JP2001078018A - Data editing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically link documents arranged in the same queue to efficiently print them without any blank space by resolving the problem that each document can be printed with a blank space at the time of executing multi-page editing in the print request order. SOLUTION: This device edits and prints documents so that images of a designated number of pages may be included in one picture. If plural documents requiring editing are classified to documents requiring 2up print and documents requiring 4up print, print requests of respective documents are arranged in different queues. A coupling print management queue 3 automatically couples plural documents requiring, for example, 4up print to print the documents without a blank space.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data editing apparatus having a function of editing a document including a plurality of pages of images, for example, several pages at a time into one page of an image, and printing or displaying the image. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Normally, when a printer prints an image for 10 pages, the printer repeats an operation of printing an image for one page on one sheet of paper ten times. However, for example, the image of each page of the original document is reduced to a quarter.
, Four pages can be printed on one sheet of paper. Such printing is called printing by multi-page editing. Printing an image for two pages on one sheet is called 2 up printing, and printing an image for four pages on one sheet is called 4 up printing. Printing by multi-page editing is a very effective method for saving printing paper and saving storage space for printed materials. It is also an effective method when a document of a plurality of pages is collectively displayed on a display.

Conventionally, when an application operating on a higher-level device such as a personal computer requests a printer driver to perform printing using the multi-page function, multi-page editing is executed for each document and printed. When a similar request is made for the next document, multi-page editing is executed again and the document is printed.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems to be solved. Generally, a process in which a higher-level device such as a personal computer requests a printer to perform printing is performed in document units. For example, the first document consisting of a three page image is 2
When printing is designated as up, half of the second sheet is left as a margin and output from the printer. Also, if it is specified that the next document composed of three pages of images be printed at 4 up, a margin is generated in a quarter portion of the sheet.

[0005] This is fine if the printing of each document is requested by a different user. However, when the same user requests continuous printing of related documents, such a blank space is generated for each document. It is uneconomic to do. It is preferable to make effective use of each margin. In addition, if the user requests to print after assembling related documents into one document in advance, such a margin can be reduced. However, for each print request, the work to combine a plurality of documents into one document becomes complicated. Become. A similar problem occurs when displaying an image on which multi-page editing has been performed on a display.

[0006]

The present invention employs the following structure to solve the above problems. <Structure 1> A multi-page editing function is provided to edit the image of the screen so as to include the specified number of pages on one screen, and one of a plurality of documents requested to be edited is provided. Documents with the same number of pages specified in the image to be included in the screen are arranged in the same queue, and the documents arranged in the same queue are connected and handled in the same way as one document. A data editing device comprising a queue for executing the data editing.

<Structure 2> In the data editing apparatus according to Structure 1, when a document group having the same designated number of pages arranged in the same queue is connected and handled in the same manner as one document, the above screen is displayed. A data editing device, comprising: a determination device for starting multi-page editing when no margin occurs.

<Structure 3> In the data editing apparatus described in Structure 1, a document group having the same designated page number waits for a certain period of time until being placed in the same queue, and after the lapse of the certain time, the same document group is set. A data editing apparatus comprising: a timer for starting a multi-page editing by linking a group of documents having the same designated number of pages arranged in a queue.

<Structure 4> In the data editing apparatus according to Structure 1 or 2, the queue is connected to any two or more documents in a group of documents arranged in the same queue, so that all screens are displayed. Search for a combination of documents that can contain an image of each page without margins,
A data editing device for executing multi-page editing.

<Structure 5> In the data editing apparatus according to Structure 1 or 2, the queue is connected to any two or more documents in a group of documents arranged in the same queue, so that all screens are displayed. A data combination device that searches for a combination of documents that can include the image of each page while leaving a minimum margin for the multi-page editing.

<Structure 6> A multi-page editing function for editing the image of the screen so as to include the specified number of pages on one screen is provided. Document information that arranges a group of documents having the same designated page number of an image to be included in one screen in the same queue, and displays the group of documents arranged in the same queue as attribute information of the document. , Then concatenate each document in the sorted order,
A data editing device for executing multi-page editing.

<Structure 7> A multi-page editing function for editing the image of the screen so as to include the specified number of pages on one screen is provided. Among the plurality of documents requested to be edited, A group of documents having the same designated page number of an image to be included in one screen is arranged in the same queue, and the group of documents arranged in the same queue is determined based on a keyword included in the document. After sorting,
A data editing apparatus, which links documents in a sorted order to execute multi-page editing.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below using specific examples. <Example 1> FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a data editing operation of Example 1. First, the outline of the specific example 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As will be described later, a case will be described as an example where a print request involving multi-page editing of a plurality of documents is made from a personal computer, which is a higher-level device, to a printer.

First, as shown in the left end of the figure, it is assumed that a higher-level device requests the printer to print documents A, B, C, and D. In this case, for document A, 2
Up printing is specified. For document B, 4
Up printing is specified. The document C is designated for 2-up printing, and the document D is designated for 4-up printing. When a print request is issued for each document in this order, printing has conventionally been performed as in the comparative example shown at the right end of FIG.

That is, first, the first document has an image for one page, and requests to perform multi-page printing by designating 2 up printing. In this drawing, in order to distinguish the image 1 of each page of each document, an image name is written in each drawing. In the case of document A, page 1 is A-1; in the case of document B, page 3 is B-1 and B
−2, B−3, one page for document C, C−1, and one page for document D, D−1.

