JP2010260249A - Booklet, image forming apparatus, print indicator, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the objective page in a booklet easy to be opened. <P>SOLUTION: A tab mark 51 and a page mark 52 are printed on the edge part of the small-opening side 42 in the booklet 40. The tab mark 51 is the mark, when the written contents of the booklet 40 are divided into a plurality of sections by the beforehand defined classification method, showing whether each page belongs to which section. The page mark 52 is the mark showing a page range obtained by dividing the booklet 40 by a beforehand decided page unit. Further, a category image 53 including the identification information of the section showing correspondence between the tab mark 51 and the section and the identification information in a page range showing the correspondence between the page mark 52 and the page range is printed on the edge part of the small-opening side 42 of the page which opened the index part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a booklet, an image forming apparatus, a print instruction apparatus, and a program.

  Conventionally, a table of contents or index of a booklet is used when a user searches for a page on which a target item is described from a booklet. In addition, a tab sheet may be used to classify a booklet into certain categories according to the contents described in the booklet, such as when the contents of the booklet are classified into chapters. The user can open the page corresponding to the target category using the tab sheet as a clue. Since tab paper is usually thick and difficult to reverse automatically, after printing on the first side of the tab paper, an instruction is given to reset the tab paper for printing on the second side. A printing apparatus for displaying has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-168034 A

  However, since the items (headings) in the index are described, for example, in alphabetical order or alphabetical order, for example, when opening a page corresponding to each item, open the booklet and check the page number. It was necessary to find the target item.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to make it easy to open a target page of a booklet.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 is a booklet formed by binding a plurality of sheets, and the description contents of the booklet are arranged discretely by a predetermined classification method. For each of the plurality of sections divided into a plurality of sections made up of a plurality of pages, in the direction along the edge of the plurality of sheets on the edge of the edge corresponding to the pages belonging to the section A tab mark indicating the division is printed at a different position, and the tab mark is printed out of the edge portion on the fore edge side of the paper corresponding to a page belonging to the page range for each of a plurality of predetermined page ranges. The booklet is printed with a page mark indicating the page range by changing the position in a direction along the edge side of the plurality of sheets in an area different from the area where the page is located.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the booklet according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sheets includes the plurality of sections in a direction along a fore edge side of the one sheet. The identification information of the section corresponding to each of the plurality of sections is printed at the position of the tab mark corresponding to each of the plurality of sections, and the plurality of page marks at the position of the page mark corresponding to each of the plurality of page ranges. The page range identification information corresponding to each page range is printed.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the description content of the booklet formed by binding a plurality of sheets from an external device is divided into a plurality of sections composed of a plurality of discretely arranged pages by a predetermined classification method. Based on the received print setting information, a receiving unit that receives information indicating pages belonging to each of the plurality of sections, and print setting information including information indicating a plurality of predetermined page ranges, For each of the plurality of sections, a tab mark indicating the section is printed at the edge along the fore edge of the plurality of sheets at the edge of the sheet corresponding to the page belonging to the section. For each of the plurality of page ranges, the edge on the fore edge side of the plurality of sheets is different from the area on the fore edge side of the sheet corresponding to the page belonging to the page range, where the tab mark is printed. By changing the position in the along the direction, an image forming apparatus and a control unit for controlling the printing unit to print a page mark indicating the page range.

  In the invention according to claim 4, the contents of the booklet formed by binding a plurality of sheets are classified into a plurality of sections composed of a plurality of discretely arranged pages by a predetermined classification method. Based on the input print setting information, an operation unit for inputting information indicating pages belonging to each of the categories, and print setting information including information indicating a plurality of predetermined page ranges, For each of the plurality of sections, a tab mark indicating the section is printed at the edge along the fore edge of the plurality of sheets at the end on the fore edge side of the sheet corresponding to the page belonging to the section. For each of the plurality of page ranges, the edge on the edge side of the paper corresponding to the pages belonging to the page range is different from the area where the tab mark is printed, and the edge on the edge side of the plurality of papers. Along A control unit that generates print instruction information indicating an instruction to print a page mark indicating the page range by changing the position in the direction; and a transmission unit that transmits the generated print instruction information to the image forming apparatus. This is a printing instruction apparatus.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of pages composed of a plurality of pages that are discretely arranged by a predetermined classification method for the description contents of a booklet formed by binding a plurality of sheets from an external device. Based on the received print setting information, a receiving unit for receiving print setting information including information indicating pages belonging to each of the plurality of sections divided into sections and information indicating a plurality of predetermined page ranges. For each of the plurality of sections, a tab mark indicating the section by changing the position in the direction along the fore edge of the plurality of sheets at the end of the sheet corresponding to the page belonging to the section For each of the plurality of page ranges, the plurality of pages are used in a region different from the region where the tab mark is printed in the edge of the paper corresponding to the page belonging to the page range. Reposition a direction along the edge of the small side of a program for functioning as a control unit, which controls the printing unit to print a page mark indicating the page range.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the description content of a booklet formed by binding a plurality of sheets is divided into a plurality of sections composed of a plurality of discretely arranged pages by a predetermined classification method. And an operation unit for inputting print setting information including information indicating pages belonging to each of the plurality of categories and information indicating a plurality of predetermined page ranges, based on the input print setting information For each of the plurality of sections, a tab mark indicating the section is changed at the edge of the edge corresponding to the page belonging to the section in a direction along the edge on the edge of the plurality of sheets. For each of the plurality of page ranges, a small portion of the plurality of sheets is printed in a region different from a region where the tab mark is printed in an end portion on the fore edge side of the sheet corresponding to a page belonging to the page range. A control unit that generates a print instruction information indicating an instruction to print a page mark indicating the page range by changing the position in a direction along the side of the side, and a transmission that transmits the generated print instruction information to the image forming apparatus This is a program for functioning as a part.

