JP4607730B2 - Data processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, control method for data processing apparatus, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus for processing image forming data indicating the contents of an image to be formed for each page, an image forming apparatus provided with such a data processing apparatus, a control method for such a data processing apparatus, and a computer. The present invention relates to a program for functioning as such a data processing device, and a computer-readable recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

  In recent years, in image forming apparatuses such as printers and copiers, the function of double-sided printing that forms an image on both sides of a sheet has become widespread in an apparatus having a certain price range or more. Some companies are promoting double-sided printing to reduce (total document volume).

In addition, as a technique related to editing of print contents, for example, a technique for rearranging the layout of pages on a printing paper, such as bookbinding printing / bookbinding copy, aggregate printing / aggregation copy, or document data editing software. Is also known.
Such a technique relating to double-sided printing and editing of print contents is described in, for example, Patent Document 1.
Japanese Patent No. 3480844

By the way, even if it is going to promote double-sided printing, there is a business environment in which it is difficult to use a conventionally known double-sided printing function due to business characteristics.
For example, in the broadcasting industry, an announcement operation for reading a manuscript is performed, but when a plurality of manuscripts are read in the announcement operation, the page turning sound is output to the microphone when reading the first page manuscript and moving to the next page. In order not to be picked up, the paper that has been read is slid out to the side so that the next page can be seen.

  On the other hand, with the conventional double-sided printing function, the next page after the page printed on the front side is printed on the back side of the same paper, so if you do not turn the paper over and turn it over, you will see the next page I can't. Therefore, in the case of performing an announcement work, even if the number of pages increases, the present situation is that one-sided printing is unavoidably used. For this reason, there has been a problem that the amount of paper used cannot be reduced.

In the broadcasting industry, in addition to pre-prepared manuscripts, there are also manuscripts that are generated on a temporary basis. These manuscripts are handwritten by the organizers, copied, and handed over to readers. However, the current situation is that the duplex printing function cannot be used for such a document.
If the document is prepared in advance, it can be considered to use the double-sided printing function for a document to be held by a person other than the reader. In many cases, it is difficult in terms of time, and as a result, one-sided printing is carried out for those other than the reader in accordance with the one for the reader, leading to an increase in the amount of paper used.

Here, in order to reduce the amount of paper used, it is conceivable to use a technique relating to editing of print contents as described in Patent Document 1.
However, bookbinding printing / binding copy is a function for converting a printed material into a book form, so that page turning always occurs for each page, and as described above, it is not suitable for use in an announcement service.

In aggregate printing / copying, a plurality of pages can be aggregated on a single sheet to reduce the amount of paper used. However, the characters become smaller and the original characters are difficult to read. Therefore, it may be a cause of frequent reading mistakes, and it is not suitable for use in announcement work where it is essential to read the manuscript smoothly.
Even if technology is used to rearrange the page layout on the paper before printing, it takes a lot of complicated and numerous operations to recompose it so that the page layout is appropriate. It was unsuitable for use in announcement work that had to be done.

  It is an object of the present invention to solve such problems and to easily create a double-sided image formed product that can sequentially refer to the contents of all the pages without turning pages. Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily use double-sided image formation for work that is desired to avoid page turning.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a plurality of logical pages in logical page units which are data areas of the data to be printed on one side of the recording sheet when data is printed on both sides of the recording sheet. In the data processing apparatus for setting the print order of the data, the page order is less than half the value obtained by adding 1 to the total number of logical pages of the data with respect to the page order in which the data is arranged in units of logical pages. When a certain logical page is the first half page and a logical page other than the first half page is the second half page, the first half page of the data is printed on one side of the recording sheet, and the second half page of the data is the above-mentioned one of the recording sheet. It is provided with rearranging means for rearranging the printing order of the logical pages so that the first half page is printed on the back side of the printed surface. That.

In such a data processing apparatus, the rearrangement unit is configured such that the first half page is printed in ascending order from the first sheet to the last sheet on one side of the recording sheet, and the other side of the recording sheet In addition, it is preferable to use means for automatically rearranging the printing order of the logical pages of the data so that the latter half pages are printed in ascending order from the first sheet toward the last sheet.

Alternatively, the rearranging means prints the first half page in ascending order on one side of the recording sheet from the first sheet to the last sheet, and on the other side of the recording sheet, the last sheet It is preferable to use means for automatically rearranging the print order of the logical pages of the data so that the latter half pages are printed in ascending order from the first sheet toward the first sheet.
Furthermore, when the total number of logical pages is an odd number, data indicating a blank page is added to the data for one logical page, and the total number of logical pages is assumed to be an even number, and is used for sorting by the sorting means. It is good to.

In each of the above data processing devices, it is preferable to provide first setting means for setting the validity / invalidity of the rearrangement by the rearrangement means in accordance with a user operation.
Further, the second setting means for setting validity / invalidity of the stapling process for the recording sheet on which the data is printed according to the user's operation, and the stapling process and the rearrangement by the rearranging means are not enabled at the same time. It is preferable to provide a control means.
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the data processing device, the display unit, the operation receiving unit that receives a user's operation through the GUI displayed on the display unit, and the validity of the sorting by the sorting unit. And setting means for setting according to the user's operation received by the operation receiving means.

The data processing apparatus control method according to the present invention comprises a plurality of logical pages in units of logical pages that are data areas of the data to be printed on one side of the recording sheet when data is printed on both sides of the recording sheet. In the control method of the data processing apparatus for setting the print order of the data, the page order is the total logical page number of the data with respect to the page order in which the data is arranged in the logical page unit in the data processing apparatus. If the logical page that is less than half of the first half page is the first half page and the logical page other than the first half page is the second half page, the first half page of the data is printed on one side of the recording sheet, and the second half page of the data is The logical page printing order is rearranged so that the first half page of the recording sheet is printed on the back side of the printed surface. It is intended to execute the changed procedure.

In such a control method of the data processing apparatus, the rearrangement procedure is performed on the one side of the recording sheet, the first half pages are printed in ascending order from the first sheet to the last sheet. The procedure may be such that the printing order of the logical pages of the data is automatically rearranged so that the latter half pages are printed in ascending order from the first sheet to the last sheet on the other side.

