JP2007235345A - Method for processing information, information processor, and computer-readable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To integrate a plurality of pages of image data by optimum arrangement, in response to the direction and size of each kind of image data, when the plurality of pages of image data are integrated. <P>SOLUTION: The controller 15 of a printer 1 acquires the direction and the size of the plurality of pages of image data preserved in an HDD 12, determines an arrangement pattern in integrating the image data of each page in the output region, based on the acquired direction and size of the image data of each page, and integrates the image data of the pages in the output area, based on the determined arrangement pattern. When the image data have the same direction as and different size from those in the arrangement pattern, the direction of the image data of one of the pages is changed so as to determine the arrangement pattern to integrate the image data of each page in the output region. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing method in an image forming apparatus including a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine, an information processing apparatus applied to the image forming apparatus including the copying machine, the facsimile machine, and the multifunction machine, and a computer-readable recording medium. About.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been an information processing apparatus (for example, see Patent Document 1) that collectively prints a plurality of images to be printed by a plurality of aggregate printings having different division numbers.
In addition, there has been an information processing apparatus that performs collective printing in a designated area of a sheet in consideration of Z-folding (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2005-025512 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-078289

However, the former information processing apparatus described above is designed so that the aggregate number of sheets can be designated in advance, and the latter information processing apparatus is intended for bookbinding in a Z-fold state. However, there is a problem that there is a case that cannot be solved when image data of pages of all directions and sizes are mixed.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to aggregate a plurality of pages of image data in an optimal arrangement according to the direction and size of each image data. To do.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following information processing method, information processing apparatus, and computer-readable recording medium.
(1) An acquisition step of acquiring the direction and size of image data of a plurality of pages, and the image data of each page is aggregated on an output area based on the direction and size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition step. An information processing method comprising: a determining step for determining an arrangement pattern for performing the operation; and an aggregation step for aggregating the image data of each page in the output area based on the arrangement pattern determined by the determining step.

(2) In the information processing method of (1), when the determination step includes the same direction and different sizes of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition step, the image of any one of the pages An information processing method which is a step of determining an arrangement pattern for aggregating the image data of each page on the output area so as to change the data direction.
(3) In the information processing method of (1), when the image data size of each page acquired by the acquisition step is the same and includes different directions, the direction of the image data of each page is maintained. An information processing method which is a step of determining an arrangement pattern for aggregating the image data of each page on the output area.

(4) An acquisition step of acquiring the direction and size of the image data of a plurality of pages, and the image data of each page on a plurality of output areas based on the direction and size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition step Each of the image data of each page based on the arrangement pattern determined by the determination step and the aggregation step of dividing the image data into the respective output areas. Information processing method.
(5) In the information processing method of (4), the determination step determines the direction of each output region when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition step is the same and includes different directions. For aligning the image data of each page on each output area so as to be aligned in the same direction as the image data of the first page of each page and maintaining the direction of the image data of each page. An information processing method which is a step of determining an arrangement pattern.

(6) In the information processing method of (4), the determining step determines the direction of each output region when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquiring step is the same and includes different directions. The image data of each page is arranged on each output area so that the image data of each page is aligned in the same direction as the image data of the first page of the plurality of pages to be aggregated in each output area, and the direction of the image data of each page is maintained. An information processing method, which is a step of determining an arrangement pattern to be divided and aggregated.
(7) In the information processing method according to (4), the determining step determines the direction of each output region when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquiring step is the same and includes different directions. In order to divide and aggregate the image data of each page on each output area so that the direction of the image data occupying the largest number of pages in each page is aligned and the direction of the image data of each page is maintained. An information processing method which is a step of determining an arrangement pattern.

(8) Acquisition means for acquiring the direction and size of the image data of a plurality of pages, and collecting the image data of each page on the output area based on the direction and size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition means An information processing apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines an arrangement pattern for performing the operation; and an aggregation unit that aggregates the image data of each page in the output area based on the arrangement pattern determined by the determination unit.

(9) In the information processing apparatus according to (8), when the determination unit includes the same size and different sizes of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition unit, the image of any one of the pages An information processing apparatus as means for determining an arrangement pattern for aggregating the image data of each page on the output area so as to change the data direction.
(10) In the information processing apparatus according to (8), when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition unit is the same and includes different directions, the determination unit includes the image data of the page. An information processing apparatus which is means for determining an arrangement pattern for aggregating the image data of each page on the output area while maintaining the direction.

