Serial duplex image forming system for duplex printing and display of assignment of logical pages

An image forming device including a first image forming unit, a second image forming unit, an assignment unit and a reporting unit is provided. The first image forming unit forms images on one face of a recording paper. The second image forming unit receives the recording paper from the first image forming unit and forms images on the other face of the received recording paper, and performs image formation of a type that differs from the image formation performed by the first image forming unit. The assignment unit assigns logical pages of image data of a printing target to the first image forming unit or the second image forming unit. The reporting unit reports image forming information indicating what type of image formation is to be performed on each of the assigned logical pages of the image data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-219471 filed on Sep. 24, 2009 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-062446 filed on Mar. 18, 2010.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to an image forming device, an image forming system, a computer readable medium, and an information processing device.

2. Related Art

There are cases of structures that are capable of two-sided printing for cases of cut sheet as well as of continuous paper, in which printing devices are adjacently directly connected and the paper is conveyable between the plural machines.

SUMMARY

An image forming device relating to an aspect of the present invention is an image forming device including: a first image fowling unit that forms an image at one face of a recording paper; a second image forming unit that receives the recording paper from the first image forming unit and forms an image at another face of the received recording paper, and that performs image formation of a type that differs from image formation performed by the first image forming unit; an assignment unit that assigns each of logical pages of image data of a printing target to one of the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit; and a reporting unit that reports image fanning information indicating what type of image formation is to be performed on the each assigned logical page of the image data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a printing processing system10relating to the first exemplary embodiment. The printing processing system10of the first exemplary embodiment includes two printing devices12and14.

Hereinafter, the meaning of the term “printing” includes processing that prints an image-forming material such as toner, ink or the like on a recording paper such as cut sheet, continuous paper or the like. The meaning of the term “image forming” includes processing that converts printing data of a printing target inputted into a printer to data in a bitmap format, and is used for what is known as rasterization.

The two printing devices12and14are in a “linked configuration”. This forms (prints) an image on one face (for example, a front (upper) face) of recording paper16at the one printing device12, then feeds out the recording paper to the other printing device14, and forms (prints) an image on the other face (for example, a rear (back) face) of the recording paper16received by the other printing device14. In cases of cut sheet as well as of continuous paper, a structure capable of two-sided printing may similarly be formed by directly connecting two printers. The printing devices12and14are configured as electrophotography printers, but the printing devices12and14may be configured as inkjet printers.

A relative positional relationship of the one printing device12and the other printing device14is that, with reference to a conveyance direction of the recording paper16, the one printing device12(hereinafter referred to as the upstream printing device12) is disposed at the upstream side and the other printing device14(hereinafter referred to as the downstream printing device14) is disposed at the downstream side. A conveyance section18for transferring the recording paper16is provided between the upstream printing device12and the downstream printing device14.

If, for example, the printing faces of the upstream printing device12and the downstream printing device14during conveyance are both the same face (for example, the upper face), the conveyance section18must include a function for inverting the recording paper16front-to-back.

Numerous widely known technologies are available as mechanisms for performing this inversion. As a representative example, there is a mechanism in which a rotation axis of a roller at a reference position is inclined three-dimensionally, in both plan view and side view, relative to a case in which the axial direction thereof is in a transverse direction during conveyance of the recording paper.

The recording paper16wound round this roller is inverted front-to-back. In the present case, the conveyance direction of the recording paper16is changed. Therefore, the upstream printing device12and the downstream printing device14must have a relative positional relationship with one another that matches the change in conveyance direction.

The upstream printing device12of the first exemplary embodiment is used as an example of a color printer that is capable of color printing, and handles color images. The downstream printing device14is used as a printer that is not capable of color printing but only capable of black-and-white printing, and is specifically for black and white images.

In other words, the printing processing system10of the first exemplary embodiment is a “different-machine linked configuration”, and color images may be printed at one face of the recording paper16. By contrast, color printing is not performed on the other face of the recording paper16but black-and-white printing is performed.

