JP4400300B2 - Print control apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a print control apparatus and program having an N-up function for printing the contents of N pages into one page, and more particularly, to a print control apparatus and program capable of performing different N-up settings for each page. .

  In recent years, with the development of application technology, a document created in one application is displayed as a part of another application's data, or a document handling application or the like is used as a document. It is possible to browse and print all at once.

  Here, for example, a document created with a presentation application and a document created with a spreadsheet application have different purposes, so the size of the font used and the size of the image in the page are also different. When these documents are put together in the same document, the visibility may differ depending on the page.

  On the other hand, a printing control apparatus such as a printer has a function such as “N up” that prints N pages into one page, and this N up function records a certain amount of information on a small number of sheets. It is valid.

  In relation to such N-up technology, a “printing apparatus” described in Patent Document 1 is disclosed.

In the invention of Patent Document 1, when a document consisting of a plurality of pages is test-printed, N-up processing is performed on a page that has been determined to have poor visibility due to the font size becoming too small. By changing the N-up setting, there is no need to use extra printing paper at the time of trial printing (contributing to resource saving), and since the characters can be read, the printing result can be confirmed reliably. Yes.
JP 07-46344 A

  However, the invention of the above-mentioned patent document 1 does not increase N depending on whether or not a predetermined condition set in advance is satisfied, or changes the N-up setting, and the user intervenes. It is not that the N-up setting can be freely changed, and it is not convenient.

  In the conventional technique, since the N-up function is performed for each print job, when printing a document having a mixture of pages with different legibility as described above, N Give up the up function, accept that it is difficult to see partially according to easy-to-read pages, or change the settings for easy-to-view and hard-to-view pages for one document and print multiple times Had to do the operation.

SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a print control apparatus and a program that enable appropriate N-up settings for each page so that each page of a document to be printed can be appropriately allocated.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus having an N-up function for printing the contents of N pages into one page, and setting the N-up setting of the N-up function for a document to be printed. Setting means for setting in units of pages, and a setting value N by the N-up setting in order of logical page number corresponding to the number of each page of the document to be printed, and based on the setting value N for each logical page, Whether or not there is a logical page that is unallocated in order from the smallest page number and is filled in the margin in the physical page corresponding to the page of printing paper, including pages with different values of the set value N, is searched. When a logical page is searched, the logical page is allocated to the physical page, and if there is no corresponding logical page, the physical page is updated to the next page. , By comprising the allocation means for searching the logical pages buried in and margin not yet allocated to a physical page after the updated value of the set value N, including different pages assign to the physical page after the update It is characterized by.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the setting unit sets the N-up setting of the document to be printed corresponding to each page.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the setting unit is set by a first setting unit that performs N-up setting of the entire document to be printed and the first setting unit. And second setting means for setting an N-up setting different from the entire N-up setting in a desired page unit.

The invention of claim 4 is the invention according to any of the claims 1 to 3, further comprising preview means for confirming displayed before printing the layout of each page allocated by said allocation means It is characterized by that.

The invention of claim 5, wherein is realized by a computer, implemented in the printing control apparatus having the N-up function for collectively printing the contents of N pages on one page, said computer, said N printing target document Setting means for setting the N-up setting of the up function in units of pages, holding the setting value N by the N-up setting in the order of the logical page number corresponding to the number of each page of the document to be printed, and the setting for each logical page Based on the value N, whether or not there is a logical page that is unallocated in order from the smallest logical page number and is buried in the margin in the physical page corresponding to the page of printing paper, including pages with different values of the setting value N If the corresponding logical page is searched, the logical page is allocated to the physical page, and if there is no corresponding logical page, The physical page is updated to the next page, and logical pages that are not allocated to the updated physical page and are filled in the margins are searched for, including pages with different values of the set value N, and allocated to the updated physical page. It functions as an assigning means for attaching .

  According to the present invention, since the user-desired N-up setting can be performed for each page, even when a page that is not desired to be reduced due to a small font or the like is included, printing is performed by one printing operation. Therefore, it is possible to save the user from having to print.