Alternatively, in the rearrangement procedure, the first half pages are printed in ascending order from the first sheet to the last sheet on one side of the recording sheet, and the last sheet is printed on the other side of the recording sheet. The procedure may be such that the print order of the logical pages of the data is automatically rearranged so that the latter half pages are printed in ascending order from the first sheet to the first sheet.
Further, when the total number of logical pages is an odd number, the data processing device adds one logical page of data indicating a blank page to the data, and determines that the total number of logical pages is an even number. It is good to use for sorting by.

In the control method of each data processing device, the data processing device may be further caused to execute a first setting procedure for setting the validity / invalidity of the rearrangement by the rearrangement procedure according to a user operation.
Further, a second setting procedure for setting, in accordance with a user operation, stapling processing validity / invalidity for the recording sheet on which the data is printed to the data processing device, and the stapling processing and the sorting by the sorting procedure, It is preferable to execute a control procedure that does not enable them simultaneously.
Alternatively, in the control method of the data processing apparatus, the data processing apparatus is an image forming apparatus including a display unit and an operation receiving unit that receives a user operation through a GUI displayed on the display unit. The processing device may be configured to execute a setting procedure for setting the validity / invalidity of the sorting by the sorting procedure according to the user's operation received by the operation receiving unit.

The program of the present invention comprises a plurality of logical pages in units of logical pages which are data areas of the data to be printed on one side of the recording sheet when the computer prints data on both sides of the recording sheet. A program for causing a computer to function as a data processing apparatus for setting the print order of the data, wherein the page order is a total logical page of the data with respect to a page order in which the data is arranged in units of logical pages. When a logical page that is less than or equal to half the value obtained by adding 1 to the number is a first half page and a logical page other than the first half page is a second half page, the first half page of the data is printed on one side of the recording sheet, The upper half of the data is printed on the back side of the side on which the first half page of the recording sheet is printed. It is intended to include a program to function as rearrangement means for rearranging the print order of the logical pages.

In such a program, the rearrangement unit is configured such that the first half page is printed in ascending order from the first sheet to the last sheet on one side of the recording sheet, and on the other side of the recording sheet, Preferably, the logical page printing order of the data is automatically rearranged so that the latter half pages are printed in ascending order from the first sheet toward the last sheet.

Alternatively, the rearranging means may be arranged such that the first half pages are printed in ascending order on one side of the recording sheet from the first sheet to the last sheet, and the last sheet is printed on the other side of the recording sheet. It is preferable to use means for automatically rearranging the print order of the logical pages of the data so that the latter half pages are printed in ascending order from the first sheet toward the first sheet.
Further, when the total number of logical pages is an odd number, data indicating a blank page is added to the data for one logical page, and the sorting means determines that the total number of logical pages is an even number. It is recommended to include a program for realizing the function to be used for replacement.

In any one of the above programs, a program for causing the computer to function as first setting means for setting the validity / invalidity of the sorting by the sorting means in accordance with a user operation may be further included.
Further, the computer simultaneously activates the second setting means for setting the validity / invalidity of the stapling process for the recording sheet on which the data is printed according to a user operation, and the stapling process and the sorting by the sorting means at the same time. It is preferable to include a program for functioning as a control means for preventing the above.
Alternatively, in each of the above programs, a program for causing the computer to control an image forming apparatus including a display unit and an operation receiving unit that receives a user operation using a GUI displayed on the display unit, and the computer And a program for functioning as a setting unit for setting the validity / invalidity of the sorting by the sorting unit in accordance with the user's operation received by the operation receiving unit.

  The recording medium of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which any of the above programs is recorded.

According to the data processing apparatus , the image forming apparatus, or the control method for the data processing apparatus of the present invention as described above, it is possible to easily create a double-sided image formed product that can sequentially refer to the contents of all pages without turning pages. Can do. In addition, this makes it possible to easily use double-sided image formation for business that wants to avoid page turning.
Also, according to the program of the present invention, the computer can function as a data processing device to realize the characteristics of the data processing device as described above, and the same effect can be obtained.
According to the recording medium of the present invention, the above effect can be obtained by causing a computer not storing the above program to read and execute the program.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment: FIGS. 1 to 9]
First, FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration of a data processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Each functional block in the data processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is indicated by the name of a program for realizing the function.
As shown in this figure, the data processing apparatus 10 includes an application 11, a GDI (graphic device interface) 12, a device driver 13, a page rearrangement module 14, and a spooler 15.

  Among these, the application 11 has various functions such as a word processor, a spreadsheet, and a drawing according to the type. Then, the user instructs the application 11 to form an image to cause each unit of the data processing apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 to perform necessary operations. (It may be a recording sheet made of a material other than paper). In this case, the application 11 activates the GDI 12 and passes data indicating the content of the image to be formed to the GDI 12.

  The GDI 12 is called when the user instructs the application 11 to form an image, and is performed at the time of image formation, such as paper size, aggregation, duplex, staple, punch, and page rearrangement according to the features of this embodiment. It is an interface for accepting various settings that determine the content of processing. Further, it has a function of passing the received setting contents to the device driver 13 together with data indicating the contents of the image to be formed generated by the application 11.

  The device driver 13 is a driver for driving the image forming apparatus 20, and the data indicating the content of the image to be formed and the data indicating the setting content received by the GDI 12 passed from the GDI 12 are image-formed. It has a function of converting data into a format that can be processed by the device 20. The GDI 12 also has a function of displaying on a display a GUI (graphical user interface) that is used to accept settings.

FIG. 2 shows an outline of a print setting screen as an example of the GUI.
A print setting screen 200 shown in this figure is a screen for setting the contents of print processing to be performed by the image forming apparatus 20. Then, on this screen, the screen related to the item you want to set is displayed using tabs such as “Basic”, “Edit”, and “Finishing” provided at the top of the screen, and you can operate icons and enter characters on the screen. The contents of the printing process can be set.

