JP2005025532A - Multipage printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multipage printing system that includes a printer with multipage printing capability, especially, a printing system that is capable of multipage printing excelling in extensibility and functionality. <P>SOLUTION: In multipage printing, if an automatic mode is set, the multipage printing is executed in the automatic mode, which automates multipage printing by, for example, setting the number of assigned pages from the total number of pages. If an excluded page is specified, or an insertion of a memorandum field is specified, the specified page is excluded from the multipage printing by a specified method, or the specified memorandum field is described by a specified method. Multipage printing with increased functionality and extensibility is realized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a multi-page printing system including a printing apparatus capable of multi-page printing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the spread of computers centering on personal computers, printer devices (printing devices) as peripheral devices have also spread and various printers have been proposed. In particular, in a printer device capable of multi-page printing, various page layouts are possible, which is an expected technology.
[0003]
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an invention in which an area of a sheet of paper is divided into a plurality of areas, and the combined printing is performed by reducing the information for a plurality of pages into the plurality of areas.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-84737 (paragraph numbers 0007 to 0039, FIGS. 1 to 10)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional printing system, when a print page is designated when performing multi-page printing, the designated page is simply printed in the designated style, which is insufficient in terms of functionality and expandability. there were.
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention provides a printing system capable of multi-page printing with excellent expandability and functionality.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a specifying unit that specifies multi-page printing, a determination unit that determines whether an automatic mode is set when the multi-page printing is performed, and the automatic When the mode is set, setting means for detecting the total number of pages of the print data, setting the number of multi-page prints from the total number of pages, and executing the multi-page printing according to the setting Can be achieved by providing a multi-page printing system.
[0008]
Here, the automatic mode is set in advance, the automatic mode is determined when multi-page printing is executed, and if the automatic mode is set, the total number of pages of the print data is detected, and the multi-page printing is performed from the total number of pages. The number of pasted sheets is automatically set and multi-page printing is executed.
[0009]
With this configuration, a multi-page printing system with more functionality can be obtained.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, there is provided an excluded page designating unit for designating an excluded page for multi-page printing, and further, an execution method for the excluded page is designated.
[0010]
With this configuration, it is possible to provide a multi-page printing system with more functionality and expandability.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the multi-page printing is performed with a memo field, and the format of the memo field is designated.
[0011]
With this configuration, it is possible to provide a multi-page printing system with more functionality and expandability.
According to the invention described in claim 4, the object is to specify a double-sided printing designation unit, an excluded page designation unit to designate an excluded page of the double-sided printing, and an execution method of designating an execution method of the excluded page. This can be achieved by providing a duplex printing system having a designation means.
[0012]
This example relates to double-sided printing instead of multi-page printing, and includes an excluded page designating unit for designating an excluded page for double-sided printing, and an execution method designating unit for designating an execution method for the excluded page. is there.
By configuring in this way, it is possible to perform a printing process of a preset execution method by designating an excluded page even in double-sided printing, and it is possible to provide a printing system that is scalable in double-sided printing.
[0013]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for designating multi-page printing, a process for determining whether an automatic mode is set when executing the multi-page printing, When the setting is performed, a process for detecting the total number of pages of the print data, setting the number of multi-page prints from the total number of pages, and a process for executing the multi-page printing according to the process are performed. This can be achieved by providing a multi-page printing method.
[0014]
This example is an invention of a multi-page printing method, and a printing method with more functionality can also be provided by such a configuration.
According to the invention described in claim 6, the above-described problems are a function of designating multi-page printing, a function of determining whether automatic mode is set when executing multi-page printing, and a function of the automatic mode. When the setting is made, the function of detecting the total number of pages of the print data and setting the number of multi-page printing from the total number of pages and the function of executing the multi-page printing according to the function are performed. The program can be achieved by providing a multi-page printing program executable by a computer.
[0015]
This example is an invention of a program for executing multi-page printing. The above program is recorded on a CD-ROM, floppy (registered trademark) disk or the like, and used by being incorporated in a personal computer or a printing apparatus as a host device, for example. Can perform multi-page printing with more functionality and expandability.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a printing system including a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. Note that the printing apparatus used in the description of the present embodiment is a printer apparatus connected to a personal computer (PC) which is a host device, for example, peer-to-peer. However, a configuration using a printer device connected to a network such as a LAN (local area network) may be used.
[0017]
The host device 2 includes a main storage device 5 including a print driver 3 and a print spooler 4, and an input unit 6 such as a keyboard. The print driver 3 converts commands into print commands according to the application, and the print spooler 4 Hold on. When print data of a predetermined page is held in the print spooler 4, the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 1.
