JP2000218901A - Apparatus and method for processing information and memory medium for storing computer readable program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To set an understandable form size by providing an item for dynamically setting the same size as a size obtained by setting an output form size of a recording medium to be printed by a printer to a manuscript size of document data at an item for setting the manuscript size and the output form size. SOLUTION: In the case of requesting a print from an application for forming document data, a host computer 3000 sets printing. When the printing is executed, a printer driver forms a print job, and sends it to a printer 1500. Then, whether 'the same as the manuscript size' is selected or not is judged as an output form size. A CPU 1 assigns a manuscript form size to the output form size, and forms an output page format instruction. If a form size is selected as the output form size, a set form size is adopted as the output form size. If it is different, the printer enlarges or contracts the form size to meet the output form size.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing system, a control method thereof, and a medium, and more particularly, to a printing system including an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer and an output apparatus such as a printer, which is different from a paper size of a document. The present invention relates to a printing system that enlarges or reduces the contents of a paper size of a document so as to match the output paper size when the output paper size is designated, and a control method and a medium therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional printing system, in a print setting of a printer driver of an information processing apparatus, "document paper size" of document data generated by an application differs from "output paper size" specified by an operator. In this case, the image of the document is enlarged or reduced to the output paper size and printing is performed.

In an information processing apparatus having a printer driver having such a function, an operator can individually set a paper size of an original and a paper size of an output as print settings. When the paper sizes are different, the image of the document is enlarged or reduced to the output paper size and printed.

[0004]

However, in the conventional printing system, as setting items related to printing of a printer driver for generating print data, there are selection items for each of a paper size of an original and an output paper size. If the set sizes are different, even if the operator does not want to enlarge or reduce the size, the image is automatically enlarged or reduced to the output paper size, and an output result that the operator does not expect is output by the printing apparatus. There was a problem of being printed.

Further, since the paper size of a document can be changed in an application for printing, the size of the document in the application is set in the printer driver under the condition that the same size is set for each of the document paper and the output paper. If you change to a different size,
It was difficult for the operator to know whether the output paper size was the size set on the application or the output size was set on the printer driver.

An object of the present invention is to provide a user interface for setting a paper size which is easy for an operator to understand in order to solve the above-mentioned problem.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for generating print data that can be interpreted by a printing apparatus in accordance with document data generated by an application. Setting means for setting a document size of the recording medium and an output paper size of a recording medium to be printed by the printing apparatus, wherein the setting means sets the output paper size in an item for setting the output paper size. There is an item that is dynamically set to the same size as the size set for the size.

In the case where an item to be dynamically set to the same size as the document size is set as the output paper size by the setting means, the set document size is acquired and the output paper size is set to the output paper size. There is further provided a size allocating means for allocating the acquired document size.

The setting means selects the output paper size from a list including items indicating a plurality of fixed paper sizes and items in which the output paper size is dynamically set according to the document size.

[0010] Further, there is further provided a generating means for generating print data based on the output paper size allocated by the size allocating means.

[0011] Further, there is further provided output means for outputting the print data generated by the generation means.

Another invention according to the present application is realized by a method for realizing the above invention and a program stored in a program storage medium.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] An embodiment suitable for applying the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, as long as the functions of the present invention are executed, a single device or a system including a plurality of devices can be connected via a network such as a LAN or WAN. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a system in which the processing is performed.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer, which includes graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) based on a program processing ROM in the ROM 3 or a document processing program or the like stored in the external memory 11. The CPU 1 controls the devices connected to the system bus 4 as a whole. The program ROM or the external memory 11 of the ROM 3 stores an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS), which is a control program of the CPU 1, and the like. The font ROM or the external memory 11 of the ROM 3 stores Font data and the like to be used are stored, and various data used when performing the above-described document processing and the like are stored in the data ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 11.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory of the CPU 1, a work area, and the like. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls a key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). Reference numeral 6 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC), and a CRT display (CR
T) Control the display of 10. Reference numeral 7 denotes a disk controller (DKC), such as a hard disk (HD) that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, a printer control command generation program (hereinafter, printer driver), a floppy disk (FD), and the like. Of the external memory 11 is controlled.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a printer controller (PRTC)
Then, it is connected to the printer 1500 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21 and executes a communication control process with the printer 1500. Note that CP
U1 is, for example, a display information RAM set on RAM2
The rasterization process of the outline font on the CRT 10 is performed to enable WYSIWYG on the CRT 10. Further, the CPU 1 opens various registered windows based on commands specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing. When performing printing, the user opens a window related to print settings, and can set a printer and a print processing method for a printer driver including selection of a print mode.

In the printer 1500, a printer CPU 12 is a printing unit (printer) connected to a system bus 15 based on a control program or the like stored in a program ROM of a ROM 13 or a control program or the like stored in an external memory 14. (Engine) 17 outputs an image signal as output information. The program ROM of the ROM 13 stores a control program of the CPU 12 and the like.

