JP2007172130A - Original format setting controller, original format setting control method and original format setting control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an original format controller, an original format control method and an original format control program storage medium for easily preparing a proper original according to a predetermined output sheet. <P>SOLUTION: An operation part is operated by a user, and an output sheet size and an original size are input to a first dialog box (step("S") 100), and whether or not at least one of the output sheet size and the original size is non-fixed is determined (S102), and when the determination result is positive, the first dialog box is switched to a second dialog box (S104), and when the determination result is negative, the process is shifted to (S112). Then, whether to make a logical original size smaller than the output sheet size is determined (S106), and when the determination result is positive, the logical original size made smaller than the output sheet size is calculated (S108), and when the determination result is negative, the logical original size made larger than the output sheet size is calculated (S110), and the logical original size is output to an application (S112). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention reads out pre-stored application software and performs processing based on a processing program in the application software, and performs processing on document data created by the processing program being executed. The present invention relates to a document format setting control device for setting a document format, a document format setting control method, and a document format setting control program.

  In general, a printer serves as an external connection output device such as a personal computer (PC) that is an information processing execution device. Then, the printer receives document data such as a document transmitted from the PC and performs printing. The PC includes a display device such as an LCD and an operation device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and stores application software. In the PC, when predetermined application software is executed, original data such as a document of an arbitrary size created by the processing program is sent to the printer as it is or in a predetermined printing range. .

  By the way, various techniques have been disclosed in the past, such as demagnifying an image outline area represented by original data such as a document prepared in advance according to the output paper size. Here, “deviation” means that the shape before and after the deformation is similar while the aspect ratio is the same, and that the size of the document based on the document data created in advance is different depending on the vertical and horizontal magnification. Including both transforming.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a printable area is calculated based on a margin parameter set by a user, and the original data is controlled so as to enlarge / reduce the original image according to the calculated printable area. A technique is disclosed in which original data is combined with a special printing method such as N-up printing, laid out on paper with margins, and printed with the layout. This technique is effective when document data to be output in advance already exists and is appropriately output to a printer for printing.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 calculates the bias magnification so that original data that has been created and designated for printing fits optimally on a preset paper size for the number of times of continuous printing (for example, N-up printing). After that, when performing a printing process, a continuous print number setting command for instructing setting of the number of continuous prints specified in advance in the document data, and a bias ratio setting for instructing the setting of the bias ratio calculated previously. A technique for sending a command to a printer for printing is disclosed.
JP-A-11-99724 JP 2000-112705 A

  However, when an atypical print size is assumed in advance (for example, a non-standard size such as A3, A4, etc.), even if the techniques disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are used, Since it is necessary for the user himself to perform a calculation reverse to the technique, it is difficult to obtain the document size.

  That is, the technique described above can be applied to a case where a document is prepared in advance, and is a technology for outputting the content of the document to a standard output sheet. Therefore, this technique is not effective when an output sheet is determined in advance and an original is to be created in accordance with the output sheet, and when the output sheet is non-standard.

  In consideration of the above-described facts, the present invention provides a document format setting control device, a document format setting control method, and a document format setting control program capable of easily creating an appropriate document according to a predetermined output sheet. The purpose is to obtain.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, in an information processing execution apparatus that reads application software stored in advance and executes processing based on a processing program in the application software, document data created by the processing program being executed On the other hand, a document format setting control apparatus for setting a document format, which inputs a print format including at least a size and a shape for specifying a print area of a printed matter, which is necessary for printing processing by the image forming apparatus. An input unit; a calculation unit that calculates document input area data for setting the document format according to a print format input by the input unit; and the document input area data calculated by the calculation unit Notification means for notifying the processing program being executed as dependency data; For example, on the basis of the notified external dependent data by notifying means, the processing program is characterized by setting a document format.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in an information processing execution apparatus that reads application software stored in advance and executes processing based on a processing program in the application software, document data created by the processing program being executed On the other hand, a document format setting control method of a document format setting control apparatus for setting a document format, which has at least a size and a shape for specifying a print area of a printed matter necessary for printing processing by the image forming apparatus. A document input area data for setting the document format is calculated according to the input print format, and the calculated document input area data is used as externally dependent data. By notifying the processing program, the processing program is notified Based on the part dependent data, and characterized by setting a document format.

