JP2010128712A - Information processor and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem, wherein it is not possible for a user who does not have a special knowledge of setting the position of fold or the type of fold (mountain fold or valley fold), while having an image of the finish, when designating fold setting using a printer. <P>SOLUTION: This information processor is configured to perform setting related with the fold of a print sheet whose print processing is performed based on print data and is provided with: a print-setting information acquisition means for acquiring print setting information, including setting related with a print sheet about print data to be printed; a fold determination means for determining the foldable position of the print sheet whose print processing is performed, based on the print data according to the obtained print-setting information; and a preview display means for performing the preview display of the preview image of the print sheet for the print data and a broken line at the foldable position of the preview image, corresponding to the determined foldable position of the print sheet. The preview display means performs the fold display of the preview image of the print sheet for the print data, in accordance with the operation of a user to the displayed broken line. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a control method thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling printing, and more particularly to a control method, program and apparatus for displaying and controlling folding.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer, a digital printing machine, and a paper folding machine provide methods for specifying a folding method when folding and outputting a sheet by their corresponding printer driver, print controller, and application.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system for an image processing apparatus that displays a folding position. In the system of Patent Document 1, as described in paragraphs [0006] and [0007] in the specification, a method of displaying a sheet folding position on an image display device is described.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a system for a printing control method in bookbinding printing by a printer. In the system of Patent Document 2, as described in paragraph [0005] of the specification, a method of displaying a preview in a layout after bookbinding in bookbinding printing is described.

JP 2007-219429 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-130083

  However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary for the user to input a numerical value in order to specify the folding position, and a user without specialized technology can specify the folding position while imagining the finish. There wasn't. In addition, the specification of the folding method requires the use of technical terms such as “bellows folding”, which makes operation difficult for a user having no specialized knowledge.

  In the system described in Patent Document 2, “bookbinding printing” can be designated to designate the folding method. However, in this bookbinding printing, two pages of documents are imposed on one side of the paper, and the printing area of each page is reduced to 50%, and then the output paper is folded in two to make one copy and two copies. This means that the booklet is output as a booklet. Note that imposition means arranging the pages so that the pages arranged on the paper are in page order when the paper is folded.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 2, the printer driver automatically performs imposition and previews the layout after bookbinding that has been determined to be folded. For this reason, in the case where the user does not want imposition, the preview display at the desired folding and the folding output based on the desired preview display cannot be performed. Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, although the layout regarding where the folding process is performed can be confirmed, it is confirmed in which direction (for example, mountain fold or valley fold) the fold is performed. I couldn't.

  Therefore, the present invention displays a print paper preview image for print data to be output, a fold line at a position where the preview image can be folded, and a print paper preview image according to a user operation on the displayed fold line. An information processing apparatus and a control method for the information processing apparatus capable of easily specifying a folding position on a preview display and easily recognizing how a printing sheet is folded by a folding instruction. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus capable of previewing settings for folding of a print sheet to be printed based on print data, wherein the print sheet is set for the print data to be printed. A print setting information acquiring unit that acquires print setting information including the folding setting unit that determines a foldable position on a print sheet to be printed based on the print data according to the print setting information acquired by the print setting information acquiring unit. A preview display for previewing a fold line at a position where the preview image can be folded corresponding to the foldable position determined by the fold determination means together with a preview image of the printing paper for the print data. And the preview display means follows a user operation on the displayed broken line. , To provide an information processing apparatus, wherein a preview image of the printing paper relative to the print data to folding display.

  In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the preview display means detects a cursor movement position on the preview display, and displays the fold line when the detected cursor is at a foldable position. And

  In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, when the preview display means displays the fold line when the cursor is at a foldable position, the fold indicated by the fold line is output to a paper according to an operation from the user. It is characterized in that it is determined as a folding position when performing.

  Further, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the preview display means further displays an icon indicating a mountain fold or a valley fold when displaying the fold line when the cursor is at a foldable position. .

  Further, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention folds the printing paper along the fold line according to the cursor position moved by the user's operation with respect to the fold line displayed by the preview display means, or folds the print sheet. It is further characterized by further comprising a folding direction determining means for determining the folding direction.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a fold type storage unit that stores a type of printing paper folding corresponding to a combination of the size and direction of the printing paper, and the fold type storage unit includes: When there are a plurality of types of printing paper folding methods corresponding to one combination of size and paper direction, the plurality of folding methods are based on the folding direction with respect to the folding line determined by the folding direction determination means. The method further comprises a narrowing means for narrowing down the type of folding method corresponding to the type.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes print data output means for outputting the print data based on the fold setting information and the print setting information which are information used when the fold display is performed. And

  Further, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the setting relating to folding includes a setting capable of selecting a folding setting for each page or all page linkage.

  Further, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the setting related to folding includes a setting to fold over a plurality of pages.

  In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the setting relating to folding includes a setting relating to a capability of a paper folding machine connected to a printer to which the print data is output, and the preview display means includes the capability of the paper folding machine. The broken line is displayed based on the setting relating to the above.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the setting relating to the capability of the paper folding machine and the print setting relating to the print data each include information on a paper type, and the preview display means includes the respective paper types. When the lines match, the broken line is displayed.

  The present invention also provides a control method in an information processing apparatus for performing settings related to folding of print paper to be printed based on print data, and obtains print settings including settings related to print paper for the print data to be printed. A print setting acquisition step; a fold determination step for determining a foldable position on a print paper to be printed based on the print data according to the print setting information acquired by the print setting information acquisition step; A preview display step for displaying a fold line at a position where the preview image can be folded corresponding to the position where the folding is determined by the folding determination unit together with the preview image of the printing paper, The display step is performed according to a user operation on the displayed broken line. Provides a method of controlling an information processing apparatus, characterized in that the preview image of the print paper for the print data to folding display.

  According to the present invention, a print paper preview image with respect to output print data, a fold line is displayed at a position where the preview image can be folded, and a print paper preview image is folded according to a user operation on the displayed fold line. By doing this, it is possible to easily specify the folding position on the preview display and visually recognize how the printing paper is folded by the folding instruction.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment at all, and can be implemented with a various aspect in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

<System and hardware configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a print control system and hardware according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the configuration of various terminals connected to the network 140 in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and it goes without saying that there are various configuration examples depending on applications and purposes.

  A host computer 100 serving as an information processing apparatus is a terminal that generates a print job and edits job settings. The host computer 100 is connected to the printer 120 via the network 140. The printer 120 receives a job and job information from the host computer 100 and executes printing. The host computer 100 and the printer 120 may be directly connected without using the network 104.

