JP2009237695A - Information processor, image forming apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To create a document which reduces eye movement of a viewer when printing images on a document having a plurality of pages on one page of a sheet. <P>SOLUTION: An information processor is provided with: a page number designation part 201 for designating the number N of pages; an image data generation part 202 for equally dividing a virtual region for one page of a sheet into N rectangular regions having the same aspect ratio as the sheet, creating a connected virtual region obtained by vertically connecting two virtual regions, successively arranging images reduced or enlarged into a size to be inserted into the rectangular regions from the right edge or left edge rectangular region in the connected virtual region from the top to the bottom in each rectangular region in the order of pages of a document, and generating image data obtained by inserting new page information into each virtual region; and an image data processing part 203 for rotating the images of the odd-number-th virtual regions by 180 degrees, and for prepending a prescribed image for one page. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a program.

When browsing the document on the screen of the information processing apparatus, the movement of the viewer's viewpoint can be minimized by moving the display target area in the vertical direction using the scroll function. In particular, in the case of a document that originally does not have page break information, such as an HTML document or a text file describing a source code, it is possible to view a document image that is not continuous in the vertical direction by the scroll function.
However, when this document is printed, the viewpoint has to be moved from the end of the preceding page to the beginning of the succeeding page every time the page is turned, so that the movement of the viewpoint is increased as compared with the case of scroll display on the screen. In addition, since the document is divided for each sheet of paper, unnecessary page breaks occur in the HTML document or source code.

  As a contrivance to reduce the movement of the viewpoint, it is conceivable to use a so-called aggregate printing function that prints a document for a plurality of pages side by side on one sheet of paper. If this function is used, the number of page turns is reduced, so that the movement of the viewpoint can be reduced.

A technique using aggregate printing is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. In the embodiment described in Patent Document 1, when four pages are printed on both sides of a sheet, the front (front) surface includes the first, third, and third in the order of upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right. 5 and 7 pages are printed, and the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th pages are rotated 180 degrees and printed on the back side of each page. Then, the sheet is cut into four at the boundary line between the pages, and the upper ends are bound in the order of the first, third, fifth, and seventh pages. If a booklet is created in this way, the image on the back side can be viewed in the correct orientation when the page is turned.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-228362

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of creating a document with less movement of a viewer's viewpoint as compared with the related art when printing a plurality of pages of document images per page.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the page number designating unit for designating the value of N when printing N pages of document images per page and the virtual area for one page of the paper is the same as the paper. The connected virtual region is created by dividing the virtual region into two equal parts by vertically dividing the virtual region into two rectangular regions having an aspect ratio, and the connected image is reduced or enlarged to a size that can be inserted into the rectangular region. Image data that is arranged in the order of the pages of the document in each rectangular area from the top to the bottom of each column in order from the leftmost or rightmost rectangular area column in the virtual area, and page break information is inserted for each virtual area The image data generating means for generating the image data, and the image data generated by the image data generating means rotate the image of the odd-numbered virtual area from the top by 180 degrees, and a predetermined image for one page at the top. Image data processing means for performing an input process; and a print instruction means for outputting an instruction to double-side print an image based on the image data processed by the image data processing means on the paper. An information processing apparatus is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the print instructing unit outputs an instruction to staple the upper end of the bundle of the two-sided printed paper with staples. .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a number-of-pages designating unit for designating the value of N when N-page document images are printed side by side per page, and the total number of pages of the document is divided by the N. The number calculation means for calculating a value M obtained by rounding up the decimal point, the virtual area for one page of the paper is divided into N equal rectangular areas having the same aspect ratio as the paper, and M virtual areas are vertically divided. Create connected linked virtual areas, and reduce or expand the image to a size that can be inserted into the rectangular areas, from the top or bottom of each column in order from the leftmost or rightmost rectangular area column in the connected virtual area. On the other hand, image data generating means for generating image data in which the page information of the document is arranged in each rectangular area and inserting page break information for each virtual area, and based on the image data generated by the image data generating means. Ku to provide an information processing apparatus characterized by having a print instruction means for outputting an instruction to the one-sided printing on the paper image.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the image data processing means performs a process of reducing a margin between documents in each column of the rectangular area. Features.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the type discrimination unit that discriminates the type of the document when the value of N is designated by the page number designation unit. When the document does not correspond to a specific type as a result of the discrimination by the type discriminating unit, the image data generating unit converts the virtual area for one page of the paper into a rectangle having the same aspect ratio as that of the paper. Generating the image data in which the image divided into N areas and reduced or enlarged to a size that can be inserted into the rectangular area is arranged in each rectangular area in the order of the pages of the document; An instruction to print an image based on the image data generated by the data generation unit on the paper is output.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a number-of-pages designating unit for designating the value of N when printing N pages of document images per page, and an image for reading the document and inputting the document image An input means and a virtual area for one page of the paper are divided into N equal rectangular areas having the same aspect ratio as the paper, and a connected virtual area is created by connecting the virtual areas vertically, and the rectangular area The image reduced or enlarged to a size that can be inserted into each of the rectangular regions at the left end or the right end of the connected virtual region in order from the top to the bottom of each column, the page of the document in each rectangular region. An image data generation unit that generates image data in which page break information is inserted for each virtual region, and an odd-numbered virtual region from the top of the image data generated by the image data generation unit. Image data processing means for performing processing of rotating the image 180 degrees and inserting a predetermined image for one page at the top, and duplex printing on the paper based on the image data processed by the image data processing means An image forming apparatus is provided.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a number-of-pages designating unit for designating the value of N when N-page document images are printed side by side on one sheet of paper, and the total number of pages of the document is divided by the N. , A sheet number calculating means for calculating a value M rounded up after the decimal point, an image input means for reading the document and inputting an image of the document, and a virtual area for one page of the paper having the same aspect ratio as that of the paper. A connected virtual area obtained by dividing the rectangular area into N equal parts and connecting the M virtual areas vertically is created, and the image reduced or enlarged to a size that can be inserted into the rectangular area is displayed at the left end of the connected virtual area. Alternatively, an image for generating image data in which the page data of each document is inserted in each rectangular area in the order of the page of the document from the top of the rectangular area to the bottom in the order of the rightmost rectangular area. data And forming means, to provide an image forming apparatus, comprising an image output means for simplex printing an image based on the image data by the image data generating unit has generated to the sheet.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a page number designating unit for designating the value of N when the information processing apparatus prints N pages of document images side by side on one page of paper, and a virtual area for one page of paper. Is divided into N equal parts into a rectangular area having the same aspect ratio as the paper, a connected virtual area is created by connecting the virtual areas vertically and the size is reduced or enlarged to a size that can be inserted into the rectangular area. Images are arranged in the order of the pages of the document in each rectangular area from the top to the bottom of each column in order from the column of the leftmost or rightmost rectangular area in the connected virtual area, and the page break information for each virtual area Image data generating means for generating image data into which the image data is inserted; and the image data generated by the image data generating means is rotated by 180 degrees for the image of the odd-numbered virtual area from the head, and one page at the head And an image data processing unit that performs processing for inserting a predetermined image, and a print instruction unit that outputs an instruction to print on both sides of the image based on the image data processed by the image data processing unit. A program characterized by this is provided.

