JP2010165008A - Information processing apparatus, image forming system, and processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus for displaying a print preview image showing an accurate print position with respect to a print surface of a print medium. <P>SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus includes: an acquisition means for acquiring margin setting information to be set according to the individual difference of an image forming apparatus equipped with a supply means for supplying a recording medium; a calculation means for calculating a print position based on the margin setting information obtained by the acquisition means and the margin setting information related with print data as the object of print; and a display control means for making the display means display a preview image related with the print data based on the print position calculated by the calculation means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

  Conventionally, in a printing system in which a computer and a printer are connected via a network, the computer can make a print request to the printer via the network, as is well known.

  Such a computer converts document data created by application software for creating a document into print data, and transmits the print data to a printer.

  Incidentally, some of the application software has a setting function for setting vertical and horizontal margins for a page and a print preview function for previewing created document data.

  Therefore, in the above-described computer, when an instruction for starting the print preview function of the application software by the user, that is, an instruction for print preview is received while the application software is being executed, the print preview function is executed by executing the print preview function. Based on the margin setting information (margin setting information) set by the setting function and the created document data, a print preview image is displayed on the display device.

  The print result of the print preview function by this application software is different from the final print result.

Some computers perform print preview based on the print setting contents of the printer driver and information set in the printer acquired from the printer (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-202112 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an image forming system, and a processing program capable of displaying a print preview image in which an accurate print position with respect to a print surface of a print medium is reflected.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an information processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires margin setting information that is set according to individual differences between image forming apparatuses, and the acquisition unit that acquires the margin setting information. Calculation means for calculating a print position based on margin setting information and margin setting information related to print data to be printed, and a preview image related to the print data is displayed on the display means based on the print position calculated by the calculation means. Display control means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the individual difference between the image forming apparatuses is a supply unit that supplies a recording medium on which an image corresponding to the print data to be printed is formed. It is characterized by including individual differences.

  The invention according to claim 3 further comprises storage means for storing the margin setting information acquired by the acquisition means in the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the acquisition means is the print target. The merge setting information is acquired asynchronously with the preview display instruction regarding the print data, and the acquired margin setting information is stored in the storage unit. When the calculation unit receives the preview display instruction, The printing position is calculated based on the margin setting information stored in the storage unit and the margin setting information related to the print data to be printed.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the margin setting information set according to the individual difference of the image forming apparatus corresponds to the individual difference. It is a correction value for correcting the print position to the reference print position.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming system according to the present invention described in claim 5 includes an image forming unit that performs an image forming process and a supply unit that supplies a recording medium to the image forming unit. 5. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is connected to the image forming apparatus via a communication line.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a processing program according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is acquired by an acquisition processing step of acquiring margin setting information set according to individual differences of image forming apparatuses, and the acquisition processing step. A calculation processing step of calculating a print position based on the margin setting information and margin setting information related to print data to be printed, and a preview image relating to the print data based on the print position calculated by the calculation processing step. A display control processing process to be displayed on the display means is caused to be executed by a computer.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to display a print preview image in which an accurate print position with respect to the print surface of the print medium is reflected as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, the print preview is performed at an accurate print position in which the shift of the print position is corrected according to the solid difference of the image forming apparatus or the solid difference of the supply unit. An image can be displayed.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when there is an instruction for preview display, compared to the case without the present configuration, the margin setting information is acquired when the instruction for preview display is received. Thus, the preview image can be displayed on the display means at high speed.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to display the print preview image at an accurate print position in which the shift of the print position is corrected according to the individual difference of the image forming apparatus as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. it can.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to display a print preview image in which an accurate print position with respect to the print surface of the print medium is reflected as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide software that displays a print preview image in which an accurate print position with respect to the print surface of the print medium is reflected as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an image forming system according to the embodiment.

  In the image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 10 and the printing apparatus 20 are connected via a communication line 30, and the information processing apparatus 10 and the printing apparatus 20 exchange data via the communication line 30. Send and receive.

  The information processing apparatus 10 transmits a request for margin setting information to the printing apparatus 20, acquires the margin setting information from the printing apparatus 20, and acquires the acquired margin setting information and an application operated on the information processing apparatus 10. A print position is obtained based on margin setting information set by software, and a preview image is displayed based on the print position.

  Further, the information processing apparatus 10 generates print data to be printed, and transmits this print data to the printing apparatus 20 via the communication line 30.