  The host computer 100 is controlled by a CPU 112 in the host computer. The CPU 112 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 111. In addition, the ROM 114 or the external memory 103 is necessary to realize a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) that is a control program of the CPU 112, an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS), and a function executed by each server or each PC. Various programs to be described later are stored. The RAM 113 functions as a main memory and work area for the CPU 112. The CPU 112 implements various operations by loading a program necessary for execution of processing into the RAM 113 and executing the program. As described above, the CPU executes various programs read from the ROM to the RAM, thereby realizing the functions of the respective units constituting the information processing apparatus of the present invention.

  The input controller 115 controls input from a pointing device such as a keyboard 101 or a mouse (not shown). The video controller 116 controls display on a display device such as the display 102.

  The memory controller 117 is stored in a hard disk (HD), floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), or PCMCIA card slot for storing a boot program, browser software, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Controls access to an external memory 103 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory connected via an adapter. A communication I / F controller (communication I / FC) 118 connects and communicates with an external device via a network, and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, Internet communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 112 can perform display on the display 102 by, for example, executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 113. In addition, the CPU 112 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the display 102.

  The printer 120 is controlled by a CPU 132 in the printer. The CPU 132 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 131. The CPU 132 outputs an image signal as output information to the printing unit 122 controlled by the output unit controller 135 based on a control program stored in the ROM 134 or a control program stored in the external memory 123. Similarly, the finisher 128 controlled by the output unit controller 135 folds and staples the paper on which the output information is printed by the printing unit 122 as necessary. The ROM 134 stores a control program for the CPU 132 and the like.

  The CPU 132 can communicate with the host computer via the input unit 136 and can notify the host computer 100 of information in the printer. The RAM 133 functions as a main memory or work area for the CPU 132, and is used as an output information expansion area, environment data storage area, NVRAM, and the like. Access to the external memory 123 such as a hard disk or IC card is controlled by the memory controller 137. The external memory 123 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like.

  The operation panel 121 is controlled by the operation unit controller 138, and operation buttons and the like for receiving input from the user are arranged. These are installed in the printer as necessary. The display 124 is controlled by the aforementioned operation unit controller 138 and displays output information and the like developed on the RAM 133.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of printing processing in a host computer to which a printing apparatus such as a printer is directly connected or connected via a network.

  The application 201 is a program that performs document editing and image editing. The application 201 is stored in the external memory 103 and is executed by the CPU 112 by being loaded into the RAM 113 as necessary. When printing is performed from the application 201 to the printer 120, output (drawing) is similarly performed using the graphic engine 202 loaded into the RAM 113 and executable.

  The graphic engine 202 loads the printer driver 203 prepared for each printer from the external memory 103 to the RAM 113 similarly to the application 201, and sets the output of the application 201 in the printer driver 203. Then, a drawing command received from the application 201, for example, a GDI (Graphic Device Interface) function is converted into a drawing command that can be interpreted by the printer driver, for example, a DDI (Device Driver Interface) function, and the DDI function is output to the printer driver 203. To do. At the same time, a memory area for holding print setting information represented by DEVMODE, JDF (Job Definition Format) and the like is transferred. The drawing command is not limited to GDI or DDI, but may be XPS (XML Paper Specification) format data from Microsoft Corporation in the United States or PDF (Portable Document Format) format data from Adobe Corporation in the United States.

  A print setting / preview program 205 for realizing the present invention is recorded in the external memory 103, is called from the printer driver 203 as necessary, and is loaded into the RAM 113 and executed by the CPU 112. The print setting / preview program 205 is an example of a program for realizing the print setting information acquisition unit, folding determination unit, and preview display unit of the present invention. The print setting / preview program 205 specifically includes a printer driver user interface module (hereinafter referred to as a printer driver UI) for the operator to perform print settings at the time of printing, and a print preview on the display 102. And a preview module for displaying and specifying / changing the print setting (folding position).

  As described above, the printer driver 203 calls the print setting / preview program 205 as necessary when receiving drawing information including a DDI function or the like from the application 201 via the graphic engine 202 as described above. For example, when a print instruction is issued from the application 201 and the print setting is designated in the print setting via the printer driver UI, the print setting / preview program 205 is called.

  The print setting / preview program 205 generates a print preview image based on the print setting information and the drawing information output from the printer driver 203, and displays the print setting change screen (FIG. 4) including the generated print preview image as described above. The image is displayed on the display 102 via the controller 116. Thereafter, when new print setting information is input to the print setting change screen from the keyboard 101 or a mouse pointing device (not shown), the print setting / preview program changes the print setting information based on the input information. To the printer driver 203.

  Note that the print setting / preview program 205 according to the present invention may be included in the printer driver 203, and in this case, the printer driver 203 directly displays print setting information and drawing information on the display 102.

  Although details will be described later, the template table 500, the fold line information table 520, the page / fold setting table 700, the fold line setting table 710, and the foldable fold line list 720 used by the print setting / preview program 205 according to the present invention are stored in an external memory. 103.

  The printer driver 203 is a control command that can be recognized by the printer, for example, PDL (Page Description Language: Page Description Language) based on the drawing information received from the graphic engine 202, for example, the DDI function (data information from the application) and the print setting information. ) To generate a print job that can be interpreted by the printer 120. At this time, if the print setting information has been changed by the print setting / preview program, the setting change is reflected in the printer control command. This printer control command may be described as PDL, may be described as a job control command added before PDL such as JL (Job Language), or may be realized as an XML printer ticket. Good. The printer control command in this embodiment includes any of PDL, JL, and printer ticket.

  The converted printer control command is output as a print job to the printer 120 via the system spooler 204 loaded into the RAM 113 by the OS. The printer driver 203 and the system spooler 204 are examples for realizing the print data output unit of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the document data to be printed is generated and managed by the application 201. The print data referred to in the present embodiment refers to drawing information generated by the graphic engine 202 based on the document data to be printed, or document data in an intermediate data format generated by the printer driver 203 based on the drawing information. Any of these shall be included. The data transmitted to the printer 120 and printed is called a print job. The print job may use the print data as it is, or may be data that has been converted into a printer control language (for example, a page description language) as will be described later.