  In addition, since the page order is changed so that printing can be performed with the number of output sheets suppressed, even when a blank portion is generated due to a plurality of different N-up settings, when the printing should not place importance on the page context. Since it is possible to perform printing while suppressing the number of output sheets as much as possible, it is possible to suppress wasteful output and consider the environment.

  In addition, since the N-up setting that is the base of all pages can be performed, it is possible to save the trouble of inputting the N-up setting and to improve the operability.

  In addition, since the output result based on the N-up setting value set on each page can be easily confirmed, an output result different from the intended one can be suppressed, and the user can confirm the output result while checking the output result. Since N-up setting can be performed, convenience is enhanced.

  Embodiments of a printing control apparatus, method, and program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a host terminal 101 according to the present invention. If the functions of the present invention are executed, a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) may be used regardless of whether it is a single device or a system composed of a plurality of devices. The present invention can be applied even to a system in which processing is performed through connection.

  A host terminal 101 shown in FIG. 1 is a personal computer handled by a user, and a printer 201 is connected to the host terminal 101. Further, a device that transmits a print request as the host terminal 101 according to the present invention, for example, a FAX, a scanner, or the like also corresponds.

  The host terminal 101 includes a print instruction unit 102, a printer driver 103, and a spooler 111 therein.

  The print instruction unit 102 is a processing unit that issues print instructions from various applications running on the host terminal 101 to the printer driver 103.

  The printer driver 103 has a function of printing out N pages into one page for print data consisting of one or N pages from the print instruction unit 102 (hereinafter referred to as N-up). In addition, the print control method of the present invention is applied, and it is possible to perform N-up processing with different settings for each page of print data.

  The printer driver 103 includes an N-up setting unit 104, a base N-up setting unit 105, a page change unit 106, a physical page allocation unit 107, an N-up information table 108, a preview generation unit 109, and an N-up control unit 110. Is done.

  The N-up setting unit 104 sets, in the N-up information table 108, the N-up setting value for each page input by the user from a display unit and an operation unit (not shown) of the host terminal 101.

  The base N-up setting unit 105 is a processing unit that sets a basic (base) N-up setting value for all pages of print data including a plurality of pages, and sets the setting value in the N-up information table 108. The base N-up setting value set by the base N-up setting unit 105 can be rewritten by the setting value set by the N-up setting unit 104. That is, for the print data consisting of 6 pages, “2 (up)” is set as the N-up setting value by the base N-up setting unit 105, and “1 (up)” is set for the third page by the N-up setting unit 104. ”Is set, the pages other than the third page are each subjected to 2-up processing, and the third page is output 1-up (as is).

  The page order changing unit 106 controls to reduce the number of output pages by changing the order of each page that has undergone N-up processing. Normally, print data is subjected to N-up processing in the order of pages and output. In this case, a page that generates a blank portion may be generated by the N-up processing. In such a case, the page order changing unit 106 changes the page order and performs a process of reducing the blank portion as much as possible.

  The physical page allocation unit 107 is a processing unit that sets a page number to be allocated when output is performed as a result of performing N-up processing on print data consisting of a plurality of pages. That is, a page number assigned before N-up (print data) (hereinafter referred to as a logical page) and a page number assigned after N-up processing for the print data (hereinafter referred to as physical page) are different. Thus, the physical page allocation unit 107 allocates a physical page to be output to each logical page after the N-up process.

  The N-up information table 108 stores an N-up setting value for each page for the print data from the print instruction unit 102. The N-up setting value stored in the N-up information table 108 is set by each processing unit (reference numerals 104 to 107) described above.

  The preview generation unit 109 is a processing unit that generates a print preview based on the N-up information table 108 in which the N-up setting value for each page is stored. By referring to the print preview generated by the preview generation unit 109, the user can easily confirm whether or not the user-desired N-up setting has been performed.