Since the image of the document A is for one page, in the comparative example, the image is printed on the left half of one sheet 5 as shown in FIG. In other words, the printing is terminated with the right half being blank. For the next document B, since 4 up is specified, an image of three pages is printed using an area of three quarters of one sheet 5. The remaining one-fourth of the paper becomes a margin and printing is completed. For document C, 2 up printing is specified for one page of image. Therefore, as in the case of the document A, a half of the sheet becomes a margin. In the case of document D, 4 up printing is specified for the image of one page. Therefore,
One-fourth of the sheet 5 is used for printing an image for one page, and the remaining three-quarters are blank.

In such a conventional printing method, a margin is left on each sheet. In this example, first, four types of document print requests from document A to document D are arranged in a print queue. At this time, the images are classified so that images having the same number of pages included in one screen are arranged in the same queue. The linked print management queue 3 is for managing the print queue.

When the user specifies 2up, 3up, 4up,... Nup printing in response to a print request, the linked print management queue 3 has a function of arranging these print requests in separate queues. Therefore, for example, if there is a print request as shown in FIG.
Since the same 2-up printing is designated, they are arranged in the same queue. Further, since the document B and the document D specify the same 4-up printing, they are arranged in the same queue.

According to the data editing apparatus of the present invention, a multi-page editing is executed by linking a group of documents arranged in the same queue and treating them as one document. That is, document A
And document C. Also, the document B and the document D are connected. In this way, document A having an image for one page
And a document C with an image for one page, and 2u
It will be printed by p printing. As a result, the page A-1 of the document A and the page C-1 of the document C are connected to one sheet 5 as shown in the "printing according to the present invention" section on the right side of the drawing. Edited. If printing is performed in this state, printing can be performed on paper without waste.

On the other hand, the document B and the document D are connected in the same manner and 4 up printing is executed. Also in this case, when the pages of both documents are just added, the number becomes 4, which is the number of pages that can be printed on exactly one sheet. Therefore,
Lean printing can be performed. Comparing the printing according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 with the printing according to the comparative example, in the present invention, there is no useless blank space on the paper, and the printing is performed on half the number of sheets as compared with the comparative example. It can be performed. Further, even if a margin is generated, the number of cases where the margin can be reduced by combining a plurality of documents is increased.

Next, the configuration and operation of a specific device for realizing the above control will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the data editing apparatus according to the first embodiment. The apparatus shown in the figure has a configuration in which a document generated by an application 7 is edited by a printer driver 10 and transferred to a printer 40 through a print data transmission processing unit 30. In this example, the printer driver 10 receives editing requests for a plurality of documents from the application 7, edits these in the manner described with reference to FIG. 1, and outputs the edited data to the print data transmission processing unit 30.

To this end, the printer driver 10 includes a print dialog 11, a Nup information creation processing unit 12, a print data creation processing unit 13, a page information creation processing unit 14, a linked print determination processing unit 15, a queuing processing unit 16, It includes a linked print management processing unit 17, a linked print data creation processing unit 18, and a memory 20. The memory 20 is provided with an area for storing the print data 21 and the linked print management queue 3.

The application 7, the printer driver 10, and the print data transmission processing unit 30 are all constituted by software incorporated in a personal computer or the like which is a higher-level device for controlling the printer 40. Therefore, each component of the printer driver 10 is realized by each functional module or object of a computer program for editing print data, and is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk of a computer or a semiconductor memory device. Used.

The print dialog 11 is an interface operated when the user operates the application 7 to make a print request. Specifically, it is an object that controls a window displayed on a display of a personal computer. The user uses the print dialog 11 to specify, for example, to print the document A by 2-up printing. This request is transmitted to the printer driver 10 through the application 7. The Nup information creation processing unit 12 is a unit that performs processing for writing the designated multi-page edit print request to the print data 21.

The print data creation processing unit 13 is a part that edits and expands the print data transferred from the application 7 and writes the print data into the print data 21. Here, data to be transferred to the printer is generated. The page information creation processing unit 14 is a part that performs a process of including information about the number of pages included in the print document in the print data 21. By these operations, the print data 21 stores the content of each print request for each document and the print command sequence of the printer.

The linked printing determination processing unit 15 is a part for determining whether to execute the linked printing according to the present invention. When performing the linked printing, the linked printing determination unit 15 transfers the print request to the queuing processing unit 16, In the case of (1), this section operates to directly transfer the print request to the print data transmission processing section 30. When there is a connection printing request, the functions below the queuing processing unit 16 operate.

The queuing processing unit 16 checks the Nup information of the document requested to be connected for printing, and arranges a group of documents having the same number of pages of an image to be included in one screen in the same queue. And a function for making a request to the linked print management queue 3. The linked print management processing unit 17 and the linked print data creation processing unit 18 link the document groups arranged in the same queue while referring to the information stored in the linked print management queue 3 and handle the same as one document. , A part for controlling the execution of multi-page editing.

Hereinafter, a specific printing operation will be described. FIG. 3 is a printing operation flowchart of the first embodiment. Before describing the specific operation, the basic operation of multi-page editing will be described in order.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a coordinate system of print data. (A) of the figure shows an image editing coordinate system when 1 up, that is, one page image is printed on one sheet of paper. With the origin at the upper left corner of the paper, the X axis is taken to the right and the Y axis is taken vertically downward. In FIG. 7A, the X axis for one page is displayed as X1, and the Y axis is displayed as Y1. (B) is a coordinate system for 2-up printing. Here, images for two pages are arranged side by side. Editing is performed by reducing the coordinates of the image of the original page to half the area ratio. X
The axial direction uses the same coordinate system X1. The Y-axis direction is divided into two equal parts in the vertical direction, the upper half uses a coordinate system of Y1, and the lower half uses a coordinate system of Y2.