  According to the first invention and the second invention, the document format is set based on the document input area data (external dependency data) calculated based on the print format. At this time, the external dependence data is prioritized or selected. As a result, the document format can be set according to the print format of the printed matter without being restricted by a so-called prescribed size (for example, JIS).

  As described above, according to the first and second inventions, an appropriate manuscript can be easily created in accordance with the input desired print format. Therefore, when an output sheet is determined in advance and input as a print format, it is possible to easily create a document that matches the output sheet.

  As described above, the present invention provides a document format setting control device, a document format setting control method, and a storage medium that can easily create an appropriate document in accordance with a predetermined output sheet. Has an excellent effect.

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

  FIG. 1 shows an overall schematic diagram of a system 10 according to the present embodiment including a printer 12 and three client PCs 14A, 14B, and 14C (hereinafter collectively referred to as “PC 14”).

  The printer 12 receives a print instruction from a so-called printer driver installed in the PC 14 and performs printing. The printer 12 includes trays 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D that can store a plurality of different sizes of paper, and can perform printing using the plurality of different sizes of paper.

  The printer driver corresponds to the document format setting control device of the present invention. The printer driver downloads program data programmed with the document format setting control method through the Internet or the like, or stores a CD-ROM or the like stored in the program. It is possible to import to the PC 14 via a storage medium such as an FD.

  The PC 14 includes a display 16 for displaying various information such as the processing status in the PC 14 and operation details, and an operation unit 18 such as a keyboard and a mouse for inputting various information in the PC 14 when operated.

  Various processes performed in the PC 14 are displayed on each window screen 17 displayed on the display 16. Further, for example, an operation by the operation unit 18 such as a mouse can be visually observed on the window screen 17 by a pointer 19 or the like.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the principal part structure of the electric system of PC14 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  The PC 14 includes a ROM 26 that stores various programs, and a memory (not shown) such as an HDD and a RAM that can store various programs and read and write information.

  The PC 14 also has a printer interface (hereinafter referred to as “printer I / F”) 20 as a connection means for communicating with the printer 12 and a display interface (hereinafter referred to as “display I / F”) for controlling display on the display 16. F ”) 22 and a CPU 24 that controls the entire PC 14.

  The display I / F 22 converts image data to be displayed into a video signal and supplies it to the display 16. That is, the display 16 displays various information under the control of the display I / F 22. On the display 16, images representing various processing results in the PC 14 are displayed as the respective processing window screens 17, and the operation content from the operation unit 18 can be viewed with, for example, the pointer 19 shown in FIG. 1. ing.

  The printer I / F 20, the display I / F 22, the CPU 24, and the ROM 26 are connected to each other by a BUS. Accordingly, the CPU 24 can communicate with the printer 12 via the printer I / F 20, display various information via the display I / F 22 on the display 16, and access the ROM 26 via the ROM I / F 28.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 24 controls the application based on a program stored in the ROM 26 so as to obtain a desired print output. Then, the user performs an operation using the operation unit 18 while visually confirming the window screen 17 displayed on the display 16 so as to obtain the desired print output.

  Next, functional connections in the PC 14 according to the present embodiment for realizing the above will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

  Input from the operation unit 18 by the user is output to the calculation unit 30 provided in the CPU 24. The calculation unit 30 uses the printer driver program 32 stored in the ROM 26 or the HDD, based on the print request information of the user via the operation unit 18, the original size of the original created by the user (hereinafter referred to as the user's creation). The document size is referred to as a logical document size).

  The calculation unit 30 is connected to the setting registration unit 34. The setting registration unit 34 receives the logical document size calculated by the calculation unit 30 from the calculation unit 30. Then, the logical document size is set and registered in the application program 36 activated to create the document. The application program 36 is stored in the ROM 26 or a memory such as an HDD or RAM.

  The application program 36 is connected to a control unit 38 provided in the CPU 24. The control unit 38 controls the logical document size processed by the application by the application program 36 in which the logical document size is set and registered.

  As described above, when an output sheet is designated by the functional connection described with reference to FIG. 3, the logical document size is calculated according to the output sheet, and the user understands the size of the document to be created. can do.

