JP2003177907A - Information processing apparatus, information processing system, print control method, storage medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor which can easily and efficiently perform invariably adequate print output. <P>SOLUTION: When the information processor 100 displays a print preview of print data on a display unit 104 before actually printing the print data out on a form by a printer 102, an image rotating means 101 rotates the print data according to the direction of the print data and the direction of paper discharging by the printer 102. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, a printing system, which is used in an apparatus or system for displaying a print preview before actually printing out print data on paper. The present invention relates to a control method, a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the control method, and the program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, when print data such as a document or an image edited by an application for editing a document or an image is printed out on a sheet by a printing apparatus. Before the printout, the image of the print data to be printed out (print preview) is displayed on the screen by the application according to the orientation of the print data when edited by the application (page orientation) There is known a print preview function to be presented to.

Further, depending on the information processing apparatus, an application may edit the print data by analyzing the print data before sending the print processing execution command to the printing apparatus before actually printing out on paper. A print preview function for displaying a print preview and presenting it to the user according to the orientation of the print data (page orientation) when the printing is performed is implemented.

[0004]

However, the conventional print control method including the print preview display method as described above has the following problems.

First, the user can confirm the contents to be printed on the paper before actually printing out the print data created by the application by the print preview function.

However, since the display state of the print preview at this time is the state in which the print data is oriented (page orientation) when created (edited) by the application, it depends on the layout of the edited print data. The user may not be able to determine how to set the paper in the printing apparatus. In addition, the user sets the paper while looking at the displayed contents of the print preview, and the print output is executed in the wrong paper setting state.As a result, the contents actually printed on the paper are not displayed. It may not be what the user intended. In this case, the paper is wasted.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, a print control method, which can always perform appropriate print output easily and efficiently, An object of the present invention is to provide a computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for implementing the program, and the program.

Specifically, for example, how the user sets the paper in the printing device in order to obtain the desired print output together with the state of the print output with respect to the current paper ejection direction in the printing device. By visually recognizing that, it is possible to perform a printing operation efficiently and to provide a more convenient print preview function that can prevent waste of printing paper.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Under such a purpose,
A first aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus having a function of displaying a print preview of print data when arbitrary print data is printed out on a paper, the orientation of an image based on the print data, and the paper. Based on the paper ejection direction of
An image rotating means for rotating the image is provided.

A second invention is the same as the first invention,
The image rotating means rotates the image based on an external setting.

A third aspect of the invention is the same as the first aspect of the invention.
When the orientation of the image based on the print data is different from the ejection orientation of the paper, the image rotation means rotates the orientation of the image so as to match the ejection orientation.

A fourth invention is an information processing system in which a plurality of devices are communicably connected to each other, and at least one device among the plurality of devices is claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3.
It has a function of the information processing device described in any one of 1.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is a print control method for displaying a print preview of arbitrary print data before printing out the print data on a sheet, which is the image orientation according to the print data, and It is characterized by including a processing step of rotating the image based on the direction of discharge of the sheet.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is a print control method for displaying a print preview of print data before printing arbitrary print data on the paper, which is suitable for the discharge direction of the paper. As described above, the method further includes a processing step of displaying a print preview of the print data.

A seventh invention is based on the sixth invention.
The processing step includes a step of setting whether or not to display a print preview of the print data that matches the direction of discharge of the paper.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a program for causing a computer to realize the function of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or the function of the information processing system according to claim 4 can be read by a computer. It is characterized by being recorded in a storage medium.

A ninth invention is characterized in that a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the printing control method according to any one of claims 5 to 7 is recorded in a computer-readable storage medium.

A tenth invention is a program for causing a computer to realize the function of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or the function of the information processing system according to claim 4. And

An eleventh invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the print control method according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] The present invention is applied to a printing system 100 as shown in FIG. 1, for example. The printing system 100 according to the present embodiment includes an image of print data to be printed out before printout of print data such as a document or an image created by an application that can be started by a personal computer or the like on a sheet by the printing apparatus 102. It has a print preview function of displaying (print preview) on the display device 104, and is particularly configured to display the print preview in a direction based on the direction of paper discharge in the printing device 102. As a result, the user can obtain the print output state corresponding to the current paper ejection direction in the printing apparatus 102,
It is possible to easily visually recognize how to set the paper on the printing apparatus 102 in order to obtain a desired print output. The configuration and operation of the printing system 100 according to this embodiment will be specifically described below.

