SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, a method of controlling the same, and a computer-readable storage medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, various documents have been generated using post-processing apparatuses that process sheets on which images are formed by an image forming apparatus. An example of a post-processing apparatus is a bookbinding device which performs bookbinding processing on a plurality of sheets as a bundle. A saddle binding device, which creates a simple book by folding a sheet bundle at a central portion, and stapling a folded portion is an example of one of these. There are also case binding devices that bundle sheets of a body, and next apply a glue to the back portion of the sheet bundle of the body, and finally bind the sheets of the body by causing a front cover to adhere so as to envelop them. Also, unlike a bookbinding device which processes sheets as a bundle, there are post-processing devices that perform processing on sheets individually. For example, there are folding devices whose purpose is to fold a sheet into a shape into which it is easy to insert something, such as an envelope, by dividing the sheet into three surfaces, folding one surface inwardly, and folding so as to overlay the surface on the opposite side (C fold). Furthermore, there are perforation processing devices that add a tear-off line at a tear-off position (a perforation) in order that it be easy to tear off a portion when it is desired that the portion of a sheet be torn off and used.

A user is able to obtain a desired resulting document by connecting a post-processing apparatus capable of obtaining the desired resulting document to an image forming apparatus and then applying processing settings as appropriate. Thus, it is necessary to perform print processing considering the properties, settings, and the like, of bookbinding devices in order to obtain a desired resulting document, and systems are known already which are capable of realizing application of post-processing determined in advance to the resulting document.

For example, in the invention recited in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H2-158393, the object is to obtain a resulting document to be delivered to a target person such that other people cannot easily see confidential information for mail articles. More specifically, a printed material is folded into three, glued in the necessary locations, and perforation processing is performed around the glued locations. It is disclosed that with this, a sealed binding resulting document, which can be opened to a continuous information surface by tearing the perforated portion, can be provided.

However, because in the above described prior art, performing at a necessary location post-processing necessary to obtain a specific resulting document is being considered, it is not considered what perforation position is appropriate considering the characteristics of post-processing devices in other post-processing (case binding, saddle binding), or the like. There is a problem in that, if perforation processing is performed at a location at which stapling of a folded portion is performed in saddle binding, both sides of a page will be simultaneously torn off when tearing off at the perforation. Also, when performing a case binding print, the effect of a perforation will not be achieved when the perforation is performed on a portion to which glue is applied. Furthermore, when performing a case binding in which there is a large number of pages, when the perforation processing is performed on a page in the middle of the printed materials, there is the possibility that it is undesirable to perform perforation processing beside a glued portion to avoid the glued portion. This is because when perforation processing is performed in the middle of a case binding and the perforation is designated to be beside a glued portion, the other pages interfere when the user actually tries to tear off the page, and so the tearing off of the page becomes difficult. In this way, there is a problem in that it is necessary for the user to set the position of the perforation considering the details of post-processing other than the perforation, and when these are not considered, the effect of the perforation cannot be obtained. Furthermore, because much knowledge is required to be able to designate the position of the perforation taking into consideration which position is optimal in accordance with other post-processing, a common user cannot designate the position of a perforation easily and effectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a technique in which a user can set a perforation easily for a sheet to which bookbinding is performed.

A sheet processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above described object has the following configuration. Specifically, a sheet processing apparatus operable to add a perforation to a sheet on which bookbinding processing is performed comprises a first determination unit configured to determine whether or not a perforation is set for a sheet on which bookbinding processing is performed; a second determination unit configured to, when it is determined by the first determination unit that the perforation is set, determine whether or not a position of the set perforation is valid; and a change unit configured to, when the second determination unit determines that the position is not valid, change the position of the set perforation.

By virtue of the present invention, in bookbinding processing, the position of a perforation that is set can be changed when it is set that a perforation be added to a sheet, and it is determined that the position at which the perforation is set is not valid.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the attached drawings).

Note, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are added for same or similar configuration elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining characteristics of bookbinding processing.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are views for showing an image forming apparatus (MFP) connection configuration.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a printing system on the whole.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for showing a hardware configuration for a main controller.

FIG. 5 is a top view of an operation unit.

FIG. 6A is a block diagram for explaining an overview of a hardware configuration of a PC.

FIG. 6B is a flowchart for describing processing by a printer driver of the PC.

FIG. 7 is a view for showing an example of a screen of a case in which a print method is designated to be “single-sided printing” on a finishing setting screen.

FIG. 8A is a view for illustrating an example of a warning screen displayed when a perforation is set to be near a position of a staple.

FIG. 8B is a view for showing an example of a screen for notifying that the setting of a perforation is invalid.

FIG. 9 is a view for showing an example of a screen in a case in which a print method is designated to be “bookbinding print” on a finishing setting screen.

FIG. 10 is a view for showing an example of a screen in a case in which a print method is designated to be “case binding (double-sided)” on a finishing setting screen.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for describing perforation setting processing by a printer driver of the PC.

FIG. 12 is a view for illustrating an example of a bookbinding details screen.

FIG. 13 is a view for illustrating an example of a perforation setting screen for setting a perforation.

FIG. 14 is a view for showing an example of a screen in which a preview screen showing a position at which a perforation is set is displayed on the left side of the perforation setting screen of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15A is a view for showing an example in which it is set how far from the center of the sheet the position needs to be for performing a perforation to be effective for A4 and A3 sizes, and thin paper and thick paper sheets.

FIG. 15B is a view for showing an example of a screen for warning a user.

FIG. 15C is a view for showing an example of a confirmation screen.

FIG. 16 is a view for illustrating an example of a case binding finishing setting screen.

FIG. 17 is a view for showing an example of a screen in which a preview screen showing a position at which a perforation is set is displayed on the left side of the perforation setting screen.

FIG. 18 is a view in which a resulting document to which case binding is performed is seen from above.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart in which the image forming apparatus processes a job in which a perforation is designated.

FIG. 20 is a view for showing an example of a screen for confirming whether or not to automatically change a position of a perforation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claims of the present invention, and that not all of the combinations of the aspects that are described according to the following embodiments are necessarily required with respect to the means to solve the problems according to the present invention. Note that in the embodiments explained below, explanation will be given for cases in which a PC, or an image forming apparatus (MFP), which are concrete examples of a sheet processing apparatus of the present invention, set a perforation for a sheet on which bookbinding is performed.

