JP2010277245A - Printing system and print control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that since there is only one settable staple position with respect to all print data included in one print job in a conventional printer driver, it is not attainable to perform setting to divide print data included in one print job into a plurality of sections for stapling the print data, and to staple only a portion of the print data. <P>SOLUTION: When setting a staple position, the leading page of the final printed matter is designated as a division page, and a staple position is designated in association with the division page so that it is attainable to set the staple position in subsets unit. Furthermore, when no staple positions of the plurality of subsets set by the staple position setting means are the same, the clicker staple position setting function of the preview screen is invalidated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system comprising a printer device having a function of binding and outputting printed paper by stapling, and an information processing device including a printer driver for controlling the printing operation of the printer device, and It relates to the control method.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the advancement of functions of printer devices, devices having a stapling function for binding and outputting printed sheets of a plurality of pages have appeared.

  Normally, a printer driver is used to control a printer device to execute processing such as printing. However, a printer driver for controlling a printer device having a stapling function includes a stapling position, number, and stapling. A function for setting the position and size of the binding margin is provided.

  As a method for setting the stapling position and number in the printer driver, for example, there is a proposal of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-185446.

  In this example, a method for providing a user interface for receiving a user input for setting a staple position and a method for displaying a staple position set via the user interface as a print preview are proposed. In this example, the settable stapling position is only one place for all print data included in one print job.

  As another example, a method of providing a new user interface for setting the stapling position and number on the print preview screen of the printer driver has been put into practical use. Even in this method, the stapling position that can be set is only one for all print data included in one print job.

JP 2000-185446 A

  In the conventional printer driver, the stapling position that can be set is only one for all the print data included in one print job. For this reason, there is a problem that it is not possible to set the print data included in one print job to be divided into a plurality of portions and to staple only a part of the print data.

  A printing system comprising a printer device having a function of binding and outputting printed paper by stapling, and an information processing device including a printer driver for controlling the printing operation of the printer device. A means for dividing the print data into a plurality of parts and setting a stapling position for each of the plurality of subsets, and for setting the stapling position by the means, means for designating the first page of the subset as a separator page; A printing system and a printing control method characterized by including means for specifying a stapling position in association with each other.

  According to the present invention, it is possible for the user to staple the print data included in one print job into a plurality of parts, or to staple only a part of the print data, thereby improving the user-friendliness. Is possible.

  In addition, it is possible to prevent the stapling position set for each subset from being inadvertently reset to the same position by the stapling position setting means on the preview screen, thereby improving user convenience. be able to.

1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to a first embodiment. Software configuration related to the printing process of the printing system. Display screen when the Page Setup tab is selected in the Print Setup dialog. The figure which showed the kind of clickable staple position setting icon. Screen displayed when the Finishing Settings tab is selected in the Print Settings dialog. The figure which shows a staple position designation | designated dialog. The figure showing the staple setting management table. The figure which shows an example of a staple position setting dialog. The figure which shows an example of a staple position setting dialog. The figure which shows an example of a staple position setting dialog. The figure which shows an example of a staple position setting dialog. The figure which shows an example of a staple position setting dialog. The figure showing an example of print data. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a document generated by an application and a final printed matter output by a printer device. The flowchart showing the flow of the staple information setting process. The flowchart 1 showing the flow of processing of the printer driver. The flowchart 2 showing the flow of processing of the printer driver. The figure showing the preview screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of the printing system according to the embodiment.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes an information processing apparatus and 150 denotes a printer apparatus. Both devices are connected via a bidirectional interface 130.

  The information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU 101 that executes document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets), and the like are mixed based on a document processing program stored in the external memory 111. The CPU 101 comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 104.

  The external memory 111 stores an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS) that is a control program of the CPU 101, a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, a printer control command generation program (hereinafter referred to as a printer driver), and the like. Yes.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 101.

  A keyboard controller (KBC) 105 controls key input from a keyboard 109 or a pointing device (not shown). Reference numeral 106 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC), which controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 110. A disk controller (DKC) 107 controls access to the external memory 111 such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flexible disk (FDD). A printer controller (PRTC) 108 is connected to the printer apparatus 150 via the bidirectional interface 130 and executes communication control processing with the printer apparatus 150.

