JP2001202227A - Image forming device and method for controlling the same device and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To arrange a page order in executing print so that pages can be continued at the time of separating recording paper into half at the time of arranging plural pages per recording paper for operating both side printing. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a page arrangement control means constituted of an intermediate data generating means (S204) for generating intermediate data constituted of a plotting instruction set by page units based on supplied image formation data, an intermediate data editing means (S205) for replacing the order of the intermediate data, and a plotting instruction outputting means (S206) for rewriting and outputting the plotting instruction based on the intermediate data replaced by the intermediate data editing means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method therefor, and an image forming system, and more particularly to a printer having a function of printing in page units.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, when an image forming apparatus such as a print processing apparatus is used, there is a strong demand to reduce the number of recording media such as recording paper for reasons such as cost reduction and environmental considerations.

[0003] From such a demand, there has been conventionally known a print processing apparatus in which a print counter for monitoring the amount of recording paper used is provided and billing is performed in order to prevent useless use of the recording paper.

[0004] In general, when one logical page is laid out and printed for one physical page, a reduced printing function is provided which can reduce a plurality of logical pages and lay out and print on one physical page. Print processing equipment,
Further, a print processing apparatus having a double-sided printing function capable of printing on both sides of a recording sheet is known. In addition to responding to the above-described requirements, it is possible to perform printing with various layouts according to user settings. It is.

[0005] In this specification, "logical page" refers to a logical page in print data.
“Physical page” refers to an actual page on recording paper used by the print processing apparatus, and one side of the recording paper is defined as one physical page.

[0006] Laying out such N logical pages into one physical page and printing it is also called N-up printing. For example, laying out and printing two logical pages on one physical page is called 2-up printing.

[0007]

By the way, for example, when an A5 size printed matter is to be created when the smallest recording paper that can be handled by the print processing apparatus used corresponds only to the A4 size. Conventionally, 2-up printing is performed on A4 size recording paper, and the paper is cut in half to produce an A5 size printed matter.

However, when it is desired to obtain an A5 size double-sided printed material, 2-up printing and double-sided printing are performed on A4 size recording paper, and when the recording paper is cut in half, pages are printed on both sides of the separated recording paper. Not continuous. Therefore, there is a problem that an A5 size double-sided printed matter cannot be created so that pages are continuous with the method as it is.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional example, and has as its object to be able to continue the pages of each recording medium when the recording medium that has output the image formation result is cut off. It is an object to provide an image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, and an image forming system.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention forms an image by arranging a plurality of pages on both sides of a recording medium based on supplied image forming data. An image forming apparatus, wherein a plurality of pages are arranged on both sides, and a recording medium on which an image is formed is separated for each page, and the pages are arranged so that the order of pages on both sides of each recording medium is continuous. The image processing apparatus further includes control means, and image forming data generating means for generating the image forming data based on the pages arranged by the page arrangement controlling means.

Further, the page arrangement control means includes: intermediate data generating means for generating intermediate data comprising a drawing command set for each page based on the supplied image forming data; and intermediate data for replacing the order of the intermediate data. It is characterized by comprising editing means and drawing command output means for rewriting and outputting the drawing command based on the intermediate data replaced by the intermediate data editing means.

Further, the page arrangement control means further comprises a cutting line command adding means for adding a command to form an image on a recording medium with a cutting line as a mark for separating the recording medium to the intermediate data. And

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming method according to the present invention is a method for controlling an image forming apparatus which forms an image by arranging a plurality of pages on both sides of a recording medium based on supplied image forming data. And a page arrangement control step of arranging pages such that the order of pages on both sides of each recording medium in a state where a plurality of pages are arranged on both sides and an image-formed recording medium is separated for each page is continuous. ,
An image forming data generating step of generating the image forming data based on the page arranged by the page arrangement controlling step.

The page arrangement control step includes an intermediate data generating step of generating intermediate data composed of a drawing command set for each page based on the supplied image forming data, and an intermediate data replacing an order of the intermediate data. An editing step, and a drawing command output step of rewriting and outputting the drawing command based on the intermediate data replaced in the intermediate data editing step.