[0018]
The printing apparatus 1 includes a reception unit 7, a control unit 8, an auxiliary storage unit 9, an input operation unit 10, and a display unit 11, and further includes a multipage print control unit 12. In particular, the multi-page printing control unit 12 is a main part of this example, and performs multi-page printing processing described later based on a control signal output from the control unit 8.
[0019]
In the above configuration, the multi-page printing of this example will be described below.
<< First Example >>
The flowchart shown in FIG. 2 explains the multi-page printing of this example. In the multi-page printing of this example, the print driver 3 determines the setting of multi-page printing and gives a printing instruction to the printing apparatus 1. This will be specifically described below.
[0020]
First, multi-page printing is designated (step (hereinafter referred to as S) 1). Next, it is determined whether or not the automatic multi-page printing for automatically performing multi-page printing (S2). Here, for example, when the designation of multi-page printing is set to be invalid (S2 is NO), multi-page printing is performed manually (S3). For example, a multi-page printing style (for example, the number of sheets to be pasted) is designated, and a printing instruction is given (S4).
[0021]
On the other hand, if automatic multi-page printing is designated (S2 is YES), a multi-page printing instruction is immediately issued (S5), and information on the total number of printed pages is acquired (S6). Then, it is determined whether the total number of pages is two or more (S7). If the total number of pages is two or more (YES in S7), the number of sheets to be pasted for multi-page printing is automatically determined (S8). ). If the total number of pages is 1 (S7 is NO), the multi-page printing instruction is ignored (S9).
[0022]
Next, when the above processing is completed, print data is transmitted (S10). The print data transmitted in this way is sent to the printing apparatus 1 and multi-page printing set by the printing apparatus 1 is executed.
As described above, according to this example, the setting function of automatic multi-page printing is provided, and the maximum number of pasted pages is automatically acquired from the total number of pages of the document to be printed and the number of pasted pages of multi-page printing. Multi-page printing is performed.
<< Second Embodiment >>
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining another multi-page printing process. Note that the multi-page printing in this example has an excluded page designation function when multi-page printing is designated, and the document to be printed is normally printed as multi-page printing. This will be specifically described below.
[0023]
First, also in this example, designation of multi-page printing is performed (step (hereinafter referred to as ST) 1). Next, it is determined whether there is an exclusion page designation multi-page printing designation (ST2). Here, when there is an exclusion page designation multi-page printing designation (YES in ST2), a page to be excluded from the multi-page is designated (ST3), and a processing method for the exclusion page is also designated (ST4).
[0024]
Thereafter, a multi-page printing style (for example, the number of pasted sheets) is designated (ST5), and a printing instruction is given (ST6). The print data transmitted in this way is sent to the printing apparatus 1 and multi-page printing set by the printing apparatus 1 is executed. If no exclusion page is specified (NO in ST2), the multi-page printing style is immediately specified (ST5), and a printing instruction is given (ST6).
[0025]
As described above, according to this example, an excluded page can be specified in multi-page printing, the excluded page is normally printed, and the other pages are multi-page printed, thereby making it easy to see the necessary pages in multi-page printing. be able to.
<< Third embodiment >>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining still another multi-page printing process. Note that the multi-page printing of this example is configured to have a specification function with a memo field when multi-page printing is specified, and to automatically generate a memo field in the document to be printed. This will be specifically described below.
[0026]
First, also in this example, designation of multi-page printing is performed (step (hereinafter referred to as STP) 1). Next, it is determined whether multi-page printing with a memo column is designated (STP2). If memo field printing is designated (STP2 is YES), a memo field style is designated (STP3), then a multi-page printing style (for example, the number of pasted sheets) is designated (STP4), and a print instruction is issued. (STP5). The print data transmitted in this way is sent to the printing apparatus 1 and multi-page printing set by the printing apparatus 1 is executed. If no memo field printing is designated (STP2 is NO), the multi-page printing style is immediately designated (STP4), and a printing instruction is given (STP5).
[0027]
FIG. 5 shows an example in which the memo column style is specified, for example, the line type of the memo column is specified (practice, dotted line, etc.), and FIG. 5A is an example in which the memo column is added to each original page. FIG. 5B shows an example in which memo fields are added together.
<< 4th Example >>
FIG. 6 is another example of the present invention and is a flowchart for explaining double-sided printing processing. The double-sided printing in this example is a printing example in which an exclusion page designation function is provided when double-sided printing is designated, and a document to be printed is printed as double-sided printing and normal printing. This will be specifically described below.
[0028]
First, double-sided printing is designated (step (hereinafter referred to as W) 1). Next, it is determined whether there is an exclusion page designation (W2). Here, when there is an exclusion page designation (W2 is YES), the exclusion page is designated (W3), and the processing method of the exclusion page is also designated (W4).