Now, logical pages16R are units into which a defined page is divided by a user. For example, n (n being an integer of at least 2) pages may be printed as the logical pages16R at the front face of the recording paper16. This may be referred to as “n-up”; for example, if n=2, as “2-up”.

In attribute data, there may be a designation of what is known as imposition settings, with which plural pages of the logical pages16R are disposed at the front face and rear face of the recording paper16. Here, even in the same image data, a logical page16R may be disposed at either of the front face and rear face of the recording paper, depending on the imposition settings.

In the first exemplary embodiment, when print request data is received, from attribute data thereof, the logical pages16R are assigned to the recording paper16, what kind of images are to be formed in the assigned logical pages is reported, and the possibility of printing as designated at the printing processing system10is determined.

Assignment of the logical pages16R in accordance with differences in the imposition settings relating to the print request data is described on the basis ofFIG. 2.

All eight of the logical pages16R are configured as print request data20. This is illustrated at the top ofFIG. 2. Of the logical pages16R, the third page has color image data.

The left side ofFIG. 2, as bounded by the chain line S at the middle, is imposition settings (hereinafter referred to as imposition settings A), for implementing 2-up (an instruction to print two pages of the logical pages16R on one sheet of the recording paper16), two-sided (an instruction to print on the front face and rear face of the recording paper16), and saddle stitching (an instruction for book making in a form in which one of the recording paper16encloses another of the recording paper16).

The right side ofFIG. 2, as bounded by the chain line S at the middle, is imposition settings (hereinafter referred to as imposition settings B), for implementing 2-up (an instruction to print two pages of the logical pages16R on one sheet of the recording paper16), two-sided (an instruction to print on the front face and rear face of the recording paper16), and perfect binding (an instruction for book making in a form in which the recording papers16are superposed with one another).

With imposition settings A, a ‘page1’ of the logical pages16R is printed at the forward-facing right side of the front face of a first recording paper16, and a ‘page8’ of the logical pages16R is printed at the forward-facing left side. A ‘page2’ of the logical pages16R is printed directly behind page1on the rear face of this first recording paper16, and a ‘page7’ of the logical pages16R is printed directly behind page8.

Also with imposition settings A, a ‘page3’ of the logical pages16R is printed at the forward-facing right side of the front face of a second recording paper16, and a ‘page6’ of the logical pages16R is printed at the forward-facing left side. A ‘page4’ of the logical pages16R is printed directly behind page3on the rear face of this second recording paper16, and a ‘page5’ of the logical pages16R is printed directly behind page6.

Thus, all of the logical pages16R (from page1to page8) are printed on two of the recording papers16, and book making is performed in accordance with the saddle stitching instruction. As illustrated in the lower area to the left side of the chain line inFIG. 2, page3of the logical pages16R is made to correspond with the upstream printing device12(the color printer), and therefore page3is printed in color as requested.

With imposition settings B, page1of the logical pages16R is printed at the forward-facing right side of the front face of a first recording paper16, and page4of the logical pages16R is printed at the forward-facing left side. Page2of the logical pages16R is printed directly behind page1on the rear face of this first recording paper16, and page3of the logical pages16R is printed directly behind page4.

Also with imposition settings B, page5of the logical pages16R is printed at the forward-facing right side of the front face of a second recording paper16, and page8of the logical pages16R is printed at the forward-facing left side. Page6of the logical pages16R is printed directly behind page5on the rear face of this second recording paper16, and page7of the logical pages16R is printed directly behind page8.

Thus, all of the logical pages16R (from page1to page8) are printed on two of the recording papers16, and book making is performed in accordance with the perfect binding instruction. As illustrated in the lower area to the right side of the chain line inFIG. 2, page3of the logical pages16R is matched up with the downstream printing device14(the black-and-white printer), and therefore page3is not printed in color, which is not as requested.