The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information. In the case of a printer having no external memory 14 such as a hard disk in the data ROM of the ROM 13, a host computer is used. The information used above is stored. CP
The U12 can communicate with the host computer via the input unit 18, and can notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer and the like.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). Note that RAM1
9 is an output information development area, environment data storage area, NVR
Used for AM and the like.

The external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) or an IC card is provided with a memory controller (M
C) Access is controlled by 20. External memory 14
Is connected as an option and stores font data, emulation programs, form data, and the like. Reference numeral 18 denotes the above-described operation panel on which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged. The number of the external memories is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided. In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages having different language systems can be connected. It may be configured. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a typical printing process in a host computer to which a printing device such as a printer is directly connected or connected via a network.

The application 201, the graphic engine 202, the printer driver 203, and the system spooler 204 exist as files stored in the external memory 11, and are loaded into the RAM 2 by the OS or a module using the module when executed. The program module to be executed.

The application 201 and the printer driver 203 can be added to the FD of the external memory 11, a CD-ROM (not shown), or the HD of the external disk 11 via a network (not shown). . The application 201 stored in the external memory 11 is loaded into the RAM 2 and executed.
When printing from the application 201 to the printer 1500, output (drawing) is performed using the graphic engine 202 which is similarly loaded into the RAM 2 and becomes executable. The data that the application sends to the graphic engine differs depending on the type of OS. For example, when Windows (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) is used, a GDI function is output as a drawing command to GDI, which is a graphic engine.

The graphic engine 202 similarly loads a printer driver 203 prepared for each printing device from the external memory 11 to the RAM 2, and outputs a GDI (Graphic Device Interface) output from the application 210.
e) The function is converted to a DDI (Device Driver Interface) function and output to the printer driver 203.

The printer driver 203 converts a PDL (Page Description Language) that can be interpreted by the printer 1500 and a printer control command including low-level image data based on the DDI function received from the GDI. The converted printer control command is output to the printer 1500 via the interface 21 via the system spooler 204 loaded into the RAM 2 by the OS.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a user interface of a printer driver for setting a document size and an output paper size. As shown in FIG. 3, the user can set the document size and the output paper size separately. Available paper sizes are listed as selection items of the document size and the output paper size, and the selection items of the output paper size include “same as the document size”.
"Same as the document size" means the output paper size is "A4" if the document size is "A4" and the output paper size is "B4" if the document size is "B5".
5 "is automatically set and print data is generated.

FIG. 4 shows a command (hereinafter, referred to as an output page format command) for designating a printer to enlarge or reduce the drawing content of a document on a sheet having a size different from the document size and to output the result. This is an example.
In this example, it is specified that the drawing data of the A4 size document is reduced and printed on the A5 size output paper. As in this example, specify the document size and output paper size.If the document size and output paper size are different, the printer enlarges or reduces the drawing contents to fit the output paper and prints. Execute

Here, the characteristic configuration of the present invention will be described.

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for generating print data that can be interpreted by a printing apparatus in accordance with document data generated by an application, the document size of the document data and the size of a recording medium to be printed by the printing apparatus. Setting means for setting the output paper size, and dynamically setting the output paper size to the same size as the size set for the document size in an item for setting the output paper size by the setting means. It has items to be set.

In the case where an item to be dynamically set to the same size as the document size is set as the output paper size by the setting means, the set document size is acquired, and the output paper size is set to the output paper size. The apparatus further includes a size allocating unit for allocating the acquired document size.

Further, the setting means causes the output paper size to be selected from a list including an item indicating a plurality of fixed paper sizes and an item in which the output paper size is dynamically set according to the document size. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

Further, there is further provided a generating means for generating print data based on the output paper size allocated by the size allocating means.

Further, the apparatus further comprises output means for outputting the print data generated by the generation means.

The processing flow of the information processing apparatus having such a configuration will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the processing when a print job is created in the host computer. Prior to the start of this processing, a printer driver (FIG. 3) is activated when a print request is made from an application for creating document data, and print settings are made by a user.

When the user executes printing, the printer driver creates a print job. This print job is transmitted to the printer, and printing is performed.

First, in step S510, the CPU 1
Obtains the output paper size from the settings of the printer driver, and determines whether "same as original size" is selected as the output paper size. If it is determined that “same as original size” has been selected, step S520
, The CPU 1 obtains the original paper size from the settings of the printer driver, allocates the original paper size to the output paper size, and allocates the output paper size as if the paper size of the original paper size was set from the beginning. Pass the output paper size to the module that generates the output page format instruction. And step S530
In, the output page format instruction generation unit of the printer driver generates an output page format instruction.

