JP2005318105A - Document processing apparatus, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document processing method that facilitate cutting and merging operations after printing by performing proper page layout processing with easy settings even when pages of various form sizes are mixed in a document to be printed or when pages of one-surface printing settings and both-surface printing settings are mixed during successive-page printing. <P>SOLUTION: An apparatus and method for document processing that lays out a plurality of page data constituting a document on one recording medium to set a printing style of the document are characterized in: laying out a plurality of pages on one recording medium as a printing style of a document; judging whether or not successive-page printing for obtaining final printed matter by cutting the recording medium having been printed is set; acquiring attribute information set for the document and deciding sizes of respective pages constituting the document based upon the obtained attribute information when it is judged that the successive-page printing is set; and deciding whether the document consists of page data of different page sizes and controlling layouts of page data by page sizes when the decision result shows that the page data of the different page sizes are included in the document. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention provides an editing function for a document by collecting output data generated by various programs such as a document processing program and an image editing program as one document in a system including an information processing and printer such as a personal computer. The present invention relates to a document processing apparatus, a document processing method, a document processing program, and the like.

  Different types of data such as characters, tables, and images have different structures for defining the data and editing operations on the data. Therefore, various application programs corresponding to the types of data are provided. The user uses different applications depending on the type of data, such as a character processing program for editing characters, a spreadsheet program for editing tables, and an image editing program for editing images.

  As described above, the user generally uses different application programs for each type of data. However, as a document to be created by the user, for example, a plurality of types of data such as characters and tables, characters and images, rather than a document composed of only one type of data such as characters only, tables only, and images only. Documents consisting of are more common. Therefore, in order to create a target document including a plurality of types of data, a user needs to print data for each application by using a printing function included in various applications, and to combine printed materials in a desired order.

  Alternatively, there are programs called so-called office suites that form a single integrated application by various applications, and provide a function that combines data generated by each application to form a single document. When using this integrated application, the user can collect the data created by each application into one target document by a specific application included in the integrated application.

  However, when a user creates a single target document by combining printed materials from various applications, for example, in order to assign page numbers to each page, all necessary data should be printed once and put together as a document. The page number needs to be determined. Each application then writes the determined page number for each page of the document created by that application (this is called a logical page or a document page). Even if the application program has a function of assigning page numbers, if there is a discontinuous part, the user must still specify the page number for that part. When the target document page is rearranged, the page number must be reassigned accordingly. Or, it is not a change related to the contents of the data, such as combining a plurality of manuscript pages into one page as a printed matter (this is called a physical page or a print page), or changing from single-sided printing to double-sided printing. Even in the case of changing, editing and reprinting are necessary depending on the application.

  As described above, since the application that can manage the data is different for each type of data, the user must provide an interface between the applications manually. This means that a great deal of labor is required for the user, resulting in a decrease in productivity. Furthermore, since many people are involved, errors are likely to occur.

  On the other hand, when a target document is created using an integrated application, various data can be arranged in a data state without printing out. For this reason, labor is not required as much as when a target document is created by combining printed materials. However, applications for editing and creating various data are limited to those included in the integrated application, and an application desired by the user cannot always be used. The target document created by the integrated application is a single document file, and management such as editing / output is performed in file units. Therefore, there are many restrictions due to the function of the application even when trying to set the format for a part of the document file. For example, it is necessary to change the format for each part where the format changes and to reprint. For this reason, in the point that much labor is required and productivity is low, it was not different from the method mentioned above.

  In recent years, a printing method used when printing a document created using such an integrated application is called “multiple printing”. “Multiple printing” is based on the preconditions of cutting after printing, and prints by arranging page data on paper for the purpose of outputting the printing results for multiple pages on a single recording medium (paper). It is a function to do. For example, by printing a plurality of copies (for example, two copies, four portions) of the same page of print data on one sheet, this corresponds to a plurality of copies from one sheet obtained by one printing process. Printing results can be obtained.

  Furthermore, it is one of the types of “multiple printing”, and it is premised on cutting after printing. Instead of arranging documents of the same page on a single sheet of paper, document data of different pages is arranged and arranged. There is also printing called “first half, second half printing” in which the first half and the second half are printed side by side on a sheet of paper. For example, when the first half printing is applied to an 8-page document (1, 5: the first half is the first page and the second half is the fifth page), (2, 6), (3, 7) (4 , 8), etc., by printing a set of different pages, and by overlapping the pages of the first half and the latter half printed after cutting, a predetermined number of pages (8 pages in total) is reduced to the number of output sheets (half the number of output sheets). (4 sheets) can be reproduced in page order.

A printing system that cuts and discharges paper after printing is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
JP 2001-315398 A

  However, conventional multiple printing does not take into account documents with various paper sizes or documents with mixed single-sided / double-sided printing (also referred to as mixed originals). Is applied, even if the document size on the paper does not match, or the imposition of the document is not aligned on the front and back of the paper, and the paper is cut after printing, they can be bundled as they are It was not possible to obtain the original effect of multiple printing.

  In order to apply multiple printing on such a mixed original, the user himself has to perform complicated settings while imagining the output result after printing. Or, even after printing, there is a troublesome manual merging while checking that the cut documents are in the correct order.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, in multiple printing, even when pages of various paper sizes are mixedly included in a document to be printed or when pages of single-sided printing setting and double-sided printing setting are mixedly mounted, Therefore, it is an object to provide a document processing technique that performs appropriate imposition processing and facilitates cutting and merging after printing.

A document processing apparatus for laying out page data constituting a document according to the present invention for a plurality of pages on a single recording medium and setting the print format of the document, which solves the above problem,
A print format determination means for determining whether multiple printing is set to lay out a plurality of pages on one recording medium and cut the recording medium after printing to obtain a final printed matter as a print format of the document;
Obtaining means for obtaining attribute information set in the document;
When the print format determination unit determines that multiple printing is set, the size of each page constituting the document is determined based on the attribute information acquired by the acquisition unit, and the document is a different page. Page size determination means for determining whether or not the page data is composed of size data;
In accordance with the determination result of the page size determination means, when page data having a different page size is included in the document, layout control means for controlling the layout of the page data for each page size is provided. .

Alternatively, a document processing method in a document processing apparatus that lays out a plurality of pages of page data constituting a document that solves the above problem on a single recording medium, and sets the print format of the document.
As a print format of the document, a print format determination step of determining whether multiple printing is set to lay out a plurality of pages on one recording medium and cut the recording medium after printing to obtain a final printed matter;
An acquisition step of acquiring attribute information set in the document;
When it is determined by the print appearance determination step that multiple printing is set, the size of each page constituting the document is determined based on the attribute information acquired by the acquisition step, and the document is a different page A page size determination step for determining whether or not the page data is composed of size data;
A layout control step for controlling the layout of the page data for each page size when page data of a different page size is included in the document according to the determination result of the page size determination step. .

Further, a document processing program that solves the above problem and causes a computer to execute a document processing method for laying out page data constituting a document for a plurality of pages on one recording medium and setting the print format of the document,
As a print format of the document, a print format determination step of determining whether multiple printing is set to lay out a plurality of pages on one recording medium and cut the recording medium after printing to obtain a final printed matter;
An acquisition step of acquiring attribute information set in the document;
When it is determined by the print appearance determination step that multiple printing is set, the size of each page constituting the document is determined based on the attribute information acquired by the acquisition step, and the document is a different page A page size determination step for determining whether or not the page data is composed of size data;
According to the determination result of the page size determination step, when page data having a different page size is included in the document, the computer is caused to execute a layout control step for controlling the layout of the page data for each page size. Features.

  According to the present invention, in multiple printing, even when pages of various paper sizes are mixedly mounted in a document to be printed or when pages of single-sided printing setting and double-sided printing setting are mixedly mounted, By setting, appropriate imposition processing can be performed to facilitate cutting and merging after printing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Outline of Document Processing System of this Embodiment]
An outline of the document processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this document processing system, a data file created by a general application is converted into an electronic document file by an electronic document writer. The bookbinding application provides a function for editing the electronic manuscript file. In this example, the general application, the electronic document writer, the bookbinding application, and the electronic document despooler are shown separately from each other so that each function is clear, but the package provided to the user is not limited to these. These may be provided as an application or a graphic engine combining them. Details will be described below.

<Software Configuration Example of Document Processing System According to this Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a software configuration of the document processing system according to the present embodiment.

  The document processing system is realized by a digital computer 100 (hereinafter also referred to as “host computer”) which is a preferred embodiment of the document processing apparatus (information processing apparatus) of the present invention. The general application 101 is an application program that provides functions such as word processing, spreadsheet, photo retouching, drawing or painting, presentation, and text editing, and has a printing function for the OS. These applications use a predetermined interface (generally called GDI) provided by an operating system (OS) when printing application data such as created document data and image data. That is, the application 101 transmits an output command (referred to as a GDI function) in a predetermined format depending on the OS to the output module of the OS that provides the interface in order to print the created data. Upon receiving the output command, the output module converts the command into a format that can be processed by an output device such as a printer, and outputs the converted command (called a DDI function). Since the format that can be processed by the output device varies depending on the device type, manufacturer, model, etc., a device driver is provided for each device. The OS uses the device driver to convert commands and print data. A print job is generated by generating and enclosing in JL (Job Language). When using Microsoft Windows as the OS, a module called GDI (Graphic Device Interface) corresponds to the output module described above.

  The electronic manuscript writer 102 is an improvement of the above-described device driver and is a software module provided for realizing the document processing system. However, the electronic document writer 102 is not intended for a specific output device, and converts the output command into a format that can be processed by the bookbinding application 104 and the printer driver 106 described later. The format after conversion by the electronic document writer 102 (hereinafter referred to as “electronic document format”) is not particularly limited as long as a document in units of pages can be expressed in a detailed format. Among substantial standard formats, for example, a PDF format by Adobe Systems, an SVG format, or the like can be adopted as an electronic document format.

  When the application 101 uses the electronic document writer 102, the electronic document writer 102 is designated as a device driver used for output, and printing is executed. However, the electronic document file as created by the electronic document writer 102 does not have a complete format as the electronic document file. Therefore, the bookbinding application 104 designates the electronic document writer 102 as a device driver, and conversion of application data into an electronic document file is executed under the management of the bookbinding application 104. The bookbinding application 104 completes the new incomplete electronic document file generated by the electronic document writer 102 as an electronic document file having a format to be described later. Hereinafter, when it is necessary to clearly identify this point, a file created by the electronic manuscript writer 102 is called an electronic manuscript file, and an electronic manuscript file given a structure by the bookbinding application is called a book file. If there is no need to distinguish between them, a document file, an electronic manuscript file, and a book file generated by an application are all referred to as a document file (or document data).