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining characteristics of the embodiment.

Reference numeral 101 denotes a double-page spread of a book bound by saddle stitch binding (saddle binding). Reference numerals 102 and 103 denote staple locations. An area 104 denotes a range in which a perforation effect cannot be achieved sufficiently when the perforation is designated in the range when stapling is designated in the saddle binding. In the present embodiment, the user is notified that the perforation designation is not optimal when it is detected that the user designated the perforation within this range.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are views that show an image forming apparatus (MFP) 200 connection configuration according to the embodiment.

In FIG. 2A, the MFP 200 is connected to a network 206 directly. In FIG. 2B the MFP 200 is connected to the network 206 via a print server 204.

A main controller 201 mainly performs job scheduling control. A scanner unit 202 reads an original document, and generates image data for the original document. A printer unit 203 prints an image in accordance with the image data. Details of the main controller 201, the scanner unit 202, and the printer unit 203 will be explained later with reference to FIG. 4.

Also, the main controller 201 is connected to a PC (an information processing apparatus) 205 via the network 206. The PC 205 inputs jobs into the main controller 201 using a printer driver, or the like.

In FIG. 2B, the print server 204 first receives a print job inputted from the PC 205, which is connected to the network 206, and performs image processing. When this processing finishes, the job is input into the main controller 201 via a local network 207. Here, if image processing finishes without an instruction from a user, the main controller 201 inputs the job as is. Alternatively, configuration may be taken such that the job is first stored in the print server 204 when the image processing finishes, and then input into the main controller 201 at a time at which the user desires to print it. Configuration is such that the MFP 200 and the print server 204 are seen collectively as a single printing system from the external network 206.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the printing system on the whole according to the embodiment.

The system includes an image forming apparatus main body 301 and an image fixing apparatus 302, and by these, image forming onto a sheet is performed. Note that a relationship with the previously described FIGS. 2A and 2B is that the printer unit 203 includes the image forming apparatus main body 301 and the image fixing apparatus 302, and the main controller 201 is arranged in the image forming apparatus main body 301. Also, the scanner unit 202 corresponds to a later explained scanner 361.

A large-volume sheet feeding deck 320 is connected on the right side of the image forming apparatus main body 301 as a sheet feeding apparatus, and a plurality of such sheet feeding decks can be connected; furthermore, a large-volume sheet feeding deck 321 is connected on the right side of the large-volume sheet feeding deck 320. Also a creaser 351 is connected on the left side of the image fixing apparatus 302 as a post-processing apparatus. The creaser 351 is a post-processing device that applies a fold in advance to a location at which a sheet is to be folded, and control of the post-processing apparatus that is characteristic of this embodiment is related to control of the creaser 351. Also, a finisher 334 is connected on the left side of the creaser 351.

The image forming apparatus main body 301 has sheet feeding decks 305 and 306, and these operate as standard sheet feeding units. Developing units 307-310 are configured in four colors of developing units for Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) and K (black) from left to right for forming a color image. A toner image formed by these developer units is primary transferred to an intermediate transfer belt 311 that rotates in a clockwise direction in the figure, and at a secondary transfer position 312 the image is transferred to the sheet which is conveyed over a sheet conveyance path 304. The sheet to which the image is transferred in this way is sent from the image forming apparatus main body 301 to the image fixing apparatus 302, and a transfer image is fixed to the sheet by it being heated and pressurized at a fixing device 313. Then, the sheet, having passed through the fixing device 313, passes along a conveyance path 315, and is conveyed to a discharge orifice 317. When, based on the type of the sheet further heating and pressurization is required for fixing, the sheet, having passed through the fixing device 313, is conveyed to a second fixing device 314 via an upper conveyance path, and after heating and pressurization are applied, the sheet is conveyed to the discharge orifice 317 passing along a conveyance path 316. Also, when it is a double-sided image forming mode, the sheet, to which the image is fixed on a first surface, is conveyed along a double-sided feeding path 319 and re-fed after being inverted by being conveyed to a sheet reversing path 318, and image forming is once again performed on the second surface at the secondary transfer position 312.

It is possible to feed sheets from the three stages of sheet feeding decks 322-324 of the large-volume sheet feeding deck 320 outside of the standard sheet feeding units 305 and 306 of the image forming apparatus. A sheet fed from the large-volume sheet feeding deck 320 is conveyed along sheet conveyance paths 325 and 326, and sent to the image forming apparatus main body 301, in which image formation is performed. When the large-volume sheet feeding deck 321 is connected as in the figure, a sheet can be fed from sheet feeding decks 329-331, and a sheet, having been conveyed over a sheet conveyance path 322, is passed to the first large-volume sheet feeding deck 320 at a discharge orifice 333. The large-volume sheet feeding decks 320 and 321 have a function of detecting an overlapping feed wherein a plurality of sheets are conveyed in a state in which they are overlapping, and when an overlapping feed is detected, the sheet conveyance path is switched from the normal conveyance path 326 to a conveyance path 327, and the sheets are discharged to an escape tray 328.

Next, explanation will be given for the creaser (perforation processing device) 351 which is a post-processing apparatus. The perforation processing device 351 is a post-processing apparatus that adds a perforation at a predetermined position on the sheet. A sheet for which image formation by the image fixing apparatus 302 has completed is input into a sheet conveyance unit of the perforation processing device 351 via the discharge orifice 317. Here, when there is a designation of perforation processing, the sheet passes along a sheet conveyance path 354 from a sheet conveyance path 352 and is perforated by being pinched between a perforation blade 355 and a blade rest 356. The perforation blade 355 can be changed in accordance with a grammage and type of the sheet, and a user can set an optimal perforation blade when that is done. When the perforation processing is finished, the sheet passes through a discharge orifice 357 and is conveyed out to the next post-processing device. When there is no designation for the perforation processing, the sheet passes along a sheet conveyance path 353 from the sheet conveyance path 352 and is discharged through the discharge orifice 357.