Further, the page arrangement control step further comprises a cutting line command adding step of adding a command to form an image on the recording medium with a cutting line as a mark for separating the recording medium to the intermediate data. And

To achieve the above object, an image forming system according to the present invention comprises: an external device for supplying image forming data;
An image forming system in which a plurality of pages are arranged on both sides of a recording medium based on image forming data supplied from the external device, and an image forming apparatus that performs image formation and outputs the image is connected to the external device. Comprises a page arrangement control means for arranging pages so that the order of pages on both sides of each recording medium is continuous in a state where the recording medium on which images are formed by arranging a plurality of pages on both sides is separated for each page. It is characterized by.

Further, the page arrangement control means includes an intermediate data generating means for generating intermediate data comprising a drawing command set for each page based on the generated image forming data, and an intermediate data editing means for replacing the order of the intermediate data. And a drawing command output means for rewriting and outputting the drawing command based on the intermediate data replaced by the intermediate data editing means.

Further, the page arrangement control means further comprises a cutting line command adding means for adding a command to form an image on a recording medium with a cutting line as a mark for separating the recording medium to the intermediate data. And

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a control program for an image forming apparatus that forms an image by arranging a plurality of pages on both sides of a recording medium based on supplied image forming data. A storage medium which is stored and readable by a computer device, wherein a plurality of pages are arranged on both sides, and a page order of both sides of each recording medium in a state where the recording medium on which an image is formed is separated for each page is continuous. And a program code of an image forming data generating step of generating the image forming data based on the page arranged by the page disposing control step. I do.

Further, the program code of the page arrangement control step includes a program code of an intermediate data generating step of generating intermediate data including a drawing instruction set for each page based on the supplied image forming data; And a program code of a drawing command output step of rewriting and outputting the drawing command based on the intermediate data replaced in the intermediate data editing step. .

The program code of the page arrangement control step further includes a cutting line command adding step of adding a command to form an image on a recording medium with a cutting line as a mark for separating the recording medium to the intermediate data. It is characterized by having a code.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0023]

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming system according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an information processing apparatus for generating image data, designating image formation, and the like, and 15 denotes a printer as an image forming apparatus. Information processing device 1
Use a general personal computer.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 1 and the printer device 15 are connected by a bidirectional interface 14.

[Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus 1] In FIG.
Each component of the information processing device 1 is connected by a bus. The component connected to the system bus 2 includes a video memory (VRA).
M) 3, a keyboard (KBD) 5, a disk controller 7, a connection 10, a CPU 11, a RAM 12, and a ROM 13.

The CPU 11 is a microprocessor as a central processing unit, and controls the entire information processing apparatus 1.

The RAM 12 is a readable and writable memory that stores programs as a main memory of the CPU 11 and has a temporary storage area for various data used as a work data area when the CPU 11 executes control.

The ROM 13 is a read-only memory for storing data and programs for the CPU 11 to perform various controls, in particular, an invariant instruction sequence such as a basic I / O program (BIOS). In this specification,
“I / O” refers to a concept that includes inputs and outputs.

The floppy disk (FD) 8 and the hard disk drive (HD) 9 are various graphic data and document data, or an operating system which is a boot program of the information processing apparatus 1 downloaded to the RAM 13 and executed, and a control program of the CPU 11. (O
S), a magnetic storage medium for storing various application programs, a printer control command (print data) generation program (printer driver), and the like, and is connected to the disk controller 7. The floppy disk (FD) 8 is detachably connected.

The storage medium is not limited to a hard disk drive or a floppy disk, but may be a magnetic tape, CD-ROM, IC memory card, DVD, or the like.

The disk controller 7 includes a hard disk drive (HD) 9 and a floppy disk (FD)
8 is controlled.

The display unit (CRT) 4 displays various graphics such as bitmap data, command images of command menus, operator messages, and the like in the information processing apparatus 1, and is a CRT (cathode ray tube) liquid crystal or FRT.
It is composed of an LC or the like and is connected to a video memory (VRAM) 3.

The video memory (VRAM) 3 stores data to be displayed on the display (CRT) 4.