  In this way, by specifying the electronic document writer 102 as a device driver and printing the data by the general application 101, the application data is referred to as a page defined by the application 101 (hereinafter referred to as “logical page” or “document page”). .) Is converted into an electronic document format and stored as an electronic document file 103 in a storage medium such as a hard disk. The hard disk may be a local drive included in a computer that implements the document processing system of the present embodiment, or may be a drive provided on the network when connected to the network. .

  The bookbinding application 104 provides a user with a function for reading an electronic document file or book file 103 and editing it. However, the bookbinding application 104 does not provide a function for editing the contents of each page, but provides a function for editing the structure of a chapter or book, which will be described later, configured with a page as a minimum unit.

  When the book file 103 edited by the bookbinding application 104 is printed, the bookbinding application 104 activates the electronic document despooler 105. The electronic document despooler 105 is a program module installed in the computer together with the bookbinding application, and is a module used to output drawing data to the printer driver when printing a document (book file) used in the bookbinding application. It is. The electronic manuscript despooler 105 reads the designated book file (electronic manuscript file) from the hard disk and prints each page in the format described in the book file (electronic manuscript file). Output command is generated and output to an output module (not shown). At that time, the driver 106 of the printer 107 used as an output device is designated as a device driver. The output module converts the output command received using the printer driver 106 of the designated printer 107 into a device command that can be interpreted and executed by the printer 107. The device command is transmitted to the printer 107, and an image corresponding to the command is printed by the printer 107.

<Hardware Configuration Example of Document Processing System of this Embodiment>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the document processing system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the host computer 100 performs document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets), etc. are mixed based on a document processing program stored in the ROM 203 or the external memory 211. The CPU 201 generally controls each device connected to the system bus 204. In addition, an operating system program or the like as a control program of the CPU 201 is stored in the program ROM or the external memory 211 in the ROM 203, and the font ROM or the external memory 211 in the ROM 203 is used for the document processing. Font data and the like are stored, and various data used when performing the document processing and the like are stored in the data ROM in the ROM 203 or the external memory 211. The RAM 202 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201.

  A keyboard controller (KBC) 205 controls key input from a keyboard 209 or a pointing device (not shown). A CRT controller (CRTC) 206 controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 210. A disk controller (DKC) 207 is a hard disk (HD), a flexible disk (FD), etc. that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, a printer control command generation program (hereinafter referred to as a printer driver), and the like. The access to the external memory 211 is controlled. A printer controller (PRTC) 208 is connected to the printer 107 via a bidirectional interface (interface) 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 107. The NC 212 is connected to the network and executes communication control processing with other devices connected to the network.

  Note that the CPU 201 executes, for example, outline font development (rasterization) processing on the display information RAM set on the RAM 202 to enable WYSIWYG on the CRT 210. The CPU 201 opens various windows registered based on commands instructed by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 210 and executes various data processing. When executing printing, the user opens a window relating to print settings, and can set the print processing method for the printer driver including printer settings and print mode selection.

  The printer 107 is controlled by the CPU 312. The CPU 312 of the printer outputs as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 317 connected to the system bus 315 based on a control program stored in the program ROM in the ROM 313 or a control program stored in the external memory 314. The image signal is output. The program ROM in the ROM 313 stores a control program for the CPU 312 and the like. The font ROM in the ROM 313 stores font data used when generating the output information, and the data ROM in the ROM 313 is a host computer in the case of a printer without the external memory 314 such as a hard disk. Information used above is stored.

  The CPU 312 can communicate with the host computer via the input unit 318 and can notify the host computer 100 of information in the printer. The RAM 319 is a RAM that functions as a main memory of the CPU 312, a work area, and the like, and is configured such that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The RAM 319 is used for an output information expansion area, an environment data storage area, NVRAM, and the like. Access to the external memory 314 such as the hard disk (HD) and the IC card described above is controlled by the memory controller (MC) 20. The external memory 314 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. Reference numeral 321 denotes the above-described operation panel, on which switches for operation, LED indicators, and the like are arranged.

  The external memory 314 is not limited to one, and a plurality of external memories 314 are provided, and a plurality of external memories storing an option card and a program for interpreting a printer control language having a different language system in addition to the built-in font can be connected. May be. Furthermore, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided, and printer mode setting information from the operation panel 321 may be stored.

<Example format of electronic manuscript data>
Before referring to details of the editing application 104, the data format of the book file will be described. The book file has a three-layer structure imitating a paper medium book. The upper layer is called a “book”, imitating one book, and attributes related to the whole book are defined. The middle layer below it corresponds to the chapter in the book and is also called “chapter”. For each chapter, attributes for each chapter can be defined. The lower layer is a “page” and corresponds to each page defined by the application program. You can define attributes for each page. A book may contain multiple chapters, and a chapter may contain multiple pages.

  Print data from the general application 101 is stored on the system as an electronic document file 103 via the electronic document writer 102. At this time, the electronic document file 103 includes content data of the printed material, setting data for printing, and the like. The content data of the printed matter is the data created by the user on the application converted as intermediate data, and the setting data for printing is the data describing how the content data is output (output format etc.) .

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a book file format. The format of this book file is based on print setting data. The book, chapter, and page in the book file are indicated by corresponding nodes. One book file contains one book. Since the book and chapter are concepts for defining the structure of the book, they include defined attribute values and links to lower layers as entities. The page has data for each page output by the application program as an entity. Therefore, the page includes an original page entity (original page data) and a link to each original page data in addition to the attribute value. Note that a print page when outputting to a paper medium or the like may include a plurality of document pages. This structure is not displayed by a link, but is displayed as an attribute in each hierarchy of a book, chapter, and page.

  In FIG. 3, since the book file does not have to be one complete book, “book” is generalized as “document”.

  First, document information 401 is held at the top. The document information 401 can be roughly divided into three parts 402 to 404. The document control information 402 holds information such as a path name in the file system of the document file. The document setting information 403 holds layout information such as page layout and printing apparatus function setting information such as stapling, and corresponds to a book attribute. The chapter information list 404 holds a set of chapters constituting a document in a list format. The list holds chapter information 405.

  The chapter information 405 can be roughly divided into three parts 406 to 408. The chapter control information 406 holds information such as a chapter name. The chapter setting information 407 holds page layout information and stapling information unique to the chapter, and corresponds to chapter attributes. By having setting information for each chapter, it is possible to create a document having a complicated layout such that the first chapter has a 2UP layout and the other chapters have a 4UP layout. The page information list 408 is held in the form of a collection list of manuscript pages constituting each chapter. The page information list 408 indicates page information data 409.

  The page information data 409 is also roughly divided into three parts 410 to 412. The page control information 410 holds information such as page numbers to be displayed on the tree. The page setting information 411 holds information such as page rotation angle and page layout position information, and corresponds to an original page attribute. The page link information 412 is document data corresponding to a page. In this example, the page information 409 does not directly have document data, but has only link information 412, and actual document data is held in a page data list 413.

  FIG. 4 is a list showing an example of book attributes (document setting information 403). Normally, for items that can be defined overlapping with the lower layer, the attribute value of the lower layer is preferentially adopted. Therefore, for items included only in the book attribute, the value defined in the book attribute becomes a valid value throughout the book. However, items that overlap the lower layer have meanings as default values when they are not defined in the lower layer. However, in this example, as described later, it is possible to select whether to give priority to the attribute value of the lower layer. Each item illustrated does not specifically correspond to one item, but may include a plurality of related items.

  Items unique to the book attributes are seven items: printing method, bookbinding details, front / back cover, index paper, slip sheet, chapter break, and multiple printing. These are items defined throughout the book. As the printing method attribute, three values of single-sided printing, double-sided printing, and bookbinding printing can be designated. Bookbinding printing is a method of printing in a format that enables bookbinding by bundling a separately designated number of sheets into two and folding the bundle. As the bookbinding details attribute, when bookbinding printing is designated, the spread direction, the number of sheets to be bundled, and the like can be designated.

  The front cover / back cover attribute includes designation of adding sheets as a front cover and a back cover when printing an electronic document file to be collected as a book, and designation of print contents on the added sheet. The index sheet attribute includes designation of insertion of index sheets with ears separately prepared in the printing apparatus as chapter breaks and designation of print contents in the index (ear) portion. This attribute can be used when a printing device used by an inserter having an insert function for inserting a sheet prepared separately from the printing sheet into a desired position, or a plurality of paper cassettes can be used. Effective in some cases. The same applies to the slip sheet attribute.

  The slip sheet attribute includes designation of insertion of a sheet supplied from an inserter or a sheet feed cassette as a chapter break, and designation of a sheet feed source when a slip sheet is inserted.

  The chapter break attribute includes designation of whether to use a new sheet, use a new print page, or do nothing in particular at the chapter break. During single-sided printing, the use of new paper and the use of a new print page have the same meaning. In double-sided printing, if “use new paper” is specified, consecutive chapters will not be printed on one sheet, but if “use new print page” is specified, consecutive chapters will be 1 It may be printed on the front and back of a sheet of paper.

  The multiple printing attribute is a document corresponding to double printing, four printing, or different pages for printing a plurality of pages on a single recording medium (paper) when printing an electronic manuscript file collected as a book. Can be set to print in the first half of the first half and the second half on a sheet of paper. Since this multiple printing will be described in detail later, a description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 5 is a list showing chapter attributes (chapter setting information 407), and FIG. 6 is a list showing page attributes (page setting information 411). The relationship between chapter attributes and page attributes is the same as the relationship between book attributes and lower layer attributes.

  Regarding chapter attributes, there are no items specific to chapters, and all items overlap with book attributes. Therefore, normally, if the definition in the chapter attribute is different from the definition in the book attribute, the value defined in the chapter attribute has priority. However, in this example, as described later, it is possible to select whether to give priority to the attribute value of the lower layer.

  Items common only to the book attribute and chapter attribute are five items: paper size, paper orientation, N-up printing designation, enlargement / reduction, and paper discharge method. Among these, the N-up print designation attribute is an item for designating the number of document pages included in one print page. Examples of arrangements that can be specified include 1 × 1, 1 × 2, 2 × 2, 3 × 3, and 4 × 4. The paper discharge method attribute is an item for designating whether or not stapling is performed on the discharged paper, and the validity of this attribute depends on whether the printing apparatus to be used has a stapling function.

