JP4313974B2 - Print control program, print control method, and information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print control program and a print control method. Law In particular, the present invention relates to print control when a plurality of sheets are printed by inserting different recording media as slip sheets.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, as information output devices in word processors, personal computers, facsimiles, and the like, printers that print information such as desired characters and images on a sheet-like recording medium such as paper or film are widely used.
[0003]
In recent years, printers have become more multifunctional, and many so-called multi-function machines having not only printing but also scanner, facsimile, and copy functions have been proposed. Some of these multifunction devices have not only copying and printing, but also functions relating to finishing (finishing) such as sorting, folding, and stapling.
[0004]
As a finishing process for such a multi-function peripheral, when copying and copying a document consisting of multiple sheets, it is possible to distinguish pages such as a table of contents and chapters so that the content classification of the document can be easily identified. For example, an insert process called a slip sheet or a chapter paper is known that uses a sheet of different colors to provide a heading effect.
[0005]
Conventionally, an output result when printing is executed by specifying insertion of a slip sheet from an application operating on a host computer is one of the following.
[0006]
(1) The slip sheet is simply inserted into the designated page, but printing cannot be set for the slip sheet, so printing is not performed on the slip sheet.
[0007]
(2) For interleaving paper, print settings different from those for other pages cannot be performed, so printing is performed with the same settings as for other pages. In this case, if double-sided printing is specified for other pages, double-sided printing is also performed for slip sheets, and multiple (N) image data are allocated on one page for other pages. If the attachment (Nup layout or Nin1 layout) is designated, printing is performed on the slip sheet in the Nup layout.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the user executes the slip sheet processing in order to facilitate identification of pages to be distinguished such as a table of contents and a chapter chapter as described above, the user must perform at least the surface of the slip sheet. In many cases, it is desired to print with a setting different from other pages, for example, a 1up layout in which only one image is allocated.
[0009]
However, the slip sheet processing in the conventional printer cannot perform such processing and is not satisfactory for the user.
[0010]
That is, in the case of (1) above, since it cannot be printed on the slip sheet, it can be identified as a page, but information on the contents of the subsequent pages cannot be obtained. Further, in the case of (2) above, since the printing is performed on the slip sheet with the same settings as other pages, a sufficient heading effect cannot be obtained. For example, when a slip sheet is printed on both sides or an image is printed with the same layout as other pages, an image representative of the contents of the subsequent pages is not conspicuous.
[0011]
For this reason, in order to make the print setting for the slip sheet different from that for other pages, conventionally, after the slip sheet and other pages are printed separately with different print settings, the user manually inserts the slip sheet. It is necessary to perform operations such as inserting and collecting them, which is troublesome and inefficient for the user.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of the above situation. When a plurality of sheets are printed by inserting different recording media as slip sheets, the print settings differ from the print settings for other pages. Can be printed on paper ,mark An object of the present invention is to provide a printing control program, a printing control method, and an information processing apparatus.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a printing control program according to an aspect of the present invention provides a first recording medium. Between Insert paper printing process in which a second recording medium is inserted as an insert sheet to print a plurality of sheets Mark Printing device To make it run A predetermined format for data to be printed from an application connected to the printing apparatus in response to an input via a user interface Convert to print data A print control program as a printer driver executed by the information processing apparatus,
As a position to insert the second recording medium as an interleaf when it is designated to execute the interleaf printing process for performing the printing process on the second recording medium Multiple Slip sheet position specifying process for specifying the page of
in front First recording medium Indicates the number of pages placed on the face of Print layout Setting to set Process,
Between the first recording medium on which the page data not specified in the slip sheet position specifying step is printed in the print layout, the data of the page specified in the slip sheet position specifying step is the above-mentioned. Print layout With a different layout The second recording medium In mark Printed A print data generation process for generating print data to be printed,
Above Printed on one side of the second recording medium Number of pages Is printed on one side of the first recording medium Number of pages It is characterized by being different.
[0014]
The above object is to provide a printing control method as another aspect of the present invention. Law And the information processing apparatus.
