JP2011095912A - Image forming apparatus and printer driver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically create a booklet having excellent appearance even if a user does not decide presence/absence of a flyleaf. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes at least: an image processing part rasterizing data of each page of a document described in received print data to form an image; a print processing part printing the image on a paper sheet; and a post-processing part folding the already printed paper sheet to create the booklet. The image forming apparatus also includes: an imposition processing part arranging the image of each page of the document comprising the plurality of pages in each page of the booklet in prescribed order; and a mergence processing part comparing the total page number of the booklet and the total page number of the document, and composing an image of form data previously set as a default, previously selected by the user, or designated by the print data to at least one of the flyleaves wherein the image of the document is not arranged when the total page number of the document is smaller. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a printer driver, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a function of creating a booklet and a printer driver that instructs the image forming apparatus to create a booklet.

  Multi-function machines (hereinafter collectively referred to as image forming apparatuses) having a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, a scanner function, and the like have become widespread. Many of these image forming apparatuses have a post-processing function, and a post-processing function is used to perform post-processing such as folding and binding on a sheet to create a thin booklet (hereinafter referred to as a booklet). it can.

  When a booklet is created by folding the paper with the image of each page of the document on both sides in half, the total number of pages in the booklet is a multiple of 4, but the total number of pages in the booklet is not divisible by 4 In this case, the remainder of the page divided by 4 (hereinafter referred to as a margin page) is output as a blank sheet, causing a problem that the appearance deteriorates.

  Although it is not a technology related to booklet printing, for example, the following patent document 1 discloses a printed area in a print sheet by a CCD reading unit attached to an ink carriage. Alternatively, the margin area is read, and the layout based on the printed area or the margin area is displayed on the display screen of the host-side display device or printer, and the operator can specify a desired position in the displayed margin area to create a new A printing system that starts printing an image according to print data is disclosed.

JP 2001-96835 A

  In order to prevent the above-described deterioration in appearance due to blank pages being output, the user needs to be aware of creating a document so that the total number of pages is a multiple of four. There was a problem that it took time to create.

  Further, as in Patent Document 1, in order to print an image according to new print data at a desired position in the blank area, the user needs to specify a desired position in the blank area. Even using this technology, there was still a problem that it took time to create a booklet.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main purpose is to form an image that can automatically create a good-looking booklet even if the user does not determine whether there is a blank page. To provide an apparatus and a printer driver.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention includes at least an image reading unit that reads an image of a document, a print processing unit that prints an image on a sheet, and a post-processing unit that folds a printed sheet to create a booklet. An imposition processing unit that arranges an image of each page of a document composed of a plurality of pages on each page of the booklet in a predetermined order, a total number of pages of the booklet, and a total number of pages of the document When the total number of pages of the original is smaller, at least one of the blank pages on which the image of the original is not arranged is set as a default in advance or selected by the user in advance A merge processing unit that synthesizes an image of form data.

  The present invention also provides an image processing unit that rasterizes the data of each page of the document described in the received print data to form an image, a print processing unit that prints an image on paper, and a folded paper that has been printed. A post-processing unit for creating a booklet in the image forming apparatus, at least an imposition processing unit that arranges an image of each page of a document composed of a plurality of pages on each page of the booklet in a predetermined order; and When the total number of pages of the booklet is compared with the total number of pages of the original, and the total number of pages of the original is smaller, at least one of the blank pages where the image of the original is not placed is set as a default in advance. A merge processing unit configured to synthesize an image of form data that has been set or selected in advance by the user or specified by the print data.

  Further, the present invention is a printer driver that operates on a computer device that creates print data that instructs the creation of a booklet, and the booklet includes an image of each page of a multi-page document on each page of the booklet. Print data is created by folding sheets arranged in a predetermined order and adding information specifying form data to be combined with at least one blank page on which the image of the original is not arranged on the computer device. The total number of pages of the booklet is compared with the total number of pages of the document, and when the total number of pages of the document is smaller, at least blank pages on which the image of the document is not arranged The form data to be combined into one can be designated.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the printer driver of the present invention, when a user creates a booklet, it is possible to automatically create a good-looking booklet without checking whether a blank page is generated before giving a print instruction. Can do.