<Overall Configuration of Printing System 100> As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 100 includes a host computer 101, a printing device 102, a hard disk device 103, a display device 104, and a data input device 10.
5, media reading device 106, and communication control device 107
Are connected to each other.

The host computer 101 executes a predetermined system program to print the printing system 100.
Performs overall operation control and monitoring. Specifically, for example, the host computer 101 has a CPU (Central Processing Uni) arranged on a system board, which will be described later.
t), RAM (Random Access Memory), and ROM (R
Equipped with computer functions including ead Only Memory)
CPU is built-in memory or external hard disk 10
The operation control of the entire printing system 100 is governed by appropriately reading out and executing a required processing program from the third and the like.

Here, as an example, the storage destination of various programs executed by the host computer 101 is a hard disk 103, and a processing program for realizing the operation of the present embodiment and print data are generated in the hard disk 103. Various applications and the like for performing are stored.

The storage destination of the processing program (program code) for realizing the operation in the present embodiment is not limited to the hard disk 103 or the built-in memory, and may be, for example, a CD-ROM or a flexible disk. The processing program is recorded on a portable recording medium in a form that can be read by the host computer 101 and distributed, and when the printing system 100 is constructed, the host computer is transferred via the media reading device 106 or the communication control device 107. 101 may read the processing program and install it on the hard disk 103. Further, in the present embodiment, for example, “Windows (registered trademark)” is used as the OS (operating system) of the host computer 101, but the OS is not limited to this.

The printer 102 is a host computer 1.
When the information such as the print condition is received together with the print data from 01, the print data is printed out (image formation) on the print paper by executing a predetermined print process. As the printing device 102, various printers such as a serial printer, a page printer, and other electronic copying printers can be applied. In addition, the printing device 102
As for the connection form between the host computer 101 and the host computer 101, for example, various connection forms such as stand-alone connection and network connection can be applied.

The display device 104 is the host computer 1.
A predetermined dialog window is displayed in response to an instruction from 01 to execute a system program or application. In particular, the display device 104 displays a print preview, which is a feature of the present embodiment, the details of which will be described later, according to an instruction from the host computer 101.

The data input device 105 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and other pointing devices,
It receives various instructions from the user and sends them to the host computer 101. For example, the data input device 105
Informs the host computer 101 of the print condition for the printing apparatus 102 and the print preview display condition (hereinafter referred to as “preview display condition”) input by the user.

The media reading device 106 is a CD-ROM.
A device including a drive and a flexible disk (FD) drive, and supplies information read from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or FD to the host computer 101. The communication control device 107 is, for example, the printing system 10.
It is a connection interface for connecting 0 and an external network so that they can communicate with each other.

<Functional Configuration of Printing System 100> FIG. 2
FIG. 3 is a diagram focusing on the print control function, of the functions of the printing system 100 realized by the host computer 101 executing a predetermined processing program.

The print control function of the host computer 101 is performed by the application 20 as shown in FIG.
1, GDI (Graphics Device Interface) 202,
It includes a user interface driver 203, a spool file 204, a print processor 205, a printer graphics driver 206, a previewer 208, and a preview file 209.

First, main functions included in the print control function of the host computer 101 will be described.

The user interface driver 203 is
A function for setting printing conditions for the printing apparatus (printer) 102 via the GDI 202, and a previewer 20.
8 has the function of starting. Specifically, for example, the user interface driver 203 has a function of setting a paper size used for printing, a printing direction, and other printing conditions, and the display device 104 before executing printing.
Has a function of setting whether or not to display a print preview. Here, the user interface driver 203
Thus, it is assumed that the display device 104 is set to display the print preview before the printing is executed.

The print processor 205 has a function of processing the print data stored in the spool file 204 page by page. The printer graphics driver 206 transfers print data to the printing apparatus (printer) 102.
It has a function of converting into bitmap data that can be printed out by.

