. 7 based on the designated reduced layout configuration. The necessary data is read out, and the minimum character size (X) specified by the print mode specifying unit 301 is read.
Is read (step S406).

For example, if the reduced layout mode designated by the print mode designation unit 301 is "4 in 1" and the designated minimum character size (X) is "6.0", then m = 2 reduction ratio = 50% Information such as the minimum character size (X) = 6.0 is read.

The definition regarding the minimum character size (X) shown in step S406 is not limited to any point size, character height information, character width information, etc. as long as the character size can be specified. It goes without saying that it may be one.

Next, the character determination unit 305 determines the print mode designation unit 30 for all the characters included in the intermediate data.
The character size (Y) when the character in the intermediate data is subjected to the reduction processing is calculated based on the reduced layout information designated in step 1 and read out in step S406 (step S407).

For example, the reduced layout mode designated by the print mode designation unit 301 is "m = 2 (4 in 1)".
So, the actual character size is "10.0" in the application.
If the character is used, the reduction ratio at this time is "50.
%, The character size (Y) converted after the reduced layout is the character size after conversion (Y) = actual character size × reduction ratio, and in this calculation example, 10.0 × 0.5 = It becomes 5.0. It goes without saying that the calculation example shown in step S407 is only an example in the present embodiment, and the calculation method is not limited to this.

Next, the character determination unit 305 determines in step S4.
Minimum character size (X) read in 06 and step S
Character size after reduced layout calculated in 407 (Y)
(Step S408) If “X <= Y” in step S408, the calculated character size (Y) actually printed on the paper is calculated from the specified minimum character size (X). Is greater than or equal to, the print data generating unit 303, based on the information read in step S406, prints the intermediate data so that the page is configured as specified in the physical page. Edit the print data to be sent to the printer and store the print job in the spool unit 304 (steps S405 and S41).
0).

In step S408, "X>"
If it is "Y", the specified minimum character size (X)
Since the calculated character size (Y) actually printed on the paper is “smaller”, the currently designated reduction layout mode is canceled and printing is executed in the normal mode (1 in 1). Therefore, the print data generation unit 303 arranges the page layout on the physical page according to the logical page specified by the application.
The intermediate data is used as it is, the print data to be transmitted to the printer is created, and the print job is stored in the spool unit 304 (steps S409 and S410).

In the first embodiment, it is described that the judgment is made only for a certain character in the print data for the sake of convenience, but the same is true for all the characters in the logical page. It goes without saying that the print mode can be changed if at least one character included in the logical page corresponds to the determination result of step S408 by performing the calculation and comparison processing.

Next, the print data generated in step S410 and stored in the spool section 304 is transmitted to the printer via the host transmission / reception section 308 (step S).
411).

As described above, in the first embodiment, when printing is performed, when the reduced layout mode is designated, the automatic layout mode is designated, and the minimum character size is designated, when the reduced layout is actually executed, The character size printed on the physical page is calculated, and the minimum character size specified by the operator is compared with the calculated character size printed on the physical page when the reduced layout is executed.
If it is determined that the character size printed on the physical page is smaller than the minimum character size, the print mode “reduced layout designation” is automatically canceled and “normal print (1 in 1 By switching to "Print) mode" and printing, it is possible to avoid the case where the characters in the output result are crushed or too small to read, and it is performed when the print result is inappropriate.
This has an effect of making it possible to save operator's trouble such as reprinting.

Further, as described above, it is possible to automatically cancel the designation of the reduced layout mode and perform printing, thereby avoiding the characters in the output result being crushed or being too small to be read, This has an effect of making it possible to eliminate waste of paper due to reprinting, which is performed when an inappropriate printing result is obtained.

[Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment, in the print result when the reduced layout mode is designated, the designated reduced layout is not appropriate and the reduction ratio is too low, so that the characters are not crushed or crushed. As a means to automatically avoid printing results that are too small to read, print how large the characters used in the printed document are when executing reduced layout. If the size of printed characters calculated before data generation is less than a certain size, you can automatically cancel the reduced layout mode to avoid crushing the characters or making the characters too small to read. I explained the process to avoid getting an appropriate print result, but the print result is such that the characters are crushed or the characters are too small to read. The process for automatically avoid Mau is not limited thereto.

