JP2015031987A - Program, information processor, and control method for information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a program or the like capable of reducing the number of print sheets.SOLUTION: A computer causes a display part to display K (two or more positive integer) pieces of print areas as well as at least one image within each of the K pieces of print areas in a mode in which printing is executed with print processing. The computer accepts: an operation for selecting the Nth (N is one or more positive integer) print area from among the K pieces of print areas; an operation for selecting a selection image from among at least one image displayed within the Nth print area; and an operation for generating a reduced image by reducing the selection image. When any one of the print areas having a print area number smaller than N includes a first space area capable of accommodating the reduced image, the computer moves the reduced image to the first space area. In response to the acceptance of an input for a print execution instruction, the computer transmits print data generated on the basis of the K pieces of print areas, to a printer.

Description

  The technology disclosed in the present specification relates to a program for displaying a plurality of images on a display unit.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for automatically laying out a plurality of images in a print area.

Special table 2003-532205 gazette

  In the technique of Patent Document 1, processing for enlarging / reducing each image on the print region, processing for trimming the image, and the like are automatically performed. Then, since the size of each image may differ from the size desired by the user, it cannot be said that convenience is good.

  The program described in this specification can be read by a computer of an information processing apparatus that can cause a printing apparatus to execute a printing process for printing a print image on printing paper by outputting print data to the printing apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes a communication interface capable of communicating with the printing apparatus and a display unit, and the computer is a rectangular printing area corresponding to printing paper, K print areas having consecutive print area numbers from 1 to K (K is a natural number of 2 or more) are displayed on the display unit, and at least one image is displayed in each of the K print areas. Display control means for displaying in a manner in which printing is executed in the printing process, and the Nth printing area (N is a natural number not less than 1 and not more than K) out of K printing areas Image reduction that accepts an operation to select, an operation to select a selected image from at least one image displayed in the area of the Nth print area, and an operation to reduce the selected image to generate a reduced image And a first area that moves the reduced image to the first empty area when there is a first empty area in which the reduced image can be arranged in any one of the printing areas having a printing area number smaller than N. Functions as an image moving unit and a print data transmitting unit that causes the communication interface to transmit print data generated based on the K print areas in response to receiving an input of a print execution instruction. It is characterized by making it.

  According to the program described in this specification, the reduced image reduced by the user can be moved to a print area having a print area number smaller than the print area in which the reduced image was included. As a result, the reduced image can be arranged in the print area with the smaller print area number, so that a print area that does not include the image is generated, and the print area that does not include the image is deleted. The number of can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of printing sheets used in the printing process. In addition, since the number of print areas can be reduced without changing the image size, it is possible to execute print processing with an image size as intended by the user.

  According to the program described in this specification, a reduced image can be arranged in a print area having a smaller print area number. Therefore, the effect of reducing the number of print areas can be enhanced.

  According to the program described in the present specification, for the first posture and the second posture, in order to determine whether or not the first empty area exists, only one posture of the first posture or the second posture is determined. The probability that the first free area can be detected can be increased as compared with the case where the presence or absence of the first free area is determined. As a result, the effect of reducing the number of print areas can be enhanced.

  According to the program described in the present specification, it is possible to execute the printing process with the posture of the image as intended by the user, so that convenience can be improved.

  According to the program described in this specification, in order to place an image in a print area having a smaller print area number, the second empty area generated by moving the reduced image is effectively used. Can do. As a result, the effect of reducing the number of print areas can be enhanced.

  According to the program described in this specification, an operation for enlarging an image can be accepted, so that it is possible to execute a printing process with an image size as intended by the user.

1 is a schematic diagram of a printing system 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flowchart of information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flowchart of information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of an automatic arrangement | positioning process. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of an automatic arrangement | positioning process. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print layout screen. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print layout screen. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print layout screen. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print layout screen. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print layout screen.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a printing system 1 exemplified as the present embodiment. The printing system 1 includes an information processing apparatus 10, an access point 51, and an MFP (abbreviation for Multifunction Peripheral) 52. The information processing apparatus 10 and the MFP 52 can communicate with each other via the access point 51. The MFP 52 is a device having a print function, a scan function, and the like. The information processing apparatus 10 is an apparatus capable of causing the MFP 52 to execute print processing for printing a print image on a print sheet by outputting print data to the MFP 52. Examples of the information processing apparatus 10 include a PC (abbreviation of personal computer) and a tablet terminal.

