Method and apparatus for rotating and combining a plurality of images for printing on single or multiple sheets

An information processing device connectable with an image forming device that forms an image based on input image data, the image forming device having a plurality of trays, each of the plurality of trays accommodating a plurality of units of recording medium, each of the plurality of units of recording-medium having a size and an orientation, comprising:

• a data receiving unit that receives a plurality of pages to be printed on the unit of recording-medium, each of the plurality of pages having a size and an orientation, respectively, the orientation being one of portrait and landscape;
• a reference orientation setting unit that determines a reference orientation for the plurality of pages;
• a maximum number setting unit that sets a maximum number of pages to be printed on a single unit of recording medium, according to a print instruction;
• a layout setting unit that divides the unit of recording-medium by the maximum number of pages, to establish a layout having the same number of areas as the maximum number of pages, and each of the areas being used for receiving one of the plurality of pages;
• a processing unit that modifies each of the maximum number of pages by means of at least one of enlargement, reduction, and rotation processing in order to fit to a corresponding area of the layout and produce printing image data having the image data form;
• a storage unit that stores the printing image data;
• a tray selecting unit that selects one of the plurality of trays which accommodates a unit of recording medium having the same size and orientation as the size and orientation of image data form;
• and
• a controlling unit that reads out the printing image data stored in the storage unit and converts the printing image data into the input image data for the image forming device, wherein the input image data is formed on a unit of recording medium supplied from the selected tray.