The keyboard (KBD) 5 and the pointing device (PD) 6 are input devices operated by an operator to input various data, commands, print modes, and the like. Here, the pointing device (PD) 6 is connected to the keyboard (KBD) 5. Further, by selecting a command image or the like of a command menu displayed on the display unit (CRT) 4 using the keyboard 5 and the pointing device 6, it is possible to execute a command and make various settings.

The connection unit 10 is a bidirectional interface 1
4 is connected to the connection unit 17 of the printer device 15 and controls the interface with the printer device 15. As the type of interface, RS232C,
A serial interface such as IEEE1394 or USB, a parallel interface such as Centronics or GPIB, and a LAN interface such as Ethernet can be used.

[Configuration of Printer Device 15] In FIG. 1, a connection unit 17, a printing unit (printer engine) 18, an operation unit 19, and an external memory 2 constituting the printer device 15 are shown.
0, CPU 21, RAM 22, and ROM 23 are connected to the system bus 16.

The CPU 21 is a microprocessor as a central processing unit for controlling the entire printer 15. The CPU 21 transmits an image signal to the printing unit 18 by a printer control command (print data) received by the connection unit 17 based on a control program stored in the ROM 23 or the external memory 20 described later.

The RAM 22 is a readable and writable memory having a temporary storage area for various data used as a work data area when the CPU 21 executes control as a main memory of the CPU 21.

The external memory 20 is connected as an option and is a memory for storing font data, emulation programs, form data, and the like.

The ROM 23 is an internal memory of the printer and, like the external memory 20, is a read-only memory for storing various data, a control program for controlling the printer 15, and the like.

The printing unit 18 is a printer engine that prints a received image signal according to a control program stored in the ROM 23 or the external memory 20.

The operation unit 19 includes an input unit such as an operation panel and operation switches, an LED, a liquid crystal panel, and the like, and receives an operation of an operator and displays a result. The operator operates the printer 1 via the operation unit 19.
5 can be instructed or confirmed.

The connection section 17 is a bidirectional interface 1
4, it is possible to connect to the connection unit 16 of the information processing apparatus 1 to receive a printer control command (print data) and to notify the internal state of the printer.

[User Interface] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a print mode designation screen displayed on the display unit (CRT) 4. This screen can be called from an application capable of issuing a print request, such as a word processor or video editing software.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 1301 denotes a column for designating the printing direction. Here, a radio button for designating the printing direction to be portrait or landscape is provided, and switching can be performed by clicking a pointer (not shown) of the pointing device (PD) 6 in accordance with a desired radio button. . In the example of FIG. 13, landscape is selected.

The print side designation field 1302 can be switched between single-sided printing and double-sided printing by radio buttons. FIG.
In the example of 3, double-sided printing is selected.

A double-sided printing order designation field 1303 is a list box for designating a printing order when double-sided printing is designated in the printing side designation field 1302. Here, a pull-down menu 1304 for designating the printing order is provided. When the pointer of the pointing device (PD) 6 is positioned at the position of the triangle mark in the list box 1303 and clicked, a pull-down menu as shown in 1304 is displayed. It is supposed to be. In the pull-down menu 1304, either the normal mode or the replacement mode can be selected. In the example of FIG. 13, the replacement mode is selected. Here, the replacement mode is
A mode in which a plurality of logical pages are arranged per physical page to perform double-sided printing, and when recording paper is separated into logical pages, the layout of logical pages is replaced so that the pages of each recording paper are continuous. Will be described.

The paper size specification column 1305 is a list box for specifying the size of the recording paper. Here, a pull-down menu 1306 is provided, and any one of A3, A4, and B5 can be selected. In the example of FIG. 13, A4 is selected.

The page number setting column 130 of the page layout
Reference numeral 7 denotes a list box for designating the number of logical pages per physical page. Here, a pull-down menu as shown in 1308 is provided, and 1-page printing, 2
One of page printing can be selected, and in the example of FIG. 13, two-page printing is selected.

