JP3907337B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print control system including an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer and a printer, an information processing apparatus, a print control method, an information processing method, and a storage medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an output device equipped with PDL (Page Description Language) such as a laser printer, an increasing number of devices have a function of reducing the layout of a plurality of page data from an application and allocating them to one page of print data. In order to realize this, it is necessary to install a plurality of pages of memory for storing page data to be reduced inside the output device. Usually, the upper limit of the number of pages that a device allocates to one page is about four pages.
[0003]
On the other hand, a reduced layout of a plurality of pages is also possible by a processing method on the host computer side, such as once spooling print data and processing the appearance. In this method, the upper limit of the number of pages allocated to one page is currently about 16.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Currently, reduced layout printing is possible by the above two methods, but since each print setting is set by an independent user interface, there is a possibility of causing confusion for a user who sets reduced layout printing. was there.
[0005]
That is, when the reduced layout printing is set by the print settings from the independent user interfaces, it is difficult for the user to understand whether or not the desired reduced layout has been properly set, and the operability is poor.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In view of the above problems, the present invention performs print control settings using a unified user interface, and when reduced layout printing is set, the layout conditions are determined, and the printing device (printer) side and information processing are performed. An object of the present invention is to efficiently control functions that overlap with the apparatus (host computer) side and to enable appropriate print control with respect to user settings. In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a storage medium storing a program for executing the method on a computer mainly have the following configuration.
[0010]
  That is, an information processing apparatus including a printer driver that generates print data to be printed by a printing apparatus in accordance with document data generated by an application,
  An input means for setting layout printing conditions including the number of pages arranged on one side of the printing paper and the arrangement order via a setting screen by the printer driver;
  A first layout means for scaling each page of the document data input from the application and laying out the document data for each scaled page;
  In order to execute the set layout printing conditions, a processing distribution between the first layout means and the second layout means provided in the printing apparatus for laying out a variable size in the printing apparatus is determined. Distribution means,
  In the process distribution of the first layout means determined by the distribution means, an arrangement determining means for determining the arrangement of each page of document data when laying out by the first layout means;
  According to the layout of each page determined by the layout determination means,Generating means for generating print data laid out by the first layout means,
  The distribution means can determine the process distribution so that the layout is changed by both the first layout means and the second layout means,
  The arrangement determining means includesIncluded in the layout printing conditionsArranged on one side of printing paperpage number, The pages placed on one side of the printing paperArrangement order, processing distribution determined by the distribution means, and direction of document dataThe four conditionsByUnique placement of each page by the first layout meansspecificPossible toThe first layout means using the array informationsoThe layoutWhenArrangement of each page of document dataTheDecisionDoIt is characterized by that.
[0011]
  An information processing method in an information processing apparatus including a printer driver that generates print data to be printed by a printing apparatus according to document data generated by an application is as follows:
  An input process for setting layout printing conditions including the number of pages arranged on one side of the printing paper and the arrangement order via a setting screen by the printer driver;
  A first layout step of scaling each page of document data input from the application and laying out the document data of each scaled page;
  In order to execute the set layout printing conditions, a process distribution between the first layout process and a second layout process included in the printing apparatus for scaling and laying out in the printing apparatus is determined. The allocation process;
In the process distribution of the first layout step determined by the distribution step, an arrangement determination step for determining the arrangement of each page of document data when laying out in the first layout step;
  According to the layout of each page determined by the layout determination step,Generating the print data laid out by the first layout step,
  The distribution step can determine the processing distribution so that the layout is changed and scaled in both the first layout step and the second layout step.
  The arrangement determining step includesIncluded in the layout printing conditionsArranged on one side of printing paperpage number, The pages placed on one side of the printing paperArrangement order, processing distribution determined by the distribution process, and direction of document dataThe four conditionsByUnique placement of each page in the first layout processspecificPossible toUsing the arrangement information, the first layout stepsoThe layoutWhenArrangement of each page of document dataTheDecisionDoIt is characterized by that.
[0012]
  Further, a storage medium storing a printer driver that generates print data to be printed by a printing apparatus according to document data generated by an application, the printer driver executed by the information processing apparatus includes:
  An input process code for setting layout printing conditions including the number of pages arranged on one side of the printing paper and the arrangement order via a setting screen by the printer driver;
  The first layout step code for scaling each page of the document data input from the application and laying out the document data for each scaled page;
  Processing of the code of the first layout step and the code of the second layout step provided in the printing device for laying out the layout in the printing device in order to execute the set layout printing conditions An allocation process code that determines the allocation;
  In the process allocation of the code of the first layout process determined by the code of the allocation process, the code of the layout determination process for determining the layout of each page of the document data when laying out with the code of the first layout process;
  According to the layout of each page determined by the code of the layout determination step,A generation process code for generating print data laid out by the code of the first layout process,
  The allocation process code can be determined so that the layout is changed and scaled in both the first layout process code and the second layout process code,
  The code of the arrangement determining step isIncluded in the layout printing conditionsArranged on one side of printing paperpage number, The pages placed on one side of the printing paperArrangement order, processing distribution determined by the code of the distribution process, and direction of document dataThe four conditionsByUniquely arrange each page by the code of the first layout processspecificPossible toUsing the sequence information, the code of the first layout stepsoThe layoutWhenArrangement of each page of document dataTheDecisionDoIt is characterized by that.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment suitable for applying the present invention will be described.
[0014]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a print control system that is one embodiment of the present invention. As long as the function of the present invention is executed, a single device or a system composed of a plurality of devices is connected and processed via a network such as a LAN or WAN. The present invention can be applied even to a system.
[0015]
In the figure, an information processing apparatus (host computer) 3000 includes graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets), etc. based on a program processing program stored in the ROM 3 or a document processing program stored in the external memory 11. A CPU 1 that executes mixed document processing is provided, and the CPU 1 generally controls each printing device (printer) connected to the system bus 4.