  The N-up control unit 110 performs N-up processing on the print data based on the N-up setting value stored in the N-up information table 108. The above is a description of each functional block diagram showing the internal configuration of the printer driver 103. With the above-described configuration, it is possible to perform user-desired N-up processing for each page.

  The spooler 111 transmits the print job created by the printer driver 103 to the printer 201. The functional block diagram showing the internal configuration of the host terminal 101 has been described above.

  In response to receiving a print job in which N-up printing is designated from the host terminal 101, the printer 201 outputs a printed matter in which different N-up settings are performed for each page.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a screen layout diagram used when N-up printing is designated from the host terminal 101. This screen layout 301-1 generally corresponds to a print setting screen for changing a print setting or the like when a document print instruction is issued from the host terminal 101.

  When performing N-up printing, the “base N-up setting” 303-1 and the “detailed layout” 304-1 are activated by checking the check box added to “perform N-up setting” 302-1. Detailed N-up printing can be set.

  When performing the N-up setting as a base for all pages, the check box added to the “base N-up setting” 303-1 is checked to activate the combo box 303-1 that is also written together. The base N-up value can be selected.

  The “detailed layout” 304-1 includes a N-up no text box 305-1 for inputting a page number for which N-up is not performed, and a 2-up text box 306-1 for inputting a page number for which the desired up-up is provided. A 4-up text box 307-1 for inputting a desired page number, an 8-up text box 308-1 for inputting a page number for which 8-up is desired, and N-up setting different for each page can be performed. Is possible.

  Further, the text box 305-1 without N-up can be input when the check box written together with the “base N-up setting” 303-1 is checked, but when this check box is not checked, Page numbers that are protected from input and are not input to any of the 2-up text box 306-1, the 4-up text box 307-1, and the 8-up text box 308-1 are not subjected to N-up processing as a default.

  Here, the second, third, and fourth pages are set as pages that desire two-up, and the first, fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth, and tenth pages are set as pages that desire four-up. The eighth page that has not been entered in any of the text boxes described above is output as it is (up by 1).

  Checking the check box written in the “Detailed layout” 304-1 at the bottom of “Allowable to change page order” 309-1 causes a blank space when a page is assigned by the N-up setting. When pages are generated, it is possible to reduce the number of blank portions as much as possible by changing the page order, thereby reducing the number of output pages.

  When “Preview” 310-1 is pressed, a print image of the N-up setting set in the “Detailed layout” 304-1 can be displayed.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a screen layout diagram of the preview screen 401.

  The preview screen 401 shown in the figure is displayed by pressing a “preview” 310-1 provided in the above-described print setting screen 301-1.

  On the preview screen 401, the second page of the physical page is displayed. On the second page, the third and fourth pages of the logical pages that have been subjected to the N-up process and have been subjected to the 2-up process are arranged. ing. Here, when the user wants to refer to the preview of the first page of the physical page, the user presses the “previous page” 402. When the user wants to refer to the preview of the third page of the physical page, the user presses the “next page” 403 to display. be able to. Also, when “Close” 404 is pressed, the preview screen 401 is closed and the screen returns to the print setting screen 301-1 before the “Preview” 310-1 is pressed.

  As described above, since the present invention has a preview function, the output result based on the N-up setting value set for each page can be easily confirmed, so that an output result different from the intended one is suppressed. Can do. In addition, since the user can perform N-up setting while checking the output result, convenience is enhanced.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the N-up information table 108-1 created based on the N-up setting value set in the “detailed layout” 304-1 of the print setting screen 301-1 shown in FIG. An example of the layout diagram of the N-up information table 108-1 is shown below on the print setting screen 301-1.

  The N-up information table 108-1 includes a “logical page number” indicating a page number assigned before N-up (print data), and an N-up setting value set for each page corresponding to the logical page number. “Value of N” indicating “physical page number” indicating the page number assigned after performing N-up processing on the print data, “allocation” indicating the area ratio occupied by the logical page subjected to N-up processing in one physical page Rate ".