  The invention according to claim 9 is directed to a page number designating unit for designating the value of N when the information processing apparatus prints N pages of document images side by side on a sheet of paper, and the total number of pages of the document. After dividing by N, the number calculation means for calculating a value M obtained by rounding up the decimal part, and the virtual area for one page of the paper is divided into N equal rectangular areas having the same aspect ratio as the paper, and the virtual area Are created by connecting M images vertically, and reducing or enlarging the image to a size that can be inserted into the rectangular region, in order from the column of the rectangular region at the left end or the right end of the connected virtual region. An image data generation unit that generates image data in which page break information is inserted for each virtual region and arranged in the order of the pages of the document in each rectangular region from top to bottom, and generated by the image data generation unit Shi It provides a program for causing to function image based on the image data as a print instruction means for outputting an instruction to the one-sided printing on the paper.

According to the first, third, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth aspects of the present invention, when a plurality of pages of document images are printed side by side per page, a document with less movement of the viewer's viewpoint than in the past is used. Can be created.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to create a booklet of a document with less movement of the viewer's viewpoint than before.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to create a document in which the break between pages is less conspicuous than in the past.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to save the operator from having to select a process according to the type of document.

<First Embodiment>
The first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 100 are connected via a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  First, the information processing apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the information processing apparatus 100. The information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, and a storage unit 104. The storage unit 104 is, for example, a hard disk drive, and stores an OS (Operating System), application programs, and the like. The ROM 102 stores an IPL (Initial Program Loader), and when the information processing apparatus 100 is turned on, the CPU 101 executes the IPL, whereby the OS is read from the storage unit 104. Then, each part of the information processing apparatus 100 is controlled by the CPU 101 executing the OS. The RAM 103 is used as a work area when the CPU 101 executes various programs.

A communication I / F (Interface) 105 is connected to the LAN and mediates data exchange between the information processing apparatus 100 and the image forming apparatus 1.
The information processing apparatus 100 includes a keyboard 106 and a mouse 107, and an operator can input instructions to the information processing apparatus 100 by operating them. In addition, a display device 110 having a liquid crystal display screen, for example, is connected to the information processing apparatus 100.

  The storage unit 104 stores a program W for causing the information processing apparatus 100 to function as a word processor that creates document data. When the operator inputs an instruction to execute the program W to the information processing apparatus 100, the CPU 101 starts executing the program W. Then, a window for creating a document is displayed on the screen of the display device 110. The operator can create a document on the screen by operating the keyboard 106 and the mouse 107. When the operator inputs an instruction to save the document, the CPU 101 generates document data representing the created document and writes it in the storage unit 104.

  The storage unit 104 stores a program B that realizes a browser function and a program E that realizes a text editor function. By executing the program B, an HTML document can be displayed based on HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) data. By executing the program E, it is possible to edit a document consisting only of a character string, such as a source code.