[0016]
The ROM 3 program ROM or external memory 11 stores an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS) which is a control program of the CPU 1, and the ROM 3 font ROM or external memory 11 stores the above-mentioned document processing. Font data to be used is stored, and various data to be used when the document processing is performed is stored in the data ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 11. The RAM 2 functions as a main memory and work area for the CPU 1.
[0017]
A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). A CRT controller (CRTC) 6 controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 11.
[0018]
A disk controller (DKC) 7 is a hard disk (HD), floppy disk (FD), etc. for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, a printer control command generation program (hereinafter referred to as a printer driver), etc. The access to the external memory 11 is controlled.
[0019]
A printer controller (PRTC) 8 is connected to the printer 1500 via a bidirectional interface (interface) 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1500.
[0020]
The CPU 1 executes an outline font development (rasterization) process on the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, for example, and enables WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) on the CRT 11.
[0021]
The CPU 1 opens various windows registered based on commands instructed by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 11 and executes various data processing. When executing printing, the user opens a window relating to print settings, and can set the print processing method for the printer driver including printer settings and print mode selection.
[0022]
The printer 1500 is controlled by the CPU 12. The printer CPU 12 is a printing unit (printer engine) connected to the system bus 15 via the print control interface 16 based on a control program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13 or a control program stored in the external memory 14. 17 outputs an image signal as output information.
[0023]
Further, the control program of the CPU 12 is stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13. In the ROM 13 font ROM, font data used for generating the output information is stored. In the ROM 13 data ROM, in the case of a printer that does not have the external memory 14 such as a hard disk, it is executed on the host computer. Information to be used is stored.
[0024]
The CPU 12 can communicate with the host computer via the input unit 18 and can notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer. The RAM 19 is a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, or the like for the CPU 12, and is configured such that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The RAM 19 is used as an output information expansion area, environment data storage area, NVRAM, and the like. Reaccess to the external memory 14 such as the hard disk (HD) and IC card described above is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. Reference numeral 124 denotes an operation panel on which an operation switch, an LED display, and the like are arranged.
[0025]
The external memory 14 described above is not limited to one, and a plurality of external memories 14 are provided. In addition to the built-in font, a plurality of external memories storing an option card and a program for interpreting a printer control language having a different language system can be connected. May be. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501.
[0026]
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of typical print processing in a host computer to which a printing apparatus such as a printer is directly connected or connected via a network.
[0027]
The application 201, the graphic engine 202, the printer driver 203, and the system spooler 204 exist as files stored in the external memory 111, and when executed, are loaded into the RAM 102 and executed by the OS and modules using the module. It is a program module.
[0028]
The application 201 and the printer driver 203 can be added to the HD of the external disk 11 via the FD of the external memory 11, a CD-ROM (not shown), or a network (not shown). The application 201 stored in the external memory 11 is loaded into the RAM 2 and executed. When printing is performed from the application 201 to the printer 1500, the graphic that is similarly loaded into the RAM 2 and executable. Output (drawing) is performed using the engine 202.
[0029]
The graphic engine 202 similarly loads the printer driver 203 prepared for each printing apparatus from the external memory 11 to the RAM 2, and sets the output of the application 201 in the printer driver 203. Then, a GDI (Graphic Device Interface) function received from the application 201 is converted into a DDI (Device Driver interface) function, and the DDI function is output to the printer driver 203.
[0030]
Based on the DDI function received from the graphic engine 202, the printer driver 203 converts it into a control command that can be recognized by the printer, for example, a PDL (Page Description Language). The converted printer control command is output as print data to the printer 1500 via the interface 121 via the system spooler 204 loaded into the RAM 2 by the OS.
[0031]
The printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to temporarily spool print data from an application as intermediate code data as shown in FIG. 3 in addition to the printing system including the printer and the host computer shown in FIG. Have
[0032]
<System configuration>
FIG. 3 is an extension of the system shown in FIG. In the system of FIG. 2, the application 201 is released from the printing process when the printer driver 203 finishes converting all DDI functions from the graphic engine 202 into printer control commands. On the other hand, in the system shown in FIG. 3, the spooler 302 converts all DDI functions into intermediate code data and outputs them to the spool file 303. The latter usually requires less time.
[0033]
In the system shown in FIG. 3, the contents of the spool file 303 can be processed. This makes it possible to realize functions that the application does not have, such as enlargement / reduction, printing in which a plurality of pages are reduced to one page, and bookbinding printing according to the present invention with respect to print data from the re-application.
[0034]
In order to be able to process the print data in various ways and print it in various printing formats, the system has been expanded to spool the print data with intermediate code data as shown in FIG. 3 in contrast to the previous system of FIG. Has been made.
[0035]
In order to process print data, settings are made from a window provided by the normal printer driver 203, and the printer driver 203 stores the setting contents in the RAM 2 or the external memory 11.
[0036]
<Data processing>
Details of FIG. 3 will be described below. As shown in the figure, in this expanded processing method, the dispatcher 301 receives a print command from the graphic engine 202. If the print command received by the dispatcher 301 from the graphic engine 202 is a print command issued from the application 201 to the graphic engine 202, the dispatcher 301 loads the spooler 302 stored in the external memory 11 into the RAM 2 to print the printer. A print command is sent to the spooler 302 instead of the driver 203.
[0037]
The spooler 302 converts the received print command into an intermediate code and outputs it to the spool file 303. In addition, the spooler 302 acquires the processing settings relating to the print data set for the printer driver 203 from the printer driver 203 and stores them in the spool file 303. The spool file 303 is generated as a file on the external memory 11, but may be generated on the RAM 2. Further, the spooler 302 loads the spool file manager 304 stored in the external memory 11 into the RAM 2 and notifies the spool file manager 304 of the generation status of the spool file 303. After that, the spool file manager 304 determines whether printing can be performed according to the contents of the processing settings relating to the print data stored in the spool file 303.
[0038]
When the spool file manager 304 determines that printing can be performed using the graphic engine 202, it loads the despooler 305 stored in the external memory 111 into the RAM 2, and is described in the spool file 303 with respect to the despooler 305. The intermediate code is instructed to be printed.