  According to the first, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to easily open the target page of the booklet.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the identification information of the division and the identification information of the page range are printed, the target page of the booklet can be easily opened.

1 is a system configuration diagram of an image forming system in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of client PC. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a perspective view of a booklet. It is an example of printing a category image. This is an example of printing on the 20th page. It is a screen example of a tab print setting screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print setting processing executed in a client PC. It is a flowchart which shows a tab print setting process. It is a flowchart which shows a page adjustment process. (A) is an example of tab mark printing when 100 pages are the front side when “designated page” is 100 pages in the tab mark setting. (B) is an example of printing a tab mark when the “designated page” is 100 pages in the tab mark setting and the 100 page is the back side. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process executed in the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows a job analysis process. It is a figure for demonstrating the calculation method of the printing position of a tab mark and a page mark. It is a flowchart which shows a RIP process.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of an image forming system 1 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 includes a client PC (Personal Computer) 10 and an image forming apparatus 20, and each apparatus is connected via a communication network N so that data communication is possible. Yes.

  The client PC 10 is composed of a general PC and is a print instruction apparatus that instructs printing in the image forming apparatus 20. The client PC 10 is installed with an OS (Operating System) and a document creation program for creating a document to be printed. The client PC 10 is installed with a printer driver program for specifying a print instruction for a created document and a print method for a document to be printed. Using this printer driver function, the client PC 10 generates a print job including print conditions and text data applied at the time of printing, and transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus 20.

  The image forming apparatus 20 is a so-called MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) having a copy function, an image reading function, and a printer function, and forms an image on a sheet based on image data. The image forming apparatus 20 is installed with a printer controller program for receiving a print job transmitted from the client PC 10 and developing it into raster data.

  FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of the client PC 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the client PC 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, a communication unit 14, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 15, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 16, and a storage unit 17. Each part is configured by being connected by a bus 18.

  The CPU 11 comprehensively controls the processing operation of each unit of the client PC 10. Specifically, the CPU 11 reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM 15 or the storage unit 17 in accordance with an operation signal input from the operation unit 12 or an instruction signal received by the communication unit 14, and expands it in the RAM 16. Various processes are performed in cooperation with the program.

  The CPU 11 reads out a printer driver program from the storage unit 17 and develops it in the RAM 16, generates a print job in cooperation with the program, and instructs printing in the image forming apparatus 20.

  The operation unit 12 includes a keyboard having cursor keys, character input keys, various function keys, and the like, and a pointing device such as a mouse. The operation signal is input to the CPU 11 through key operations on the keyboard and mouse operations. Output.

  The display unit 13 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various display screens according to instructions of display signals input from the CPU 11.

  The communication unit 14 is a functional unit for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external device such as the image forming apparatus 20 connected via the communication network N.

  The ROM 15 is configured by a nonvolatile semiconductor memory or the like, and stores various processing programs executed by the CPU 11, various data, and the like.

  The RAM 16 forms a work area that temporarily stores various processing programs executed by the CPU 11 and data related to these programs.

  The storage unit 17 includes a hard disk and the like, and is a storage device that stores various programs such as a printer driver program and various data such as image data.

  FIG. 3 shows a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 20 includes a CPU 21, an operation unit 22, a display unit 23, an image reading unit 24, a communication unit 25, a ROM 26, a RAM 27, a printing unit 28, and a storage unit 29. Connected to each other.

  The CPU 21 comprehensively controls the processing operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 20. Specifically, the CPU 21 reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM 26 or the storage unit 29 in accordance with an operation signal input from the operation unit 22 or an instruction signal received by the communication unit 25, and expands it in the RAM 27. Various processes are performed in cooperation with the program.

  The CPU 21 reads out the printer controller program from the storage unit 29 and expands it in the RAM 27, and controls the printing unit 28 in cooperation with the program to perform printing according to the print job received from the client PC 10.

  The operation unit 22 has various keys such as a numeric key, a start key, and a reset key, and outputs a pressed signal of the pressed key to the CPU 21. The operation unit 22 includes a touch panel formed integrally with the display unit 23, detects the position on the touch panel that is in contact with the user's fingertip, touch pen, or the like, and outputs a position signal to the CPU 21. .

  The display unit 23 is configured by an LCD or the like, and displays an input instruction, data, and the like from the operation unit 22 in accordance with an instruction of a display signal input from the CPU 21.

  The image reading unit 24 is a so-called scanner that reads an original image and generates image data. The image reading unit 24 scans a platen glass on which the original is placed and the original image on the platen glass, and then scans the image on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor. Is provided with a scanning optical system for imaging. The image reading unit 24 A / D converts an image signal generated based on a document image read by a CCD image sensor to generate image data.