The previewer 208 has a function of displaying the print preview data (preview image data) 211 stored in the preview file 209 on the display device 104. The preview file 209 is a file that is temporarily created when the print preview is displayed on the display device 104, and includes print preview data (preview image data), print condition information, preview display condition information, and the like.

Next, a series of operations of the print control function by the host computer 101 will be described.

First, the application 201 creates an arbitrary document according to an operation instruction from the user, and gives an instruction to execute printing of the document data (print data). As a result, the GDI 202 notifies the user interface driver 203 of a print start event. When the user interface driver 203 receives a print start event from the GDI 202, the previewer 208
To start.

Subsequently, the application 201 sends the above document data (print data) via the GDI 202.
Stored in the EMF spool file 204. At this time,
In the EMF spool file 204, the printing device (printer) 10 is set by the user interface driver 203.
The printing condition information for No. 2 is stored in advance.

The print processor 205 acquires print condition information and print data from the EMF spool file 204, and supplies the print condition information and print data to the printer graphics driver 206 page by page.

Further, the print processor 205 communicates with the previewer 208 to obtain the page number for displaying the print preview on the display device 104 and the preview display conditions such as the resolution of the preview image used for displaying the print preview. To do. Then, the print processor 205 sets the print condition corresponding to the acquired page number to E.
It is acquired from the MF spool file 204 and stored in the preview file 209. Further, the print processor 205 sends the file name of the preview file 209 (hereinafter referred to as “preview file name”), the acquired print condition, and the preview display condition to the printer graphics driver 206 via the GDI 202. The print data is acquired from the EMF spool file 204, print data corresponding to the acquired page number (hereinafter, referred to as “print page data”) is generated from the print data, and the print data is generated by the GDI 202.
Supply to.

Printer Graphics Driver 206
Is based on the graphics drawing command created by the GDI 202 and the print condition and preview display condition notified from the print processor 205 in advance.
From the print page data supplied from the print processor 205, print preview display bitmap data (hereinafter referred to as “preview image data”) or print bitmap data (hereinafter referred to as “print image data”).
Is generated).

At this time, when the print image data is generated by the printer graphics driver 206, the printer graphics driver 206 sends the print image data to the printing device via an arbitrary data transmission unit (not shown). (Printer) 102. The printer 102 is
The print image data supplied from the printer graphics driver 206 is printed out on a sheet (210).

On the other hand, the printer graphics driver 2
When the preview image data is generated in 06, the printer graphics driver 206 stores the preview image data in the preview file 209 with the preview file name notified from the print processor 205 in advance. The print processor 205 notifies the previewer 208 of the preview file name. The previewer 208 accepts the setting of the preview display condition from the user and requests the print processor 205 to create the preview file 209 suitable for the set preview display condition, whereby the print processor 205 saves the preview file 209. When the notification of the preview file name is received, the preview image data is acquired from the preview file 209, and the print preview by the preview image data is performed based on the set preview display condition (211).
Is displayed on the display device 104.

<Print preview display screen> FIGS. 3 to 5
3 shows an example of screens 300 to 500 of the print preview (211) displayed on the display device 104 by the previewer 208.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the display screen 300 when the print preview of the document data (in this case, a vertically oriented document) created by the application 201 is displayed on the display device 104. As shown in FIG. 3, in the print preview screen 300 of the portrait document data created by the application 201, the print preview orientation (vertical portrait document display orientation) and
Orientation of paper discharge in printer (printer) 102 (portrait)
Are consistent with.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the display screen 400 when the print preview of the document data (horizontal document in this case) created by the application 201 is displayed on the display device 104. As shown in FIG. 4, on the screen 400 of the print preview of the horizontal document data created by the application 201, the print preview (print preview of the horizontal created document) is output by the printing apparatus (printer) 102. It is displayed according to the orientation (portrait). As a result, the user can visually recognize in what state the document created by the application 201 is printed out in the current paper ejection direction of the printing apparatus 102, and obtain the desired printout. It is possible to visually recognize how to set the paper on the printing apparatus 102.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the display screen 400 when the print preview of the document data (horizontal document in this case) created by the application 201 is displayed on the display device 104. As shown in FIG. 5, in the print preview screen 500 of the horizontal document data created by the application 201, the orientation of the print preview (the display orientation of the horizontal created document) is
Regardless of the current paper ejection direction of the printing apparatus 102, the printer is in the horizontal state as it is.