(C) is a coordinate system for 4-up printing. As shown in the drawing, the image is edited so that the image of the first page is located at the upper left, the second page is located at the upper right, the third page is located at the lower left, and the fourth page is located at the lower right. (D) 8up printing,
(E) shows a coordinate system for 16-up printing. In the case of (d),
Compared with (a), the X-axis direction is divided into two, and the Y-axis direction is divided into four. In (e), the X-axis direction is divided into four,
The Y-axis direction is divided into four. When performing Nup printing, the image of each page of the print data is converted based on such a coordinate system and edited. This coordinate conversion operation is the same as that performed in the conventional multi-page editing.

FIG. 5 shows that a document consisting of three pages is 2 up.
FIG. 4 shows an explanatory diagram in the case of printing with. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, when the document A includes three pages of images P1, P2, and P3, the print data first includes an object group OB1 for print control for each page.
It is converted to OB2 and OB3. Each object is composed of, for example, a drawing object and an image object that constitute a document. The print data 50 includes
Nup information 51 and page information 52 are included together with the object group. A page break code is included at the end of each page. Therefore, this print data is 2u
p, and the contents include images for three pages.

FIG. 6 shows that a document consisting of one page is 2 up.
FIG. 4 shows an explanatory diagram in the case of printing with. In this figure, the document requested to be printed includes an image P1 for one page. In this case, an object group OB1 for one page is generated, and the print data 50 includes Nup as in the example of FIG.
Information 51 and page information 52 are included.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the linked print management queue. Specifically, the linked print management queue 3 shown in FIG. 2 is composed of, for example, data as shown in FIG. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the linked print management queue 3 sequentially retrieves a group of documents arranged in the same queue and executes multi-page editing. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, a document group is classified in the order of 2up printing, 3up printing, and 4up printing, and the document is read and printed in a request order different from the print request order.

The pointer group 61 shown in FIG. 7 includes a 2-up start pointer, a 2-up end pointer, the total number of registered pages, a 3-up start pointer, a 3-up end pointer, and a 3u
The pointers are arranged in the printing order in such a manner as the total number of registered pages. The total number of registered pages is a parameter for detecting the end of printing when documents arranged in the same queue are connected. By 2up head pointer, 2u
The start address of the control data of the first document to be p-printed is specified. At the head address of the control data, a pointer 62 to the control data of the next document is arranged.
Further, the control data includes page number information 63 and a print data pointer 64. The page information indicates the number of pages of the document. The print data pointer 64 points to the start address of the print data D1 of the corresponding document.

When the concatenated print management queue is configured in this manner, first, a 2-up head pointer is read from the head of the pointer group 61, and the print data D1 of the first document is read through the control data of the first document. Next, the control data of the next document is read through the pointer to the next data in the control data, and the corresponding print data D2 is read. 2u
When the last flag 65 is detected by the p last pointer, multi-page editing and printing are performed by referring to the total number of registered 2-up pages in the pointer group 61. That is, the print data D1
And print data D2 are linked and printed. afterwards,
The 3-up start pointer is read, and the same processing is repeated until print data is exhausted.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of generating linked print data. As described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, FIG.
Are generated, the respective print data are linked by coordinate transformation to generate linked print data 72 shown in FIG. Print data 7 shown on the left side of FIG.
0 is the print data 50 for three pages generated in the manner described with reference to FIG. The print data 71 is
This is print data 50 for one page generated in the manner described with reference to FIG.

When these are concatenated into four pages of print data, two-up printing is performed, so that concatenated print data 72 for two sheets of printing paper containing a page break for each image of two pages is generated. You. The operation flowchart of FIG. 3 will be specifically described in consideration of the basic operation of the multi-page editing described above and the mechanism of the linked print management queue according to the present invention.

(Step S1) Upon receiving a print request from the application 7, the Nup information creation processing unit 12
The Nup information requested by the user is extracted and stored in the top Nup information 51 of the print data 50 shown in FIG. (Step S2) The print data creation processing unit 13 generates print data for one page. Necessary reduction processing is performed on the generated print data based on the requested Nup information. In the case of 2-up printing, a reduction of 70% is performed as shown in FIG. The data passed from the application 7 to the printer driver 10 is composed of a code group or the like. The generated print data is
The object is divided into objects of an appropriate size according to the command sequence defined by the printer.

The state of the print data is as described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the print data 50 includes an object group for printing each page, coordinate information for arranging each object on a sheet, a page break code, and the like. The definition of the coordinates on the paper is as shown in FIG. Note that the print data editing method differs depending on whether the print data is in a portrait format or a landscape format. FIG. 4 shows an example.

(Step S3) When the generation of one page of print data is completed, the page information creation processing unit 14
Count the number of pages. (Steps S4 and S5) Page information creation processing unit 14
Determines whether data of a page corresponding to an integral multiple of N has been generated. This is for Nup control. For example, when data for N pages is generated after the start of editing, the print data for one sheet of paper is ready, so a page break code is output as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. Write.

(Step S6) The page information creation processing section 14 determines whether or not the last page of the document has been output. If the last page has not been output, the process for the remaining pages returns to step S2 and is repeated. (Step S7) When the processing is completed up to the last page, it is determined whether or not the counted number of pages is an integral multiple of N. (Step S8) If it is not an integral multiple of N, the page information creation processing unit 14 outputs a page break code because a page break has not been output for the last sheet.

(Step S9) The page information counted in step S3 is stored in the page information 52 of the print data 50 shown in FIGS. (Step S10) The linked printing determination processing unit 15 determines whether multi-page printing is requested. (Step S14) If not multi-page printing,
Since Nup information and page information in the print data are unnecessary, these are deleted and printing is started. (Step S11) When multi-page printing is requested, the linked print determination processing unit 15 determines whether the number of pages currently edited is an integral multiple of N. If the value is an integral multiple of N, printing can be performed without margins.
Proceed to 14. The print data transmitted to the printer includes Nu
Since p information and page information are unnecessary, delete them,
Start printing.