  The communication unit 25 is a functional unit for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device such as the client PC 10 connected via the communication network N.

  The ROM 26 includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory and stores various processing programs executed by the CPU 21 and various data.

  The RAM 27 forms a work area for temporarily storing various processing programs executed by the CPU 21 and data related to these programs.

  The printing unit 28 prints an image on a sheet using an image forming process such as an electrophotographic method, an electrostatic recording method, or a thermal transfer method. For example, the printing unit 28 includes a photoconductor, a transfer belt, a fixing device, various conveyance belts, and the like. The printing unit 28 prints an image on a sheet based on the image data in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 21.

  The storage unit 29 is a storage device such as a hard disk, and stores various programs such as a printer controller program, a print job received from the client PC 10 by the communication unit 25, image data read by the image reading unit 24, and the like.

Next, the structure of the booklet created in this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the booklet 40. As shown in FIG. 4, the booklet 40 is formed by binding a plurality of sheets on the binding side 41. A side opposite to the binding side 41 of the booklet 40 is referred to as a fore edge side 42. In the present embodiment, the case where the front surface 43 and the rear surface 44 of the paper are taken as shown in FIG. 4, that is, the case of left opening will be described as an example.

  A tab mark 51 and a page mark 52 are printed on the edge portion 42 of the plurality of sheets constituting the booklet 40. When the booklet 40 is curved in a form in which a plurality of sheets constituting the booklet 40 are fed in the reverse forward direction (the direction of the arrow X shown in FIG. 4) (a form in which pages are turned from a larger page number toward a smaller page number). The tab mark 51 and the page mark 52 are easier to see. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the tab mark 51 and the page mark 52 are printed on the back surface 44 of a plurality of sheets constituting the booklet 40.

  The tab mark 51 is a mark that indicates which category each page belongs to when the description content of the booklet 40 is classified into a plurality of categories by a predetermined classification method. A page group corresponding to each section includes a plurality of pages arranged discretely. For each of a plurality of sections, in the direction along the edge of the fore edge side 42 of the plurality of sheets (in the direction of arrow Y shown in FIG. 4) at the end of the fore edge side 42 of the back surface 44 of the sheet corresponding to the page belonging to each section. Tab marks 51 indicating the respective sections are printed at different positions. In the present embodiment, the initials of the items (compression, thickness, AMeDAS, rough ground, addition, etc.) described in the index of the booklet 40 are lines, lines, lines, lines, lines, lines. The page including each item is divided based on whether the line belongs to a line, a line, a line, a line, or a line.

  The page mark 52 is a mark indicating a page range obtained by dividing the booklet 40 in predetermined page units. For each of the plurality of page ranges, the edge side 42 of the plurality of sheets is located in an area different from the area where the tab mark 51 is printed in the end portion 42 of the back side 44 of the sheet corresponding to the page belonging to each page range. The page mark 52 indicating each page range is printed at a different position in the direction along the side (arrow Y direction shown in FIG. 4).

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4, when the page of the index portion of the booklet 40 is opened, the category image 53 is printed at the edge portion 42 of the page corresponding to the back surface 44 of the opened page paper. ing. The category image 53 is for clarifying what the tab mark 51 and the page mark 52 indicate.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a page on which the category image 53 is printed. The category image 53 includes classification identification information 54 and page range identification information 55.

  The section identification information 54 indicates which section (A line, A line,..., A line) the tab mark 51 corresponds to. In the direction along the edge side 42 of the paper (in the direction of arrow Y shown in FIG. 5), the identification information 54 of the section corresponding to each of the plurality of sections is displayed at the position of the tab mark 51 corresponding to each of the plurality of sections. It is printed. For example, the identification information 54 of the classification “A” is printed at the position of the tab mark 51 corresponding to “A”. Here, a case will be described in which the name of a category (Ah,..., W) is printed as the category identification information 54. However, if the correspondence between each category and each tab mark 51 can be identified. Other identification information may be used.

  The page range identification information 55 indicates which page range (pages 1-40, 41-80, etc.) the page mark 52 corresponds to. In the direction along the side of the edge side 42 of the sheet (the direction of the arrow Y shown in FIG. 5), the page mark 52 corresponding to each of the plurality of page ranges has a page range corresponding to each of the plurality of page ranges. Identification information 55 is printed. For example, the page range identification information 55 of “1-40 pages” is printed at the position of the page mark 52 corresponding to “1-40 pages”. Here, the case where characters indicating the page range are printed as the page range identification information 55 will be described. However, if the correspondence between each page range and each page mark 52 can be identified, other identification information is used. It may be used.

  As in the index, when the page numbers belonging to each section (line, line,..., Line) are discretely arranged, if the index is written on the back surface 44 of the paper, When the page or index is written on the front surface 43 of the sheet, the classification identification information 54 (category name) is printed in the arrow Y direction at the left end of the previous page (FIG. 4 shows the latter example). By printing the tab mark 51 on the page including the item described in the index according to the height, it becomes easy to find on which page the item belonging to the category (category) is printed. .