Conventionally, only the print preview shown in FIG. 5 can be displayed at all times.
In some cases, it is not possible to determine how to set the paper in 02, and the print output is executed in a paper set state in which the desired print output is not obtained, and the paper may be wasted. . However, the present embodiment is configured so that the user can arbitrarily select the print preview display method of FIG. 5 and the print preview display method of FIG. 6), the above problems can be solved.

<Print Preview Display Method Setting Screen> FIG. 6 is an example of a dialog screen 600 for setting the print preview display method in the previewer 208.
In FIG. 6, “601” is a method of displaying the print preview in accordance with the direction of discharge of the printer (see FIG. 4) and a method of displaying the original print data in the same orientation. "Do" method (see Figure 5 above)
Is a display method selection item portion in which any of the above can be arbitrarily selected.

In the display method selection item portion 601, "6" is displayed.
02 "is a selection unit for selecting the method of" display according to the direction of discharge of the printer ", and" 603 "
"Display in the same orientation as the original print data"
This is a selection unit for selecting a method.

When the user selects the method by the selection unit 602 or the method by the selection unit 603 to confirm the content of the print data created by the application 201 by the print preview display, the printing device (printer) It is possible to display the print preview in accordance with the direction of the paper discharge 102) or to display the print preview in the state of the created print data.

In order to display the print preview as described above, the application 20 is used in this embodiment.
When displaying the print preview of the print data created in 1 on the display device 104 by the previewer 208, first,
The previewer 208 notifies the printer graphic driver 206 of the preview display condition and the print condition via the print processor 205.

Printer Graphics Driver 206
Creates image data for print preview (preview image data) based on the print condition and the preview display condition notified via the print processor 205.

At this time, when the user selects the "display according to the paper ejection direction of the printer" method on the dialog screen 600 of FIG. 6, the print preview is displayed on the printing apparatus (printer) 102. Since it is necessary to display the papers in the same orientation, the print data of the print preview is created in the horizontal orientation, and when the paper ejection direction in the printing apparatus (printer) 102 is the vertical orientation, the above-described FIG. The printer graphics driver 206 once creates the preview image data so that the display state as shown in FIG.
The printer 102 is rotated so as to match the direction of paper discharge in the printing apparatus (printer) 102.

<Operation of Printing System 100> FIG. 7 shows the operation of the printing system 100, in particular, the previewer 2
10 is a flowchart showing a print preview display process according to 08.

Step S701: The user sets, via the previewer 208, preview display conditions such as a page for which a print preview is desired to be displayed and a display method. When the previewer 208 receives the setting of the preview display condition from the user, the previewer 208 instructs the print processor 205 to display the preview file 2 corresponding to the preview display condition.
Request to create 09.

Step S702: print processor 2
Reference numeral 05, together with the printer graphics driver 206, will be described later in detail, and the preview file 2 corresponding to the preview display condition requested by the previewer 208.
Create 09.

Steps S703 to S705: The previewer 208 acquires the preview file 209 created by the print processor 205 (step S703) and acquires the corresponding preview image data from the preview file 209 (step S70).
4) Then, the preview image data is displayed on the display device 104 (step S705), and this processing ends.

FIG. 8 specifically shows the process (preview file creation process) of step S702 in the print preview display process shown in FIG.

Steps S801 and S802: The print processor 205 communicates with the previewer 208 to specify, through the previewer 208, the page number for which the print preview is displayed, which is included in the preview display condition set by the user. Acquire (Step S80
1) Create print data (print page data) corresponding to the acquired page number (step S802). Step S803: The GDI 202 creates a graphics drawing command based on the print data (print page data) created by the print processor 205 by the rasterizing process.