[0015]
That is, the present invention Information processing equipment Is the first recording medium Between Insert paper printing process in which a second recording medium is inserted as an insert sheet to print a plurality of sheets Mark Printing device To make it run A predetermined format for data to be printed from an application connected to the printing apparatus in response to an input via a user interface Convert to print data An information processing apparatus that
As a position to insert the second recording medium as an interleaf when it is designated to execute the interleaf printing process for performing the printing process on the second recording medium Multiple Slip sheet position specifying means for specifying the page of
in front First recording medium Indicates the number of pages placed on the face of Print layout Setting to set Means,
Between the first recording medium on which the page data not specified by the slip sheet position specifying means is printed with the print layout, the page data specified by the slip sheet position specifying means is the data. Print layout With a different layout The second recording medium In mark Printed Print data generating means for generating print data to be printed,
Above Printed on one side of the second recording medium Number of pages Is printed on one side of the first recording medium Number of pages It is characterized by being different.
[0016]
In this way, it is possible to assign print settings different from those of other pages to the slip sheet so that the slip sheet portion can be easily identified and has a heading effect for the subsequent pages.
[0017]
Accordingly, it is possible to obtain an output printed with settings desired by the user for the slip sheet and other pages in one printing process.
[0018]
Note that it is preferable to set whether or not to perform the printing process on the second recording medium when it is designated to execute the slip sheet printing process.
[0019]
In addition, the print data may be generated in a format in which print setting information for the first and second recording media is added to each page as necessary, and each page is displayed with the print layout of the first print setting. The data of the first recording medium may be generated by arrangement, and the data of the second recording medium may be generated by arranging each page in the print layout of the second print setting.
[0020]
As the print layout of the second print setting, a layout in which one page of data is arranged on one recording medium is preferable.
[0021]
It is preferable to set whether the printing process for the second recording medium is performed on the front surface, the back surface, or both surfaces.
[0022]
Furthermore, if each item to be set is configured to be set by the user selecting a parameter by displaying a settable parameter via the user interface, an error related to the user's setting operation may occur. This is preferable because it is prevented and setting is easy.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0024]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system as an embodiment of the present invention. In the following embodiments, a printing system including a computer serving as a host device and a printer as a printing apparatus will be described as an example. Unless otherwise specified, any configuration that can execute the functions of the present invention can be used. The present invention can be applied to a single device, a system composed of a plurality of devices, or a system in which processing is performed by connecting devices via a network such as a LAN or WAN. Needless to say.
[0025]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer which is a preferred example of the information processing apparatus of the present invention. Based on a program ROM stored in the ROM 3 or a document processing program stored in the external memory 13, figures, images, characters, tables, etc. A CPU 1 that executes document processing (including spreadsheets and the like) is provided, and the CPU 1 comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 4.
[0026]
The program ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 13 stores an operating system program (OS) that is a control program for the CPU 1, and the font ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 13 is used for the document processing. Font data and the like are stored, and a printer driver which is an example suitable for the print control program of the present invention is installed in the data ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 13, and is used when performing the document processing or the like. Various data to be stored are stored.
[0027]
Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM which functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (keyboard CTL) 5 controls key input from the keyboard 10. The input unit of the keyboard 10 and the mouse 11 corresponds to an input unit. Reference numeral 6 denotes a mouse controller (mouse CTL), which controls input from the mouse 11 which is a pointing device. Reference numeral 7 denotes a CRT controller (CRTCTL), which controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 12 (display screen). A disk controller (DISKCTL) 8 is a hard disk (HD) for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, a printer control command generation program (printer driver), a compact disk (CD), Controls access to the external memory 13 such as a floppy disk (FD).
[0028]
A printer controller (PRINTERCTL) 9 is connected to the printer 3001 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 31 and executes communication control with the printer 3001.
[0029]
Here, the configuration of the computer 3000 is shown in a simplified form. As an interface with the printer, a parallel I / O (parallel interface of IEEE Centronics, IEEE1284), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) I / O is used. Although connection through a network such as IEEE 1394, LAN, or WAN is conceivable, it is not necessary to be limited to these, and various connection forms can be adopted, and the same applies to connection using an interface developed in the future.
[0030]
The CPU 1 executes, for example, an outline font development (rasterization) process on the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, and controls and manages various windows registered based on a command instructed by a cursor or the like. Do.