  Like the index, if you want to search by page number, the page range identification information 55 (page range) is printed in the direction of the arrow Y at the left end of the page where the index is written or the previous page. At the same time, the page mark 52 is printed at the left end of the corresponding page, so that the page range can be understood by looking at the page mark 52.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of printing on the 20th page of paper when “compression... 20 pages” is described in the index. Since the initial of “compression” is “A line”, the same position in the arrow Y direction as the “A” portion of the classification identification information 54 in FIG. A tab mark 51 is printed on the screen. Further, “20 pages” is included in the page range “1-40 pages”, so “1-40 pages” of the page range identification information 55 in FIG. "And the page mark 52 is printed at the same position in the arrow Y direction. Note that the printing width in the direction perpendicular to the edge 42 side of the booklet 40 of the tab mark 51 and the page mark 52 (the arrow Z direction shown in FIG. 6) is W.

  In the booklet 40, when it is desired to search for an item “compression... 20 pages”, the page mark 52 indicating the page range can be identified as to which 20 pages are assigned, so that the classification indicating the row of the category image 53 is identified. By searching for the tab mark 51 near the 20th page among the tab marks 51 printed at the same height as the information 54, the corresponding page can be easily opened.

  Next, tab print settings in the client PC 10 will be described. Tab printing refers to printing tab marks 51 at the edge of the edge 42 of the paper constituting the booklet 40 formed by binding a plurality of papers. The tab print setting is performed when the printer driver function of the client PC 10 instructs printing of a document to be printed.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the tab print setting screen 60 displayed on the display unit 13 of the client PC 10. The tab print setting screen 60 includes a tab setting area 61, a print width setting area 62 per sheet, a page range print setting area 63, a category print setting area 64, and a preview display area 65.

  The tab setting area 61 is an area for setting contents to be printed as the tab mark 51. The user inputs a plurality of categories (sections) and page numbers corresponding to each category in the tab setting area 61 by an operation from the operation unit 12. Here, a plurality of pages can be input for one category (page group), and the page number includes one or a plurality of pages arranged discretely.

  In the tab setting area 61 shown in FIG. 7, the page number is set to “20, 79, 85, 203” for the category “A”, and the page number is “35, 80” for the category “KA”. ..., The page number is set to “193” for the category “Wa”.

  The print width setting area 62 per sheet is an area for setting the width of the tab mark 51 to be printed per sheet (print width W in the direction perpendicular to the edge 42 side of the booklet 40 in FIG. 6). It is. The user inputs a print width W per sheet by an operation from the operation unit 12.

  The page range print setting area 63 is an area for setting page range printing. Page range printing refers to printing a page mark 52 indicating the page range. When the page mark 52 is printed, the width of the page mark 52 also follows the width set in the print width setting area 62 per sheet. The page range print setting area 63 includes a page range print check box 63a, a start page setting area 63b, an end page setting area 63c, and a page unit setting area 63d.

  The page range printing check box 63a is for setting whether or not to perform page range printing. When performing the page range printing, the user sets the page range printing check box 63a to ON by an operation from the operation unit 12. The start page setting area 63b is an area for setting the page number (start page) of the first page on which the page mark 52 is printed. The end page setting area 63c is an area for setting the page number (end page) of the last page on which the page mark 52 is printed. The page unit setting area 63d is an area for setting how many pages the page mark 52 is divided for printing (page unit). The user inputs a start page, an end page, and a page unit of the page mark 52 by an operation from the operation unit 12. A page range print setting area 63 shown in FIG. 7 is an example in which the page mark 52 divided into 40 pages is printed in the print range of 1 to 240 pages.

  The category print setting area 64 is an area for setting category printing. “Category printing” means that the category name (classification identification information 54) set in the tab setting area 61 is printed as a heading on a specified page. When performing page range printing, in the category printing, the page range of the page mark 52 (page range identification information 55) is also printed as a headline on the designated page. The category print setting area 64 includes a category print check box 64a, a start page setting area 64b, and an end page setting area 64c.

  The category printing check box 64a is for setting whether to perform category printing. When performing category printing, the user sets the category printing check box 64 a to ON by an operation from the operation unit 12. The start page setting area 64b is an area for setting the page number (start page) of the first page for performing category printing. The end page setting area 64c is an area for setting the page number (end page) of the last page for performing category printing. The user inputs a start page and an end page of category printing by an operation from the operation unit 12. In category printing, it is desirable to target a page that can be referred to by the user when the index page is opened.

  When category printing is performed on the back side 44 of the paper, printing is performed only on the back side 44 among the pages specified in the page range (start page setting region 64b and end page setting region 64c) of the category print setting region 64. Do.

  The preview display area 65 is an area for displaying a tab print preview image.

Next, the operation in the client PC 10 will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a print setting process executed in the client PC 10. This process is a process for giving an instruction to print the tab mark 51 and the like on the edge 42 of the plurality of sheets of the booklet 40 formed by binding a plurality of sheets, and is stored in the CPU 11 and the storage unit 17. This is realized by software processing in cooperation with a printer driver program.

  First, the CPU 11 determines whether there is a tab print setting instruction on the tab print setting screen 60 displayed on the display unit 13 (step S1).

  When it is determined on the tab print setting screen 60 that there is an instruction for tab print setting (step S1; YES), the CPU 11 performs tab print setting processing (step S2).