  Further, the storage unit 104 stores a printer driver PD that is a program for designating printing conditions to be performed by the image forming apparatus 1. When the operator inputs a printing instruction using a menu displayed during execution of the programs W, B, E, etc., the CPU 101 starts execution of the printer driver PD and displays a menu for specifying printing conditions on the display device 110. On the screen. When the operator inputs a print instruction after specifying conditions on the screen, the document data is converted into image data described in a page description language. This image data describes character information, bitmap-format image information representing a picture, layout information representing a layout of characters and pictures, and the like. Then, the CPU 101 adds condition data representing the designated condition to the image data and transmits the image data to the image forming apparatus 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functions realized by the CPU 101 executing the printer driver PD.
The page number designating unit 201 is an example of a page number designating unit that designates the number of pages in aggregate printing, that is, the value of N when printing N pages of document images per page.

Specifically, it is as follows.
FIG. 4 is a window for inputting printing conditions that is displayed first when the CPU 101 executes the printer driver PD. When “Properties” is clicked, the window of FIG. 5 is displayed. The “collectively one” list box is provided for designating the value of N when printing N pages of documents per page, and when this is clicked, as shown in FIG. A list specifying the number is displayed. N is 2 to the power of n (n is a natural number), that is, N = 2, 4, 8, 16, or 32 can be specified. For example, “4 up” indicates that four pages of documents per page are printed side by side.

When the number of pages is designated, a “printing direction” list box is displayed as shown in FIG. Clicking this list box displays a list that specifies the print direction. When the fifth “spread continuous arrangement” from the top of the list is specified and “OK” is clicked, the image data generation unit 202 performs the following processing.

  The image data generation unit 202 divides the virtual area for one page of the paper into N equal rectangular areas having the same aspect ratio as the paper, and creates a connected virtual area in which the virtual areas are connected vertically. The image reduced or enlarged to a size that can be inserted into the rectangular area, in order from the top to the bottom of each column in order from the left end or right end rectangular area column in the connected virtual region, It is an example of image data generation means for generating image data arranged in the document page order and inserting page break information for each virtual area.

Specifically, it is as follows.
The virtual area is a virtual plane for one page of paper.
The paper size is the size specified in the “output paper size” list box in the window shown in FIG. As the default value, “same as document size” is set, and when the operator does not specify the output paper size, the size displayed in the “document size” list box is set as it is. “Original size” is a size set for a document being displayed by an application (any one of programs W, B, and E). Note that the documents displayed by the programs B and E have no page break information, but the paper size for printing the documents is set. In this example, JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) A4 version portrait orientation (297 mm long, 210 mm wide) is designated as the document size of the document, and this is used as the output paper size. In the present embodiment, the document is written horizontally.

  The image data generation unit 202 divides this virtual area into N equal parts into rectangular areas having the same aspect ratio as the paper (in the case of A4, length: width = 297: 210). As a result of designating the aspect ratio of the rectangular area, whether the virtual area becomes vertically long or horizontally is uniquely determined by the value of N. That is, as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8C, and 8E, when N = 2, 8, and 32, the image is horizontally long. As shown in FIGS. 8B and 8D, when N = 4 and 16 Becomes vertically long.

  Next, the image data generation unit 202 creates a connected virtual region in which the above virtual regions are connected vertically. In this example, the connected virtual area is composed of 2N rectangular areas. The image data generation unit 202 arranges each page of the document in each of the rectangular areas, but the document is not necessarily created according to the size of the rectangular area, so the document is reduced or enlarged. .

  For example, assuming that the document size of a document created by an application is A4 size, in order to insert it into the rectangular area, the size of each page of the document is divided by two. to shrink. The reduction ratio (or enlargement ratio) varies depending on the document size set in the document, the output paper size specified by the printer driver PD, and the page number N specified by the page number specification unit 201, and the value is known. It is. For example, in the above example, it is the reciprocal of N 1/2.

  When the document is reduced or enlarged as described above, the image data generation unit 202 reduces or enlarges the document after reduction or enlargement from the top to the bottom of each column in order from the column of the leftmost rectangular region in the connected virtual region. Are arranged in page order in each rectangular area. As a result, 2N pages of documents are arranged for one linked virtual area. The image data generation unit 202 arranges 2N pages from the beginning of the document in the linked virtual area, and repeats this until all the pages of the document are arranged. Then, the image data generation unit 202 inserts page break information for each virtual area, that is, for one page of paper, and generates image data in a page description language.

An image data processing unit 203 rotates the image of the odd-numbered virtual area from the top by 180 degrees with respect to the image data generated by the image data generation unit, and inserts a predetermined image for one page at the top. It is an example of the image data processing means to apply.
Specifically, the image data processing unit 203 rotates the image of the first, third, fifth,... Page of the image data generated by the image data generation unit 202 by 180 degrees, and adds one page to the top of the image data. Minutes of images are inserted, and page break information is inserted at the end of the page. The image inserted here may be a blank image or an image created in advance as a cover of a booklet. As a result, the image data is obtained by rotating an even page image by 180 degrees.