(11) An acquisition unit that acquires the direction and size of image data of a plurality of pages, and the image data of each page is divided into a plurality of output areas based on the direction and size of each page acquired by the acquisition unit. An information processing apparatus comprising: a determining unit that determines a layout pattern to be aggregated; and an aggregating unit that aggregates the image data of each page into each output area based on the layout pattern determined by the determining unit .
(12) In the information processing apparatus according to (11), when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition unit is the same and includes different directions, the determination unit determines the direction of each output region. For aligning the image data of each page on each output area so as to be aligned in the same direction as the image data of the first page of each page and maintaining the direction of the image data of each page. An information processing apparatus as means for determining an arrangement pattern.

(13) In the information processing apparatus according to (11), when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition unit is the same and includes different directions, the determination unit determines the direction of each output region. The image data of each page is arranged on each output area so that the image data of each page is aligned in the same direction as the image data of the first page of the plurality of pages to be aggregated in each output area, and the direction of the image data of each page is maintained. An information processing apparatus, which is a means for determining an arrangement pattern for dividing and consolidating each.
(14) In the information processing apparatus of (11), when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition unit is the same and includes different directions, the determination unit determines the direction of each output region. In order to divide and aggregate the image data of each page on each output area so that the direction of the image data occupying the largest number of pages in each page is aligned and the direction of the image data of each page is maintained. An information processing apparatus which is means for determining the arrangement pattern.

(15) An acquisition procedure for acquiring the direction and size of image data of a plurality of pages in a computer, and an output area for outputting the image data of each page based on the direction and size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition procedure Recorded a determination procedure for determining an arrangement pattern for aggregation on top and a program for executing an aggregation procedure for aggregating the image data of each page into the output area based on the arrangement pattern determined by the determination procedure Computer-readable recording medium.

(16) In the computer-readable recording medium according to (15), when the determination procedure includes the same size and different sizes of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition procedure, A computer-readable recording medium which is a procedure for determining an arrangement pattern for aggregating the image data of each page on the output area so as to change the direction of the image data of the page.
(17) In the computer-readable recording medium according to (15), the determination procedure is performed when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition procedure is the same and includes different directions. A computer-readable recording medium which is a procedure for determining an arrangement pattern for aggregating the image data of each page on the output area while maintaining the direction of the image data.

(18) An acquisition procedure for acquiring the direction and size of image data for a plurality of pages in a computer, and a plurality of image data for each page based on the direction and size of the image data for each page acquired by the acquisition procedure. Determination procedure for determining an arrangement pattern to be divided and aggregated on the output area, and an aggregation procedure for dividing the image data of each page into the output areas based on the arrangement pattern determined by the determination procedure The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program for performing this.
(19) In the computer-readable recording medium according to (18), in the determination procedure, when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition procedure is the same and includes different directions, the output regions Are aligned in the same direction as the image data of the first page in each page, and the image data of each page is divided and aggregated on each output area so as to maintain the direction of the image data of each page. A computer-readable recording medium which is a procedure for determining an arrangement pattern to be performed.

(20) In the computer-readable recording medium according to (18), in the determination procedure, when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition procedure is the same and includes different directions, the output regions The image data of each page is arranged in the same direction as the image data of the first page of the plurality of pages that are aggregated in the respective output areas, and the image data of each page is output so as to maintain the direction of the image data of each page. A computer-readable recording medium which is a procedure for determining an arrangement pattern to be divided and aggregated on an area.
(21) In the computer-readable recording medium according to (18), in the determination procedure, when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition procedure is the same and includes different directions, the output regions Are aligned with the direction of the image data occupying the largest number of pages in each page, and the image data of each page is divided into each output area so as to maintain the direction of the image data of each page. A computer-readable recording medium which is a procedure for determining arrangement patterns for aggregation.