<Internal configuration of print setting / preview program>
Next, the internal configuration of the print setting / preview program 205 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The printer driver communication unit 301 is a part that communicates with the printer driver 203 when the print setting / preview program 205 is started and ended. At startup, the printer driver communication unit 301 receives from the printer driver 203 a memory area in which drawing information and document setting information are stored. The document setting information includes the paper type, paper size, and paper orientation of the print data that is document data to be printed. The document setting information can be specified by the operator using the printer driver UI and can also be specified from the application 201. it can. When the print setting is changed or the print preview is completed, the memory area storing the print / fold setting information is transferred from the print setting / preview program 205 to the printer driver 203. A detailed processing flow at the time of activation will be described with reference to FIG. A detailed processing flow at the end will be described with reference to FIG.

  The print / fold setting holding unit 302 holds information about print settings and fold settings, and holds a page / fold setting table 700, a fold line setting table 710, and a foldable fold line list 720, which will be described later.

  The screen display unit 303 displays a print preview image on the display 102 based on the printing / folding setting information held by the folding setting holding unit 302 and the drawing information and document setting information received by the printer driver communication unit 301 from the printer driver 203. This is the part to be displayed. The screen display unit 303 performs screen display processing when the program is initially started and when the print / fold setting is changed.

  A screen input accepting unit 305 is a part that accepts printing / folding setting information input by the user via the display 102, the keyboard 101, and the like.

  The folding setting changing unit 304 interprets the printing / folding setting information, and changes and overwrites the printing / folding setting held by the folding setting holding unit 302 as necessary. The detailed processing flow when changing the printing / folding setting will be described with reference to FIGS. 15, 16, and 18. FIG.

  In the present invention, as an example, the print data acquisition unit corresponds to the printer driver communication unit 301, the print setting information acquisition unit corresponds to the print / fold setting holding unit 302, and the preview display unit includes the screen display unit. 303, a print / fold setting change unit 304, and a screen input reception unit 305. Of course, the above-described units may be realized by combining the above-described units.

<Display screen example and print setting information>
Next, a user interface screen displayed on the display 102 by the print setting / preview program 205 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 9, 12, 19, 20, and 22.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a print setting change screen displayed on the display 102 by the screen display unit 304 in the print setting / preview program 205. FIG. 4 shows an example of a state where folding is not set.

  The print setting / preview program 205 displays a print image created based on drawing information (print data) of document data to be printed received from the printer driver 203 in the preview display area 403 on the main window 400. In the page area 404, a preview image of the print page is displayed. The user can set and change print settings related to folding by operating the cursor 405 on the preview display area 403. Although details will be described later, the outline will be briefly described. First, settings relating to folding of print data are determined in advance. The settings relating to the folding of the print data include, for example, settings relating to the folding position, folding type, folding direction, and the like. Then, according to the print setting information including the setting relating to folding, the print / preview program 205 determines a position where folding is possible. Here, when the user moves the cursor 405 on the preview-displayed print page image, a broken line is generated and displayed as a preview when the cursor 405 is positioned at a foldable position. The user can determine the fold line to be actually folded by clicking the cursor 405 using, for example, a mouse pointing device or the like (not shown), or fine-tune the position of the fold line, Alternatively, by moving the cursor 405 in a clicked down state (dragged), it is possible to determine in which direction the folding is performed.

  A pull-down menu 401 is used to switch the display method (view) of the page area in the preview display area 403. In view, two types of page view mode and bookbinding view mode can be selected.

  In the page view mode, a preview is displayed in units of sheets that are actually printed. For example, in a case where a folded leaflet or the like is output by folding into two pages one by one, the user performs confirmation in the page view mode in order to confirm the finished image. In the page view mode, even if “fold over folding” or “saddle stitch” is specified in the folding setting options described later, a preview display is performed in units of paper before folding or before folding. . Saddle stitching refers to stacking sheets of paper with a book open and binding the central portion with a wire or the like.

  On the other hand, the bookbinding view mode displays the finished image of the printed material when “fold in layers” is designated as the folding setting option. Specifically, the preview is displayed in a spread unit of a printed page closed in a booklet form. For example, it is used when confirming a finished image in a case where a pre-imposed document is designated as “fold and fold”. The radio button 402 for setting the right opening or the left opening is effective only when the bookbinding view mode is designated. Note that the preview display in the bookbinding view mode will be described with reference to FIG.

  Each control 406 to 412 is a control for displaying print setting information of a document to be printed. A combo box 406, a radio button 407, and a radio button 408 are controls related to page settings such as an output paper size, a printing surface, and a paper orientation.

  A check box 409 is a control for selecting whether the folding setting is linked for all pages or is set for each page. For example, when the folding position displayed in the preview display area 403 is determined, it is selected whether to apply the determined position to all pages of the document to be printed. When the check box 409 is checked, the folding setting is linked on all pages.

  The radio button 410 is a button for selecting a folding setting option that is valid only when “link all pages” is set. When outputting a printed matter, the radio button 410 folds all pages or folds one page at a time. It is a control that lets you select whether to fold.

  The check box 411 is effective only when “link all pages” is set and “fold and fold” is set. When the printed material is folded and folded, whether or not the fold is bound with a stapler or the like ( This is a control for selecting whether or not to perform saddle stitching. When the check box 411 is checked, saddle stitch printing is performed.

  A list 412 is a control for displaying a list of document folding settings. The list 412 controls display items according to the contents of the broken line setting table 710 held by the print setting / preview program 205. It is also possible for the user to edit the folding setting by editing the display content of the list 412.

  FIG. 5 illustrates finisher information and template information loaded on the RAM 113 together with the printer driver 203.

  Reference numeral 500 denotes a table for template information related to folding settings. A template defines one folding method by combining one or more folding lines. In addition, the template holds settings depending on the combination of the paper size and the paper direction, and a plurality of templates can be held according to these combinations. In the example of FIG. 5, three ways of folding identified by TMP_1 to TMP_3 are included in the template table.

  501 stores a template ID for uniquely identifying the template. Reference numeral 502 denotes a template name. For example, a commonly used folding method name such as “Z-folding” or a uniquely defined template name is stored. A sheet size 503 is stored. The paper size 503 stores a standard or actual size such as “A4”. A sheet orientation is stored in 504, and holds data such as “vertical” and “horizontal”, for example. In 505 to 508, a broken line information ID of a broken line information table to be described later is stored. One or more polygonal line information IDs are registered for one template ID, and a plurality of polygonal line information IDs may be registered, and up to four can be registered in this embodiment. A common broken line information ID may be specified for different templates.

  Reference numeral 510 denotes a table for finisher information corresponding to the template. For example, when a template whose template ID is specified by TMP_1 is used, setting information that the finisher specified by the finisher IDs FIN_A and FIN_B is used is included. 511 stores the template ID of the template table 500. 512 stores the finisher ID corresponding to the template ID 511. A plurality of finisher IDs may be designated. The finisher is a mechanism including a function for actually performing folding.