  Items unique to the page attribute include a page rotation attribute, zoom, layout designation, annotation, and page division. The page rotation attribute is an item for designating a rotation angle when placing an original page on a print page. The zoom attribute is an item for designating the scaling factor of the original page. The scaling factor is specified with the size of the virtual logical page area as 100%. The virtual logical page area is an area occupied by one manuscript page when the manuscript page is arranged in accordance with designation of N-up or the like. For example, if it is 1 × 1, the virtual logical page area is an area corresponding to one print page, and if it is 1 × 2, each side of one print page is an area reduced to about 70%.

  Attributes common to the book, chapter, and page include a watermark attribute and a header / footer attribute. A watermark is a separately designated image or character string that is printed over data created by an application. The header / footer is a watermark printed on the upper margin and the lower margin of each page. However, items that can be specified by variables, such as page numbers and date / time, are prepared in the header / footer. The contents that can be specified in the watermark attribute and the header / footer attribute are common to the chapter and the page, but the book is different from them. In the book, the contents of the watermark and header / footer can be set, and how the watermark, header and footer are printed throughout the book can be specified. On the other hand, for a chapter or page, whether or not to print a watermark or header / footer set in the book can be specified for the chapter or page.

<Example of Operation Procedure of Document Processing System of Present Embodiment>
(Book file generation procedure example)
The book file has the structure and contents as described above. Next, a procedure for creating a book file by the bookbinding application 104 and the electronic document writer 102 will be described. Creation of the book file is realized as part of the book file editing operation by the bookbinding application 104.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for opening a book file by the bookbinding application 104.

First, it is determined whether the book file to be opened is to be newly created or is an existing one (step S701). In the case of new creation, a new book file not including a chapter is created (step S702). In the example of FIG. 3, the newly created book file is a book node that has only the book node 301 and does not have a link to the chapter node. As the book attribute, a set of attributes prepared in advance for new creation is applied. Then, a user interface (UI) screen for editing the new book file is displayed (step S704). FIG. 8 shows an example of a UI screen when a book file is newly created. In this case, since the book file has no substantial content, nothing is displayed on the UI screen 800.
On the other hand, if there is an existing book file, the designated book file is opened (step S703), and a user interface (UI) screen is displayed according to the structure, attributes, and contents of the book file. FIG. 9 shows an example of this UI screen. The UI screen 900 includes a tree portion 901 that shows the structure of the book and a preview portion 902 that displays the printed state. The tree portion 901 displays chapters included in the book and pages included in each chapter so that a tree structure as shown in FIG. 3 can be seen. A page displayed in the tree portion 901 is a manuscript page. In preview portion 902, the contents of the print page are reduced and displayed. The display order reflects the structure of the book.
In the opened book file, application data converted into an electronic manuscript file by the electronic manuscript writer 102 can be added as a new chapter. This function is called an electronic document import function. By importing an electronic manuscript into a book file newly created by the procedure of FIG. 7, an entity is given to the book file. This function is activated by dragging and dropping application data on the screen of FIG. 8 or FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an electronic document import procedure.

  First, the application program that generated the specified application data is activated, the electronic document writer 102 is specified as a device driver, and the application data is printed out to be converted into electronic document data (step S801). When the conversion is completed, it is determined whether or not the converted data is image data (step S802). This determination can be made based on the file extension of the application data under the Windows OS. For example, if the extension is “bmp”, it can be determined as Windows bitmap data, if “jpg”, it can be determined as JPEG-compressed image data, and if “tiff”, it can be determined as image data in the tif format. In the case of such image data, since it is possible to generate an electronic document file directly from the image data without starting an application as in S8010, the processing in S8010 can be omitted.

If it is not image data, the electronic document file generated in step S801 is added as a new chapter to the book of the currently opened book file (step S803). Normally, as the chapter attribute, the value of the book attribute is copied for those that are common to the book attribute, and for those that are not, the default value prepared in advance is set, but in this example, as described later, It is possible to select whether to give priority to the attribute value of the lower layer.
In the case of image data, in principle, no new chapter is added, and each original page included in the electronic original file generated in step S801 is added to the designated chapter (step S804). However, if the book file is a newly created file, a new chapter is created, and each page of the electronic document file is added as a page belonging to the chapter. Normally, the page attribute is given an attribute value for an attribute common to the upper layer attribute, and is given for an attribute that inherits the attribute defined in the application data in the electronic document file. For example, when N-up designation or the like is made in the application data, the attribute value is taken over. In this way, a new book file is created or a new chapter is added. However, in this example, as described later, it is possible to select whether to give priority to the attribute value of the lower layer.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for generating an electronic document file by the electronic document writer 102 in step S801 of FIG.

  First, a new electronic document file is created and opened (step S901). An application corresponding to the designated application data is started, and an output command is transmitted to the output module of the OS using the electronic document writer 102 as a device driver. The output module converts the received output command into electronic document format data by the electronic document writer and outputs the converted data (step S902). The output destination is the electronic document file opened in step S901. It is determined whether or not conversion has been completed for all designated data (step S903), and if completed, the electronic document file is closed (step S904). The electronic manuscript file generated by the electronic manuscript writer 102 is a file including the substance of the manuscript page data shown in FIG.

(Book file editing example)
As described above, a book file can be created from application data. With respect to the generated book file, the following editing operations are possible for chapters and pages.
(1) New addition (2) Delete (3) Copy (4) Cut (5) Paste (6) Move (7) Rename chapter (8) Rename page number (9) Insert cover (10) Insert paper Insert (11) Insert index paper (12) Page layout for each document page.

  In addition, an operation for canceling an editing operation once performed and an operation for redoing the canceled operation are possible. Using these editing functions, for example, integration of multiple book files, rearrangement of chapters and pages in the book file, deletion of chapters and pages in the book file, layout change of manuscript pages, insertion of slip sheets and index sheets, etc. Operation becomes possible. When these operations are performed, the operation results are reflected in the attributes shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 or the book file structure. For example, if a blank page new addition operation is performed, a blank page is inserted at a specified location. This blank page is treated as a manuscript page. If the layout of the original page is changed, the changed content is reflected in attributes such as a printing method, N-up printing, front / back cover, index paper, slip sheet, and chapter break. The display and operation example during editing in this example will be described in detail below.

(Book file output example)
The book file created and edited as described above has the final purpose of print output. When the user selects a file menu from the UI screen 900 of the bookbinding application shown in FIG. 9 and selects printing from the file menu, printing is output by the designated output device. At this time, the bookbinding application 104 first creates a job ticket from the currently opened book file and passes it to the electronic document despooler 105. The electronic document despooler 105 converts the job ticket into an OS output command, for example, a Windows (registered trademark) GDI command, and transmits it to an output module, for example, GDI. The output module generates a command suitable for the device by the designated printer driver 106 and transmits the command to the device.

  That is, the graphic engine of the output module (not shown) loads the printer driver 106 prepared for each printing apparatus from the external memory 211 to the RAM 202 and sets the output to the printer driver 106. The output module converts the received GDI (Graphic Device Interface) function into a DDI (Device Driver Interface) function and outputs the DDI function to the printer driver 106. Based on the DDI function received from the output module, the printer driver 106 converts it into a control command that can be recognized by the printer, for example, PDL (Page Description Language). The converted printer control command is output as print data to the printer 107 via the interface 21 via the system spooler loaded into the RAM 202 by the OS.

  Here, the job ticket is data having a structure in which the original page is a minimum unit. The structure in the job ticket defines the layout of the manuscript page on the paper. One job ticket is issued per job. For this reason, there is a document node at the top, and attributes of the entire document, such as double-sided printing / single-sided printing or multiple printing, are defined. Below that, a paper node belongs, and includes attributes such as an identifier of a paper to be used and designation of a paper feed port in the printer. Each paper node includes a node of a sheet printed on the paper. One sheet corresponds to one sheet. A print page (physical page) belongs to each sheet. For single-sided printing, one physical page belongs to one sheet, and for double-sided printing, two physical pages belong to one sheet. Each physical page has an original page arranged thereon. The physical page attribute includes the layout of the original page.

  An example of the data structure of the job ticket is shown in FIG. In printing data, a document is composed of a set of sheets, and each sheet is composed of two sides, a front side and a back side. Each side has an area (physical page) for laying out a document, and each physical page. Is composed of a set of manuscript pages which is the minimum unit. Reference numeral 1101 denotes data corresponding to a document, which includes data relating to the entire document and a list of paper information constituting the document. The paper information 1102 includes information related to paper such as paper size and a list of surface information arranged on the paper. The surface information 1103 includes data specific to the surface and a list of physical pages arranged on the surface. The physical page information 1104 includes information such as the physical page size and header / footer, and a list of manuscript pages constituting the physical page.

  The electronic document despooler 105 creates a table called a despool table for job tickets of electronic document files (corresponding to the job ticket shown in FIG. 12 as a table), and defines attributes and print settings defined in the editing information file. Accordingly, the despool table is converted into an output command to the output module.

(Example of preview display)
As described above, when the book file is opened by the bookbinding application, the user interface screen 900 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. In the tree portion 901, a tree showing the structure of an open book (hereinafter referred to as “target book”) is displayed. In the preview section, three display methods are prepared according to the user's designation. The first is a mode called a document view that displays a document page as it is. In the document view mode, the content of the document page belonging to the book of interest is reduced and displayed. The layout is not reflected in the preview display. The second is a print view mode. In the print view mode, the preview unit 902 displays the original page in a form that reflects the original page layout. The third is a simple print view mode. In the simple print view mode, the contents of each original page are not reflected in the display of the preview portion, but only the layout is reflected.

<Configuration example of other document processing system>
The document processing system of the above embodiment is a stand-alone system, but a book file is created and edited with substantially the same configuration and procedure even in a server client system to which this is extended. However, the book file and print processing are managed by the server.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server client type document processing system. The client document processing system has a configuration in which a DOMS (Document Output Management Service) driver 109, a DOMS print service module 110, and a DS (Document Service) client module 108, which are client modules, are added to a stand-alone system. . A document management server 1201, a print central management server 1202, and a print server 1203 are connected to the client document processing system 1200. These servers are normally connected to the client document processing system via a network, but are connected by inter-process communication that simulates communication between networks when the server also functions as a client at the same time. In FIG. 13, both the document management server 1201 and the print central management server 1202 are connected to the client, but only one of them may exist on the network. If the connected server is a document management server, the document management server client system 1201SC including the client module is the stand-alone print management server client system 1202SC including the client module. Added to document management system.

  The document management server 1201 is a server that stores book files created and edited by the bookbinding application 104. When a book file is managed by the document management server 1201, the book file is stored in the database 1211 of the document management server 1201 instead of or in addition to the local HD of the client PC. Saving and reading of book files between the bookbinding application 104 and the document management server 1201 are performed via the DS client 108 and the DS core 1212.