  FIG. 2 shows a state in which the edit tab 201 is selected, and settings relating to aggregate printing, duplex printing, and the like can be performed on this screen. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the double-sided icon 202 is clicked to display an icon related to double-sided printing, and icons for other items such as aggregation are not displayed.

In addition to the conventional buttons for setting left-opening, right-opening, and top-opening double-sided printing as icons relating to double-sided printing, rearrangement for setting up rearranged double-sided printing according to the feature of this embodiment Double-sided buttons 203 and 204 are provided. The difference in the functions that can be selected by these two buttons is in the algorithm used for rearrangement. This point will be described later.
In addition, in the selection function display unit 205, the currently set function is indicated by an icon, and here, the rearranged duplex printing for the additional slide that can be set by the rearranged duplex button 203 is set. Is shown.

FIG. 3 shows an example of data generated by the device driver 13.
Here, the data generated by the device driver 13 is in a format such as the image forming data 30 shown in FIG. That is, the device driver 13 has the page drawing elements 31 indicating the contents of an image for one page to be formed in a state where the page order is defined by the number of pages of the image to be formed, Data having image formation control information 32 that defines the contents of image formation processing, such as size, aggregation, duplex, staple, punch, rearrangement, etc., is generated.

Note that the page drawing element 31 indicates the correspondence of which content image is formed on which page, and if the correspondence can be changed, the data need not be divided for each page. Absent. Therefore, a page expressed as such data can be considered as a logical page that is simply logically divided. For example, a page in data generated by the application 11 or the printer driver 13 or a page in data passed to the page rearrangement module 14 is a “logical page”.
On the other hand, the image formed on the paper is located on a different paper or a different surface for each page, and is physically divided for each page. Thus, such a page on paper can be considered as a physically separated “physical page”.

Returning to the description of FIG. 1, the page rearrangement module 14 is a rearrangement unit, and when it is set to perform page rearrangement in the image formation control information 32, the image formation data generated by the device driver 13. 30 has a function of automatically rearranging the page drawing elements 31 in 30 according to a predetermined algorithm.
The image formation data 30 generated by the device driver 13 is finally passed to the spooler 15, but is input to the page rearrangement module 14 only when it is set to perform page rearrangement. Alternatively, all the image forming data 30 may be temporarily input to the page rearrangement module 14.

The spooler 15 has a function of accumulating input image formation data 30, sequentially transferring it to the image forming apparatus 20, and performing image formation based on the image formation data 30.
The image forming apparatus 20 is an apparatus having image forming means for forming images on both sides of a sheet such as paper, and has a function of performing image formation based on the image forming data 30 transferred from the spooler 15. As a specific example, a printer, a digital multifunction peripheral having a print function, or the like can be considered.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a hardware configuration of the data processing apparatus 10.
As shown in this figure, the data processing apparatus 10 includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, an HDD (hard disk drive) 114, a communication interface (I / F) 115, a display unit I / F 116, and an operation unit I / F 117. Are connected by a system bus 118.

The CPU 111 is a control unit that performs overall control of the entire data processing apparatus 10, and implements the functions of each unit illustrated in FIG. 1 by executing various programs recorded in the ROM 112 and the HDD 114.
The ROM 112 is a nonvolatile storage unit, and stores programs executed by the CPU 111, fixed parameters, and the like.

The RAM 113 is a storage means for storing temporarily used data or used as a work memory for the CPU 111.
The HDD 114 is a rewritable non-volatile storage unit that stores programs executed by the CPU 111, parameter values that need to be retained even after the apparatus is turned off, and the like.

  The communication I / F 115 is an interface for connecting the data processing apparatus 10 to a network, and can be a network interface for performing Ethernet (registered trademark) communication, for example. And when communicating with another apparatus via a network, this communication I / F115 and CPU111 function as a communication means. Note that an appropriate communication I / F 115 is prepared in accordance with a network standard, a communication protocol to be used, and the like. Of course, it is also possible to provide a plurality of communication I / Fs 115 corresponding to a plurality of standards.

The display unit I / F 116 is an interface for connecting display means such as a display and displaying a screen such as a GUI on the display unit.
The operation unit I / F 117 is an interface for connecting operation accepting means such as a keyboard and a mouse and accepting a user's operation through these.
Note that a known PC (personal computer) can also be used as the data processing apparatus 10 having the above-described configuration.

Next, FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of processing executed when the CPU 111 functions as the device driver 13 and receives data indicating the contents of an image to be formed.
In the data processing apparatus 10, the CPU 111 makes the device driver 13 resident. When the device driver 13 (process for executing) receives data indicating the contents of an image to be formed from the GDI 12 (process for executing), the device driver 13 The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is started. At this time, if there is information indicating the contents of the setting accepted by the GDI 12, it is also passed at the same time.

  In the process shown in FIG. 5, first, in step S11, the image formation shown in FIG. 3 is performed based on the data indicating the contents of the image to be formed and the data indicating the contents of the process performed at the time of image formation received from the GDI 12. Generate 30 data.

Thereafter, in step S12, it is determined whether or not “both sides” indicating that double-sided image formation is performed is set in the image formation control information 32 of the generated image formation data 30. When the above-described rearranged duplex printing is performed, “double-sided” is always set. Conversely, if “double-sided” is not set, it is not necessary to rearrange pages. If NO, the process proceeds to step S13, and the image forming data 30 generated in step S11 is transferred to the spooler 15 and transferred to the image forming apparatus 20, and the process is terminated. At this time, as described above, it may be passed via the page rearrangement module 14 or not.
When the image forming apparatus 20 receives the image forming data 30, the image forming apparatus 20 forms an image based on the data. However, since “both sides” is not set here, the operation to be executed is the image on the one side of the sheet in order from the first page. Is a single-sided image formation.