  Reference numeral 520 denotes a table for broken line information. That is, it is a table for information obtained by stylizing a broken line. In the template table, each template constitutes a template for folding by referring to the table for the broken line information. Reference numeral 521 stores a broken line information ID for uniquely identifying the broken line information. Reference numeral 522 stores information indicating the direction of the broken line with respect to the paper direction. For example, information such as “horizontal” and “vertical”. Reference numeral 523 stores information about the folding type, and has data such as “mountain folding” and “valley folding”, for example. Information about the position of the broken line is stored in 524 and 525. In this embodiment, the distance from the upper left corner of the paper to the position where the fold line and the side of the paper intersect is used, but any calculation method may be used as long as the information indicates the position of the fold line. In addition, a range of positions that can be adjusted by a printer, a finisher, or the like is defined for one piece of broken line information, and the minimum value of the range is stored at the start of the folding position of 524. Conversely, the maximum value in the range is stored at the end of the folding position at 525.

  As a specific example, for example, a template whose template ID is specified by TMP_2 is a template for performing “Z folding”. Then, LINE_1 and LIN_2 are set in the polygonal line information ID, and these LIN_1 and LIN_2 refer to the polygonal line information table 520, and are suitable for setting a polygonal line regarding a valley fold and a mountain fold suitable for performing “Z-fold”. Will be done.

  In FIG. 5, the example using three tables has been described, but the template table and the corresponding finisher table may be the same table, or a table combining these three tables may be used. .

  FIG. 6 illustrates a foldable paper type list 600 loaded on the RAM 113 together with the printer driver 203 and referred to by the print setting / preview program. In 601 to 603, foldable paper types are listed and stored. Note that one or more paper types may be registered.

  FIG. 7 shows information regarding page settings and folding settings for a document to be printed, which is loaded onto the RAM 113 together with the print setting / preview program 205 when the print setting / preview program 205 is started. It is a table. These pieces of information are, for example, the setting data 406 to 412 in FIG. 4. When the settings in 406 to 412 in FIG. 4 are changed, the information included in the table in FIG. 7 is updated and rewritten. .

  Reference numeral 700 denotes a page / folding setting table, in which initial data is created and held based on the document setting information passed from the printer driver 203 when the print setting / preview program 205 is started. Details of the startup operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

Reference numeral 701 stores information on the output paper size, and reflects and holds the contents set in the combo box 406 except at the time of activation. The paper size 701 stores a standard size such as “A4” or an actual size.
702 stores information on the paper direction to be output, has data such as “vertical” and “horizontal”, and reflects and holds the contents set in the radio box 408 except at the time of activation.
Reference numeral 703 stores information on the printing surface, which has data such as “single-sided printing” and “double-sided printing”, and reflects and holds the contents set in the radio box 407 except at the time of activation.
Information 704 stores whether or not the folding setting is linked to all pages, has data such as “Yes” and “No”, and reflects and holds the contents set in the check box 409 except at the time of activation.
Information 705 stores whether or not all pages are folded and has data such as “Yes” and “No”, and reflects and holds the contents set by the radio button 410 except when activated.
Reference numeral 706 stores information on whether or not to perform saddle stitching, and has data such as “Yes” and “No”, and reflects and holds the contents set in the check box 411 except at the time of activation.
A broken line setting table 710 holds broken line information set in the print document. For example, as described above, when the user performs a cursor operation on the preview display, the information on the broken line set in the document to be printed is held.

Reference numeral 711 stores a fold line ID for uniquely determining fold line information set in a document to be printed.
Reference numeral 716 stores a corresponding broken line information ID. The specific setting of the broken line is defined in the broken line information table 520 specified by the broken line information ID as described above, and the corresponding broken line information ID is stored to refer to this. The broken line information ID is uniquely associated with the broken line information ID 521 of the broken line information table 520.
Reference numeral 712 stores information about the position of the broken line. Reference numeral 712 stores information about an actual folding position in the document to be printed. In the fold line information table described with reference to FIG. 5, a predetermined width for the fold position is defined by a fold position start 524 and a fold position end 525. In this embodiment, the distance from the upper left corner of the sheet to the position where the fold line and the side of the sheet intersect is used, but any method may be used as long as the information indicates the position of the fold line.

  715 stores information about which page is targeted, and has data such as each page number and “all pages”. The contents set by the user in the preview area 403 or the list 412 except when starting up Reflects and holds the contents set by the user. Since the broken line setting table 710 holds information on the broken lines set in the target print document, for example, when nothing is set in the broken line setting table 710, the broken line processing is not performed. . In the example of 710 in FIG. 7, regarding the document to be printed, the contents for processing two fold lines on the second page and processing one fold line on the fifth page are set.

  Reference numeral 720 denotes a foldable fold line list in which information of fold lines that can be folded on a sheet of a document to be printed is listed for each page.

In 725, the page number corresponding to this list is held.
Reference numerals 721 to 724 store addresses to records of the broken line information table 520. The addresses 721 to 724 are not particularly limited in number, and 0 items or one or more items are held.
Further, the data stored in the foldable broken line list 720 may be the fold line information ID 711 when the address cannot be stored.
The foldable broken line list 720 acquires the information when the print setting / preview program 205 is activated. The flow at startup will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

<Detailed processing flow>
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow when the printer driver 203 starts the print setting / preview program 205 with an instruction by a user operation as a trigger. In this process, the print setting / preview program 205 is read into the RAM 113 and executed by the CPU 112.

  In step S111, an instruction to start the print setting / preview program 205 is received by a user operation. For example, when a user presses a button on the screen displayed on the display 102 by the printer driver 203 with a mouse pointing device or the like, this is used as a trigger for starting the print setting / preview program 205.

In step S 112, an activation instruction is issued and an activation command is issued to the print setting / preview program 205.
In step S113, the finisher ID of the finisher connected to the printer is acquired from the printer driver 203. Specifically, the printer driver 203 is the timing when the “device information” acquisition button on the printer property screen of the printer driver UI (not shown) is pressed, or the timing when the acquisition request is issued from the print setting / preview program 205 Thus, communication is performed between the host computer 100 in which the printer driver 203 is executed and the printer 120 connected via the network, and the finisher ID of the finisher 128 is acquired. The printer driver 203 is realized by passing the acquired finisher ID to the print setting / preview program 205.
In step S114, a template ID corresponding to the finisher ID acquired in S113 is acquired from the finisher table 510, and a record of the template table 500 related to the acquired template ID is extracted.
In step S115, the extracted record of the template table 500 is transferred to the print setting / preview program started in S112. At the same time, the broken line information table 520 and the foldable paper type list 600 are transferred.