In the second embodiment, as a means for automatically avoiding the print result such as the character being crushed and the character being too small to be read, the number of pages is set to be smaller than that of the automatically designated reduced layout mode. A method for automatically avoiding a print result such as a crushed character or an unreadable character because the character is too small will be described by changing the processing to a reduced layout mode with a small reduction rate.

(Overall Configuration of Printing System) The functional configurations of the host computer and the printer used in the printing system according to the present embodiment can be realized in the same manner as the block diagram shown in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description is omitted here.

A specific method of realizing this embodiment will be described below. An operation method of the printing system having the print data reduction layout function and the like in the host computer according to the present embodiment will be described. It should be noted that this process is started in a state where a program such as a printable application is operating in the operation step.

The reduced layout in the second embodiment means that a page on the application (hereinafter referred to as a logical page) and a page to be actually output (hereinafter referred to as a physical page) have a plurality of print appearances. It means to arrange and output a logical page so that it fits on one physical page.

Therefore, the output example in the reduced layout “Nin1” printing is the same as that shown in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

Next, when the reduction layout is designated, C
User interface (U
I) The example of the screen is the same as that shown in FIG. 6 in the first embodiment, and therefore the description is omitted here.

In this user interface, when the reduced layout mode is designated, the intermediate data generator 302 generates intermediate data before generating print data to be transmitted to the printer via the bidirectional interface 320. It is generated and temporarily stored in the spool unit 304.

Next, the intermediate data is page-edited based on the specified settings of the reduced layout mode to generate print data to be transmitted to the printer. The example of the table is the same as that shown in FIG. 7 in the first embodiment, and therefore the description is omitted here.

Next, the operation method of the printing system having the automatic reduction layout function of print data in the host computer of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. First, the print mode specified in the print mode specifying unit 301 is the normal print (1
It is determined whether it is the in1) mode or the reduced layout (Nin1) mode (step S801).

In step S801, normal printing (1
If the in1) mode is designated, print data generation (creation) processing (step S812) is performed with the same page configuration as the logical page output from the application. If the reduced layout (Nin1) mode is designated in step S801, the intermediate data generation unit 3 is generated before generating print data to be transmitted to the printer via the bidirectional interface 320.
The intermediate data is generated from the logical page by 02 and is temporarily stored in the spool unit 304 (step S802).

Next, in the print mode designation unit 301,
It is determined whether the automatic layout mode is designated (step S803). If the automatic layout mode is not designated in step S803, the data required for the reduced layout and page editing is read from the reduced layout mode table described in FIG. 7 based on the designated reduced layout configuration (step S80).
4).

For example, when the reduction layout mode designated by the print mode designation unit 301 is "4 in 1", information such as m = 2 reduction ratio = 50% is read.

Next, the page editing unit 306 edits the page of the intermediate data based on the information read in step S804 so that the intermediate data is configured as specified in the physical page, and the print data transmitted to the printer is printed. Data is created and the print job is stored in the spool unit 304 (steps S805 and S812).

Next, in step S803, when the automatic layout mode is designated, the reduced layout mode (m) and page editing are performed from the reduced layout mode table described in FIG. 7 based on the designated reduced layout configuration. Necessary data is read, and further, the minimum character size (X) designated by the print mode designation unit 301 is read (step S806).

For example, if the reduction layout mode designated by the print mode designation unit 301 is "4 in 1" and the designated maximum chapter character size (X) is "6.0", then m = 2 reduction ratio = 50 Information such as% minimum character size (X) = 6.0 is read.

The definition relating to the minimum character size (X) shown in step S806 is not limited to any point size, character height information, character width information, etc. as long as the character size can be specified. It goes without saying that it may be one.