[0039]
The despooler 305 processes the intermediate code included in the spool file 303 according to the contents of the processing setting included in the spool file 303, and outputs it again via the graphic engine 202.
[0040]
If the print command received by the dispatcher 301 from the graphic engine 202 is a print command issued from the despooler 305 to the graphic engine 202, the dispatcher 301 sends the print command to the printer driver 203 instead of the spooler 302.
[0041]
The printer driver 203 generates a printer control command (PDL or the like) and outputs it to the printer 1500 via the system spooler 204.
[0042]
<Configuration of LBP>
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a color laser printer having a double-sided printing function, which is an example of the printer 1500.
[0043]
This printer forms an electrostatic latent image by scanning the photosensitive drum 15 with a polygon mirror 31 with laser light modulated with image data for each color obtained based on print data input from the host computer 3000. Then, the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner to obtain a visible image, and this is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 9 for all colors to form a color visible image.
[0044]
Further, this color visible image is transferred to the transfer material 2, and the color visible image is fixed on the transfer material 2. The image forming unit that performs the above control includes a drum unit having a photosensitive drum 15, a primary charging unit having a contact charging roller 17, a cleaning unit, a developing unit, an intermediate transfer body 9, a paper cassette 1, and various rollers 3, 4, 5, 7, a transfer unit including the transfer roller 10, and a fixing unit 25.
[0045]
The drum unit 13 is configured integrally with a photosensitive drum (photoconductor) 15 and a cleaner container 14 having a cleaning mechanism that also serves as a holder for the photosensitive drum 15. The drum unit 13 is detachably supported with respect to the printer main body, and can be easily replaced in accordance with the life of the photosensitive drum 15.
[0046]
The photosensitive drum 15 is configured by applying an organic photoconductor layer to the outer periphery of an aluminum cylinder, and is rotatably supported by the cleaner container 14. The photosensitive drum 15 rotates when a driving force of a driving motor (not shown) is transmitted. The driving motor rotates the photosensitive drum 15 in a counterclockwise direction according to an image forming operation. An electrostatic latent image is formed by selectively exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum 15.
[0047]
In the scanner unit 30, the modulated laser light is reflected by a polygon mirror that rotates in synchronization with the horizontal synchronizing signal of the image signal by the motor 31 a, and irradiates the photosensitive drum through the lens 32 and the reflecting mirror 33.
[0048]
The developing unit includes three color developing units 20Y, 20M, and 20C for developing yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), and black ( And a single black developing device 21B that performs the development of B). The color developing units 20Y, 20M, and 20C and the plank developing unit 21B include a sleep 20YS, 20MS, 20CS, and 21BS, and coating blades 20YB, 20MB, 20CB, and 21BB that are in pressure contact with the outer periphery of each of the sleeps 20YS, 20MS, 20CS, and 21BS. And are provided respectively.
[0049]
The three color developing devices 20Y, 20M, and 20C are provided with application rollers 20YR, 20MR, and 20CR.
[0050]
The black developing device 21B is detachably attached to the printer main body, and the color developing devices 20Y, 20M, and 20C are detachably attached to the developing rotary 23 that rotates about the rotation shaft 22, respectively.
[0051]
The sleep 21BS of the black developing device 21B is arranged with a minute interval of, for example, about 300 μm with respect to the photosensitive drum 15. The black developing device 21B conveys the toner by a feeding member built in the device, and applies a charge to the toner by frictional charging so as to be applied to the outer periphery of the sleep 21BS rotating in the clockwise direction by the coating blade 21BB. .
[0052]
Further, by applying a developing bias to the sleep 21BS, the photosensitive drum 15 is developed according to the electrostatic latent image, and a visible image is formed on the photosensitive drum 15 with black toner.
[0053]
The three color developing devices 20Y, 20M, and 20C rotate with the rotation of the developing rotary 23 during image formation, and the predetermined sleeps 20YS, 20MS, and 20CS are spaced from the photosensitive drum 15 by a minute interval of about 300 μm. Will face each other. As a result, the predetermined color developing devices 20Y, 20M, and 20C are stopped at the developing position facing the photosensitive drum 15, and a visible image is created on the photosensitive drum 15.
[0054]
At the time of color image formation, the developing rotary 23 rotates every rotation of the intermediate transfer member 9, and the developing process is performed in the order of the yellow developing device 20Y, the magenta developing device 20M, the cyan developing device 20C, and then the black developing device 21B. The transfer body 9 rotates four times to sequentially form visible images with yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners. As a result, a full-color visible image is formed on the intermediate transfer body 9.
[0055]
The intermediate transfer member 9 is configured to contact the photosensitive drum 15 and rotate as the photosensitive drum 15 rotates. The intermediate transfer member 9 rotates clockwise when forming a color image and is visible four times from the photosensitive drum 15. Receive multiple images. Further, the intermediate transfer member 9 simultaneously transfers a color visible image on the intermediate transfer member 9 onto the transfer material 2 by contacting a transfer roller 10 described later at the time of image formation and sandwiching and conveying the transfer material 2.
[0056]
At the outer periphery of the intermediate transfer member, a TOP sensor 9a and an RS sensor 9b for detecting the position in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer member 9, and a density sensor for detecting the density of the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer member. 9c is arranged.
[0057]
The transfer roller 10 includes a transfer charger that is supported so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the photosensitive drum 15, and is configured by winding a metal shaft with a medium resistance foamed elastic body.
[0058]
As shown by a solid line in FIG. 4, the transfer roller 10 is separated downward so as not to disturb the color visible image while the color visible image is multiplex-transferred onto the body 9 in the middle. After the four color visible images are formed on the intermediate transfer member 9, the transfer roller 10 is shown by a dotted line by a cam member (not shown) in accordance with the timing of transferring the color visible image to the transfer material 2. It is located above indicated by. As a result, the transfer roller 10 is pressed against the intermediate transfer member 9 via the transfer material 2 with a predetermined pressing force, and a bias voltage is applied to transfer the color visible image on the intermediate transfer member 9 to the transfer material 2. .