  The print instruction unit 204 is an example of a print instruction unit that outputs an instruction to double-side print an image based on the image data processed by the image data processing unit on the paper. Specifically, the print instruction unit 204 transmits a print instruction to the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN. This print job is data indicating that the image forming apparatus 1 is instructed to perform printing based on the image data processed by the image data processing unit 203, and includes a double-sided printing instruction in addition to the image data. It is.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.
The control unit 4 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 44, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 45, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 46. The storage unit 5 is, for example, a hard disk drive, and stores an OS (Operating System), application programs, and the like. The ROM 45 stores an IPL (Initial Program Loader), and when the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, the CPU 44 executes the IPL, whereby the OS is read onto the RAM 46. Then, the CPU 44 controls the image forming apparatus 1 by executing the OS.

  The instruction receiving unit 41 includes a display unit 39 and a key input unit 40. The display unit 39 is a liquid crystal display screen, for example, and displays an image representing an operation menu. Further, the display unit 39 includes a sensor for recognizing a region touched by the operator on the screen, and the menu item touched by the operator is specified by this sensor. The key input unit 40 includes start, stop, and reset keys and a numeric keypad. By using the instruction receiving unit 41, the operator can specify the size and orientation of the recording medium (paper) 10, the number of copies, the contents of image quality adjustment, and the like. The instruction received by the instruction receiving unit 41 is sent to the CPU 44, and the CPU 44 controls the image forming apparatus 1 according to the sent instruction.

  A communication I / F (Interface) 48 is connected to a communication network (not shown) such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and the image forming apparatus according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). Mediates communication between 1 and other devices.

  A cover 51 covering the platen glass 2 is provided with a document feeder 52. The document feeder 52 includes a document table 53 on which a document is placed, a roller 54 that feeds documents placed on the document table 53 one by one, and a roller 55 that guides the sent document onto the platen glass 2. The originals placed one on top of another can be conveyed onto the platen glass 2 one by one.

  The image input unit 12 optically reads a document and generates an image signal. Specifically, the light source 13 irradiates light on the document placed on the platen glass 2, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving unit 17 through the optical system 3 including the mirrors 14, 15 and 16. . The light receiving unit 17 includes a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and the reflected light is converted into three pieces of image data each representing an image of R (Red) color, G (Green) color, and B (Blue) color. Convert.

  The image processing unit 18 performs image processing such as color conversion, enlargement / reduction, background removal, and binarization on the input image data. In color conversion, an image composed of R, G, and B colors is decomposed into images composed of Y (Yellow), M (Magenta), C (Cyan), and K (Black) colors. Image data representing each received image is generated. The image data subjected to the image processing is read at a predetermined timing and supplied to the image output unit 6.

  The image output unit 6 includes image forming engines 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K, a transfer belt 8, a fixing device 11, and the like. The image forming engines 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K are respectively based on the image data supplied from the image processing unit 18 by an electrophotographic method, Y (Yellow) color, M (Magenta) color, C (Cyan) color, A K (Black) toner image is formed on the surface of the transfer belt 8 so as to overlap.

  A plurality of medium supply units 9 are provided and contain recording media 10 of different sizes. The recording medium 10 is paper, for example. When the toner image is formed on the surface of the transfer belt 8, the CPU 44 corresponds to one of the medium supply unit 9 according to the size specified by the operator using the instruction receiving unit 41 or the size determined based on the image data. The roller 33 is rotated to feed the recording medium 10 one by one. The sent recording medium 10 is conveyed along the conveyance path 36 by roller pairs 34, 35, and 37.

A predetermined voltage is applied to the transfer roller 30. The transfer belt 8 is circulated and driven in the direction of arrow B, and in synchronization with the toner image formed on the surface thereof approaching the transfer roller 30, the transfer roller 30 passes through the transfer belt 8 with a predetermined load. To form a contact area. Then, the recording medium 10 enters this contact area. The toner image on the transfer belt 8 is transferred to the surface of the recording medium 10 (secondary transfer) by the action of the electric field applied to the transfer roller 30 and the pressurization in the contact area.
The recording medium 10 on which the toner image is transferred is guided to the fixing device 11 by the roller pair 31. The fixing device 11 fixes the toner image on the surface of the recording medium 10 by heating and pressing the recording medium 10.

  A guide member 35 for determining the conveyance path of the recording medium 10 is provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 11, and a plate large enough to load the maximum size recording medium 10 is further provided on the downstream side thereof. A plurality of medium discharge portions 32 having a shape member are provided. The upper medium discharge unit 32 only discharges the recording medium 10. The lower medium discharge unit 32 has a post-processing function such as stapling, and the recording medium 10 is discharged to the lower medium discharge unit 32 only when the operator designates post-processing using the instruction receiving unit 41. Thus, the direction of the guide member 35 is changed.

  The image forming apparatus 1 has a function as an e-printer in addition to a function as a copying machine. When image data described in a page description language or the like is transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN, the CPU 44 converts the received image data into image data in a bitmap format and sends it to the image output unit 6. Supply. If any image processing is designated by the transmission source information processing apparatus, the image processing unit 18 performs image processing on the image data in accordance with the designation.