  The information processing apparatus 10 mainly includes a mouse 5, a CPU (abbreviation of central processing unit) 11, a storage unit 12, a wireless transmission / reception unit 15, a wireless antenna unit 16, a button input unit 17, a panel 18, and a coordinate detection unit 19. ing. The button input unit 17 receives an operation by the user of the information processing apparatus 10. An example of the button input unit 17 is a keyboard. The panel 18 displays various function information of the information processing apparatus 10. The coordinate detection unit 19 is a part that detects indicated coordinates, which are coordinates indicating a position where an indicator (eg, a user's fingertip) is in contact with or close to the display area of the panel 18. The coordinate detection unit 19 functions as the touch panel 20 by being configured integrally with the panel 18. The coordinate detection unit 19 can detect a plurality of designated coordinates at the same time. The wireless transmission / reception unit 15 performs wireless communication conforming to the infrastructure mode of the wireless LAN via the wireless antenna unit 16.

  The CPU 11 executes processing according to the program 21 in the storage unit 12. Hereinafter, the CPU 11 that executes a program such as the document creation application 31 or the operating system 21e may be simply described by a program name. For example, the description “operating system 21e” may mean “the CPU 11 executing the operating system 21e”.

  The storage unit 12 is configured by combining a RAM (abbreviation of random access memory), a ROM (abbreviation of read only memory), a flash memory, an HDD (abbreviation of hard disk), a buffer provided in the CPU 11, and the like. The storage unit 12 stores a program 21. The program 21 includes an operating system 21e, an image editing application 30, a document creation application 31, a spreadsheet application 32, and a browser application 33.

  The operating system 21e is a program that provides basic functions that are commonly used by the image editing application 30, the document creation application 31, and the like. The operating system 21e is also a program that provides an API (abbreviation of application programming interface) for each application to instruct various hardware. The operating system 21e includes a UI (abbreviation of user interface) display program 21a. The UI display program 21 a is a program for displaying various UI images on the touch panel 20. In this specification, a case where Windows 8 (registered trademark) is used as the operating system 21e will be described.

  The image editing application 30 is a program for displaying an image print layout and executing enlargement / reduction processing and the like for each image. Further, the application is an application that executes processing for transmitting print data to the MFP 52 and causing the MFP 52 to execute printing. The document creation application 31 is a program for creating various document files, such as Microsoft Word (registered trademark). The spreadsheet application 32 is a program for executing various calculations, such as Microsoft Excel (registered trademark).

  The storage unit 12 stores object image data. The object image data is image data for displaying an object image for displaying various types of information on the display unit. Examples of object images include button images that accept input of various commands, keyboard images that accept input of various character strings, and the like. The storage unit 12 temporarily stores a count value i, a rotation process execution flag, a posture fixing flag, and the like, which will be described later.

<Operation of information processing apparatus>
The operation of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. When the user inputs an operation for starting the image editing application 30 via the button input unit 17, the CPU 11 reads the image editing application 30 and starts the image editing process. The activation operation of the image editing application 30 may be performed, for example, by tapping an activation reception image (for example, an icon image) for receiving an activation instruction for the image editing application 30. Thereby, the flow of FIG. 2 is started.

  In S <b> 210, the CPU 11 displays a print layout screen on the touch panel 20. The print layout screen is a screen including K print area images having continuous print area numbers from 1 to K (K is a natural number of 2 or more). Each of the K print area images is an area for displaying a print layout. The print layout is information indicating a printing mode when printing is executed by a printing apparatus such as the MFP 52. The print area image corresponds to the size of the print paper used in the printing apparatus. Examples of the print paper size include A4 size and B5 size print paper. Also, the value of K changes according to the number and size of images included in each of the K print area images.