Next, the character determination unit 305 determines the print mode designation unit 30 for all the characters included in the intermediate data.
The character size (Y) when the character in the intermediate data is subjected to the reduction process is calculated based on the reduced layout information designated in step 1 and read out in step S806 (step S807).

For example, the reduced layout mode designated by the print mode designation unit 301 is "m = 2 (4 in 1)".
So, the actual character size is "10.0" in the application
If the character is used, the reduction ratio at this time is "50.
%, The character size (Y) converted after the reduced layout is the character size after conversion (Y) = actual character size × reduction ratio, and in this calculation example, 10.0 × 0.5 = It becomes 5.0. Needless to say, the calculation example shown in step S807 is only an example in the present embodiment, and the calculation method is not limited to this.

Next, the character determination unit 305 determines in step S8.
Minimum character size (X) read in 06 and step S
Character size (Y) after reduced layout calculated in 807
Is compared with (step S808).

In step S808, "X <= Y".
If it is, the calculated character size (Y) that is actually printed on the paper from the specified minimum character size (X)
Is greater than or equal to, so
The print data generation unit 303 page-edits the intermediate data based on the information read in step S806 so that the page is configured as specified in the physical page, and creates print data to be transmitted to the printer. Spool part 3
The print job is stored in 04 (steps S805 and S812).

Also, in step S808, "X>
If it is "Y", the specified minimum character size (X)
Since the calculated character size (Y) actually printed on the paper is "smaller", the currently designated reduction layout mode is changed (step S809).

For example, if the reduced layout mode designated at the time of printing is "4in1", then the designated layout mode number (m) is "m = 2" according to the reduced layout mode table of FIG. At this time, in step S809, the reduced layout mode number (m)
Is subtracted by 1. Therefore, m = 2-1 = 1, and the reduced layout mode number (m) is “m =
1 ”, and the reduced layout mode is changed to“ 2 in 1 ”.

Next, it is judged whether or not the reduced layout mode number (m) is "m = 0" (step S81).
0). If "m = 0" in step S810, the reduced layout mode table is the normal print (1 in 1 print) mode according to the reduced layout mode table in FIG. 7. Therefore, the reduced layout mode is canceled and the normal mode (1i
Printing is executed in n1). Therefore, the print data generation unit 3
In 03, the intermediate data is used as it is so that the page layout is performed on the physical page according to the logical page specified by the application, the print data to be transmitted to the printer is created, and the print job is stored in the spool unit 304 ( Steps S811 and S812). The second
In the above embodiment, the description is made for the sake of convenience only for a certain character in the print data, but originally, the same calculation and comparison processing should be performed for all the characters in the logical page. Then, if even one of the characters included in the logical page corresponds to the determination result of step S808,
It goes without saying that the print mode can be changed.

In step S810, "m ≠
If it is "0", it means that it is possible to specify any reduced layout. Therefore, it is determined again whether the reduced layout mode satisfies the minimum character size in the corresponding reduced layout mode. Therefore, steps S806 to S810 are performed.
Repeat the process up to.

At this time, in step S808, "X
When <Y ”is satisfied, it means that the calculated character size (Y) actually printed on the paper is“ larger ”than the specified minimum character size (X). , Based on the information read in step S806, the intermediate data is page-edited so that the page is configured as specified in the physical page, print data to be transmitted to the printer is created, and the print job is stored in the spool unit 304. Is stored (steps S805 and S8).
12).

Next, the print data generated in step S812 and stored in the spool section 304 is transmitted to the printer via the host transmission / reception section 308 (step S813).

As described above, in the second embodiment, when the reduced layout mode designation, the automatic layout mode designation, and the minimum character size are designated at the time of printing, when the reduced layout is actually performed, Calculate the character size printed on the physical page and compare the minimum character size specified by the operator with the calculated character size printed on the physical page when executing the reduced layout.
If it is determined that the character size printed on the physical page is smaller than the minimum character size, the reduced layout with a smaller number of pages and a higher reduction ratio than the automatically specified reduced layout mode. By changing the processing to the mode, it avoids the characters in the output result being crushed or too small to be read, and saves the operator's trouble such as reprinting when the print result is inappropriate. It has the effect of making it possible.