  Note that the CPU 101 executes, for example, outline font development (rasterization) processing on the display information RAM set on the RAM 102 to enable WYSIWYG on the CRT 110. Further, the CPU 101 opens various windows registered based on commands instructed by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 110, and executes various data processing. When executing printing, the user can open a window related to print settings and set print processing parameters for the printer driver, including printer settings and print mode selection.

  The printer device 150 is controlled by the CPU 151. The CPU 151 outputs an image signal as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 158 connected to the system bus 154 based on a control program stored in the ROM 153 or a control program stored in the external memory 160. The ROM 153 stores a control program for the CPU 151 and the like. The font ROM of the ROM 153 stores font data used for generating the output information. The data ROM of the ROM 153 stores information used by the information processing apparatus 100 in the case of a printer that does not have an external memory 160 such as a hard disk.

  The CPU 151 can perform communication processing with the information processing apparatus 100 via the input unit 155 and can notify the information processing apparatus 100 of information in the printer apparatus. The RAM 152 functions as a main memory of the CPU 151, a work area, or the like, and is configured such that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The RAM 152 is used as an output information expansion area, environment data storage area, NVRAM, and the like. Access to the external memory 160 composed of a hard disk drive (HDD), IC card, or the like is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 157. The external memory 160 stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like in addition to the control program described above. Reference numeral 159 denotes an operation panel on which an operation switch, an LED display, and the like are arranged.

  The external memory 160 described above is not limited to a single unit, and a plurality of external memories 160 are provided so that a plurality of external memories storing option cards and programs for interpreting printer control languages of different language systems can be connected in addition to built-in fonts. It may be. Furthermore, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 159.

  The printer device 150 has a function of stapling print data for each of a plurality of subsets in accordance with an instruction from the information processing device 100.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a software configuration related to the printing process of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 200 denotes an image generation application having a function for generating a printed document. When the application 200 performs printing on the printer apparatus, the graphic engine 201 is used to output image data to the printer driver 202.

  Reference numeral 201 denotes a graphic engine (in the Windows (registered trademark) OS (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States), which corresponds to an OS rendering means called GDI). The graphic engine has a function of relaying image data output from the application 200 to the printer driver 202.

  Reference numeral 202 denotes a printer driver. The printer driver has a function of generating print data including control commands that can be recognized by the printer from the image data received from the graphic engine 201 and outputting the print data to the system spooler.

  A system spooler 203 has a function of outputting print data generated by the printer driver to the printer apparatus through a bidirectional interface.

  These pieces of software are stored in the external memory 111 of the information processing apparatus, loaded into the RAM 102 when the software is activated, and executed by the CPU 101.

  Next, a user interface of the printer driver 202 in the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7 and FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen displayed when the “page setting tab” is selected in the print setting dialog of the printer driver 202. The print setting dialog can be opened from the printer folder managed by the OS or the print setting screen of the application 200.

  In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a page setting sheet. The user can specify print setting parameters related to page setting via the user interface of the page setting sheet. Specifically, the document size 304, the output paper size 305, the number of copies 306 to be printed, the printing direction 307 such as portrait or landscape, the page layout 308 such as N-up, the free scaling specification 309, for free scaling The magnification 310 can be designated.

  For example, the user can specify how many pages of the printed document are to be printed on one sheet by using the page layout 308.

  When the user designates “1 page / sheet (standard)” and executes printing, a one-page printed document is printed on one sheet. When the user designates “2 pages / sheet” and executes printing, a two-page printed document is printed on one sheet.

  A preview screen 302 displays an image of a document that is actually printed according to print settings designated by the user.

  Reference numeral 303 denotes a clickable staple position setting icon. When the user moves the mouse cursor to a specific position on the preview screen, the mouse cursor changes to a clickable staple position setting icon. Four types of icons are prepared, and the displayed icon changes depending on the position of the mouse cursor.

  FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the preview screen 302 when the user moves the mouse cursor to the vicinity of the center of the left side of the preview screen when the upper left (one place) is set as the stapling position.

  In FIG. 18, reference numeral 1801 denotes a document preview display area, and 1802 denotes an upper left (one place) staple position display. 1803 is an icon switching area for designating no staples, 1804 is an icon switching area for designating the left side (two places) of staples, and 1805 is an icon switching area for designating the lower left (one place) of staples.

  Reference numeral 1806 denotes a clickable staple position setting icon for designating the left side (two places) of the staple.

  When the user moves the mouse cursor into the icon switching area 1803, a clickable stapling position setting icon for designating no stapling is displayed.

  Similarly, when the user moves the mouse cursor into the icon switching area 1804, a clickable staple position setting icon for designating the left side (two places) of the staples is displayed.

  Similarly, when the user moves the mouse cursor into the icon switching area 1805, a clickable staple position setting icon for designating the lower left (one position) of the staple is displayed.

  However, if the staple position is set for multiple subsets in the subset position setting dialog, which will be described later, and the staple position of any subset is set to be different from the staple position of other subsets, clickable staple The position setting icon is not displayed.

  In another embodiment, the clickable staple position setting icon may not be displayed when staple positions are set for a plurality of subsets in a subset position setting dialog described later.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the types of clickable staple position setting icons.

  Reference numeral 401 denotes an icon for designating the upper left (one place) as the stapling position. Reference numeral 402 denotes an icon for designating the lower left (one place) as the stapling position. Reference numeral 403 denotes an icon for designating the left side (two places) as a stapling position. Reference numeral 404 denotes an icon for designating no stapling.

  When the clickable stapling position setting icon is displayed, when the user left-clicks the mouse, a stapling position corresponding to the type of icon is set. The set stapling position is applied to all print data included in one print job.

  For example, when the left click of the mouse with the clickable staple position setting icon 401 displayed, the upper left (one place) is set as the staple position. When printing is executed with this setting, a final printed matter in which the upper left (one place) of all pages is stapled is output from the printer.

  Reference numeral 311 denotes a button for returning to the standard, which is used to return the print setting to the default state.

  Reference numeral 312 denotes an OK button. When the user presses the OK button, the printer driver determines various print setting parameters set in the user interface, saves them in the setting information storage area created in the external memory 111 of the information processing apparatus 100, and then displays the print setting dialog. close.

  Reference numeral 313 denotes a cancel button. When the user presses the cancel button, the printer driver discards all the print setting parameters set in the user interface and closes the print setting dialog of the printer driver.

  Reference numeral 314 denotes an apply button. When the user presses the apply button, the printer driver determines various print setting parameters set in the user interface and saves them in a setting information storage area created in the external memory 111 of the information processing apparatus 100.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen displayed when “Finishing Setting Tab” is selected in the print setting dialog of the printer driver 202.

  In the figure, reference numeral 501 denotes a finishing sheet. The user can specify print setting parameters relating to print finishing via a user interface included in the finishing sheet. Specifically, a printing method 504, a closing direction 505, a margin 506, a discharge method 507, a stapling position specification 508, and a discharge destination 509 can be specified.

  For example, the user can designate one of sort, group, staple sort, and staple group as the discharge method by pressing a radio button of the discharge method 507.

  When the user designates sorting and prints two copies of the original document of pages 1 to 3, the printer device prints pages 1 to 3 in order, and then prints pages 1 to 3.

  When the user designates a group and prints two copies of a document of pages 1 to 3, the printer device prints two copies of one page and then prints two copies of two pages and two copies of three pages.

  When the user designates a staple sort and prints a plurality of pages of a plurality of copies, the printer device prints one copy at a time in the same print order as the sort, staples and discharges.

  When the user designates a staple group and prints a plurality of pages of a plurality of copies, the printer device prints one copy at a time in the same printing order as the group, staples and discharges.

  5 is a preview screen similar to 302 in FIG. 3, and 503 is a clickable staple position setting icon similar to 303 in FIG.

