Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi Computer Engineering Co., Ltd.

Takashi Wakabayashi

Toshiyuki Yamada

Nobumitsu Kembo

Tuneo Imai

A printing control method and apparatus for combining forms data and printing data to produce and output printing images. Forms data are handled as a group of forms data including a plurality of component data groups forming partial form elements and component placement information groups specifying intra-page positions of components. For form selection, component placement selection information is selected in the printing data. Component placement information selected and indicated by this component placement selection information is used for form generation. If a plurality of components are the same in partial form elements, therefore, a plurality of kinds of forms data can use components in common and are administered by only component placement information specifying intra-page positions of respective components. As for forms data needed at the time of printing, therefore, components of form elements are placed and combined in accordance with the component placement information. Combined forms data thus generated and printing data are converted into printing images and outputted. As a result, there are obtained a printing control method and apparatus in which forms data are administered efficiently and used effectively.

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Fujisawa, Japan

Takashi Wakabayashi