Next, explanation will be given for a case binding device 371 which is a post-processing apparatus. Note that explanation is given having the main controller 201 of FIG. 2A or FIG. 2B control the operation of the case binding device 371.

The case binding device 371 selectively conveys a sheet that was conveyed from an upstream apparatus on three conveyance paths. One of these is a front cover path 372, one is a main body path 373, and one is a straight path 374. Also, the case binding device 371 has an inserter path 375. The inserter path 375 is a sheet conveyance path for conveying a sheet that is placed on an inserter 376 to the front cover path 372. The straight path 374 is a sheet conveyance path for conveying a sheet for a job for which case binding processing by the case binding device 371 is not required to a subsequent apparatus. The main body path 373 and the front cover path 372 are sheet conveyance paths for conveying a sheet for which it is necessary to generate a case binding print material. For example, when a case binding print material is generated using the case binding device 371, the main controller 201 causes image data, for a body that is printed, to be printed on sheets for the case binding print material body by the printer unit 203. When a case binding print material is generated for one book, a sheet bundle for one book of sheets for this body is covered by one front cover. In the case binding, the sheet bundle for this body is referred to as “a main body”. The main controller 201 controls so as to convey the sheets, that are printed by the printer unit 203 and that will become the main body, to the main body path 373. Then, the main controller 201 executes processing to envelop the main body which has been printed in the printer unit 203 by a sheet for the front cover which is conveyed via the front cover path 372 when the case binding processing is performed. The main controller 201 causes the sheets that become the main body, which are conveyed from the upstream apparatuses, to be stacked sequentially on a stacking unit via the main body path 373. The sheets to which body data has been printed are stacked by a stacking unit to a number of sheets that corresponds to the book, and the main controller 201 causes one sheet for the front cover which is required for the job to be conveyed via the front cover path 372. The main controller 201 controls a gluing unit 377 so as to perform gluing processing on a spine cover portion of the sheet bundle for the set corresponding to the main body. After that, the main controller 201 controls so as to cause the spine cover portion of the main body and the central portion of the front cover to be bonded by a gluing unit. When the main body is bonded to the front cover, the main body is conveyed so as to be pushed to a lower side of the apparatus. With this, folding processing is performed on the front cover so that the main body is covered by the front cover. After this, the sheet bundle for this set is stacked on a turn table 379 against a guide 378. After the sheet bundle for the set is set in the turn table 379, the main controller 201 causes sheet trimming processing to be executed on the sheet bundle by a cutter unit 380. Here, it is possible to execute three-side trimming processing for trimming the three ends other than the end corresponding to the spine cover portion in the sheet bundle of the set by the cutter unit 380. After this, the main controller 201 causes the sheet bundle, on which the three-side trimming processing has been performed, to be contained in a basket 382 by pushing the sheet bundle in the direction of the basket 382 using a side pushing unit 381.

Furthermore, when the sheet is conveyed to a post-processing apparatus downstream of the case binding device 371, the sheet is conveyed via a sheet conveyance path 383 and conveyance path 339, and conveyed to the finisher 334. Next, explanation will be given for the finisher 334. The finisher 334 applies post-processing to sheets already printed in accordance with a function that the user designated. More specifically, it has functions for stapling (binding at 1 location/2 locations), punching (2 holes/3 holes), saddle stitch bookbinding, or the like. In the finisher 334 there are sheet discharge trays 335 and 336, and a sheet is discharged via a sheet conveyance path 341 to a sheet discharge tray 335. Is not possible to perform processing such as stapling on the sheet conveyance path 341. When processing such as stapling is performed, a sheet passes along a sheet conveyance path 342, and after the post-processing that was designated by the user is performed by a processing unit 343, the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 336. The sheet discharge trays 335 and 336 are capable of moving up and down, and it is possible to operate so as to stack sheets on which post-processing was performed by the processing unit 343 from the bottom discharge orifice by lowering the sheet discharge tray 335. When an inserted sheet is designated by a designation of a user, it is possible to cause operation such that the inserted sheet, which is set in an inserter 338 for a predetermined page, is caused to pass along a sheet conveyance path 340 and to be inserted. When saddle stitch bookbinding is designated, sheets, after having been stapled in the center of the sheets by a saddle stitching processing unit 344, are folded in two, pass along a sheet conveyance path 345, and are outputted to a saddle stitch bookbinding tray 337. The tray 337 is of a conveyor-belt configuration, and the configuration is such that a saddle stitch bookbinding bundle stacked on the tray 337 is conveyed to a left side.

Next, simple explanation will be given for the scanner 361 and a document feeder.

These are mainly used for a copy function, and when an original document is set on an original document platen and read, the original document is set on the original document platen and the document feeder is closed. Then, an open/close sensor detects that the original document platen is closed, and a reflective-type original document size detection sensor comprised in the housing of the scanner 361 detects the size of the original document that is set. Upon the detection of the size, the original document is irradiated by a light source, an image is read by a CCD and converted to a digital signal, and by performing desired image processing, the image is converted into a laser recording signal. The converted recording signal is stored in a main controller memory which is explained in FIG. 4, which will be explained later.

When an original document is set in the document feeder and read in, the original document is placed face-up in an original document setting unit of the document feeder. With this, the sensor for detecting the existence or absence of an original detects that the original document is set, an original document feed roller and a conveyer belt rotate having received notification of the detection, and by conveying the original document, the original document is set at a predetermined position on the original document platen. After this, similarly to the reading on the original document platen the image is read, and stored in a memory of the main controller 201.

Next, explanation will be given using FIG. 4 for details of a hardware configuration of the main controller which performs control of the scanner unit, the printer unit, and the network interface unit of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for showing a hardware configuration of the main controller according to embodiments.

The main controller 201 mainly comprises a CPU 402, a bus controller 403, and various I/F controller circuits. The CPU 402 and the bus controller 403 control operation of the device on the whole, and the CPU 402 reads out programs from a ROM 404 via a ROM I/F 405, and operates in accordance with those programs. Also, operation for interpreting PDL (page description language) code data received from the PC 205, and expanding this into raster image data is described in such programs, and is processed by software. The bus controller 403 controls data transfer of data inputted/outputted by various I/Fs, and performs control of bus arbitration, DMA data transfer, or the like.