If “YES” in the step S12, the process proceeds to a step S14 to determine whether or not “rearrangement” indicating that the page is rearranged is set in the image formation control information 32. If “Sort” is not set, it is not necessary to rearrange the pages, so the process proceeds to Step S15, and the image forming data 30 generated in Step S11 is transferred to the spooler 15 and transferred to the image forming apparatus 20. To finish the process.
When the image forming apparatus 20 receives the image forming data 30, the image forming apparatus 20 forms an image based on the data. However, since “double-sided” is set here, the operation to be executed is the same as that of the Xth sheet. This is double-sided image formation in which the (2X-1) th page image is formed on the front surface and the 2Xth page image is formed on the back surface.

  On the other hand, if YES in step S14, the process proceeds to step S16 to perform page rearrangement, and the image forming data 30 generated in step S11 is passed to the page rearrangement module 14 to count the total number of pages, The page drawing elements 31 are rearranged according to the algorithm. Which algorithm is used differs depending on the type of “rearrangement” that has been set. Here, an additional slide and a slide slide are prepared, but the details of the algorithm and its characteristics will be described later. Further, the processing executed by the page rearrangement module 14 here is the processing of the rearrangement procedure.

After step S <b> 16, the rearranged image formation data 30 is transferred to the spooler 15 (the page rearrangement module 14 may transfer it), and transferred to the image forming apparatus 20 to complete the processing.
When the image forming apparatus 20 receives the image forming data 30, the image forming apparatus 20 forms an image based on the data, but the image forming apparatus 20 ignores the “rearrangement” setting while referring to the “double-sided” setting. The operation to be executed is double-sided image formation in which the (2X-1) th page image is formed on the front surface of the Xth sheet and the 2Xth page image is formed on the back surface. However, since the image forming data 30 used here is obtained by rearranging the page drawing elements 31, the page arrangement of the recorded image is based on the image forming data 30 transferred in step S15. This is different from the case where

  Therefore, next, the rearrangement process executed by the page rearrangement module 14 and the arrangement of pages formed on the sheet when the above-described double-sided image formation is performed based on the rearranged image formation data 30 will be described. To do.

First, using FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, an algorithm for adding slide will be described.
The top-slide algorithm is used when reading each page of a sheet with double-sided image formation and sliding the sheet to the side every time a page is read and stacking it on the already removed sheet. This is an algorithm for rearranging the page drawing elements 31 in a suitable array.

In this algorithm, the total number of page drawing elements 31, that is, the total number of pages of the image to be formed is N,
f (n) = [(N + 1) / 2] ^ ((n + 1) mod 2) + [n / 2]
As described above, the rearrangement is performed so that the image on the nth page after the rearrangement becomes the image on the f (n) th page before the rearrangement.
However, “[]” is a Gaussian symbol, [X] indicates the maximum integer not exceeding X, “^” indicates a power, x ^ y indicates x to the power of y, and “mod” "Is a symbol indicating a remainder, and a mod b indicates a remainder when a is divided by b (a and b are integers).

FIG. 6 shows an example in which pages are rearranged by using an algorithm for adding slides when N = 8. As shown in this figure, after the rearrangement, the original pages 1 to 8 are displayed. The eye images are arranged in the order of pages 1, 5, 2, 6, 3, 7, 4, and 8.
Then, for each page arranged in this order, when double-sided image formation is performed to form an image of the (2X-1) th page on the front surface of the Xth sheet and the 2Xth page on the back surface, Images on the first to fourth pages before rearrangement are formed on the front surface in order from the first sheet, and images on the fifth to eighth pages before rearrangement are formed on the rear surface in order from the first sheet.

FIG. 7 shows an example in which similar rearrangement is performed when N = 9.
In this case, since N is an odd number, the back side of the last sheet is blank, but the images of the first to fifth pages before rearrangement are formed on the front side of the sheet in order from the first sheet, and Images of the sixth to ninth pages before rearrangement are formed in order from the first sheet.
That is, in both cases, each page of the image before rearrangement is formed in ascending order from the first page on one side (front side) of the paper from the first paper to the last paper, and From the first sheet to the last sheet, the sheet is formed on the other side (back side) of the sheet in ascending order from the page following the page formed on the front side of the last sheet. This also holds for any natural number N.

  When such an overlay slide algorithm is used, when reading each page of a sheet on which double-sided images are formed, the sheet is first slid and removed to the side each time a page is read, and stacked on the already removed sheet. By proceeding, the pages formed on the front surface of the paper can be read sequentially. When the last sheet is removed, the next page after the page formed on the front surface of the sheet is positioned on the back surface of the bottom sheet. For this reason, when the stack of stacked sheets is turned over, the page next to the page that has been read is positioned on the viewing side of the top sheet. If the sheet is removed, the next page is positioned on the viewing side of the top sheet. With respect to the back side, every page can be read while sliding the paper and removing it aside. If the number of pages is an odd number, the last page is blank.

In this way, even if images are formed on both sides of the paper by rearranging the pages using the overlay slide algorithm before image formation, the contents of all pages can be referenced without turning the pages. can do. In this case, the image forming apparatus 20 does not need to have a special function as long as the above-described double-sided image formation is possible. Therefore, this makes it possible to easily use double-sided image formation even for work that wants to avoid page turning, such as announcement work, and by reducing the number of sheets used, cost savings, Environmental load can be reduced.

  Note that it is necessary to turn the stack of paper over after reading the front side of all the paper. However, the bundled paper will not be easily deformed by the force applied when turning it over, making a loud sound. It is relatively easy to turn it over without generating it. Also, the number of turnovers may be one. Therefore, this work is not a problem, unlike the page turning of turning over each sheet.

Next, an algorithm for passing slides will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.
The slide slide algorithm is used to read each page of paper with double-sided images, slide the paper every time it is read, put it in the same orientation, put it at the bottom of the stack, remove it to the side, and This is an algorithm for rearranging the page drawing elements 31 into an array suitable for performing an operation such as putting under a sheet that has already been removed.

In this algorithm, the total number of page drawing elements 31, that is, the number of pages of an image to be formed is N,
g (n) = 2 × [(N + 1) / 2] ^ ((n + 1) mod 2)
− [(N−1) / 2] × (−1) ^ n−n mod 2
As described above, the rearrangement is performed so that the image of the nth page after the rearrangement becomes the image of the g (n) th page before the rearrangement.