Step S804: The printer graphics driver 206 print data (print page data) obtained by the print processor 205 based on the graphics drawing command created by the GDI 202.
Create a preview image of. Step S805: printer graphics driver 2
Reference numeral 06 acquires, from the preview display conditions notified from the print processor 205 in advance, the orientation in which the print preview is displayed (the orientation according to the display method set by the user on the dialog screen 600 shown in FIG. 6).

Step S806: The printer graphics driver 206 determines that the print preview display direction acquired in step S805 is the printing device (printer).
It is determined whether or not the print preview is displayed in accordance with the paper discharge direction of 102. As a result of this determination, if the print preview is to be displayed in accordance with the direction of paper discharge in the printing apparatus (printer) 102, the process proceeds to step S807, and if not, the process proceeds directly to step S810.

Step S807: As a result of the determination in step S806, when the print preview is displayed in accordance with the direction of the discharged paper in the printer (printer) 102, the printer graphics driver 206 is notified from the print processor 205 in advance. The orientation of print data (print page data) is acquired from the preview display conditions.

Step S808: The printer graphics driver 206 determines that the orientation of the print data (print page data) acquired in step S807 is the printing device 102.
It is determined whether or not the direction is the same as the paper discharge direction in. Here, as an example, since the paper discharge direction in the printing apparatus 102 is the vertical direction, the printer graphics driver 206
Determines whether the orientation of the print data (print page data) acquired in step S807 is landscape. As a result of this determination, if the orientation of the print data (print page data) is landscape, the process proceeds to step S810 via step S809, and if not (the orientation of the print data (print page data) is the printing device 102). (If it matches the direction of the discharged paper), step S810 is performed as it is.
Go to.

Step S809: As a result of the determination in step S808, if the print data (print page data) is in the landscape orientation, that is, the print data (print page data) is in a different orientation from the paper discharge orientation in the printer 102. In this case, the printer graphics driver 206 rotates the preview image (preview image of the print data (print page data)) created in step S804 so as to match the paper ejection direction of the printing apparatus 102. As a result, the state of the screen 400 as shown in FIG. 4 is obtained.

Step S810: The printer graphics driver 206 stores the preview image in the preview file 209, and this processing ends.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the printer graphics driver 206 creates a preview image from the print data (print page data) obtained by the print processor 205, and prints the print data (print page data). When the orientation of the print page data) is different from the orientation of the paper output in the printing apparatus 102, the preview image is displayed in the printing apparatus 1.
It was configured to rotate so as to match the direction of the sheet discharge in 02. In this embodiment, the print processor 20
5 creates print data (print page data), and then prints the print data (print page data) if the direction of the print data (print page data) is different from the paper discharge direction of the printing apparatus 102. The device 102 is rotated so as to match the direction of paper discharge in the device 102.

Specifically, first, the application 20
Preview the print preview of the document created in 1.
When displaying on the display device 104 according to 08, when the print processor 205 acquires the preview display condition from the previewer 208, the print processor 205 creates print data (print page data) corresponding to the page number indicated by the preview display condition.

At this time, the user has set the display method for displaying the print preview in accordance with the direction of the paper discharge in the printing apparatus (printer) 102 on the dialog screen 600 of FIG. For example, assuming that the orientation of paper discharge in the printing apparatus (printer) 102 is portrait and the orientation of print data (print page data) is landscape, in order to obtain the state of the screen 400 of FIG. It is necessary to rotate the print data (print page data) so that the print data coincides with the paper output by the printing apparatus (printer) 102.

Therefore, the print processor 205, after creating the print data (print page data), rotates the print data (print page data) so as to match the direction of paper discharge in the printing apparatus (printer) 102. Let

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the preview file creating process shown in FIG. 8, following the print page data creating process in step S802,
For details, the processing of FIG. 9 described later is added, and step S805
The process of step S809 is omitted. Hereinafter, the process of FIG. 9 will be specifically described.

Step S901: Print Processor 2
Reference numeral 05 acquires the orientation in which the print preview is displayed (the orientation according to the display method set by the user on the dialog screen 600 shown in FIG. 6) from the preview display conditions notified by the previewer 208 in advance.