In the first exemplary embodiment, even though the original print request data20is the same as mentioned above, the logical pages16R for which color printing is instructed are switched to be printed in color or printed in black and white in accordance with the designated imposition settings (A or B).

Therefore, as illustrated at the bottom part ofFIG. 2, a display is implemented such that a user may check how the logical page16R with color data is to be printed.

FIG. 3is a block diagram of a printing processing control section22of the upstream printing device12and downstream printing device14of the first exemplary embodiment. The upstream printing device12and the downstream printing device14each includes the printing processing control section22illustrated inFIG. 3. Because the printing processing control sections22are the same as one another, the printing processing control section22of the printing device12is described here but no description is given of the printing processing control section of the printing device14.

As is illustrated inFIG. 3, the printing processing control section22includes a main control section24. The main control section24includes a CPU26, a RAM28, a ROM30, an I/O (input/output section)32, and a bus34connecting the above, such as a data bus, a control bus or the like.

The CPU26executes predetermined processing on the basis of programs stored in storage devices such as the RAM28and the ROM30or the like, and controls operations of the main control section24.

An image processing program relating to the first exemplary embodiment includes steps that are executed by a computer. That is, the hardware structure example of the main control section24described above is realized by a computer, and the program relating to the first exemplary embodiment includes steps that are executed by this computer. Herein, the image processing program of the first exemplary embodiment may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or the like, or may be transmitted through a network.

An image formation control section35for controlling and administering processing systems for image formation, such as a conveyance system, a scanning exposure system, a development system and the like, is connected to the I/O32.

The printing processing control section22may have a structure in which the image formation control section35is directly connected to the bus34rather than the I/O32. Control relating to image formation is collected in the printing processing control section22. However, a structure is possible in which this control is executed by the main control section24.

A UI (user interface)36is connected to the I/O32. The UI36has the functions of receiving input instructions from a user and reporting information relating to image forming processing to the user. A hard disc38is also connected to the I/O32, and the I/O32is connected to a communications network42via an interface (I/F)40. Print request data may be inputted to the printing processing control section22via the communications network42. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 4, a communication circuit system may be constructed in which a terminal device44that transmits the print request data20and/or a server46that collects and administers the print request data20are connected to the communications network42to which the printing processing system10relating to the first exemplary embodiment is connected.

FIG. 5illustrates functional blocks of the printing processing control section22, for determination control that determines a possibility of execution at the upstream printing device12and downstream printing device14on the basis of the imposition information in the attribute data that is included in the print request data as illustrated inFIG. 2.

The I/F40is connected to a print request data receiving section50of the main control section24. The print request data20that is requested via the communications network42is received by this print request data receiving section50.

The print request data receiving section50is connected to an attribute data/image data extraction section52. At the attribute data/image data extraction section52, attribute data and image data contained in the print request data are extracted. The attribute data/image data extraction section52is connected to each of an imposition settings acquisition section54and a raster image processing section56.

Of the attribute data extracted by the attribute data/image data extraction section52, the imposition settings is sent to the imposition settings acquisition section54. Meanwhile, the attribute data and image data extracted by the attribute data/image data extraction section52are sent to the raster image processing section56.

The imposition settings acquired by the imposition settings acquisition section54is sent to a logical page face-determining section58.

Raster image processing that converts the image data to image data for when printing (for example, bitmap data or the like) on the basis of the attribute data is implemented by the raster image processing section56, and the converted data is stored in a temporary storage section60.

The data that has been subjected to conversion processing by the raster image processing section56is also sent to the logical page face-determining section58.

At the logical page face-determining section58, whether or not each of the logical pages16R assigned to the front and rear faces of the recording paper16is to be printed in color when the recording paper16is actually printed is determined, and determination data is sent to an imposition settings printability determination section62.