  The printing apparatus 20 as an image forming apparatus transmits margin setting information related to the printing apparatus 20 to the information processing apparatus 10 via the communication line 30 in response to a request for margin setting information from the information processing apparatus 10. At the same time, print processing is performed based on the print data from the information processing apparatus 10 received via the communication line 30.

  Examples of the communication line 30 include a local area network (LAN = Local Area Network), a wired communication line such as a telephone line, a wireless communication line such as a wireless LAN, and a combination of these communication lines.

  In the embodiment, when the information processing apparatus 10 and the printing apparatus 20 communicate with each other, the information processing apparatus 10 acquires information indicating a state of the printing apparatus 20, for example, a paper feeding apparatus that can supply paper. Yes.

  FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 10.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a printer driver 100, a storage unit 101, an input unit 102, a display unit 103, and a communication unit 104.

  The printer driver 100 includes an acquisition processing function unit 110, a calculation processing function unit 120, a display control processing function unit 130, a print data generation processing function unit 140, and a preview image generation processing function unit 150.

  The acquisition processing function unit 110 acquires margin setting information that is set according to individual differences of the printing apparatus 20 described later.

  The acquisition processing function unit 110 acquires the merge setting information asynchronously with the preview display instruction regarding the print data to be printed, and stores the acquired margin setting information in the storage unit 101.

  The calculation processing function unit 120 calculates the print position based on the margin setting information acquired by the acquisition processing function unit 110 and the margin setting information related to the print data to be printed.

  That is, the calculation processing function unit 120 calculates the print position based on the margin setting information stored in the storage unit 101 and the margin setting information related to the print data to be printed when an instruction for preview display is received. .

  The display control processing function unit 130 causes the display unit 103 to display a preview image related to the print data based on the print position calculated by the calculation processing function unit 120.

  The print data generation processing function unit 140 converts document data created by the application software 105 into data (print data) in a data format that can be printed by the printing apparatus 20.

  That is, the print data generation processing function unit 140 generates data (hereinafter referred to as “PDL data”) described in, for example, a page description language (PDL) as data in the data format based on the document data.

  The preview image generation processing function unit 150 generates preview image data corresponding to print data (PDL data) to be printed.

  By the way, the user presses the “print button” of the application software 105 to display the “print dialog” on the display unit 103, and further selects the “property” in the “print dialog” to thereby make the printer driver 100. Start up.

  The activated printer driver 100 displays a driver setting screen 1000 as shown in FIG.

  The driver setting screen 1000 includes a print setting area 1100 and buttons for printer information acquisition 1200, print preview 1300, and print 1400.

  In the print setting area 1100, information indicating a paper feeding device in which a designated sheet is stored, information indicating the number of copies, information indicating whether double-sided printing or single-sided printing (double-sided / single-sided), and the like are printed. The set value concerned is set by the user. The print setting area 1100 is provided with a confirm button for confirming the set contents.

  Since the information processing apparatus 10 and the printing apparatus 20 regularly communicate with each other, the information processing apparatus 10 acquires information indicating a state of the printing apparatus 20, for example, a paper feeding apparatus that can supply paper. Is displayed on the display unit 103 when information indicating a paper feeding device capable of supplying paper in the printing device 20 and paper size information of the paper stored in the paper feeding device are displayed on the display unit 103. It is possible to specify a paper feeding device (that is, a paper type).

  When a user presses (selects) a specific button from among the printer information acquisition 1200, print preview 1300, and print 1400 buttons, the printer driver 100 performs processing corresponding to the pressed button. It has become.

  That is, when the printer information acquisition 1200 button is pressed (selected), the acquisition processing function unit 110 executes the margin setting information acquisition process.

  When the button of the print preview 1300 is pressed (selected), the calculation processing function unit 120 calculates a print position, the preview image generation processing function unit 150 generates a preview image, and the display control processing function unit 130. The preview image display control process is executed. When the button of the print preview 1300 is pressed (selected), the print data generation processing function unit 140 generates print data (PDL data) based on the document data, and the preview image generation processing function unit 150 A preview image corresponding to the print data (PDL data) is generated.

  Further, when the print 1400 button is pressed (selected), the print data generation processing function unit 140 transmits print data to the printing apparatus 20.