(Step S12) If the number of edited pages is not an integral multiple of N, the queuing processing unit 16
Registers the generated print data in the linked print management queue 3. In other words, even if a document for which printing is requested requires multi-page editing, if printing is possible without margins, printing is started as it is without placing it in a print queue. If there is a margin, it is placed in a print queue and a plurality of documents are connected. The configuration of the linked print management queue 3 is as described with reference to FIG. Consolidated print management queue 3
As shown in FIG. 7, each Nup has information on the top pointer, the last pointer, and the total number of registered pages. The generated print data is added to the position indicated by the print data pointer in the linked print management queue 3, and the page number information 63 is added to the total registered page number of the pointer group 61.

(Step S13) Here, the linked print management processing unit 17 determines whether the total number of registered pages is an integral multiple of N. When a plurality of documents are arranged in the same print queue, the total number of registered pages is the sum of the number of pages of these documents. If the number is an integral multiple, printing without margins is possible, and the process proceeds to the process of generating linked print data. (Step S15) Consolidated print data creation processing unit 18
Performs concatenation processing of registered print data when the total number of registered pages is an integral multiple of N. The registered print data is linked to one print data in the order of registration. When linked, coordinate conversion is required depending on the page of print data. An example of linking a three-page document and a one-page document at the time of 2-up printing is as described with reference to FIG.

<Effect of Specific Example 1> As described above, when multi-page editing of a plurality of documents is performed, the number of pages is totaled in advance so that no blank portion is generated on the printing paper, and these plurality of documents are automatically processed. , And printing is performed without wasteful margins, and printing paper can be reduced.

<Specific Example 2> In the above example, when the total of each page of the document to be printed by Nup becomes an integral multiple of N, linked printing is started. However, if this control is performed uniformly, multi-page printing of a document that generates margins is required, and if there is no subsequent print request of another document to be connected, printing of the document that first requested printing is not performed. Sometimes not done forever. In view of this, a certain time limit is provided, and when a certain time elapses from a document print request, editing for printing is forcibly started even if a margin is generated.

According to this control, for a certain period of time specified by the timer, it is waited whether there is a print request for another document, and during this time, a print request for a document that can be linked to eliminate the blank space is received. In such a case, an operation of actively connecting documents is performed. Whether the control of the specific example 1 and the control of the specific example 2 are performed simultaneously or only the control of the specific example 2 is performed may be selected according to a user's request or a system environment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a data editing apparatus according to the second embodiment. The apparatus shown in the figure is different from the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment in that a time monitoring information creation processing unit 23, a linked print management start processing unit 24, and a linked print start timer 25 are newly added. .

The time monitoring information creation processing section 23 has a function of including time monitoring information in the print data 21 when a certain time limit is specified using the print dialog 11. The linked print management start processing unit 24 starts the linked print start timer 25 and measures the time from the time when a document requested to be printed is placed in the queue, and after a certain period of time, executes the linked processing or independent printing. It has a function to start processing. The linked printing start timer 25 is configured by a clock built in the personal computer or a software timer included in the printer driver 10.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a printing operation according to the second embodiment. Before describing this figure, the configuration of print data in this specific example will be described. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a document including three pages is printed at 2 up. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram in the case of printing a document consisting of one page at 2 up.

The print data 50 shown in FIG. 11 is obtained by newly adding the time monitoring information 53 to the print data of FIG. The time monitoring information 53 is generated by fetching the date and time when printing of a document is designated from the system. Similarly, the print data 50 shown in FIG. 12 includes time monitoring information 53 in the print data shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the linked print management queue. When the time monitoring information 53 as described above is included in the print data, as shown in FIG.
Time monitoring information 66 is included in the control data for extracting .about.D4. This content is read by the linked print management start processing unit 24 shown in FIG. 9 and the linked print start timer 25 is started. For other configurations and functions, see FIG.
Is the same as that described above, and a duplicate description will be omitted.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an example of generating linked print data. The print data generated according to FIGS. 11 and 12 is edited into the linked print data 72 as shown in FIG. Each of the print data 70 and 71 includes time monitoring information. As in the example of FIG. 8, when the linked print data is generated, information other than the print data and the page break code is unnecessary, and thus is excluded.

Hereinafter, the printing operation of the second embodiment will be described in detail. In FIG. 10, the print data generation process in step S3 is performed in steps S2 to SS shown in FIG.
Since these processes are the same as those of the print data generation of No. 9, they are collectively displayed here.

(Step S1) Upon receiving a print request from the application 7, the Nup information creation processing unit 12
The Nup information requested by the user is extracted and stored in the top Nup information 51 of the print data 50 shown in FIG. (Step S2) When monitoring for a certain time is specified by the user, the time monitoring information creation processing unit 23
The current date and time information is stored in the time monitoring information 53 of the print data 50 in FIG.

(Step S3) The same print data generation processing as that described in steps S2 to S9 of FIG. 3 is executed. Thereby, the print data 50 shown on the right side of FIG. 11 is generated. (Step S4) Then, the linked print determination processing unit 15
Determines whether the print data is multi-page printing. (Step S15) If it is not a print request for multi-page editing, Nup information and page information are deleted from the print data, and printing is started. (Step S5) When multi-page printing is requested, the linked print determination processing unit 15 determines whether the number of pages currently edited is an integral multiple of N. When the value is an integral multiple of N, printing can be performed without a margin.
Go to 5. The print data to be sent to the printer includes Nup
Since information, page information and time monitoring information are unnecessary, these are deleted and printing is started.