In the information processing method and the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, when image data of a plurality of pages is aggregated, it can be aggregated in an optimal arrangement according to the direction and size of each image data.
Furthermore, the computer-readable recording medium of the present invention has a function for allowing a computer to aggregate a plurality of pages of image data in an optimal arrangement according to the direction and size of each image data. Can easily be introduced.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
〔Example〕
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a network system using a printer which is an embodiment of an information processing apparatus of the present invention.
In this network system, a printer 1 and a plurality of personal computers (PCs) 3 and 4 are connected to each other via a network 2 including a local area network (LAN) so that data can be exchanged.
In the figure, only two PCs are shown, and other PCs are not shown.
In addition, although a wired network system is shown in the figure, a wireless network system may be used.

The printer 1 includes a keyboard that inputs various operation information, an input unit 10 that includes a touch panel, a display unit 11 that includes an LCD that displays various types of information, and a hard disk device that stores various types of information including image data of a plurality of pages. HDD) 12, a print engine 13 including a laser system that collects and prints image data of a plurality of pages on a sheet, and a network interface for controlling various data exchanges with the PCs 3 and 4 via the network 2 (I / F) 14, which is realized by a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM and RAM, controls the entire printer 1, and the CPU executes each procedure of the program according to the present invention stored in the ROM or RAM. By executing the steps of the information processing method according to the present invention, the information according to the present invention A controller 15 that performs the function of each means of physical devices.
The controller 15 also includes a buffer memory 16 that develops an output area for collecting a plurality of pages of image data.

Each of the PCs 3 and 4 is realized by a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and has an input unit, a display unit, and a control unit. Ask.
In other words, the printer 1 includes the operation information including the instruction of aggregation printing, the arrangement type at the time of aggregation printing, and the policy information at the time of arrangement from the PCs 3 and 4 connected via the network 2 by the network I / F 14. When image data of a plurality of pages is received, or an instruction for aggregation printing and image data of a plurality of pages of a document to be aggregated printing are received from the PCs 3 and 4, and the user selects the arrangement type and arrangement at the time of aggregation printing from the input unit 10 When the operation information including the policy information is input while confirming on the display unit 11, the controller 15 first writes the image data of each page received from the PCs 3 and 4 to the HDD 12 and temporarily stores it.

  Then, the controller 15 receives the direction and size of the image data of each page stored in the HDD 12 based on the arrangement type at the time of aggregate printing received from the PCs 3 and 4 or input from the input unit 10 and the policy information at the time of arrangement. And determining an arrangement pattern for aggregating the image data of each page on the output area on the buffer memory 16 based on the acquired direction and size of each page, and determining each arrangement pattern based on the determined arrangement pattern. The image data of the page is collected in the output area, and an image based on the image data collected in the output area is printed on the paper by the print engine 13.

  Further, an arrangement pattern for dividing and aggregating the image data of each page on a plurality of output areas on the buffer memory 16 is determined based on the acquired direction and size of each page, and the determined arrangement pattern Based on this, the image data of each page is divided into each output area and aggregated, and an image based on each image data aggregated in each output area is printed on a sheet by the print engine 13.

Next, an arrangement pattern determination process at the time of aggregate printing of the printer 1 of this network system will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an arrangement pattern determination process at the time of aggregate printing of the printer 1 shown in FIG.
This arrangement pattern determination processing is performed by the controller 15 based on the arrangement type at the time of aggregate printing and the policy information at the time of arrangement input from the PCs 3 and 4 or the input unit 10 by the user. This processing is to arrange the image data on the output area when performing collective printing. The policy information is, for example, the number of divisions for creating a plurality of basic arrangement areas when arranging image data of a plurality of pages on the output area and the reduction ratio of each image data.

The controller 15 prepares a new output area on the buffer memory in step (indicated by “S” in the figure) 1, and divides the output area based on the policy information input by the user in step 2. A basic arrangement area is created, and a first arrangement candidate area is selected based on each basic arrangement area. Each of the basic arrangement areas has the same size.
In step 3, it is determined whether or not there is image data to be read out to the HDD. If there is no image data, this process is terminated. If there is, image data of the page to be arranged from the HDD is read in step 4, and in step 5 Determine the direction and size of the image data. This direction is determined for each arrangement type, and the size is determined by the reduction magnification.