  Further, 510, 511, 512, and 513 in FIG. 5 are buttons for returning to the standard, an OK button, a cancel button, and an apply button, respectively, similar to 311, 312, 313, and 314 in FIG.

  In the finishing sheet 501, when the user presses the radio button in the paper discharge method 507 to sort or select a group, the staple position establishment button 508 is disabled.

  On the other hand, when the user depresses the radio button in the paper discharge method 507 and selects a staple sort or a staple group, the staple position establishment button 508 is enabled.

  When the user presses the staple position setting button 508, a staple position designation dialog shown in FIG. 6 is displayed.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display screen of a staple position designation dialog.

  In the figure, reference numeral 601 denotes a setting list display area. In the setting list display area, “staple delimiter” and “staple position” which are staple setting information are displayed.

  When the user selects the staple sort by the paper discharge method 507 in FIG. 5 and presses the staple position designation button 508, the character “separate” in the setting list display area is grayed out and the delimiter is displayed. It will not be done.

  Reference numeral 602 denotes a staple position setting radio button. There are four radio buttons, upper left (1 location), lower left (1 location), left side (2 locations), and none, and the user specifies one of the stapling positions by pressing the radio button. be able to.

  Reference numeral 603 denotes a delimiter designation text box. The user can specify the stapling point by entering a number in the text box.

  Note that when the user selects the staple sort by the paper discharge method 507 in FIG. 5 and presses the staple position designation button 508, the delimiter designation text box becomes invalid.

  Reference numeral 604 denotes an add button. When the user designates the staple position with the staple position setting radio button 602, designates the staple delimiter in the delimiter designation text box, and presses the add button, the designated delimiter and the staple position are set as the staple setting information. The setting list display area 601 is displayed.

  Reference numeral 605 denotes a delete button. When the user presses the button, all the staple setting information displayed in the setting list display area 601 is deleted.

  Reference numeral 606 denotes a delete button. When the user selects any of the staple setting information displayed in the setting list display area 601 and presses the delete button, the selected staple setting information is deleted from the setting list display area 601.

  Reference numeral 607 denotes an OK button. When the user presses the OK button while the staple setting information is displayed in the setting list display area 601, the staple setting information displayed in the setting list display area 601 is converted, and the staple setting shown in FIG. Stored in the management table.

  FIG. 7 shows a staple setting management table. The staple setting management table exists in a setting information storage area created in the external memory 111 of the information processing apparatus 100 by the printer driver.

  As shown in the figure, in the staple setting management table, four pieces of information of a staple number 701, a separator head page number 702, a staple number 703, and a staple position 704 are stored as a set for one staple setting information. The

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, ten pieces of staple setting information can be stored in the staple management table.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 608 denotes a cancel button. When the user presses the cancel button, the staple position designation dialog is closed.

[Description of processing]
Next, the flow of processing for setting stapling information by the printer driver will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of the staple information setting process.

  In step S1501, when the user activates the printer driver from the printer folder or application managed by the OS in the information processing apparatus 100, the CPU 101 reads the printer driver from the external memory 111, loads it into the RAM 102, and executes the program.

  Then, the print setting dialog shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the CRT 110. In step S1502, the user, via the user interface included in the page setting sheet, the document size: A4, the output paper size: the same as the document size, the number of copies: 1. , Print orientation: portrait, page layout: 1 page / sheet (standard), specify magnification: no setting, specify magnification: 100%.

  Next, when the user presses the finishing tab in step S1503, the print setting dialog shown in FIG. 4 is displayed.

  In step S1504, the user designates printing method: single-sided printing, binding direction: long side binding, binding margin 0 mm, paper discharge method: staple sorting, paper discharge destination: automatic via the user interface included in the finished sheet.

  Here, when the paper discharge method: staple sorting is designated, the staple position setting button 508 is enabled.

  When the user presses the staple position setting button in step S1505, the staple position designation dialog shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. In step S1506, the staple setting information is designated via the user interface included in the dialog.