Further, as described above, by making it possible to automatically change the designation of the reduced layout mode and print, it is possible to prevent the characters in the output result from being crushed or too small to be read, This has an effect of making it possible to eliminate waste of paper due to reprinting, which is performed when an inappropriate printing result is obtained.

[Other Embodiments] An object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium (or recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded.
It is needless to say that it is also achieved by supplying the system or device, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer is executed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, this also includes a case where a CPU or the like included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the above-mentioned storage medium, the storage medium has been described above (FIGS. 4 and 8).
Program code corresponding to the flowcharts (shown in FIG.

[0117]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the first embodiment, when the printing is executed, the reduced layout mode is designated, the automatic layout mode is designated, and the minimum character size is designated, the reduced layout is designated. When calculating, the character size printed on the physical page is calculated, and the minimum character size specified by the operator is compared with the calculated character size printed on the physical page when the reduced layout is executed. When it is determined that the character size printed on the physical page is smaller than the minimum character size, the "Reduced layout designation" print mode is automatically canceled and the "Normal print (1 in 1 print) mode" is selected. It is possible to print by switching to ". And it is performed when was inadequate printing result, makes it possible to dispense with the operator's labor of re-printing, having such an effect.

Further, as described above, by making it possible to automatically cancel the designation of the reduced layout mode and print, it is possible to prevent the characters in the output result from being crushed or too small to be read, This has an effect of making it possible to eliminate waste of paper due to reprinting, which is performed when an inappropriate print result is obtained.

As described above, in the second embodiment, when the reduced layout mode is executed when the reduced layout mode is designated, the reduced layout mode is designated, the automatic layout mode is designated, and the minimum character size is designated. The character size printed on the physical page is calculated, and the minimum character size specified by the operator is compared with the calculated character size printed on the physical page when the reduced layout is executed.
If it is determined that the character size printed on the physical page is smaller than the minimum character size, the reduced layout with a smaller number of pages and a higher reduction ratio than the automatically specified reduced layout mode. By changing the processing to the mode, it avoids the characters in the output result being crushed or too small to be read, and saves the operator's trouble such as reprinting when the print result is inappropriate. It has the effect of making it possible.

Further, as described above, by making it possible to automatically change the designation of the reduced layout mode and print, it is possible to avoid the characters in the output result being crushed or too small to be read, This has an effect of making it possible to eliminate waste of paper due to reprinting, which is performed when an inappropriate print result is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a laser printer as a printer applicable to a printing system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a host computer and a printer that can configure the printing system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a host computer and a printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flowchart for explaining processing in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of reduced layout output according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is 2 in 1 printing and (b) is 4
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating 6-in-1 printing with in1-printing.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface screen regarding print mode designation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a table showing an example of a table referred to when a reduced layout mode is executed in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flowchart for explaining a process in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 4 System Bus 5 Keyboard Controller (KBC) 6 CRT Controller (CRTC) 7 Disk Controller (DKC) 8 Parallel Input / Output Controller (PRTC) 9 Keyboard (KB) 10 CRT 11 External Storage Device (External Memory) 12 CPU 13 ROM 14 external storage device (external memory) 15 system bus 16 printing unit I / F unit 17 printing unit 18 input unit 19 RAM 20 disk controller (DKC) 21 bidirectional parallel interface or LA
N cable 22 non-volatile memory (RAM) 32 program ROM 31 font ROM 33 data ROM 300 host computer (host) 301 print mode designation unit 302 intermediate data generation unit 303 print data generation unit 304 spool unit 305 character determination unit 306 Page editing unit 307 Information storage unit 308 Host transmission / reception unit 309 Information storage unit 310 Printer 311 Printer transmission / reception unit 312 Printer control unit 313 Print buffer unit 314 Data printing unit 320 Bidirectional interface 1000 Printer control unit 1500 Printer 1501 Operation panel 1502 Laser driver 1503 Semiconductor laser 1504 Laser light 1505 Rotating polygon mirror 1506 Electrostatic drum 1507 Developing device 1508 Paper cassette 1509 Paper discharge roller 1511 Conveying roller 3000 host computer