  The reason is that the image forming apparatus compares the total number of pages of the booklet with the total number of pages of the document, and if the total number of pages of the document is smaller (that is, there are blank pages), at least the blank page. One reason is that control is performed to synthesize an image of form data set in advance by default, selected in advance by the user, or designated by print data.

  Further, the printer driver that instructs the image forming apparatus to print is compared with the total number of pages of the booklet and the total number of pages of the document to be printed, and the total number of pages of the document is smaller (that is, there are blank pages). ) Is provided with a function of creating print data to which information for designating form data to be combined with at least one of the blank pages is added, and the merge processing unit of the image forming apparatus provides information according to the information added to the print data. This is because processing for synthesizing the form data image with at least one of the blank pages is performed.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the booklet which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the computer apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the whole process of the computer apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. 1 is a flowchart showing overall processing of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating image forming processing of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the imposition process in the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of merge processing in the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the whole process of the computer apparatus concerning the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the printer driver setting screen displayed on the computer apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the print data produced | generated with the computer apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process of the computer apparatus concerning the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the printer driver setting screen displayed on the computer apparatus which concerns on 3rd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the booklet which concerns on the 3rd Example of this invention.

  As shown in the background art, when a booklet is created by folding a sheet with images of each page of the document on both sides in two, if the total number of pages of the document is not divisible by 4, a blank page is generated and looks good. Getting worse. For this reason, the user must always be aware of creating a document so that the total number of pages is a multiple of four, which causes a problem that it takes time to create a booklet.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the printer driver of the image forming apparatus or client compares the total number of pages of the booklet with the total number of pages of the document to be printed (for example, the total number of pages of the document is 4). When the total number of pages of the document is smaller (for example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the total number of pages is 4 and there are blank pages without being divided), FIG. As shown in the figure, an image of form data (for example, a ruled line image or a logo mark image that can be used as a memo) is designated by default form data set in advance or form data selected in advance by the user or print data. A function for automatically combining at least one of the blank pages is provided.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, an image forming apparatus and a printer driver according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the printing system according to the present exemplary embodiment, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a computer terminal, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of the computer terminal, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing processing of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of imposition processing, and FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of merge processing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printing system according to the present embodiment performs printing by receiving print data from a client computer terminal 10 that transmits job data (referred to as print data) for instructing printing. The image forming apparatus 20 performs processing to create a booklet. These are connected by a communication network 30 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and a WAN (Wide Area Network) defined by standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI (Fiber-Distributed Data Interface). Hereinafter, each device will be described in detail.

[Computer terminal]
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the computer terminal 10 includes a control unit 11, a display unit 12, an operation unit 13, and the like.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11a, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a memory 11b such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 11c, a communication I / F unit 11d, and the like. Are connected via a bus. The CPU 11a controls each part. The memory 11b is a part that temporarily stores various data read from the HDD 11c and the communication I / F unit 11d, and the stored data is processed by the CPU 11a, and the HDD 11c and the communication I / F unit 11d as necessary. Forwarded to The HDD 11c stores a program for the CPU 11a to control each unit, information on processing functions of the own device, print data, and the like, read by the CPU 11a as necessary, and executed on the memory 11b. The communication I / F unit 11d establishes a connection with a device connected via the communication network 30, and executes transmission / reception of data.

  The control unit 11 functions as an OS (Operating System), an application for creating a document, and a printer driver that instructs printing of the document. The document data created by the application is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 by the printer driver. Print data is created by being converted into an interpretable language (PDL (Page Description Language) such as PCL (Printer Control Language) or PS (Post Script)), and is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 via the communication I / F unit 11d. Sent.

  The display unit 12 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, and the like, and displays a printer driver setting screen for setting printing conditions.

  The operation unit 13 is a part for operating information input on the display unit 12 and inputting information, and is configured by a pointing device, a keyboard, a trackball, a trackpad, a tablet, a stylus pen, and the like. .

[Image forming apparatus]
As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 20 includes a control unit 21, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 22, an image reading unit 23, a display unit 24, an operation unit 25, and paper feeding. A unit 26, a print processing unit 27, a post-processing unit 28, and the like.