FIG. 8 shows an example in which pages are rearranged by using an additional slide algorithm when N = 8. As shown in FIG. 8, after the rearrangement, the original pages 1 to 8 are displayed. The eye images are arranged in the order of pages 1, 8, 2, 7, 3, 6, 4, and 5.
Then, when double-sided image formation is performed for each page arranged in this order, the images of the first to fourth pages before rearrangement are formed on the front side of the sheet in order from the first sheet, and the first page from the last sheet is formed on the back side. The images of the fifth to eighth pages before rearrangement are sequentially formed toward the paper.

FIG. 9 shows an example in which similar rearrangement is performed when N = 9.
In this case, since N is an odd number, the back side of one sheet is blank, but here the back side of the first sheet is blank. For this reason, the page drawing elements 31 of the 10th page indicating a blank sheet are added, and rearrangement is performed assuming that there are 10 page drawing elements 31 in total. However, when N is an odd number, the value of g (n) does not change from the original value even when N increases by 1. Therefore, the result does not change even when N = 9 or N = 10.

Then, when double-sided image formation is performed on each page after rearrangement, the images of the first to fifth pages before rearrangement are formed on the front side of the paper in order from the first page, and the first page from the last paper is formed on the back side. Images of the sixth to ninth pages before rearrangement are formed in order toward the first sheet, and the back surface of the first sheet is blank.
That is, in both cases, each page of the image before rearrangement is formed in ascending order from the first page on one side (front side) of the paper from the first paper to the last paper, and From the last sheet to the first sheet, the sheet is formed on the other side (back side) of the sheet in ascending order from the page following the page formed on the front side of the last sheet. This also holds for any natural number N.

  Even when such a sliding algorithm is used, the pages formed on the front surface of the paper can be read sequentially while sliding the paper and removing it aside for each page read. This is the same as in the case of the additional slide method. Also, if the removed paper is placed in the same direction at the bottom of the paper stack, removed by the side, and placed under the already removed paper, it is the same as the start of reading when the last paper is removed. The paper bundle should be ready. In this state, the page after the page that has been read is positioned on the back side of the bottom sheet, that is, the last sheet. For this reason, when the stack of sheets is turned over, the page after the page that has been read is positioned on the viewing side of the uppermost sheet. If the sheet is removed, the next page is positioned on the viewing side of the top sheet. With respect to the back side, every page can be read while sliding the paper and removing it aside. If the number of pages is an odd number, the back side of the first sheet located at the bottom in the inverted state is blank.

  Therefore, as in the case of the overlay slide method, even when images are formed on both sides of a sheet, the contents of all pages can be referred to without performing page turning. In addition, this makes it possible to easily use double-sided image formation for business that wants to avoid page turning.

In other respects as well, in the first embodiment described above, whether or not to rearrange pages can be specified by operating an icon in a predetermined dialog, so that the user only needs it. You can specify to perform page reordering.
Further, since data such as the image formation data 30 generated by the device driver 13 is to be subjected to page rearrangement, it is possible to add a page rearrangement function by modifying a device driver that is relatively easy to modify. Assets can be used effectively. However, it is not hindered to rearrange data at different stages such as data generated by the application 11 or data after the image forming apparatus has developed a bitmap for image formation.

  In the first embodiment described above, the example in which the page rearrangement module 14 is provided on the data processing apparatus 10 side has been described. However, the page rearrangement module 14 may be provided on the image forming apparatus 20 side. In this way, even if the data processing apparatus 10 is simply a PC that can use a conventional application, the above-described effects can be obtained by performing rearrangement on the image forming apparatus 20 side.

  However, if the data processing apparatus 10 does not support the page rearrangement function at all, data indicating whether page rearrangement is necessary cannot be included in the image formation data 30. It is preferable that the user can set whether or not to perform rearrangement by using a software key or a hardware key on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 20. If the data processing apparatus 10 can include data indicating the necessity of page rearrangement in the image forming data 30, the image forming apparatus 20 can determine the presence / absence of the page rearrangement process with reference to this. .

  In addition, the spooler 15 of the data processing apparatus 10 may transmit the image forming data 30 to the facsimile communication apparatus, and the image of each page may be transmitted by facsimile. Even in this case, the same effect as in the above case can be obtained by rearranging the pages and forming and outputting double-sided images received by the receiving facsimile communication apparatus. In this case, the device driver 13 is a facsimile communication device driver.

[Second Embodiment: FIGS. 10 to 14]
Next, FIG. 10 shows a hardware configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral (MFP) according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in this figure, the MFP 40 has a CPU 41, ROM 42, RAM 43, HDD 44, operation panel 45, communication I / F 46, print engine 47, and scanner engine 48, which are connected by a system bus 49.

The CPU 41 is a control unit that performs overall control of the entire MFP 40, and implements various functions described below by executing various programs recorded in the ROM 42 and the HDD 44.
The ROM 42 is a nonvolatile storage unit, and stores programs executed by the CPU 41, fixed parameters, and the like.

The RAM 43 is storage means for storing temporarily used data or as work memory for the CPU 41.
The HDD 44 is a rewritable non-volatile storage means that stores programs executed by the CPU 41 and parameter values that need to be retained even after the apparatus is turned off or read by the scanner engine 48. The image data received through the communication I / F 46 is stored as a document.

The operation panel 45 is a user interface provided with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, an operation unit for accepting a user operation using a software key and a hardware key using a touch panel.
The communication I / F 46 is an interface for enabling the MFP 40 to communicate with an external device. Here, the communication I / F 46 performs a facsimile communication by connecting to an Ethernet (registered trademark) system communication and a public line. An interface is provided.

The print engine 47 is an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on input image information. In addition, paper reversing means is provided, and images can be formed on both sides of the paper.
The scanner engine 48 is an image reading unit that reads an image of a document and outputs image data indicating the content of the image. The scanner engine 48 can also read images formed on both sides of the paper.