A home/other printing device function data acquisition section64is connected to the imposition settings printability determination section62. At the home/other printing device function data acquisition section64, function data of the home printing device (that is, the upstream printing device12) is acquired by reading from a home printing device function data memory66, in response to a request from the imposition settings printability determination section62. In addition, function data of an other printing device (that is, the downstream printing device14) is acquired by the home/other printing device function data acquisition section64by communications with the printing device14via the I/F40and the communications network42. This function data of the printing device14may be stored in advance at the printing device12, at a setup stage. Alternatively, rather than using the communications network42, the function data may be read using a communications cable that directly connects the printing device12with the printing device14.

The function data acquired by the home/other printing device function data acquisition section64is sent to the imposition settings printability determination section62. Hence, with the function data, the imposition settings printability determination section62determines whether each logical page16R can match up with either of the printing devices (the upstream printing device12and the downstream printing device14), and determines the possibility of handling the print request. More specifically, it is determined whether or not the logical pages16R for which color images are requested match up with the downstream printing device14.

The results of determination by the imposition settings printability determination section62are sent to a print prediction information reporting section68. The print prediction information reporting section68is connected to the UI36. In this case, an example in which the print prediction information reporting section68is connected to the UI36of the printing device12is illustrated. However, it may be connected to a UI of the printing device14, and may be connected over the communications network42ofFIG. 4to a UI of the terminal device44, the server46or the like. The print prediction information reporting section68may be connected to multiple user interfaces.

If a selection signal for selecting report contents relating to the print prediction information has been sent to the print prediction information reporting section68, the UI36reports print prediction information in accordance with the selection signal. If no selection signal has been received, print prediction information that is specified by default in the print prediction information reporting section68is reported.

Modes of reporting of the print prediction information are broadly divided into two categories.

A first print prediction information reporting mode is constituted with, as illustrated inFIG. 6, a text image70, an imposition image72and a text image74, and is displayed at a display screen of the UI36. The text image70indicates the subject matter (a message saying “With the current imposition settings, the pages will be printed out as follows.”). The imposition image72arrays the logical pages16R and distinguishes the logical pages16R to be printed in color from the logical pages16R to be printed in black and white. The text image74indicates details of the imposition settings (a message saying “Imposition settings: two pages per side, two-sided, saddle stitching, opens to the left.”).

A second print prediction information reporting mode is constituted with, as illustrated inFIG. 7, the text image70, the imposition image72, the text image74, a warning image76and marker images78, and is displayed at the display screen of the UI36. The text image70indicates the subject matter (the message saying “With the current imposition settings, the pages will be printed out as follows.”). The imposition image72arrays the logical pages16R and distinguishes the logical pages16R to be printed in color from the logical pages16R to be printed in black and white. The text image74indicates details of the imposition settings (a message saying “Imposition settings: two pages per side, two-sided, saddle stitching, opens to the right, bottom fold.”). The warning image76(“Warning! In job NNN, the content of page6and page10will not be printed in color.”) is displayed below the text image74. The marker images78, being superposed on the imposition image72, mark the logical pages16R that are specified by the warning image76.

FIG. 8illustrates a case in which the imposition settings reported for the second print prediction information reporting mode are reported in the first print prediction information reporting mode.

That is, the first print prediction information reporting mode and the second print prediction information reporting mode differ in whether or not it is actively reported when printing as requested is not possible, and may be selected by the user.

After the reporting of the printing information, a signal determining the possibility of the execution of printing is sent from the UI36to a raster image data output section69.

At the raster image data output section69, when an instruction for the execution of printing is received, the raster image data is read from the temporary storage section60and sent to the image formation control section35. When an instruction that execution of the printing is not possible (stop) is received, the raster image data stored in the temporary storage section60is erased and the print request data is cancelled.

Operation of the first exemplary embodiment is described below in accordance with the flowchart ofFIG. 9.

In step100, as the default setting, the mode of reporting is set to “deployment and warning”. The meaning of this term “deployment and warning” includes the above-described second print prediction information reporting mode, which is the text image70showing the subject matter, the imposition image72, the text image74showing the imposition settings, the warning image76and the marker images78(seeFIG. 7).