A DRAM 406 is connected to the main controller 201 by a DRAM I/F 407, and the DRAM 406 is used for programs that the CPU 402 executes, as a work area for operation, and as an area for storing image data. A codec 408 compresses raster image data stored in the DRAM 406 in format such as MH/MR/MMR/JBIG/JPEG or the like, and conversely decompresses the code data that is compressed and stored into raster image data. An SRAM 409 is used as a temporary work area of the codec 408. The codec 408 is connected to the main controller 201 via an I/F 410, and transferring of data between the codec 408 and the DRAM 406 is performed by DMA and is controlled by the bus controller 403. A graphics processor 424 performs processing such as rotation, magnification/reduction, color space conversion, binarization, or the like, on the raster image data stored in the DRAM 406. An SRAM 425 is used as a temporary work area of the graphics processor 424. The graphics processor 424 is connected to the main controller 201 through an I/F, and transferring of data between the graphics processor 424 and the DRAM 406 is performed by DMA and is controlled by the bus controller 403.

A network controller (NIC) 411 is connected to the main controller 201 by an I/F 413, and is connected to an external network by a connector 412. The network is commonly Ethernet (registered trademark). To a general high-speed bus 415 an extension connector 414 for connecting an extension board and an I/O controller 416 are connected. The general high-speed bus is commonly a PCI bus. An asynchronous serial communication controller 417 for transmitting and receiving CPU control commands of the scanner unit 202 and the printer unit 203 is comprised in the I/O controller 416 with two channels. A scanner I/F circuit 426 and a printer I/F circuit 430 are respectively connected by an I/O bus 418.

A panel I/F 421 is connected to a display control unit 420 and is connected to the I/O controller 416 via a bus 419, and comprises an I/F for performing a display to a screen of a display unit of an operation unit 501 (FIG. 5), and a key input I/F for performing hard key or touch panel key input. The operation unit 501 has a display unit, a touch panel input apparatus affixed to the display unit, and a plurality of hard keys. A signal input by the touch panel or the hard keys is conveyed to the CPU 402 via the panel I/F 421, and the display unit displays image data sent from the panel I/F 421. Note that print system function display, image data, or the like, are displayed on the display unit.

A real-time clock module (RTC) 422 is for updating/saving the date and time managed within the apparatus, and the real-time clock module (RTC) 422 is backed up by a backup battery 423. An E-IDE interface 439 connects an external storage apparatus. In the present embodiment, a hard disk drive 438 is connected via the I/F 439, image data is stored to a hard disk 440, and the image data is read from the hard disk 440. Connectors 427 and 432 are respectively connected to the scanner unit 202 and the printer unit 203, and are connected to asynchronous serial I/Fs (428, 433) and video I/Fs (429, 434). A scanner I/F 426 is connected to the scanner unit 202 via a connector 427, and is connected to the main controller 201 by a scanner bus 441, and the scanner I/F 426 applies predetermined processing to image data received from the scanner unit 202. Furthermore, it has a function for outputting a control signal generated based on a video control signal sent from the scanner unit 202 to a scanner bus 429. Data transfer from the scanner bus 429 to the DRAM 406 is controlled by the bus controller 403.

A printer I/F 430 is connected to the printer unit 203 via a connector 432, and is connected to the main controller 201 by a printer bus 431. Then predetermined processing is applied to image data output from the main controller 201, and the result is output to the printer unit 203. Furthermore, it has a function for outputting a control signal generated based on a video control signal sent from the printer unit 203 to the printer bus 431. When raster image data loaded into the DRAM 406 is transferred to the printer unit 203 the bus controller 403 controls the transferring, and image data is transferred by DMA via the printer bus 431 and the video I/F 434 to the printer unit 203. An SRAM 436 is able to hold storage contents by a power source supplied from a backup battery even if a power shutdown is performed for the apparatus on the whole, and the SRAM 436 is connected to the I/O controller 416 via a bus 435. An EEPROM 437 similarly is a memory that is connected to the I/O controller 416 via the bus 435.

Next, explanation will be given for the operation unit 501 by which various settings are performed.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the operation unit 501 according to embodiments.

A reset key 502 is used to cancel setting values that the user has set. A stop key 503 is a key for making an instruction to stop a job that is in operation. A numeric keypad 504 is keys for performing numeric value input of positioned numbers, or the like. A display unit 505 is equipped with a touch panel function, and is used to display various screens. A start key 506 is a key for causing a job for reading an original document, or the like, to be initiated. A clear key 507 is used to clear settings, or the like. Also an initial setting/registration button, a button for performing energy saving, a button for displaying a main menu, a quick menu button by which it is possible to configure a customized screen for each user, a status monitor button for displaying a status of the device, or the like, are arranged as hard keys.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6A-FIG. 20, explanation will be given for perforation designation processing which is characteristic of the present embodiment.

First Embodiment

In the first embodiment, when a job that designates a perforation is transmitted by a printer driver of the PC 205, it is determined whether the perforation set by the user is at an appropriate position in a user interface of the printer driver. In the first embodiment, explanation is given having the PC 205 of FIG. 2A or FIG. 2B be the client that transmits the print job. However, the image forming apparatus may receive the job via an external interface such as the connectors 412, 414, 429, and 432, USB, or the like.

FIG. 6A is a block diagram for explaining an overview of a hardware configuration of the PC 205 according to the first embodiment.

A CPU 610 executes a boot program stored in a ROM 611, loads an OS and programs installed in an HDD 615 into a RAM 613, and executes the programs, thereby controlling the operation of the PC 205 on the whole. The ROM 611 stores the previously described boot program, setting information of the device, or the like. An operation unit 612 includes a keyboard, a pointing device, or the like, and the operation unit 612 receives operations by a user. The RAM 613 provides a program loading area and a work memory for the CPU 610. A display unit 614 is used to display messages, Web browser screens, input/output images, or the like, to the user. Note that the display unit 614 may have a touch panel function. The HDD (hard disk drive) 615 is a bulk storage unit which stores programs, an OS, a later explained printer driver, or the like. Note that in place of the HDD 615 a memory card such as an SDRAM, or the like, may be used. A system bus 616 connects these to the CPU 610. Note that FIG. 6A is shown omitting interface units arranged between each of the operation unit 612, the display unit 614, and the HDD 615 and the bus 616.