[0029]
Thereafter, a print style (for example, the number of sheets to be pasted) is designated (W5), and a print instruction is given (W6). The print data transmitted in this way is sent to the printing apparatus 1, and duplex printing is performed by the printing apparatus 1 and the set duplex printing is executed. If there is no exclusion page designation (W2 is NO), the double-sided printing style is immediately designated (W5), and a printing instruction is given (W6).
[0030]
As described above, according to this example, the exclusion page designation function is added to the duplex printing, so that the exclusion page is normally printed and the other pages can be duplex printed.
<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0031]
In this example, when an original document is created, a layout document suitable for the purpose is created by using composition information suitable for the purpose of the document from the composition information. Also in this embodiment, the system configuration diagram shown in FIG. 1 is used. Hereinafter, this example will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0032]
First, as a previous step, a plurality of well-balanced composition information is prepared and held (steps (hereinafter referred to as V) 1, V2). FIG. 8 is an example of composition information held by the above-described processing. For example, the composition information is prepared on the basis of a point of interest (line, surface), a color boundary, or a transition.
[0033]
Next, as actual processing, print data created based on the application is generated in the intermediate file format by the print driver 3 (V2), and the intermediate file is displayed as an image (V3). Then, adjustments are made in accordance with the final printing form. For example, when the final form is limited to monochrome, two colors, three colors, etc., the same color state is displayed (V4).
[0034]
Next, the requested state is set in the created document (V5). For example, a requested state such as “impact”, “calm”, “casual”, “formal”, or the like is set. FIG. 9 shows a selection screen in this case.
Next, when the “composition survey” button is pressed (V6), the following portion is specified as the point of sight (V7). For example, “locations where sudden changes in brightness and color occur”, “parts with particularly different colors compared to the whole”, “locations where the number of colors is particularly large compared to the whole”, “compared to the surroundings” "Parts with a particularly large number of colors", "parts where the same color is solid compared to the surroundings", "parts where figures etc. protrude at an acute angle", "figure with only one in the whole ( Circle, triangle, etc.) "," part surrounded by a frame "," part where the color has changed ", and so on.
[0035]
For example, if the gazing point of the same condition is on a straight line, it is recognized as a line (V8 is YES, V9). Further, when a wide range of a specific part matches the same condition, it is recognized as a surface (V10 is YES, V11). Further, the center, top, and acute vertex of the surface (line) are grouped and recognized as a point. FIG. 10 shows the above example.
[0036]
Next, when the specification of the gazing point is completed, a particularly outstanding one (for example, giving priority to the above part, eliminating the adjacent part, letting the user select, etc.) is extracted (V12). This process is performed based on the information on the point of interest (V13). FIG. 11 shows this example.
[0037]
Next, the extracted gazing point is compared with gazing points of a plurality of pieces of composition information held in advance (V14). Those grouped at this time are appropriately selected and used. In addition, a comparison is made to select two or three pieces of composition information that are closer, and the difference from those compositions is clarified.
[0038]
At this time, the deviation between the composition information and the actual gazing point is allowed to be a predetermined value (%), and is selected as a difference when there is more deviation. Further, composition information is not single, and a plurality of pieces of composition information can be used simultaneously.
Next, the composition which is referred to and the deviation information from the composition are displayed together to clarify the difference (V15), and to make reference to a more balanced composition (V16). FIG. 12 is an example of the above display.
[0039]
By configuring as described above, it is possible to easily create a document, a poster, a flyer, etc. having a well-organized composition without entrusting a specialized designer or the like.
In the above-described embodiment, the investigation is performed after the intermediate file is generated. However, a configuration using a print preview of the application may be used.
[0040]
In the description of the above embodiment, print data created based on the application of the host device 2 is used. However, for example, image data read by a scanner may be used. In this case, the above-described processing (V3) displays an image (image) captured by the scanner.
[0041]
Moreover, it is good also as a structure which uses the image data image | photographed with the digital camera. In this case as well, the above-described processing (V3) displays the photographed image, and further, the processing of (V12) also takes into account the state when zooming in, zooming out and moving the whole (photographing direction) up, down, left and right. Will be done.
<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0042]
This example has a stapling mechanism, and when the mechanism cannot fix one corner of the paper or staple all four corners of the paper, the invention has a function of visually expressing that the staple position changes depending on the paper direction. It is. In this example, the system configuration diagram shown in FIG. 1 is used. In this example, the printing apparatus 1 is equipped with a stapling mechanism unit 13.
[0043]
The stapling mechanism unit 13 is a mechanism for stapling a plurality of sheets of paper that have been printed. In this example, the stapling mechanism unit 13 has a limitation that stapling is possible only at one corner of the paper. This will be specifically described below.