Then, in step102, it is determined whether or not print request data has been received. If this determination is negative, the present routine ends.

If the determination of step102is affirmative, control passes to step104, and attribute data and image data are extracted from the print request data.

Then, in step106, with the extracted image data as the target, raster image processing is applied in accordance with the attribute data. This raster image processing is, specifically, processing to convert the extracted image data to image data (bitmap data or the like) to be deployed onto the recording paper16.

Then, in step108, the logical pages16R are assigned to areas of the front and rear faces of the recording paper16on the basis of the imposition settings included in the attribute data. The logical pages16R to be specified for the front and rear faces of the recording paper16are distinguished by this processing.

Then, in step110, function data of the upstream printing device12and the downstream printing device14is acquired, and control passes to step112.

In step112, on the basis of information about the assignment of the logical pages16R in step108and the function data acquired in step110, processing that determines whether or not the assignment can match color image requests is executed.

Then, in step114, it is determined whether or not there is a reporting mode instruction. A user may operate the UI36and instruct a reporting mode that they require, and this step identifies whether or not there is such an instruction. If the determination of step114is affirmative, control passes to step116and the instructed reporting mode is identified.

In step116, if it is determined that the instructed reporting mode is the first print prediction information reporting mode, control passes to step118, and if it is determined that the instructed reporting mode is the second print prediction information reporting mode, control passes to step120. If the determination of step114is negative, that is, if there is no instruction from the user, the reporting mode of the default setting (see step100) is used (the second print prediction information reporting mode), and control passes to step120.

In step118, a deployment image of the logical pages16R is displayed in accordance with the first print prediction information reporting mode. That is, the image is displayed on the display screen of the UI36as inFIG. 6orFIG. 8.

In other words, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the message “With the current imposition settings, the pages will be printed out as follows.” is displayed as the text image70indicating the subject matter in an upper portion.

Below the text image70, the imposition image72in which the logical pages16R are arrayed and identified as color or black-and-white is displayed. The imposition image72may be displayed in its own window and, when there is a large number of pages, sequentially displayed in a scrolling format.

Below the (window of the) imposition image72, as the text image74that shows the details of the imposition settings, a message saying “Imposition settings: two pages per side, two-sided, saddle stitching, opens to the left.” is displayed.

FIG. 8is based on the first print prediction information reporting mode, which is the display mode format, when the imposition settings is different from this.

When the above-described display is implemented in step118, control passes to step122and it is determined whether or not printing is to continue. For this determination, it is assumed that the user is prompted to make the determination. In this case, if the user does not intervene, printing is not continued. Accordingly, a unit may be added that instructs the continuation of printing beforehand, sets an effective period of operations of a certain duration, or the like.

If the determination of step122is affirmative, the printing is to continue, and control passes to step132. If the determination of step122is negative, control passes to step124, processing to cancel the print request data is performed, and the present routine ends.

On the other hand, if “deployment and warning” (the second print prediction information reporting mode) is employed as the reporting mode, control passes from step114or step116to step120, and in step120, it is determined whether or not color image requests are matched. If the determination in step120is affirmative, control passes to step132.

If the determination in step120is negative, control passes to step126, and a deployment image of the logical pages16R is displayed in accordance with the second print prediction information reporting mode. That is, the images are displayed on the display screen of the UI36as illustrated inFIG. 7.

In other words, as illustrated inFIG. 7, the message “With the current imposition settings, the pages will be printed out as follows.” is displayed as the text image70indicating the subject matter in the upper portion.

Below the text image70, the imposition image72in which the logical pages16R are arrayed and identified as color or black-and-white is displayed. The imposition image72may be displayed in its own window and, when there is a large number of pages, sequentially displayed in a scrolling format.