  The control unit 21 controls each component, and includes a CPU 21a, a memory 21b such as a ROM and a RAM, an HDD 21c, a communication I / F unit 21d, and the like, which are connected via a bus. The CPU 21a controls each part. The memory 21b is a part that temporarily stores various data read from the HDD 21c, the image reading unit 23, and the communication I / F unit 21d. The stored data is subjected to image processing by the CPU 21a, and the HDD 21c or print is performed as necessary. Transferred to the processing unit 27. The HDD 21c stores a program for the CPU 21a to control each unit, information on the processing function of the own device, simple image data set in advance by default or selected by the user (hereinafter referred to as form data), and the like. It is read by the CPU 21a as necessary, and is executed on the memory 21b. The communication I / F unit 21d establishes a connection with a device connected via the communication network 30, and executes data transmission / reception.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 21 also functions as an image processing unit, an imposition processing unit, and a merge processing unit. The image processing unit rasterizes each page of the print data to generate image data for each page, or acquires image data for each page from the image reading unit 23, and performs image processing (color adjustment, density adjustment) as necessary. , Processing such as size adjustment) and screening, the image data is converted into printable image data by the print processing unit 27. The imposition processing unit imposes an image of each page of the document to be printed on the paper so that it is arranged in an appropriate order when the booklet is made. The merge processing unit compares the total page of the booklet with the total page of the document, and if the total number of pages of the document is smaller (that is, there are blank pages), the form data image is displayed on at least one blank page. Synthesize. The image processing unit, imposition processing unit, and merge processing unit may be configured as hardware, or may be configured as a program that causes a computer to function as the image processing unit, imposition processing unit, and merge processing unit. May be configured to operate on the control unit 21.

  The ADF 22 is a part that automatically conveys a plurality of documents to the image reading unit 23.

  The image reading unit 23 is a part that optically reads image data from a document on a document table, such as a light source that scans the document and a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) that converts light reflected by the document into an electrical signal. It comprises an image sensor and an A / D converter that A / D converts an electrical signal.

  The display unit 24 includes a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, and the like, and displays a screen for operating the image forming apparatus 20, a screen for selecting form data, and the like. The operation unit 25 includes buttons and switches, and performs various settings and instructions, selection of form data, and the like. The display unit 24 and the operation unit 25 may be separate devices, or may be an integrated device provided with a pressure-sensitive operation unit (touch panel) 25 in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a lattice shape on the display unit 24. In the case of a touch panel, the XY coordinates of a force point pressed with a finger or a touch pen are detected by a voltage value, and the detected position signal is output to the control unit 21 as an operation signal.

  The paper feed unit 26 includes a paper tray for storing various sizes of paper. In addition, a part for sending out the stored paper to the print processing unit 27 is included.

  The print processing unit 27 includes constituent elements necessary for image formation using an image forming process such as an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method, and the image data read from the image reading unit 23 or the communication I / F unit 21d. On the basis of the image data generated from the print data received via, an image is formed on the designated paper and sent to the post-processing unit 28.

  The post-processing unit 28 adds finishing processing such as folding, punching, and binding to the paper conveyed from the print processing unit 27 according to an instruction from the control unit 21 and outputs the result.

  In FIG. 1, the printing system is configured by the computer terminal 10 and the image forming apparatus 20. However, when a booklet is formed based on the image data read by the image reading unit 23, the computer terminal 10 may be omitted. it can. In addition to the computer terminal 10 and the image forming apparatus 20, a control device such as a RIP (Raster Image Processor) controller may be connected to the communication network 30.

  Further, the form data to be combined with the blank page may be stored in the HDD 21c of the image forming apparatus 20, or may be stored in another device (for example, the computer terminal 10 or server) connected to the communication network 30. Good.

  The operation of the printing system having the above configuration will be described below.

  First, processing of the printer driver that operates in the control unit 11 of the computer terminal 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When a user creates a document using an application and instructs printing, the control unit 11 of the computer terminal 10 activates a printer driver, and the printer driver sets a printing condition on the display unit 12. Display the setting screen. Then, the user sets printing conditions such as paper size, paper discharge tray, booklet imposition using the printer driver setting screen or whether to print form data when a blank page is generated (S101).

  Next, the printer driver converts the document data created by the application into a language that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus 20, and adds the various setting information set in S101 to create print data.

  Next, the printer driver transmits print data to the image forming apparatus 20 using the communication I / F unit 11d (S103).

  Next, processing of the image forming apparatus 20 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 8 shows details of the image forming process in S202 of FIG.