  Again, a description will be given with reference to FIG. The display unit 103 is a setting screen (hereinafter referred to as “merge setting screen”) for setting a margin related to the document content when the document is created by the activated application software 105 and the document provided by the application software 105. ), And display information such as the driver setting screen 1000. In the margin setting screen (not shown), a setting value (margin setting value) related to the left and right margins and the vertical margin is set by the user.

  The input unit 102 creates a document using the activated application software 105, inputs a setting value (margin setting value) on the margin setting screen, inputs a setting value on the driver setting screen 1000, selects a button, and the like. Is what you do.

  The storage unit 101 includes margin setting information (margin setting information) such as vertical and horizontal margins set for the merge setting screen provided by the application software 105, and the printing apparatus acquired by the acquisition processing function unit 110. The margin setting information from 20 and the preview image generated by the preview image data generation processing function unit 150 are stored.

  The storage unit 101 also stores document data created by the application software 105, print data (PDL data) generated by the print data generation processing function unit 140, data transmitted / received via the communication unit 104, and the like.

  The communication unit 104 is connected to the communication line 30 and is an interface that manages communication with the printing apparatus 20, and transmits margin setting information request information and print data (PDL data) to be printed to the printing apparatus 20. At the same time, the margin setting information transmitted from the printing apparatus 20 is received.

  In the embodiment, the acquisition processing function unit 110 has a function of an acquisition unit, the calculation processing function unit 120 has a function of a calculation unit, and the display control processing function unit 130 has a function of a display control unit.

  FIG. 4 shows a functional configuration of the printing apparatus 20.

  The printing apparatus 20 includes a printing apparatus main body 200, a plurality of paper feeding apparatuses 211, 212, 212, and an operation panel 220.

  The plurality of paper feeders 211, 212, and 213 serve as a supply unit that supplies, for example, paper as a recording medium to a print output unit 206 described later.

  The operation panel 220 has a function of displaying a margin setting screen 2200 as shown in FIG. 5 and a function of inputting input information such as setting value input and designation of options for the margin setting screen 2200.

  The margin setting screen 2200 has items of a tray selection 2210, a top margin setting input 2220, and a left margin setting input 2230.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the margin setting screen 2200 displays the printing positions corresponding to the individual differences of the printing apparatus main body 200 and the individual differences of the plurality of paper feeding apparatuses 211, 212, and 213 as supply means. This is for setting a correction value for correcting the reference print position.

  That is, when the reference coordinates (XY coordinate system) at the reference print position (square indicated by the alternate long and short dash line) 2201 with respect to the paper is (X0, Y0), individual differences of the printing apparatus main body 200, supply Depending on the individual differences of the plurality of paper feeding apparatuses 211, 212, and 213 as means, the coordinates of the origin (XY coordinate system) at the printing position may be (X1, Y1).

  In other words, it means that the coordinates of the origin corresponding to the number of paper feeding devices exist for each printing apparatus main body. In the case of the printing apparatus body 20, there are three origin coordinates corresponding to the individual differences of the plurality of paper feeding apparatuses 211, 212, and 213.

  As described above, the coordinates (X1, Y1) at the printing position (square indicated by the dotted line) 2202 corresponding to the individual difference are different from the coordinates (X0, Y0) of the reference origin. Is performed, the image of the print processing result is printed at a position shifted by a difference value between the coordinates (X1, Y1) and the coordinates (X0, Y0) on the paper.

  Therefore, the user operates the operation panel 220 to input a correction value for correcting the origin of the printing position on the margin setting screen 2200.

  Now, in the margin setting screen 2200 shown in FIG. 5, the tray 1, the tray 2, and the tray 3 correspond to the paper feeding device 211, the paper feeding device 212, and the paper feeding device 213, respectively.

  Since the item of the tray selection 2210 has a solid difference for each sheet feeding device (tray), the sheet feeding device (tray) to be corrected for the origin of the printing position from among the plurality of sheet feeding devices 211, 212, and 213. ) To select.

  The item of the top margin setting input 2220 is a correction value for correcting the difference in the coordinate value in the Y direction from the coordinate value of the reference origin in the coordinate value of the origin according to the individual difference, that is, the correction related to the margin in the Y direction (margin). This is for entering a value (set value of the top margin).

  The item of the left margin setting input 2230 is a correction value for correcting the difference in the coordinate value in the Y direction from the coordinate value of the reference origin in the coordinate value of the origin in accordance with the individual difference, that is, the correction related to the margin (margin) in the X direction. This is for entering a value (left margin setting value).

