Image formation apparatus, image formation system and imgage formation method

Abstract

An image processing method includes a page layout adjustment step of converting image data to create print data having a page layout such that, when printed sheets each of which has a specified number of pages are discharged from an image formation apparatus thereby forming a stack of the printed sheets in the discharged order and in a case where the stack of the printed sheets are cut into the specified number of separated stacks corresponding to the page layout, the stack order of the cut printed sheets in each of the separated stacks corresponds to a sequence page order.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An image processing method comprising:
 a first generation step of generating a print instruction including image data for plural pages continuous in a certain order and a size specifying information specifying a first size of media onto which the image data are to be printed;   a first determination step of determining whether media having the first size are stored in a first medium storage unit;   a second determination step of, when the first determination step determines that the first size media are not stored in the first medium storage unit, determining whether media having a second size different from the first size are stored in a second medium storage unit; and   a second generation step of, when the second determination step determines that the second size media are stored in the second medium storage unit, generating print data by adjusting a page layout of the image data such that plural pages of the image data are printed on each of the second size media and such that, in the adjusted page layout, adjacent plural pages printed on each of the second size media are laid out in a different order from the certain order.   
     
     
         22 . The image processing method according to  claim 21 , wherein
 the second size is an even multiple of the first size.   
     
     
         23 . The image processing method according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a discharge step of discharging and stacking the second size media each of which has printed pages thereon,   wherein the second generation step adjusts the page layout of the image data such that, in a case where the stack of the second size media are cut into multiple separated stacks, print pages in each of the separated stacks are arranged in succession in the certain order.   
     
     
         24 . The image processing method according to  claim 23 , wherein
 the second generation step generates the print data such that a cutting line indicating a cutting position appears on each of the second size media.   
     
     
         25 . The image processing method according to  claim 23 , wherein
 the second generation step adjusts the layout of the image data such that, when the separated stacks are superimposed so as to form a single stack of the cut media in a manner that orientations of printed pages on the cut printed media are all aligned, the cut sides of all the cut media appear on the same side in the single stack.   
     
     
         26 . The image processing method according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a discharge step of discharging and stacking the second size media each of which has printed pages thereon,   wherein the second generation step adjusts the page layout of the image data such that, in a case where the stack of the second size media are cut into first and second stacks, print pages in each of the first and second stacks are arranged in succession in the certain order.   
     
     
         27 . The image processing method according to  claim 26 , wherein
 the second generation step adjusts the page layout of the image data such that, when the first and second stacks are superimposed, a printed page on a lowermost cut medium in the first stack and a printed page on an uppermost cut medium in the second stack are arranged in succession in the certain order.   
     
     
         28 . The image processing method according to  claim 26 , wherein
 the second generation step generates the print data such that a cutting line indicating a cutting position appears in a substantially center portion of each of the second size media.   
     
     
         29 . The image processing method according to  claim 26 , wherein
 the second generation step adjusts the page layout of the image data such that, when the first and second stacks are superimposed so as to form a single stack of the cut media in a manner that orientations of printed pages on the cut media are all aligned, the cut sides of all the cut media appear on the same side in the single stack.   
     
     
         30 . The image processing method according to  claim 21 , wherein
 the second generation step includes an inquiry step of, when the second determination step determines that the second size media are stored in the second medium storage unit, inquiring of a user whether the user accepts a use of the second size media, and   the second generation step generates the print data by adjusting the page layout of the image data when the user accepts the use of the second size media in the inquiry step.