Here, the tab print setting process will be described with reference to FIG.
First, on the tab print setting screen 60, the CPU 11 sets a plurality of categories (sections) and page numbers corresponding to each category, which are input by the user's operation from the operation unit 12 (step S11). ). The setting contents of the tab setting area 61 are stored in the RAM 16 by the CPU 11.

Next, the CPU 11 performs page adjustment processing (step S12).
In the page adjustment processing, as shown in FIG. 10, the “designated page” designated by the page number corresponding to each category set in the tab setting area 61 of the tab print setting screen 60 by the CPU 11 is the front surface 43. Is determined (step S21). If it is determined that the “designated page” is the front surface 43 (step S21; YES), the CPU 11 changes the page on which the tab mark 51 is printed to a value obtained by subtracting 1 from the value of the “designated page” ( Step S22).

  For example, in the setting of the tab mark 51, when the “designated page” is 100 pages and the 100 page is the front surface 43, the tab mark 51 is printed on the 99th page as shown in FIG. On the other hand, in the setting of the tab mark 51, when the “designated page” is 100 pages and the 100 page is the back surface 44, the tab mark 51 is printed on the 100th page as shown in FIG.

  After step S22 or when it is determined in step S21 that the “designated page” is not the front surface 43 (step S21; NO), the page adjustment process ends, and the process proceeds to step S13 in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 9, after the page adjustment process (step S <b> 12), the sheet 1 input by the CPU 11 through the operation from the operation unit 12 in the print width setting area 62 per sheet on the tab print setting screen 60. A printing width W per sheet is set (step S13). The setting contents of the print width setting area 62 per sheet are stored in the RAM 16 by the CPU 11.

  Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not page range printing is set in the page range printing check box 63a of the tab print setting screen 60 (step S14). If it is determined that page range printing has been set (step S14; YES), the CPU 11 determines in the start page setting area 63b, end page setting area 63c, and page unit setting area 63d of the tab print setting screen 60. A print range (start page and end page) for printing the page mark 52 and a page unit input by an operation from the user operation unit 12 are set (step S15). These setting contents are stored in the RAM 16 by the CPU 11.

  When it is determined that the page range printing is not set in the page range printing check box 63a of the tab print setting screen 60 (step S14; NO), or after step S15, the CPU 11 causes the tab print setting screen 60 to It is determined whether or not category printing is set in the category printing check box 64a (step S16). If it is determined that category printing is set (step S16; YES), the CPU 11 causes the user to operate the start page setting area 64b and the end page setting area 64c of the tab print setting screen 60 from the user operation unit 12. The page range (start page and end page) for category printing input by the operation is set (step S17). This setting content is stored in the RAM 16 by the CPU 11.

When it is determined in the category print check box 64a on the tab print setting screen 60 that category printing is not set (step S16; NO), or after step S17, the CPU 11 sets the settings on the tab print setting screen 60. Based on the above, a preview image indicating the finished state of printing is generated, and this preview image is displayed in the preview display area 65 (step S18).
Thus, the tab print setting process ends.

  Returning to FIG. 8, when printing is instructed by an operation from the operation unit 12, based on the information set in step S <b> 2 by the CPU 11, text data indicating the print contents of each of a plurality of pages and tab print settings. A print job (PDL data) as print instruction information including information is generated (step S3). The print instruction information is sent to the image forming apparatus 20 in the direction along the edge of the plurality of sheets on the edge side 42 at the end of the sheet edge 42 corresponding to the page belonging to each section. The tab mark 51 indicating each section is printed at a different position, and for each of a plurality of page ranges, the tab mark 51 is printed on the edge portion on the fore edge side 42 of the paper corresponding to the page belonging to each page range. Indicates an instruction to print a page mark 52 indicating each page range by changing the position in a different area in a direction along the edge 42 of the plurality of sheets.

  The tab print setting information includes information indicating a plurality of categories (sections), page numbers belonging to each category, and print width W per sheet.

  When page range printing is set in the tab print setting, the page print setting information is included in the tab print setting information. The page range print setting information includes information indicating the start page, end page, and page unit of the page mark 52. The page range print setting information may include information indicating the start page and the end page corresponding to each page range.

  When category printing is set in the tab print setting, the tab print setting information includes category print setting information. The category print setting information includes information indicating the start page and end page of category printing.

Next, the CPU 11 transmits a print job to the image forming apparatus 20 via the communication unit 14 (step S4).
Thus, the print setting process ends.

Next, the operation in the image forming apparatus 20 will be described.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process executed in the image forming apparatus 20. This process is realized by software processing in cooperation with the CPU 21 and the printer controller program stored in the storage unit 29.

  First, in the image forming apparatus 20, a print job (PDL data) transmitted from the client PC 10 is received by the communication unit 25 (step T1).

  Next, the CPU 21 performs job analysis processing on the received print job (step T2).

Here, the job analysis processing will be described with reference to FIG.
The CPU 21 performs conventional job analysis processing on the print job (step T11).

  Next, the CPU 21 determines whether or not tab print setting information is included in the print job (step T12). When it is determined that the tab print setting information is included in the print job (step T12; YES), the CPU 21 calculates the print position of the tab mark 51 (step T13). The printing position of the tab mark 51 is determined by the number of categories and the paper size. The calculated printing position information of the tab mark 51 is stored in the RAM 27 by the CPU 21.