Continued front page    F term (reference) 2C087 AA18 AB05 BD06 BD12 CA03                       CA05 CB03 CB13 DA03                 5B021 AA01 LB07                 5C062 AA05 AA14 AB20 AB22 AB38                       AC06 AC41 AC42 AF00 AF11                       BA04

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A first print mode designating unit that designates whether to perform printing by a page layout function such as normal printing or reduced layout printing, and reduced layout printing is designated by the first print mode designating unit. In this case, a second print mode designating unit that designates whether to further automatically change the mode of the reduced layout, and when the automatic layout mode is designated by the second print mode designating unit, the print result is allowed. Third print mode designating means for designating the smallest possible character size, and intermediate data for reduction layout processing before print data generation when a reduced layout is designated by the first print mode designating means. And an intermediate data generating means for generating a character in the data generated by the intermediate data generating means. A character size calculating means for calculating a character size at the specified reduction layout mode execution in one print mode specifying means, the character size acquired by the character size calculating unit 3
And a character size calculated by the character size detecting means in the character determining means is specified by the third print mode specifying means. If the size is smaller than the minimum character size, the first print data generation unit that cancels the reduced layout printing designated by the first print mode designation unit and generates print data in the normal print mode; When the character size calculated by the character size detecting means is larger than the minimum character size designated by the third print mode designating means,
Second print data generating means for generating print data for editing the intermediate data according to the reduced layout designated by the first print mode designating means; intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generating means and the print data An information processing apparatus comprising: spooling means for storing the print data generated by the generating means; and print data transmitting means for transmitting the print data stored in the spooling means to a printing device. 2. The character size calculated by the character size detecting means in the character determining means by the first print data generating means is smaller than the minimum character size specified by the third print mode specifying means. Changing the process to the reduced layout printing designated by the first print mode designation means to a reduced layout mode having a smaller number of pages and a higher reduction ratio than the designated reduced layout mode to generate print data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A first print mode designating unit that designates whether to perform printing by a page layout function such as normal printing or reduced layout printing, and reduced layout printing is designated by the first print mode designating unit. In this case, if the automatic layout mode is designated by the second print mode designating means and the second print mode designating means for designating whether or not the mode of the reduced layout is automatically changed, the print result is allowed. Third print mode designating means for designating the smallest possible character size, intermediate data generating means for generating intermediate data, spool means for storing the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generating means, The print mode information designated by the first, second, and third print mode designation means and the spool mode are stored by the spool means. A printing device connected to an information processing device having a printing device sending unit for sending the intermediate data and the printing device sending means, wherein the first printing is performed on the characters in the intermediate data received from the information processing device. A character size calculation means for calculating a character size when the reduced layout mode designated by the mode designation means is executed; a character size obtained by the character size calculation means;
And a character size calculated by the character size detecting means in the character determining means is specified by the third print mode specifying means. When the size is smaller than the minimum character size, the reduced print layout designated by the first print mode designation unit is canceled, and the first print data generation unit that generates print data in the normal print mode, and the character determination unit. When the character size calculated by the character size detecting means is larger than the minimum character size specified by the third print mode specifying means,
Second print data generating means for generating print data for editing the intermediate data according to the reduced layout designated by the first print mode designating means; intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generating means and the print data A printing apparatus comprising: print buffer means for storing print data generated by the generating means; and data printing means for printing with the print data stored in the print buffer means. 4. The character size calculated by the character size detecting means in the character determining means by the first print data generating means is smaller than the minimum character size specified by the third print mode specifying means. Changes the processing to the reduced layout printing designated by the first print mode designating unit to the reduced layout mode having a smaller number of pages and a higher reduction ratio than the designated reduced layout mode to generate print data. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the printing apparatus is a printing apparatus. 