Step S902: print processor 2
In step S <b> 901, it is determined whether the print preview display direction acquired in step S <b> 901 is the print preview display direction that matches the paper discharge direction of the printing apparatus (printer) 102. As a result of this determination, if the print preview is to be displayed in accordance with the direction of discharge of paper by the printing apparatus (printer) 102, the process proceeds to step S903, and if not, this process ends.

Step S903: As a result of the determination in step S902, when the print preview is displayed in accordance with the direction of the discharged paper in the printer (printer) 102, the print processor 205 notifies the preview notified from the previewer 208 in advance. The orientation of print data (print page data) is acquired from the display conditions.

Step S904: print processor 2
Step 05 determines whether or not the orientation of the print data (print page data) acquired in step S903 is different from the orientation of paper discharge in the printing apparatus 102. Here, as an example, since the paper discharge direction in the printing apparatus 102 is the vertical direction,
The print processor 205 determines whether the orientation of the print data (print page data) acquired in step S802 is landscape. If the result of this determination is that the orientation of the print data (print page data) is landscape, then this processing ends via step S905, and if not (the orientation of the print data (print page data) is printing device 1
If it matches the paper ejection direction in 02), the present process is terminated.

Step S905: As a result of the determination in step S904, if the print data (print page data) is in the horizontal direction, that is, the print data (print page data) is in a different direction from the paper discharge direction in the printer 102. In this case, the print processor 205 rotates the print data (print page data) created in step S <b> 802 so as to match the paper ejection direction of the printing apparatus 102. The printer graphics driver 206 creates and displays a preview image from the print data (print page data) in this state, so that the state of the screen 400 as shown in FIG. 4 is obtained.

[Third Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the printer graphics driver 206 creates a preview image from print data (print page data) obtained by the print processor 205, and prints the print data (print data). When the orientation of the print page data) is different from the orientation of the paper output in the printing apparatus 102, the preview image is displayed in the printing apparatus 1.
In the second embodiment, the print processor 2 is configured so as to rotate so as to match the direction of the discharged paper in No. 02.
After creating print data (print page data) 05, if the orientation of the print data (print page data) is different from the paper discharge orientation of the printing apparatus 102, print the print data (print page data). The device 102 is configured to rotate so as to match the direction of paper discharge. In the present embodiment, when the previewer 208 displays the preview image created by the printer graphics driver 206 on the display device 104, the orientation of the print data (print page data) from which the preview image is created is changed. If it is different from the paper ejection direction of the printing apparatus 102, the preview image is rotated and displayed so as to match the paper ejection direction of the printing apparatus 102.

Specifically, first, the application 20
Preview the print preview of the document created in 1.
When displaying on the display device 104 according to 08, when the print processor 205 acquires the preview display condition from the previewer 208, the print processor 205 creates print data (print page data) corresponding to the page number indicated by the preview display condition. The printer graphics driver 206 creates a preview image from the print data (print page data) created by the print processor 205.

The previewer 208 displays the preview image created by the printer graphics driver 206 on the display device 104. At this time, the user selects the printing device (printer) 102 on the dialog screen 600 shown in FIG. When the display method of displaying the print preview is set in accordance with the paper discharge direction of, for example, the paper discharge direction of the printing apparatus (printer) 102 is the vertical direction, and the print data (print page (Data) is landscape, in order to obtain the state of the screen 400 of FIG. 4, the preview image is displayed on the printing device (printer).
It is necessary to rotate and display the image according to the direction of the sheet discharge at 102.

Therefore, when the previewer 208 acquires the preview image created by the printer graphics driver 206, the previewer 208 rotates the preview image so as to match the direction of the paper discharge in the printing apparatus (printer) 102. Then, it is displayed on the display device 104.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the preview processing shown in FIG. 7, the preview file creation processing in step S702 is the processing shown in FIG. 10, and the preview image display processing in step S705 is For example, the processing is as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the processes of FIGS. 10 and 11 will be specifically described.

<Preview file creation process: FIG. 1 above
0> Step S1001: The print processor 205 communicates with the previewer 208 to acquire the page number for which the print preview is desired to be displayed. Step S1002: The print processor 205 creates print data (print page data) corresponding to the page number acquired in step S1001.

