Printing control method and apparatus

A method for generating form data, comprising the steps of:

• a) storing in a memory respective component data, which are unit elements constituting the form data;
• b) storing, for each form data, in said memory:
• (1) an identifier identifying form data, (2) component identification information, and (3) component allocation information, in a manner in which said identifier, said component identification information and said component allocation information are associated with each other, said component identification information being information for identifying one or more component data to be used as form data and said component allocation information being information for indicating where said component data identified by said component identification information are to be allocated or placed;
• c) reading from said memory, in response to designation of one of said identifier, said component identification information and said component allocation information associated with said designated identifier;
• d) reading from said memory said component data indicated by said component identification information read out from said memory;
• and
• e) generating said form data by allocating or placing said component data in accordance with said component allocation information read out from said memory.

A printer controller coupled to a host computer and a printer, for outputting form data designated by said host computer to said printer, the controller comprising:

• a) first store means for storing respective component data, which are unit elements constituting form data;
• b) second store means for storing form data generating information which includes component identification information and component allocation information for each page, said component identification information being information for identifying one or more component data to be used as form data for a page and said component allocation information being information for indicating where said component data are to be allocated or placed onto the page;
• c) processing means, responsive to a selection information from said host computer which designate one of said form data generating information, for reading from said second store means said component identification information and said component allocation information associated with said form data generating information for reading from said first store means said component data indicated said component identification information read out from said second store means, for generating form data by allocating said component data onto the form data in accordance with said component allocation information read out from said second store means, and for outputting the generated form data to said printer.

A printing control method combining print data and form data and outputting the thus combined data, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) storing in a memory a form data group including component data, which are unit elements constituting form data and component placement information, which indicate where said component data are to be allocated onto respective form data;
• b) reading from said memory, responsive to a designation of form data from a host computer, said component data and said component placement information;
• c) reading from the memory form data generating information in accordance with designation by a host computer;
• d) generating form data by allocating said component data onto said form data in accordance with component allocation information;
• and
• e) combining said generated form data and said print data and outputting the combined data to a printer.