  The print central management server 1202 is a server that manages printing of book files stored in the client document management system 1200 or stored in the document management server 1201. The print request in the client is transmitted to the DOMSWG server module 1221 of the print central management server 1202 via the DOMS driver 109 and the DOMS print service module 110. The centralized print management server 1202 passes the electronic document data to the electronic document despooler 105 via the client's DOMS print service module 110 when printing by the client printer, and when printing by the print server 1203, the print server 1203. To the DOMS print service module 1203. For example, the centralized print management server performs a security check on the qualification of the user who issued the print request to the saved book file, and saves a print processing log. As described above, the document processing system can be realized as a stand-alone or a client-server system.

[Example of editing operation of document processing system of this embodiment]
FIG. 9 is an operation screen of the bookbinding application 104. The bookbinding application can perform function settings of the printing device such as stapling, in addition to editing such as changing the page order of documents, copying, and deleting, and can print to a designated printing device. In the left area of FIG. 9, a tree view showing the structure of the document is displayed. A document is composed of a set of chapters, and each chapter is composed of a set of manuscript pages. In the area on the right side of FIG. 9, a print preview of each page is displayed.

<Attribute Setting Example of Document Processing System of this Embodiment>
FIG. 14 shows a “detailed document setting” window 1400 of the bookbinding application 104. In this window, “document setting information 403” can be displayed / set. This window is activated from the “Detailed Setting for Document” menu in the Print Form menu on the application operation screen of FIG. 9 or the “Detailed Setting for Document” button on the toolbar. The “detailed document settings” window is a window for setting attributes that affect the entire document. This window is composed of four sheets, Page Setup, Decoration, Edit, and Paper Source. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the Page Setup sheet is displayed. In this Page Setup sheet, settings relating mainly to layout can be performed, and settings such as paper size and orientation, N-page printing, and the like can be instructed. In this window, check box controls 1401 and 1402 relating to zooming are arranged.

FIG. 15 shows a “chapter detailed setting” window 1500 of the bookbinding application 104. In this window, “chapter setting information 407” can be displayed / set. This window is activated from the “Detailed Setting for Chapter” menu in the Print Form menu on the application operation screen of FIG. 9 or the “Detailed Setting for Chapter” button on the toolbar. The “chapter detailed setting” window is a window for setting a chapter-specific attribute. This window is composed of four sheets, Page Setup, Decoration, Edit, and Paper Source. FIG. 15 shows a state in which the Page Setup sheet is displayed. In this Page Setup sheet, settings relating to a layout unique to each chapter can be mainly made, and settings such as paper size and orientation, N-page printing, and the like can be instructed. For the setting items that overlap between “detailed settings of document” and “detailed settings of chapter”, check box controls 1501, 1502, and 1503 of “Follow Book Attribute” are arranged. For the item group whose check box is checked, the setting value of the document is applied to the chapter. A case where this check is removed is shown in FIG. There are two types of chapter-specific settings. One is a setting item that only has a chapter. The other is a case where unique setting values different from those in the upper hierarchy document are held in the chapter hierarchy.

  FIG. 16 shows a state where the check boxes 1501 and 1502 are unchecked in “Chapter Detailed Settings” in FIG. In this case, even if the entire document uses A3 paper, the pages making up this chapter are A4 paper size. In addition, even if the layout is 1 Page Par Sheet in the document, this chapter is specified to be laid out with 4 Page Per Sheet. Since “MS Arrange” is checked, the setting value of the document in the upper hierarchy is used as the setting value of this chapter.

  FIG. 17 shows a “detailed page setting” window 1700 of the bookbinding application 104. In this window, “page setting information 411” can be displayed / set. This window is activated from the “Detailed Setting for Page” menu in the Print Form menu on the application operation screen of FIG. 9 or the “Detailed Setting for Page” button on the toolbar. The “detailed page settings” window is a window for setting unique attributes for each page. This window is composed of two sheets, Page Setup and Edit, and FIG. 17 shows a state in which the Page Setup sheet is displayed. In this Page Setup sheet, settings relating to a layout unique to each page can be mainly made, and settings such as a rotation angle and an enlargement / reduction ratio when placing an original page can be instructed. A check box control 1701 of “Follow Chapter Attribute” is arranged for setting items that overlap in “chapter detailed settings” and “page detailed settings”. For items for which this check box is checked, the setting value of the chapter is applied to the page. The case where this check is removed is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 18 shows a state where the Page Loatation setting is changed in “Detailed setting of page” in FIG. The control 1701 is set to rotate and arrange so that the top of the page is left when laying out the original page. Since there is no “Follow Chapter Attribute” check box for this item, there are no duplicate setting items in the chapter or document, so the settings displayed in this window are always page setting values. If there is a check in 1701, for example, the item “Arrange” has a setting item that is also duplicated in the chapter, so the setting value of the chapter is set as the setting value of the page. If the corresponding “Arrange” item in the chapter is checked with “Follor Book Attribute”, the setting value of the chapter uses the setting value of the document in the upper hierarchy, so the page setting value eventually uses the setting value of the document. become. If a corresponding item in a chapter is unchecked, it has a chapter-specific setting value, so that the page setting value uses the setting value unique to that chapter.

  The check box control information set on the setting screen may be held in a dedicated area, but is preferably held as one of the attributes in the setting information shown in FIG. In this case, an area for holding check box control information is added to FIGS. 5 and 6.

<Example of Document Editing Display in Document Processing System of Present Embodiment>
FIG. 19 shows the display format of the application when the setting value overlapping the upper layer is not used for the setting value of the upper layer, that is, when the check box controls 1501 and 1701 are unchecked.

  In the example of FIG. 19, the document is composed of two chapters, and each chapter has nine pages of document data. This is a display example when the layout of the first chapter is 4UP (also expressed as 4in1), and rotation is specified for the first page of the second chapter (the 10th page in the whole document). In the preview on the right side, the first to third pages show that four documents are arranged on one page. Then, the state where the character “A” which is the data of the fourth page is rotated is displayed. The display format when chapter-specific settings and page-specific settings in the tree view are described. The icon 1901 for the first chapter changes to indicate that the chapter has its own settings. The icon 1902 for the first page of the second chapter changes to show that special settings have been made for this page.

<Multiple Printing of Paper Size Mixed Documents Executed by Document Processing Apparatus in Present Embodiment>
Next, multiple printing executed in the document processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. First, the multiple printing provided by the bookbinding application 104 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram exemplifying a “finishing” sheet 2000 in the “detailed document settings” window of the bookbinding application 104. In order to apply multiple printing as a printing method, a pull-down menu 2001 (FIG. 20B). The user can select any one of “No / 2 continuous printing / 4 continuous printing / first half second half printing” from the display. When the user selects any one of “2 continuous printing / 4 continuous printing / first half second half printing” from the pull-down menu 2001 display, the attribute information generation unit 212 generates the attribute information of the document according to the selection, or Update. In duplex printing, quadruple printing, and first half printing, when the user operates the apparatus, detailed condition settings regarding the print format can be easily performed, and variations in output that can be selected as the print format can be increased.

  Here, the attribute information generated and updated by the attribute information generation unit 212 is reflected in the document setting information 403 (No. 15 in FIGS. 3 and 4). The bookbinding application 104 refers to this attribute information when executing page imposition. The attribute information generation unit 212 is configured in the host computer 100 as hardware resources, and is stored in the program ROM 203 or the external memory 211 as a software module that is activated in response to a selection input from the keyboard 209 by the user. Also good.

  In the screen display of FIG. 20, the input areas 2002 and 2003 are set to align the cut edges for cutting the paper after any one of the double printing, the four printing, and the first half printing selected as the multiple printing. This is an input area.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a “page setting” sheet 2100 of the “detailed document setting” window in the bookbinding application 104. An area 2101 in the page setting sheet is an area for selecting an output paper size. The example of FIG. 21 shows a state in which “A4 (A5 original × 2)” is selected. Based on this setting, the bookbinding application 104 doubles A5 size originals on A4 size paper. Put on. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a display example of a specific output paper size displayed as a pull-down menu in the area 2101 of FIG. The paper setting in the multi-printing is not limited to the case where the A4 size document is imposed on the A4 size shown in FIG. 21 in duplicate, and for example, various paper sizes are selected as shown in FIG. Is possible. For example, when a B4 size paper is selected for duplex printing, the attribute information generation unit 212 relates to the orientation of the output paper (whether vertical or horizontal) and the size of the output paper as the attribute information of the document according to the selection. Attribute information is generated or updated and reflected in the document setting information 403. In this case, the bookbinding application 104 can impose a B5 size document on the B4 size output paper newly selected according to the attribute information.

  When the user operates the apparatus, it becomes possible to easily set conditions relating to output paper orientation and paper size selection relating to the printing style.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram schematically showing a result of multiple printing when multiple printing is executed on a document that actually includes A, B, and C as document pages. FIG. 23A is a diagram illustrating a printing result when quadruple printing is selected in the area 2001 of FIG. 20 when the output sheet orientation is set to landscape on the setting screen of FIG. Yes, the bookbinding printing application 104 imposes the same original four times on a single sheet during quadruple printing. FIG. 23C shows an example of quadruple printing when the orientation of the output paper is set to portrait on the setting screen of FIG. 21, and the bookbinding print application 104 prints the same document in the portrait direction. Impose each sheet 4 times. FIG. 23B shows a case where duplex printing is selected when the output paper orientation is set to landscape in the setting screen of FIG. 21, and FIG. 23D shows the output paper orientation. An example of imposition when double printing is selected when is set to vertical.

  Each of the manuscript pages A, B, and C is controlled by the bookbinding application 104 based on the set number of impositions (double printing or quadruple printing) and the orientation (vertical or horizontal) of the output paper on a single sheet. Imposed underneath.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 24, bookbinding is performed on a document for which multiple print settings are performed in the user interface (UI) of FIGS. 20 and 21 (2001, 2002, 2003 of FIG. 20, 2101 of FIG. 21). A flow of processing for executing printing in the application 104 will be described.

  When printing is executed by the bookbinding application 104, first, in step S2401 in FIG. 24, document setting information 403 (including multiple print setting information (see FIG. 4)) is acquired. In step S2402, it is determined whether multiple printing is set for the document to be printed. If it is determined that multiple printing is set (S2402-YES), the process proceeds to the next step S2403. To determine whether or not the first half second half printing is set (“first half second half printing” is one of the multiple printing functions, and the details will be described later and will not be described here). If it is determined in step S2403 that the first half printing is not set (S2403—NO), the process proceeds to step S2404, and the normal multiple printing process is performed. If it is determined in S2403 that the first half of the second half printing is set (S2403—YES), the process proceeds to step S2405, and the first half second half printing process, which is one of the multiple printing, is performed. On the other hand, if multiple printing is not set in step S2402 (S2402-NO), the process proceeds to step S2406, and normal printing processing is performed.