In step 6, it is tested whether or not the image data of the page having the determined direction and size can be arranged in the arrangement candidate area. In step 7, it is determined whether or not the image data can be arranged in the arrangement candidate area. This determination is a determination as to whether or not the page image data can be arranged in the arrangement candidate area.
If it is determined in step 7 that it can be placed in the placement candidate area, the image data of the page having the determined direction and size is placed in the placement candidate area in step 8, the next placement candidate area is selected in step 9, and step 10 In step S3, it is determined whether or not there is no arrangement candidate area to be selected in the output area. If not, the process returns to step 3 to determine whether or not there is image data to be read next. .
If there is no arrangement candidate area to be selected in the output area in step 10, the process returns to step 1 to prepare a new output area, and the above processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 7 that it cannot be placed in the placement candidate area, the next placement candidate area is selected in step 9, and it is determined whether or not there is no placement candidate area to be selected in the output area in step 10. For example, the process returns to step 3 to determine whether or not there is image data to be read next. If there is, the above process is repeated, and if there is no data, the process returns to step 1 to prepare a new output area, repeat.

Next, arrangement pattern examples of arrangement types 1 to 5 at the time of collective printing will be described.
(1) First Arrangement Pattern Determination Process for Arrangement Type 1 in Aggregate Printing In this first arrangement pattern determination process, the controller 15 acquires each direction and size from image data of a plurality of pages stored in the HDD 12. When the image data directions of each page are the same and include different sizes, the image data of each page is collected on the output area by changing the direction of the image data of any one of the pages. The arrangement pattern of is determined.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a first arrangement pattern example at the time of collective printing.
For example, when three pages of image data as shown in FIG. 3A are collectively printed, the directions of the first page image data 20, the second page image data 21, and the third page image data 22 are as follows. The first page image data 20 and the second page image data 21 have the same size, and the third page image data 22 is the same as the first page image data 20 and the second page image. The size is larger than the data 21.
The portrait is one of the directions of the page direction, and is an arrangement method in which the short side is horizontal (main scanning direction during printing) and the long side is vertical (sub-scanning direction during printing). This is a so-called vertical arrangement.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the first page image data 20, the second page image data 21, and the third page image data 22 are arranged and aggregated in one output area. The image data 20 of the first page and the image data 21 of the second page are arranged in the upper part of the area 23 with the direction thereof arranged in the portrait, and the direction of the image data 22 of the third page is arranged in the lower part thereof. An arrangement pattern is determined so as to be arranged by rotating 90 ° counterclockwise.

In this way, from the aggregation result on the output area 23, the length of the short sides of the image data 20 of the first page and the image data 21 of the second page (that is, twice the length of the short side). ) Is equal to the length of the long side of the image data 22 of the third page, the size ratio between the small image and the large image can be easily known, and a printed matter in which the actual page relationship is easier to grasp can be obtained.
In addition, since the arrangement pattern is changed based on the direction and size of the page placed in the output area instead of a predetermined arrangement pattern, a printed material that is easier to read can be obtained.

(2) Second Arrangement Pattern Determination Process for Arrangement Type 2 in Arrangement Printing In this second arrangement pattern determination process, the controller 15 acquires each direction and size from the image data of a plurality of pages stored in the HDD 12. If the image data size of each page is the same and includes different directions, an arrangement for collecting the image data of each page on the output area so as to maintain the direction of the image data of each page. Determine the pattern.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a second arrangement pattern example during consolidated printing.
For example, when three pages of image data as shown in FIG. 4A are consolidated and printed, the sizes of the first page image data 30, the second page image data 31, and the third page image data 32 are as follows. All are the same, the direction of the image data 30 of the first page and the image data 31 of the second page are the same portrait, and only the direction of the image data 32 of the third page is a landscape.
The above-mentioned landscape is one of the directions of the page direction, and is an arrangement method in which the short side is vertical (sub-scanning direction during printing) and the long side is horizontal (main scanning direction during printing). This is a so-called horizontal arrangement.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the first page image data 30, the second page image data 31, and the third page image data 32 are arranged and aggregated in one output area. The image data 30 of the first page and the image data 31 of the second page are arranged side by side in the portrait in the upper part of the area 33, and the direction of the image data 32 of the third page is arranged in the lower part thereof. The arrangement pattern is determined so that it is arranged in the landscape.
In this way, it is possible to easily know that the images of each page are the same size from the aggregation result on the output area 33, and it is possible to obtain a printed material that is easy to read with the top and bottom aligned.