  FIG. 6 shows a print layout screen D1 as a display example of the print layout screen. The print layout screen D1 includes a first print region image R1 to a fourth print region image R4 and a print button image B1. The first print region image R1 includes an image P1. The second print region image R2 includes images P2 to P4. The third print region image R3 includes images P5 and P6. The fourth print region image R4 includes an image P7. The print button image B1 is an image for receiving a process of outputting to the MFP 52 a command for executing printing in the form displayed in the first print region image R1 to the fourth print region image R4.

  In S <b> 220, the CPU 11 determines whether any one of a reduction operation, a trimming operation, and an enlargement operation has been input to the selected image included in the Nth print region image. The Nth print area image is a print area image having an Nth (N is a natural number greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to K) print area image number. The Nth print area image is selected by the user. The selected image is an image selected by the user from one or more images included in the Nth print region image.

  For example, when the designated coordinates are detected in the display area of the Nth print area image, it may be determined that the Nth print area image has been selected as a processing target. Further, when the designated coordinates are detected in any display area of the image included in the Nth print area image, it may be determined that the image is selected as the selected image. Further, when two designated coordinates are detected in the selected image and moved so that the distance between these two designated coordinates approaches, it is determined that a reduction operation by pinch-in is input to the selected image. Also good. When an operation for selecting a predetermined rectangular area in the selected image is detected, it may be determined that a trimming operation has been input to the selected image. When two designated coordinates are detected in the selected image and moved so that the distance between the two designated coordinates is increased, it is determined that an enlargement operation by pinch-out is input to the selected image. Good.

  When a positive determination is made in S220 (S220: YES), the process proceeds to S223. In S223, the CPU 11 executes processing corresponding to the operation input in S220 on the selected image. When a reduction operation is input, a process of reducing the selected image and generating a reduced selected image is executed. When a trimming operation is input, a process of cutting out a part of the selected image and generating a trimmed selected image is executed. When an enlargement operation is input, a process of enlarging the selected image and generating an enlarged selected image is executed.

  In S225, the CPU 11 sets the reduced selection image generated in S223 or the like as an automatic arrangement target image. For example, ID information for identifying the automatic placement target image may be stored in the storage unit 12.

  In S230, the CPU 11 executes automatic placement processing. The contents of the automatic placement process performed in S230 will be described with reference to FIG. In S310, the CPU 11 initializes the count value i to “1”. In S315, the CPU 11 determines whether the operation received in S220 is a reduction operation or a trimming operation of the selected image. If a positive determination is made (S315: YES), the process proceeds to S320.

  In S320, the CPU 11 determines whether or not there is a first free area in the print area image having the i-th print area image number that can place the automatic placement target image without overlapping with other images. to decide. If a positive determination is made (S320: YES), the process proceeds to S370. In S370, the CPU 11 moves the automatic arrangement target image to the first empty area. As a result, a second empty area is formed where the automatic placement target image has been placed. Then, the process proceeds to S410.

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in S320 (S320: NO), the process proceeds to S325. In S325, the CPU 11 increments the count value i by one. In S330, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the count value i is equal to the N value of the Nth print area image. If a negative determination is made (S330: NO), the process returns to S320, and if an affirmative determination is made (S330: YES), the process proceeds to S335.

  In S335, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the rotation process has been performed on the automatic placement target image. The rotation process is a process of rotating the posture of the automatic placement target image from the first posture, which is the initial posture, to a second posture rotated by 90 ° with respect to the first posture. This determination may be made by reading from the storage unit 12 whether or not the rotation processing execution flag for the automatic placement target image is “ON”. The rotation process execution flag is a flag written in S360 described later. When an affirmative determination is made (S335: YES), the process proceeds to S410, and when a negative determination is made (S335: NO), the process proceeds to S340.