  Here, for example, the user selects “upper left (one location)” using the staple position setting radio button 602, inputs the character string “1, 4, 9” in the text box for specifying the separation location 603, and then adds the button 604. When is pressed, staple setting information is displayed as in a setting list display area 601 in FIG.

  This consists of stapling pages 1 to 3 as one subset in the upper left (one location), stapling pages 4 to 8 as one subset in the upper left (one location), and upper left as one subset from page 9 onwards (1). Stapling).

  In step S1507, the user presses an OK button 607 in the stapling position designation dialog. In step S1508, the printer driver stores the staple setting information in the staple management table as shown in FIG.

  That is, the printer driver displays “separation first page number: 1, stapling number: 1, stapling position: upper left” in the area of staple number 1 in FIG. : 1, Staple position: Upper left ”, and“ Delimited head page number: 9, Staple number: 1, Staple position: Upper left ”are stored in the area of staple number 3.

  The area of staple numbers 4 to 10 is “0” because nothing is stored.

  In step S1509, the printer driver closes the staple position setting dialog.

  Thereafter, in step S1510, the user presses an OK button in the print setting dialog. In step S <b> 1511, the printer driver stores the print parameters specified by the user in a setting information storage area created in the external memory 111 of the information processing apparatus 100.

  In step S1512, the printer driver closes the print setting dialog and ends the process.

  Next, when the pages included in the already set subset are designated as new pages by using FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the printer driver restarts the subset from that page to the next subset. The construction process will be described.

  8 and 9 are diagrams illustrating an example of a staple position setting dialog.

Figure 8 shows the staple setting information. Page 1-3 top left (1 location)
4-8 pages None After 9 pages Upper left (1 location)
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a staple position setting dialog when “” is set.

  In this state, when the user specifies “None” with the staple position setting radio button, enters the character string “6” in the text box for specifying the delimiter, and presses the add button, the printer driver reconstructs the subset. .

Specifically, as staple setting information, page 1-3 top left (one location)
4-5 pages None 6-8 pages None After 9 pages Upper left (1 location)
Is automatically generated, and the staple setting information is displayed in the setting list area 901 as shown in FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 10, a description will be given of a process in which the printer driver overwrites the set contents of the subset when the already set page is redesignated by changing the stapling position.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a staple position setting dialog.

In the state of FIG. 8, when the user designates “None” with the staple position setting radio button, inputs the character string “1” in the text box for designating the separation point, and presses the add button, the printer driver displays the staple setting information. As 1-3 pages None
4-8 pages None After 9 pages Upper left (1 location)
Is automatically generated, and staple setting information is displayed in the setting list area 1001 as shown in FIG.

  Next, a process in which the printer driver reconstructs a subset when an already set page is deleted will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a staple position setting dialog.

In the state of FIG. 8, when the user selects the staple setting information of “separator: 4, staple position: none” in the setting list area 801 and presses the delete button, the printer driver sets the staple setting information as the upper left of page 1-8 ( 1 place)
After page 9 Upper left (1 location)
Is automatically generated, and staple setting information is displayed in the setting list area 1101 as shown in FIG.

  Next, a process in which the printer driver reconstructs a subset when an already set page is deleted will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a staple position setting dialog.

In the state of FIG. 8, when the user selects staple setting information “separation: 9, staple position: upper left (one place)” in the setting list area 801 and presses the delete button, the printer driver displays the staple setting information as 1 to 3. Page 3 Upper left (1 location)
None after 4 pages is automatically generated, and staple setting information is displayed in the setting list area 1101 as shown in FIG.

Further, in the state shown in FIG. 11, when the user selects the staple setting information “separation: 1, staple position: upper left (one location)” in the setting list area 1101, and presses the delete button, the printer driver displays the staple setting information. After page 4 None is automatically generated. When the user presses an OK button in the stapling position setting dialog in this state, the printer driver determines that stapling has been canceled and automatically changes the discharge method 507 for the finishing sheet 501 to “sort”.

  Next, the flow of processing for enabling / disabling the clickable staple position setting function of the printer driver will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart 1 showing the flow of processing of the printer driver.

  When the user activates the printer driver in step S1601, a print setting dialog for the printer driver is displayed.