(3) Third Arrangement Pattern Determination Process for Arrangement Type 3 at the Time of Integrated Printing This third arrangement pattern determination process is performed by the controller 15 with the arrangement type designation from the PCs 3 and 4 or the input unit 10. The direction and size of the image data of a plurality of pages stored in the HDD 12 are acquired based on the policy information of the page, and the image data of each page is placed on a plurality of output areas based on the direction and size of the image data of each page. Arrangement patterns to be divided and aggregated are determined.
If the acquired image data size of each page is the same and includes different directions, the direction of each output area is aligned with the same direction as the image data of the first page of each page, and the image of each page An arrangement pattern for dividing and consolidating the image data of each page on each output area is determined so as to maintain the data direction.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a third arrangement pattern example during collective printing.
For example, when 6 pages of image data as shown in FIG. 5A are collectively printed, the sizes of the image data 40 to 45 of the first to sixth pages are all the same, and the image of the first page The directions of the data 40 and the image data 42 of the third page are the same landscape, and the directions of the image data 41 of the second page and the image data 43 to 45 of the fourth to sixth pages are the same portrait.

  In order to arrange and aggregate the image data 40 to 45 of the first to sixth pages in a plurality of output areas, as shown in FIG. 5B, the first output area 46 is set to the image of the first page. It is set so that it is aligned with the landmark (horizontal orientation) that is the direction of the data 40, and the first page image data 40 and the third page image data 42 are arranged on the left side of the first output area 46 in the direction of the landscape. The arrangement pattern is determined so that the image data 41 of the second page is arranged in the vertical direction as it is, and the image data 41 of the second page is arranged in the portrait direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, the second output area 47 is set so as to be aligned with a landmark (landscape) that is the direction of the image data 40 of the first page, and the second output area 47 is displayed on the second output area 47. The arrangement pattern is determined so that the image data 43 of the fourth page is arranged with the portrait as it is on the left side, and the image data 44 of the fifth page is arranged with the portrait as it is on the right side.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5D, the third output area 48 is set so as to be aligned with a landmark (horizontal placement) that is the direction of the image data 40 of the first page, and the third output area 48 is displayed on the third output area 48. The arrangement pattern is determined so that the image data 45 of the sixth page is arranged on the left side while maintaining the portrait direction.

6 to 8 are explanatory diagrams of processing for determining the third arrangement pattern at the time of collective printing.
First, when the user inputs operation type 3 as an arrangement type at the time of aggregate printing and operation information for dividing the output area into four parts and reducing the image data of the page to 1/4 as policy information at the time of arrangement. As shown in FIG. 6A, the first output area 46 is set so as to be aligned with a landmark (landscape) that is the direction of the image data 40 of the first page, and the first output area 46 is divided into four areas. It is divided into basic arrangement areas 46a to 46d.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the image data 40 of the first page is arranged in the basic arrangement area 46a which is the first arrangement candidate area with the direction of the top and bottom and the magnification of 1/4.
Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the image data 41 of the second page is arranged in the basic arrangement area 46b which is the next arrangement candidate area with the direction of the top and bottom and the magnification being 1/4, Since it does not fit in, it arrange | positions so that the basic arrangement | positioning area | region 46d may be straddled.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6D, the image data 42 of the third page is arranged in the basic arrangement area 46c which is the next arrangement candidate area with the direction of the top and bottom and the magnification of 1/4.
Then, the image data 43 of the fourth page is to be arranged in the basic arrangement area 46d which is the next arrangement candidate area with the direction of the top-and-bottom direction and a magnification of 1/4, but the image data 41 of the second page has already been used. Since the first output area 46 does not have the next arrangement candidate area after the basic arrangement area 46d, the arrangement pattern of the first output area 46 is determined, and a new second output area is prepared.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7A, the second output area 47 is set so as to be aligned with a landmark (landscape) that is the direction of the image data 40 of the first page, and the second output area 47 is set. As shown in FIG. 7B, the image data 43 of the fourth page is divided into four basic arrangement areas 47a to 47d. If it is arranged in a certain basic arrangement area 47a, it does not fit in that area, so it is arranged so as to straddle the basic arrangement area 47c.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7C, when the image data 44 of the fifth page is arranged in the basic arrangement area 47b which is the next arrangement candidate area with the direction of the top and bottom and the magnification being 1/4, Since it does not fit in, it arrange | positions so that the basic arrangement | positioning area | region 47d may be straddled.
The image data 45 of the sixth page is to be arranged in the basic arrangement area 47c or the basic arrangement area 47d, which is the next arrangement candidate area, in the direction in which the top and bottom are aligned and the magnification is 1/4. Image data 43 and the fifth page image data 44 are used, and the second output area 47 has no next layout candidate area. Therefore, the layout pattern of the second output area 47 is determined, and a new third Prepare an output area.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8A, the third output area 48 is set so as to be aligned with a landmark (landscape) that is the direction of the image data 40 of the first page, and the third output area 48 is set. As shown in FIG. 8B, the image data 45 of the sixth page is divided into four basic arrangement areas 48a to 48d, and the first arrangement candidate area has a magnification of 1/4 and a magnification of 1/4. If it is arranged in a certain basic arrangement area 48a, it does not fit in that area, so it is arranged so as to straddle the basic arrangement area 48c.