  This “allocation rate” is 0 if no pages are allocated, and 1 if all pages are allocated. 1 / N is added to S from the top of the logical page, and allocation is performed to the same physical page within the range of S ≦ 1. It is done. When S> 1, it is allocated to the next physical page. When S <1, it means that a blank portion is generated in the page.

  The following describes how the values set on the print setting screen 301-1 are reflected in the N-up information table 108-1.

  When “N value” corresponding to the second, third, and fourth pages (logical pages) set in the 2-up text box 306-1 of the print setting screen 301-1 is referred to, “2” is set. “4” is set in the “N value” of the 1st, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, and 10th pages (logical pages) set in the 4-up text box 307-1. It can be seen that “1” is set in the “N value” of the eighth page (logical page) which is not set in any of the N up text boxes (reference numerals 306-1 to 308-1).

  Next, the values set in the N-up information table 108-1 will be described with reference to the N-up output result output based on the N-up setting value set in the N-up information table 108-1. The N-up output result is illustrated below in the N-up information table 108-1, and the output result of the first page (physical page) 501-1 includes the four-up first page (logical page) and 2 The second page (logical page) that has been uploaded is arranged.

  Here, when the first page of the “logical page” of the N-up information table 108-1 is referred to, “4” is set in the “N value”, and when the second page of the “logical page” is referred to, “2” is set in “Value”. Considering the allocation ratio of the first page of “logical page” with “4” set to “value of N”, the ratio of the physical page to one page becomes ¼. “The allocation rate of the second page is halved. When the allocation ratios of the first page and the second page of the “logical page” are added, it becomes 3/4, and there are 1/4 pages of blank portions.

  Next, considering the third page of “logical page”, “2” is set in “value of N”, and the allocation rate is ½. Here, the allocation rate 3/4 of the first and second pages of the calculated “logical page” and the allocation rate 1/2 of the third page of the “logical page” are added to obtain 5/4.

  That is, when the allocation ratio is 4/4 (= 1) or more, it cannot be arranged in one physical page, and the third page (logical page) is 2 physical pages as shown in the N-up process result. The eye 502-1 is disposed. By performing the same process, the N-up process result can be derived based on the N-up setting value of the N-up information table 108-1, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 4 shows the operation of the N-up setting process in the host terminal 101 shown in FIG. 1 in a flow format. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that N-up printing is instructed by the user. This process describes the operation of the allocation method when the page order is not changed.

  When the N-up setting process is started, the host terminal 101 first sets “1” for the physical page number P and sets “0” for the allocation rate S [P] (step S101).

  Next, the N-up setting value for each page set by the user is set in the N-up information table 108 by the N-up setting unit 104 (step S102).

  Using the N-up information table 108 in which the set value is set, an unallocated logical page is searched from the page with the smallest page order (step S103). That is, logical pages are selected in the order of pages from print data consisting of a plurality of pages from the print instruction unit 102, and assigned to physical pages P in the subsequent processing (code steps S104 to S109).

  It is determined whether or not the logical page selected in step S103 can be allocated to the physical page P (step S104). That is, the ratio (allocation rate) that the selected logical page occupies in one physical page is calculated, and it is determined whether or not it can be allocated to the physical page P.

  If it is determined that the physical page P cannot be allocated (NO in step S104), the physical page P is set to the next page (step S105), and the selected logical page is allocated to the physical page P (step S105). Step S106).

  If it is determined that the physical page P can be allocated (YES in step S104), the selected logical page is allocated to the physical page P (step S106).

  Next, it is determined whether all logical pages have been allocated to physical pages (step S107). If all logical pages have been allocated to physical pages (YES in step S107), the N-up control unit 110 performs N-up processing on the print data based on the setting value set in the N-up information table 108, The generated print job is transmitted from the spooler 111 to the printer 201, and this N-up setting process ends.

  If there is an unallocated logical page (NO in step S107), it is determined whether or not the entire physical page P has been allocated (step S108). That is, it is a determination as to whether or not a blank portion for allocating a logical page still remains in the physical page P.