(Step S6) If the number of edited pages is not an integral multiple of N, the queuing processing unit 16
The generated print data is registered in the linked print management queue 3. In other words, even if a document for which printing is requested requires multi-page editing, if printing is possible without margins, printing is started as it is without placing it in a print queue.
If there is a margin, it is placed in a print queue and a plurality of documents are connected. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the linked print management queue 3.
As described in 3. Consolidated print management queue 3,
As shown in FIG. 7, each Nup has information on the first pointer, the last pointer, and the total number of registered pages. The generated print data is added to the position indicated by the print data pointer in the linked print management queue 3, and the page number information 63 is added to the pointer group 61.
To the total number of registered pages.

(Step S7) The linked print management start processing unit 24 starts a linked print start timer 25. The linked printing management processing unit 17 is started by the timeout of the linked printing start timer. (Step S8) The linked print management processing unit 17 determines whether there is a queue whose total number of registered pages is an integral multiple of N. If there is, the process proceeds to step S12.

(Step S9) If it is determined in step S8 that the total number of registered pages is not an integral multiple of N, the linked print management start-up processing unit 24 determines whether or not the waiting time has timed out. I do. Specifically, it is sequentially determined whether or not a value obtained by adding a predetermined time to the time monitoring information 66 of the print data shown in FIG. 13 is earlier than the current date and time. (Step S10) If there is any one whose waiting time has timed out, it is determined whether or not there is another connection waiting data in the connected printing management queue. If there is no print request, the document is printed without waiting for a new print request.
That is, the process directly proceeds to step S15, the Nup information / page information is deleted, and printing is started. (Step S11) If there is other waiting data in the linked print management queue, the linked print activation timer 25 is started to perform the next linked print management, and then the step S15 is performed.
To execute printing of the timeout.

(Step S12) If the total number of registered pages is an integral multiple of Nup, the linked print data creation processor 18 checks whether there is any other link waiting data in the linked print management queue. judge. In some cases,
In step S13, the linked printing start timer 25 is started to manage the next linked printing. (Step S14) When there is no other data waiting to be connected in the connected print management queue and when the processing of step S13 is completed, the registered print data is connected. The registered print data is linked to one print data in the order of registration. When linked, coordinate conversion is required depending on the page of print data. An example of linking a case where a document of three pages and a document of one page are linked at the time of 2-up printing is as described with reference to FIG. (Step S16) If it is determined in step S9 that there is no waiting time-out,
The linked printing start timer 25 is started. In this way, it is monitored whether or not there is a print request for a document to be connected and printed for a certain period of time every time there is a print request for one document.
Control is performed so that linked printing is started within the range of documents placed in the queue up to that time.

<Effect of Specific Example 2> As described above, when linked printing is requested, a fixed time is counted by a timer from the time of request, and a plurality of documents that have received a printing request within that time are counted. Since the documents arranged in the same queue are connected and printed, it is possible to prevent the generation of useless blank space as much as possible. In addition, by setting a fixed time limit by the timer, it is possible to prevent a print request from being kept waiting for a long time.

<Specific Example 3> When there are a number of documents arranged in the same queue, if the documents are well combined and connected regardless of the order in which they are arranged in the queue, printing can be performed without useless margins. There are cases. In this specific example, an example in which such a combination is positively detected and linked printing is performed will be described.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the data editing operation of the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, the linked print management queue 3 prints one page image for each of the documents A, B, C, and D for which the same 4up printing is requested, and prints two page images. What to do,
Classification is performed in a manner such as printing a three-page image.

In the case where such a classification is performed, for a document that requires printing on two pages, printing can be performed without waste by combining two documents. In addition, by combining a print request for one page and a print request for three pages, printing with no blank space is possible. Therefore, by performing classification according to the number of pages and finding an optimal combination, it is possible to perform printing without waste.

When the first and second examples are used, the document A and a part of the document B are printed on the first page, and the rest of the document B and the document A are printed on the next page. C, Document D
Is printed. In this case, the document B is printed separately on different sheets. According to the specific example 3, it is possible to take a print form in which documents can be more easily arranged.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the printing operation according to the third embodiment. Before executing this flowchart, it is assumed that the same processing as the processing described in steps S1 to S7 of FIG. 10 is executed. (Step S20) The linked printing start timer 25 for linked printing management is started, and when a timeout occurs, the linked printing management processing unit 17 is started. Here, it is determined whether there is a queue in which the total number of registered pages is an integral multiple of N. If there is, the process proceeds to step S26. (Step S21) If the total number of registered pages does not become an integral multiple of N in step S20, combinations of documents are sequentially performed for all documents registered in each Nup queue, and the total number of pages is an integer of N. Determine if it is doubled. When there is an arbitrary combination that is an integral multiple of N, the process proceeds to step S26, and linked printing is started by that combination. In this example, the linked print management processing unit 17 has a function of searching for each document while referring to the linked print management queue 3 and detecting an optimum combination.

(Step S22) In step S21,
If it is determined that there is no combination of each document that is an integral multiple of N, the linked print management activation processing unit 24 determines whether there is any one whose waiting time has elapsed. The value obtained by adding a certain time to the time monitoring information of the registered print data shown in FIG. 13 is compared in order to see if there is any value before the current date and time. (Step S23) If it is determined in step S22 that no waiting time has elapsed, the linked printing activation timer 25 is activated. (Step S24) If there is any one whose waiting time has elapsed, it is determined whether or not there is another connection waiting data in the connected printing management queue. If there is, step S
In step 25, the linked printing start timer 25 is started in order to perform the next linked printing management, and the flow advances to step S29 to delete Nup information, page information, and time monitoring information and start printing.