  In the embodiment, the top margin setting value set corresponding to the item of the top margin setting input 2220 and the left margin set corresponding to the item of the left margin setting input 2230 for each sheet feeding device (tray). The setting value is defined as margin setting information.

  In the embodiment, this margin setting information is defined as margin correction setting information in order to clearly distinguish it from margin setting information (margin setting information) set by the application software 105 in the information processing apparatus 10. Note that margin correction setting information and margin setting information may be written together as necessary.

  Here, if the top margin setting value for the item of the top margin setting input 2220 and the left margin setting value for the item of the left margin setting input 2230 are acceptable, the user presses (selects) the confirm button 2241.

  In addition, when the user changes the setting values of the sheet feeding device (tray) for which the top margin setting value and the left margin setting value are determined as described above, the sheet feeding device (target to be changed) Button), the change button 2242 is pressed, the setting value to be changed is further changed among the top margin setting value and the left margin setting value, and then the confirmation button 2241 is pressed (selected).

  Further, when the user cancels each setting value for the sheet feeding device (tray) for which the top margin setting value and the left margin setting value are determined as described above, the sheet feeding device (button to be changed) ) Is selected, and cancel 2243 is pressed. As a result, the top margin setting value and the left margin setting value are changed to a default value, for example, “0.0 mm” meaning no correction.

  The margin setting information (top margin setting value and left margin setting value for each sheet feeding device (tray)) set in this way is given from the operation panel 220 to the interface 202 described later.

  Again, a description will be given with reference to FIG. The printing apparatus main body 200 includes a control unit 201, an interface 202, a margin storage unit 203, a print data storage unit 204, a communication unit 205, and a print output unit 206.

  The control unit 201 stores the margin correction setting information (merge setting information) obtained from the operation panel 220 via the interface 202 in the margin storage unit 203 and receives the request information for the margin setting information from the information processing apparatus 10. In this case, the margin correction setting information (merge setting information) stored in the margin storage unit 203 is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 10.

  In addition, when the print request information is received from the information processing apparatus 10, the control unit 201 reads out and analyzes the print data (PDL data) from the print data storage unit 205, and based on the analysis result, the page unit image data (Raster data) is generated, and image data in units of pages is output to the print output unit 206.

  Further, the control unit 201 controls the entire printing apparatus 20 in an integrated manner.

  The interface 202 controls the input / output interface, acquires input information such as margin correction setting information from the operation panel 220, and outputs display information such as a margin setting screen 2200 to the operation panel 220 according to the control of the control unit 201. .

  The margin storage unit 203 stores margin correction setting information acquired by the control unit 201 via the interface 202.

  An example of this margin correction setting information (margin setting information) is shown in FIG. In the margin setting information 2030, an item of tray information 2031, an item of a top margin setting value 2032, and an item of a left margin setting value 2033 are associated with each other.

  In the item of tray information 2031, tray information indicating the sheet feeding device (tray) selected in the item of tray selection 2210 of the margin setting screen 2200 illustrated in FIG. 5 is registered.

  In the item of the top margin setting value 2032, the margin setting value (top margin setting value) input to the item of the top margin setting input 2220 of the margin setting screen 2200 corresponding to the selected sheet feeding device (tray) is stored. be registered.

  In the left margin setting value 2033, the margin setting value (left margin setting value) input in the item of the left margin setting input 2220 of the margin setting screen 2200 corresponding to the selected sheet feeding device (tray) is registered. The

  Again, a description will be given with reference to FIG. The print data storage unit 204 stores print data (PDL data) received from the information processing apparatus 10 by the communication unit 205.

  The communication unit 205 is an interface that is connected to the communication line 30 and manages communication with the information processing apparatus 10. For example, the communication unit 205 receives request information for margin setting information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 10 and print data to be printed. At the same time, the margin correction setting information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 10.

  The print output unit 206 is an image forming unit (for example, a unit that executes an electrophotographic process) that performs image forming processing, a so-called print engine, and physically includes a plurality of paper feeding devices (supplying units) 211, 212, and 213. Connected, paper is supplied from a paper feeding device designated from these paper feeding devices.

  The print output unit 206 forms an image on a sheet supplied with an image corresponding to the page-unit image data acquired from the control unit 201 (that is, performs print processing based on the image data), and the image formation result ( Print).