[0031]
These 1 to 9 are mounted on the mother board 2000 of the host computer 300, and 10 to 13 are connected to corresponding connectors of the mother board 2000 by cables or the like.
[0032]
The program ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 13 stores a printer driver program for controlling the printer 3001. The user activates the printer driver, so that various settings for the printer, print mode, and finishing are performed. Print settings including process selection can be performed.
[0033]
In the printer 3001, reference numeral 21 denotes a printer CPU, and a printing unit (printer engine) connected to the system bus 24 based on a control program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 23 or a control program stored in the external memory 29. 30 outputs an image signal as output information. In addition, a control program for the CPU 21 is stored in the program ROM of the ROM 23.
[0034]
The font ROM of the ROM 23 stores font data used when generating the output information. In the case of a printer that does not have the external memory 29 such as a hard disk, the data ROM of the ROM 23 is a host computer. Information used above is stored.
[0035]
The CPU 21 is capable of bidirectional communication with the host computer via the input unit 25, and is configured to receive data to be printed as described above and transmit information in the printer to the host computer 3000. Yes.
[0036]
Reference numeral 22 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 21, and is configured such that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion socket (not shown). The RAM 22 is used for storing an output information expansion area, an expansion data storage area, setting data, and the like.
[0037]
Access to the above-described external memory 29 such as a hard disk (HD) or IC card is controlled by a disk controller (DISKCTL) 26. The external memory 29 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like.
[0038]
Reference numeral 28 denotes an operation panel, on which a touch panel and switches for operation by the user and displays such as LEDs are arranged. The number of external memories described above is not limited to one. At least one external memory is provided. In addition to the built-in font, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages with different language systems are connected. It may be configured to be able to. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided, and printer mode setting information input from the operation panel 28 or transmitted from the host computer may be stored.
[0039]
These printer components 21 to 27 are mounted on a mother board 2001, and are connected to 28 to 30 by various cables.
[0040]
Note that the printer 3001 includes a plurality of sheet feeding trays and a manual sheet feeding sheet feeder as sheet feeding means. For example, a plurality of types of sheets can be supplied via different supply paths. Interleaf printing using different types of paper is possible.
[0041]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of processing when printing is performed in the printing system shown in FIG. The application 201, graphic engine 202, printer driver 203, and system spooler 204 in the figure exist as files stored in the external memory 13, and are executed by an OS (operating system) or a module that uses the module when executed. It is a program module that is loaded into the RAM 2 and executed. In the present embodiment, a description will be given by taking Windows OS of Microsoft Corporation in the United States as an example.
[0042]
The application 201 and the printer driver 203 can be added and rewritten to a storage location such as an HD of the external memory 13 via a storage medium such as an FD or CD, or a network (not shown).
[0043]
As described above, the application 201 stored in the external memory 13 is loaded into the RAM 2 and executed. When printing is performed on the printer 3001 while the application 201 is being executed, the application 201 is similarly loaded into the RAM 2. The data is output (drawn) by using the graphic engine 202 in an executable state. Specifically, the application 201 performs drawing output as a common drawing function (referred to as a GDI function) defined by the OS.
[0044]
The graphic engine 202 similarly loads the printer driver 203 corresponding to the connected printer 3001 from the external memory 13 to the RAM 2, and draws a GDI function that is data output from the application 201 so that the printer driver 203 can interpret it. (Referred to as DDI), and the converted DDI function is output to the printer driver 203. The printer driver 203 converts the DDI function passed from the graphic engine 202 into a printer control command that can be interpreted by the printer 3001.
[0045]
The converted printer control command is output to the printer 3001 via the interface 31 via the system spooler 204 loaded into the RAM 2 by the OS, and printing by the printer 3001 is performed.
[0046]
FIG. 3 shows an example of a memory map of the RAM 2 of the host computer 3000 in a state where printing from an application can be executed in the present embodiment.
[0047]
As shown in the figure, the application 301 is loaded from the head address, and the BIOS 306, the OS 305, the printing related program 304, and the related data 303 are loaded from the last address. Here, what is shown as the print-related program 304 includes the parts shown as the graphic engine 202, the printer driver 203 that is the print control program of the present invention, and the system spooler 204 in FIG.