  Next, details of the multiple printing process executed by the bookbinding application 104 in step S2404 of FIG. 24 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, as an example, a case where “double printing” is set as multiple printing in the area 2001 of FIG. 20 will be described.

  First, in step S2501, the initial value of the physical page counter K is set. In step S2502, the physical page counter K is incremented by 1 (K ++), and in step S2503, the Kth page document is read. In subsequent step S2504, it is determined whether or not the output paper direction is set to the vertical direction. If the output paper direction is set as the vertical direction (S2504-YES), the process proceeds to step S2506, and the bookbinding application. 104 imposes the output paper in two lines up and down.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2504 that the direction of the output sheet is landscape (S2504-NO), the process proceeds to step S2505, and the bookbinding application 104 imposes the output sheet in two steps on the left and right.

  When imposition is completed in step S2505 or step S2506, the process proceeds to the next step S2507, and the bookbinding application 104 performs print processing for the Kth page. In step S2508, it is determined whether the Kth page is the last page of the document to be printed. If the Kth page is not the last page (NO in S2508), the process returns to step S2502, and the next page is printed. Transition. The same process is repeated until all pages are completed.

  In this way, the printing process of double printing is performed. Here, as an example, duplex printing has been described, but in the case of quadruple printing, the steps S2505 and S2506 in FIG.

  Based on the above, multiple printing for a document in which paper sizes are mixed according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

<Multiple printing control of mixed paper size originals>
FIG. 26 is a diagram exemplifying a user interface screen of a “finishing” sheet of a “document detailed setting” window that is controlled by the bookbinding application 104 according to the embodiment of this invention. From the interface screen of FIG. 26, it is possible to instruct multiple printing for originals mixed in different paper sizes (A5, A4) as the type of multiple printing (2601: what is the screen of FIG. 20 in this respect). Is different). Here, “double printing (A5 × A4 paper mixed loading)” is selected, but “double printing (A4 × A3 paper mixed loading)” and “double printing“ B5 × B4 paper mixed loading ”” are also available. Multiple printing such as can be selected. Here, when multiple printing by paper mixture is selected, the attribute information generation unit 212 generates or updates the attribute information of the document according to the selection.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a paper mixed original to be printed. The paper mixed original includes three A5 size pages ((1), (2), and (4) pages) and an A4 size page 1. It consists of sheets ((3) page). When “double printing (A5 × A4 paper mixed loading)” set in FIG. 26 is executed for such a paper size mixed original, an imposition result as shown in FIG. 28 is obtained. In other words, pages (1), (2), and (4) of A5 size are imposed on A4 sheets in duplicate (2801), and these sheets are discharged from the same discharge outlet of the printer 107. On the other hand, the (3) th page of A4 size is imposed on A3 paper in duplicate, and this paper is discharged from another discharge port of the printer 107. As described above, the bookbinding application 104 controls imposition in multiple printing according to the setting of “output paper size”, and the printer driver 106 can automatically switch the paper discharge method according to the imposition control.

  Also, as in the example shown in FIG. 29, colored paper (or paper of another size) may be inserted into the page portion corresponding to the (3) th page of A3 size, so that it can be discharged at another paper outlet. It is also possible to facilitate the merging operation after printing to insert a paper A3 size document. In this case, according to the imposition control of the bookbinding application 104, the printer driver 106 can control the feeding of colored paper or the like that makes it easy to specify the merge position for the paper with the paper exits separated.

  Next, the flow of the above-described multiple printing process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, FIG. 30 corresponds to an example of a specific process in step S2404 of FIG. 24, in which the bookbinding application 104 executes imposition control in the multiple printing, and the printer driver 106 determines the printer according to the result of the imposition control. 107 is controlled to execute multiple printing.

  First, in step S3001, the bookbinding application 104 sets the initial value of the page counter K to zero. In step S3002, the count is incremented by 1 (K ++). In step S3003, the bookbinding application 104 reads information set for the Kth page.

  In step S3004, the bookbinding application 104 determines the paper size of the Kth page based on the read information.

  If it is determined in step S3005 that the paper size is “A5” (S3005-YES), the process proceeds to step S3006, the output paper size is set to A4, and the current page (K) is set in step S3007. Imposing two sets of A4 sheets on the left and right sides.

  In the next step S3008, the printer driver 106 causes the printer 107 to execute print processing of one physical page based on the imposition result, and the printer 107 outputs the result of this print processing to the normal paper discharge port of the printer 107. (1) The sheet is discharged from (here, the normal sheet discharge port is (1), and the others are represented by the sheet discharge ports (2) and (3)) (S3008).

  On the other hand, if the bookbinding application 104 determines in step S3004 that the paper size is other than A5 (S3005-NO), the process proceeds to step S3010, and the bookbinding application 104 sets the current page (K) as A4 size. If it is determined (S3010-YES), the process proceeds to step S3011. In step S3011, the bookbinding application 104 temporarily saves the current document page data in the storage area, and in step S3012 performs setting for inserting slip sheets. The slip sheet is discharged to the discharge port (2) or the discharge port (3) according to the imposition result corresponding to the first page size discharged to the discharge port (1) (S3009). This is for identifying the page position into which the imposition result corresponding to the second page size is inserted.

  In step S3013, the bookbinding application 104 sets the slip sheet size set in step S3012 to A4, and in step S3014, the bookbinding application 104 sets the slip sheet to be discharged from the discharge port (1).

  Here, in steps S3012 and S3013, the slip sheet set by the bookbinding application 104 is not limited to the same size as the page size discharged to the discharge port (1), but is set to insert a different size. It is also possible to insert colored paper as a slip sheet in order to make it easier to identify the corresponding page in the merge operation.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S3015, and the bookbinding application 104 sets the paper size to A3 to impose the A4 page data saved in step S3011 and saves it in the process of step S3011. The A4 data is impositioned in duplicate on the left and right sides of the set A3 paper (S3016).

  In step S3017, the bookbinding application 104 changes the paper discharge port of the printer to (2) in order to output the imposition result in step S3016.

  In step S3018, the printer driver 106 causes the printer 107 to execute print processing of one physical page based on the imposition result, and the printer 107 outputs the result of this print processing to the normal paper discharge port (2 )

  If the bookbinding application 104 determines that the Kth page is other than A4 (A5) in step S3010, the process proceeds to step S3016. If the paper size of the current page (K) is B5 (S3019—YES), The bookbinding application 104 advances the processing to step S3020, and executes the same processing as the processing of steps S3011 to S3018 described above. At this time, the bookbinding application 104 sets the B4 paper, in which B5 size pages are arranged in duplicate, in the paper discharge port (3) in order to distinguish the paper discharge port for each paper size (S3026). In step S3027, print processing for the Kth page is performed. The printer driver 106 causes the printer 107 to execute printing processing of one physical page in which double imposition is performed on B4 size paper, and the printer 107 outputs the result of this printing processing to the paper discharge port (3) of the printer 107. Paper is discharged.

  In step S3028, the bookbinding application 104 determines whether or not the current K page is the last page. If it is not the last page (S3028-NO), the bookbinding application 104 returns the process to step S3002, and performs the imposition process for the (K + 1) th page. This is executed until the imposition of the last page is completed (S3028-YES).

  According to the flowchart of FIG. 30 described above, in the multiple printing process for mixed originals having different paper sizes, the same paper size original is output from the same paper discharge port, and other paper sizes are output from the different paper discharge ports. This makes it possible to distinguish and output imposition results of different page sizes.

  Further, by inserting a slip sheet for identifying pages to be merged, it is possible to facilitate the merge operation after printing.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 30, the paper size is selected by the bookbinding application 104 based on the paper size information set in the document. The setting is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the bookbinding application 104 may perform imposition based on a paper size designated by the user via an input unit such as a keyboard (KB) 209. .

  For example, when A3 is set as the output paper size, the bookbinding application 104 imposes the A4 page size document in duplicate, and the bookbinding application 104 is an A5 page size document. In this case, the logical page may be enlarged from A5 to A4, and the A3 sheet may be subjected to double imposition.

  The bookbinding application 104 selectively selects one of the specified paper size information and the page size information set as attribute information in order to set a paper for laying out the page data. Can be used to set the paper.

<Automatic N-series switching according to paper size>
Next, an automatic N-series switching process based on the document sheet size, which is another embodiment of the multiple-printing for a mixed-sheet original, will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram exemplifying a paper mixed original to which automatic N-series switching processing according to paper size is applied. A3 size ((2) pages) and A4 size ((1), (3), (4), ( 5) Page).

  When “double printing (A4 × A3 paper mixed loading)” is selected on the interface screen in FIG. 26 (2601), the bookbinding application 104 shows the document in FIG. 31 based on the attribute information of each page in FIG. Imposition is performed as described above, and automatic N-unit switching is executed. Here, based on the maximum paper size included in the document (A3 in the case of FIG. 31), the bookbinding application 104 sets N pages for laying out a plurality of pages for page data having a page size smaller than this size, and A3 For the page data corresponding to the page size (maximum paper size), only the corresponding page is laid out on the A3 paper (one series).

  As shown in FIG. 32, the bookbinding application 104 prints A4 size originals (1), (3), (4), and (5) pages on the left and right sides of A3 size paper in the same way as in normal duplex printing. On the other hand, the A3 size original (2) page is imposed on the A3 size with one series (no multiples). As described above, the bookbinding application 104 automatically switches the imposition control such as 1-st... N-th according to the paper size of each document, and performs imposition so that all sheets can be printed in accordance with A3.

  Similarly, when “double printing (A5 × A4 paper mixed loading)” or “double printing (B5 × B4 paper mixed loading)” is selected on the interface screen of FIG. 26, the bookbinding application 104 is selected. The imposition method can be switched depending on the size of the original paper, and imposition control can be performed so that all can be output on the same size paper.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 33, the specific process flow of the automatic N-unit switching process according to the paper size will be described. FIG. 33 corresponds to an example of a specific process in step S2404 of FIG. 24. The bookbinding application 104 executes imposition control in the automatic N-unit switching process, and the printer driver 106 determines the result of the imposition control. The printer 107 is controlled accordingly.

  First, in step S3301, the bookbinding application 104 sets the initial value of the page count K to zero. In step S3302, setting information (attribute information) regarding multiple printing is acquired from the document setting information 403. Then, the process proceeds to step S3303. When the bookbinding application 104 determines that “double printing (A4 / A3 sheet mixed loading)” is set on the interface screen 2601 in FIG. 26 (YES in S3303), the process is performed. Proceeding to step S3304, the A4 / A3 sheet mixed multiple printing process is started.