[Processing] The information processing apparatus 1 operates under the control of the CPU 11 based on a basic I / O program, an operating system (OS), and a print processing program. Basic I / O program is ROM13
The operating system (O
S) is written in the hard disk (HD) 9 or the floppy disk (FD) 8.

First, when the power of the information processing apparatus 1 is turned on, the hard disk (H) is activated by the initial program loading (IPL) function in the basic I / O program.
D) 9 or the operating system (OS) stored in the floppy disk (FD) 8 is read into the RAM 12, and the operating system (OS) operates.

Next, the operator operates the display unit (CRT) by using the keyboard 5 and the pointing device 6.
When a command image or the like in the command menu displayed on the screen 4 is selected and execution of the application is instructed, a program related to the application stored in the hard disk (HD) 9 or the floppy disk (FD) 8 is read into the RAM 12. And the application works.

Next, in the same way as when the application is started, when printing is instructed by the operator, the hard disk (HD) 9 or the floppy disk (FD) 8
Print processing program and printer control command generation program (printer driver) stored in the RAM
12 and a printing process is performed.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the print processing program and the related data are stored in the floppy disk (FD) 8.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the recorded contents of the floppy disk (FD) 8 in which the print processing program and related data are stored.

In FIG. 12, volume information, directory information, a print processing program execution file, a print processing program related data file, and the like are stored in predetermined areas.

When the floppy disk (FD) 8 storing the print processing program and the related data is set in the disk controller 7, the print processing program and the related data are read under the control of the operating system (OS) and the basic I / O program. Issued, RA
It is stored in M12 and becomes operable.

FIG. 11 shows that the print processing program is RAM1
2 shows a memory map in a state where the memory map is executable. That is, the basic I / O is stored in a predetermined area in the RAM 12.
An O program, an operating system (OS), a print processing program, an application program, and related data are stored, and a work area required for operation of each program is secured.

Hereinafter, the processing after the above-mentioned operable state will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which two logical pages are arranged per physical page to perform double-sided printing, and settings are made so that pages are continuous when separated at the center of the recording paper. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow up to output of print data to a print job No. 2;

In FIG. 2, in step S201, the print mode designation screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed from the application to designate a print mode. Here, print side designation field 1
In 302, both sides are designated.
The replacement mode is selected from the pull-down menu 1304, and two-page printing is selected from the pull-down menu 1308 in the page number setting field 1307 of the page layout.

Next, in step S202, the user designates execution of printing by operating the keyboard 5 or the pointing device 6.

Next, in step S203, step S20
It is determined whether or not the replacement mode is selected in the double-sided printing order designation field 1303 among the designation of the printing mode in 1.

If the replacement mode has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S207 as a normal printing process, and the printer control command generation program (printer driver) prints based on the drawing command, the printing surface designation information, and the page layout information. Data is generated and output to the printer device 15.

If the replacement mode is selected in step S203, the process proceeds to step S204, where the intermediate data generating program operates to generate intermediate data by a method described later.

In this specification, “intermediate data”
Intermediate print command data generated for each page before generating final print data for the purpose of replacing the output page order according to the specification of the replacement mode.

After the intermediate data is created in step S204, the process proceeds to step S205, where the intermediate data editing program operates to edit the intermediate data by a method described later.

Next, the process proceeds to step S206, where the drawing command is rewritten based on the intermediate data, and is output to the printer control command generation program (printer driver).

Then, the process proceeds to step S207, where the printer control command generation program (printer driver) generates print data based on the drawing command, the print surface designation information, and the page layout information, and outputs the print data to the printer device 15.

Hereinafter, the contents of the intermediate data generating step S204 will be described in detail.

FIG. 3 shows a drawing command created when the application designates printing of document data in step S202 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the drawing command starts with a [job start command] and ends with a [job end command]. The drawing commands include a “character printing command”, a “graphic drawing command”, an “image drawing command”, a “page break command”, and the like. Each instruction includes parameter information and the like. For example, the [character print command] includes information such as a character type, a character code, a character print position coordinate, a character width, a character height, a character feed width, and a line feed height. The [graphic drawing command] includes information such as the type of the drawing graphic, the genus of each drawing graphic, and the drawing position coordinates. The [image drawing instruction] includes information such as bitmap data and width, height, drawing position coordinates, and the like.