  If it is determined that there is still a blank portion in the physical page P (NO in step S108), the process returns to step S103, and an unallocated logical page is searched from the page having the smallest page order. If it is determined that no blank portion remains in the physical page P (YES in step S108), the physical page P is set as the next page (step S109), and the process returns to step S103 again. Search for logical pages for allocation.

  As described above, the present invention is configured so that the user-desired N-up setting can be performed for each page. Therefore, even when a page that is not desired to be reduced due to a small font is included. Since printing can be performed by a printing operation, it is possible to save the user from having to print.

  Next, the N-up setting process when the page order can be changed will be described with reference to FIG.

  A print setting screen 301-2 shown in the figure is the same screen as the print setting screen 301-1 described in FIG. 2 and has the same functions.

  In addition, the same value is set for the N-up setting value except that the check box written together with “Allowable to change page order” 309-2 is checked. In this print setting screen 301-2, “Allocation is possible by changing the page order” 309-2 is checked, so that the change of the page order is permitted.

  The N-up information table 108-2 created based on the N-up setting value set in the “detailed layout” 304-2 of the print setting screen 301-2 will be described. An example of the layout diagram of the N-up information table 108-2 is shown below on the print setting screen 301-2.

  The following describes how the values set on the print setting screen 301-2 are reflected in the N-up information table 108-2.

  When “N value” corresponding to the second, third, and fourth pages (logical pages) set in the two-up text box 306-2 of the print setting screen 301-2 is referred to, “2” is set. “4” is set in the “N value” of the 1st, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th and 10th pages (logical pages) set in the 4-up text box 307-2. It can be seen that “1” is set in the “N value” of the eighth page (logical page) that is not set in any of the N up text boxes (reference numerals 306-2 to 308-2).

  Next, the values set in the N-up information table 108-2 will be described with reference to the N-up output result output based on the N-up setting value set in the N-up information table 108-2. The N-up output result is illustrated below in the N-up information table 108-2, and the output result of the first page (physical page) 501-2 includes the first page (logical page) and 4 that are four-up. A fifth page (logical page) that is up and a second page (logical page) that is two up are arranged.

  Here, when the first page of “logical page” in the N-up information table 108-2 is referred to, “4” is set to “value of N”, and when the fifth page of “logical page” is referred to, “4” is set in the “value”, and “2” is set in the “value of N” referring to the second page of the “logical page”. Considering the allocation rate of the first page of the “logical page” with “N value” set to 4, the ratio of the physical page to one page becomes ¼, and similarly, the “logical page” 5 The allocation rate of the page is 1/4, and the allocation rate of the second page of the “logical page” is 1/2. When the allocation rates of the first page, the fifth page, and the second page of the “logical page” are added, 4/4 (= 1) is obtained, and a blank portion does not exist in the page.

  Next, considering the third and fourth pages of the “logical page”, “2” is set for each “value of N”, and the allocation rate is ½ each. Here, the allocation rate 3/4 of the first and second pages of the calculated “logical page” and the allocation rate 1/2 of the third page of the “logical page” are added to obtain 5/4. Similarly, the fourth page of the “logical page” is 5/4.

  That is, when the allocation rate is 4/4 (= 1) or more, it cannot be arranged in one physical page, and the third and fourth pages (logical pages) are as shown in the N-up processing result. The physical page is allocated to the second page 502-2, and the next fifth page (logical page) has an allocation ratio that can fill the blank part (1/4). It is arranged on the first page 501-2 of the page. By performing the same process, the N-up process result can be derived based on the N-up setting value of the N-up information table 108-2, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

  Further, referring to the N-up output result, it can be seen that the number of output sheets is reduced by one page compared to the case of the N-up setting process according to the page order described in FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows the operation of the N-up setting process in the host terminal 101 shown in FIG. 1 in a flow format. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that N-up printing is instructed by the user. This process describes the operation of the allocation method when the change of the page order is permitted.