FIG. 6B is a flowchart for describing processing by a printer driver of the PC 205 according to the first embodiment. This processing is realized by the CPU 610 executing a program loaded into the RAM 613 of the PC 205.

Firstly, in step S601, the CPU 610 displays a print setting screen to the display unit 614. Next, the processing proceeds to step S602, and the CPU 610 displays a finishing setting screen to the display unit 614 in accordance with an instruction by the user.

FIG. 7 is a view for showing an example of a screen in a case in which a print method 702 is designated to be “single-sided printing” on a finishing setting screen.

The print method 702 instructs the method for printing a sheet using this finishing processing. Here, either single-sided printing or double-sided printing can be selected, and here single-sided printing is set. A bookbinding details button 703 can be pressed when saddle binding print or case binding print is selected in the print method 702, and when the bookbinding details button 703 is pressed, a setting screen for performing a settings necessary in bookbinding prints is newly opened. In FIG. 7, the state is such that the bookbinding details button 703 is displayed in grey and cannot be pressed because it is single-sided printing.

A binding direction 704 sets at what position to execute post-processing for stapling, punching, or the like, of the sheet. In the figure, it is set to “long-side binding (left)” for binding in parallel with the longer side. For a discharge method 705, a shift discharge, a sort discharge, or the like, can be selected. A hole punch 706 designates whether or not to perform punch processing. By a perforation 707 a position of a perforation can be designated. Here 10 mm from the longer side on the left side is set. Here, if stapling or punching is designated by the discharge method 705 or the hole punch 706, the position at which the staples or punching is applied is calculated, and if a perforation is designated at that position, a warning screen as shown in FIG. 8A is displayed.

FIG. 8A is a view for illustrating an example of a warning screen displayed when a perforation is set to be near a position of a staple.

When the user intentionally designates the perforation at the position of the punching or the staples, the user may press an OK button 800 on the warning screen. Note that configuration may also be taken such that the designation of a position for a perforation is not accepted in a region in which stapling or punching is performed.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 6B is returned to once again, and after the finishing setting screen is displayed in step S602, the processing proceeds to step S603, and when the user selects bookbinding printing as the print method 702 on the screen of FIG. 7, the bookbinding details button 703 becomes pressable. Then when the bookbinding details button 703 is pressed, the processing proceeds to step S604, and the CPU 610 determines whether or not a perforation is set. Here, if a value of a perforation setting 707 is anything other than “0”, it is determined that a perforation is set. When the perforation is not set, the processing proceeds to step S606, and the CPU 610 displays a detailed setting screen for bookbinding.

Meanwhile, when it is determined that a perforation setting has been made in step S604, the processing proceeds to step S605, and a screen that notifies the user that the setting of the perforation that was previously made has become invalid is displayed as shown in FIG. 8B, for example. Note that as other embodiments, configuration may be taken such that the setting of the perforation is once again caused to be executed, or a state is entered in which the perforation that was set is automatically input into the bookbinding details screen as is. Then, when it is detected that an OK button 801 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 8B, the processing proceeds to step S606.

FIG. 8B is a view for illustrating an example of a confirmation screen displayed in step S605 when the perforation setting is made. When in FIG. 8B bookbinding printing is instructed as the method for printing, the user is notified that the setting of the perforation that was previously made has been cancelled.

Also, when the user selects saddle binding as the print method 702 in step S602, a setting screen for saddle binding is displayed as shown in FIG. 9, for example.

FIG. 9 is a view for showing an example of a screen of a case in which the print method 702 is designated to be “saddle binding print” on the finishing setting screen.

In FIG. 9, the bookbinding details button 703 which was previously described becomes pressable, and a field 904 by which saddle stitching can be set is displayed. Here, folding, saddle stitching, and trimming are set. Also, reference numeral 902 denotes a pattern diagram for the resulting document when bookbinding is performed.

Also, when the user selects case binding as the print method 702 in step S602, a setting screen for case binding is displayed as shown in FIG. 10, for example.

FIG. 10 is a view for showing an example of a screen of a case in which the print method 702 is designated to be “case binding (double-sided)” on a finishing setting screen.

Here, the bookbinding details button 703 which was previously described becomes pressable, and a field 1004 by which a casing front cover can be set is displayed. Here, the sheet size of the front cover, its sheet feeding unit, the printing surface for the front cover, and the printing surface of the back cover can be set. Also, reference numeral 1002 denotes a pattern diagram for the resulting document when case binding is performed. Also, reference numeral 1005 is a button for instructing a finishing adjustment.

Next, explanation will be given for an embodiment for when a user selects saddle binding as the print method 702 on a finishing setting screen as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for describing perforation setting processing by a printer driver of the PC 205 according to the first embodiment. This processing is realized by the CPU 610 executing a program loaded into the RAM 613 of the PC 205.

Also, FIG. 9 is a view for illustrating an example of a setting screen when saddle binding is selected. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 902 denotes a display example of a double-page spread when executing saddle binding. When the bookbinding details button 703 is pressed, a window (FIG. 12) is displayed in which only items designatable when saddle binding are selectable.

FIG. 12 is a view for illustrating an example of a binding details screen.

This screen is displayed when the bookbinding details button 703 is pressed in a state in which saddle binding has been designated on the screen of FIG. 9.

By a binding print processing method 1202, where to designate the bookbinding processing is selected. In the first embodiment, “processing on a driver side”, which is for when the printer driver of the PC 205 performs binding processing, is selected. When “processing on the application side” is selected, because the printer driver does not perform the binding processing, items that are only set in a binding setting by the printer driver are grayed out or not displayed. Note that when the binding processing is performed by the application, similarly to the first embodiment, it is necessary to determine whether or not the perforation processing is set effectively in the application. Alternatively, configuration may be taken such that the application only sets the perforation, and transmits the print job without confirming consistency with other setting values, and that the consistency of the settings is determined by the printer driver or on the image forming apparatus side, which has received the job from the application. Note that a case when processing is performed on the device side will be explained later.