Next, operations of the information processing apparatus 100 and the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
In this description, the operation when the operator starts the printer driver PD after creating a document using a text editor will be described. The created document is 13 pages for the A4 version.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flow of processing performed by the CPU 101 by executing the printer driver PD.
First, the operator selects “print” from the menu of the text editor. Then, the CPU 101 activates the printer driver PD and executes the following processing.
In step A 01, the CPU 101 displays a condition input window shown in FIG. 4 on the screen of the display device 110. When the operator clicks “property”, the CPU 101 displays a window shown in FIG.

Subsequently, when the operator clicks on the “collectively one” list box, the process proceeds to step A02.
In step A02, the page number designating unit 201 displays a list for designating the page number as shown in FIG. When the operator clicks on the desired number of pages, the page number designation unit 201 switches the display in the list box to the designated content and displays the window of FIG. In this example, 4 pages are designated as the number of pages. Then, the operator designates “two-page spread continuous arrangement” in the “printing direction” list box and clicks “OK”. In this example, default values are used for items other than those described above.

In step A03, the image data generation unit 202 generates image data for aggregate printing.
First, the image data generation unit 202 divides a virtual area for one page of A4 size paper into four equal areas into a rectangular area having the same aspect ratio as the A4 size portrait orientation. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8B, the virtual area is divided into four rectangular areas. The image data generation unit 202 creates a connected virtual region in which the virtual regions are vertically connected.

Subsequently, the image data generation unit 202 sequentially shifts each page of the document reduced in half in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction from the top to the bottom of each column in order from the leftmost rectangular region column in the linked virtual region. In the rectangular area, pages are arranged in the order of pages. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the first to fourth pages are arranged in the left column of the first connected virtual area, and the fifth to eighth pages are arranged in the right column. The ninth to twelfth pages are arranged in the left column of the second connected virtual area, and the thirteenth page is arranged in the right column.
Then, the image data generation unit 202 inserts page break information for each virtual area, that is, for one page of paper, and generates image data in a page description language.

  In step A04, the image data processing unit 203 rotates the images of the first and third pages of the image data generated by the image data generation unit 202 by 180 degrees, inserts an image for one page at the head of the image data, Insert page break information at the end of the page. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the image of the even page is rotated 180 degrees.

In step A05, the print instruction unit 204 transmits a double-sided print instruction based on the image data processed by the image data processing unit 203 to the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN.
The CPU 44 of the image forming apparatus 1 supplies the image data included in the received print instruction to the image output unit 6 and also gives the image output unit 6 an instruction to print on both sides of the paper.
As a result, the images shown in FIGS. 12 (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) are respectively the front of the first sheet, the back of the first sheet, and the second sheet. Is printed on the front of the second paper, the back of the second paper, and the front of the third paper.

  The sheets printed in this way are sequentially stacked, and the operator binds the upper end of the bundle with staples or the like. When the cover of this booklet is turned, the back image appears in the correct orientation as shown in FIG. Further, the first to fourth pages of the document are arranged in the left column and the fifth to eighth pages are arranged in the page order from the top to the bottom on the right side over the two pages of the spread.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, differences of the present embodiment from the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating functions realized by the CPU 101 executing the printer driver PD.

The page number designating unit 301 is an example of a page number designating unit that designates the number of pages in aggregate printing, that is, the value of N when printing N pages of document images per page.
Specifically, when the operator designates the number of pages in the same procedure as in FIGS. 4 to 6 of the first embodiment and clicks the “printing direction” list box, the printing direction is changed as shown in FIG. The list to be specified is displayed. When the fifth “all page continuous arrangement” from the top of the list is designated and “OK” is clicked, the number calculation unit 305 performs the following processing.

The sheet number calculation unit 305 is an example of a sheet number calculation unit that calculates a value M obtained by dividing the total number of pages of the document by N and then rounding up the number after the decimal point.
Specifically, the number calculating unit 305 divides the total number of pages of the document by the value of N specified by the page number specifying unit 301, and then obtains a value M obtained by rounding up the number after the decimal point. For example, if the total number of pages is 13 and N is 4, M is 4. In other words, M is the number of sheets necessary for single-sided printing of N pages of documents per page.

The image data generation unit 302 equally divides the virtual area for one page of the paper into N rectangular areas having the same aspect ratio as the paper, and creates a connected virtual area by vertically connecting the M virtual areas. The image reduced or enlarged to a size that can be inserted into the rectangular area, in order from the top to the bottom of each column in order from the left end or right end rectangular area column in the connected virtual region, It is an example of image data generation means for generating image data arranged in the document page order and inserting page break information for each virtual area.
Specifically, it is as follows.

Similar to the image data generation unit 202 of the first embodiment, the image data generation unit 302 divides the virtual area into N equal areas that have the same aspect ratio as the paper.
Next, the image data generation unit 302 creates a connected virtual region in which M virtual regions are connected vertically. In this example, the connected virtual area is composed of MN rectangular areas. The image data generation unit 302 reduces or enlarges each page of the document as in the first embodiment, and reduces or enlarges each column from the top to the bottom in order from the column of the leftmost rectangular region in the connected virtual region. The subsequent document is arranged in each rectangular area in page order. Then, the image data generation unit 302 inserts page break information for each virtual area, that is, for one page of paper, and generates image data in a page description language.