[0048]
In this embodiment, the printer driver is configured such that print settings for slip sheets can be performed separately from print settings for other pages. When the user designates printing from the application, the printer driver is activated and a screen (not shown) showing the current settings of the printer driver is displayed on the CRT of the host computer. Here, the printer driver of the present invention has display information for displaying a print setting screen described later on the display screen. Specifically, the display information is an instruction to display the dialog screen to the OS, such as the size of the dialog screen, the position of the radio button in the print screen, the position and options of the pull-down menu, and the print setting. This state corresponds to a plurality of preview images having a predetermined pattern for visually displaying the state.
[0049]
In this way, when a corresponding button is clicked to perform print settings on the print setting screen displayed by the instruction from the printer driver, a print setting screen 1000 shown as an example in FIG. 10 is displayed. The print settings include page setting (Page Setup), finishing process setting (Finishing), paper feed setting (Paper Source), and print quality setting (Quality), and corresponding heading buttons 1001 to 1004 are provided. It has been. In this figure, a display corresponding to the paper feed setting is shown.
[0050]
While this screen is displayed, the selection of the paper feed designation method 1005, the selection of the presence / absence of 1006 slip sheet, the selection of the paper feed stage 1008, the setting of the cover page 1009, and the pointing device such as the mouse by the user This can be done by selecting An image drawing area 1010 displays the current printer configuration state and page setting state as an image.
[0051]
A VeiwSettings button 1011 is a button for displaying set information. The default setting button 1012 is a button for returning the setting relating to Paper Source to the factory default. An OK button 1013 validates the setting and ends the processing. A cancel button 1014 invalidates the setting and terminates the processing. A 1015 button is pressed to validate the current setting and perform further setting. This is a help button for displaying information on a detailed setting method.
[0052]
If setting is made to perform slip sheeting at 1006, the slip sheet setting button 1007 is enabled, and by clicking this button, a slip sheet setting screen 400 shown as an example in FIG. 4 is displayed.
[0053]
Reference numeral 401 denotes an area for selecting a print setting for a slip sheet. For example, one of front side, back side, and double side and no printing can be selected from a pull-down menu. Reference numeral 402 denotes an area for selecting a slip sheet tray, which can be selected from a currently loaded tray and a manual sheet feeder (Drawer) by a pull-down menu. Reference numeral 403 denotes an area for designating the position where the slip sheet is to be attached. In the illustrated setting, printing is performed only on the surface of the slip sheet, the sheet is fed from the manual sheet feeder 1, and slip sheets are inserted into the fifth and ninth pages.
[0054]
Reference numeral 404 denotes an OK button that validates the setting and terminates the process, reference numeral 405 denotes a cancel button that invalidates the setting and terminates the process, and reference numeral 406 denotes a help button that displays information on a detailed setting method.
[0055]
The display here is a case where the setting according to the paper feed stage is selected in the paper feed designation method selection field 1005 of FIG. 10, and when the setting according to the paper type is selected, the area 402 is displayed. The paper type of the slip sheet will be selected.
[0056]
Next, with respect to the print data generated in the present embodiment, a case where no slip sheet is inserted and a case where slip sheet is inserted will be described.
[0057]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of print data generated in a normal time without inserting slip sheets, in a page description language, 501 is a job initialization command group, 502 is a print data group, and 503 is a job end process. A group of commands. Here, the data of the logical page 10 is set to be printed with 2 up on one side, and in the print data group 502, the print data is arranged in order for each page.
[0058]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the content of the print data generated when the slip sheet insertion is set in the page description language. Here, similarly to FIG. 5, the data of the logical page 10 is set to be printed at 2 up, but in addition, the fifth and ninth pages are designated as the page numbers to be inserted into the slip sheet, and the slip is entered. Printing is set on the front side only.
[0059]
Corresponding to the insertion of the slip sheet, the slip sheet insertion process is turned on / off before and after the print data 604 of the fifth page and the print data 608 of the ninth page (603 and 605, 607 and 609). A command group has been added. As will be described later, the output result of the print data in FIG. 6 is as shown in (d) of FIG. 7A.
[0060]
7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating examples of print data generated by the host computer and output results from the printer in the present embodiment. The print data transmitted from the host computer are both the same, but each page The print settings for and the print settings for slip sheets are different.