  Steps S113 and S114 may be executed in advance by the printer driver 203, or in step S115, a template table record extracted in advance may be transferred.

  Steps S113 and S114 may be executed by the print setting / preview program 205. In this case, steps S113 and S114 are executed after step S115. The finisher table 510 may be delivered at the same time.

  In step S113, the finisher 128 may not actually be configured (not connected) on the printer 120 (there is another paper folding machine), and in that case, the output unit controller 135 or the printer driver At 203, the user may manually set the same setting as when the finisher 128 is configured. Alternatively, the output unit controller 135 or the printer driver 203 may recognize the virtual finisher so that the same setting as when the printer 128 is configured may be performed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the processing flow of the print setting / preview program 205. That is, for example, an overall flow of processing when displaying a preview screen as shown in FIG. 4 is shown.
In step S801, print data based on the document setting information 810 and the document data to be printed is received from the printer driver 203 when the program is started. The document setting information 810 includes information in a format such as DEVMODE and JDF that are generally used. In step S801, the data of the template table 500, the fold line information table 520, and the foldable paper type list 600, or the addresses of the tables for accessing these tables are received.

  In step S <b> 802, among the document setting information received from the printer driver 203, for the data that also exists in the page / folding setting table 700, the information in the page / folding setting table 700 is set using the received data contents. At this time, default values are set for data that does not exist in the document setting information 810.

  In step S 803, it is determined whether the paper type of the document to be printed acquired from the document setting information 810 exists in the foldable paper type list 600. When it exists, it progresses to the following step S804. If it does not exist, there is no sheet that can be folded, and the process advances to step S805 without creating a foldable broken line list.

  In step S804, a foldable broken line list 720 corresponding to the page is created. A detailed flow will be described later with reference to FIG. The foldable broken line list is created for each page.

  In step S806, it is determined based on the page number information included in the document setting information 810 whether or not the next page exists. If the next page exists, the process returns to step S804 to create a foldable broken line list 720 for the next page. If the next page does not exist, the process proceeds to step S805.

  In step S805, the operation screen 400 including the print preview image is constructed and drawn based on the drawing information (print data) received from the printer driver and the contents of the page / fold information table set in step S802. Note that an image when a broken line is displayed is 900 in FIG. Taking FIG. 4 as an example, 900 is displayed in the area 403 in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing flow for creating the foldable broken line list 720 when the print setting / preview program 205 shown in S804 of FIG. 8 is started. The main processing contents are that a template record is acquired from the template table 500, and compared with the setting of the corresponding page of the document to be printed, the deficient data is acquired from various tables, and the result is reflected. Process.

  In step S1001, one record is searched from unsearched records in the template table 500 received from the printer driver 203. For example, records are acquired one by one, such as “TMP_1” and “TMP_2” of the template ID 501 in FIG.

  In step S1002, it is determined whether the record acquired in step 1001 exists. This step is a determination process for exiting the loop, and the fact that there is no unsearched record means that the creation of the foldable broken line list for the corresponding page has been completed. finish. If there is a record, the process proceeds to the next step S1008.

  In step S1008, it is determined whether the paper size 503 and paper direction 504 of the acquired record match the paper size and paper direction acquired from the document setting information 810. If they match, the process proceeds to the next step S1009. If they do not match, the process returns to the first step S1001 to search for the next record.

  In step S1009, in all the records set on the corresponding page in the broken line setting table 710, whether all the broken line information IDs 716 set in those records are also included in the searched template record. Judgment. That is, when the page to be processed in the flow of FIG. 10 is included in the page 715, it is determined whether or not the broken line information ID 716 associated with the page 715 is included as a template. When all the broken line information IDs 716 are included in the template table record, the process proceeds to the next step S1007. In other cases, it is determined that there is no corresponding setting, and the process returns to the first step S1001. If nothing is set in the broken line setting table, the process advances to step S1007.

In step S1007, it is determined whether or not an unacquired broken line information ID exists in the searched template record. When it exists, it progresses to step S1003, and when it does not exist, it returns to the first step S1001.
In step S1003, one unacquired broken line information ID determined to exist in step S1007 is acquired.
In step S <b> 1011, it is determined whether the acquired broken line information ID is registered in the broken line setting table 710. If not registered, the process proceeds to the next step S1004, and if registered, the process returns to step S1007.
In step S1004, a record that matches the polygonal line information ID acquired in step S1003 is searched from the polygonal line information table 520 received from the printer driver 203.

In step S1005, it is determined whether the address of the broken line information record searched in step S1004 is already registered in the foldable broken line list 720. If not registered, the process proceeds to the next step S1006, and if registered, the process proceeds to step S1007.
In step S1006, the address of the broken line information record searched in step S1004 is registered in the foldable broken line list 720 of the corresponding page.
The above processing is performed on each page of the document to be printed. Thus, a foldable broken line list is created when the print setting / preview program is started.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen display when setting a fold in the preview display area 403.
Reference numeral 900 denotes a state in which the user moves and operates the cursor 405 using a mouse pointing device or the like. 901 is displayed when the cursor 405 moves to a foldable fold line position and represents a fold line. A processing flow for displaying the screen 900 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Reference numeral 910 denotes a state in which the user clicks down the cursor 405 on the broken line 901 using a mouse pointing device or the like. Note that the normal click-down operation is performed in conjunction with the depression of a button provided on a mouse pointing device or the like. A guide arrow 902 is displayed during the click-down operation. The guide arrow 902 guides the operation after the click-down, and the user can set a fold by dragging the cursor 405 in the direction of one of the displayed guide arrows. As a specific example, if it drags upward, it will become a valley fold, if it drags downward, it will become a mountain fold. Note that the flowchart at the time of guide arrow display has been described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen display after the folding is set in the preview display area 403.
Reference numeral 1200 denotes a screen display in a state where folding is set for one folding line of the output paper. Reference numeral 1201 denotes a set fold line, and here, a mountain fold is set. Also, the set folding line information is reflected in the folding setting list 412. Reference numeral 1210 denotes a display in the preview area 403 in a state where folding is set for two folding lines (Z-folding) of the output paper. Similarly to 1201, 1202 represents a set fold line, and here, a valley fold is set.