  In S340, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the automatic placement target image is set as a posture fixed image. The posture fixed image is an image in which the posture of the image is fixed to one of the first posture and the second posture, and the posture is not changed in S350 and the like described later. The determination may be performed by reading from the storage unit 12 whether or not the posture fixing flag for the automatic placement target image is “ON”. The posture fixing flag is a flag written in S266 or S268 described later. When an affirmative determination is made (S340: YES), the process proceeds to S410, and when a negative determination is made (S340: NO), the process proceeds to S350.

  In S350, the CPU 11 rotates the orientation of the automatic placement target image by 90 °. Thereby, the posture of the automatic placement target image is set to the second posture. In S355, the CPU 11 initializes the count value i to “1”. In S360, the CPU 11 sets the rotation processing execution flag for the automatic arrangement target image to “ON”. Then, the process returns to S320.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in S315 (S315: NO), or an affirmative determination is made in S320, S335, S340 (S320, S335, S340: YES), the process proceeds to S410. In S410, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the operation accepted in S220 is an enlargement operation of the selected image. When a negative determination is made (S410: NO), the process proceeds to S240, and when an affirmative determination is made (S410: YES), the process proceeds to S415.

  In S415, the CPU 11 determines whether or not there is a free area in the currently selected Nth print area image in which the automatic placement target image can be placed without overlapping with other images. Here, the automatic placement target image is the enlarged selection image generated in S223. If a positive determination is made (S415: YES), the process proceeds to S460. In S460, the CPU 11 moves the image to be automatically arranged to an empty area. Then, the process proceeds to S240.

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in S415 (S415: NO), the process proceeds to S420. In S420, the CPU 11 initializes the count value i to “1”. Then, the process proceeds to S425.

  In S425, the CPU 11 determines whether or not there is a third free area in the currently selected print area image in which the automatic placement target image can be arranged without overlapping with other images. If an affirmative determination is made (S425: YES), the process proceeds to S460, and if a negative determination is made (S425: NO), the process proceeds to S430.

  In S430, the CPU 11 increments the count value i by one. In S435, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the count value i is equal to the value K of the Kth print area image. If a negative determination is made (S435: NO), the process returns to S425. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made (S435: YES), it is determined that there is no third free area in which any of the K print area images can be automatically arranged, and the process proceeds to S440. .

  In S440, the CPU 11 newly generates a (K + 1) th print area image including the (K + 1) th print area image number. In S445, the CPU 11 moves the image to be automatically arranged within the (K + 1) th print area image. As a result, a second empty area is formed where the automatic placement target image has been placed. Then, the process proceeds to S240.

  In S240 of FIG. 2, the CPU 11 selects the (N + 1) th print area image having the print area number next to the Nth print area image selected by the user. In S245, the CPU 11 selects any one of the one or more images included in the currently selected print area image as a movement candidate image. In S250, the CPU 11 determines whether the movement candidate image can be arranged in the second empty area formed in S370 or S445 without overlapping with other images. If a positive determination is made (S250: YES), the process proceeds to S258.

  In S <b> 258, the CPU 11 moves the movement candidate image to the second empty area. As a result, a new empty area is formed in the place where the movement candidate image has been arranged. Then, the process returns to S220.

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in S250 (S250: NO), the process proceeds to S255. In S255, the CPU 11 determines whether or not all the images included in the currently selected print area image have been confirmed to be arranged in the second empty area. When a negative determination is made (S255: NO), the process returns to S245, and when an affirmative determination is made (S255: YES), the process proceeds to S259. In S259, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the currently selected print area image is a print area image having the last print area number. If an affirmative determination is made (S259: YES), the process returns to S220, and if a negative determination is made (S259: NO), the process proceeds to S260. In S260, the CPU 11 selects a print area image having the next print area image number. Then, the process returns to S245.

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in S220 (S220: NO), the process proceeds to S261. In S <b> 261, the CPU 11 determines whether there is a print region image that does not include an image. When a negative determination is made (S261: NO), the process proceeds to S263, and when a positive determination is made (S261: YES), the process proceeds to S262. In S262, the CPU 11 deletes the print area image having the last print area number. Then, the process proceeds to S263.