Below the (window of the) imposition image72, as the text image74that shows the details of the imposition settings, a message saying “Imposition settings: eight pages per side, two-sided, saddle stitching, opens to the right, bottom fold.” is displayed. In addition, a message saying “Warning! In job NNN, the content of page6and page10will not be printed in color.” is displayed below the text image74as the warning image76. The logical pages16R that are specified by this warning image76have the marker images78added, superposed on these logical pages16R that are being displayed in the imposition image72. The marker images78are cross-marks in the first exemplary embodiment but are not particularly to be limited to this symbol. It is sufficient if the marker images78are relatively clearly distinctive within a range that can be viewed. Density, color and the like of regions of the logical pages16R may also be changed.

When the above-described display is implemented in step126, control passes to step128and it is determined whether or not printing is to continue. For this determination, it is assumed that the user is prompted to make the determination.

If the determination of step128is affirmative, the printing is to continue, and control passes to step132. If the determination of step128is negative, control passes to step130, processing to cancel the print request data is performed, and the present routine ends.

In step132, for the printing that is to be executed, first, raster image data corresponding to the logical pages16R at the rear face is transmitted to the printing device14. Then control passes to step134and printing processing is executed on the basis of raster image data corresponding to the logical pages16R at the front face, and the present routine ends.

—Flow of Processing Based on Imposition Settings—

FIG. 10is a flow diagram illustrating a process, using the recording paper16after the printing processing, of assigning the logical pages16R to the front and rear faces of the recording paper16on the basis of the imposition settings, through plural folding steps and cutting and binding steps, to book making, illustrated herebelow.

Eight pages per side, two-sided (16 pages), saddle stitching, opens to the right, bottom fold finishing

These imposition settings correspond to the aforementioned arrangement inFIG. 8displayed in the display screen of the UI36.

(2)FIG. 10(1) illustrates the front and rear faces of the recording paper16(the upper side is the front face and the lower side is the rear face). The logical pages16R are assigned on the basis of these imposition settings.

(4)FIG. 10(5) illustrates cutting and binding steps. “Double-leaved” end portions are cut off by the cutting, two sheets of the recording paper16are divided into four sheets by the cutting, and this is bound with a binding member.

(5)FIG. 10(6) is a deployment view of the finished booklet configuration, which is finished in a state in which the logical pages16R are correctly sequenced.

In the flowchart ofFIG. 9relating to the first exemplary embodiment, all the image data in the print request data (all the logical pages16R) is deployed onto the recording paper16, and the possibility of the requested printing is determined. However, the possibility of the requested printing may be determined for each logical page16R. In this case, it is assumed that there are warnings.FIG. 11is a flowchart illustrating a warning processing routine for units of the logical pages16R.

In step150, it is determined whether or not print request data has been received. If this determination is negative, the present routine ends.

If the determination of step150is affirmative, control passes to step152and a variable N is set to 1. Then control passes to step154and the attribute data and image data are extracted from the print request data.

Then, in step156, with the extracted image data as the target, raster image processing is applied in accordance with the attribute data. This raster image processing is, specifically, processing to convert the extracted image data to image data (bitmap data or the like) to be deployed onto the recording paper16.

Then, in step158, the logical pages16R are assigned to either of the front and rear faces of the recording paper16on the basis of the imposition settings included in the attribute data. The logical pages16R to be specified for the front and rear faces of the recording paper16are distinguished by this processing.

Then, in step160, it is determined whether or not an assigned face is the rear face, that is, whether or not a printing target page will be from the printing device14. If the determination of step160is affirmative, control passes to step162, and it is determined whether or not a color image is present in the assigned logical page16R.

If the determination of step160is negative, or if the determination of step162is negative, control passes to step164.

If the determination of step162is affirmative, control passes to step166, and the text image70, imposition image72, text image74, warning image76and marker images78are displayed on the display screen of the UI36. As the warning image76, a message saying “Warning! In job NNN, the content of page N will not be printed in color.” is displayed.