FIG. 13 shows an example of printing conditions for stapling. For example, “Drawing direction (drawing with the leading edge in the paper transport direction as the top or trailing edge)”, “Paper direction (vertical or horizontal)”, “Paper surface (front or back side of the paper facing up) Are the “discharged paper”, “double-sided printing”, “printing order”, and “binding method”. Information on these elements is stored or dynamically acquired for each model of the printing apparatus 1, the staple position along the printing direction of the document is determined according to this information, and displayed on the print driver setting screen.
[0044]
FIG. 14 is a specific example, and it is assumed that the printing apparatus 1 has a mechanism capable of stapling only on the right side of the leading end in the conveyance direction, and further, the standard condition is a condition for outputting with the printing surface facing downward (face down). Also, the document in the horizontal direction of the paper is drawn by rotating the image 90 degrees to the right. FIG. 14 shows an example of the actual stapling position, as viewed from the normal direction of the document. Also, some examples of driver screens at this time are shown in FIG.
[0045]
Further, the setting screen (a) shown in FIG. 15 is a screen of a standard printing / vertical state in FIG. 14, and is a case where a general vertical document is printed on the printing apparatus 1 having the above conditions. It is an example. This paper information is displayed on the display unit 11 shown in FIG.
Further, the setting screen (b) shown in FIG. 15 is a screen in (a) standard printing / landscape state in FIG. 14, and a general landscape document is printed on the printing apparatus 1 having the above conditions. This is an example. This paper information is displayed on the display unit 11 shown in FIG.
[0046]
Further, the setting screen (c) shown in FIG. 15 is a screen in the reverse order printing / vertical state in FIG. 14 (b), and a general landscape document is printed on the printing apparatus 1 having the above conditions. This is an example.
Further, the setting screen (d) shown in FIG. 15 is a screen in the (b) reverse order printing / landscape state in FIG. 14, and a general landscape document is printed on the printing apparatus 1 having the above conditions. This is an example.
[0047]
As described above, according to the present example, the binding position of the staple changes depending on the setting condition due to the limitation of the mechanism, but the user can be conscious by displaying this in advance. It is also possible to explicitly recognize that the staple position changes depending on the setting contents.
[0048]
In this example, the staples are assumed to be held at the corners, but the present invention can be applied to the case where the long / short sides are stopped by stopping two points. Further, although a stapling mechanism is used, a mechanism for bundling documents such as a punch can be similarly applied.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform multi-page printing with more functionality and expandability.
In addition, double-sided printing with improved functionality and expandability can be performed in the same manner in double-sided printing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a printing system including a printing apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment.
5A is an example in which a memo column is added to each original page, and FIG. 5B is an example in which memo columns are added collectively.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of composition information.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a selection screen.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a gazing point.
[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of making a gazing point.
FIG. 12 is an example of an image in which a difference in composition is clarified.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of printing conditions when stapling is performed.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print driver setting screen.
FIGS. 15A to 15D are diagrams showing examples of setting screens. FIGS.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing apparatus 2 Host apparatus 3 Print driver 4 Print spooler 5 Main storage device 6 Input means 7 Reception part 8 Control part 9 Auxiliary storage part 10 Input operation part 11 Display part 12 Multipage printing control part 13 Stable mechanism part

Claims (6)

A specification means for specifying multi-page printing;
A determination means for determining whether an automatic mode is set when executing the multi-page printing;
A setting means for detecting the total number of pages of the print data when the automatic mode is set, and setting the number of multi-page printing from the total number of pages;
Execution means for executing the multi-page printing according to the setting;
A multi-page printing system comprising: 2. The multi-page printing system according to claim 1, further comprising an excluded page designating unit for designating an excluded page for multi-page printing, wherein the execution method of the excluded page is designated. 3. The multi-page printing system according to claim 1, further comprising means for performing the multi-page printing with a memo field in the multi-page printing, and specifying a format of the memo field. A designation means for designating duplex printing;
Excluded page designating means for designating the excluded page of the duplex printing;
An execution method specifying means for specifying the execution method of the excluded page;
A double-sided printing system comprising: Processing to specify multi-page printing;
A process of determining whether automatic mode is set when executing the multi-page printing;
When the automatic mode is set, a process of detecting the total number of pages of print data and setting the number of pasted pages for multi-page printing from the total number of pages;
Processing to execute the multi-page printing according to the processing;
Performing a multi-page printing method. The ability to specify multi-page printing;
A function for determining whether automatic mode is set when executing the multi-page printing;
A function of detecting the total number of pages of print data when the automatic mode is set, and setting the number of pasted pages for multi-page printing from the total number of pages;
A function of executing the multi-page printing according to the function;
A multi-page printing program executable by a computer.

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