Step S1003: The GDI 202 creates a graphics drawing command from the print data (print page data) created by the print processor 205 by the rasterizing process. Step S1004: The printer graphics driver 206 creates a preview image based on the graphics drawing command created by the GDI 202. Step S1005: The printer graphics driver 206 stores the preview image created in step S1004 in the preview file 209, and ends this processing.

<Preview Image Display Process: See FIG. 11> Step S1101: The previewer 208 acquires the direction in which the print preview is displayed from the setting of the preview display condition by the user.

Step S1102: Previewer 208
Determines whether or not the direction in which the print preview acquired in step S1101 is displayed is the direction in which the print preview is displayed in accordance with the direction in which the printing apparatus (printer) 102 discharges paper. As a result of this determination, if the print preview is to be displayed in accordance with the direction of paper discharge in the printing apparatus (printer) 102, the process proceeds to step S1103, and if not, the process proceeds directly to step S1106.

Step S1103: Step S1102
As a result of the determination, when the print preview is displayed in accordance with the direction of the paper discharge in the printing apparatus (printer) 102, the previewer 208 acquires the print condition from the preview file 209 and prints the print data from the print condition. Get the orientation of (print page data).

Step S1104: Previewer 208
Determines whether or not the orientation of the print data (print page data) acquired in step S1103 is different from the orientation of paper discharge in the printing apparatus 102. Here, as an example, since the paper ejection direction in the printing apparatus 102 is vertical, the previewer 208 determines whether the print data (print page data) acquired in step S1103 is horizontal. . If the result of this determination is that the orientation of the print data (print page data) is landscape, then step S
The process proceeds to step S1106 via 1105, and if not (if the orientation of the print data (print page data) matches the orientation of the paper discharge in the printing apparatus 102), the process proceeds directly to step S1106.

Step S1105: Step S1104
If the orientation of the print data (print page data) is horizontal, that is, if the orientation of the print data (print page data) is different from the paper ejection orientation of the printing apparatus 102 as a result of the determination of No. First, the preview image (preview image created by the printer graphics driver 206) acquired from the preview file 209 is rotated so as to match the direction of paper discharge in the printing apparatus 102. By displaying the preview image in this state in the next step S1106, the state of the screen 400 as shown in FIG. 4 can be obtained.

Step S1106: Previewer 208
Displays the preview image on the display device 104.

The present invention is not necessarily limited to the first to third embodiments and can be implemented in various forms. For example, in the first to third embodiments,
Although the user can select the print preview display method from the dialog screen 600 of FIG. 6, the previewer 208, the print processor 205, or the printer graphics driver 206 is configured to automatically make the selection. May be.

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the host and the terminal of the first to third embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and the system or the apparatus. By the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the device reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium,
It goes without saying that it will be achieved. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the first to third embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code and the program code constitute the present invention. Becomes A ROM, flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, or the like can be used as a storage medium for supplying the program code. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the first to third embodiments are realized, but also the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that this also includes the case where the above-mentioned processes perform part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the first to third embodiments are realized by the processing. Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the extended function board inserted in the computer or the extended function unit connected to the computer, the extended function is executed based on the instruction of the program code. C on board and function expansion unit
It goes without saying that this also includes the case where the PU or the like performs a part or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the first to third embodiments.

FIG. 12 shows the function 120 of the computer.
0 is shown. The computer function 1200 is
As shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 1201 and the ROM 1
202, RAM 1203, and keyboard (KB) 12
09 keyboard controller (KBC) 1205,
CRT display (CRT) 1210 as a display unit
CRT controller (CRTC) 1206 and disk controller (DKC) 1 of hard disk (HD) 1211 and flexible disk (FD) 1212
Network interface controller (NIC) 12 for connection between 207 and network 1220
08 is configured to be communicably connected to each other via the system bus 1204.

The CPU 1201 uses the software stored in the ROM 1202 or the HD 1211 or the FD1.
By executing the software supplied by 212,
It comprehensively controls each component connected to the system bus 1204. That is, the CPU 1201 loads the processing program according to the predetermined processing sequence into the ROM 1202,
Alternatively, the control for realizing the operation in the first to third embodiments is performed by reading out from the HD 1211 or the FD 1212 and executing it.