(Step S26) The linked print data creation processing unit 18 determines whether there is any other link waiting data in the linked print management queue. If there is, step S27
Start print timer 2 to manage the next print job
5 is started. (Step S28) When there is no other data waiting to be connected in the connected print management queue and when the processing of step S27 is completed, the registered print data is connected. The registered print data is linked to one print data in the order of registration. When linked, coordinate conversion is required depending on the page of print data. (Step S29) When it is determined in step S24 that there is no other waiting data, or after the processing in step S25, the Nup information / page information / time monitoring information is deleted, and printing is started.

<Effect of Specific Example 3> As described above, if there are a plurality of documents in the queue in the queue that satisfy the condition for printing without blank space by combination, the waiting in the queue is performed. Regardless of the order, by performing an appropriate combination and performing print output, it is possible to increase the paper use efficiency and to output data in a waiting state as soon as possible. The determination of the combination of documents is not limited to the method of arranging the queues in the order of the number of print pages as shown in FIG. The number of pages of all documents may be read out, and the determination may be made by an arithmetic processing or the like in which the numbers are combined and added.

<Specific Example 4> In the above example, all data editing functions are given to a printer driver mounted on a host device, for example, a personal computer. However, it is also possible to provide a part of the data editing function on the printer side.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a data editing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. In the printer driver 10 of the host device shown in FIG. 1, a print dialog 11, a Nup information creation processing unit 12, a time monitoring information creation processing unit 23, a print data creation processing unit 13, a page information creation processing unit 14, and a memory 20 are included. Is provided. Here, the print data 21 is stored.

On the other hand, the printer 80 includes a linked print determination processing section 81, a queuing processing section 82, a linked print management start processing section 83, a linked print start timer 87, a linked print management processing section 84, a linked print data creation processing section. 85, a linked print management queue 86, and a print processing unit 88. The function of each unit of the device shown in this figure is the same as the function of each unit of the same name of the device of the specific example 2 shown in FIG. Therefore, although duplicate description will be omitted, the difference here is that the processing performed by the upper-level device up to the concatenation print determination processing section 81 and below is shared on the printer side.

That is, the higher-level device generates print data in the format described above. The printer 80 receives the print data. Then, on the printer 80 side, the connection print management queue 76
, And print by linking a plurality of documents in the same manner as before. In this case, for example, if there is no print request from the host device for a certain period of time using a timer, editing is performed on the document for which the print request has already been made, and printing is performed. Note that this specific operation is the same as the printing operation of the specific example 3 described with reference to FIG.

<Effect of Specific Example 4> As described above, for example, when there is sufficient memory for storing the linked print management queue on the printer side, print data is received from the host computer side, and the printer side receives the print data. Performs the linked printing as described above. As a result, the load on the host computer can be reduced, and a printing function by multi-page editing can be realized.

<Embodiment 5> In the examples up to this point, multi-page editing was performed for all documents for which printing was requested, without leaving useless margins by combining print pages. However, if two completely unrelated documents are linked and printed, it may be difficult to use them. On the other hand, when documents having extremely high relevance are linked and printed, there is an effect that unnecessary margins can be saved and the storage of the documents can be reduced. Therefore, attribute information indicating the contents of the document is added to each document, and the documents arranged in the same queue are sorted based on the document information indicating the attribute information. If the documents are linked in the sorted order, documents recording similar information can be linked and printed in an optimal combination.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of the data editing operation of the specific example 5. As shown in this figure, for example, a document A, a document B, and a document C are arranged in a queue for 2-up printing in the linked print management queue 3. Then, document information J1 is added to each of the documents. As described above, in this specific example, the linked print management queue 3 includes the document information. Then, sorting is performed by comparing each document information. Here, since the document information of the document A and the document C are similar, the document A and the document C are sorted as a result.
And at the top. In this case, the document A and the document C are printed on one sheet 5.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a data editing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. In order to achieve the above object, the printer driver of this specific example includes a document information creation processing unit 2
6 are provided. The rest of the configuration is exactly the same as that of the device of the second embodiment, and redundant description will be omitted.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a printing operation according to the fifth embodiment. Before describing this, first, the configuration of print data for implementing this specific example will be described. FIG.
FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram in the case of printing a three-page document in 2 up, and FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram in the case of printing a one-page document at 2 up. These figures are shown in FIG. 11 and FIG.
The document data 54 is added to the print data of the specific example 2 shown in FIG. Sorting is performed by including the document information 54 in the queue described above.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of the linked print management queue. The main parts of this figure are the same as those described in FIG. 13 of the second embodiment. Then, in this specific example, as shown in the figure, the document information 67 is included in the attribute information of each print data D1 to D4. The document information 67 is, for example, a document name or a number assigned to the document. For example, in the case of a research report, if the document information is added in the order of the report number, it is possible to print the document linked in order of the report number. In addition, information that considers the genre of the document, such as accounting or human resources, may be included.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of an example of generating linked print data by combining such print data. As shown in the drawing, similarly to the above specific examples, each print data includes Nup information, time monitoring information, document information, and page information. When the document information is sorted in a manner to be described later and a closely related document is determined, the corresponding documents are coordinate-transformed and linked to generate linked print data. Hereinafter, the flowchart of FIG. 20 will be described.

(Step S1) Upon receiving a print request from the application 7, the Nup information creation processing unit 12
21. The Nup information requested by the user is extracted, and FIG.
Is stored in the first Nup information 51 of the print data 50 shown in FIG. (Step S2) When it is specified by the user to output when the connection condition is not satisfied after a certain period of time,
The time monitoring information creation processing unit 23 stores the current date and time information in FIG.
1 and 22 are stored in the time monitoring information 53 of the print data 50.