When the above-described display is implemented in step166, control passes to step168and it is determined whether or not printing is to continue. For this determination, it is assumed that the user is prompted to make the determination.

If the determination of step168is affirmative, the printing is to continue, and control passes to step164. If the determination of step168is negative, control passes to step170, processing to cancel the print request data is performed, and the present routine ends.

Otherwise, in step164, it is determined whether or not the page is the last page. If this determination is negative, control passes to step172, the variable N is implemented (N←N+1), control returns to step154and the above procedure is repeated. That is, it is determined whether or not color image requests will be matched for each individual page of the logical pages16R.

When the determination of step164is affirmative, control passes to step174. Then, for the printing that is to be executed, first, raster image data corresponding to the logical pages16R at the rear face is sent to the printing device14. Then control passes to step176and printing processing is executed on the basis of raster image data corresponding to the logical pages16R at the front face, and the present routine ends.

The above-described first exemplary embodiment and first variant example describe processing when the print request data is actually received. In the second variant example however, simulated determination (a simulation) is executed when there is imposition settings but no actual print request data.

As illustrated inFIG. 12, in step180, function data of each of the connected upstream printing device12and downstream printing device14is acquired. Then, in step182, the current imposition settings is acquired, and control passes to step184.

In step184, an arrangement of pages after imposition is computed, and it is decided whether each logical page16R would be printed on the front face or the rear face of the recording paper16. Then, control passes to step186and, from front face/rear face information of each logical page16R and function data of each of the upstream printing device12and the downstream printing device14, states of the logical pages16R are displayed in a list.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the first variant example and the second variant example, matching with color printing or non-matching with color printing (i.e., being limited to black-and-white printing), which is the difference between the functions of the upstream printing device12and the downstream printing device14, is determined and, if printing of a logical page with a color image at the downstream printing device14that is limited to black-and-white printing is requested, a warning is given. However, a difference between the respective printing functions is not to be limited to color versus black-and-white; distinctions may be made for a difference in resolution (for example, one has a maximum resolution of 1200 dpi and the other has a maximum of 600 dpi), a difference between fonts (whether a specific font is available or not) and the like, and other functional differences. Furthermore, plural functional differences may be monitored in combination.

Herebelow, a second exemplary embodiment is described. The characteristic of the second exemplary embodiment is that the simulated determination (simulation) of the second variant example of the first exemplary embodiment described above is employed and determination results are displayed at a monitor screen of the terminal device44.

As illustrated inFIG. 13, the terminal device44includes a CPU200, a RAM202, a ROM204, an input/output section (I/O)206, and a bus208connecting the above, such as a data bus, a control bus or the like.

A printer driver program for controlling operations of the upstream printing device12and the downstream printing device14and executing processing is installed in advance in the ROM204. The CPU200controls the execution of printing processing on the basis of the printer driver program stored in the ROM204.

The printer driver program may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or the like, and may be transmitted through a network.

A keyboard210and a mouse212are connected to the I/O206to serve as an input system. A monitor section214is also connected to the I/O206to serve as an output system.

The keyboard210and mouse212or the like accept input operations from a user, and the monitor section214has the function of reporting performance conditions to the user in accordance with the input operations.

A hard disc216is connected to the I/O206. The I/O206is also connected to the communications network42via an I/F218.

The communications network42is connected to the upstream printing device12and the downstream printing device14as described above. When the printer driver program operates, respective attribute data (data relating to printing functions including at least data specifying the possibility of color printing) may be acquired from the upstream printing device12and the downstream printing device14via the communications network42.

That is, when image data is obtained and a print request is received by the CPU200, a simulated imposition of the logical pages16R is executed on the basis of the print request. At this time in the first exemplary embodiment, raster image processing (RIP) is actually executed at the printing device receiving the print request (the upstream printing device12and/or the downstream printing device14) and then the results (seeFIG. 6toFIG. 8) are displayed on the UI36(seeFIG. 3). In this second exemplary embodiment however, the simulated imposition is carried out before the raster image processing.