  The control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 20 receives the print data transmitted from the printer driver, and reflects various setting information added to the received print data in the print settings in the image forming apparatus 20 (S201). Note that this step can be omitted when a booklet is formed based on the image data read by the image reading unit 23.

  Next, the control unit 21 executes an image forming process (S102). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the image processing unit rasterizes each page of the print data to generate image data for each page (S202a). Note that this step can be omitted when a booklet is formed based on the image data read by the image reading unit 23.

  Next, the control unit 21 determines whether there is a booklet imposition setting (S202b). If there is a booklet imposition setting, the imposition processing unit determines each page of the document to be printed according to the setting information. Is imposed on the paper (S202c). For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the original to be printed is A4, 8 pages, the A3 paper is folded in half and the left side is bound to create a booklet, the surface of the first A3 paper is printed. Pages 8 and 1 on the left and right, pages 2 and 7 on the left and right of the back, pages 6 and 3 on the left and right of the front side of the second sheet of A3 paper, pages 4 and 5 on the left and right of the back Imposition the image of the page.

  Next, the merge processing unit compares the total number of pages of the booklet with the total number of pages of the document, and determines whether the total number of pages of the document is smaller (S202d). For example, when the paper printed on the front and back is folded in half, the total number of pages in the booklet is a multiple of 4, so the remainder of dividing the total number of pages of the original by 4 is 0 (that is, the blank page is No) or the remainder is 1 to 3 (that is, there is a blank page).

  If there is a margin page, the merge processing unit reads out form data set in advance by default or form data selected in advance by the user using the screen displayed on the display unit 24 from the HDD 21c, etc. The form data image is combined with the blank page (S202e). For example, if the total number of pages in the document is 6, the 7th and 8th pages are blank pages. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the form data registered on the 7th page (first blank page) Composite the images. When there are a plurality of margin pages, the form data image may be combined with all the margin pages, or the form data image may be combined with only the page selected from the margin pages, and other margin pages (for example, The last blank page (the back cover) may be left blank. The form data image is arbitrary, but it is convenient if the blank page can be used as a memo paper. Therefore, it is preferable to use an image in which ruled lines are arranged at predetermined intervals.

  Next, returning to FIG. 7, the print processing unit 27 transfers the image of each page of the document and the image of the form data to the paper and sends it to the post-processing unit 28 (S203). Post-processing such as folding and binding is performed on the transferred sheet, and the sheet is discharged to a discharge tray (S204).

  Thus, according to the printing system of the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 20 imposes an image of each page of the document, and if the total page of the document is smaller than the total page of the booklet, Since a booklet is created by combining images of form data set in advance by default or selected in advance by the user, a user-friendly booklet can be created without judging whether there is a blank page. it can. Further, by combining images that can be used as memo paper, the utility value of the booklet can be increased.

  Next, an image forming apparatus and a printer driver according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing of the computer terminal. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer driver setting screen displayed on the display unit of the computer terminal, and FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of print data.

  In the first embodiment described above, the control unit 21 (merge processing unit) of the image forming apparatus 20 compares the total page of the booklet with the total page of the document to determine whether a blank page is generated. It is also possible to determine whether a margin page is generated on the driver side. The processing of the computer device 10 in that case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When a user creates a document using an application and instructs printing, the control unit 11 of the computer terminal 10 activates a printer driver, and the printer driver is displayed on the display unit 12, for example, a printer driver as shown in FIG. The setting screen 40 is displayed. The printer driver setting screen 40 includes a field for setting a paper size and a discharge tray, a field for selecting whether to perform booklet imposition or printing form data on a blank page, and form data to be combined on a blank page. A column for selecting is provided. Then, the user operates the operation unit 13 to set various printing conditions (S301).

  Next, the printer driver compares the total number of pages of the original document with the total number of pages of the booklet, and determines whether a blank page exists (S302). For example, as in the first embodiment, when the paper printed on the front and back is folded in half, the total number of pages of the booklet is a multiple of 4, so the remainder of dividing the total number of pages of the original by 4 is 0. It is determined whether there is a page (that is, there is no blank page) or whether the remainder is 1 to 3 (that is, there is a blank page).

  If there is a blank page, the printer driver designates form data set by default in advance or form data selected by the user on the printer driver setting screen 40 (S303). When there are a plurality of margin pages, the form data may be specified for all the margin pages, or the form data may be specified only for a page selected from them. The form data image is arbitrary, but is preferably an image in which ruled lines are arranged at predetermined intervals.