(Step S3) Document information creation processing section 2
6 extracts the document information notified from the application and stores it in the document information 54 of FIGS. This data is a variable-length character string, and for example, “0” is stored at the end of the character string. (Step S4) Step S2 to Step S in FIG.
9, the same print data generation processing as described above is executed. (Step S5) The linked print determination processing unit 15 determines whether the print data is multi-page print. If it is not multi-page printing, as in step S29 of FIG. 16, document information is deleted in addition to Nup information, page information, and time monitoring information, and printing is started. (Step S6) The linked print determination processing unit 15 determines whether the number of pages for multi-page printing is an integral multiple of N. When it is an integral multiple of N, printing can be performed as it is.
As in step S29 in FIG.
Delete document information in addition to page information and time monitoring information,
Start printing.

(Step S7) If the number of pages for multi-page printing is not an integral multiple of N, the queuing processing unit 1
6 registers the generated print data in the linked print management queue 3. The configuration of the linked print management queue 3 is as described with reference to FIG. The linked print management queue 3 has information on the top pointer, the last pointer, and the total number of registered pages for each Nup. The generated print data is added to the position indicated by the final pointer of the linked print management queue 3, and the information on the number of pages is added to the total number of registered pages.

(Step S 8) The linked print management start processing unit 24 starts a linked print start timer 25. The linked printing management processing unit 17 is started by the timeout of the linked printing start timer 25. (Step S9) When the linked print management processing unit 17 is activated, first, a queue sorting process based on document information is executed. Thereby, the documents in the queue are arranged in order from the related one. Thereafter, step S2 in FIG.
The same processing as that of 0 or less is executed. This specific example has both a linked printing function by multi-page editing and a document sorting function. However, for example, by applying only the document sorting function, related documents can be continuously printed out.

<Effect of Specific Example 5> As described above, by referring to the document information indicating the type of the document and the like, and sorting the document groups arranged in the same queue based on the document information, The linked documents can be made closely related, and the printed matter printed without generating useless blank spaces can be effectively used. Further, not only can the number of sheets be reduced, but also documents related to the user are linked, so that the storage format can be made very easy to read and read.

<Specific Example 6> In the above example, the documents were sorted using the document information. However, if sorting is performed by using a keyword included in the document and convenient for classifying the document, it is possible to link documents having higher relevance.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a data editing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment. In this apparatus, a keyword information preparing unit 27, a print data creation / keyword information extraction processing unit 28, a page information creation / keyword information addition processing unit are added to the blocks of the apparatus described using the specific example 2 and the like. 29 are provided.

The keyword information preparing section 27 is a section for preparing a keyword as will be described later, in order to extract information indicating the relevance between documents in the document data. The keyword information preparation unit 27 is specifically configured by a storage unit for table data.

The print data creation / keyword information extraction processing unit 28 extracts a character string including a keyword prepared by the keyword information preparation unit 27 from the document data in a manner described later with reference to FIGS. Has functions.
The page information creation / keyword information addition processing section 29 is a section that performs processing for adding the extracted character string to the print data 21 so that the character string can be used later for sorting or the like. The other parts are the same as those described in the specific examples so far, and the duplicate description will be omitted.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the printing operation of the sixth embodiment. Before describing this, the configuration of print data used in this specific example will be described. FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a document including three pages is printed at 2 up.
FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram in the case of printing a document consisting of one page at 2 up.

First, the keyword information preparing section 27 prepares a keyword table 90. Then, in the process of dividing each image P1, P2, P3 of the print data into objects, the print data creation / keyword information extraction processing unit 28 extracts a character string including the keyword. Specifically, it is determined whether or not any of the keywords in the keyword table 90 is included in the print data.

For example, suppose that a plurality of document data are all mail texts. A character string including TO is searched from a portion corresponding to the title of the document data, and a character string having a predetermined number of characters less than TO, for example, 50 characters is extracted. When this character string is sorted, mail destinations can be arranged in alphabetical order. Even if FROM is included, a character string is searched, and a character string having a predetermined number of characters below FROM is extracted, and the origin of the mail can be arranged in alphabetical order.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of the linked print management queue. The attribute data of the print data D1 to D4 read by the pointers respectively include keyword information 6
8 are included. This keyword information is composed of, for example, a predetermined number of character strings following TO. In this example, the document information 54 is also used for sorting. This is for connecting and printing more relevant documents.

FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining an example of generating linked print data. As shown in this figure, the original print information includes document information and keyword information. In this example, a group of documents arranged in the same queue is sorted using, for example, document information and keyword information as keys. Either document information or keyword information may be used as the primary key for sorting. Thus, linked print data is generated by linking closely related documents.

(Step S1) Upon receiving a print request from the application 7, the Nup information creation processing unit 12
The Nup information requested by the user is extracted, and FIG.
Is stored in the first Nup information 51 of the print data 50 shown in FIG. (Step S2) When it is specified by the user to output when the connection condition is not satisfied after a certain period of time,
The time monitoring information creation processing unit 23 stores the current date and time information in FIG.
7 and 28 are stored in the time monitoring information 53 of the print data 50.

(Step S3) Document information creation processing section 2
6 extracts the document information notified from the application and stores it in the document information 54 of FIGS. This data is a variable-length character string, and the end of the character string stores, for example, “0”. (Step S4) In the print dialog 11 of FIG. 25, the user inputs a keyword to be extracted from the document. Keywords that are often used in advance (TO, FROM, CC, Subject, destination, title, title, etc.)
Is registered to facilitate selection, and new registration of an arbitrary keyword can be performed. The designated keyword is taken out by the keyword information preparing unit 27, and the keyword shown in FIG.
In the keyword table 90 shown in FIG. The keyword table 90 is temporarily stored in the memory 20.