  Next, in step S1602, the printer driver refers to the stapling setting management table, and acquires, as stapling setting information, a delimiter head page number, a stapling number, and a stapling position associated with the stapling number. In step S1603, the printer driver determines whether staple setting information is set in a plurality of subsets.

  Specifically, when there is a delimited head page in a plurality of staple numbers, it is determined that staple setting information is set in a plurality of subsets.

  If it is determined in step S1603 that staple setting information is set for a plurality of subsets, the process proceeds to step S1604. On the other hand, if it is determined that the staple setting information is not set for a plurality of subsets, the process proceeds to step S1606.

  If the staple setting information is set in the three subsets as shown in FIG. 7 of the present embodiment, the process proceeds to step S1604.

  In step S1604, the printer driver determines whether the staple positions set in all the subsets are all the same.

  Specifically, when the number of staples and the staple position associated with each staple number are all the same, it is determined that all the staple positions set in all the subsets are the same.

  If it is determined that the staple positions set in all the subsets are all the same, the process advances to step S1605. On the other hand, if it is determined that the staple position set in any subset is different, the process proceeds to step S1606.

  If the stapling positions of the three subsets are all the same as shown in FIG. 7 of the present embodiment, the process proceeds to step S1606.

  In step S1605, the printer driver invalidates the clickable staple position setting function, displays a print setting dialog, and ends the process.

  On the other hand, if the process proceeds to step S1606, the printer driver validates the clickable staple position setting function, displays a print setting dialog, and ends the process.

  Next, the flow of the clickable staple position setting process of the printer driver will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart 2 showing the flow of processing of the printer driver.

  When the user moves the mouse cursor on the printer driver preview screen in step S1701, the printer driver obtains the position of the mouse cursor in step S1702.

  In step S1703, the printer driver determines whether the acquired mouse cursor position is within the clickable staple position setting icon switching area.

  Specifically, it is determined whether the position of the mouse cursor is within the icon switching area in FIG.

  If it is determined that the mouse cursor position is within the icon switching area, the process advances to step S1704, and the printer driver determines whether the clickable staple position setting function is enabled.

  If it is determined that the clickable staple position setting function is enabled, the process advances to step S1705, and the printer driver selects a clickable staple position setting icon according to the position of the mouse cursor. In step S1706, the printer driver changes the mouse cursor to a clickable position setting icon and displays it, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1703 that the position of the mouse cursor is not within the icon switching area in FIG. 18, and if it is determined in step S1704 that the clickable staple position setting function is not enabled, the printer The driver ends the process without displaying the clickable staple position setting icon.

  Next, a flow of processing for printing a print document generated by an application in a plurality of subsets, stapling, and outputting from the printer device will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, and 19. FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of print data in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a print document generated by an application and a final printed matter output from the printer device in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the printing system according to this embodiment.

  In step S1901, the user operates an application on the information processing apparatus 100 to create a 12-page print document indicated by 1401 in FIG.

  In step S1902, the user operates the application to instruct the printer device 150 to print a 12-page print document. Then, since the printer driver is activated, in step S1903, the application outputs image data of a 12-page print original to the printer driver via the graphic engine.

  In step S 1904, the printer driver refers to the setting information storage area created in the external memory 111 of the information processing apparatus 100 and reads the print setting parameters.

  In step S1905, the staple setting information is acquired with reference to the staple management table included in the setting information storage area.

  In step S1906, the printer driver determines whether staple setting information is set for a plurality of subsets.

  Specifically, when “separation head page” exists in a plurality of staple numbers, it is determined that staple setting information is set in a plurality of subsets.

  If it is determined in step S1906 that staple setting information is set for a plurality of subsets, the process advances to step S1907, and the printer driver generates print data including a print command for stapling for each subset.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1906 that the staple setting information is not set in a plurality of subsets, the process advances to step S1908, and the printer driver generates print data including a print command.

  If the staple setting information is set as shown in FIG. 7 of the present embodiment, the printer driver generates print data shown in FIG. 13 in step S1907.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of print data sent from the printer driver to the printer apparatus 150.