  In step S <b> 263, the CPU 11 determines whether one selected image is selected from any print region image and a rotation fixing operation is input to the selected image. The rotation fixing operation is an operation for designating a selected image as a posture fixing image. For example, a pop-up screen for selecting various processes for the selected image may be displayed in response to the selected image being tapped. Then, when a region where a rotation fixing instruction is displayed is tapped on the pop-up screen, it may be determined that a rotation fixing operation has been input. If a negative determination is made (S263: NO), the process proceeds to S270, and if an affirmative determination is made (S263: YES), the process proceeds to S264.

  In S264, the CPU 11 determines whether the posture of the selected image at the time when the rotation fixing operation is input is the first posture or the second posture. If it is determined that the posture is the second posture (S264: second posture), the process proceeds to S266. In S266, the CPU 11 sets the posture fixing flag for the selected image to “second posture”. Thereby, the selected image is fixed in the second posture. On the other hand, if it is determined in S264 that the posture is the first posture (S264: first posture), the process proceeds to S268. In S268, the CPU 11 sets the posture fixing flag for the selected image to “first posture”. Thereby, the selected image is fixed in the first posture.

  In S <b> 270, the CPU 11 determines whether one selected image is selected from any of the print area images, and whether a rotation fixing release operation is input to the selected image. The rotation fixing release operation is an operation for releasing the designation of the posture fixed image for the selected image. When a negative determination is made (S270: NO), the process proceeds to S273, and when a positive determination is made (S270: YES), the process proceeds to S271. In S271, the CPU 11 sets the posture fixing flag for the selected image to “off”. As a result, the posture of the selected image can be freely changed. Then, the process proceeds to S273.

  In S273, the CPU 11 determines whether or not an operation for additionally displaying a new image on the print area image has been performed. When a negative determination is made (S273: NO), the process proceeds to S280, and when a positive determination is made (S273: YES), the process proceeds to S275. In S275, the CPU 11 displays a new image in the print area image having the last print area number. Then, the process proceeds to S280.

  In S280, the CPU 11 determines whether one selected image is selected from any of the print region images, and whether a deletion operation has been input to the selected image. For example, a pop-up screen for selecting various processes for the selected image may be displayed in response to the selected image being tapped. It may be determined that a deletion operation has been input when a region where a deletion instruction is displayed is tapped on the pop-up screen. When a positive determination is made (S280: YES), the process proceeds to S290, and the CPU 11 deletes the selected image. Then, the process returns to S220.

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in S280 (S280: NO), the process proceeds to S295. In S295, the CPU 11 determines whether a print execution command has been input. The determination may be made based on whether or not the print button image B1 is tapped. When a negative determination is made (S295: NO), the process returns to S220, and when an affirmative determination is made (S295: YES), the process proceeds to S300.

  In S300, the CPU 11 generates print data based on each of the plurality of print area images, and transmits the generated print data to the MFP 52 via the access point 51. The MFP 52 executes print processing based on the received print data. Then, the flow ends.

<Specific operation example>
As an example, a case where the print layout screen D1 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the touch panel 20 will be described. A case where the user performs a reduction operation on the image P2 included in the second print region image R2 will be described. Further, a case where the image P2 is not set as a posture fixed image will be described.

  When the user inputs a reduction operation to the image P2 (S220: YES), a reduction selection image P2a is generated as shown in FIG. 7 (S223). The reduced selection image P2a is set as an automatic placement target image (S225), and automatic placement processing is executed (S230).

  The count value i is initialized to “1” (S310). There may be no first free area in which the automatic placement target image (that is, the reduced selection image P2a in the first orientation) can be placed in the first print area image R1 having the first print area image number. Determination is made (S320: NO). The count value i is counted up to “2” (S325). The count value i and the N value of the second print region image including the reduced selected image P2a are both equal to “2” (S330: YES), and the reduced selected image P2a has not been subjected to the rotation process ( S335: NO). Since the reduced selected image P2a has not been set as a fixed posture image (S340: NO), the direction of the reduced selected image P2a is rotated by 90 ° to the second posture (S350). The count value i is initialized to “1” (S355), and the rotation process execution flag for the reduced selection image P2a is set to “on” (S360).