FIG. 4 shows the intermediate data generation step S in FIG.
4 is a flowchart showing the contents of the information 204.

First, in step S401 in FIG. 4, the page count n is initialized to 0, and then the flow advances to step S402 to receive one drawing command shown in FIG. I do.

Next, the process proceeds to step S403, where it is determined whether or not the drawing command M received in step S402 is a [job start command]. Here, the received drawing command M
Is [Job start command], the process advances to step S404 to open a page information file for recording page information.

Next, the flow advances to step S405 to open an intermediate data file for temporarily storing intermediate data of the first page.

Next, the process proceeds to step S406, where the page count n is set to n + 1, and in the next step S407,
As the page information, the intermediate data file name is recorded as Pn in the page information file in association with the page number n. Next, the process proceeds to step S408, where the received drawing command M is converted into intermediate data, and recorded in the intermediate data file opened in step S405. Then, S4
Returning to step 02, the next drawing command is received and set to M again.

If it is determined in step S403 that the received drawing command M is not the [job start command], the process proceeds to step S403.
Proceeding to 409, it is determined whether M is a [page break command].

If it is determined in step S409 that M is a "page break command", the flow advances to step S410 to convert M into intermediate data, and additionally record the intermediate data file Pn opened in step S405.

Next, the flow advances to step S411 to close the currently opened intermediate data file Pn of the nth page.

Next, after setting the page count n to n + 1 in step S412, the process advances to step S413 to newly open an intermediate data file for temporarily storing the intermediate data of the nth page. Next, the process proceeds to step S414, where the file name of the intermediate data file is set to Pn and associated with the page number n and recorded in the page information file as page information. Thereafter, the flow returns to step S402, and the next drawing command is received and is set to M again.

If it is determined in step S409 that M is not [page break command], the flow advances to step S415 to determine whether M is [job end command].

If it is determined in step S415 that M is not [job end command], the flow advances to step S416 to convert the drawing command M into intermediate data, and additionally record it in the currently opened intermediate data file Pn. Then, the process returns to step S402, where the next drawing command is received and is set to M again.

If it is determined in step S415 that M is a [job end command], the flow advances to step S417 to convert the drawing command M into intermediate data, and additionally record it in the currently opened intermediate data file Pn.

Then, the flow advances to step S418 to close the currently opened intermediate data file Pn.
In step S419, the page information file opened in step S404 is closed, and the process ends.

Subsequently, referring to FIG.
07, a method of recording page information in step S414, and a method of converting / recording into intermediate data in steps S408, S410, S416, and S417.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the file structure of the page information file and the intermediate data file. The page information file and the intermediate data file are stored in a storage device such as the hard disk device 9 in FIG.

The page information file is, as described above,
When the job starts in step S407 in FIG. 4 and in step S4
14 is a file in which information is recorded at the time of a page break,
The page number n and the file name Pn of the intermediate data file corresponding to the page are recorded. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the page number and the file name of the intermediate data are stored in association with each other. At this time, the number of pages is stored in a predetermined area as N.

The intermediate data file is a file in which intermediate data in which the drawing command is replaced by another command format is recorded. As described above, the page separated by [page break command] in the drawing command of FIG. Generated every time.

The intermediate data may have a format in which a plurality of predetermined drawing commands are combined into one.

As described above, the intermediate data generation step S2 in FIG.
This concludes the explanation of the content of 04.

Next, the intermediate data editing step S2 in FIG.
05 will be described in detail.

The above-described intermediate data generation step S204
As shown in FIG. 5, the intermediate data file Pn
Are generated in order according to the drawing command order shown in FIG. 3, so that the page number of the logical page matches the page number of the intermediate data file corresponding to the logical page. In the intermediate data editing step S205, it is possible to change the association between the logical page and the page number of the intermediate data file. For example, 1
In the case of -up printing, if the logical pages L1 to LN are allocated in the reverse order to the page numbers N to 1 of the intermediate data file, the printing is simply performed in the reverse order. As described above, it is possible to change the print layout by changing the association between the logical page and the intermediate data file based on the print mode setting information.