[0059]
The fixing unit 25 fixes the transferred color visible image while conveying the transfer 2, and a fixing roller 26 for heating the transfer material 2 and a pressure roller for pressing the transfer material 2 against the fixing roller 26. 27. The fixing roller 26 and the pressure roller 27 are formed in a hollow shape, and heaters 28 and 29 are incorporated therein, respectively.
[0060]
That is, the transfer material 2 holding the color visible image is conveyed by the fixing roller 26 and the pressure roller 27, and the toner is fixed on the surface by applying heat and pressure.
[0061]
The transfer material 2 after fixing the visible image is then discharged to the paper discharge unit 37 by the paper discharge rollers 34, 35, and 36, and the image forming operation is completed. The cleaning means cleans the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 15 and the intermediate transfer body 9, and waste toner or toner after transferring the visible image formed on the photosensitive drum 15 to the intermediate transfer body 9. The waste toner after transferring the four color visible images created on the intermediate transfer member 9 to the transfer material 2 is stored in the cleaner container 14.
[0062]
The transfer material (recording paper) 2 to be printed is taken out from the paper feed tray 1 by the paper feed roller 3 and conveyed so as to be sandwiched between the intermediate transfer member 9 and the transfer roller 10 to record a color toner image. Then, the toner image passes through the fixing unit 25 and is fixed. In the case of single-sided printing, the conveyance path is formed so that the guide 38 guides the recording paper to the upper paper discharge unit, but for double-sided printing, the path is formed so as to guide to the lower-side duplex unit.
[0063]
The recording sheet guided to the duplex unit is once sent to the lower part of the tray 1 (conveying path indicated by a two-dot chain line) by the conveying roller 40 and then conveyed in the reverse direction, and is sent to the duplex tray 39. On the double-sided tray 39, the front and back sides of the sheet placed on the sheet feeding tray 1 are reversed, and the front and back are reversed in the transport direction. Double-sided printing can be performed by transferring and fixing the toner image again in this state.
[0064]
<Process of page unit saving step>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the process of the page unit storage step in the generation of the spool file 303 in the spooler 302.
[0065]
First, in step 501, a print request from an application is received. In the application, a dialog for inputting print settings as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed, and the print settings input from this dialog are passed to the re-spooler 303 from the printer driver. The setting input dialog shown in FIG. 8 includes setting items such as 801 for determining the number of logical pages to be laid out on one physical page.
[0066]
In step 502, it is determined whether the received print request is a job start request. If it is determined in step 502 that the request is a job start request, the process proceeds to step 503, where the spool file 308 for temporarily storing intermediate data is stored. Create Subsequently, in step 504, the spool file manager 304 is notified of the progress of the printing process, and in step 505, the page number counter of the spooler 302 is initialized to 1.
[0067]
Here, the spool file manager 304 reads job information, processing settings, and the like for the job for which printing has started from the spool file 303 and stores it.
[0068]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 502 that the job start request is not received, the process proceeds to step 506.
[0069]
In step 506, it is determined whether the accepted request is a job end request. If it is determined that the request is not a job end request, the process advances to step 507 to determine whether or not a page break is required.
[0070]
If it is determined in step 507 that the page breaks, the process advances to step 508 to notify the spool file manager 304 of the progress of the printing process. Then, the page number counter is incremented.
[0071]
If it is determined in step 507 that the received print request is not a page break, the process advances to step 509 to prepare for writing an intermediate file.
[0072]
In step 510, conversion processing for storing the print request in the spool file 303 is performed. In step 511, the print request converted into a form that can be stored in step 510 is written into the spool file 303. Thereafter, the process returns to step 501 to accept a print request from the application again. The series of processing from step 501 to step 511 is continued until a job end request is received from the application.
[0073]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 506 that the print request from the application is the end of the job, all the print requests from the application are complete, so the process proceeds to step 512 and the print processing progress to the spool file manager 304. And finish the process.
[0074]
<Description of print control>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the control in the spool file manager 304 between the spool file 303 generation process and the print data generation process described below.
[0075]
In step 601, a print processing progress notification from the spooler 302 or despooler 305 is received.
[0076]
In step 602, it is determined whether or not the progress notification is a print start notification from the spooler 302 notified in the above-described step 504. If so, the process proceeds to step 603 to read the print processing settings from the spool file 303. Start job management.
[0077]
On the other hand, if the print start notification is not received from the spooler 302 in step 602, the process proceeds to step 604, and it is determined whether or not the progress notification is a print end notification of one logical page from the spooler 302 notified in step 508 described above. If it is a notification of printing completion of one logical page, the process proceeds to step 605 to store logical page information for this logical page. In the subsequent step 606, it is determined whether printing of one physical page can be started for the n logical pages for which spooling has been completed at this point. If printing is possible, the process advances to step 607 to determine the physical page number from the logical number assigned to one physical page to be printed.
[0078]
Regarding the calculation of the physical page, for example, when the processing setting is such that four logical pages are arranged in one physical page, the first physical page can be printed when the fourth logical page is spooled, and the first physical page is printed. It becomes a page. Subsequently, the second physical page can be printed when the eighth logical page is spooled.
[0079]
Even if the total number of logical pages is not a multiple of the number of logical pages allocated to one physical page, the logical page to be allocated to one physical page can be determined by the spool end notification in step 512.
[0080]
In step 608, the despooler 305 is notified of the logical page number constituting the physical page that can be printed and the physical page number in the format shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process returns to step 601 to wait for the next notification.
[0081]
In the present embodiment, printing processing can be performed even when all the print jobs are not spooled when one page of print data, that is, a logical page constituting one physical page is spooled.
[0082]
On the other hand, in step 604, if the progress notification is not a print end notification of one logical page from the spooler 302, the process proceeds to step 609, and it is determined whether or not it is a job end notification from the spooler 302 notified in step 512 described above. To do. If it is a job end notification, the process proceeds to step 606 described above.