[0061]
In FIG. 7A, (a) is the print data transmitted from the host computer, (b) is set on each page with 2up on one side without interleaf, and (c) is inserted on the interleaf but printed on interleaf. (D) is a print result when inserting a slip sheet, printing only the front side of the slip sheet, and setting a single side 2 up for the other pages. Corresponds to the print data shown in FIG.
[0062]
Further, in all the examples shown in FIG. 7B, slip sheets are inserted. However, when (a) is set to duplex printing for the slip sheets and 2 up for one side is set for the other pages, (b) is for slip sheets. Shows the setting for printing only the front side, setting for double-sided 2up for other pages, (c) shows the printing result for double-sided printing for interleaf and setting for double-sided 2up for other pages. ing.
[0063]
Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of print processing performed by the host computer in the present embodiment based on the print control program of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of print data generation processing (step S802) in FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the printing process performed by the printer.
[0064]
The printing process according to the present embodiment is started by specifying a printer as an output destination and instructing execution of printing by an input unit such as a keyboard or a mouse on an application being executed on the host computer by the user as described above. Is done. In this case, the print setting by the printer driver may or may not be performed. When the print setting is not performed, the default setting value or the previously set print setting is validated, and the subsequent print processing is executed.
[0065]
The print processing is roughly divided into print data generation on the host computer shown in FIG. 8 and print execution processing on the printer shown in FIG. 11. First, referring to FIG. Generation of print data on a computer will be described.
[0066]
When printing execution is instructed from the application, a job initialization process shown in step S801 is performed. Here, a series of job initialization command groups as shown in job initialization command groups 501 and 601 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are generated based on the print setting information.
[0067]
In step S802, print data to be actually drawn is generated. Although details of the process will be described later, print data for each logical page is generated, and an additional command group to be transmitted before and after the print data for the page into which the slip sheet is inserted is generated according to whether or not the slip sheet is inserted. Examples of data generated here are 502 in FIG. 5 and 602 to 610 in FIG. 6.
[0068]
Finally, job end processing is performed in step S803. Here, a series of job end command groups as shown in 503 in FIG. 5 and 611 in FIG. 6 are generated.
[0069]
Next, processing performed in the print data generation processing (step S802) in FIG. 8 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
[0070]
When the job initialization process in step S801 is completed, the process proceeds to a print data generation process. Here, it is first determined whether or not the creation of all print data has been completed (step S901).
[0071]
Next, it is determined whether or not it is the position (page) to insert the slip sheet (step S902). As described above, the insertion position of the slip sheet is designated by the input to the area 403 for designating the position to insert the slip sheet on the slip sheet setting screen 400 shown in FIG. If it is not the slip sheet insertion position, or if slip sheet insertion is not set, only print data is created (step S910).
[0072]
When the slip sheet insertion is set, first, a slip sheet insertion command and a paper feed port designation command shown as the command group 603 added in FIG. 6 are first generated according to the setting information ( Step S903). In the example shown in FIG. 6, “@PJL SET INSERTING−SHEET = ON” is a slip sheet insertion command, and “@PJL SET INSERTING−SHEET−DRAW = 1” is a paper feed port designation command.
[0073]
Next, it is determined whether or not the print setting for the slip sheet has been made (step S904). If the print setting has not been made, a slip sheet insertion release command shown as the added command 605 in FIG. 6 is issued (step S909). In the example shown in FIG. 6, “@PJL SET INSERTING−SHEET = OFF” is the slip sheet insertion release command.
[0074]
On the other hand, if printing for the slip sheet is set, it is determined whether or not the setting is to print only on the front side of the slip sheet (step S905). The print data for one image of the logical page as shown in FIG. 6 is created (step S908).
[0075]
In this embodiment, only the image data to be printed on the slip sheet is created, and no instruction relating to the layout of the page to be printed is generated. However, when the slip sheet is inserted, the printer firmware This is because the layout is automatically set to 1 up and printing is controlled. Therefore, if such firmware is not installed, a command for changing the layout to 1 up and a command for returning the layout to 2 up may be generated before and after the print data 604 of the inserted page.