  FIG. 13 is a processing flow in the print setting / preview program 205 when the user moves the cursor 405 in the page area 404 on the preview area 403. When the print setting / preview program 205 detects the movement of the cursor 405, the print setting / preview program 205 performs this processing.

  In step S1301, it is determined whether the cursor is being dragged, that is, whether the movement is accompanied by a click-down. Since this flow is a process when the cursor is moving, if the cursor is being dragged, that is, if a click-down is performed while the cursor is moving, the process ends. If not dragging, the next step S1302 is executed.

  In step S1302, the position of the cursor on the page area 404 is acquired as a numerical value converted into an actual position on the output paper.

  In step S1310, a current folding flag 1320 for determining whether the folding line 1201 or 1202 displayed on the preview is a mountain fold or a valley fold is initialized. The current folding flag 1320 is stored in the RAM 113.

  In step S1311, it is determined whether or not the cursor position is on the set polygonal line. The determination is made based on whether or not there is a broken line setting record that can be determined that the cursor is on the folding position 712 of the broken line setting table 710 or in the vicinity thereof. If the cursor is on a broken line, the process of this flow is terminated, and if not on the broken line, the process proceeds to the next step S1303.

  In step S1303, it is determined whether or not unacquired broken line information exists in the foldable broken line list having information on the page where the cursor 405 is located. If unacquired broken line information exists, the process proceeds to the next step S1304, and if it does not exist, the process of this flow ends.

  In step S1304, one record of the broken line information table 520 for the broken line determined in step S1303 is acquired.

  In step S1305, it is determined whether or not the position of the cursor acquired in step 1302 is within the range from the folding position start 524 to the folding position end 525 of the broken line information record acquired in step S1304. If it falls within the range, the process proceeds to the next step S1306, and if not within the range, the process returns to step S1303.

  In step S1306, it is determined whether or not the folding setting page link 704 of the page / folding setting table 700 is set to “Yes”. If it is set, the process proceeds to step S1307. If it is not set, the process proceeds to step S1308.

In step S1307, the operation screen 400 displayed by the print setting / preview program 205 displays a broken line 901 on the page area 404 for all pages.
In step S1308, the broken line 901 is displayed only on the page where the cursor is located on the operation screen 400.

  In step S1309, the current folding flag 1320 is set based on the folding stored in the folding pattern 523 of the broken line information record acquired in step S1304. For example, if the folding mold 523 is “mountain folding”, the mountain folding flag of the current folding flag 1320 is set. The current folding flag 1320 can simultaneously hold a mountain folding flag and a valley folding flag.

  FIG. 14 is a processing flow in the print setting / preview program 205 when the user clicks down the cursor 405 in the page area 404 on the preview area 403. When the print setting / preview program 205 detects a click-down of the cursor 405, the print setting / preview program 205 performs this processing.

  In step S1403, it is determined whether or not the current folding flag 1310 is set. If the flag is not set, the process proceeds to step S1404. If the flag is set, it is determined that the foldable fold line has been clicked down, and the process proceeds to the next step S1401.

  In step S1401, the cursor position is acquired as a numerical value converted into an actual position on the output sheet, and stored in the click-down cursor position 1410. The click-down cursor position 1410 is represented by secondary coordinates such as (104.0, 148.5), for example.

  In step S1402, a flag standing at the current folding flag is determined, and a guide arrow 902 corresponding to the flag is displayed. For example, when a mountain folding flag is set in the current folding flag, a guide arrow 902 corresponding to the mountain folding is displayed. When both the mountain fold flag and the valley fold flag are set, a guide arrow 902 corresponding to both is displayed. In the present embodiment, the mountain-folded guide arrow has a downward arrow shape, and the valley-folded guide arrow has an upward arrow shape.

  Step S1404 is the same processing as step S1311, and it is determined whether or not the cursor position is on the already set broken line. The determination is made based on whether or not there is a broken line setting record that can be determined that the cursor is on the folding position 712 of the broken line setting table 710 or in the vicinity thereof. If the cursor is already on the broken line, the process proceeds to the next step S1405. If the cursor is not on the broken line, the process of this flow is terminated.

  In step S1405, the fold line ID 711 of the fold line in which the cursor is determined to be on the fold line in step S1404 is stored in the adjustment fold line ID 1411 for identifying the target fold line when adjusting the set fold line.

  In step S1406, a range in which the adjustment broken line ID can be moved is displayed as a broken line adjustment range guide. FIG. 22 shows the screen display of the broken line adjustment range guide, and 2201 in the figure corresponds to the broken line adjustment range guide.

  FIG. 15 is a processing flow in the print setting / preview program 205 when the user clicks up the cursor 405 in the page area 404 on the preview area 403. When the print setting / preview program 205 detects a click-up of the cursor 405, this process is performed.

In step S1508, it is determined whether or not a broken line ID is set in the adjusted broken line ID 1411. If it is set, the process advances to step S1509 to adjust the broken line. If not set, the process proceeds to step S1501.
In step S1509, a broken line adjustment process is executed. A detailed processing flow will be described with reference to FIG.
In step S1501, the dragged direction is obtained from the current cursor position where the click-up is performed and the click-down cursor position 1410.

  In step S1502, the designated folding type is obtained from the drag direction obtained in step S1501, and it is determined whether the same folding type flag as the designated folding type stands in the current folding type flag 1320. If the folding flag specified as the current folding flag is set, the process advances to step S1503. If the flag is not set, it means that it has been dragged in an invalid direction, so this flow ends without processing. Specifically, in step S1501, the amount of movement of the coordinates is obtained from the coordinates of the cursor position at the time of clicking and after the movement, so in step S1502, it matches the direction indicated by the current folding flag or within the allowable range. It is determined whether the direction is a corresponding direction. That is, when the current folding flag is a valley folding, the coordinate movement amount is upward (the positive direction of the Y coordinate) and the horizontal direction (X coordinate shift) is within a predetermined range, for example, within 1 cm. For example, it is determined that the current folding flag is supported. If the coordinate movement amount is downward or the left-right direction is larger than a predetermined range, it is determined that the current folding flag is not supported, and the process is terminated.

  Since the process entering step S1503 is when the user newly sets a broken line on the preview display screen, step S1503 adds a new record to the broken line setting table 710. A detailed processing flow will be described with reference to FIG.

  In steps S <b> 1504 to S <b> 1506, processing is performed when another broken line is forcibly determined when the user sets a broken line. For example, in the example of the template table 500, since the folding template is determined to be TMP_2 at the time when the folding line corresponding to LIN_2 is designated, the folding line LIN_1 is also determined naturally. Therefore, processing that reflects this determination is performed.