  It is determined that there is a first empty area F1 (see FIG. 7) in which the reduced selection image P2a in the second posture can be arranged in the first print area image R1 (S320: YES). As shown by the arrow Y1 in FIG. 8, the reduced selection image P2a in the second posture is moved to the first empty area F1, and the second empty area F2 is formed at the place where the reduced selection image P2a was placed (S370). ).

  The third print region image R3, which is the (N + 1) th print region image, is selected (S240), and the image P5 is selected as a movement candidate image (S245). It is determined that the image P5 can be arranged in the second empty area F2 (S250: YES), and the image P5 is moved to the second empty area F2 as shown by the arrow Y2 in FIG. 9 (S258). . As a result, a new empty area F3 is formed at the place where the image P5 has been arranged.

  Since the currently selected third print region image R3 is not the print region image having the last print region number (S259: NO), the fourth print region image R4 is selected (S260). The image P7 included in the fourth print area image R4 is selected as a movement candidate image (S245), and it is determined that the image P7 can be arranged in the empty area F3 (S250: YES). As shown by the arrow Y3 in FIG. 10, the image P7 is moved to the empty area F3 (S258). Since the currently selected fourth print region image R4 is the print region image having the last print region number (S259: YES), it is determined whether there is a print region image that does not include the image. (S261). Since the fourth print region image R4 contains no image (S261: YES), the fourth print region image R4 is deleted (S262). As a result, the number of print area images can be reduced from four to three.

<Effect>
According to the UI display program 21a described in this specification, when an operation for reducing the size of the selected image included in the Nth print region image (eg, reduction operation, trimming operation) is performed. (S220: YES), the first automatic placement target image that is a reduced image can be placed in any print region image having a print region number smaller than N without overlapping with other images. It can be determined whether there is a free area (S320). If the first free area exists (S320: YES), the automatic placement target image can be moved to the first free area (S370). As a result, the automatic arrangement target image reduced by the user is converted into a print area image (that is, the first print area image having the print area number smaller than the print area image (that is, the Nth print area image) including the automatic arrangement target image) 1st to (N-1) printing area image). When the image to be automatically placed can be placed in the print area image with the smaller print area number, and as a result, the print area image without the image can be generated in the print area image with the larger print area number (S261: YES). In this case, the number of print area images can be reduced by deleting the print area image (S262). As described above, it is possible to reduce the number of print sheets used in the printing process in the printing apparatus such as the MFP 52.

  In order to reduce the number of printed sheets, there is a case where so-called Nin1 printing is performed in which the entire print area image is reduced and a plurality of print area images are printed on one sheet of printing paper. However, in Nin1 printing, the size of the image included in the print area image is reduced. According to the UI display program 21a described in this specification, the number of printed sheets can be reduced without changing the size of the image included in the print area image. Printing processing can be executed.

  According to the UI display program 21a described in this specification, when an image to be automatically arranged is generated by reducing the selection image included in the Nth print area image (S223), the first print area In order from the (N-1) th printing area to the (N-1) th printing area, it can be searched whether or not the first empty area exists (S320 to S330). As a result, it is possible to place the automatic placement target image so as to be pushed into the print region image having the smaller print region number. Therefore, the effect of reducing the number of print area images can be enhanced.

  According to the UI display program 21a described in this specification, when the first vacant area does not exist in the first to (N−1) th print area images of the first layout automatic placement target image ( (S330: YES), the automatic placement target image is changed to the second posture (S350), and the first empty region exists in the first to (N-1) th print region images for the second placement automatic placement target image. It is possible to search whether or not. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the probability that the first free area can be detected as compared with the case where the presence / absence of the first free area is determined for only one of the first position and the second position. Therefore, the effect of reducing the number of print areas can be enhanced.

  According to the UI display program 21a described in this specification, at least one of the plurality of images displayed in the K print area images is selected from the first posture and the second posture. It can be designated as a posture fixed image fixed in one posture (S263). Since the posture of the fixed posture image is not changed (S340), it is possible to execute the printing process with the posture of the image as intended by the user.