  First, in step S3304, the bookbinding application increments the page count K by 1 (K ++), and in step S3305, reads the Kth page. In step S3306, the bookbinding application 104 sets the output paper size to A3. In step S3307, the bookbinding application 104 determines the paper size of the Kth page.

  In the determination process of step S3308, when the bookbinding application 104 determines that the paper size is A4 (S3308-YES), the A4 page is imposed on the A3 paper in two pairs on the left and right (S3309). On the other hand, if the bookbinding application 104 determines that the page size is other than A4 (in this case, A3) in step S3308 (S3308-No), the process proceeds to step S3313, and imposition is performed in one series (no multiples). I do. Then, the process advances to step S3311, and the printer driver 106 controls the printer 107 to execute print processing for the Kth page for which imposition has been completed by the bookbinding application 104.

  In step S3312, the bookbinding application 104 determines whether or not the current page (K) is the last page. If the current page (K) is not the last page (S3312—NO), the process returns to step S3304, and the surface of the (K + 1) th page The process proceeds to the imposition process, and the same process is repeated until the last page is impositioned.

  On the other hand, if “double printing (A4 / A3 mixed paper loading)” is not selected in step S3303 (S3303-NO), the bookbinding application 104 advances the process to step S3314 to display “double printing (A5 / A4). It is determined whether or not “mixed paper)” is selected.

  In step S3314, if the bookbinding application 104 determines that “double printing (A5 / A4 mixed paper loading)” is selected (S3314—YES), the process proceeds to step S3315, and the page count is counted as one K. Up (K ++).

  In step S3316, the bookbinding application 104 reads data relating to the Kth page, and in step S3317, sets the output paper size to A4.

  In step S3318, the bookbinding application 104 determines the paper size of the Kth page. If the bookbinding application 104 determines that the Kth page is A5 size in step S3319 (S3319-YES), the bookbinding application 104 advances the process to step S3320, and the bookbinding application 104 doubles the A5 page left and right on the A4 size paper. Imposition with. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3319 that the bookbinding application 104 is other than A5 (in this case, A4) (NO in S3319), the process proceeds to step S3321, and imposition of one series (no multiples) is performed. .

  Then, the process advances to step S3311, and the printer driver 106 causes the printer 107 to execute print processing for the Kth page for which imposition has been completed by the bookbinding application 104.

  If it is determined in step S3314 that the “bind printing (A5 / A4 paper mixed)” is not selected (S3314-NO), the bookbinding application 104 advances the process to step S3322. If “double printing (B5 / B4 mixed paper loading)” is selected in step S3322 (S3322—YES), the bookbinding application 104 proceeds to step S3323 and increments the page count K by one ( K ++).

  In step S3324, the bookbinding application 104 reads data relating to the Kth page, and in step S3325, sets the output paper size to B4.

  In step S3327, the bookbinding application 104 determines the paper size of the Kth page. In step S3328, if the bookbinding application 104 determines that the Kth page is the B5 size (S3328-YES), the bookbinding application 104 advances the process to step S3329, and the bookbinding application 104 doubles the B5 page on the B4 size paper left and right. Imposition with. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3328 that the bookbinding application 104 is other than B5 (in this case, B4) (NO in S3328), the process proceeds to step S3330 to perform imposition of one series (no multiples). .

  Then, the process advances to step S3311, and the printer driver 106 causes the printer 107 to execute print processing for the Kth page for which imposition has been completed by the bookbinding application 104.

  As described above, in the multiple printing according to the flowchart of FIG. 33, when automatic N-continuous printing is set, printing is performed by automatically switching to the same paper size regardless of the input document paper size. It becomes possible to do. This eliminates the need for the user to individually impose each page according to the paper size, and allows all pages to be printed on the same paper size with easy settings.

<Multiple printing when single-sided / double-sided switching printing is set>
Next, multiple printing according to an embodiment of the present invention when “single-sided / double-sided switching printing” is set will be described. Here, “single-sided / double-sided switching printing” is a function provided by the bookbinding application 104, and a function of automatically switching the printing method to single-sided / double-sided according to whether the original is single-sided or double-sided. It is.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an original document to which single-sided / double-sided switching printing is applied, and all are A4 size originals. When “single-sided / double-sided switching printing” is set for a document in which an A4 size double-sided document and a single-sided document are mixed, an output result as shown in FIG. 35 is obtained. As shown in FIG. 35, in the original document, the page corresponding to one side (C and F corresponds) can obtain a correct output result even after cutting after printing by leaving the portion corresponding to the back side blank. it can.

  Next, the flow of processing for executing multiple printing when “single-sided / double-sided switching printing” is set will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S3601, the bookbinding application 104 sets initial values 0 to the logical page counter K and the paper counter P. In subsequent step S3602, the bookbinding application 104 increments both page counters by one (K ++, P ++), and in the next step S3603, the bookbinding application 104 reads the attribute information set for the Kth page.

  In step S3604, the bookbinding application 104 determines whether the Kth page is a double-sided document. If it is determined in step S3604 that the K-th page is a double-sided document (S3604—YES), the process proceeds to step S3605, and the sheet size is A3 (all the document page sizes are A4 (FIG. 34)). The size is set to A3).

  In step S3606, the bookbinding application 104 imposes the Kth page (the front page of the original document: the first page of the double-sided document) on the left and right surfaces of the Pth sheet counter in duplicate. Then, the process proceeds to step S3607, and the bookbinding application 104 performs the imposition of the K + 1th page (the back page of the original document: the second page of the double-sided document) on the left and right sides of the back side of the sheet counter P in duplicate. The imposition in the paper counter P is completed by the above steps.

  In step S <b> 3610, the printer driver 106 executes the printing of the sheet counter P sheet imposed by the bookbinding application 104.

  On the other hand, if the bookbinding application 104 determines in step S3604 that the Kth page is a single-sided original (S3604—NO), the process proceeds to step S3608, the paper size is set to A3, and the logical page counter K page in step S3609. Imposing the eyes (the front page of the original document) on the left and right surfaces of the sheet counter P in duplicate (the back surface is left blank without any imposition).

  After step S3609, the process proceeds to step S3610, and the printer driver 106 executes the printing of the sheet counter P sheet imposed by the bookbinding application 104. The above process is repeated until all pages are completed, and the multiple printing process in single-sided / double-sided switching printing is completed.

  By following the flowchart of FIG. 36, the bookbinding application 104 can apply multiple printing to each page for which single-sided or double-sided originals are set while maintaining the relationship between the front and back sides. . As a result, correct page imposition can be performed and the output result can be obtained without shifting the relationship between the front and back pages of the printed paper.

<First half printing when single-sided / double-sided switching printing is applied>
Next, a case will be described in which the first half printing is applied when “single side / double side switching printing” is set.

  Here, “first half second half printing” is based on the premise that the output paper is cut after printing. Document data on different pages is placed in a printable area on one sheet of paper, and the document is printed on one sheet of paper. A printing method in which printing is performed by arranging in different print areas.

  FIG. 37 is a diagram for explaining the imposition layout of each page when the first half printing is performed in the case where the orientation of the output paper is the horizontal method in single-sided continuous printing. The print area of the output sheet is the left side (half) and the right side (half), and the bookbinding application 104 imposes the first physical page corresponding to the first page of the document on the left side of the first sheet. The second physical page following the first physical page is imposed on the left side of the second sheet of paper. When the total number of pages is N, the bookbinding application 104 imposes up to (N / 2) physical pages on the left side of the sheet. Here, the output paper on which the (N / 2) physical page is imposed becomes the final paper. When the total number of pages of a document (or chapter) is N, pages corresponding to the first half of the document are changed from the first page to N / 2 pages. The bookbinding application 104 can acquire the total number of pages of the document (or chapter) by referring to the document setting information 403 (or chapter setting information 407), for example.

  On the other hand, the page corresponding to the second half of the document becomes the last page from (N / 2 + 1). The bookbinding application 104 imposes the (N / 2 + 1) physical page on the right side of the first sheet of output paper, and imposes the (N / 2 + 1) + j physical page on the right side of the jth sheet. To do. When N is an even number, the Nth physical page is imposed on the right side of the last sheet, and when N is an odd number, the right side of the last sheet is left blank.

  By overlapping the first half of the entire document printed after cutting (the part facing the left side of the paper) and the second half of the whole document (the part facing the right side of the paper) The number (N pages in total) can be printed with the number of output sheets (N / 2 sheets) that is half of the number of all pages (N).

  The relationship between the right side and the left side of the sheet on which the page is imposed is for convenience of explanation, and the gist of the present invention is not limited to the left and right relationship imposed on the sheet.

  For example, the imposition of each page when executing printing in the first half of the first half in the case of single-sided duplex printing with the portrait orientation of the output paper is the physical page corresponding to the upper and lower sides of the paper under the control of the bookbinding application 104. Will be laid out.

  FIG. 38 is a diagram for explaining the imposition layout of each page when the first half printing is performed in the case where the orientation of the output paper is the horizontal method in duplex printing on both sides. As in the case of FIG. 26, the bookbinding application 104 corresponds to the first page of the document on the left side of the first sheet, assuming the left (half) and right (half) as the print area of the output sheet. Impose the first physical page. Then, the bookbinding application 104 imposes the second physical page following the first physical page on the left back side of the first sheet. The bookbinding application 104 imposes continuous physical pages on the front and back sides of each sheet, and when the total number of pages is N, imposes up to (N / 2) physical pages on the left side rear face of the sheet. Here, the output paper on which the (N / 2) physical page is imposed becomes the final paper.

  On the other hand, the bookbinding application 104 imposes the (N / 2 + 1) physical page on the right front surface of the first sheet of output paper, and imposes physical pages on the front and back surfaces of each paper up to the final paper. When N is an even number, the Nth physical page is imposed on the right side back surface of the final sheet, and when N is an odd number, the right side back surface of the final sheet is left blank.

  FIG. 39A is a diagram illustrating an output result when imposition is performed at the time of executing the first half and second half printing in the case where the orientation of the output paper is horizontal in the single-sided duplex printing by the bookbinding application 104 described in FIG. It is.

  After printing, the paper is cut at the center of the output paper (XX portion indicated by the arrow), and the left half (printing result of the front half of the document) is overlaid on the right half (second half of the document). The continuous pages up to (6 pages) can be reproduced in half the number of sheets (3 sheets) in the order of the originals.