  Next, margin setting information acquisition processing by the information processing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the margin setting information acquisition processing.

  The user operates the input unit 102 to press the “print button” of the application software 105 to display the “print dialog” on the display unit 103 and further selects “property” in the “print dialog”. As a result, the printer driver 100 is activated.

  The driver setting screen 1000 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit 103 by the display control by the activated printer driver 100, and the user operates the input unit 102 to display the driver setting screen displayed on the display unit 103. At 1000 (see FIG. 3), the printer information acquisition 1200 button is pressed (selected).

  When the printer information acquisition 1200 button is pressed, in the printer driver 100, the acquisition processing function unit 110 recognizes that the printer information acquisition 1200 button has been pressed, thereby acquiring printer information (printing device information acquisition). ) Is received (step S101), and request information for margin setting information is transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 via the communication unit 104 (step S102).

  The acquisition processing function unit 110 acquires margin correction setting information (margin setting information) from the printing apparatus 20 via the communication unit 104 (step S103), and stores the acquired margin correction setting information in the storage unit 101 ( Step S104).

  For example, if the acquisition processing function unit 110 acquires the margin correction setting information (margin setting information) having the same content as the margin correction setting information (margin setting information) 2030 in FIG. Store in the storage unit 101.

  Next, the preview image display control process by the information processing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the preview image display control process.

  Here, on the merge setting screen provided by the application software 105, margin setting information (margin setting information) such as vertical and horizontal margins is set by the user, and the margin setting information is stored in the storage unit 101. It shall be remembered. Also, it is assumed that document data to be printed created by the application software 105 is stored in the storage unit 101.

  First, the user operates the input unit 102 to specify document data to be printed with respect to the application software 105 and presses a “print button” of the application software 105 to display a “print dialog” on the display unit 103. Is displayed, and the printer driver 100 is activated by selecting “property” in the “print dialog”.

  The driver setting screen 1000 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit 103 by the display control by the activated printer driver 100, and the user operates the input unit 102 to display the driver setting screen displayed on the display unit 103. In 1000 (see FIG. 3), the button of the print preview 1300 is pressed (selected).

  When the button of the print preview 1300 is pressed, in the printer driver 100, the print data generation processing function unit 140 reads the specified document data to be printed from the storage unit 101, and print data based on the document data. (PDL data) is generated. The preview image generation processing function 150 generates a preview image corresponding to the print data (PDL data).

  In the printer driver 100, the calculation processing function unit 120 accepts a print preview instruction by recognizing that the button of the print preview 1300 has been pressed (step S 201), and receives the print setting information from the storage unit 101. In addition to reading the sheet feeding device information (step S202), the margin setting information set by the application software 105 is read from the storage unit 101 (step S203).

  Also, the calculation processing function unit 120 corresponds to the paper feed device information (paper feed device information set by the print settings) read out from the storage unit 101 in step S202 in the merge correction setting information from the printing device 20. Margin correction setting information relating to the sheet feeding device (tray) to be read is read (step S204).

  Further, the calculation processing function unit 120 calculates the print position based on the margin setting information read in step S203 and the margin correction setting information read in step S204 (step S205).

  When the printing position is calculated by the calculation processing function unit 120 in this way, the display control function unit 130 causes the display unit 103 to perform the preview image generation processing function unit 150 according to the calculated printing position (margin value). Control is performed to display the generated preview image (step S206).

  As a result, the display unit 103 displays the preview image according to the print position (margin value) calculated by the calculation processing function unit 120.

  Next, the calculation of the printing position will be described with a specific example.

  Assume that the margin correction setting information stored in the storage unit 101 has the same content as the margin correction setting information 2030 in FIG. Assume that the paper feed device information in the print setting information in step S202 is tray information indicating the paper feed device 211, that is, the tray 1. It is assumed that the top margin setting value is 10 mm and the left margin setting value is 15 mm in the margin setting information (vertical margin setting value, horizontal margin setting value) in step 203.

  Under such preconditions, the margin correction setting information regarding tray 1 in step S204 is the top margin setting value = + 3.9 mm and the left margin setting value = + 0.9 mm in the margin correction setting information 2030 in FIG. (See FIG. 7).