If it is determined in step S510 that the paper size is selected as the output paper size, in step S521, the CPU 1 sets the output paper size to the set paper size, and sets the output paper size to Pass the output page format instruction to the generating module. Then, similarly, in step S530, the output page format command generation unit of the printer driver generates an output page format command. In this case, if the original paper size and the output paper size are different from each other as in the related art, the printer performs enlargement / reduction processing in accordance with the output paper size and performs printing.

Subsequently, in step S540, print data generation processing is performed based on the remaining print settings and output to the spooler of the host computer, and the print job generation processing in the host computer ends.

With the above processing, the user can use the user interface of the print setting of the printer driver to
When "same as original size" is selected as the output paper size, the output paper is automatically selected to be the same as the original size and printing is performed in conjunction with the original size.

When a specific paper size is selected as the output paper size, the drawing content is enlarged or reduced with respect to the designated output paper size for printing of any original size. Is executed.

In this embodiment, the process of enlarging or reducing the drawing data of the original size to the output paper size is realized by transmitting an output page format command to the printer. Instead, the enlargement / reduction processing may be performed in the printer driver.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), and can be applied to a single device (copier, printer, facsimile). Device).

An object of the present invention is to provide a computer-readable storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of a system or apparatus storing the program code on a storage medium. It is also achieved by reading and executing code.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM
Etc. can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) Performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
The case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0050]

As described above, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for generating print data that can be interpreted by a printing apparatus in accordance with document data generated by an application.
Setting means for setting a document size of the document data and an output paper size of a recording medium to be printed by the printing apparatus;
The item for setting the output paper size includes an item for dynamically setting the output paper size to the same size as the size set for the document size, and thus is an item to be dynamically set as the output paper size. When "Same as original size" is selected, printing is performed with the same paper size as the original size, so that the user can easily understand the output result, and it is convenient for the user to set the output paper. The performance is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a typical print data generation method in a host computer.

FIG. 3 is an example of a user interface for setting a document size and an output paper size.

FIG. 4 is an example of an output page format selection command.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for creating a print job.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 4 System Bus 12 CPU 13 ROM 19 RAM 3000 Host Computer 1500 Printer

Claims (15)

[Claims] An information processing apparatus for generating print data interpretable by a printing apparatus in accordance with document data generated by an application, comprising: a document size of the document data; and an output sheet of a recording medium to be printed by the printing apparatus. It has setting means to set the size and
An information processing device for setting the output paper size by the setting unit, wherein the output paper size is dynamically set to the same size as the size set for the document size; . 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the setting unit sets an item for dynamically setting the output paper size to the same size as the original size, the set original size is obtained, and the output paper size is set to the output paper size. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a size allocating unit that allocates the acquired document size. 3. The setting means selects an output paper size from a list consisting of an item indicating a plurality of fixed paper sizes and an item in which the output paper size is dynamically set according to the document size. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a generation unit configured to generate print data based on the output paper size allocated by the size allocation unit. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising output means for outputting the print data generated by said generation means. 6. An information processing method for generating print data that can be interpreted by a printing device in accordance with document data generated by an application, comprising: a document size of the document data; and an output sheet of a recording medium to be printed by the printing device. Including a setting step to set the size,
The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the item for setting the output paper size by the setting means includes an item for dynamically setting the output paper size to the same size as the size set for the document size. 7. In the setting step, when an item to be dynamically set to the same size as the document size is set as the output paper size, the set document size is acquired, and the output paper size is set to the output paper size. 7. The information processing method according to claim 6, further comprising a size allocating step of allocating the obtained document size. 8. The setting step includes causing the output paper size to be selected from a list including an item indicating a plurality of fixed paper sizes and an item in which the output paper size is dynamically set according to the document size. The information processing method according to claim 7, wherein: 9. The information processing method according to claim 7, further comprising a generation step of generating print data based on the output paper size allocated in the size allocation step. 10. The information processing method according to claim 9, further comprising an output step of outputting the print data generated in the generation step. 11. A storage medium for storing a printer driver program for generating print data that can be interpreted by a printing device in accordance with document data generated by an application, wherein a document size of the document data and printing by the printing device are performed. Including a setting step of setting the output paper size of the recording medium,
The storage medium, wherein the item for setting the output paper size by the setting means includes an item for dynamically setting the output paper size to the same size as the size set for the document size. 12. In the setting step, when an item to be dynamically set to the same size as the document size is set as the output paper size, the set document size is acquired, and the output paper size is set to the output paper size. 12. The storage medium according to claim 11, further comprising a size allocating step of allocating the acquired document size. 13. The method according to claim 13, wherein the setting step includes:
13. The storage medium according to claim 12, wherein the storage medium is selected from a list including a plurality of items indicating a fixed paper size and an item whose output paper size is dynamically set according to the document size. 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a generating step of generating print data based on the output paper size allocated in said size allocating step.
3. The storage medium according to 3. 15. The storage medium according to claim 14, further comprising an output step of outputting the print data generated in said generation step.