  Next, an example of a dialog box that is one of the window screens 17 displayed on the display 16 by the printer driver program 32 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows a case where enlarged continuous shooting is performed as an example of a case where the document size and the output paper size are different.

  FIG. 4A shows a first dialog box as one of the window screens 17 displayed when the operation unit 18 issues a print instruction to an application running on the PC 14. 17A. Settings such as the document size and the paper size actually output from the printer 12 can be made in the first dialog box 17A.

  The first dialog box 17A includes a booklet / enlarged continuous shot / mixed original / rotate button (to be pressed when creating a booklet, enlarging continuous printing, printing a manuscript with mixed lengths, and rotating the manuscript. 4A) (hereinafter referred to as “4A button”).

  When the enlarged continuous shooting is performed, the 4A button 4A is pressed. When the 4A button 4A is pressed, the second dialog box 17B shown in FIG. 4B is displayed.

  The second dialog box 17B is provided with a radio button for selecting whether to perform enlarged continuous shooting / create a booklet / do nothing. In FIG. 4B, the enlargement continuous shooting button 4B1 is selected, and the setting for enlargement continuous shooting can be performed, and the enlargement continuous shooting setting screen is displayed. FIG. 4 illustrates the case where the number of output sheets is 9 (3 (vertical) × 3 (horizontal)) enlarged continuous shooting. Therefore, “3 × 3” is selected in the output number pull-down box 4B2. That's fine.

  Further, the second dialog box 17B is provided with a check box 4B3 for automatically setting the document size.

  FIG. 4C shows the first dialog box with the check box 4B3 checked.

  When the check box 4B3 is checked, the logical document size corresponding to the output paper size and the set enlarged continuous shooting is automatically calculated. In this case, the document size pull-down box 4C1 is used. As shown, the logical document size created by the calculated 9 (3 (vertical) × 3 (horizontal)) sheets is displayed.

  Next, FIG. 5 is used to illustrate an example of logical document size calculation.

  FIG. 5A exemplifies the relationship between the output paper size and the logical document size in the case of enlarged continuous shooting.

  FIG. 5A shows the output paper size created with 9 (3 (vertical) × 3 (horizontal)) sheets shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. Shows the logical document size corresponding to the output paper size shown in FIG. The logical document size is the size shown in the document size pull-down box 4C1 shown in FIG.

  FIGS. 5-1 (C) and 5-1 (D) show a case where a large output such as a banner or belt is obtained.

  FIG. 5C shows a case where a large output such as a banner or a belt is obtained by arranging a plurality of output sheets 51C in a line. In this case, conventionally, since the size of the output image itself cannot be defined, it is necessary to create a document with a size different from the standard size such as A4 or A3. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the size of a logical document created with 5 (1 (vertical) × 5 (horizontal)) sheets as shown in FIG. It has come to be. In this case, after “1 × 5” is selected in the output number pull-down box 4B2 shown in FIG. 4B, the logical document size is calculated by checking the check box 4B3. .

  FIG. 5B illustrates the relationship between the output paper size and the logical document size when performing repeated printing. For example, there are many cases in which perforations or the like are included in paper that is output in advance for outputting labels, stickers, business cards, and the like, and the size of the output image is determined. If you try to output multiple images of the same non-standard size repeatedly using paper, it is conventional to create an original with a non-standard original size that matches the size of each page area in advance, and fit it to the paper. It was necessary to make print settings, etc. repeatedly. In the present embodiment, a logical original created by (1/4 (vertical)) × (1/2 (horizontal)) sheets of output paper 52A, as shown by an area 52B in FIG. The size is calculated by the printer driver program 32.

  FIG. 5C illustrates the relationship between the output paper size and the logical document size when performing N-up printing. For example, as shown in FIG. 5-3 (A), when trying to create a spread brochure that folds A4 paper 53A in three, the size of one page (part surrounded by a fold) obtained as a result of the three fold is The length of the short side is 99.0 mm, which is 1/3 of the long side of the A4 size (297.0 mm), and the length of the long side is 210.0 mm. Conventionally, when preparing a manuscript for obtaining the output described above, what paper size is used and what kind of manuscript can be used to obtain the intended print output is determined by the user. Had to understand and set up, and it was very difficult to do the work. In the present embodiment, the size of a logical document created by (1/3 (vertical)) × 1 (horizontal) sheets of output paper 52A as indicated by an area 53B in FIG. It is calculated by the program 32, and it is not necessary for the user to perform difficult work.