Hereinafter, the processing content of the intermediate data editing step S205 will be described by taking as an example a case where 2-up double-sided printing is specified in the replacement mode for document data over eight logical pages.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between a logical page arranged in a physical page and an intermediate data file.

In FIG. 6, intermediate data files corresponding to respective logical pages indicated by parentheses are arranged in physical pages F1 to F4. Here, physical page F
Reference numerals 2 and F4 denote the back surfaces of F1 and F3, respectively. The front and back surfaces indicate that the portion indicated by the arrow b is at the same position. With such a layout, when the printed recording paper is cut along the dotted line a in the drawing, the pages become continuous.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing of the intermediate data editing step S205 for making the layout as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 7, first, in step S701,
After opening the temporarily stored page information file, the page information is read from the page information file in step S702.

Next, the process proceeds to step S703, where the logical page Ln is allocated to the page number of the intermediate data described above. In this allocation, the page order is calculated as will be described later, based on the setting of the operator performed when the print mode is specified in step S201 in FIG.

Then, the flow advances to step S704 to calculate a scale ratio S of the logical page with respect to the physical page. For example,
If 2-up is specified, S = １ ／, and if 9-up is specified, S = １ ／. Alternatively, a slightly smaller magnification may be set in consideration of the margin of the recording paper.

Next, the process proceeds to step S705, in which the page counter n for counting the logical pages Ln is initialized to 1 and then, in step S706, the page counter n
Is n = N + 1. Where n = N +
If it is not 1, the process proceeds to step S707 and the logical page L
The position (reference position) for laying out n on the physical page is calculated. The reference position is a coordinate indicating where on the physical page the logical page is to be placed,
Number of logical pages to be arranged on physical pages, layout order,
It is determined by the logical page Ln of interest.

Then, the flow advances to step S708 to open the intermediate data file corresponding to the logical page Ln.
In step S709, the records of the intermediate data are sequentially read, and the read intermediate data is set to R.

Then, the flow advances to step S710 to determine whether or not the intermediate data R read in step S709 is "page break" or "job end". If the intermediate data R is not “page break” or “job end” in step S710, the process advances to step S711 to perform a process of replacing the read intermediate data R. If there is no replacement, output is possible without replacement.

Next, the process proceeds to step S712,
The intermediate data R replaced by 711 is defined as R ′, and is output to an intermediate data file for editing according to the magnification S calculated in step S704 and the position calculated in step S707.

Next, the flow returns to step S709, where the record of the next intermediate data is obtained and is set as R again.

If the intermediate data R is [Page Break] or [Job End] in step S710, the flow advances to step S713 to determine whether to perform a page break of the physical page. Is determined. Here, mod (n, C) is a function for calculating a remainder obtained by dividing the current value n of the logical page counter by the number C of logical pages to be allocated to one physical page. Step S713
If mod (n, C) is not equal to 0, step S714
To close the intermediate data file corresponding to the currently opened logical page Ln.

Next, the process proceeds to step S715, where the logical page counter n is set to n = n + 1, the page is advanced by one page, and then the process returns to step S706.

In step S713, mod (n, C) = 0
If so, the process advances to step S716 to break the physical page. That is, a new page record is recorded as intermediate data at the end of the intermediate data file corresponding to the currently opened logical page Ln.

Next, in step S717, the intermediate data file corresponding to the currently opened logical page Ln is closed, and in step S718, the logical page counter n is set to n = n + 1, and the process is advanced by one page.

Then, the process returns to step S706, and a determination for termination is made.

If n = N + 1 in step S706,
Assuming that all the intermediate data files have been edited, the process proceeds to step S719, and the end code is output to the end of the intermediate data file corresponding to the logical page LN as the end of the job.

Then, the flow advances to step S720 to close the page information file and end the processing.

Next, the method of calculating the page order in step S703 in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a calculation method for replacing the page order according to the present embodiment, in which the intermediate data file Pn (n = 1, N) corresponds to the logical page Li (i =
1, (N).