  The calculation processing function unit 120 then reads the margin setting information (top margin setting value = 10 mm, left margin setting value = 15 mm) read in step S203 and the margin correction setting information (top margin setting value = + 3) read in step S204. .9 mm, left margin set value = + 0.9 mm) is added to calculate the printing position.

  As a result of the calculation, the top margin setting value = 13.9 mm and the left margin setting value = 15.9 mm.

  As described above, in the embodiment, the printer driver 100 performs control to reflect the deviation of the printing position due to the solid difference of the printing apparatus or the solid difference (inherent characteristic) of the paper feeding apparatus in the print preview. In other words, the printer driver 100 displays a print preview image at an accurate print position in which the displacement of the print position is corrected according to the solid difference of the printing apparatus (including the solid difference of the paper feeding apparatus). As a result, an accurate print preview is displayed on the print surface corresponding to the paper.

  Further, the acquisition processing function unit 110 (printer driver 100) acquires margin correction setting information (margin setting information) related to the printing apparatus 20 asynchronously with a print preview instruction, and stores the margin correction setting information in the storage unit 101. As a result, when a print preview instruction is issued by the user, the printer driver 100 performs a print preview display control process based on the margin correction setting information already acquired and stored in the storage unit 101. Compared with the case where the margin correction setting information is acquired after the reception, it is performed at a higher speed.

  Furthermore, since printing mistakes by the user are suppressed by the print preview reflecting the accurate printing position on the printing surface (paper surface) corresponding to the paper, wasteful use of resources such as consumables such as paper and toner can be avoided. It is suppressed.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 shows the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 10.

  The information processing apparatus 10 is, for example, a computer. As illustrated in FIG. 10, a CPU 11, a storage device 12 such as a hard disk, a ROM 13, a RAM 14, a display device 15, an input device 16, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 17. Have. These components 11 to 16 are connected to the system bus 18.

  The storage device 12 includes a printer driver 100, application software 105, software (program) corresponding to the above-described printer information acquisition process (see FIG. 8), and a preview image display control process (see FIG. 8). 9)), and various installed programs such as software (programs) corresponding to the program are stored.

  The storage device 12 stores document data created by the application software 105.

  The printer driver 100 includes a processing program 12A. This processing program 12A realizes each function of the acquisition processing function unit 110, the calculation processing function unit 120, and the display control processing function unit 130.

  That is, the processing program 12A includes at least the following processing steps (1) to (3).

  (1) An acquisition process for acquiring margin setting information set in accordance with individual differences among image forming apparatuses. This acquisition process is executed by the acquisition processing function unit 110.

  (2) A calculation process for calculating a printing position based on the margin setting information acquired in the acquisition process and the margin setting information related to the print data to be printed. This calculation process is executed by the calculation processing function unit 120.

  (3) A display control process for causing the display means to display a preview image relating to the print data based on the print position calculated by the calculation process. This display control process is executed by the display control processing function unit 130.

  The ROM 13 is a read-only memory and stores communication protocol information for communication.

  The RAM 14 is a read / write memory as needed, stores various programs (such as the printer driver 100) read from the storage device 12, and stores communication protocol information read from the ROM 13.

  The RAM 14 functions as the storage unit 101 in FIG. 2. For example, margin setting information such as vertical and horizontal margins set for the merge setting screen provided by the application software 105, The margin correction setting information (margin setting information) from the printing apparatus 20 acquired by the acquisition processing function unit 110 and the preview image generated by the preview image data generation processing function unit 150 are stored.

  Further, the RAM 14 stores print data (PDL data) generated by the print data generation processing function unit 140, data transmitted / received via the communication unit 104, and the like.

  The display device 15 is composed of, for example, a display device and fulfills the function of the display unit 103 in FIG. 2. For example, the document content when the user creates a document using the application software 105, and the application software 105 This is for displaying the provided margin setting screen and driver setting screen 1000.

  The input device 16 is composed of, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and fulfills the function of the input unit 102 in FIG. It is for inputting input information and commands such as settings.

  The communication I / F 17 fulfills the function of the communication unit 104 in FIG. 2 and performs communication with an external device, for example, the printing device 20 via the communication line 30 (see FIG. 1).

  The CPU 11 is a central processing unit, and implements the functions of the printer driver 100 described above by reading the printer driver 100 (including the processing program 12A) from the storage device 12 into the RAM 14 and executing it. For example, the CPU 11 executes printer information acquisition processing and also executes preview image display control processing.