(Step S5) The same print data generation processing as that described in steps S2 to S9 of FIG. 3 is executed. During this process, when the print data creation / keyword information extraction processing unit 28 receives the character data to be printed, it compares it with the extracted keyword information. If the character string data includes keyword information, the character string following the keyword information is extracted to the end of the character data. The extracted character string is temporarily stored in the memory 20. Each time character data is received, the keyword extracting process is repeated, and the extracted character string is added. The extracted keyword information is stored while being included in the linked print management queue 3 (step S6). Linked print determination processing unit 1
Step 5 determines whether the print data is multi-page printing. If it is not multi-page printing, the document information and keyword information are deleted in addition to the Nup information, page information, and time monitoring information, and printing is started, as in step S29 of FIG.

(Step S7) Linked print determination processing section 1
Step 5 determines whether the number of pages in multi-page printing is an integral multiple of N. Since printing can be performed as it is when it is an integral multiple of Nup, as in step S29 of FIG. 16, unnecessary Nup information, page information, time monitoring information, document information, and keyword information are deleted, and printing is started.

(Step S8) Queuing processing unit 1
6 registers the generated print data in the linked print management queue 3 if it is not an integral multiple of N in multi-page printing. The configuration of the linked print management queue 3 is as described with reference to FIG. The linked print management queue 3 has information on the top pointer, the last pointer, and the total number of registered pages for each Nup. The generated print data is added to the position indicated by the final pointer of the linked print management queue 3, and the information on the number of pages is added to the total number of registered pages.

(Step S 9) The linked print management start processing unit 24 starts a linked print start timer 25. The linked printing management processing unit 17 is started by the timeout of the linked printing start timer. (Step S10) When the linked print management processing unit 17 is activated, first, a queue sorting process based on document information and keywords is executed. Thereby, the documents in the queue are arranged in order from the related one. After that, Figure 1
The same processing as in step S20 and subsequent steps of step 6 is executed.

As in the case of the fifth embodiment, this embodiment has both a linked printing function by multi-page editing and a document sorting function. However, by applying only the document sorting function, related documents can be continuously printed out.

<Effect of Specific Example 6> As described above, by extracting a designated keyword or extracting an appropriate character string following the keyword, the documents are sorted based on the keyword, and the related documents are sorted. Since the multi-page editing is performed by linking, it is possible to print a document which is easy to handle and easy to read after printing.

In the above example, the description has been made in such a manner that all multi-page edited documents are printed. However, after the multi-page editing is performed, the multi-page edited document is displayed on the display or stored in the storage unit as it is. It is also possible to use such as storing. Note that the present invention is not limited to the case of performing printing, and can be widely used in an image processing apparatus that edits a screen image so as to include the specified number of images on one screen. That is, the present invention can be used in a case where images of several pages are simultaneously displayed on a display, as in the case of printer control.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a data editing operation of a specific example 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data editing device according to a specific example 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a printing operation according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a coordinate system of print data.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a document including three pages is printed at 2 up.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram in a case where a document including one page is printed at 2 up.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a linked print management queue.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of generating linked print data.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a data editing device according to a specific example 2.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a printing operation according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a document including three pages is printed at 2 up.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a document including one page is printed at 2 up.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a linked print management queue.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an example of generating linked print data.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a data editing operation of the specific example 3.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a printing operation according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a data editing device of a specific example 4.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a data editing operation of the specific example 5.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a data editing device of a specific example 5.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a printing operation according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a document including three pages is printed at 2 up.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a document including one page is printed at 2 up.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a linked print management queue.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of an example of generating linked print data.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of a data editing device of a specific example 6.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a printing operation according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a document including three pages is printed at 2 up.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a document including one page is printed at 2 up.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of a linked print management queue.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of an example of generating linked print data.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Image 3 Consolidated print management queue 5 Paper

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A multi-page editing function for editing an image of a screen so as to include images of a designated number of pages on one screen, wherein one of a plurality of documents requested to be edited is provided. A document group having the same designated page number of images to be included in one screen is arranged in the same queue, and the document groups arranged in the same queue are connected and handled in the same manner as one document, and the multi-page A data editing device comprising a queue for executing editing. 2. The data editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a group of documents having the same number of designated pages arranged in the same queue is connected and handled in the same manner as one document, a margin is displayed on the screen. A data editing device comprising: a determination device for starting multi-page editing when no data is generated. 3. The data editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a group of documents having the same designated number of pages waits for a predetermined time until they are arranged in the same queue, and after a lapse of the predetermined time, the same waiting is performed. A data editing apparatus comprising: a timer for starting a multi-page editing by linking a group of documents having the same designated number of pages arranged in a matrix. 4. The data editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the queue connects two or more arbitrary documents in a group of documents arranged in the same queue, so that all the screens are displayed. A data editing apparatus characterized in that a combination of documents that can include an image of each page without a margin is searched and multi-page editing is executed. 5. The data editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the queue connects two or more arbitrary documents in a group of documents arranged in the same queue, so that all the screens are displayed. A data editing apparatus for searching for a combination of documents which can include an image of each page with a minimum margin, and executing multi-page editing. 6. A multi-page editing function for editing an image of the screen so as to include images of a designated number of pages on one screen, wherein one of a plurality of documents requested to be edited is provided. A group of documents having the same designated page number of images to be included in one screen is arranged in the same queue, and the group of documents arranged in the same queue is determined based on the document information indicating the attribute information of the document. A data editing apparatus for connecting documents in a sorted order and executing multi-page editing. 7. A multi-page editing function for editing an image of the screen so as to include the specified number of pages on one screen, wherein one of a plurality of documents requested to be edited is provided. A group of documents having the same designated page number of images to be included in one screen is arranged in the same queue, and the groups of documents arranged in the same queue are sorted based on the keywords included in the documents. And a multi-page editing unit for connecting the documents in a sorted order.