[0083]
On the other hand, if it is not a job end notification, the process advances to step 610 to determine whether or not the received notification is a print end notification for one physical page from the despooler 305. If it is a print end notification for one physical page, the process proceeds to step 611, where it is determined whether all of the processing settings have been printed. When printing is completed, the process proceeds to step 612, and the despooler 305 is notified of printing completion.
[0084]
On the other hand, if it is determined that printing for the processing setting has not yet been completed, the processing proceeds to step 606 described above. The despooler 305 in this embodiment assumes that the number of physical pages that can be simultaneously printed is one.
[0085]
If it is determined in step 610 that it is not a print end notification for one physical page from the despooler 305, the process advances to step 613 to determine whether it is a print end notification from the despooler 305. If it is determined that the print end notification is received from the despoof 305, the process proceeds to step 614, the spool file 303 is deleted, and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the print end notification is not received from the despooler 305, the process proceeds to step 615 to perform other normal processing and wait for the next notification.
[0086]
<Generation of print data>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the print data generation process in the despooler 305. In response to a print request from the spool file manager 304, the despooler 305 reads necessary information from the spool file 303 and generates print data. A method of transferring the generated print data to the printer is as described with reference to FIG.
[0087]
In the generation of print data, first, in step 701, the notification from the spool file manager 304 is input. In the subsequent step 702, it is determined whether or not the input notification is a job end notification. If the input notification is a job end notification, the process advances to step 703 to notify the spooler file manager 304 of the process end notification of the despooler 305. Finish.
[0088]
On the other hand, if it is not a job end notification in step 702, the process proceeds to step 704, where it is determined whether a print start request for one physical page in step 608 is notified. If it is determined that the request for starting marking of one physical page is made, the process proceeds to step 705 to generate print data for the specified physical page from the information shown in FIG. 9 passed from the spool file manager 304 and the spool file 303. When the necessary information is read and the print process is performed, the print process converts the print request command stored in the spool file 303 into a format recognizable by the graphic engine 202 in the despooler 305 and transfers it. As in the present embodiment, processing settings for laying out a plurality of logical pages on one physical page are converted in this step while taking reduced arrangement into consideration.
[0089]
When the necessary print processing is completed, in step 706, the spool file manager 304 is notified of the print data generation completion of one physical page. Then, the process returns to step 701 and waits for the next notification.
[0090]
On the other hand, if it is not determined in step 704 that the request is a start request, the process proceeds to step 707 to perform other normal processing and returns to step 701 to wait for the next notification.
[0091]
<Allocation between device and host computer>
Hereinafter, a method for allocating a device and a host computer in multi-page printing in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is an example of a multi-page printing setting screen.
[0092]
Multiple page printing is set from the page layouts listed in 1001. The setting screen is displayed by the printer driver 202 and necessary allocation is performed. Further, as indicated by 1002, the paper orientation can also be set.
[0093]
FIG. 11 shows an example of a screen for designating whether to use the device function or the host computer function internally.
[0094]
At 1101, internal processing can be selected. As in the present embodiment, a three-choice format of "automatic", "always perform processing on the host computer side", or "invalidate processing on the host computer side" may be used. A user interface such as setting
[0095]
In this embodiment, when “automatic” is selected, the functions of both the device and the host computer are used. In addition, the function of the host computer is used for “always perform processing on the host computer side”, and the function of the device is used for “invalidate processing on the host computer side”.
[0096]
Further, as will be described later in this embodiment, this option may be ignored when 16-page printing is requested when the device function only supports up to 4-page layout printing. Alternatively, a reduced layout printing pattern that is impossible only by the device, such as printing 16 pages from the beginning, may be disabled.
[0097]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing combinations of how the device and the host computer allocate when a reduced layout printing of a plurality of pages is designated. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the device limit is 4 pages / sheet and the host computer is 16 pages / sheet. As shown in the table, the print layout reduced layout page number N is the product of the reduced layout number D of the device and the reduced layout page number H of the host computer, that is, N = D × H.
[0098]
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, the following four page orders are assumed.
[0099]
From top left to right (LRTB)
From top right to left (RLTB)
From top left to bottom (TBLR)
From top right to down (TBRL)
However, in 2-page reduced layout printing, LRTB and TBLR have the same results, and RLTBTBRL has the same results.
[0100]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an internal process in printing a plurality of pages.
[0101]
In step 1401, print settings such as the number N of pages to be reduced and the process distribution setting information between the device and the host computer are input.
[0102]
In step 1402, if the processing distribution between the device and the host computer is “automatic”, the process proceeds to step 1405, and if not, the process proceeds to step 1403.
In step 1403, if the process distribution between the device and the host computer is “always perform processing on the host computer side”, the process proceeds to step 1406; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 1404.
[0103]
In step 1404, since the processing distribution between the device and the host computer is “invalidate processing on the host computer side”, it is determined whether or not processing on the device is possible, and if possible, the process proceeds to step 1407. If YES, go to step 1408. Specifically, when the reduced layout printing on the device is realized by PDL, the reduced layout printing on the device is impossible when the raster mode (image mode) is designated in the print settings. In such a case, processing by the device becomes impossible.
[0104]
In step 1405, since automatic distribution is designated, the distribution of the device and the host computer is determined by the printing system according to the print setting, and printing is performed.
[0105]
In step 1406, reduced layout printing is performed using only the host computer function.
[0106]
In step 1407, reduced layout printing is performed using only the device function.
[0107]
In step 1408, reduced layout printing using the device function to the maximum is performed.
[0108]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the processing in step 1405 of FIG. In step 1500, it is determined whether the print setting is the PDL mode. If so, the process proceeds to step 1501, and if not, the process proceeds to step 1505.
[0109]
In step 1501, it is determined whether the number of pages is N = 1, 6, or 9. If so, the process proceeds to step 1505, and if not, the process proceeds to step 1502.