  When the N-up setting process is started, the host terminal 101 first sets “1” for the physical page number P and sets “0” for the allocation rate S [P] (step S201).

  Next, the N-up setting value for each page set by the user is set in the N-up information table 108 by the N-up setting unit 104 (step S202).

  Using the N-up information table 108 in which the set value is set, a logical page that is unallocated and is embedded in the blank portion of the physical page P is searched from the page with the smallest page order (step S203). That is, a logical page is selected in order of pages from print data consisting of a plurality of pages from the print instruction unit 102, and a ratio (allocation ratio) of the selected logical page in one physical page is calculated. It is determined whether or not it is possible to allocate to a blank part (unallocated part), and if not possible, another logical page is searched.

  If there is no corresponding logical page (NO in step S204), the physical page P is set as the next page, and the process returns to step S203 to search for an unallocated logical page from the print data. If there is a corresponding logical page (YES in step S204), the logical page selected in step S203 is assigned to the physical page P (step S206).

  Next, it is determined whether all logical pages have been allocated to physical pages (step S207). If all logical pages have been assigned to physical pages (YES in step S207), the N-up control unit 110 performs N-up processing on the print data based on the setting value set in the N-up information table 108, The generated print job is transmitted from the spooler 111 to the printer 201, and this N-up setting process ends.

  If there is an unallocated logical page (NO in step S207), it is determined whether the entire physical page P has been allocated (step S208). That is, it is a determination as to whether or not a blank portion for allocating a logical page still remains in the physical page P.

  If it is determined that a blank portion still remains in the physical page P (NO in step S208), the process returns to step S203 again, and an unallocated logical page is searched from the page with the smallest page order. If it is determined that no blank portion remains in the physical page P (YES in step S208), the physical page P is set as the next page (step S209), and the process returns to step S203 again. Search for logical pages for allocation.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in addition to being able to perform user-desired N-up setting for each page, it is also possible to perform printing with a reduced number of output sheets by changing the page order. Even if a blank part occurs due to the up setting, if printing that should not place importance on the context of the page is possible, it is possible to perform printing with as few output sheets as possible. I can do it.

  Next, the N-up setting process when the base N-up setting value is designated will be described with reference to FIG.

  The print setting screen 301-3 shown in the figure is the same screen as the print setting screen 301-1 described in FIG. 2 and has the same functions.

  The check box written together with “base N up setting” 303-3 is checked, and 4 up is selected as the base N up setting in the combo box also written together. That is, since “base N-up setting” 303-3 is checked in this print setting screen 301-3, a basic (base) N-up setting value is set for all pages for print data consisting of a plurality of pages. be able to.

  Further, as described above, since the check box written together with “base N-up setting” 303-3 is checked, the text box 305-3 without N-up in “detailed layout” 304-3 can be input. In this state, the page number to be output as it is (1 up) can be input without desiring for the N up setting according to the base N up setting value (here, 4 up).

  The N-up setting value used as the base set in the “base N-up setting” 303-3 is displayed in the N-up no text box 305-3 to the 8-up text box 308-3 in the “detail layout” 304-3. The page number for which a different N-up setting is desired can be entered.

  Here, the eighth page is set as the page for which N-up is desired, the second, third, and fourth pages are set as the page for which 2-up is desired, and the 4-page is set for the other pages. .

  The N-up information table 108-3 created based on the N-up setting values set in the “base N-up setting” 303-3 and the “detailed layout” 304-3 on the print setting screen 301-3 will be described. An example of the layout diagram of the N-up information table 108-3 is shown below on the print setting screen 301-3.

  The following describes how the values set on the print setting screen 301-3 are reflected in the N-up information table 108-3.

  When referring to “value of N” corresponding to the eighth page (logical page) set in the text box 305-3 without N-up on the print setting screen 301-3, “1” is set. You can see that “2” is set for each of the “N value” corresponding to the second, third, and fourth pages (logical pages) set in the 2-up text box 306-3. It can be seen that “4” is set for “value of N” on the other pages.