Then, since the arrangement of the image data for all pages has been completed, the arrangement pattern of the third output area 48 is determined, and the arrangement pattern determination process ends.
In this way, by using the first page as a reference, it can be aligned horizontally (horizontally) from the consolidated result of all output areas, and the direction of the output area and the top and bottom of each arranged page are aligned, and the entire page is aligned. This makes it possible to obtain a printed material that is more readable in a consistent direction.

(4) Fourth Arrangement Pattern Determination Process in Arrangement Type 4 during Integrated Printing This fourth arrangement pattern determination process is an arrangement pattern input by the controller 15 from the PCs 3 and 4 or the input unit 10 together with the designation of the arrangement type. Based on the policy information, the respective directions and sizes are acquired from the image data of a plurality of pages stored in the HDD 12, and when the sizes of the respective pages are the same and different directions are included, the directions of the plurality of output areas are respectively set. Are aligned in the same direction as the image data of the first page of a plurality of pages to be aggregated in the output area, and the image data of each page is separately aggregated on each output area so as to maintain the direction of the image data of each page. An arrangement pattern is determined.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a fourth arrangement pattern example during collective printing.
For example, when image data for six pages as shown in FIG. 9A is consolidated and printed, the sizes of the image data 50 to 55 on the first to sixth pages are all the same, and the image on the first page The direction of the data 50 and the image data 52 of the third page is the same landscape, and the direction of the image data 51 of the second page and the image data 53 to 55 of the fourth to sixth pages is the same portrait.

  In order to arrange and aggregate the image data 50 to 55 of the first to sixth pages in a plurality of output areas, as shown in FIG. 9B, the first output area 56 is set to the image of the first page. It is set so that it is aligned with the landmark (horizontal orientation) that is the direction of the data 50, and the first page image data 50 and the third page image data 52 are arranged on the left side of the first output area 56. The arrangement pattern is determined so that the image data 51 of the second page is arranged on the right side of the image data 51 as it is in the portrait direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9C, the second output area 57 is set so as to be aligned with the portrait (vertical placement) that is the direction of the image data 53 of the fourth page, and the second output area 57 is The image data 53 for the fourth page and the image data 55 for the sixth page are arranged vertically in the left side with the portrait as the portrait on the left side, and the image data 54 for the fifth page is arranged in the portrait side on the right side. The arrangement pattern is determined as follows.
In this way, by using the first page of each output area as a reference, it is possible to obtain an easy-to-read printed matter in which the order of pages arranged in the same output area is easy to understand.

(5) Fifth Arrangement Pattern Determination Process for Arrangement Type 5 at the Time of Integrated Printing The fifth arrangement pattern determination process is an arrangement pattern input by the controller 15 from the PCs 3 and 4 or the input unit 10 together with the designation of the arrangement type. Based on the policy information, the respective directions and sizes are acquired from the image data of a plurality of pages stored in the HDD 12, and when the sizes of the respective pages are the same and different directions are included, the directions of the plurality of output areas are described above. Alignment is performed in the direction of the image data that occupies the largest number of pages in each page, and the layout pattern for dividing and consolidating the image data of each page on each output area is determined so as to maintain the direction of each page. .

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a fifth arrangement pattern example during consolidated printing.
For example, when 6 pages of image data as shown in FIG. 10A are consolidated and printed, the sizes of the image data 60 to 65 of the first to sixth pages are all the same, and the image of the first page Only the direction of the data 60 is a landscape, and all the directions of the image data 61 to 65 on the second to sixth pages are portraits.