[0076]
If printing is set only on the back side of the slip sheet in step S905, or if printing is set on both sides of the slip sheet, it is determined whether the current print data is printed on the back side of the slip sheet. (Step S906) After issuing a command to print on the back side of the slip sheet (not shown in FIG. 6) (Step S907), similarly to the above, print data for one image of the logical page is created (Step S908). .
[0077]
Then, after the processing in step S908 is completed, the above-mentioned slip sheet insertion release command is issued (step S909). After the completion of step S909 and step S910, the process returns to step S901 again, and it is determined whether or not the creation of all print data has been completed.
[0078]
If it is determined in step S901 that the creation of all print data has been completed, the print data generation process ends, and a job end process (step S803) is performed.
[0079]
The print data generated on the host computer by the above processing is sent to the printer via the interface 31 shown in FIG. Of course, the host computer and the printer may be integrated, and may be transmitted via the internal bus instead of the interface 31. As described above, the interface type may be a parallel interface (Centronic interface specified by Centronics, USA), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, a network such as IEEE 1394, a LAN or a WAN, or an interface to be developed in the future. Absent.
[0080]
In this state, the printing process in the host computer corresponding to the command from the application is all finished, and the printing related program and related data shown in FIG. 3 are deleted from the RAM 2 by the OS.
[0081]
Next, the printing process performed by the printer will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0082]
First, print data sent from the host computer is analyzed. First, a job initialization command group is executed (step S1101). Next, a print image is generated according to the print data and printing is executed (step S1102). Finally, The job end command group is executed (step S1103).
[0083]
Through the above processing, the entire printing process is completed, and printing output is performed according to the setting for the slip sheet set by the user with the printer driver.
[0084]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the print setting for the slip sheet can be performed with a simple operation, and the print is performed with the settings desired by the user for the slip sheet and other pages in one printing process. An output can be obtained.
[0085]
[Other Embodiments]
In the above embodiment, the host computer creates print data including one image corresponding to each logical page, transmits it to the printer together with the layout (Nup) information, and analyzes the layout (Nup) information by the printer that has received the print data. However, the layout (Nup) set by the user, that is, the number of image data designated in one page is allocated, but the layout (Nup) set by the user on the host computer and the setting information for the slip sheet are reflected. It is also possible to create print data in units of pages that are the same as the print output result, and the printer can be configured to print each page according to the transmitted print data.
[0086]
That is, the host computer generates print data for each page of the slip sheet with the layout set for the slip sheet, and generates print data for each page other than the slip sheet with the layout set for the other pages. And send it to the printer.
[0087]
For example, if the layout is set to 1up for the front side only for the slip sheet and 2up for the front side only for the other pages, the data for one logical page (image) is included in the print data for each slip sheet. The print data for each of the other pages includes data for two logical pages (images). In this way, the present invention can be applied to a printer that does not have a layout function.
[0088]
The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.
[0089]
In the present invention, a software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment (in this embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 11) is directly or remotely supplied to a system or apparatus. However, this includes a case where the system or apparatus computer also achieves by reading and executing the supplied program code. In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, the form does not need to be a program.
[0090]
Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the claims of the present invention include the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.
[0091]
In that case, the program may be in any form, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS as long as it has a program function.
[0092]
As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R).
[0093]
As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0094]
In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.
[0095]
In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.
[0096]
Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0097]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the print settings different from those of the other pages are assigned to the slip sheet so that the slip sheet portion can be easily identified and the heading effect is given to the subsequent pages. can do.
[0098]
Accordingly, it is possible to obtain an output printed with settings desired by the user for the slip sheet and other pages in one printing process.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a print data generation procedure in a host computer.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a memory map on the RAM 2 of the host computer 3000 in a state where print processing can be executed in the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for slip sheets in the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of contents of print data generated when no slip sheet is inserted.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of contents of print data generated when insertion of a slip sheet is set.