5. A plurality of information processing apparatuses according to claim 1 or 2 and at least one printing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 are communicably connected via a network or a bidirectional interface. The printing system is characterized by 6. A first print mode designating step for designating whether to perform printing by a page layout function such as normal printing or reduced layout printing, and reduced layout printing is designated in the first print mode designating step. In this case, if the automatic layout mode is designated in the second print mode designating step and the second print mode designating step that further designates whether to automatically change the reduced layout mode, the print result is allowed. A third print mode designating step of designating the smallest possible character size, and intermediate data for the reduced layout processing before print data generation when a reduced layout is designated in the first print mode designating step. And an intermediate data generation step for generating A character size calculation step for calculating the character size when the reduced layout mode specified in the first print mode specification step is performed for the characters in the selected data, and the character size acquired in the character size calculation step The character determination step of comparing with the minimum character size designated by the third print mode designation step, and the character size calculated by the character size detection step in the character determination step is designated by the third print mode designation step. If it is smaller than the specified minimum character size, the first print data generation step of canceling the reduced layout printing designated in the first print mode designation step and generating print data in the normal print mode; and the character determination step. The character calculated by the character size detection step in When the size is larger than the minimum character size designated by the third print mode designation step, print data for editing the intermediate data according to the reduced layout designated by the first print mode designation step is generated. 2, a print data generating step, a spool step of storing the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generating step and the print data generated by the print data generating step, and a print device storing the print data stored in the spool step. And a print data transmitting step for transmitting the print data to the information processing method. 7. The first print data generating step,
If the character size calculated in the character size detecting step in the character determining step is smaller than the minimum character size specified in the third print mode specifying step, the reduction specified in the first print mode specifying step is performed. 7. The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein the print data is generated by changing the process to a reduced layout mode in which the number of pages is smaller than the designated reduced layout mode and the reduction ratio is high for the layout printing. 8. A first print mode designating step for designating whether or not to perform printing by a page layout function such as normal printing or reduced layout printing, and reduced layout printing is designated in the first print mode designating step. In this case, if the automatic layout mode is designated in the second print mode designating step and the second print mode designating step that further designates whether to automatically change the mode of the reduced layout, the print result is allowed. A third print mode designating step for designating the smallest possible character size; an intermediate data generating step for generating intermediate data; a spool step for storing the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generating step; Print mode information designated in the first, second, and third print mode designation steps And a printing device transmitting step of transmitting the intermediate data stored by the spooling step to the printing device, the printing method in the printing device connected to the information processing device having an information processing function, A character size calculation step for calculating the character size when executing the reduced layout mode designated in the first print mode designation step for the characters in the intermediate data received from the device; and the character obtained in the character size calculation step. A character determination step of comparing the size with the minimum character size designated by the third print mode designation step, and the character size calculated by the character size detection step in the character determination step is the third print mode designation. If smaller than the minimum character size specified by the step, A first print data generation step of canceling the reduced layout printing designated in the first print mode designation step and generating print data in the normal print mode; and a character calculated in the character size detection step in the character determination step. When the size is larger than the minimum character size designated by the third print mode designation step, print data for editing the intermediate data according to the reduced layout designated by the first print mode designation step is generated. The print data generating step of 2, the print buffer step of storing the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generating step and the print data generated by the print data generating step, and the print data stored in the print buffer step. Data printing step for printing Printing method, comprising. 9. The first print data generating step,
When the character size calculated by the character size detecting means in the character determining step is smaller than the minimum character size specified in the third print mode specifying step, the reduction specified in the first print mode specifying step is performed. 9. The printing method according to claim 8, wherein, for layout printing, the print data is generated by changing the processing from a designated reduced layout mode to a reduced layout mode with a small number of pages and a high reduction ratio. 10. The method according to claim 6, wherein a computer is used.
A program for executing each step described in any one. 11. A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for executing each step according to claim 6 is recorded.