  Next, the values set in the N-up information table 108-3 will be described with reference to the N-up output result output based on the N-up setting value set in the N-up information table 108-3. The N-up output result is illustrated below in the N-up information table 108-3. The output result of the first page (physical page) 501-3 includes the first page (logical page) and 2 that are four-up. The second page (logical page) that has been uploaded is arranged.

  Here, when the first page of “logical page” in the N-up information table 108-3 is referred to, “4” is set to “value of N”, and when the second page of “logical page” is referred to, “2” is set in “Value”. Considering the allocation ratio of the first page of “logical page” with “4” set to “value of N”, the ratio of the physical page to one page becomes ¼. “The allocation rate of the second page is halved. When the allocation ratios of the first page and the second page of the “logical page” are added, it becomes 3/4, and there are 1/4 pages of blank portions.

  Next, considering the third page of “logical page”, “2” is set in “value of N”, and the allocation rate is ½. Here, the allocation rate 3/4 of the first and second pages of the calculated “logical page” and the allocation rate 1/2 of the third page of the “logical page” are added to obtain 5/4.

  That is, when the allocation ratio is 4/4 (= 1) or more, it cannot be arranged in one physical page, and the third page (logical page) is 2 physical pages as shown in the N-up process result. Arranged at the eyes 502-3. By performing the same process, the N-up process result can be derived based on the N-up setting value of the N-up information table 108-3, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 8 shows the operation of the N-up setting process in the host terminal 101 shown in FIG. 1 in a flow format. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that N-up printing is instructed by the user. This process explains the operation of the allocation method when the base N-up setting value is designated.

  When the N-up setting process is started, the host terminal 101 first sets “1” for the physical page number P and sets “0” for the allocation rate S [P] (step S301).

  Next, a basic N-up setting value for all pages set by the user is set in the N-up information table 108 by the base N-up setting unit 105 (step S302).

  Then, the N-up setting value set by the user for the page for which an N-up setting different from the base N-up setting value is desired is overwritten in the N-up information table 108 by the N-up setting unit 104 (step S303).

  Using the N-up information table 108 in which the set value is set, an unallocated logical page is searched from the page with the smallest page order (step S304). That is, logical pages are selected from the print data consisting of a plurality of pages from the print instructing unit 102 in the order of pages, and assigned to physical pages P in the subsequent processing (code steps S305 to S310).

  It is determined whether or not the logical page selected in step S304 can be allocated to the physical page P (step S305). That is, the ratio (allocation rate) that the selected logical page occupies in one physical page is calculated, and it is determined whether or not it can be allocated to the physical page P.

  If it is determined that the physical page P cannot be allocated (NO in step S305), the physical page P is set as the next page (step S306), and the selected logical page is allocated to the physical page P (step S306). Step S307).

  If it is determined that the physical page P can be allocated (YES in step S305), the selected logical page is allocated to the physical page P (step S307).

  Next, it is determined whether or not all logical pages have been allocated to physical pages (step S308). If all logical pages have been allocated to physical pages (YES in step S308), the N-up control unit 110 performs N-up processing on the print data based on the setting value set in the N-up information table 108, The generated print job is transmitted from the spooler 111 to the printer 201, and this N-up setting process ends.

  If there is an unallocated logical page (NO in step S308), it is determined whether or not the entire physical page P has been allocated (step S309). That is, it is a determination as to whether or not a blank portion for allocating a logical page still remains in the physical page P.

  If it is determined that a blank portion still remains in the physical page P (NO in step S309), the process returns to step S304 again, and an unallocated logical page is searched from the page having the smallest page order. If it is determined that no blank portion remains in the physical page P (YES in step S309), the physical page P is set as the next page (step S310), and the process returns to step S304 again. Search for logical pages for allocation.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in addition to being able to set the N-up setting desired by the user for each page, the N-up setting serving as the base for all the pages can be performed collectively. It is possible to save the trouble of inputting and to improve the operability.