Returning to FIG. 12 once again, a bookbinding print type 1203 is set in units of bookbinding prints (a number of pages for which folding in half is performed collectively). “print all pages collectively” means to collectively fold in half and bind all of the sheets that are output. “divide into bundles and print” means to fold in half and bind collectively bundles each being of a designated number of sheets. When “divide into bundles and print” is selected, one bundle is bound for the number of pieces designated in a number of sheets per bundle box 1221.

By a binding margin 1204, a margin (binding margin) on one side of a printed material is designated. The margin is referenced when the printed material is bound, and this is mainly used when binding on the printer driver side. A creep setting 1205 is for setting whether or not to use a function for adjusting the amount of margin so that a misalignment of a text position, or the like, will not occur between outer pages and inner pages due to the thickness of the sheets that are bound upon bookbinding printing. When misalignment of text positions between pages is eliminated, the margins up until the text position from the edge of the page of each page are aligned even when the page edge is trimmed by the trimmer. This is mainly used by bookbinding printing is performed at the image forming apparatus.

When a perforation designation box 1206 is checked, it becomes possible to designate a perforation. A manual setting 1207 and an automatic setting 1208 are methods of designating a perforation. By the manual setting 1207 the perforation is set for each page by the user inputting the page to perforate, and an offset position that indicates the position at which to add the perforation on the page. By the automatic setting 1208, the perforation can be set automatically simply by the user designating the page that the user wishes to be perforated. When the user selects either the manual setting 1207 or the automatic setting 1208 and presses a perforation designation button 1209, a new screen on which settings can be executed is displayed. In the first embodiment, explanation will be given for a case in which the automatic setting 1208 is selected and the perforation designation button 1209 is pressed by the flowchart of FIG. 11. When the user selects the automatic setting 1208 and presses the perforation designation button 1209 on the screen of FIG. 12, the flowchart of FIG. 11 is initiated.

Firstly, in step S1101, the CPU 610 displays a screen for performing a perforation setting as shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 13 is a view for illustrating an example of a perforation setting screen for setting a perforation according to the first embodiment.

Note that here a preview screen may also be displayed beside a perforation setting screen as shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a view for showing an example of a screen in which a preview screen showing a position at which a perforation is set is displayed on the left side of the perforation setting screen of FIG. 13.

By a perforation setting 1302 on FIG. 13, the method for the automatic setting of the perforation position is selected. A make all pages uniform setting 1303 designates that the position of the perforation will be uniform for all pages. The user inputs an amount of shift (distance) from the center of the page in an offset input box 1304. The value is an amount of shift from the stapling position at the center of the sheet in the case of saddle binding.

By a position optimal for each page designation 1305 is selected, it is possible to designate the perforation be at positions that are optimal for the pages that are input. In the first embodiment, configuration is taken such that it is also possible to designate for the front cover, but a perforation setting may be generated separately for the front cover. A page 1306 is for designating the page for which the perforation is set.

In FIG. 13, when the user presses a register button 1307, and then presses an OK button 1310, the processing of FIG. 11 transitions to step S1102, and it is determined whether for the perforation position automatic setting designated by the perforation setting 1302, it is designated that all pages be made to be uniform, or whether it is designated that an optimal position be used for each page. Here, when it is determined that it is designated that all pages be uniform, the processing proceeds to step S1103, and based on an offset position designated by an offset 1304, that the perforation be uniform is designated for the pages designated by the page 1306. When a perforation is set in this way, the value set is reflected in a perforation setting list 1308 and displayed. Here, if a mistaken designation is made, or if it is desired that the position of a perforation that was already registered be changed, the selected item can be deleted by selecting the perforation setting desired to be deleted or changed and pressing a delete button 1309. Also, in a case where a change is desired, first the item is deleted and then once again registration is performed. Also, a button may be prepared so that making a change is possible.

Meanwhile, in step S1102 of FIG. 11, when the designation 1305 that an optimal position be used for each page is selected, the processing proceeds to step S1104, and the CPU 610 sets the perforation to be at an optimal position for the pages designated by the page 1306. In the first embodiment, because explanation will be given for optimal positioning in a case of performing stapling when saddle binding, it is assumed that saddle stitching is set in the setting 904 for saddle stitching in FIG. 9. When saddle stitching is not set, the position of the perforation may be set without executing the following step. In step S1104, the optimal position is set in accordance with the size and the type of the sheet that is used. The position of the perforation corresponding to the size and the type (sheet type) of the sheet is determined in accordance with a table shown in FIG. 15A. As an example in the first embodiment, explanation will be given for the sizes being A4 and A3, and the types being thin paper and thick paper, but the optimal position may be detected by detecting other sheet sizes or types, or other the sheet properties (example: grammage).

FIG. 15A is a view for illustrating an example of how far from the center of the sheet the position needs to be for performing a perforation to be valid for each of A4 and A3 sizes, and thin paper and thick paper sheets.

If the sheet on which the perforation is performed is A4 thick paper, the perforation will be effective if made at a position of a total of 3 mm or greater from the center of the sheet (a staple position) because for A4 it is +2 mm and for thick paper it is +1 mm. Also, for the case of A3 thin paper the perforation is effective if positioned a total of 5 mm or greater from the center (the staple position) of the sheet because for A3 it is +3 mm and for thin paper it is +2 mm. Here, regarding from what distance from the center the perforation is effective, an amount of shift from the center is held on the printer driver side in accordance with the number and size of holes that the blade of the perforation unit that is used makes. Alternatively, a printer driver screen may allow the user to input these values by generating a user interface by which these values can be changed. Also, the necessary values may be obtained from the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, an optimal shift amount may be made to be a fixed value rather than holding one for each type of sheet. Also, configuration may be taken such that it is possible to switch between a fixed value and a means for detecting an optimal amount of shift for each sheet.