Here, a method for calculating the printing position of the tab mark 51 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the printable width is extracted from the vertical length PaperSizeY of the paper to be printed, and the upper part of the paper that cannot be printed is defined as MarginTop, and the lower part of the paper that cannot be printed is defined as MarginBottom. The vertical direction corresponds to the arrow Y direction shown in FIGS. The same shall apply hereinafter.

  Next, the printable width is divided into a tab mark print width TabMarkAreaY and a page mark print width PageMarkAreaY. The ratio between TabMarkAreaY and PageMarkAreaY may be fixedly specified in advance, or may be input from the client PC 10 or the image forming apparatus 20. Further, PageMarkAreaY may be secured only when the page mark 52 is printed.

The vertical length TabMarkY per tab mark is calculated by subtracting the margin TabMarginY between tab marks from the value obtained by dividing the tab mark print width TabMarkAreaY by the number of categories.
TabMarkY = (TabMarkAreaY / number of categories)-TabMarginY
The margin TabMarginY between tab marks may be a fixed value or may be input from the client PC 10 or the image forming apparatus 20.

Further, the printing position in the vertical direction of the tab mark 51 (distance from the upper end of the sheet to the upper end of the tab mark 51) is expressed by the following equation, with the number indicating the tab mark 51 as the “tab mark number”.
Printing position of tab mark 51 in the vertical direction = MarginTop + (tab mark number -1) x (TabMarkY + TabMarginY)

The horizontal print position of the tab mark 51 is the left end of the paper (the end on the fore edge side 42).
The print width W of the tab mark 51 follows the value (print width per sheet) input in the print width setting area 62 per sheet.

  Next, the CPU 21 determines whether or not page range print setting information is included in the tab print setting information (step T14). When it is determined that the page range print setting information is included in the tab print setting information (step T14; YES), the CPU 21 prints the page mark 52 based on the start page and the end page of the page range print setting information. Pages to be extracted are extracted (step T15). Since the page on which the page mark 52 is printed is only the page on the back surface 44 of the paper, the page number on the back surface 44 is extracted from the page numbers included in the designated page range. Information of a page on which the extracted page mark 52 is printed is stored in the RAM 27 by the CPU 21.

  Next, the print position of the page mark 52 is calculated by the CPU 21 (step T16). The calculated printing position information of the page mark 52 is stored in the RAM 27 by the CPU 21.

Here, a method for calculating the print position of the page mark 52 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the number of pages of the print range (from the start page to the end page) of the page mark 52 of the page range print setting information is divided by page, and the margin between the page marks is calculated by dividing the page mark print width PageMarkAreaY by this value. By subtracting, the vertical length PageMarkY per page mark is calculated.
PageMarkY = {PageMarkAreaY ÷ (number of pages in print range of page mark 52 ÷ page unit)} − PageMarginY
The margin between page marks PageMarginY may be a fixed value, or may be input from the client PC 10 or the image forming apparatus 20.

Further, the printing position in the vertical direction of the page mark 52 (distance from the upper end of the sheet to the upper end of the page mark 52) is expressed by the following equation, where the number indicating the page mark 52 is “page mark number”. .
Print position of page mark 52 in the vertical direction = MarginTop + TabMarkAreaY
+ (Page mark number -1) x (PageMarkY + PageMarginY)

The printing position of the page mark 52 in the horizontal direction is the left end of the paper (the end on the fore edge side 42).
The print width W of the page mark 52 follows the value input in the print width setting area 62 per sheet.

  After step T16, if it is determined in step T14 that the tab print setting information does not include the page range print setting information (step T14; NO), the CPU 21 includes the category print setting information in the tab print setting information. It is determined whether or not (step T17). If it is determined that the category print setting information is included in the tab print setting information (step T17; YES), the CPU 21 prints the category print based on the start page and end page of the category print included in the category print setting information. A page to be executed is extracted (step T18). Since the pages for which category printing is performed are only the pages on the back surface 44 of the paper, the page numbers on the back surface 44 are extracted from the page numbers included in the designated page range. The extracted page information for category printing is stored in the RAM 27 by the CPU 21.

  Next, the CPU 21 generates category print content (step T19). The generated category print content is stored in the RAM 27 by the CPU 21. The category print content includes classification identification information 54 (category name corresponding to each tab mark 51) corresponding to all tab marks 51. When page range printing is performed, page range identification information 55 corresponding to all page marks 52 (page ranges corresponding to each page mark 52) is further included.

  If it is determined in step T12 that the tab print setting information is not included in the print job (step T12; NO), or if it is determined in step T17 that the tab print setting information does not include the category print setting information ( Step T17; NO) or after step T19, the job analysis process ends.

Returning to FIG. 12, the CPU 21 performs RIP processing (step T3).
Here, the RIP process will be described with reference to FIG. In the RIP process, the tab mark image, page mark image, and category image 53 are combined with the body image according to the tab print setting information analyzed in the job analysis process.

  First, the CPU 21 rasterizes the text image for one page (step T21). The raster data of the text image is stored in the RAM 27 by the CPU 21.