  In step S1504, it is determined whether there is only one template record that includes all the combinations of the broken line information IDs 716 of all the records in the broken line setting table 710 in the combinations of the broken line information IDs 505 to 508 of the records in the template table 500. ing. If there is only one, the process proceeds to the next step S1506. In other cases, the process proceeds to step S1507.

  In step S1505, it is determined whether or not there is a broken line information ID not set in the broken line setting table 710 in the template record determined to exist in step S1504. When it exists, it progresses to step S1506, and when it does not exist, it progresses to step S1507. Step S1505 defines conditions for exiting the loop of S1505 to S1506.

In step S1506, a broken line setting table record addition process is executed in order to register a broken line determined not to be set in the broken line setting table 710 in step S1505. The detailed flow of the broken line setting table record adding process is described with reference to FIG. 18 as described above. At that time, a dummy is prepared at the click-down cursor position, and any coordinate on the broken line to be set is set at the dummy click-down cursor position.
The process up to this point is the process in the case where a template is forcibly determined when setting a broken line. As described above, when there are a plurality of types (templates) of printing paper folding methods (templates) corresponding to one combination of the size and the paper direction of the printing paper (see the template table in FIG. 5), the determination is made in step S1502. Based on the folding direction with respect to the folding line, the corresponding folding type can be narrowed down from a plurality of folding types (templates).

  In step S1507, the contents of the page / fold information table 710 are reflected on the screen 400 at the end of the process.

  The processing flow of FIG. 15 has been described as the processing flow when the mouse is clicked up, but is not limited to the click-up, for example, the cursor 405 is moved in the clicked-down state (dragged). By doing so, it is possible to determine which direction the folding is performed. In this case, the cursor position in the clicked-down state may be the current cursor position in step S1501.

FIG. 18 is a processing flow for adding a new record to the broken line setting table 710 (S1503).
In step S1801, one empty record is added to the broken line setting table 710.
In step S1802, a unique ID is allocated and stored in the broken line ID 711 of the created broken line setting record.
In step S1803, the corresponding broken line information ID acquired from the broken line information table 520 is stored in the broken line information ID 716 of the created broken line setting record. Note that the detailed processing flow of step S1803 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S1804, the folding position acquired from the click-down cursor position 1410 is stored in the folding position 712 of the created folding line setting record. At that time, if the specified folding line is vertical, only the position of the horizontal axis of the click-down cursor position 1410 may be stored in the folding position 712, and if it is horizontal, only the position of the vertical axis may be stored.

  In step S1805, the page where the user designates the broken line is stored in the page 715 of the created broken line setting record. At this time, if “Yes” is designated in the page setting page link 704 of the page / folding setting table 700, nothing is stored in the page 715, or an invalid value such as “0” is stored.

In step S1806, the list contents are once cleared in order to update the foldable broken line list 720 of the page for which the user has specified the broken line.
In step S1807, the foldable broken line list 720 of the page for which the user has specified the broken line is recreated. Note that the detailed processing flow of step S1807 has been described with reference to FIG.
In step S1808, if “Yes” is specified in the folding setting page link 704 of the page / folding setting table 700, the foldable broken line list 720 of another page needs to be updated, so the next page exists. Judging whether or not. If the page exists, the process returns to step S1806, and if not, the process ends.

  FIG. 16 corresponds to step S1803, and is a processing flow for storing a value in the broken line information ID 716 of the broken line setting record created in step S1801.

In step S1601, it is determined whether or not unacquired fold line information exists in the foldable fold line list having information of a page in which a fold is designated. If unacquired broken line information exists, the process proceeds to the next step S1602, and if not, the process ends.
In step S1602, one record of the broken line information table 520 for the broken line determined in step S1601 is acquired.

  In step S1603, it is determined whether or not the click-down cursor position 1410 is within the range from the folding position start 524 to the folding position end 525 of the broken line information record acquired in step S1602. If it falls within the range, the process proceeds to the next step S1604, and if not within the range, the process returns to step S1601.

In step S1604, it is determined whether the folding pattern 523 of the broken line information record acquired in step S1602 matches the folding pattern calculated in step S1501. If they match, the process proceeds to the next step S1605, and if they do not match, the process returns to step S1601.
In step S1605, the value of the broken line information ID 521 of the broken line information record acquired in step S1602 is stored in the broken line information ID 716 of the broken line setting record created in step S1801.
In step S1606, the click-down cursor position 1410 is initialized.

  FIG. 21 is a processing flow in the print setting / preview program 205 when the user clicks the cursor 405 in the page area 404 on the preview area 403 and adjusts the already set fold line (S1509). When the print setting / preview program 205 detects a click-up of the cursor 405, this process is performed.

In step S2101, the cursor position clicked up is acquired.
In step S2102, the same ID as the adjustment fold line ID 1411 is searched from the fold line ID 711 of the fold line setting table 710, and a corresponding record is acquired from the fold line information table 520 based on the fold line information ID associated with the record. Then, it is determined whether or not the cursor position is within the range of the folding position start 524 and the folding position end 525 of the folding line information table 520. When it is within the range, the process proceeds to the next step S2103, and when it is not within the range, the process proceeds to step S2104.

In step S2103, the clicked-up position is reflected in the corresponding broken line setting record. The clicked position is stored in the folding position 712 of the record of the broken line setting table 710 acquired in step S2102.
In step S2104, the adjustment broken line ID 1411 is initialized.

  FIG. 19 shows an operation screen and an input document image when the user switches to the “bookbinding view” by operating the view selection combo box 401 in the print setting / preview program 205.

  Reference numeral 1900 denotes an input document image. In this way, when folding or further saddle stitching is set for a previously imposed document, the print image is confirmed using the bookbinding view. Note that the bookbinding view is valid only when all page linkage 409 and overlap folding 410 are set. Further, when items that affect these conditions are changed in the page setting and the folding setting, the bookbinding view is canceled. At that time, a warning message such as 2000 in FIG. 20 may be displayed.

FIG. 17 is a processing flow at the end of the print setting / preview program 205. When the print setting / preview program 205 detects that the OK button 413 or the cancel button 414 is pressed by a user operation, the print setting / preview program 205 executes an end process.
In step S1701, it is determined whether the OK button has been pressed. If the OK button is pressed, the process advances to step S1702. If the OK button has not been pressed, the cancel button has been pressed, and the process advances to step S1703.
In step S <b> 1702, the memory area in which the page / fold setting table 700 and the fold line setting table 710 are stored is transferred to the printer driver 203.
In step S1703, the operation screen 400 is closed.
In order to set the folding, the contents of the folding position list 412 may be directly edited on the list, in addition to the method in which the user operates on the preview area 403.