When the optimal perforation position is detected in this way, the detected position is designated for the page automatically, and the value that is set is reflected in the perforation setting list 1308 in FIG. 13. In the first embodiment, because for each page it is possible to designate when it is designated that all pages be uniform, and when it is designated that an optimal position be used for each page, this can be switched and set for each page. As another embodiment, configuration may also be taken such that only one method can be selected for one resulting document.

In the screen of FIG. 13, when it is desired that the perforation designation be cancelled, it is possible to cancel it by pressing a cancel button 1310. When an OK button 1311 is pressed, the perforation setting set on this screen is reflected. When the OK button 1311 is pressed, transition is made to step S1105 of FIG. 11. Note that when the OK button 1311 is pressed, a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 15B may be displayed if there is a page for which it is designated that all pages be uniform.

FIG. 15B is a view for showing an example of a screen that warns the user that there is a possibility that the perforation will not be set at an optimal position when it is designated that the perforation position be uniform for all pages.

In step S1105 of FIG. 11, the CPU 610 determines whether or not there exists another setting that is mutually exclusive for the perforation setting.

In the first embodiment, explanation will be given for mutual exclusion with a binding margin setting 1204 of FIG. 12. If the binding margin setting is set so to be more towards the center of the sheet than the optimal perforation position, it does not necessarily mean that it is possible to set the perforation at an intended position. For this reason, when the CPU 610 determines that there is this kind of setting that relates to the setting value of the perforation, the processing proceeds to step S1106, and when there is no such setting, the processing proceeds to step S1107, the setting of the perforation position is saved, and the binding details screen of FIG. 12 is transitioned to.

In step S1106, the CPU 610 determines whether or not a binding margin setting has been made, and if a binding margin is set, the processing proceeds to step S1108, a confirmation screen shown in FIG. 15C is displayed, and the user is prompted to confirm a setting corresponding to another mutually exclusive item. In step S1106, when it is determined that there is no setting relating to the setting value of the perforation, the processing proceeds to step S1107, the perforation position that is set is saved, and the processing completes. In step S1108, when the CPU 610 detects that the user confirmed by the OK button on the screen of FIG. 15B being pressed, the processing transitions from step S1107, and the setting by the printer driver finishes. With this, the user issues a print job to the image forming apparatus with the set bookbinding setting. Note that configuration may also be taken such that, similarly to a binding margin setting, or the like, which is mutually exclusive with the perforation, when a perforation is set and the setting value is not optimal the confirmation screen is displayed to the user.

Next, the explanation returns to FIG. 12. By reference numeral 1210, by adding a check to this item upon a saddle binding print, it is possible to press the sheet. When an OK button 1211 is pressed, the settings on the screen are stored, and when saddle binding is selected, the screen of FIG. 9 is returned to. Also, when a cancel button 1212 is pressed, the screen of FIG. 9 is returned to without saving the settings made using this screen if saddle binding is selected for the print method 702. When a help button 1213 is pressed, a help for the items is displayed.

Next, explanation will be given for embodiments in which the user selects case binding for the print method 702 in FIG. 9 with reference to FIG. 10-FIG. 13 and FIG. 16-FIG. 20.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen used when a case binding is selected for the print method. Reference numeral 1002 denotes an image for performing case binding.

When the bookbinding details button 703 is pressed upon a case binding, those items that cannot be used are grayed out in the binding details screen of FIG. 12. For example, because the bookbinding print type 1203, the binding margin setting 1204, the creep setting 1205, and the saddle press setting 1210 are items that can be designated upon the saddle binding, these not displayed.

Also, reference numeral 1004 of FIG. 10 denotes settings for a front cover upon a case binding. A finishing adjustment button 1005 is a button for performing a case binding finishing setting, and when the button is pressed, a setting screen for print finishing of FIG. 16 is displayed.

FIG. 16 is a view for illustrating an example of a case binding finishing setting screen according to the first embodiment.

By a finishing adjustment setting item 1602 it is possible to adjust a finishing size when performing case binding, gluing the body to the front cover, and an image position of the body/front cover, and to adjust a cutting angle and position. A shift print start position setting 1603 designates a position at which to start a print. A printing area adjustment item 1604 sets a print margin.

Next, the explanation returns to FIG. 12. In FIG. 12, it is possible to designate a perforation by checking a perforation designation check-box 1206. The manual setting 1207 and the automatic setting 1208 are methods of designating a perforation. By the manual setting 1207, the user sets the perforation for the input page by inputting the page to perforate, and an offset position which is the position at which to perform the perforation on the page. By the automatic setting 1208, the perforation can be designated automatically simply by the user designating the page that the user wishes to be perforated. When the user selects the manual setting 1207 or the automatic setting 1208, and presses the perforation designation button 1209, a new screen for performing settings is displayed. In the first embodiment, explanation will be given for a case in which the automatic setting 1208 is selected, and the perforation designation button 1209 is pressed.

Here, the CPU 610 transitions to step S1101 of FIG. 11. The CPU 610 displays a screen for performing perforation settings as shown in FIG. 13.

Note that configuration may also be taken such that here a preview screen may also be displayed on the left side of the perforation setting screen as shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 17 is a view for showing an example of a screen in which a preview screen showing a position at which a perforation is set is displayed on the left side of the perforation setting screen. Because the perforation setting screen of FIG. 17 is explained with reference to FIG. 13, explanation will be omitted.

When the user presses the register button 1307 and then presses the OK button 1311, the setting for perforation that is set is reflected. When the OK button 1311 is pressed in this way, the CPU 610 transitions to the processing of step S1102, and it is determined whether the automatic setting of the perforation position that is designated is for all pages to be uniform or whether it is for an optimal position for each page. In the case of a designation for all pages to be uniform, the processing proceeds to step S1103, and based on the offset position designated by an offset 1404, the perforation is designated for pages designated by the page 1306. When a perforation is set, the value that is set is reflected in the perforation setting list 1308. Here, if a mistaken designation is made, or if it is desired that the position of a perforation that was already registered be changed, the selected item can be deleted by selecting the perforation setting desired to be deleted or changed and pressing the delete button 1309. Also, in a case where a change is desired, first the item is deleted and then once again registration is performed. Also, a button may be prepared so that making a change is possible.