The MFP 40 as described above stores various application programs such as a printer application, a scanner application, a copy application, a FAX application, and a document box application, and causes the CPU 41 to execute this to control each unit, thereby performing printing, scanning, Various functions such as copying, FAX communication, and document storage can be realized.
The feature of this embodiment is that it allows the MFP 40 to execute a rearranged image forming application having a page rearrangement function as described in the first embodiment to perform rearranged double-sided image formation. This is the point.

  FIG. 11 shows a functional configuration related to this point among the functional configurations of the MFP 40. In this figure, the function of each part shown in the frame of the rearranged image forming application 50 and the FAX application 60 is realized by the CPU 41 executing these applications. Software for realizing the functions of these units may be modularized and used by a plurality of applications. The rearranged image forming application 50 can be created using an SDK (Software Development Kit).

As shown in FIG. 11, the MFP 40 includes an operation receiving unit 51, a reading control unit 52, a page rearrangement unit 53, an output control unit 54, a document search unit 55, and a communication control unit 61 as functional units realized by software. Have.
Among these, the operation accepting unit 51 has a function of displaying a GUI for accepting an operation from the user on the operation panel 45 and accepting the operation when an operation is performed on the GUI or a hardware key.

  The reading control unit 52 has a function of driving the scanner engine 48 according to the operation received by the operation receiving unit 51 to read an image of a document and acquiring image data obtained by reading. The read image data may be in a single page Tiff (Tagged Image File Format) format or a bitmap format, and is not shown in the output control unit 54 when copying, and not shown when storing documents. When fax transmission is performed to the document storage application, it is transferred to the communication control unit 61. At this time, if it is set that at least page rearrangement is set, it passes through the page rearrangement unit 53, but if not, it may pass without going through the page rearrangement unit 53.

  The page rearrangement unit 53 is a rearrangement unit, similar to the page rearrangement module 14 shown in FIG. 1, and when it is set to perform page rearrangement for an operation such as copying that is being performed, A function of automatically rearranging image data of each page according to a predetermined algorithm. Note that the image data of each page may be passed to the page rearrangement unit 53 as one file, or may be passed to the page rearrangement unit 53 one page at a time. Rearrangement may be performed when the image data is ready. In this case, at least at the time of rearrangement, the image forming data indicates the content of the image to be formed for each page. The page here is also a “logical page” expressed by data. The rearranged image data may be in a multi-page Tiff format.

The output control unit 54 has a function of driving the print engine 47 based on image data indicating the content of an image to be formed to form an image. At this time, the single-sided image formation and the above-described double-sided image formation can be selectively executed.
The document search unit 55 has a function of acquiring desired document data to be used for printing or FAX transmission out of the document data stored in the HDD 44. The acquired document data is transferred to the output control unit 54 when printing is performed, and to the communication control unit 61 when FAX transmission is performed. At this time, if it is set that at least page rearrangement is set, it passes through the page rearrangement unit 53, but if not, it may pass without going through the page rearrangement unit 53.

  The communication control unit 61 has a function of performing FAX communication with an external device via the communication I / F 46. Then, the image data received from each unit is encoded and transmitted to an external device, or the encoded image data received from the external device is converted into a format suitable for handling inside the MFP 40, such as a Tiff format, and printed. When outputting, the output control unit 54 has a function of passing it to a document storage application (not shown). At this time, if it is set that at least page rearrangement is set, it passes through the page rearrangement unit 53, but if not, it may pass without going through the page rearrangement unit 53.

Note that it is not necessary to realize all the functions of these units by the rearranged image forming application 50. For example, when the function of the reading control unit 52 is required, the scanner application may be requested to read an image, and when the function of the output control unit 54 is required, the printer application may be requested to print. You may make it do. If the function of the document search unit 55 is required, the document box application may be requested to search for document data.
However, the copy application is designed to start a copy operation when several originals are read, and is often unsuitable for use when rearranging pages.

Next, FIGS. 12 and 13 show an outline of a copy acceptance screen, which is an example of a GUI displayed on the operation panel 45 by the operation accepting unit 51.
The copy acceptance screen 300 shown in these drawings is a screen for accepting a copy instruction from the user and setting of the content of processing performed at the time of copying. The setting items can be switched by using buttons provided at the bottom of the screen. FIGS. 13 and 14 show a state in which a screen for accepting settings relating to the duplex function is displayed by operating the duplex setting button 301.

  On this screen, it is possible to select single-sided reading or double-sided reading of the document with a button of the reading setting unit 302. Further, it is possible to select one-sided image formation and two-sided image formation for copy output by using a button of the output setting unit 303, and further, rearranged double-sided image formation for rearranging pages by using an overlay slide algorithm by using a button 304. With the button 305, rearranged double-sided image formation in which pages are rearranged using an algorithm for concatenating slides can be selected.

In addition, the setting content in the output setting unit 303 is displayed as an icon by the icon display unit 306 to make it easy to visually confirm the selection content.
FIG. 12 shows a state where single-sided reading and rearranged double-sided image formation for additional slide are selected, and FIG. 13 shows a state where double-sided reading and rearranged double-sided image formation for sliding are selected. Show.

Next, as an example of processing related to rearranged image formation in the MFP 40, FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the CPU 41 when the operation receiving unit 51 detects a copy execution instruction.
In this case, first, in step S21, the CPU 41 causes the scanner engine 48 to scan the document and acquires image data of each page of the document. Thereafter, in step S22, it is determined whether rearranged image formation is selected.

  If it is selected, the process proceeds to step S23, where the total number of pages of the acquired image data is counted, the image data of each page is rearranged according to the selected algorithm, and based on the rearranged image data. Image formation data including image information of a plurality of pages is generated. Thereafter, in step S24, the print engine 47 is caused to form a double-sided image based on the generated image formation data, and the process is terminated. In this case, a copy of each page of the scanned document (in the case of duplex scanning, the front side of the Xth document is the (2X-1) th page and the back side is the 2Xth page) is performed in the first implementation. In the form, it is arranged and output in the order as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9, and the same effect as in the case of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  If rearranged image formation is not selected in step S22, the process proceeds to step S25, and image formation data including image information of a plurality of pages is generated based on the acquired image data of each page. Thereafter, in step S26, based on the generated image formation data, the print engine 47 performs image formation in the selected mode, and the process ends. In this case, single-sided copying and double-sided copying are performed as in the conventional case.