The RAM 1203 functions as a main memory or a work area of the CPU 1201. KBC12
Reference numeral 05 controls an instruction input from the KB 1209 or a pointing device (not shown). CRTC120
6 controls the display of the CRT 1210. DKC120
Reference numeral 7 controls access to the HD 1211 and FD 1212 that store a boot program, various applications, edit files, user files, a network management program, a predetermined processing program in this embodiment, and the like. The NIC 1208 is the network 122.
Data is exchanged bi-directionally with the device or system above.

[0095]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the print preview of the print data is displayed before the print data is actually printed out on the paper, the orientation of the image according to the print data and the discharge of the paper are performed. The image based on the print data is rotated based on the orientation of the paper.

With such a configuration, for example, when the print data is in the horizontal direction and the paper discharge direction is the vertical direction, the horizontal print data is the vertical print data which is the paper discharge direction. By rotating the print data in this manner, the print preview of the print data can be displayed in a state where the print data is aligned with the paper discharge direction. Therefore, the user visually recognizes, based on this display, the state of the print output with respect to the current paper discharge direction and how the paper should be set in the printing apparatus to obtain the desired print output. As a result, printing work can be performed efficiently. In addition, it is possible to prevent waste of printing paper.

Further, in the case where it is possible to externally set whether or not the display of the print preview is executed, the user can display the print preview according to the situation at that time as necessary. Therefore, it is possible to provide a more convenient print preview function.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system to which the present invention is applied in a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the printing system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a print preview screen displayed on the display device (display screen when the print data direction and the paper discharge direction on the print device match) in the printing system. is there.

FIG. 4 shows a print preview screen displayed on the display device in the above printing system (a screen displaying the print data in the same direction when the print data direction does not match the paper discharge direction in the print device). It is a figure for explaining.

FIG. 5 is a screen of a print preview displayed on the display device in the above printing system (when the print data orientation does not match the paper ejection orientation on the printing device, and the display is performed in this state as it is). FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a screen of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a dialog screen for selecting the display method of the print preview.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (preview process) of the printing system.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a preview file creating process of the preview process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a print data conversion process added to the preview process in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the preview file creation processing according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a preview image display process of the preview process in the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer that reads a program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the printing system from a computer-readable storage medium and executes the program.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 printing system 101 host computer 102 printing device 103 hard disk 104 display device 105 data input device 106 media reader 107 communication control device 201 application 202 GDI 203 User interface driver 204 EMF spool file 205 print processor 206 printer graphic driver 208 Previewer

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus having a function of displaying a print preview of print data when printing out arbitrary print data on a paper, the orientation of an image according to the print data, and An information processing apparatus comprising: an image rotating unit that rotates the image based on a direction of the discharged sheet. 2. The image rotating means rotates the image based on an external setting.
The information processing device described. 3. The image rotating means rotates the direction of the image so as to match the discharge direction of the sheet when the direction of the image based on the print data is different from the discharge direction of the sheet. The information processing device according to claim 1. 4. An information processing system comprising a plurality of devices communicably connected to each other, wherein at least one device of the plurality of devices is an information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. An information processing system having the function of. 5. A print control method for displaying a print preview of print data before printing out arbitrary print data on the paper, the orientation of an image according to the print data, and the discharge of the paper. A printing control method comprising a processing step of rotating the image based on the orientation of the paper. 6. A print control method for displaying a print preview of print data before printing out arbitrary print data on the paper, the method comprising: A print control method comprising a processing step of displaying a print preview of print data. 7. The processing step includes a step of setting whether or not to display a print preview of the print data that matches the direction of discharge of the paper. The print control method described. 8. A computer-readable storage medium recording a program for causing a computer to realize the function of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or the function of the information processing system according to claim 4. . 9. A computer-readable storage medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the print control method according to claim 5. 10. A program for causing a computer to realize the function of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or the function of the information processing system according to claim 4. 11. A program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the print control method according to claim 5.