  Next, the printer driver converts the document data created by the application into a language that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus 20, adds various setting information set in S301 and S302, and creates print data (S304). ). For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the print data is composed of various setting information and drawing image data. The various setting information is information for specifying the form data to be combined with the paper size setting, the discharge tray setting, and the blank page. The drawing image data is composed of image data of each page.

  Next, the printer driver transmits print data to the image forming apparatus 20 using the communication I / F unit 11d (S305).

  On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 20 receives print data transmitted from the printer driver, and executes image forming processing based on various setting information added to the received print data. Specifically, the image processing unit rasterizes each page of the print data to generate image data for each page, and the imposition processing unit imposes each page of the document at a predetermined position on the paper and merges it. When there is a blank page, the processing unit synthesizes the form data specified by the setting information with the blank page.

  After that, the print processing unit 27 of the image forming apparatus 20 transfers the image of each page of the document and the image of the form data to the paper and sends it to the post-processing unit 28. On the other hand, post-processing such as folding and binding is performed, and the paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray.

  In this way, when the printer driver creates print data, the total page of the booklet is compared with the total page of the original, and if a blank page is generated, the form data to be combined with the blank page is specified in the print data. The information is added to the image forming apparatus 20 and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20, and the merge processing unit of the image forming apparatus 20 synthesizes the form data image specified in the blank page. It is possible to create a good-looking booklet without judging whether or not there is a page. Further, by combining images that can be used as memo paper, the utility value of the booklet can be increased.

  Next, an image forming apparatus and a printer driver according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing of the computer terminal. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer driver setting screen displayed on the display unit of the computer terminal, and FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a booklet.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, one type of form data is combined with the blank page. However, in order to further improve the appearance of the booklet, different form data is combined with each blank page according to the number of blank pages. It is also possible to do. In this case, which form data is to be combined with which blank page can be designated on the printer driver side or the image forming apparatus 20 side. Hereinafter, the case of designation on the printer driver side will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the booklet is created by folding the paper printed on the front and back into two.

  When a user creates a document using an application and instructs printing, the control unit 11 of the computer terminal 10 activates a printer driver, and the printer driver is displayed on the display unit 12, for example, a printer driver as shown in FIG. A setting screen 41 is displayed. The printer driver setting screen 41 includes a column for setting a paper size and a discharge tray, a column for selecting whether to perform booklet imposition or printing form data on a blank page, and each blank page (in this case, A column for selecting form data to be combined with (last-2 page, last-1 page, and last page) is provided. Then, the user operates the operation unit 13 to set various printing conditions (S401).

  Next, the printer driver determines whether the remainder obtained by dividing the total number of pages of the document by 4 is 3 (S402). If the remainder is 3, the last -second page (6 in the case of all 8 pages) is determined. The form data set in advance by default or the form data set in S401 ("Memo" in FIG. 15) is designated for the (page) (S403).

  If the remainder is not 3, the printer driver determines whether the remainder is 2 or more (S404). If the remainder is 2 or more, the printer driver determines the last -1 page (the 7th page in the case of all 8 pages). On the other hand, the form data set in advance by default or the form data set in S401 ("Memo" in FIG. 15) is designated (S405).

  If the remainder is not 2 or more, the printer driver determines whether the remainder is 1 or more (S406). If the remainder is 1 or more, the last page (8th page in the case of all 8 pages) is determined. The form data set by default in advance or the form data set in S401 ("Logo Mark" in FIG. 15) is designated (S407).

  Next, the printer driver converts document data created by the application into a language that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus 20, and creates print data to which various setting information set in S401, S403, S405, and S407 is added. (S408).

  Then, the printer driver transmits print data to the image forming apparatus 20 using the communication I / F unit 11d (S409).

  On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 20 receives print data transmitted from the printer driver, and executes image forming processing based on various setting information added to the received print data. Specifically, the image processing unit rasterizes each page of the print data to generate image data for each page, the imposition processing unit imposes each page of the document on the paper, and the merge processing unit The specified form data is synthesized for each margin page.

  After that, the print processing unit 27 of the image forming apparatus 20 transfers the image of each page of the document and the image of the form data to the paper and sends it to the post-processing unit 28. On the other hand, post-processing such as folding and binding is performed, and the paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray.