  Next, the CPU 21 determines from the tab print setting information analyzed in the job analysis process whether or not there is a tab mark 51 corresponding to the rasterized body image page (step T22). Specifically, based on information indicating a plurality of categories (sections) included in the tab print setting information and information indicating page numbers belonging to each category, the CPU 21 assigns the page to one of the plurality of categories. It is determined whether the page belongs, and if the page belongs to one of a plurality of categories, the category to which the page belongs is specified. If it is determined that there is a tab mark 51 corresponding to the page (step T22; YES), the CPU 21 rasterizes the tab mark image based on the print position of the tab mark 51 calculated in step T13 (step T23). Then, the tab mark image of the body image of the page is synthesized (step T24). The synthesized raster data is stored in the RAM 27 by the CPU 21.

  If it is determined in step T22 that there is no tab mark 51 corresponding to the page (step T22; NO), or after step T24, the CPU 21 performs rasterization from the tab print setting information analyzed in the job analysis process. It is determined whether or not there is a page mark 52 corresponding to the page of the body image that has been selected (step T25). Specifically, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the page is a page on which the page mark 52 extracted in step T15 is printed. If it is determined that there is a page mark 52 corresponding to the page (step T25; YES), the CPU 21 rasterizes the page mark image based on the printing position of the page mark 52 calculated in step T16 ( In step T26), a page mark image is synthesized with the body image of the page (step T27). The synthesized raster data is stored in the RAM 27 by the CPU 21.

  In step T25, when it is determined that there is no page mark 52 corresponding to the page (step T25; NO), or after step T27, from the tab print setting information analyzed by the job analysis process by the CPU 21, It is determined whether or not the page of the body image rasterized in step T21 is included in the page range of the category print setting information (step T28). When it is determined that the page is included in the page range of the category print setting information (step T28; YES), the CPU 21 rasterizes the category image 53 based on the category print content generated in step T19 ( In step T29), the category image 53 is synthesized with the body image of the page (step T30). The synthesized raster data is stored in the RAM 27 by the CPU 21.

  If it is determined in step T28 that the page is not included in the page range of the category print setting information (step T28; NO), or after step T30, the CPU 21 determines whether there is a next page to be rasterized. Is determined (step T31). When it is determined that there is a next page (step T31; YES), the process returns to step T21, and the processes from step T21 to step T31 are repeated.

If it is determined that there is no next page to be rasterized (step T31; NO), the processing returns to FIG. 12, and the printing unit 28 is controlled by the CPU 21, and printing is performed based on the raster data corresponding to each page. (Step T4).
This is the end of the printing process.

  After the printing process is finished, one side of the binding side 41 of the plurality of sheets is bound to create a booklet 40 (see FIG. 4). As a method of binding sheets, any method such as saddle stitching, flat stitching, wireless binding, and thread binding may be used.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the booklet 40 is created, the description content of the booklet 40 is divided into a plurality of sections composed of a plurality of pages arranged discretely by a predetermined classification method. For each of the plurality of divisions divided into sections, the position is changed in the direction along the side of the fore edge side 42 of the plurality of sheets to the end of the fore edge side 42 of the sheet corresponding to the page belonging to the classification. The tab mark 51 shown is printed, and for each of a plurality of predetermined page ranges, a region different from the region where the tab mark 51 is printed out of the edge portion 42 of the paper corresponding to the page belonging to the page range, Since the page mark 52 indicating the page range is printed by changing the position in the direction along the edge side 42 of the plurality of sheets, the target page of the booklet 40 can be easily opened.

  Specifically, the user selects the position of the tab mark 51 corresponding to the category (category) to which the item described in the index belongs, and the position of the page mark 52 corresponding to the page range to which the page in which the item is described belongs. Based on the above, the target page of the booklet 40 can be easily found.

  Further, since the identification information 54 for the classification and the identification information 55 for the page range are printed on the booklet 40, the target page of the booklet 40 can be easily opened.

  The description in the above embodiment is an example of a booklet, a print instruction apparatus, and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the tab mark 51, the page mark 52, and the category image 53 are printed on the back surface 44 of the plurality of paper sheets constituting the booklet 40 has been described as an example. It may be done.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the page number of each page range is equal as the page range on which the page mark 52 is printed has been described. However, when the booklet 40 is divided into a plurality of page ranges, the number of different pages is different. It is good also as dividing into the range of.

  In the above embodiment, the tab mark image, the page mark image, and the category image 53 are combined with the body image on the image forming apparatus 20 side. However, after combining processing on the client PC 10 side, the combined data is converted into an image. It may be transmitted to the forming apparatus 20.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printing position and size of the tab mark 51 and the printing position and size of the page mark 52 are calculated on the image forming apparatus 20 (printer controller) side. It may be calculated on the (printer driver) side, may be input on the setting screen of the client PC 10, or may be input from the operation unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 20.

  In the above embodiment, the page adjustment process is performed on the client PC 10 side. However, the page adjustment process may be performed on the image forming apparatus 20 side.

  In the above embodiment, the tab mark 51 includes each item based on whether the initial letter of the item described in the index belongs to a line, a line,. In the example described above, each item is included based on whether the initial letter of the item described in the index belongs to A, B, C,. It is good also as dividing a page.

  In the above description, an example in which a ROM or a hard disk is used as a computer-readable medium storing a program for executing each process is disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As other computer-readable media, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory and a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM can be applied. A carrier wave may be applied as a medium for providing program data via a communication line.