  Similarly, FIG. 39B is a diagram illustrating an output result when imposition is performed in the first half and second half printing in the case where the orientation of the output paper is vertical in single-sided duplex printing by the bookbinding application 104. After printing, the paper is cut at the center of the output paper (YY indicated by arrows), and the upper half (printing result of the front half of the document) is overlapped with the lower half (second half of the document), so that pages A to F The continuous pages up to (6 pages) can be reproduced in half the number of sheets (3 sheets) in the order of the originals.

  When an electronic original corresponding to the original as shown in FIG. 34 is printed, the bookbinding application 104 performs imposition as shown by 4001 in FIG. When “single-sided / double-sided switching printing” is further set for the layout of imposition, the bookbinding application 104 performs imposition as indicated by 4002 in FIG. Of the pages (1) and (2) constituting the entire document, the back side of the (2) page is blank (nothing is imposed). In this case, the bookbinding application 104 can switch the (2) page setting from the double-sided printing setting to the single-sided printing setting when executing printing even when the entire document is set to double-sided printing. . In this case, the bookbinding application 104 does not perform double-sided printing, but performs single-sided printing on pages that have only one side imposition, even when the entire document is set to double-sided. The driver 106 can be instructed.

  When printing in the first half and the latter half of a document for which “single side / double side switching printing” is set, it is necessary to grasp the total number of pages of the document. In the case of setting from one side to both sides, since the blank page is further inserted in the portion corresponding to the back side when the original document is one side, the number of logical pages at the time of printing becomes twice the actual number of pages. Therefore, in order to calculate the imposition position as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, it is necessary to obtain in advance the total number of logical pages N when the first half printing is applied. Therefore, the flow of processing for obtaining the total logical page number N will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S4101, the bookbinding application 104 sets the initial values of the logical page count N and chapter count K to zero. Next, in step S4102, the chapter counter K is incremented by 1 (K ++), and in step S4103, the bookbinding application 104 acquires print settings for chapter K (here, duplex / single-sided settings and the number of pages included in the chapter). . If the bookbinding application 104 determines in step S4104 that the print setting for chapter K is single-sided (YES in step S4104), the process proceeds to step S4105, and the logical page count N is set to the total number of pages in chapter K. 2 times is added (in the case of single-sided pages, blank pages are inserted, so when actually printing, the number of pages is doubled).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4104 that the bookbinding application 104 determines that the K chapter is a double-sided setting (S4104-NO), the process proceeds to step S4106, and the logical page count N is set to the total number of pages in the K chapter. to add. In step S4107, it is determined whether or not the chapter count K is the last chapter. If the chapter count K is not the last chapter (NO in step S4107), the process returns to step S4102, and the same process is repeated until all chapters are completed. The total page number information N obtained here is set in the document setting information 403 as attribute information that can be referred to when the bookbinding application 104 executes the imposition process.

  Next, the flow of the process of actually determining the imposition position and printing using the total logical page number N obtained in the flowchart of FIG. 41 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S4201, the bookbinding application 104 sets initial values 0 to the blank count E, chapter count K, logical page count R, physical page count Q, and paper count P.

  In step S4202, reading of the physical page count Q page is started. In the next step S4203, the bookbinding application 104 sets the chapter number including the Q page in the chapter count K, and acquires detailed setting information (chapter attribute information) of the Kth chapter (S4204). In step S4205, the bookbinding application 104 determines whether the chapter is a double-sided setting based on the acquired detailed setting information. In the case of duplex setting (S4205-YES), the process proceeds to step S4206, and the bookbinding application 104 imposes the physical page count Qth page on the front left half of the Pth sheet count. If it is determined in step S4207 that the page is not the last page (S4207—NO), the process proceeds to the next step S4208, and the next page (Q + 1 page) is imposed on the left side of the back side of the sheet count P sheets. To do. Then, it is determined again whether it is the last page (S4209). If it is not the last page (S4209-NO), the process proceeds to step S4210, the logical page count R is incremented by 2 and the paper count is P sheets. Shift to the imposition process on the right side of the eye.

  On the other hand, if the bookbinding application 104 determines in step S4205 that the chapter setting is single-sided (NO in step S4205), the bookbinding application 104 advances the process to step S4222, and the bookbinding application 104 prints the physical page count Qth page. Imposition on the left side of the surface of the count Pth sheet.

In step S4223, it is determined whether the physical page count Q page is the last page. If it is determined that the page is not the last page, the process proceeds to step S4224. In step S4224, the bookbinding application 104 inserts a blank in the left half of the Pth sheet count, and in step S4225, the blank page count E and the physical page count Q are incremented by one, and further the logical page count R is set. Count up by two. In subsequent step S4226, when the physical page count Q + 1 (corresponding to the blank page inserted in step S4224) is not the last page (S4226-NO).
), The process proceeds to step S4211, and the process proceeds to the imposition process on the right side of the Pth sheet count. Here, the bookbinding application 104 performs imposition in the first half and second half printing described with reference to FIG.

  In step S4211, the bookbinding application 104 reads the (N / 2 + Q page), and in step S4212, sets the chapter number including the (N / 2 + Q) page in the chapter count K, and sets the Kth chapter in detail. Information (chapter attribute information) is acquired (S4213). In step S4214, the bookbinding application 104 determines whether the chapter is a double-sided setting based on the acquired detailed setting information. In the case of duplex setting (S4214-YES), the process proceeds to step S4215, and the bookbinding application 104 imposes the physical page count (N / 2 + Q page) -th page on the front right half of the Pth sheet count. If the bookbinding application 104 determines in step S4216 that this page is not the last page (NO in S4216), the process proceeds to the next step S4217, and the next page (N / 2 + Q + 1 page) is printed on the Pth sheet count. Imposition on the right half of the back.

  In step S4218, the bookbinding application 104 advances the physical page count by two. In step S4219, the bookbinding application 104 performs print processing for the Pth sheet count. The printer driver 106 can control the printer 107 to output the imposition result by the bookbinding application 104.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4214 that the bookbinding application 104 determines that the chapter setting is a single-sided original (S4214-NO), the process proceeds to step S4227, and the bookbinding application 104 determines the physical page count (N / 2 + Q) page. Imposing the eye on the right half of the front surface of the sheet count P. If the bookbinding application 104 determines in step S4228 that the physical page count (N / 2 + Q) page is not the last page (NO in S4228), the process proceeds to step S4229. Insert a blank in the right half of the back of the first sheet.

  Then, the bookbinding application 104 advances the processing to step S4230, and increments the blank count E, the logical page count R, and the physical page count Q one by one.

  In step S4231, the bookbinding application 104 checks the blank count value to determine whether E = 2. When E = 2 (S4231-YES), both the left and right sides of the back side are blank, and the bookbinding application 104 switches the print setting from double-sided printing to single-sided setting (S4232), and the process proceeds to step S4219. . On the other hand, if the bookbinding application 104 determines that E = 2 is not satisfied in step S4231, the process proceeds directly to step S4219, and the process shifts to the printing process of the Pth sheet of the sheet count for which the imposition process is completed. The bookbinding application 104 continues the same processing until the physical page reaches the final page (S4220). When the bookbinding application 104 determines the last page and the bookbinding application 104 in each step (S4207, S4209, S4216, S4223, S4228), the process proceeds to step S4219, and print processing for the Pth sheet count is executed.

  With the above processing, even when a double-sided / single-sided document is mixed, it is possible to perform correct imposition assuming cutting after printing.

<Charging prevention control in redundant printing>
In step S4231 in FIG. 42, the bookbinding application 104 determines whether or not all the surfaces to be imposed on the sheet are blank based on the blank count value. The imposition that becomes blank can occur not only in the case of the first half printing in FIG. 42 but also in the case of executing multiple printing. If double-sided printing is set for a document, when you print a document that includes an imposition part where one side is all blank, you will be charged for passing the blank part. In such a case, the application 104 can switch the duplex printing setting to the simplex printing setting in order to prevent unnecessary charging. Even when the document (or chapter) setting is duplex printing, the printing time can be shortened by switching the corresponding page portion to single-sided printing setting (non-billing setting).

  FIG. 43 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing for reflecting non-billing settings in document setting information. As determined in step S4231 of FIG. 42 described above, the bookbinding application 104 instructs the switching of print settings so as not to charge for the blank paper side when all of one side is a blank page. A non-billing command is generated (S4301). Here, the non-billing command generated by the bookbinding application 104 is reflected in the attribute information that defines the printing method of the document setting information (for example, No. 1 in FIG. 4) (S4302). Then, based on the attribute information reflecting the non-billing command, the bookbinding application 104 changes the print setting for the corresponding paper (paper including a page on which one side is all blank) to single-sided printing (S4303). In this case, even if the setting of the entire document is duplex printing, the setting of the corresponding sheet is changed to the setting of simplex printing while maintaining the setting of the entire document (S4304, S4232 of FIG. 42). Here, the printer driver 106 can control the printer 107 based on the contents set for single-sided printing.

  FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the non-billing setting 4401 for the blank page is reflected in the print setting. With the processing shown in FIG. 43, non-billing settings are added to a sheet (paper) including a page in which one side is all blank among the effective print settings for the sheet (paper).

  As described above, according to this embodiment, in multiple printing, when pages of various paper sizes are mixedly mounted in a document to be printed, or when pages of single-sided printing setting and double-sided printing setting are mixedly loaded. However, it is possible to perform appropriate imposition processing with easy settings and facilitate cutting and merging after printing.