[0110]
In step 1502, it is determined whether the page number N is 2. If so, the process proceeds to step 1506, and if not, the process proceeds to step 1503.
[0111]
In step 1503, it is determined whether the page number N is 4. If so, the process proceeds to step 1507, and if not, the process proceeds to step 1504.
[0112]
In step 1504, it is determined whether the page number N is 8. If so, the process proceeds to step 1508, and if not, the process proceeds to step 1509.
[0113]
In step 1505, processing cannot be distributed to the device side, so processing is performed on the host computer side.
[0114]
In step 1506, two-page reduced layout printing is performed on the device side. One page is normally printed on the host computer.
[0115]
In step 1507, reduced layout printing of two pages is performed on both the device side and the host computer side.
[0116]
In step 1508, reduced layout printing of 4 pages on the device side and 2 pages on the host computer side is performed.
[0117]
In step 1509, reduced layout printing of 4 pages is performed on both the device side and the host computer side. The explanation regarding the allocation determination will be described later.
[0118]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the processing in step 1408 of FIG.
[0119]
In step 1600, it is determined whether the print setting is the PDL mode. If the print setting is the PDL mode, the process proceeds to step 1601, and if not, the process proceeds to step 1605.
[0120]
In step 1601, it is determined whether the page number N is 1, 6 or 9. If so, the process proceeds to step 1605, and if not, the process proceeds to step 1602.
[0121]
In step 1602, it is determined whether the page number N is 2. If N = 2, the process proceeds to step 1606, and if not, the process proceeds to step 1603.
[0122]
In step 1603, it is determined whether the page number N is 4. If N = 4, the process proceeds to step 1607; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 1604.
[0123]
In step 1604, it is determined whether the page number N is 8. If N = 8, the process proceeds to step 1608, and if not, the process proceeds to step 1609.
[0124]
In step 1605, since the distribution with the device side is impossible, the processing is performed on the host computer side.
[0125]
In step 1606, reduced layout printing of 2 pages is performed on the device side, and in step 1607, reduced layout printing of 4 pages is performed on the device side.
[0126]
In step 1608, reduced layout printing is performed for 4 pages on the device side and 2 pages on the host computer side. In step 1609, reduced layout printing of 4 pages is performed on both the device side and the host computer side.
[0127]
Steps 1608 and 1609 are distributed in the same manner as when “automatic” is selected. A description of these allocation decisions will be given later.
[0128]
<Distribution of processing between host computer and device>
In determining the processing distribution between the host computer and the device, a combination that can start printing earlier is selected. 17 to 22 are layout examples of reduced layout printing by processing distribution. In the drawing, N indicates a print setting page / sheet, H indicates the number of print processes on the host computer side, and D indicates the number of print processes on the device side.
[0129]
17 and 18 are diagrams showing processing allocation between the host computer and the device in 4-page reduced layout printing, and FIGS. 19 and 20 are diagrams showing processing allocation between the host computer and the device in 8-page reduced layout printing. 21 and 22 are diagrams showing the processing distribution of the host computer and the device in 16-page reduced layout printing.
[0130]
For example, in FIG. 19A, when a vertically written document from an application is printed in reduced layout of 8 pages from the upper left to the right, the processing on the host computer is reduced to 2 pages in reduced layout printing (LRTB), on the device. The processing is set to 4-page reduced layout printing (LRTB). On the printer side, it is not necessary to sense that the host computer performs two-page printing, and it is sufficient if the setting is simply four-page reduced layout printing of a landscape document as indicated by the arrow in the figure.
[0131]
On the other hand, in reduced layout printing on the host computer side, printing may be performed between the spool file manager 304 and the despooler 305 using the arrangement shown in FIG. Specifically, the arrangement of FIG. 23 assumes that the despooler 305 performs drawing from the upper left of the paper to the right.
[0132]
23, arrays 2301 and 2302 correspond to the setting conditions 1201 in FIG. 12, and arrays 2303 and 2304 correspond to the setting conditions 1203 in FIG.
The array 2305 corresponds to the setting condition 1205 in FIG.
[0133]
By setting as described above, it is possible to make a processing request to the printer side from the time when the second page of the application is spooled. Then, when the fourth page is spooled, a processing request for the second page on the device side. Is possible.
[0134]
For example, when the arrangement order on the device side is set to TBLR as described above, the processing of the first page of the device can be started at the same timing, but the printing of the second page waits until the end of spooling of the sixth page on the host computer side. Processing overhead may occur. Similarly, the distribution of devices and host computers and the respective settings are determined according to the settings. As a result, the combination of 1202 and 1204 in FIG. 12 is not adopted in this embodiment.
[0135]
With the above processing, it is possible to perform reduced layout printing while using the functions of the device and the host computer together, and it is possible to reduce the operation load on the user.
[0136]
(Second Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which reduced duplication printing is performed by cooperatively using the reduced layout functions of both the printing device (printer) and the information processing apparatus (host computer computer). Here, the reduced duplication printing means that the same print data reduced on the same sheet is laid out and printed.
[0137]
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the reduced layout is first performed by the host computer and then the reduced layout is performed by the printing device. However, the present invention is also applicable to the case where two reduced layout functions exist on the host computer side. Further, the present invention can also be applied when two reduced layout functions exist on the printing device side.
[0138]
Since the function of the printer and the function of the host computer are used in combination, reduced printing is possible with both functions when “automatic” is used under the conditions specified in the interface of FIG. 11, but other than “automatic” in FIG. Even if the setting is made, if “reduced duplication printing” is designated from the user interface, the reduced printing can be performed by using the functions of both the printer and the host computer.
[0139]
In this case, since the same page data is printed on one sheet of paper, the data arrangement order is irrelevant and need not be considered. 25A, 25B, and 25C are examples of combinations other than the combination of the reduced layout of the printer and the host computer shown in FIG.