First, in step S801, mod
If (i, 2C) = 1, the process proceeds to step S802, where the value of n is i, and the intermediate data file corresponding to the logical page Li is Pn.

If the condition of step S801 is not met, the process proceeds to step S803, and if mod (i, 2C) = 2, the process proceeds to step S804, where the value of n is set to i + 1 and the intermediate data file corresponding to the logical page Li is set. To P
n.

If the condition of step S803 is not met, the process proceeds to step S805, and if mod (i, 2C) = 3, the process proceeds to step S806, where the value of n is set to i + 1 and the intermediate data file corresponding to the logical page Li is set. To P
n.

If the condition in step S805 is not met, the flow advances to step S807 to set the value of n to i-2 and the intermediate data file corresponding to the logical page Li to Pn.

[0120] Steps S801 to S807 are calculated for all logical pages Li, and the process ends.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the total number of logical pages is eight, and two logical pages are arranged in one physical page to perform double-sided printing. In this case, mod (N, 2C) = mod (8, 4) = 0, which was just fit on two recording sheets.

However, if the number of logical pages does not fit on the recording paper and there is a surplus on the final recording paper as described above, it is necessary to separately adjust the arrangement of the logical pages on the final recording paper.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the total number of logical pages N of the print data is N <2C and when N is 2C for the logical page Ln and the corresponding intermediate data file,
This is to adjust the layout on the final recording paper when it is not divisible by.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a layout according to the present embodiment. Here, C = 2 and a 2-up case will be described as an example.

FIG. 9A shows a layout of an intermediate data file on the final recording sheet (second sheet) when the total number N of logical pages of print data is N = 5. mod
Since (5, 4) = 1, the number of logical pages to be printed on the final recording paper is only one. Therefore, the last intermediate data file P5 is laid out at the position of the logical page L5.

FIG. 9B shows the layout of the intermediate data file on the final recording sheet (second sheet) when the total number N of logical pages of the print data is N = 6. mod
Since (6, 4) = 2, the number of logical pages to be printed on the final recording sheet is two. Therefore, the intermediate data files P5 and P6 are laid out at the positions of the logical pages L5 and L8, respectively.

FIG. 9C shows the layout of the intermediate data file on the final recording sheet (second sheet) when the total number N of logical pages of print data is N = 7. mod
Since (7, 4) = 3, the number of logical pages to be printed on the final recording sheet is three. Therefore, the intermediate data files P5, P6, and P7 are respectively assigned to the logical pages L5, L8,
It is assumed that the layout is performed at the position of L6.

[Embodiment 3] This embodiment relates to Embodiment 1.
In addition to the processing described in the second embodiment, a cutting line for facilitating accurate cutting of physical paper is printed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which a cutting line a is printed on physical paper.

The printing of the cutting line is performed in step S71 of FIG.
1, the center of the physical paper is calculated, and a line print command for cutting line printing is added to the intermediate data R and replaced.

[0131]

[Other Embodiments] The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single device.

Further, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

In this case, the storage medium storing the program according to the present invention constitutes the present invention. Then, the program is read into the system or the device from the storage medium. Then, by reading the program from the storage medium into the system or the device, the system or the device operates in a predetermined method.

In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the print processing program and related data are directly loaded from the floppy disk (FD) 8 to the RAM 12 and executed.
In addition, the print processing program and related data are temporarily stored (installed) in the hard disk device (HD) from the floppy disk (FD) 8, and the hard disk device (HD) is used when the print processing program is operated.
May be loaded into the RAM 12.

The medium on which the print processing program is recorded may be a magnetic tape, a CD-R, or the like, in addition to a floppy disk.
It may be an OM, an IC memory card, a DVD, or the like.

Further, it is also possible to store the printing program in the ROM 13 and configure the printing program as a part of the memory map, so that the CPU 11 can directly execute the printing program.