  The print data includes a print execution instruction 1301, a subset 1 print instruction 1302, a subset 2 print instruction 1303, and a subset 3 print instruction 1304.

  The subset printing command is composed of a subset starting page number, subset stapling information, and image data included in the subset.

  As shown in the figure, the print execution command 1301 is output paper size: A4, number of copies: 1 copy, print direction: portrait, magnification: 100%, printing method: single-sided printing, binding direction: long edge binding (left ), Margin: 0 mm, paper discharge method: staple sorting, number of subsets: 3, paper discharge destination: automatic.

  The subset 1 print command 1302 is a subdivision first page number of the subset 1, the number of staples applied to the subset 1, and a stapling position applied to the subset 1. Image data included in the subset 1 on the upper left: print document It is a command for printing image data of 1 to 3 pages.

  Subset 2 printing instruction 1303 is a subdivision start page number of subset 2: 4, the number of staples applied to subset 2: 1, a staple position applied to subset 2: upper left, image data included in subset 2: print document This is a command for printing image data of 4 to 8 pages.

  The subset 3 print command 1304 is a section 3 start page number of the subset 3: 9, the number of staples applied to the subset 3, a staple position applied to the subset 3: upper left, image data included in the subset 3: print original This is a command for printing image data of 9 to 12 pages.

  Next, processing proceeds to step S1909, and the printer driver outputs print data to the system spooler.

  In step S1910, the system spooler outputs print data to the printer apparatus 150 using the bidirectional interface.

  The printer device 150 executes printing according to the print data received in step S1911, outputs the final printed matter, and ends the process.

  In the case of the print data shown in FIG. 13, the printer device outputs the final printed matter as indicated by 1402 in FIG.

  That is, a printed document of 1 to 12 pages indicated by reference numeral 1401 is printed as a subset of the printed documents 1 to 3, and then stapled to the upper left (one place), and the printed documents 4 to 8 pages are set as a subset. After printing, stapling is performed on the upper left (one place), the printed original pages 9 to 12 are printed as one subset, and then stapled on the upper left (one place) to be output as a final printed matter.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Host computer 150 Printer 200 Application 202 Printer driver 601 Setting list display area 602 Staple position setting radio button 603 Separation point designation taste box 604 Add button

Claims (8)

  The information processing apparatus (100) includes a printer apparatus (150) having a function of binding and outputting printed sheets by stapling, and a printer driver (202) for controlling the printing operation of the printer apparatus. In the printing system, the printer driver includes means (S1506) for setting the stapling position for each of a plurality of subsets by dividing the print data into a plurality of parts, and when the stapling position is set by the means, the head of the subset A printing system comprising: means (603) for designating a page as a separator page; and means (602) for specifying a staple position in association with the separator page.   A means for invalidating a staple position setting function (503) on a preview screen of a printer driver when staple positions are set in a plurality of subsets by a staple position setting means (603) is provided. Item 1. The printing system according to item 1.   And a means for invalidating a staple position setting function (503) on the preview screen of the printer driver when the staple positions of the plurality of subsets set by the staple position setting means (603) are not all the same. The printing system according to claim 1.   This is a printer driver capable of stapling only when staple sorting and stapling group are selected in the paper discharge method (507). When stapling sorting is selected, stapling can be set for each subset (S1606). When the staple group is selected, the printer driver (202) is provided with a control function that disables stapling setting for each subset (S1605).   A printer driver (202) having a function (603) for adding stapling setting information and a function (606) for deleting stapling settings, in the state where existing stapling setting information exists, A printer driver comprising means for overwriting the subset setting contents and automatically reconstructing the subset and the staple setting information when the stapling page is re-added after changing the stapling position ( 202).   A printer driver (202) having a function (603) for adding stapling setting information and a function (606) for deleting stapling settings, in which existing stapling setting information exists and stapling already set A printer driver (202) comprising means for reconstructing an existing subset and staple setting information when the information is deleted (606).   A printing control method using the printing system according to claim 1.   A printing system comprising the printer driver according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

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