  According to the UI display program 21a described in this specification, images that can be moved to the second empty area (S370) formed in the Nth print area are the (N + 1) th to Kth print area images. (S250: YES), the image can be moved to the second empty area (S258). As a result, since the image can be arranged so as to be pushed into the print area having the smaller print area number, the free area generated by moving the image can be used effectively. As a result, the effect of reducing the number of print areas can be enhanced.

  According to the UI display program 21a described in this specification, when an enlargement operation of a selected image is received (S410: YES), there is an Nth free area in which the generated enlarged selected image can be arranged. If it does not exist in the print area image (S415: NO), it is searched whether there is a third free area in which the enlarged selection image can be arranged in any of the K print area images. (S420 to S435). If the third free area is detected (S425: YES), the enlarged selected image can be moved to the third free area (S460). If the third empty area is not detected (S435: YES), a (K + 1) th print area image is newly generated (S440), and the enlarged selected image is moved within the (K + 1) th print area image. (S445). As a result, an operation for enlarging the selected image can be accepted, so that the printing process can be executed with an image size as intended by the user.

  Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. The modifications of the above embodiment are listed below.

<Modification>
The display modes of the display screens shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 are examples, and other display modes can also be used. The value of K is not limited to “4”, and a value of 3 or less or 5 or more is also possible. When the value of K is larger than the upper limit number of print area images that can be displayed at one time on the print layout screen, K print area images are displayed in the print layout screen using scroll processing or the like. You may do that.

  The display program 21a may be a separate program from the operating system 21e.

  The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.

  The MFP 52 is an example of a printing apparatus. The UI display program 21a is an example of a program. The wireless transmission / reception unit 15 is an example of a communication interface. The panel 18 is an example of a display unit. The CPU 11 is an example of a processor. The CPU 11 that executes S210 is an example of a display control unit. The CPU 11 that executes S315 is an example of an image reduction unit. The CPU 11 that executes S370 is an example of a first image moving unit. The CPU 11 that executes S300 is an example of a print data transmission unit. The CPU 11 that executes S263 is an example of a reception unit. The CPU 11 that executes S258 is an example of a second image moving unit. The CPU 11 that executes S410 is an example of an image enlargement unit. The CPU 11 that executes S460 and S445 is an example of a third image moving unit.

  Each program may be composed of a single program module, or may be composed of a plurality of program modules. In addition, each example may have another replaceable configuration and is within the scope of the present invention. It may be a computer (CPU 11 or the like) that executes processing based on an application program (such as the image editing application 30), or may be a computer that executes processing based on a program other than an application program such as an operating system, A hardware configuration (panel 18 or the like) that operates according to instructions from the computer may be used, or a configuration in which the computer and the hardware configuration are linked. Of course, it may be a computer that executes processes by linking processes based on a plurality of programs, or may have a hardware configuration that operates according to instructions from a computer that executes processes by linking processes based on a plurality of programs. Good.

  10: Information processing device, 11: CPU, 12: Storage unit, 15: Wireless transmission / reception unit, 18: Panel, 19: Coordinate detection unit, 20: Touch panel, 21a: UI display program, 21e: Operating system, 52: MFP

Claims (8)