In order to arrange and aggregate the image data 60 to 65 of the first to sixth pages in a plurality of output areas, first, the direction of the plurality of output areas is set to the image data 60 to 65 of the first to sixth pages. The direction of the image data that occupies the most pages among them is set to match the portrait, in this case, the portrait.
Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, the first output area 66 is set to portrait, and the image data 60 of the first page is arranged on the upper side of the first output area 66 in the landscape. Then, the arrangement pattern is determined so that the image data 61 of the second page and the image data 62 of the third page are arranged side by side in the left and right directions while maintaining the portrait.

Also, as shown in FIG. 10C, the second output area 67 is set as a portrait, and the fourth page image data 63 and the fifth page image data 64 are located above the second output area 67. Are arranged side by side on the left and right in the portrait direction, and the arrangement pattern is determined so that the image data 65 of the sixth page is arranged on the lower side in the portrait direction.
In this way, the direction of each output area is determined based on the statistics of the overall page direction, and the top and bottom of each output area is aligned from each output area, resulting in an easy-to-view page image layout pattern as a whole. The output area can be increased, and a printed matter with more easy-to-read pages in the entire document can be obtained.

  The information processing method, information processing apparatus, and computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention can also be applied to image forming apparatuses including desktop computers, personal computers including notebook computers, facsimile machines, copying machines, and multifunction machines. .

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system using a printer which is an embodiment of an information processing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an arrangement pattern determination process at the time of aggregate printing of the printer 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a first arrangement pattern example at the time of collective printing of the printer 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing of the example of the 2nd arrangement pattern at the time of the collective printing of the printer 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a third arrangement pattern example during the collective printing of the printer 1 illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a process for determining a third arrangement pattern at the time of aggregate printing of the printer 1 shown in FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing of the continuation process of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the continuation process of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the example of the 4th arrangement pattern at the time of collective printing of the printer 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a fifth arrangement pattern example during collective printing of the printer 1 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

1: Printer 2: Network 3, 4: PC 10: Input unit 11: Display unit 12: HDD 13: Print engine 14: Network I / F 15: Controller 16: Buffer memory 20, 30, 40, 50, 60: First Image data for one page 21, 31, 41, 51, 61: Image data for the second page 22, 32, 42, 52, 62: Image data for the third page 43, 53, 63: Image data for the fourth page 44 , 54, 64: fifth page image data 45, 55, 65: sixth page image data 46, 56, 66: first output areas 46a-46d, 47a-47d, 48a-48d: basic layout areas 47, 57, 67: second output area 48: third output area

Claims (21)