  Next, the effect | action of this Embodiment concerning this invention is demonstrated using the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step 100, the operation unit 18 is operated by the user, and the output paper size and the document size are input from the first dialog box 17A shown in FIG.

  Next, in step 102, it is determined whether at least one of the output paper size and the document size is non-standard. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 104. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 112.

  In step 104, switching from the first dialog box 17A to the second dialog box 17B is performed, and the routine proceeds to step 106.

  In step 106, it is determined whether or not the logical document size is to be reduced below the output paper size. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 108, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 110.

  In step 108, a logical document size reduced from the output paper size is calculated, and the process proceeds to step 112.

  In step 110, the logical document size enlarged from the output paper size is calculated, and the process proceeds to step 112.

  In step 112, the calculated logical document size is output to the application.

  The application program 36 displays the window screen 17 having the calculated logical document size on the display 16 in this way. Then, the user creates a document on the window screen 17. The document data of the document created by the user is transmitted to the printer 12, and printing processing in a format desired by the user is performed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is easy to specify the size of a prepared document when obtaining a print output by using a layout function with enlargement / reduction such as N-up printing, repetitive printing, and enlarged continuous shooting. Even if the print output method and size are determined in advance, the same size as the actual print output size can be automatically calculated as the result of specifying various output methods. Can be set.

  Thus, even when the desired image size exceeds the size range that the printer 12 can output, a logical document size that is the same size as the desired size can be defined, so that a document of the same size can be created.

  Even when printing output is performed together with the layout change technique, it is not necessary to perform special magnification change or position correction, and accurate output can be easily obtained.

1 is an overall schematic diagram of a system including a printer and a client PC according to the present embodiment. The main part structure of the electric system of client PC concerning this Embodiment is shown. The functional connection in the client PC concerning this Embodiment is shown. The printer setting dialog box displayed by the printer driver is shown. The relationship between the output paper size and the document size in the case of performing the enlarged continuous shooting according to the present embodiment will be exemplified. The relationship between the output paper size and the document size when performing repetitive printing according to the present embodiment will be exemplified. An example of the relationship between the output paper size and the document size when printing a three-fold printed material according to the present embodiment is illustrated. 4 is a flowchart of an operation by a printer driver according to the present embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 System 12 Printer (image forming device)
14 Client PC (Information processing execution device)
16 Display 17 Window 17A, 17C First dialog box 17B Second dialog box 18 Operation unit (input means)
20 Printer interface 22 Display interface 24 CPU
26 ROM (storage medium)
30 Calculation unit (calculation means)
32 Printer Driver Program (Original Format Setting Control Program)
34 Setting registration section (notification means)
36 Application program (processing program)
38 Control unit

Claims (3)

In an information processing execution apparatus that reads application software stored in advance and executes processing based on a processing program in the application software, a document format is set for document data created by the processing program being executed. A document format setting control device to be set,
Input means for inputting a print format including a size and a shape for specifying at least a print area of a printed matter, which is necessary for performing a printing process by the image forming apparatus;
Calculation means for calculating document input area data for setting the document format according to the print format input by the input unit;
Notifying means for notifying the document input area data calculated by the calculating means as externally dependent data to the processing program being executed;
A document format setting control apparatus, wherein the processing program sets a document format based on the external dependence data notified by the notification means. In an information processing execution apparatus that reads application software stored in advance and executes processing based on a processing program in the application software, a document format is set for document data created by the processing program being executed. An original format setting control method of an original format setting control device to be set,
Input a print format including at least a size and a shape for specifying a print area of a printed matter, which is necessary for performing the printing process by the image forming apparatus,
According to the input print format, calculate document input area data for setting the document format,
By notifying the calculated document input area data as externally dependent data to the processing program being executed,
A document format setting control method, wherein the processing program sets a document format based on the notified external dependence data.   A document format setting control program for realizing the document format setting control method according to claim 2.

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