The print instruction unit 304 is an example of a print instruction unit that outputs an instruction to print an image based on the image data generated by the image data generation unit on the sheet.
Specifically, the print instruction unit 304 transmits a print instruction to the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN. This print job is data indicating that the image forming apparatus 1 is instructed to perform printing based on the image data processed by the image data generation unit 302, and includes an instruction for single-sided printing in addition to the image data. It is.

Next, operations of the information processing apparatus 100 and the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
In this description, the operation when the operator starts the printer driver PD after creating a document using a text editor will be described. The created document is 13 pages for the A4 version.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a flow of processing performed by the CPU 101 by executing the printer driver PD.
First, the operator selects “print” from the menu of the text editor. Then, the CPU 101 activates the printer driver PD and executes the following processing.
In step B01, the CPU 101 displays the window shown in FIG. When the operator clicks “property”, the CPU 101 displays a window shown in FIG.

Subsequently, when the operator clicks on the “collectively one” list box, the process proceeds to step B02.
In step B02, the page number designating unit 301 displays a list for designating the page number as shown in FIG. When the operator clicks on the desired number of pages, the page number designation unit 301 switches the display in the list box to the designated content, and displays the window of FIG. In this example, 4 pages are designated as the number of pages. Then, the operator designates “all-page continuous printing” in the “printing direction” list box and clicks “OK”. In this example, default values are used for items other than those described above.
In step B03, the number calculating unit 305 calculates the value of M.

In step B04, the image data generation unit 302 generates image data.
First, the image data generation unit 302 divides a virtual area for one page of A4 size paper into four equal areas into a rectangular area having the same aspect ratio as the A4 size portrait orientation. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8B, the virtual area is divided into four rectangular areas. The image data generation unit 202 creates a connected virtual region in which M virtual regions are connected vertically.

Subsequently, the image data generation unit 302 sequentially shifts each page of the document reduced in half in the vertical and horizontal directions from the top to the bottom of each column in order from the column of the leftmost rectangular region in the connected virtual region. In the rectangular area, pages are arranged in the order of pages. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17, the first to eighth pages are arranged in the left column of the connected virtual area, and the ninth to thirteenth pages are arranged in the right column.
Then, the image data generation unit 302 inserts page break information for each virtual area, that is, for one page of paper, and generates image data in a page description language.

In step B05, the print instruction unit 304 transmits a single-sided print instruction based on the image data generated by the image data generation unit 302 to the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN.
The CPU 44 of the image forming apparatus 1 supplies image data included in the received print instruction to the image output unit 6 and gives an instruction to the image output unit 6 to print on one side of the paper.
As a result, the images shown in FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D are printed on the first, second, third, and fourth sheets, respectively.
When the papers printed in this way are connected vertically with, for example, an adhesive tape or the like, as shown in FIG. 17, the first to eighth pages of the document in the left column and the right side in the fourth page as shown in FIG. Ninth to thirteenth pages are arranged in page order from top to bottom.

The present invention is not limited to the form described above, and can be implemented in various forms. For example, the embodiment described above can be modified as follows.
<Modification 1>
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the information processing apparatus 100 generates image data for aggregate printing has been described. However, the image input unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 reads a document, and the image forming apparatus applies the generated image data to the image forming apparatus. 1 may perform the same processing as the information processing apparatus 100 for printing.
That is, the CPU 44 causes the display unit 39 of the instruction receiving unit 41 to display a screen that allows the same input as that indicated in steps A01 to 02 (or B01 to B02), and the operator inputs an instruction. Subsequently, the image input unit 12 is caused to read the document. Then, the CPU 44 performs processing similar to steps A03 to 04 (or B03 to 04) on the generated image data to generate image data for aggregate printing, and supplies this image data to the image output unit 6. To do.

<Modification 2>
In the first embodiment, an example is shown in which an operator binds a bundle of sheets printed on both sides. However, if the medium discharge unit 32 of the image forming apparatus has a staple binding function, this is used. It may be. In other words, the print instruction unit outputs an instruction to staple the upper end of the bundle of sheets printed on both sides with staples. Specifically, when the print instruction unit 204 transmits a print instruction, the print instruction added with an instruction to bind the upper end of the bundle of sheets by the staple binding function of the medium discharge unit 32 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1. Configure.

<Modification 3>
In the first and second embodiments, processing for reducing the margin between documents in each column of the rectangular area may be performed. That is, the image data processing means performs a process of reducing the margin between documents in each column of the rectangular area.
Specifically, it is as follows. In a document created by programs W, B, E, etc., margins for printing are set at the top, bottom, left, and right edges of each page. If the top and bottom margins remain, there will be a gap between documents in each column of the rectangular area. Therefore, when the image data generation units 202 and 302 place a document in a rectangular area, processing is performed to reduce the margins at the top and bottom of each page. For example, the position of the uppermost page of each column may be fixed, and the margins may be reduced by shifting the lower page upward from the second stage. Alternatively, in the case of a document created with a text editor, the top and bottom margins may be reduced by increasing the spacing between lines.