In the above processing, step S21 is processing related to the function of the reading control unit 52, steps S22, S23, and S25 are processing related to the function of the page rearrangement unit 53, and steps S24 and S26 are processing related to the function of the output control unit 54. It is.
Note that the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained by performing similar rearrangement in the case of printing a FAX reception document, printing a document read from the HDD 44, FAX transmission, or the like.

[Modifications: FIGS. 15 to 17]
Although the description of the embodiment is finished as described above, in the embodiment described above, the configuration of the apparatus, specific processing contents, page rearrangement algorithm, and the like are not limited to those described in the above embodiment. Of course.
For example, in the above-described processing, the combination of the page rearrangement function and the aggregation function is not considered, but these can be combined in a business environment where there is not much problem even if the image is reduced. In this case, the pages on which images are to be formed are divided into groups for each number of pages formed on one side of the paper, and each group is viewed as an image for one page, and rearrangement as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 is performed. Should be done.
Further, since the significance of the page rearrangement function is lost when the stapling process is performed, it is preferable that these functions cannot be enabled at the same time.

Further, when page rearrangement is performed, information such as marks indicating how to handle a document to refer to the next page may be added to the image of each page to be formed.
FIG. 15 shows an example of this mark. For example, in the case of forming an image for six pages, a mark 71 indicating that the paper is slid on the first, second, fourth, and fifth pages (before rearrangement). In the third page, a mark 72 indicating that the sheet bundle is turned over may be added, and in the sixth page, a mark 73 indicating the last page of the document may be added.
In this way, the reader can easily understand the page arrangement even when the paper on which the pages are arranged in a different order from a normal booklet or the like is handed over.
Also, a mark indicating a slipping slide as shown in FIG. 16 and a mark indicating an additional slide as shown in FIG. 17 are used to indicate which slide should be performed when the original is slid. Thus, the reader can more easily recognize the page arrangement.

Of course, the present invention can be applied to any device as long as it is a data processing device that processes image formation data indicating the content of an image to be formed for each page. For example, the data processing device is a device dedicated to page rearrangement, an adapter that adds a page rearrangement function to other devices, etc., and data necessary for page rearrangement is input from an external device to be rearranged. Such a configuration is also conceivable.
Moreover, the deformation | transformation demonstrated above and the deformation | transformation demonstrated in embodiment are applicable in arbitrary combinations, unless it mutually contradicts.

The program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as an apparatus such as the data processing apparatus 10 or the MFP 40 described above, or a program for causing a computer to realize the above-described page rearrangement function. By causing a computer to execute a simple program, the effects as described above can be obtained.
Such a program may be stored in a storage means such as a ROM or HDD provided in the computer from the beginning, but a non-volatile recording such as a CD-ROM or flexible disk, SRAM, EEPROM, memory card or the like as a recording medium. It can also be recorded on a medium (memory) and provided. The program recorded in the memory can be installed in a computer and executed by the CPU, or the CPU can read out and execute the program from the memory to function as each unit described above.
Furthermore, it is also possible to download and execute an external device that is connected to a network and includes a recording medium that records the program, or an external device that stores the program in the storage unit.

As described above, according to the data processing apparatus, the image forming apparatus, the control method of the data processing apparatus, the program, or the recording medium of the present invention, the double-sided image that can sequentially refer to the contents of all the pages without turning pages. the formation can be so easily created. In addition, this makes it possible to easily use double-sided image formation for business that wants to avoid page turning.

It is a figure which shows the function structure of the data processor which is 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of GUI which GDI shown in FIG. 1 uses for reception of a setting. It is a figure which shows the example of the data which the device driver shown in FIG. 1 produces | generates. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the data processor shown in FIG. 5 is a flowchart of processing executed when the CPU shown in FIG. 4 receives data indicating the contents of an image to be formed by the function of the device driver.

It is a figure for demonstrating the page rearrangement algorithm for an addition slide. It is another figure. It is a figure for demonstrating the page rearrangement algorithm for a passing slide. It is another figure. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of MFP which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

It is a figure which shows the function structure of the characteristic part among the function structures of MFP shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of GUI which the operation reception part shown in FIG. 11 displays on an operation panel. It is a figure which shows the other example. 12 is a flowchart of processing executed by the CPU shown in FIG. 10 when the operation receiving unit shown in FIG. 11 detects a copy execution instruction. It is a figure for demonstrating the mark added to an image in the modification of this invention. It is another figure. It is another figure.

Explanation of symbols

10: Data processing device, 11: Application, 12: GDI,
13: Device driver, 14: Page rearrangement module, 15: Spooler,
20: Image forming apparatus, 30: Image forming data, 31: Page drawing element,
32: Image formation control information, 40: MFP, 50: Rearranged image formation application,
51: Operation accepting unit, 52: Reading control unit, 53: Page rearrangement unit, 54: Output control unit,
55: Document search unit, 200: Print setting screen, 203, 204: Rearrangement duplex button,
300: Copy acceptance screen, 303: Output setting unit, 304, 305: Button

Claims (22)