1 Image forming system 10 Client PC
11 CPU
12 Operation unit 13 Display unit 14 Communication unit 15 ROM
16 RAM
17 Storage Unit 18 Bus 20 Image Forming Device 21 CPU
22 Operation unit 23 Display unit 24 Image reading unit 25 Communication unit 26 ROM
27 RAM
28 Printing unit 29 Storage unit 30 Bus 40 Booklet 41 Binding side 42 Fore edge side 43 Front surface 44 Back surface 51 Tab mark 52 Page mark 53 Category image 54 Classification identification information 55 Page range identification information 60 Tab print setting screen 61 Tab setting area 62 1 Print width per sheet 63 Page range print setting area 63a Page range print check box 63b Start page setting area 63c End page setting area 63d Page unit setting area 64 Category print setting area 64a Category print check box 64b Start page setting area 64c End page setting area 65 Preview display area N Communication network

Claims (6)

A booklet formed by binding multiple sheets of paper,
The content of the booklet is divided into a plurality of sections composed of a plurality of pages arranged in a discrete manner by a predetermined classification method, and for each of the plurality of sections, a paper edge side corresponding to a page belonging to the section The tab mark indicating the division is printed at the end of the plurality of sheets, changing the position in the direction along the edge side of the plurality of sheets,
For each of a plurality of predetermined page ranges, a fore edge side of the plurality of sheets in a region different from an area where the tab mark is printed in an end portion on the fore edge side of a sheet corresponding to a page belonging to the page range. A booklet on which a page mark indicating the page range is printed by changing the position in the direction along the side. At least one of the plurality of sheets includes
In the direction along the edge side of the one sheet,
Identification information of a section corresponding to each of the plurality of sections is printed at a position of the tab mark corresponding to each of the plurality of sections,
Identification information of a page range corresponding to each of the plurality of page ranges is printed at the position of the page mark corresponding to each of the plurality of page ranges.
The booklet according to claim 1. The contents of a booklet formed by binding a plurality of sheets from an external device belong to each of the plurality of sections divided into a plurality of sections composed of a plurality of discretely arranged pages by a predetermined classification method. A receiving unit that receives information indicating a page and print setting information including information indicating a plurality of predetermined page ranges;
Based on the received print setting information, for each of the plurality of sections, a position in the direction along the edge of the plurality of sheets on the edge side of the sheets corresponding to the pages belonging to the section The tab mark indicating the division is printed, and for each of the plurality of page ranges, an area different from the area where the tab mark is printed in the edge portion of the paper corresponding to the page belonging to the page range And a control unit that controls the printing unit to print a page mark indicating the page range by changing the position in a direction along the edge side of the plurality of sheets.
An image forming apparatus comprising: Indicates the pages belonging to each of the plurality of sections obtained by dividing the description contents of a booklet formed by binding a plurality of sheets into a plurality of sections composed of a plurality of pages arranged discretely by a predetermined classification method. An operation unit for inputting information and print setting information including information indicating a plurality of predetermined page ranges;
Based on the input print setting information, for each of the plurality of sections, a position in a direction along a fore edge of the plurality of sheets at an end of the sheet corresponding to a page belonging to the section. The tab mark indicating the division is printed, and for each of the plurality of page ranges, an area different from the area where the tab mark is printed in the edge portion of the paper corresponding to the page belonging to the page range A control unit that generates print instruction information indicating an instruction to print a page mark indicating the page range by changing the position in a direction along a fore edge of the plurality of sheets;
A transmission unit that transmits the generated print instruction information to the image forming apparatus;
A printing instruction apparatus comprising: Computer
The contents of a booklet formed by binding a plurality of sheets from an external device belong to each of the plurality of sections divided into a plurality of sections composed of a plurality of discretely arranged pages by a predetermined classification method. A receiving unit for receiving print setting information including information indicating a page and information indicating a plurality of predetermined page ranges;
Based on the received print setting information, for each of the plurality of sections, a position in the direction along the edge of the plurality of sheets on the edge side of the sheets corresponding to the pages belonging to the section The tab mark indicating the division is printed, and for each of the plurality of page ranges, an area different from the area where the tab mark is printed in the edge portion of the paper corresponding to the page belonging to the page range A control unit that controls the printing unit to print a page mark indicating the page range by changing the position in a direction along the edge side of the plurality of sheets.
Program to function as. Computer
Indicates the pages belonging to each of the plurality of sections obtained by dividing the description contents of a booklet formed by binding a plurality of sheets into a plurality of sections composed of a plurality of pages arranged discretely by a predetermined classification method. An operation unit for inputting print setting information including information and information indicating a plurality of predetermined page ranges;
Based on the input print setting information, for each of the plurality of sections, a position in a direction along a fore edge of the plurality of sheets at an end of the sheet corresponding to a page belonging to the section. The tab mark indicating the division is printed, and for each of the plurality of page ranges, an area different from the area where the tab mark is printed in the edge portion on the fore edge side of the paper corresponding to the page belonging to the page range A control unit that generates print instruction information indicating an instruction to print a page mark indicating the page range by changing the position in a direction along the edge of the plurality of sheets.
A transmission unit for transmitting the generated print instruction information to the image forming apparatus;
Program to function as.

Images