A computer-readable program for an information processing apparatus capable of causing the printing apparatus to execute a printing process for printing a print image on printing paper by outputting print data to the printing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A communication interface capable of communicating with the printing device;
A display unit;
With
The computer,
A rectangular print area corresponding to the print paper, and displaying the K print areas having consecutive print area numbers from 1 to K (K is a natural number of 2 or more) on the display unit; Display control means for causing the display unit to display at least one image in each of the K print areas in a mode in which printing is performed in the printing process;
An operation of selecting the Nth (N is a natural number greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to K) Nth print area from among the K print areas, and at least one displayed in the area of the Nth print area Image reduction means for receiving an operation of selecting a selected image from the two images and an operation of reducing the selected image to generate a reduced image;
When there is a first empty area in which the reduced image can be arranged in any one of the print areas having a print area number smaller than N, the reduced image is moved to the first empty area. First image moving means;
Print data transmission means for causing the communication interface to transmit the print data generated based on the K print areas to the printing apparatus in response to receiving an input of a print execution instruction;
A program characterized by making it function. The first image moving means includes
2. The program according to claim 1, wherein whether or not the first empty area exists is searched in order from the first print area to the (N−1) th print area. The reduced image includes a first posture and a second posture that is a posture rotated by 90 ° with respect to the first posture.
The said 1st image moving means judges whether the said 1st empty area exists about the said reduced image of the said 1st attitude | position and the said 2nd attitude | position, The said 1st attitude | position is characterized by the above-mentioned. program. An operation for designating at least one of the plurality of images displayed in the K print areas as a posture-fixed image that is fixed in one of the first posture and the second posture. Further functioning the computer as a receiving means for receiving
When the reduced image is the posture fixed image, the first image moving means has the first empty area for the reduced image in the fixed posture among the first posture and the second posture. The program according to claim 3, wherein it is determined whether or not it exists.   The first image, which is an image that can be arranged in the second empty area formed by moving the reduced image from the Nth print area by the first image moving means, is larger than N. The computer is further caused to function as a second image moving means for moving the first image to the second empty area when it exists in any one of the print areas having an area number. 5. The program according to any one of 4. Image enlarging means for accepting an operation for enlarging the selected image and generating an enlarged image;
When there is no area in which the enlarged image can be arranged in the Nth print area, there is a third empty area in which the enlarged image can be arranged in any of the K print areas. In this case, the enlarged image is moved to the third empty area, and if there is no third empty area in which the enlarged image can be arranged in any of the K print areas, (K + 1) ) A third image moving means for newly generating a (K + 1) th print area and moving the enlarged image to the (K + 1) print area;
The program according to claim 1, further causing the computer to function. An information processing apparatus capable of causing the printing apparatus to execute a printing process for printing a print image on printing paper by outputting print data to the printing apparatus,
A communication interface capable of communicating with the printing device;
A display unit;
A control unit;
With
The controller is
A rectangular print area corresponding to the print paper, and displaying the K print areas having consecutive print area numbers from 1 to K (K is a natural number of 2 or more) on the display unit; Display control means for causing the display unit to display at least one image in each of the K print areas in a mode in which printing is performed in the printing process;
An operation of selecting the Nth (N is a natural number greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to K) Nth print area from among the K print areas, and at least one displayed in the area of the Nth print area Image reduction means for receiving an operation of selecting a selected image from the two images and an operation of reducing the selected image to generate a reduced image;
When there is a first empty area in which the reduced image can be arranged in any one of the print areas having a print area number smaller than N, the reduced image is moved to the first empty area. First image moving means;
Print data transmission means for causing the communication interface to transmit the print data generated based on the K print areas to the printing apparatus in response to receiving an input of a print execution instruction;
An information processing apparatus characterized by performing A control method for an information processing apparatus capable of causing the printing apparatus to execute a printing process for printing a print image on printing paper by outputting print data to the printing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A communication interface capable of communicating with the printing device;
A display unit;
A control unit;
With
The controller is
A rectangular print area corresponding to the print paper, and displaying the K print areas having consecutive print area numbers from 1 to K (K is a natural number of 2 or more) on the display unit; A display control step of displaying at least one image on each of the K print areas on the display unit in a manner in which printing is performed in the printing process;
An operation of selecting the Nth (N is a natural number greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to K) Nth print area from among the K print areas, and at least one displayed in the area of the Nth print area An image reduction step for receiving an operation of selecting a selected image from the two images and an operation of reducing the selected image to generate a reduced image;
When there is a first empty area in which the reduced image can be arranged in any one of the print areas having a print area number smaller than N, the reduced image is moved to the first empty area. A first image moving step;
A print data transmission step for causing the communication interface to transmit the print data generated based on the K print areas in response to receiving an input of a print execution instruction;
A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, characterized in that:

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