  Further, the present invention can be applied to a system (copier, printer, facsimile machine, etc.) consisting of a single device even if it is applied to a system consisting of a plurality of devices (eg, host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.). You may apply. Another object of the present invention is to read a program code stored in a storage medium by a computer (or CPU or MPU) of a system or apparatus, which stores a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. It is also achieved by executing. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. A case where part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instruction of the program code. Also included is a case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a block diagram which shows the software structural example of the stand-alone type document processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example which implement | achieves the document processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the book file which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the list | wrist of the book attribute which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the list of the chapter attributes which concern on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the list of the page attribute which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure which opens the book file in the document processing system concerning this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface screen at the time of opening a new book file. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface screen at the time of opening the existing book file. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for importing an electronic document file into a book file in the document processing system according to the present embodiment. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for converting application data shown in Step 801 of FIG. 10 into an electronic document file. It is a figure which shows the example of the data structure used when performing printing and a display. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration example of a client server type document processing system. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog window which performs the setting of the whole document which is the highest hierarchy of a data structure. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog window which performs the setting of the chapter which is the intermediate | middle hierarchy of a data structure. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example in which unique attributes are set in the dialog window of FIG. 15. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog window which performs the setting of the page which is the lowest hierarchy of a data structure. It is a figure which shows the example of a change of the setting value in the dialog window of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display when the setting peculiar to a chapter or a page is performed. 5 is an example of a user interface for performing detailed print settings for an existing document in the document processing system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface for performing a detailed print setting with respect to the existing document in the document processing system concerning embodiment of this invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting window for performing output sheet setting for an existing document in the document processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example for demonstrating multiple printing in the document processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining print processing in the document processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating multiple processing in the document processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen of a “finishing” sheet in a “detailed document setting” window controlled by the bookbinding application 104 in the document processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper mixed original to be printed. It is a figure which shows the imposition result of the paper mixed original document shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the imposition result of the paper mixed original document shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of multiple printing processing in the document processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the original document applied to the automatic N continuous switching process by original paper size. FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an imposition result of the sheet mixed document illustrated in FIG. 31. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of a specific process of the automatic N continuous switching process by paper size in the document processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating an original document to which single-sided / double-sided switching printing is applied. FIG. FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating an imposition result obtained by applying single-sided / double-sided switching printing to the document illustrated in FIG. 34. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing for executing multiple printing when single-sided / double-sided switching printing is set in the document processing system according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an imposition layout of each page when executing printing in the first half of the first half in the case where the orientation of an output sheet is a landscape method in single-sided duplex printing. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an imposition layout of each page when executing printing in the first half of the first half in the case where the orientation of the output paper is the horizontal method in duplex printing on both sides. FIG. 38A is a diagram illustrating an output result when imposition is performed at the time of printing in the first half of the first half in the case where the orientation of the output paper is horizontal in the single-sided duplex printing by the bookbinding application 104 described in FIG. (B) is a figure which shows the output result at the time of performing the imposition in the first-half second half printing in the case where the orientation of the output paper is vertical in the single-sided duplex printing by the bookbinding application 104. It is a figure which illustrates the original document to which the first half second half printing and single side / double side switching printing are applied. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the process which calculates | requires the total number N of logical pages. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of imposition and printing processing in the first half second half printing and single-sided / double-sided switching printing. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of a process for reflecting a non-billing setting in the setting information of a document. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a non-billing setting 4401 for a blank page is reflected in a print setting.

Claims (31)

A document processing apparatus that lays out a plurality of pages of page data constituting a document on a single recording medium and sets a print format of the document,
A print format determination means for determining whether multiple printing is set to lay out a plurality of pages on one recording medium and cut the recording medium after printing to obtain a final printed matter as a print format of the document;
Obtaining means for obtaining attribute information set in the document;
When the print format determination unit determines that multiple printing is set, the size of each page constituting the document is determined based on the attribute information acquired by the acquisition unit, and the document is a different page. Page size determination means for determining whether or not the page data is composed of size data;
In accordance with the determination result of the page size determination means, when page data having a different page size is included in the document, layout control means for controlling the layout of the page data for each page size is provided. Document processing device. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the layout control unit sets a size of a recording medium for laying out the page data according to the page size. The layout control means selects either the designated recording medium size or the page size determined by the page size determination means in order to set a recording medium for laying out the page data. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is set for use on a case-by-case basis. The layout control means makes the output means distinguish and output a layout result corresponding to a first page size and a layout result corresponding to a second page size, which constitute the document. The document processing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3. The layout control means sets a slip sheet having the same size as the first page size in order to identify a page in which a layout result corresponding to the second page size is inserted, and the first page size 2. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output result is output in combination with the layout result corresponding to the above and the slip sheet. The layout control means lays out a plurality of pages on the one recording medium for page data having a page size smaller than the maximum page size based on the maximum page size included in the document,
2. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only the page data is laid out on the recording medium for page data having a page size equal to the maximum page size. The page size determination means determines whether each page constituting the document is a double-sided original based on the attribute information acquired by the acquisition means;
The layout control means lays out different page data for a plurality of pages on the front and back surfaces of the set recording medium for the double-sided document based on the determination result of the page size determination means,
2. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, for a single-sided original, page data is laid out for a plurality of pages only on the front side of the recording medium, and the back side is left blank. 8. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the layout control unit lays out the same page data for a plurality of pages on the one recording medium. The page size determining means determines whether each page constituting the document is a double-sided original based on the attribute information acquired by the acquiring means, and the total number of pages constituting the document based on the attribute information And
The layout control means lays out different page data in the left half or right half on the recording medium surface side and the left half or right half area on the recording medium back side for the double-sided document,
2. In the case of a single-sided original, different page data is laid out on the left half or right half on the front side of the recording medium, and the left half or right half on the back side of the recording medium is left blank. Document processing apparatus described in 1. 10. The document processing according to claim 1, wherein the layout control unit sets the printing process of the recording medium to single-sided printing when the left half and the right half on the back side of the recording medium are blank. apparatus. A document processing method in a document processing apparatus for laying out page data constituting a document for a plurality of pages on one recording medium and setting a print format of the document,
As a print format of the document, a print format determination step of determining whether multiple printing is set to lay out a plurality of pages on one recording medium and cut the recording medium after printing to obtain a final printed matter;
An acquisition step of acquiring attribute information set in the document;
When it is determined by the print appearance determination step that multiple printing is set, the size of each page constituting the document is determined based on the attribute information acquired by the acquisition step, and the document is a different page A page size determination step for determining whether or not the page data is composed of size data;
A layout control step for controlling the layout of the page data for each page size when page data of a different page size is included in the document according to the determination result of the page size determination step. Document processing method. 12. The document processing method according to claim 11, wherein the layout control step sets a size of a recording medium for laying out the page data in accordance with the page size. The layout control step selects either the designated recording medium size or the page size determined in the page size determination step in order to set a recording medium for laying out the page data. 13. The document processing method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the recording medium is set for use on a case-by-case basis. The layout control step causes the output means to output a layout result corresponding to a first page size and a layout result corresponding to a second page size, which constitute the document. The document processing method according to any one of 11 to 13. The layout control step sets a slip sheet having the same size as the first page size in order to identify a page into which a layout result corresponding to the second page size is inserted, and the first page size The document processing method according to claim 11, wherein the output result is output in combination with the layout result corresponding to and the slip sheet. The layout control step lays out a plurality of pages on the one recording medium for page data having a page size smaller than the maximum page size based on the maximum page size included in the document,
12. The document processing method according to claim 11, wherein for page data having a page size equal to the maximum page size, only the page data is laid out on the recording medium. The page size determination step determines whether each page constituting the document is a double-sided document based on the attribute information acquired by the acquisition step,
The layout control step lays out different page data for a plurality of pages on the front and back surfaces of the set recording medium for the double-sided document based on the determination result of the page size determination step,
12. The document processing method according to claim 11, wherein, for a single-sided original, page data is laid out for a plurality of pages only on the front surface of the recording medium, and the back surface is left blank. 18. The document processing method according to claim 11, wherein the layout control step lays out the same page data for a plurality of pages on the one recording medium. In the page size determination step, whether or not each page constituting the document based on the attribute information acquired in the acquisition step is a double-sided original, and the total number of pages constituting the document based on the attribute information Determine
The layout control step lays out different page data in the left half or right half on the recording medium surface side and the left half or right half area on the recording medium back side for the double-sided document,
12. In the case of a single-sided original, different page data is laid out on the left half or right half on the front side of the recording medium, and the left half or right half on the back side of the recording medium is left blank. Document processing method described in 1. The document processing according to claim 11 or 19, wherein the layout control step sets the printing process of the recording medium to single-sided printing when the left half and the right half on the back side of the recording medium are blank. Method. A document processing program for causing a computer to execute a document processing method for laying out page data constituting a document for a plurality of pages on one recording medium and setting a print format of the document,
As a print format of the document, a print format determination step of determining whether multiple printing is set to lay out a plurality of pages on one recording medium and cut the recording medium after printing to obtain a final printed matter;
An acquisition step of acquiring attribute information set in the document;
When it is determined by the print appearance determination step that multiple printing is set, the size of each page constituting the document is determined based on the attribute information acquired by the acquisition step, and the document is a different page A page size determination step for determining whether or not the page data is composed of size data;
When page data having a different page size is included in the document according to the determination result of the page size determination step, the computer may execute a layout control step for controlling the layout of the page data for each page size. A featured document processing program. The document processing program according to claim 21, wherein the layout control step executed by a computer sets a size of a recording medium for laying out the page data according to the page size. The layout control step executed by the computer includes a size of a designated recording medium or a page size determined in the page size determination step in order to set a recording medium for laying out the page data. 23. The document processing program according to claim 21, wherein the recording medium is set by selectively using any one of them. The layout control step executed by the computer causes the output means to output the layout result corresponding to the first page size and the layout result corresponding to the second page size, which constitutes the document. The document processing program according to any one of claims 21 to 23. The layout control step executed by the computer sets a slip sheet having the same size as the first page size in order to identify a page into which a layout result corresponding to the second page size is inserted. The document processing program according to claim 21, wherein a layout result corresponding to one page size and the slip sheet are combined and output to the output unit. The layout control step executed by the computer is based on the maximum page size included in the document, and for page data having a page size smaller than the maximum page size, a plurality of pages on the one recording medium. Lay out and
The document processing program according to claim 21, wherein only page data is laid out on the recording medium for page data having a page size equal to the maximum page size. The page size determination step executed by the computer determines whether each page constituting the document is a double-sided document based on the attribute information acquired by the acquisition step,
The layout control step executed by the computer, based on the determination result of the page size determination step, for the double-sided document, lay out different page data for a plurality of pages respectively on the front and back surfaces of the set recording medium,
The document processing program according to claim 21, wherein for a single-sided original, page data is laid out for a plurality of pages only on the front side of the recording medium, and the back side is left blank. 28. The document processing program according to claim 21, wherein the layout control step executed by a computer lays out the same page data for a plurality of pages on the one recording medium. The page size determination step executed by the computer is configured based on the attribute information acquired in the acquisition step, whether each page constituting the document is a double-sided original, and the document based on the attribute information. To determine the total number of pages
The layout control step executed by the computer lays out different page data in the left half or right half area on the recording medium front side and the left half or right half area on the back side of the recording medium for the double-sided document. ,
22. In the case of a single-sided original, different page data is laid out on the left half or the right half on the front side of the recording medium, and the left half or the right half on the back side of the recording medium is left blank. Document processing program described in 1. 30. The method according to claim 21, wherein the layout control step executed by the computer sets the printing process of the recording medium to single-sided printing when the left half and the right half on the back side of the recording medium are blank. The document processing program described. A computer-readable storage medium storing the document processing program according to any one of claims 21 to 30.

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