  For example, as shown on the left side of FIG. 16, when a booklet is created using a 6-page document, conventionally, the last page-1 (7th page) and the last page (8th page) are blank pages. In this embodiment, the “Memo” image is formed on the last -1 page (7th page), and the “Logo Mark” is formed on the last page (8th page). Can be improved. Further, by combining images that can be used as memo paper, the utility value of the booklet can be increased.

  In each of the above embodiments, a case has been described in which a booklet is created by folding a sheet of paper printed on the front and back, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and a page image is printed only on one side. The present invention can be similarly applied to a case where a booklet that is used, a booklet that is folded in one-sided or double-folded, or a booklet that is thick, such as a book.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the form data set in advance by default or the form data selected in advance by the user is combined with the blank page. For example, a plurality of types of form data are registered, The printer driver or the image forming apparatus 20 may select form data suitable for the title and content of the document and synthesize it with a blank page.

  The present invention can be used for an image forming apparatus having a function of creating a booklet, a printer driver that instructs the image forming apparatus to create a booklet, and a print control method for creating the booklet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Computer equipment 11 Control part 11a CPU
11b Memory 11c HDD
11d Communication I / F unit 12 Display unit 13 Operation unit 20 Image forming apparatus 21 Control unit 21a CPU
21b Memory 21c HDD
21d Communication I / F part 22 ADF
23 Image Reading Unit 24 Display Unit 25 Operation Unit 26 Paper Feeding Unit 27 Print Processing Unit 28 Post-Processing Unit 30 Communication Network 40, 41 Printer Driver Setting Screen

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus including at least an image reading unit that reads an image of a document, a print processing unit that prints an image on paper, and a post-processing unit that folds printed paper to create a booklet,
An imposition processing unit that arranges an image of each page of a document composed of a plurality of pages on each page of the booklet in a predetermined order;
The total number of pages of the booklet and the total number of pages of the original are compared. When the total number of pages of the original is smaller, at least one of the blank pages where the image of the original is not placed An image forming apparatus comprising: a merge processing unit configured to synthesize an image of form data set as or previously selected by a user. After creating the booklet by folding the printed paper, the image processing unit that rasterizes the data of each page of the document described in the received print data and forms an image, the print processing unit that prints the image on paper An image forming apparatus including at least a processing unit;
An imposition processing unit that arranges an image of each page of a document composed of a plurality of pages on each page of the booklet in a predetermined order;
The total number of pages of the booklet and the total number of pages of the original are compared. When the total number of pages of the original is smaller, at least one of the blank pages where the image of the original is not placed An image forming apparatus, comprising: a merge processing unit configured to synthesize an image of form data that is set as or selected in advance by a user or specified by the print data. The booklet is a folded sheet of paper on which two pages of images are printed on each of the front and back sides.
When the total number of pages of the document is not divisible by 4, the merge processing unit synthesizes the form data image with at least one of the remaining blank pages divided by 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when there are a plurality of margin pages, the merge processing unit synthesizes images of different form data to the respective margin pages. 5. .   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image of the form data includes an image in a form usable as a memo paper in which ruled lines are arranged at a predetermined interval. A printer driver that operates on a computer device that creates print data instructing creation of a booklet,
The booklet is an image of each page of a document consisting of a plurality of pages folded of sheets arranged in a predetermined order on each page of the booklet.
In the computer device,
A printer driver characterized by executing a process of creating print data to which information specifying form data to be combined with at least one blank page on which an image of the original is not arranged is added.   Comparing the total number of pages of the booklet with the total number of pages of the original, and when the total number of pages of the original is smaller, form data to be combined with at least one blank page where no image of the original is arranged The printer driver according to claim 6, wherein the printer driver is specified. The booklet is a folded sheet of paper on which two pages of images are printed on each of the front and back sides.
8. The printer driver according to claim 7, wherein if the total number of pages of the document is not divisible by 4, the form data to be combined with at least one of the remaining blank pages divided by 4 is designated. .   9. The printer driver according to claim 6, wherein different form data is designated for each of a plurality of blank pages.   10. The printer driver according to claim 6, wherein the image of the form data includes an image in a form usable as a memo paper in which ruled lines are arranged at a predetermined interval.

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