  Further, the CPU 11 comprehensively controls the respective constituent elements 12 to 17 and controls the information processing apparatus 10 as a whole.

  In the example shown in FIG. 10, the processing program 12A is included in the printer driver 100, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be a dedicated processing program. In this case, the dedicated processing program and the printer driver not including the processing program 12A cooperate to execute the printer information acquisition process and the preview image display control process.

  In the present specification, a printer driver (or a dedicated processing program) including a processing program has been described as an embodiment of recording on a storage device such as a hard disk as a recording medium. It may be provided as follows.

  That is, the printer driver (or a dedicated processing program) is stored in the ROM, and the CPU loads the printer driver (or the dedicated processing program) from the ROM to the main storage device for execution. Good.

  The printer driver (or a dedicated processing program) may be stored and distributed in a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, MO (magneto-optical disk), flexible disk, or the like. Good. In this case, after the information processing apparatus installs the printer driver (or dedicated processing program) recorded on the recording medium, the CPU executes the printer driver (or dedicated processing program). As an installation destination of the processing program, there is a memory such as a RAM or a storage device such as a hard disk. The information processing apparatus loads a printer driver (or a dedicated processing program) stored in the storage device into the main storage device and executes it as necessary.

  Further, the information processing apparatus is connected to a server apparatus or a host computer via a communication line (for example, the Internet), and after the information processing apparatus downloads the printer driver from the server apparatus or the host computer, the printer driver (Or a dedicated processing program) may be executed. In this case, download destinations of the printer driver (or dedicated processing program) include a memory such as a RAM and a storage device (recording medium) such as a hard disk. The information processing apparatus loads the printer driver (or a dedicated processing program) stored in the storage device into the main storage device and executes it as necessary.

  The present invention can be applied to an information processing apparatus that is connected remotely or locally to an image forming apparatus.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the driver setting screen displayed with the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a margin setting screen displayed on the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. It is a figure explaining the printing position according to the solid difference concerning an embodiment, and the printing position used as a standard. It is a figure which shows an example of the margin setting information set in the printing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the margin setting information acquisition process by the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the preview image display control process by the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 10 Information processing apparatus 11 CPU
12 Storage device 12A Processing program 13 ROM
14 RAM
15 Display device 16 Input device 17 Communication I / F
20 Printing Device 30 Communication Line 100 Printer Driver 101 Storage Unit 102 Input Unit 103 Display Unit 104 Communication Unit 110 Acquisition Processing Function Unit 120 Calculation Processing Function Unit 130 Display Control Processing Function Unit 140 Print Data Generation Processing Function Unit 150 Preview Image Generation Processing Function Unit 200 printing device 201 control unit 202 interface 203 margin storage unit 204 print data storage unit 205 communication unit 206 print output unit 211, 212, 213 paper feeder 220 operation panel 1000 driver setting screen 2030 margin correction setting information 2200 margin setting screen

Claims (6)

Obtaining means for obtaining margin setting information set according to individual differences of the image forming apparatus;
Calculation means for calculating a print position based on the margin setting information acquired by the acquisition means and margin setting information related to print data to be printed;
Display control means for causing the display means to display a preview image related to the print data based on the print position calculated by the calculation means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The individual difference of the image forming apparatus is
Including individual differences of supply means for supplying a recording medium on which an image corresponding to the print data to be printed is formed,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Storage means for storing the margin setting information acquired by the acquisition means;
The acquisition means includes
The merge setting information is acquired asynchronously with the preview display instruction regarding the print data to be printed, and the acquired margin setting information is stored in the storage unit,
The calculating means includes
A print position is calculated based on the margin setting information stored in the storage unit and the margin setting information related to the print data to be printed when the preview display instruction is received;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. Margin setting information set according to individual differences of the image forming apparatus,
It is a correction value for correcting the print position according to the individual difference to a reference print position.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that performs an image forming process; and a supply unit that supplies a recording medium toward the image forming unit;
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information processing apparatus is connected to the image forming apparatus via a communication line.
An image forming system comprising: An acquisition process for acquiring margin setting information set according to individual differences of the image forming apparatus;
A calculation processing step of calculating a print position based on the margin setting information acquired by the acquisition processing step and margin setting information related to print data to be printed;
A display control process for displaying on the display means a preview image related to the print data based on the print position calculated by the calculation process;
A processing program for causing a computer to execute.

Images