Also, in a case where it is determined that the CPU 610, in step S1102 of FIG. 11, designates an optimal position for each page, the processing proceeds to step S1104, and the CPU 610 designates the perforation at an optimal position for each page.

Next, explanation will be given for the optimal position when case binding with reference to FIG. 18.

FIG. 18 is a view seen from above a resulting document for which a case binding is performed in the first embodiment.

Reference numeral 1801 denotes a front cover of the resulting document for which the case binding is performed, and reference numeral 1802 denotes the contents of the resulting document for which the case binding is performed. In FIG. 18, contents 1802 is comprised of nine printed materials, and C 1803 denotes a variable that indicates the number of sheets in the contents of the case binding; here it is 9. Also, H 1804 represents a height of a glued portion in the case binding, and may be a height up to a fold in the front cover. T 1805 denotes a thickness of a sheet, and also a grammage may be used. Here, using C, H, T, and a current page number n, an optimal position for the perforation upon the case binding can be represented by H+n×T from the first sheet to the (C/2)-th sheet, and represented by H+(C−n)×T from the (C/2)-th sheet up to the C-th sheet.

Note that in the first embodiment, explanation is given for a case in which the contents of the case binding are all the same kind of sheets, but when various kinds of sheets are used for the contents, a calculation equation that adds this into the equation may be used. Also, the same value may be used for all pages. Furthermore, configuration may also be taken such that the method of using the same value for all the pages, and the method of detecting the optimal location for each page can be switched.

When the CPU 610 of the PC 205 detects the optimal position, the detected position is automatically designated for the page, and the value that is set is reflected in the perforation setting list 1308 of FIG. 13.

In the first embodiment, because for each page it is possible to designate when it is designated that all pages be uniform, and when it is designated that an optimal position be used for each page, this can be switched and set for each page. As another embodiment, configuration may also be taken such that only one of the methods can be selected for one resulting document. When it is desired that the designation of the perforation be cancelled, the setting of the perforation can be cancelled on the screen of FIG. 13 by pressing the cancel button 1310 on FIG. 13. When the OK button 1311 is pressed, the setting of the perforation set on this screen is reflected, and the CPU 610 of the PC 205 advances the processing to step S1105.

In step S1105, the CPU 610 of the PC 205 determines whether or not there exists another setting that is mutually exclusive with the perforation setting. In the first embodiment, these correspond to the finishing adjustment 1602, the shift print start position 1603, and the printing area adjustment 1604 of FIG. 16. If the binding margin setting is set so to be more towards the center of the sheet than the optimal perforation position, it does not necessarily mean that it is possible to set the perforation at an intended position. Therefore, when there such a setting that is related to the setting value of the perforation, the CPU 610 of the PC 205 transitions to step S1106. The explanation of the processing from step S1106 was previously given, and so it is omitted.

In the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, it is possible to print having designated the binding of the printed material and designated a perforation based on an original document that is scanned by the scanner unit 202. The method of the bookbinding designation and the method of the perforation designation can be set substantially similarly when printing from the above described printer driver. Because it is also possible to similarly realize a method for confirming whether or not the value for the perforation that is set is at an optimal position when performing various bookbinding settings, such explanation is omitted.

Next, explanation will be given for processing a job in which a perforation is designated in the image forming apparatus (MFP) 200 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 19 shows a flowchart in which the image forming apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment processes a job in which a perforation is designated. The processing illustrated by the flowchart is realized by the CPU 402 executing a program loaded into a memory. In the first embodiment, explanation is given for a case in which by an application capable of making a bookbinding designation, and a perforation designation, a job is generated in a state in which a bookbinding setting and an optimal position for a perforation designation cannot be considered, and the job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200.

Firstly, in step S1901, when the CPU 402 receives the print job, the processing proceeds to step S1902. In step S1902, the CPU 402 determines whether or not the job received in step S1901 makes a bookbinding designation, and in a case where it is determined that there is no bookbinding designation, the processing proceeds to step S1903, a normal print is performed, and the processing completes.

On the other hand, in a case where the CPU 402, in step S1902, determines that there is a bookbinding designation, the processing proceeds to step S1904, and the CPU 402 determines whether or not a perforation is set. Here, in a case where the CPU 402 determines that a perforation is not designated, the processing proceeds to step S1903, a normal print is performed, and the processing completes.

In a case where the CPU 402, in step S1904, determines that a perforation is designated, the processing proceeds to step S1905, and it is determined whether or not the designation of the perforation is for an optimal position when binding. The determination method was already explained previously, and so the explanation is omitted. In a case where it is determined that the position is optimal when binding in step S1905, the processing proceeds to step S1906, and image forming adjustment is performed, and once again it is determined whether the position is optimal. For example, when the creep correction function 1205 is designated upon a saddle binding, a correction of a print position is performed in the image forming apparatus. After this correction is performed, it is determined whether or not the position of the perforation which is previously designated at an optimal position has become non-optimal. In a case where it is determined that the position is optimal after the adjustment, the processing proceeds to step S1907, printing is performed at the position that the user designated, and the processing completes.

Meanwhile, if, in step S1905 or in step S1906, the CPU 402 determines that the position is not optimal, the processing proceeds to step S1908, and the CPU 402 determines whether or not to automatically change the position of the perforation. Here it is possible to set whether or not to change the position of the perforation to an optimal position automatically in the image forming apparatus 200.

An example of a screen for performing settings is shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 20 is a view for showing an example of a screen for confirming whether or not to automatically change a position of a perforation.

In this automatic perforation position setting screen, when the user presses a YES button 2001, automatic changing of the perforation position can be set. When a NO button 2002 is pressed, automatically changing the perforation position is not set.

When the CPU 402, in step S1908, detects that the YES button 2001 is pressed, the processing proceeds to step S1909, the position of the optimal perforation detected in step S1905 or in step S1906 is changed automatically, the perforation processing is executed, and the processing completes. Meanwhile, when the CPU 402 detects that the NO button 2002 is pressed in step S1908, the processing proceeds to step S1910, the CPU 402 presents the optimal perforation position to the user, and the processing completes.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-046757, filed Mar. 10, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference wherein in its entirety.

SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM

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