  An acquisition step of acquiring the direction and size of the image data of a plurality of pages, and when collecting the image data of each page on the output area based on the direction and size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition step An information processing method comprising: a determination step of determining an arrangement pattern; and an aggregation step of aggregating the image data of each page in the output area based on the arrangement pattern determined by the determination step.   In the determination step, when the direction of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition step is the same and includes different sizes, the image of each page is changed by changing the direction of the image data of any one of the pages. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the information processing method is a step of determining an arrangement pattern for aggregating data on the output area.   In the determining step, when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquiring step is the same and includes different directions, the image data of each page is maintained so as to maintain the direction of the image data of each page. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the information processing method is a step of determining an arrangement pattern for aggregation on the output area.   An acquisition step of acquiring the direction and size of image data of a plurality of pages, and the image data of each page is divided into a plurality of output areas based on the direction and size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition step. And determining a layout pattern to be aggregated, and an aggregation process of dividing the image data of each page into the respective output areas based on the layout pattern determined by the determination process. Information processing method.   In the determining step, when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquiring step is the same and includes different directions, the direction of each output area is the same as the image data of the first page in each page It is a step of determining an arrangement pattern for dividing and aggregating the image data of each page on each of the output areas so as to keep the direction of the image data of each page and to keep the direction of the image data of each page. The information processing method according to claim 4.   In the determination step, when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition step is the same and includes different directions, the top of the plurality of pages that consolidate the directions of the output regions into the respective output regions Determining an arrangement pattern for arranging the image data of each page separately on each output area so as to be aligned in the same direction as the image data of the page and maintaining the direction of the image data of each page; The information processing method according to claim 4, wherein:   In the determination step, when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition step is the same and includes different directions, the direction of each output area is the image data that occupies the largest number of pages in each page. And determining an arrangement pattern for dividing and aggregating the image data of each page on each of the output areas so as to maintain the direction of the image data of each page. The information processing method according to claim 4.   An acquisition unit that acquires the direction and size of image data of a plurality of pages, and a method for collecting the image data of each page on an output area based on the direction and size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition unit An information processing apparatus comprising: a determining unit that determines an arrangement pattern; and an aggregating unit that aggregates the image data of each page into the output area based on the arrangement pattern determined by the determining unit.   When the direction of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition unit is the same and includes different sizes, the determining unit changes the direction of the image data of any one of the pages so as to change the image of each page. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the information processing apparatus is means for determining an arrangement pattern for collecting data on the output area.   When the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition unit is the same and includes different directions, the determining unit obtains the image data of each page by maintaining the direction of the image data of each page. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the information processing apparatus is means for determining an arrangement pattern to be aggregated on the output area.   An acquisition unit that acquires the direction and size of image data of a plurality of pages, and the image data of each page is divided into a plurality of output areas based on the direction and size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition unit. Determining means for determining an arrangement pattern to be aggregated, and an aggregation means for dividing the image data of each page into the respective output areas based on the arrangement pattern determined by the determining means. A characteristic information processing apparatus.   When the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition unit is the same and includes different directions, the determination unit has the same direction of each output area as the image data of the first page in each page It is a means for determining an arrangement pattern for dividing and aggregating the image data of each page on each of the output areas so as to align the directions and maintain the direction of the image data of each page. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11.   The determination means, when the image data size of each page acquired by the acquisition means is the same and includes different directions, the head of the plurality of pages that consolidate the direction of each output area into each output area Means for determining an arrangement pattern for aligning the image data of each page on the respective output areas so as to be aligned in the same direction as the image data of the page and maintaining the direction of the image data of each page; The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein:   When the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition unit is the same and includes different directions, the determining unit determines the direction of each output area as the image data that occupies the largest number of pages in each page. And a means for determining an arrangement pattern for dividing and aggregating the image data of each page on each of the output areas so as to maintain the direction of the image data of each page. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11.   An acquisition procedure for acquiring the direction and size of image data of a plurality of pages in a computer, and collecting the image data of each page on an output area based on the direction and size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition procedure A computer-readable recording of a program for executing a determination procedure for determining an arrangement pattern at the time of performing and an aggregation procedure for aggregating the image data of each page in the output area based on the arrangement pattern determined by the determination procedure Possible recording media.   In the determination procedure, when the direction of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition procedure is the same and includes different sizes, the image of each page is changed by changing the direction of the image data of any one of the pages. 16. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 15, which is a procedure for determining an arrangement pattern for aggregating data on the output area.   In the determination procedure, when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition procedure is the same and includes different directions, the image data of each page is stored so as to maintain the direction of the image data of each page. 16. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 15, which is a procedure for determining an arrangement pattern for aggregation on the output area.   An acquisition procedure for acquiring the direction and size of image data of a plurality of pages on a computer, and the image data of each page on a plurality of output areas based on the direction and size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition procedure A determination procedure for determining an arrangement pattern to be divided and aggregated, and an aggregation procedure for dividing the image data of each page into the respective output areas based on the arrangement pattern determined by the determination procedure A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing the program to be recorded is recorded.   In the determination procedure, when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition procedure is the same and includes different directions, the direction of each output area is the same as the image data of the first page in each page It is a procedure for determining an arrangement pattern for dividing and aggregating the image data of each page on each of the output areas so as to maintain the direction of the image data of each page and to keep the direction of the image data of each page. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 18.   In the determination procedure, when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition procedure is the same and includes different directions, the heads of the plurality of pages that consolidate the directions of the output regions into the respective output regions Procedure for determining an arrangement pattern for dividing and aggregating the image data of each page on each of the output areas so as to be aligned in the same direction as the image data of the page and maintaining the direction of the image data of each page The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 18, wherein: In the determination procedure, when the size of the image data of each page acquired by the acquisition procedure is the same and includes different directions, the direction of each output area is the image data that occupies the largest number of pages in each page. And the arrangement pattern for dividing and aggregating the image data of each page on each of the output areas so as to maintain the direction of the image data of each page. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 18.

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