  In step S1702, upon receiving the page / fold setting table 700 and the fold line setting table 710, the printer driver 203 interprets the contents of the table and converts them into a control command that can be recognized by a printer such as PDL. The converted printer control command is transmitted to the printer 120 via the system spooler 204 loaded into the RAM 113 by the OS. The printer 120 interprets the received printer control command and instructs the output unit controller 135 to execute printing. At this time, if folding is specified by the printer control command, the folding process is executed by the finisher 128 controlled by the output unit controller 135.

  Further, the finisher 128 may not be actually configured on the printer 120 but may be physically separated from the printer 120 (stand-alone). At that time, the printed matter is output without being folded in the printer 120, but the folding setting converted into the printer control command by the printer driver 203 is further converted into a control command that can be recognized by the stand-alone finisher 128. And stored in a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a portable RAM, or the like. The user may set the general RAM or the like in which the printed matter and the folding setting information are stored in the stand-alone finisher 128 so that the finisher 128 can recognize the folding setting and perform the folding processing.

  Although the embodiment has been described in detail, the print setting / preview program 205, which is a program according to the present invention, may be implemented on the printer 120 in addition to the embodiment implemented on the host computer 100. Specifically, the CPU 112 is replaced with the CPU 132, the RAM 113 is replaced with the RAM 133, the ROM 114 is replaced with the ROM 134, the input controller 115 and the video controller 116 are replaced with the operation unit controller 138, the memory controller 117 is replaced with the memory controller 137, and the keyboard 101 May be replaced with the operation panel 121, the display 102 may be replaced with the display 124, and the external memory 103 may be replaced with the external memory 123. Further, data exchanged via the communication I / F controller 118, the network 140, and the input unit 136 may be read as being completed in the RAM 133 of the printer 120.

  Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system that is configured, or may be applied to an apparatus that includes a single device.

It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the various terminals of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the printing control system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the print setting and preview program of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen of the print setting and preview program of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the template table of an embodiment of this invention, a corresponding finisher table, and a broken line information table. It is a figure which shows an example of the foldable paper type list | wrist of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the page and fold setting table of the embodiment of this invention, a fold line setting table, and a foldable broken line list. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of the print setting and preview program initialization of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen of the print setting and preview program of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of foldable broken line list | wrist preparation of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of print setting and a preview program start of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the screen display after setting a fold in the preview display area of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the processing flow at the time of cursor movement on the print setting and preview program operation screen of implementation of this invention. It is a figure which shows the processing flow at the time of cursor clickdown on the print setting and preview program operation screen of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the processing flow at the time of cursor click-up on the print setting and preview program operation screen of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of polygonal line information ID storage of the polygonal line setting table of embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow at the end of the print setting / preview program according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of a broken line setting table record addition of embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen in a bookbinding preview mode of a print setting / preview program according to the embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the bookbinding preview cancellation | release warning screen of the print setting and preview program of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the processing flow at the time of cursor click-up at the time of broken line adjustment on the print setting and preview program operation screen of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the broken line adjustment range guide of the operation screen of the print setting and preview program of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 102 Display 110 Host computer 120 Printer 201 Application 202 Graphic engine 203 Printer driver 204 System spooler 205 Print setting / preview program 301 Printer driver communication part 302 Print / fold setting holding part 303 Screen display part 304 Print / fold setting change part 305 Screen input Reception

Claims (13)

An information processing apparatus for performing settings related to folding of printing paper to be printed based on print data,
Print setting information acquisition means for acquiring print setting information including settings relating to print paper for the print data to be printed;
Fold determination means for determining a foldable position on the printing paper to be printed based on the print data according to the print setting information acquired by the print setting information acquisition means;
Preview display means for previewing a fold line at a position where the preview image can be folded together with a preview position of the print paper corresponding to the fold determination position determined by the fold determination means together with the print data preview image;
With
The information processing apparatus, wherein the preview display means folds a preview image of a print sheet for the print data in accordance with a user operation on the displayed fold line.   2. The information processing according to claim 1, wherein the preview display means detects a movement position of the cursor on the preview display, and displays the fold line when the detected cursor is at a foldable position. apparatus.   When the fold line is displayed when the cursor is at a foldable position, the preview display means determines a fold indicated by the fold line as a fold position for paper output according to an operation from a user. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.   4. The information processing according to claim 2, wherein the preview display unit further displays an icon indicating a mountain fold or a valley fold when the fold line is displayed when the cursor is at a foldable position. 5. apparatus.   A folding direction for determining a folding direction of whether the printing paper is folded in a mountain or a valley along the folding line according to a cursor position moved by a user operation with respect to the folding line displayed by the preview display means The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit. A folding type storage means for storing the type of folding of the printing paper corresponding to the combination of the size of the printing paper and the paper orientation;
In the folding type storage means, when there are a plurality of types of printing paper folding methods corresponding to one combination of the printing paper size and the paper orientation, the folding type storage means is configured to fold the folding line determined by the folding direction determination means. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a narrowing means for narrowing down a corresponding folding type from the plurality of folding types based on a direction.   The print data output means for outputting the print data based on the fold setting information and the print setting information which are information used when the fold display is performed, further comprising: The information processing apparatus according to one.   8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting related to folding includes a setting capable of selecting a folding setting for each page or all-page interlocking. 9.   The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the setting related to folding includes a setting to fold over a plurality of pages. The setting relating to folding includes a setting relating to the capability of a paper folding machine connected to the printer to which the print data is output,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preview display unit displays the fold line based on a setting relating to the capability of the paper folding machine. The setting relating to the capability of the paper folding machine and the print setting relating to the print data each include information on the type of paper,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the preview display unit displays the broken line when the types of the respective sheets match. A control method in an information processing apparatus for performing settings related to folding of printing paper to be printed based on print data,
A print setting acquisition step for acquiring print settings including settings relating to print paper for the print data to be printed;
A fold determination step for determining a foldable position on a printing paper to be printed based on the print data according to the print setting information acquired by the print setting information acquisition step;
A preview display step for previewing a fold line at a position where the preview image can be folded together with a preview image of the print paper for the print data, the position corresponding to the position where the folding is determined by the folding determination unit;
With
The method for controlling an information processing apparatus, wherein the preview display step displays a preview image of a print sheet for the print data in a folded manner in accordance with a user operation on the displayed broken line.   The program for performing each step of Claim 12.