[0137]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the recording medium that output the image formation result is disconnected,
It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of continuing pages of each recording medium, a control method thereof, and an image forming system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow until the information processing apparatus 1 outputs print data to a printer apparatus 2;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a drawing command created when an application specifies execution of printing of document data in step S202 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of an intermediate data generation step S204 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a file structure of a page information file and an intermediate data file.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a logical page arranged in a physical page and an intermediate data file.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing of an intermediate data editing step S205.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a calculation method for replacing a page order.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a layout order according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a cutting line a is printed on physical paper.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a memory map in a state where a print processing program is stored in a RAM 12 and is executable.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of recorded contents of a floppy disk (FD) 8 in which a print processing program and related data are stored.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a print mode designation screen displayed on the display unit (CRT) 4.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. Based on the supplied image forming data,
What is claimed is: 1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by arranging a plurality of pages on both sides of a recording medium, wherein the recording medium on which the plurality of pages are arranged on the both sides and the image is formed is separated for each page Page arrangement control means for arranging pages so that the order of the pages on both sides is continuous, and image formation data generation means for generating the image formation data based on the pages arranged by the page arrangement control means. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The page arrangement control means, comprising: intermediate data generation means for generating, based on the supplied image forming data, intermediate data comprising a drawing instruction set for each page; and intermediate data for replacing an order of the intermediate data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an editing unit; and a drawing command output unit configured to rewrite and output the drawing command based on the intermediate data replaced by the intermediate data editing unit. 3. The page arrangement control means further comprises a cutting line command adding means for adding a command to form an image on a recording medium with a cutting line as a mark for separating the recording medium to the intermediate data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. Based on the supplied image forming data,
What is claimed is: 1. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: arranging a plurality of pages on both sides of a recording medium to form an image; A page arrangement control step of arranging pages such that the page order of both sides of each recording medium is continuous; an image formation data generation step of generating the image formation data based on the pages arranged by the page arrangement control step; A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: 5. An intermediate data generating step of generating intermediate data composed of a drawing command set for each page based on the supplied image forming data, and an intermediate data for replacing an order of the intermediate data. The control of the image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: an editing step; and a drawing command output step of rewriting and outputting the drawing command based on the intermediate data replaced in the intermediate data editing step. Method. 6. The page arrangement control step further comprises a cutting line command adding step of adding a command to form an image on a recording medium with a cutting line as a mark for separating the recording medium to the intermediate data. The control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein 7. An external device for supplying image forming data,
An image forming system connected to an image forming apparatus that arranges a plurality of pages on both sides of a recording medium based on image forming data supplied from the external device, forms an image, and outputs the image. Comprises a page arrangement control means for arranging pages so that the order of pages on both sides of each recording medium is continuous in a state where the recording medium on which images are formed by arranging a plurality of pages on both sides is separated for each page. An image forming system comprising: 8. An intermediate data generating means for generating intermediate data composed of a drawing command set for each page based on the generated image forming data, and an intermediate data editor for replacing an order of the intermediate data. 8. The image forming system according to claim 7, further comprising: a drawing command output unit configured to rewrite and output the drawing command based on the intermediate data replaced by the intermediate data editing unit. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said page arrangement control means further comprises a cutting line command adding means for adding a command to form an image on a recording medium with a cutting line as a mark for separating the recording medium to said intermediate data. The image forming system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein 10. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program of an image forming apparatus for forming an image by arranging a plurality of pages on both sides of a recording medium based on the supplied image forming data. A program for a page arrangement control step of arranging pages so that the order of pages on both sides of each recording medium is continuous in a state in which a recording medium on which images are formed by arranging a plurality of pages on both sides is separated for each page A storage medium comprising: a code; and a program code of an image forming data generating step of generating the image forming data based on the page arranged by the page arrangement controlling step. 11. A program code of the intermediate data generating step of generating intermediate data composed of a drawing instruction set for each page based on the supplied image forming data; A program code of an intermediate data editing step of replacing the order of: and a program code of a drawing command output step of rewriting and outputting the drawing command based on the intermediate data replaced in the intermediate data editing step. The storage medium according to claim 10, wherein 12. A program for a cutting line command adding step for adding a command to form an image on a recording medium with a cutting line as a mark for separating a recording medium to the intermediate data, further comprising a program code of the page arrangement control step. The storage medium according to claim 10, further comprising a code.