Accordingly, although the display results are the same as in the first exemplary embodiment, if printing as requested is not possible in itself (color printing is not possible) as illustrated inFIG. 7, editing to change the pattern of imposition or switch around the logical pages16R is simpler.

FIG. 14is a functional block diagram for imposition setting by running the printer driver program, which is executed by the CPU200of the terminal device44.

A printer attribute acquisition section220acquires respective printing attribute data from the home printing device function data memory66(seeFIG. 5) of each of the upstream printing device12and downstream printing device14connected to the communications network42.

The printer attribute acquisition section220is connected to an imposition simulation section222and a job data editing section224, and sends the acquired attribute data of the printing devices thereto. The imposition simulation section222is connected to the job data editing section224.

In accordance with operations of the keyboard210and mouse212, the job data editing section224receives image data recorded in a recording medium such as the ROM204, the hard disc216or the like or image data acquired through the communications network42, and performs editing, adding printing attribute data for printing and the like. This printing attribute data includes imposition settings.

The job data edited at the job data editing section224is sent to the upstream printing device12via a job data output section226.

Before the job data edited by the job data editing section224is sent to the job data output section226, simulated imposition processing is computed at the imposition simulation section222in accordance with the imposition settings, and the logical pages16R are assigned to the front and rear faces of each recording paper.

Results of this simulation (imposition results) are displayed at the monitor section214. The information displayed at the monitor section214is similar toFIG. 6toFIG. 8shown in the first exemplary embodiment, and is not described here.

The imposition state displayed at the monitor section214may be viewed by a user. Hence, for example, if it is clarified beforehand that printing as requested is not possible (color printing is not possible) as illustrated inFIG. 7, operations may be inputted in response, for example, to switch around the logical pages16R or change the imposition settings, and re-editing may be done before the job data is sent to the upstream printing device12.

Herebelow, operation of the second exemplary embodiment (flow of the imposition simulation at the terminal device44) is described in accordance with the flowchart ofFIG. 15.

In step250, it is determined whether or not there is a print instruction. If this determination is negative, the present routine ends.

If the determination of step250is affirmative, control passes to step252and image data is acquired. Then, in step254, attribute data (principally information on the possibility of color printing) of the upstream printing device12and the downstream printing device14is acquired, and control passes to step256.

In step256, attributes based on the print instruction (for example, a number of pages, imposition information and the like) is read. In step258, the imposition simulation is executed.

Then, in step260, the results of the imposition simulation of step258are displayed on the monitor section214. Specifically, the results are similar to the deployment images of the logical pages16R as illustrated inFIG. 6toFIG. 8shown in the first exemplary embodiment. A user may recognize, by looking at thisFIG. 6toFIG. 8, a state in which the logical pages16R for which color printing is requested may not be printed as requested (i.e., are matched up with a printing device for black-and-white only) or suchlike before the job data is sent to the printing devices.

In step262, it is determined whether or not changes in imposition or the like or in the assignment of logical pages or the like have been instructed. If this determination is negative, control passes to step264, and it is determined whether or not a printing execution instruction has been given. If the determination in step264is negative, control returns to step262, and steps262and264are repeated until the determination of either of steps262and264is affirmative.

If the determination of step262is affirmative, that is, if there is a change instruction, control passes to step266and re-editing processing is performed. Then, control returns to step258and the above procedure is repeated.

If the determination of step264is affirmative, that is, when there is a printing execution instruction, control passes to step268, job data is transmitted to the printing devices, and the present routine ends.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the above-described display control is executed in addition to the execution of the control processing based on the printer driver program stored in the ROM204. However, the display control may be executed on the basis of a separate application program from the printer driver program. In this case, the display control may be linked with the printer driver program, that is, synchronized with a print instruction, or a simulation of imposition or the like may be performed by itself, separately from the print instruction.