<Modification 4>
In the first and second embodiments, the processing of the above embodiment may be performed only on a specific type of document. That is, it has a type discriminating unit that discriminates the type of the document when the value of N is designated by the page number designating unit. As a result of the discrimination by the type discriminating unit, the document does not correspond to a specific type. In this case, the image data generation means divides the virtual area for one page of the paper into N equal rectangular areas having the same aspect ratio as the paper, and reduces or enlarges the virtual area to a size that can be inserted into the rectangular area. Image data in which images are arranged in the respective rectangular areas in the order of the pages of the document is generated, and the print instruction unit outputs an instruction to print an image based on the image data generated by the image data generation unit on the paper. To do.

  Specifically, it is as follows. For example, after the page number N is designated by the page number designation unit 201 or 301, the CPU 101 determines that the extension of the document file being displayed in the application is a specific type, for example, “.txt”, “.html”, “.html”. Whether or not “doc” is determined (type determination unit), and the integrated printing process shown in the first or second embodiment is performed only when it corresponds. In this case, only the number of pages N may be specified by the operator, or a default value for the number of pages N may be set in advance, and aggregate printing may be performed using this default value. .

On the other hand, if the extension does not correspond to any, image data for normal aggregate printing is generated. That is, the image data generation means divides the virtual area for one page of paper into N equal areas into rectangular areas having the same aspect ratio as the document when the document does not correspond to a specific type as a result of the determination by the type determination means. Then, image data is generated in which each page of the document reduced or enlarged to a size that can be inserted into the rectangular area is arranged in the order of the pages in each rectangular area. The print instructing unit outputs an instruction to print an image based on the image data generated by the image data generating unit on a sheet.

<Modification 5>
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a document is arranged from the column of the leftmost rectangular region in the connected virtual region has been described, but the document may be arranged from the rightmost column.

<Modification 6>
In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the number of pages N of a document to be printed per page of paper is 2 to the nth power (n is a natural number), that is, N = 2, 4, 8, 16, or 32. However, the value of N may be other values. For example, you may comprise so that the square of a natural number can be designated, such as N = 9, 25.

<Modification 7>
The printer driver PD may be written and distributed on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, and the printer driver PD read from the magnetic disk may be written to the storage unit 104 for use. Alternatively, the printer driver PD may be distributed via a communication line, and the printer driver PD received via the communication line may be written in the storage unit 104 for use. Further, an electronic circuit that executes the function of the printer driver PD may be mounted on the information processing apparatus 100.

It is a figure showing the whole structure of 1st Embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus 100. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating functions realized by a printer driver PD. FIG. This is the window that is displayed first when the printer driver PD is executed. This window is displayed when “Properties” is clicked. It is an example of a list that specifies the number of pages. It is an example of a list box of “printing direction”. This is an example in which a virtual area is divided. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. It is a figure showing the flow of the process which CPU101 performs. This is an example in which an image of a document is arranged in a connected virtual area. In this example, an even page image is rotated 180 degrees. This is an example of turning a booklet page. 4 is a block diagram illustrating functions realized by a printer driver PD. FIG. It is an example of a list that specifies the print direction. It is a figure showing the flow of the process which CPU101 performs. This is an example in which an image of a document is arranged in a connected virtual area. This is an example in which an image is printed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Information processing apparatus 101 ... CPU, 102 ... ROM, 103 ... RAM, 104 ... Memory | storage part, 105 ... Communication I / F, 106 ... Keyboard, 107 ... Mouse | mouth, 110 ... Display apparatus, 201 ... Page number designation | designated part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 202 ... Image data generation part, 203 ... Image data processing part, 204 ... Print instruction | indication part, 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 4 ... Control part, 44 ... CPU, 45 ... ROM, 46 ... RAM, 5 ... Memory | storage part, 41 ... Instruction receiving unit, 39 ... display unit, 40 ... key input unit,
48 ... Communication I / F, 2 ... Platen glass, 52 ... Document feeder, 12 ... Image input unit, 18 ... Image processing unit, 6 ... Image output unit, 7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K ... Image forming engine, 8 ... Transfer belt, 11 ... fixing device, 9 ... medium supply unit, 10 ... recording medium (paper), 30 ... transfer roller, 32 ... medium discharge unit, 301 ... page number designation unit, 305 ... number calculation unit, 302 ... image data Generation unit, 304 ... print instruction unit

Claims (9)