FIG. 7A
FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example of output results from the printer for print data from the host computer and various slip sheet settings.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing print processing in a host computer in the present embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating details of the print data generation process of FIG.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen of a printer driver in the present embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating print processing in the printer according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,21 CPU
2, 22 RAM
3, 23 ROM
4 System bus
400 slip sheet setting screen
401 Insert paper print setting selection area
402 Insert paper tray selection area
403 Insert paper position designation area
1000 Print setting screen
1007 Insert paper setting button
3000 Host computer
3001 Printer

Claims (11)

In order to execute the slip sheet printing process by inserting the second recording medium as a slip sheet performing a plurality of printing between the first recording medium to the printing apparatus, connected to said printing apparatus, a user interface A print control program as a printer driver executed by an information processing apparatus that converts data to be printed from an application into print data in a predetermined format in response to input via
A slip sheet position that designates a plurality of pages as positions to insert the second recording medium as a slip sheet when it is designated to execute the slip sheet printing process for performing a print process on the second recording medium. A designated process;
A setting step of setting a print layout that indicates the number of pages to be arranged on the surface of the front Symbol first recording medium,
Between the first recording medium on which the page data not specified in the slip sheet position specifying step is printed in the print layout, the data of the page specified in the slip sheet position specifying step is the print. and a print data generation step of generating print data to be printed on the at different layouts second recording medium and the layout,
The number of pages to be printed on one side in the second recording medium, the print control program, wherein different from the number of pages to be printed on one side of said first recording medium.   When it is designated to execute the slip sheet printing process, the information processing apparatus further executes a print instruction setting step for setting whether or not to perform the printing process on the second recording medium. The printing control program according to claim 1. The print data generating process according to the set print layout in the setting step, said one side of the first recording medium a plurality of pages are printed, is arranged one page on one side of the second recording medium print control program according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that to generate the print data.   The printing control program according to claim 2, wherein the printing instruction setting step sets whether to perform printing processing on the second recording medium on the front surface, the back surface, or both surfaces. The print instruction setting step is configured such that, for each item to be set, a settable parameter is displayed via a user interface so that the user can set the parameter by selecting the parameter. The printing control program according to claim 4 . In order to execute the slip sheet printing process by inserting the second recording medium as a slip sheet performing a plurality of printing between the first recording medium to the printing apparatus, connected to said printing apparatus, a user interface A print control method in an information processing apparatus for converting data to be printed from an application into print data in a predetermined format in response to input via
A slip sheet position that designates a plurality of pages as positions to insert the second recording medium as a slip sheet when it is designated to execute the slip sheet printing process for performing a print process on the second recording medium. A designated process;
A setting step of setting a print layout that indicates the number of pages to be arranged on the surface of the front Symbol first recording medium,
Between the first recording medium on which the page data not specified in the slip sheet position specifying step is printed in the print layout, the data of the page specified in the slip sheet position specifying step is the print. and a print data generation step of generating print data to be printed on the at different layouts second recording medium and the layout,
The number of pages to be printed on one side in the second recording medium, printing control method, wherein different from the number of pages to be printed on one side of said first recording medium. When it is designated to execute the slip sheet printing process, the information processing apparatus further executes a print instruction setting step for setting whether to perform the printing process on the second recording medium. The printing control method according to claim 6 . The print data generating process according to the set print layout in the setting step, said one side of the first recording medium a plurality of pages are printed, is arranged one page on one side of the second recording medium 8. The print control method according to claim 6, wherein print data is generated . The print control method according to claim 7 , wherein the print instruction setting step sets whether to perform a printing process on the second recording medium on the front surface, the back surface, or both surfaces. The print instruction setting step is configured such that, for each item to be set, a settable parameter is displayed via a user interface so that the user can set the parameter by selecting the parameter. The printing control method according to claim 9 . In order to execute the slip sheet printing process by inserting the second recording medium as a slip sheet performing a plurality of printing between the first recording medium to the printing apparatus, connected to said printing apparatus, a user interface An information processing apparatus that converts data to be printed from an application into print data in a predetermined format in response to input via
A slip sheet position that designates a plurality of pages as positions to insert the second recording medium as a slip sheet when it is designated to execute the slip sheet printing process for performing a print process on the second recording medium. Designation means;
Setting means for setting a print layout that indicates the number of pages to be arranged on the surface of the front Symbol first recording medium,
Between the first recording medium on which the page data not specified by the slip sheet position specifying means is printed by the print layout, the data of the page specified by the slip sheet position specifying means is the print. and a print data generating unit that generates print data to be printed on the at different layouts second recording medium and the layout,
The number of pages to be printed on one side in the second recording medium, the information processing apparatus being different from the number of pages to be printed on one side of said first recording medium.

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