[0140]
FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the procedure of reduced duplication printing in the spool file manager 304. This process shows the process performed in step 607 when reduced duplication printing is set in step 603 in FIG. At this time, in step 603, whether or not to perform reduced duplication printing, and in the case of performing reduced duplication printing, the division number N per page for performing reduced duplication printing is input, and drawing is performed on one page in the host computer. Settings such as the number of pages H and the number of reduced layout prints D on the printer are made.
[0141]
In step 2601, counters K and J are initialized to zero.
[0142]
Here, the counter “K” controls the number of reduced layout sheets, and the counter “J” controls the number of pages.
[0143]
If it is determined in step 2602 that the count K is smaller than the set reduced layout number (D) (S2602-YES), the process proceeds to step 2703; otherwise, the process exits (S2602-NO).
[0144]
In step 2603, if the counter J is smaller than the set number of pages (H), the process proceeds to step 2604 (S2603—YES), and if not, the process proceeds to step 26060.
[0145]
In step 2604, the current page number is stored in the array as shown in FIG. 9 as a logical page constituting the physical page.
[0146]
In step 2605, J is incremented by one.
[0147]
In step 2606, J is initialized to 0 and K is incremented by 1.
[0148]
By executing the above steps, the number of reduced layouts for each page and the number of pages are compared with the set number, and if the number of layouts exceeds the set number, the page is updated and the number of pages is set. When it becomes larger than the number, it ends.
[0149]
Reduced duplication printing is effective for small paper and output that requires duplication, such as the creation of business cards and tickets, etc. According to the reduced duplication printing conditions set using the user interface, the printer side and the host computer side A wide variety of output styles can be printed using both functions in a coordinated manner.
[0150]
[Other Embodiments]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), or a device (copier, printer, facsimile device, etc.) composed of a single device. You may apply to.
[0151]
Another object of the present invention is to read a program code stored in a storage medium by a computer (or CPU or MPU) of a system or apparatus, which stores a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. It is also achieved by executing.
[0152]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0153]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. This includes a case where part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0154]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instruction of the program code. Also included is a case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0155]
When the present invention is applied to the above-mentioned storage medium, the program code corresponding to the flowchart described above is stored in the storage medium. In brief, each module shown in the memory map example of FIG. Is stored in a storage medium. That is, the program codes of at least the “data input module 2401”, “distribution module 2402”, “layout control module 2403”, “print processing module 2404”, and “data storage module 2405” may be stored in the storage medium.
[0156]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, when the print control setting is performed using the unified user interface and the reduced layout printing is set, the layout printing condition is determined, and the first layout unit, the second layout unit, When the reduced layout printing is performed by controlling the above functions, efficient function distribution is achieved, and appropriate layout printing can be performed for the set conditions.
[0157]
In accordance with the reduced copy printing conditions set by using the user interface, it is possible to perform abundant output style printing in which the functions of both the first layout unit and the second layout unit are used in cooperation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a typical printing system of a host computer to which a printer is connected.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control system that temporarily spools an intermediate code before converting a print command from an application into a printer control command.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to the invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing in the spooler 305;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing print control and physical page number determination in the spool file manager 304;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing in the despooler 305;
FIG. 8 is an example of a print setting screen.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format when a physical page print request is made from the spool file manager 304 to the despooler 305;
FIG. 10 is an example of a multi-page printing setting screen.
FIG. 11 is an example of a screen for designating whether to use a printer function or a host computer function internally;
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a combination of how a printer and a host computer allocate when a reduced layout print of a plurality of pages is designated.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an arrangement order of pages assumed in the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing internal processing in printing a plurality of pages.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating processing in step 1405 of FIG.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating processing in step 1408 of FIG.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing processing distribution between a host computer and a printer in 4-page reduced layout printing.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing processing distribution between a host computer and a printer in 4-page reduced layout printing.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing processing distribution between a host computer and a printer in 8-page reduced layout printing.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing processing distribution between a host computer and a printer in 8-page reduced layout printing.
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing processing distribution between a host computer and a printer in 16-page reduced layout printing.
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing processing distribution between a host computer and a printer in 16-page reduced layout printing.
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a combination of a printer and host reduction layout function.
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a memory map of a storage medium.
FIG. 25A is a diagram showing a combination of a reduced layout function of a printer and a host.
FIG. 25B is a diagram illustrating a combination of a reduced layout function of a printer and a host.
FIG. 25C is a diagram showing a combination of a reduced layout function of a printer and a host.
FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating reduced duplication printing processing.