A page number designating unit for designating the value of N when printing N pages of document images side by side on a sheet of paper;
The virtual area for one page of the paper is divided into N equal rectangular areas having the same aspect ratio as the paper, and a connected virtual area in which the virtual areas are vertically connected is created and inserted into the rectangular area. The image reduced or enlarged in size is arranged in the order of the page of the document in each rectangular area from the top to the bottom of each column in order from the left end or right end rectangular area column in the connected virtual area, Image data generating means for generating image data in which page break information is inserted for each virtual area;
Image data processing means for performing processing of rotating an odd-numbered virtual area image from the top by 180 degrees with respect to the image data generated by the image data generation means and inserting a predetermined image for one page at the top; ,
An information processing apparatus comprising: a print instruction unit that outputs an instruction to double-side print an image based on the image data processed by the image data processing unit on the paper.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print instructing unit outputs an instruction to staple the upper end of the bundle of sheets printed on both sides with staples. A page number designating unit for designating the value of N when printing N pages of document images side by side on a sheet of paper;
A sheet number calculating means for calculating a value M obtained by dividing the total number of pages of the document by the N and then rounding up after the decimal point;
The virtual area for one page of the paper is divided into N equal rectangular areas having the same aspect ratio as the paper, and a connected virtual area in which M virtual areas are vertically connected is created and inserted into the rectangular area. The image reduced or enlarged in size is arranged in the order of the page of the document in each rectangular area from the top to the bottom of each column in order from the left end or right end rectangular area column in the connected virtual area, Image data generating means for generating image data in which page break information is inserted for each virtual area;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a print instruction unit that outputs an instruction to print an image based on the image data generated by the image data generation unit on one side of the sheet.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data processing unit performs a process of reducing a margin between documents in each column of the rectangular area. A type determining unit that determines the type of the document when the value of N is specified by the page number specifying unit;
As a result of the discrimination by the type discriminating means, when the document does not correspond to a specific type
The image data generation means divides the virtual area for one page of paper into N equal rectangular areas having the same aspect ratio as the paper, and reduces or enlarges the image reduced to a size that can be inserted into the rectangular area. Generating image data arranged in page order of the document in each rectangular area;
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print instruction unit outputs an instruction to print an image based on the image data generated by the image data generation unit on the sheet. . A page number designating unit for designating the value of N when printing N pages of document images side by side on a sheet of paper;
Image input means for reading the document and inputting an image of the document;
The virtual area for one page of the paper is divided into N equal rectangular areas having the same aspect ratio as the paper, and a connected virtual area in which the virtual areas are vertically connected is created and inserted into the rectangular area. The image reduced or enlarged in size is arranged in the order of the page of the document in each rectangular area from the top to the bottom of each column in order from the left end or right end rectangular area column in the connected virtual area, Image data generating means for generating image data in which page break information is inserted for each virtual area;
Image data processing means for performing processing of rotating an odd-numbered virtual area image from the top by 180 degrees with respect to the image data generated by the image data generation means and inserting a predetermined image for one page at the top; ,
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image output unit configured to double-side print an image based on the image data processed by the image data processing unit on the paper. A page number designating unit for designating the value of N when printing N pages of document images side by side on a sheet of paper;
A sheet number calculating means for calculating a value M obtained by dividing the total number of pages of the document by the N and then rounding up after the decimal point;
Image input means for reading the document and inputting an image of the document;
The virtual area for one page of the paper is divided into N equal rectangular areas having the same aspect ratio as the paper, and a connected virtual area in which M virtual areas are vertically connected is created and inserted into the rectangular area. The image reduced or enlarged in size is arranged in the order of the page of the document in each rectangular area from the top to the bottom of each column in order from the left end or right end rectangular area column in the connected virtual area, Image data generating means for generating image data in which page break information is inserted for each virtual area;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image output unit that prints an image based on the image data generated by the image data generation unit on one side of the sheet. Information processing device
A page number designating unit for designating the value of N when printing N pages of document images side by side on a sheet of paper;
The virtual area for one page of the paper is divided into N equal rectangular areas having the same aspect ratio as the paper, and a connected virtual area in which the virtual areas are vertically connected is created and inserted into the rectangular area. The image reduced or enlarged in size is arranged in the order of the page of the document in each rectangular area from the top to the bottom of each column in order from the left end or right end rectangular area column in the connected virtual area, Image data generating means for generating image data in which page break information is inserted for each virtual area;
Image data processing means for performing processing of rotating an odd-numbered virtual area image from the top by 180 degrees with respect to the image data generated by the image data generation means and inserting a predetermined image for one page at the top; ,
A program for causing an image based on image data processed by the image data processing means to function as a print instruction means for outputting an instruction to double-side print on the paper. Information processing device
A page number designating unit for designating the value of N when printing N pages of document images side by side on a sheet of paper;
A sheet number calculating means for calculating a value M obtained by dividing the total number of pages of the document by the N and then rounding up after the decimal point;
The virtual area for one page of the paper is divided into N equal rectangular areas having the same aspect ratio as the paper, and a connected virtual area in which M virtual areas are vertically connected is created and inserted into the rectangular area. The image reduced or enlarged in size is arranged in the order of the page of the document in each rectangular area from the top to the bottom of each column in order from the left end or right end rectangular area column in the connected virtual area, Image data generating means for generating image data in which page break information is inserted for each virtual area;
A program for causing an image based on the image data generated by the image data generation means to function as a print instruction means for outputting an instruction to print on one side of the paper.

Images