A data processing apparatus for setting a printing order of the data composed of a plurality of logical pages in units of logical pages that are data areas of the data to be printed on one side of the recording sheet when duplex printing data on a recording sheet Because
For the page order in which the data is arranged in units of logical pages, the logical page whose page order is less than or equal to half of the total logical page number of the data plus 1 is the first half page, and the logical pages other than the first half page Is the second half page, the first half page of the data is printed on one side of the recording sheet, and the second half page of the data is printed on the back side of the surface on which the first half page of the recording sheet is printed. The data processing apparatus further comprises rearranging means for rearranging the printing order of the logical pages. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The rearranging means prints the first half page in ascending order on one side of the recording sheet from the first sheet to the last sheet, and on the other side of the recording sheet, the first sheet from the first sheet. A data processing apparatus, comprising: means for automatically rearranging the print order of the logical pages of the data so that the latter half pages are printed in ascending order toward the last sheet. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The rearranging means prints the first half page in ascending order on one side of the recording sheet from the first sheet toward the last sheet, and on the other side of the recording sheet from the last sheet A data processing apparatus, comprising: means for automatically rearranging the print order of the logical pages of the data so that the latter half pages are printed in ascending order toward the first sheet. The data processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
When the total number of logical pages is an odd number, data indicating a blank page is added to the data for one logical page, and the total number of logical pages is assumed to be an even number and is used for sorting by the sorting unit. A data processing device. A data processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A data processing apparatus, comprising: a first setting unit configured to set the validity of sorting by the sorting unit according to a user operation. The data processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
A second setting means for setting validity / invalidity of a staple process for the recording sheet on which the data is printed according to a user operation;
A data processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that prevents the stapling process and the rearrangement by the rearrangement unit from being enabled at the same time. An image forming apparatus comprising the data processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Display means;
Operation accepting means for accepting a user's operation through the GUI displayed on the display means;
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a setting unit configured to set the validity / invalidity of sorting by the sorting unit according to a user operation received by the operation receiving unit. A data processing apparatus for setting a printing order of the data composed of a plurality of logical pages in units of logical pages that are data areas of the data to be printed on one side of the recording sheet when duplex printing data on a recording sheet Control method,
In the data processing device,
When the page order in which the data is arranged in units of logical pages is a logical page whose page order is less than half of the total number of logical pages of the data as a first half page, and a logical page other than the first half page is a second half page Of the logical page such that the first half page of the data is printed on one side of the recording sheet and the second half page of the data is printed on the back side of the side on which the first half page of the recording sheet is printed. A control method for a data processing apparatus, wherein a rearrangement procedure for rearranging printing orders is executed. A control method for a data processing device according to claim 8,
In the rearrangement procedure, the first half pages are printed in ascending order from the first sheet to the last sheet on one side of the recording sheet, and the first sheet is printed on the other side of the recording sheet. A control method for a data processing apparatus, comprising: a procedure for automatically rearranging the printing order of the logical pages of the data so that the latter half pages are printed in ascending order toward the last sheet. A control method for a data processing device according to claim 8,
In the rearrangement procedure, the first half pages are printed in ascending order on one side of the recording sheet from the first sheet toward the last sheet, and on the other side of the recording sheet, A control method for a data processing apparatus, comprising: a procedure for automatically rearranging the printing order of the logical pages of the data so that the latter half pages are printed in ascending order toward the first sheet. A control method for a data processing device according to claim 10,
If the total number of logical pages is an odd number, the data processing apparatus adds data indicating a blank page for one logical page to the data, and determines that the total number of logical pages is an even number, A method for controlling a data processing apparatus, characterized in that the data processing apparatus is used instead. A control method for a data processing device according to any one of claims 8 to 11,
A method for controlling a data processing apparatus, further comprising: causing the data processing apparatus to further execute a first setting procedure for setting validity / invalidity of sorting according to the sorting procedure in accordance with a user operation. A control method for a data processing device according to claim 12,
In the data processing device,
A second setting procedure for setting validity / invalidity of stapling processing for the recording sheet on which the data is printed according to a user operation;
A control method for a data processing apparatus, wherein a control procedure for preventing the stapling process and rearrangement by the rearrangement procedure from being enabled simultaneously is executed. A control method for a data processing device according to any one of claims 8 to 11,
The data processing apparatus is an image forming apparatus including a display unit and an operation reception unit that receives a user operation through a GUI displayed on the display unit.
A method for controlling a data processing apparatus, comprising: causing the data processing apparatus to execute a setting procedure for setting the validity / invalidity of rearrangement according to the rearrangement procedure in accordance with a user operation received by the operation reception unit. The computer sets a printing order of the data composed of a plurality of logical pages in units of logical pages that are data areas of the data to be printed on one side of the recording sheet when duplex printing data on the recording sheet. A program for functioning as a data processing device ,
The computer,
For the page order in which the data is arranged in units of logical pages, the logical page whose page order is less than or equal to half of the total logical page number of the data plus 1 is the first half page, and the logical pages other than the first half page Is the second half page, the first half page of the data is printed on one side of the recording sheet, and the second half page of the data is printed on the back side of the surface on which the first half page of the recording sheet is printed. And a program for causing the logical page to be printed as a rearrangement unit for rearranging the print order . The program according to claim 15,
The rearranging means prints the first half page in ascending order on one side of the recording sheet from the first sheet to the last sheet, and on the other side of the recording sheet, the first sheet from the first sheet. A program for automatically rearranging the printing order of the logical pages of the data so that the latter half pages are printed in ascending order toward the last sheet. The program according to claim 15,
The rearranging means prints the first half page in ascending order on one side of the recording sheet from the first sheet toward the last sheet, and on the other side of the recording sheet from the last sheet A program for automatically rearranging the printing order of the logical pages of the data so that the latter half pages are printed in ascending order toward the first sheet. A program according to claim 17,
When the total number of logical pages is an odd number, data indicating a blank page is added to the data for one logical page, and the sorting means determines that the total number of logical pages is an even number. A program further comprising a program for realizing a function to be provided. A program according to any one of claims 15 to 18,
A program for causing the computer to function as first setting means for setting the validity / invalidity of sorting by the sorting means in accordance with a user operation. The program according to claim 19, wherein
The computer,
A second setting means for setting validity / invalidity of a staple process for the recording sheet on which the data is printed according to a user operation;
The program further comprising a program for causing the stapling process and the rearrangement by the rearrangement means to function as a control means that does not enable them simultaneously. A program according to any one of claims 15 to 18,
A program for causing the computer to control an image forming apparatus including a display unit and an operation reception unit that receives a user operation through a GUI displayed on the display unit;
A program for causing the computer to function as a setting unit that sets the validity of the sorting by the sorting unit according to a user operation received by the operation receiving unit.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to any one of claims 15 to 21 is recorded.

Images