  In the above embodiment, the print control method of the present invention is applied to the printer driver 103 and the host terminal 101 performs print control processing. However, the printer driver 103 is configured to be applied to the print server. Also good. Similarly, it may be configured to be applied to the printer 201.

  In the above embodiment, the print control method of the present invention is applied to the printer driver 103 and the print control processing is performed by the host terminal. However, the print control apparatus according to the present invention is installed in the host terminal 101 or the print server. It may be configured to be installed. Similarly, it may be configured to be applied to the printer 201.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within a range not changing the gist thereof. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a method of changing the page order to perform page allocation and setting N-up, and a method of setting a base N-up setting value and further changing the setting appropriately for each page. Are described separately, but it goes without saying that it is possible to combine both.

  The print control apparatus, method, and program of the present invention are effective when printing a document in which pages having different visibility are mixed, and in particular, a user-desired N-up setting for a print target file. Since it can be performed in a lump, it can be effectively used for convenience in the printing process.

It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the host terminal 101 concerning this invention. It is an example of a screen layout diagram, an N-up information table, and an N-up output result used when N-up printing is designated. An example of a screen layout diagram of the preview screen 401 is shown. The operation of the N-up setting process in the host terminal 101 shown in FIG. 1 is shown in a flow format. It is an example of a screen layout diagram, an N-up information table, and an N-up output result used when N-up printing is specified (page order change permission). The operation of the N-up setting process in the host terminal 101 shown in FIG. 1 is shown in a flow format (page order change permission). It is an example of a screen layout diagram, an N-up information table, and an N-up output result used when N-up printing is designated (pace N-up setting). The operation of the N-up setting process in the host terminal 101 shown in FIG. 1 is shown in a flow format (pace N-up setting).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Host terminal 102 Print instruction part 103 Printer driver 104 N-up setting part 105 Base N-up setting part 106 Page order change part 107 Physical page allocation part 108 N-up information table 109 Preview generation part 110 N-up control part 111 Spooler 201 Printer

Claims (5)

In a print control apparatus having an N-up function for printing the contents of N pages together in one page,
Setting means for setting the N-up setting of the N-up function of the document to be printed in page units;
The set value N by the N-up setting is held in the order of logical page numbers corresponding to the number of each page of the document to be printed, and unallocated in order from the smallest logical page number based on the set value N for each logical page. If there is a logical page that is filled in the margin in the physical page corresponding to the page of the print paper, including pages with different values of the setting value N, and the corresponding logical page is searched, The logical page is allocated to the physical page, and if there is no corresponding logical page, the physical page is updated to the next page, and the logical page that is not allocated to the updated physical page and is filled in the margin is set as described above. A print control apparatus comprising: an allocating unit that retrieves and allocates a page including a different value of N to the updated physical page . The setting means includes
The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the N-up setting of the document to be printed is set corresponding to each page. The setting means includes
First setting means for performing N-up setting for the entire document to be printed;
2. The print control according to claim 1, further comprising: a second setting unit that sets, in a desired page unit, an N-up setting different from the entire N-up setting set by the first setting unit. apparatus. Preview means for confirming and displaying the layout of each page assigned by the assigning means before printing
The print control apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: It is implemented in a print control device that has an N-up function for printing the contents of N pages in one page, which is realized by a computer,
The computer,
Setting means for setting the N-up setting of the N-up function of the document to be printed in page units;
The setting value N by the N-up setting is held in the order of logical page numbers corresponding to the number of each page of the document to be printed, and unassigned in order from the smallest logical page number based on the setting value N for each logical page If there is a logical page that is filled in the margin in the physical page corresponding to the page of the print paper, including pages with different values of the setting value N, and the corresponding logical page is searched, The logical page is allocated to the physical page, and if there is no corresponding logical page, the physical page is updated to the next page, and the logical page which is not allocated to the updated physical page and is filled in the margin is set as described above. Assignment means for searching for pages including different values of value N and assigning them to the updated physical page
Print control program to function as.

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