[Explanation of symbols]
l CPU
2 RAM
3 ROM
4 System bus
12 CPU
13 ROM
19 RAM
3000 host computer
1500 printer

Claims (12)

An information processing apparatus including a printer driver that generates print data to be printed by a printing apparatus according to document data generated by an application,
An input means for setting layout printing conditions including the number of pages arranged on one side of the printing paper and the arrangement order via a setting screen by the printer driver;
A first layout means for scaling each page of the document data input from the application and laying out the document data for each scaled page;
In order to execute the set layout printing conditions, a processing distribution between the first layout means and the second layout means provided in the printing apparatus for laying out a variable size in the printing apparatus is determined. Distribution means,
In the process distribution of the first layout means determined by the distribution means, an arrangement determining means for determining the arrangement of each page of document data when laying out by the first layout means;
Generating means for generating print data laid out by the first layout means in accordance with the arrangement of each page determined by the arrangement determining means ;
The distribution means can determine the process distribution so that the layout is changed by both the first layout means and the second layout means,
The arrangement determining means includes the number of pages arranged on one surface of the printing paper included in the layout printing conditions, the arrangement order of pages arranged on one surface of the printing paper, and the process distribution determined by the distributing means. And each page of the document data when laid out by the first layout means , using arrangement information that can uniquely specify the arrangement of each page by the first layout means according to the four conditions of the direction of the document data the information processing apparatus characterized by determining a placement. Spool means for spooling the document data to the storage means so that the document data can be read in any order in page units;
And a determination unit that monitors a generation status of the spooled document data and determines whether printing processing based on the spooled document data is possible,
The determining means determines whether printing processing based on the spooled document data is possible according to the arrangement of each page of the document data arranged on each page of the print data determined by the arrangement information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. When performing layout printing, the first layout means of the information processing apparatus is always used, the second layout means of the printing apparatus is used without using the first layout means, or the first layout means of the information processing apparatus and It further comprises selection means for alternatively selecting whether or not both of the second layout means of the printing apparatus can be used via a designation screen,
When the selection unit selects that both the first layout unit of the information processing apparatus and the second layout unit of the printing apparatus are usable by the selection unit, the distribution unit and the first layout unit 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein processing distribution with the second layout unit is determined, and scaling and layout of both the first layout unit and the second layout unit are executed. .   The distribution unit determines a distribution in which both the reduced layout function of the first layout unit and the reduced layout function of the second layout unit are used cooperatively, and reduced layout printing that cannot be realized by any one of them. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the appearance can be generated. An information processing method in an information processing apparatus including a printer driver that generates print data to be printed by a printing apparatus according to document data generated by an application,
An input process for setting layout printing conditions including the number of pages arranged on one side of the printing paper and the arrangement order via a setting screen by the printer driver;
A first layout step of scaling each page of document data input from the application and laying out the document data of each scaled page;
In order to execute the set layout printing conditions, a process distribution between the first layout process and a second layout process included in the printing apparatus for scaling and laying out in the printing apparatus is determined. The allocation process;
In the process distribution of the first layout step determined by the distribution step, an arrangement determination step for determining the arrangement of each page of document data when laying out in the first layout step;
A generation step of generating print data laid out by the first layout step according to the arrangement of each page determined by the arrangement determination step ;
The distribution step can determine the processing distribution so that the layout is changed and scaled in both the first layout step and the second layout step.
The arrangement determining step includes the number of pages arranged on one side of the printing paper included in the layout printing conditions, the arrangement order of pages arranged on one side of the printing paper, and the process distribution determined by the distribution step. and using the sequence information capable of uniquely identifying the placement of each page according to the first layout step by four conditions of orientation of the document data, each page of the document data when laying in the first layout step the information processing method characterized by determining a placement. A spooling process for spooling document data in a storage unit so that the document data can be read in an arbitrary order in units of pages;
A determination step of monitoring the generation status of the spooled document data and determining whether printing processing based on the spooled document data is possible;
In the determining step, it is determined whether printing processing based on the spooled document data is possible according to the layout of each page of the document data arranged on each page of the print data determined by the arrangement information. The information processing method according to claim 5. When performing layout printing, the first layout process in the information processing apparatus is always used, the second layout process in the printing apparatus is used without using the first layout process, or the first layout process in the information processing apparatus is used. A selection step of alternatively selecting whether or not both of the second layout steps in the printing apparatus can be used via a designation screen;
In the distribution step, when the selection step selects that both the first layout step in the information processing apparatus and the second layout step in the printing apparatus are available, the first layout step and the 7. The information processing method according to claim 5, wherein the processing distribution with the second layout step is determined, and scaling and layout of both the first layout step and the second layout step are executed. .   The distribution step determines a distribution in which both the reduced layout function of the first layout step and the reduced layout function of the second layout step are used cooperatively, and reduced layout printing that cannot be realized by any one of them. The information processing method according to claim 7, wherein the appearance can be generated. A storage medium storing a printer driver that generates print data to be printed by a printing apparatus in accordance with document data generated by an application, and the printer driver executed by the information processing apparatus includes:
An input process code for setting layout printing conditions including the number of pages arranged on one side of the printing paper and the arrangement order via a setting screen by the printer driver;
The first layout step code for scaling each page of the document data input from the application and laying out the document data for each scaled page;
Processing of the code of the first layout step and the code of the second layout step provided in the printing device for laying out the layout in the printing device in order to execute the set layout printing conditions An allocation process code that determines the allocation;
In the process allocation of the code of the first layout process determined by the code of the allocation process, the code of the layout determination process for determining the layout of each page of the document data when laying out with the code of the first layout process;
A generation process code for generating print data laid out by the code of the first layout process according to the arrangement of each page determined by the code of the arrangement determination process ;
The allocation process code can be determined so that the layout is changed and scaled in both the first layout process code and the second layout process code,
The code of the arrangement determining step is determined by the number of pages arranged on one side of the printing paper included in the layout printing conditions, the arrangement order of the pages arranged on one side of the printing paper, and the code of the distributing step. process allocation, and using the sequence information capable of uniquely identifying the location of each page by the code of the first layout step by four conditions of orientation of the document data, layout code of the first layout step A storage medium characterized by determining an arrangement of each page of document data at the time of performing. A spool process code for spooling the document data to the storage means so that the document data can be read in an arbitrary order in units of pages;
Further comprising a determination step code for monitoring the generation status of the spooled document data and determining whether printing processing based on the spooled document data is possible;
The code of the determination step determines whether printing processing based on the spooled document data is possible according to the arrangement of each page of the document data arranged on each page of the print data determined by the arrangement information. The storage medium according to claim 9. When performing layout printing, always use the code of the first layout process executed by the information processing apparatus, or use the code of the second layout process executed by the printing apparatus without using the code of the first layout process. Alternatively, whether the code of the first layout process executed by the information processing apparatus and the code of the second layout process executed by the printing apparatus can be used is selected via the designation screen. A selection process code to
As the code of the allocation process, both the code of the first layout process executed by the information processing apparatus and the code of the second layout process executed by the printing apparatus can be used by the code of the selection process. If selected, the processing allocation between the code of the first layout process and the code of the second layout process is determined, and both the code of the first layout process and the code of the second layout process are determined. The storage medium according to claim 9 or 10, wherein zooming and layout are executed.   The code of the allocation step determines a distribution in which both the reduced layout function of the code of the first layout step and the reduced layout function of the code of the second layout step are cooperatively used. 12. The storage medium according to claim 11, wherein a format of reduced layout printing that cannot be realized can be generated.

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