JP2001232887A - Printer, printing method and computer readable recording medium having printing program recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rapidly and easily obtain an optimum printing result even if the size of a printable region is changed. SOLUTION: A printer has an image reading means 1 for reading the image f already printed on a New Year's card 21c, an image memory means 2 for storing an image g to be newly printed on the New Year's card 21c, a printable region detection means 38 for detecting a printable region from the image g read by the image reading means 1, an image applying region determination means 39 for determining an image applying region to which the image g is applied from the printable region, an image magnification and contraction means 40 for magnifying or contracting the size of an image i [same to the image g when the New Year's card 21c is accurately set inside and outside as well as up and down] on the basis of the image applying region and an image output means 10 for outputting the magnified or contracted image i' to the New Year's card 21c.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an address printing technique for printing an address, a sender's name, and the like on a postcard, an envelope, and the like, and more particularly, to a printing apparatus capable of adding a new print to an already-printed printing target surface. , A printing method and a computer-readable recording medium on which a printing program is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, handwriting an address or a sender's address on a postcard, especially on a New Year's postcard or the like, requires a large number of pieces and is complicated, so various printing techniques have been developed.

For example, when printing an address on a postcard or the like,
A method of drawing using an address printing application of a personal computer and using the digital font is general.

However, the method of using the address printing application of the personal computer has the advantages of an excellent data management function and beautiful address printing performance, but has the disadvantage of not being able to perform address printing with a handwriting effect. For this reason, many people who prefer the handwriting touch are currently writing hundreds of addresses by hand, even though they are troublesome, because conventional address printing is not human.

[0005]

Further, an image input device such as a scanner device is connected to the personal computer as described above, and a handwritten address document is input with the image input device and edited on the personal computer. Therefore, a method of printing on a postcard is also conceivable.

[0006] However, this method has an advantage that handwritten characters can be printed as they are, but a process of sending an original one by one to a scanner, reading it, editing it, and printing it on a postcard by a printer is required. It is extremely troublesome to repeat tens or hundreds of sheets.

In order to reduce the trouble of sending a document, it is conceivable to provide a paper feeding / discharging means such as an automatic sheet feeder in the scanner. However, it becomes a large and expensive address printing system, and the space occupied is also large. Not small.

[0008] Further, as the equipment used for printing and the process of printing become more complicated, the frequency of occurrence of troubles such as printing mistakes also increases. Especially when printing on government-made postcards, New Year's postcards, and pictured postcards, printing mistakes occur. If it occurs frequently, the cost is large.

[0009] Further, since the printable areas are different between government-made postcards, New Year's postcards, and picture-postcards, printing errors often occur. Further, confusion is often caused in the direction (front or back or top and bottom) for setting a postcard made by the government, a New Year's card, or a picture postcard.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and enables appropriate printing in accordance with a printable area of a print target, and also allows the orientation of the print target (front or back or top and bottom). It is an object of the present invention to prevent the occurrence of a printing error even when is not set correctly.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a print image reading means for reading a printed image already printed on a print object, and a first new print image to be newly printed on the print object. First new print image storage means for storing, printable area detection means for detecting a printable area from the already printed image read by the image reading means, and the first new print image from the printable area Image pasting area determining means for determining an image pasting area to be pasted; image scaling means for enlarging or reducing the size of the first new print image based on the image pasting area; And an image output means for outputting the new print image to a print target.

In this printing apparatus, a printable area on a print target surface is detected, an image pasting area is detected from the printable area, and the size of the pasted image is enlarged or reduced according to the detected pasting area. Then, by pasting the image, the new image is printed over the already printed image, etc., or the new image is extremely printed in order to avoid overprinting the image. Optimum printing results can be obtained without printing small.

The already printed image includes an image such as a postal code frame printed on a postcard or the like, and the first new printed image includes an image such as a destination address newly printed on a postcard or the like. Is included.

[0014] The present invention further provides a second new print image storing means for storing a second new print image different from the new print image, and wherein the already printed image read by the image reading means is stored in the print medium. Front and back detection means for detecting either the front or back image of the object, and when the print object is upside down, the second new print image is replaced with the first new print image. Image selecting means for selecting a pasted image.

In this printing apparatus, the front and back sides of the printing object are detected, and a first new print image to be printed on the front side and a second new print image to be printed on the back side are appropriately selected.
When the printing object is set upside down by mistake, a greeting can be printed on the back side instead of the destination address.

The second new print image is an image that is newly printed on a postcard or the like, but is an image such as a greeting text that is printed on a surface different from the first new print image such as a destination address. Is included.

According to the present invention, there is further provided a front / back detection means for detecting whether the already-printed image read by the image reading means is an image on the front surface or the back surface of the printing object; And a repelling means for repelling the print target without sending it to the image output means.

This printing apparatus detects the front and back of a printing object and, if the front and back are incorrect, repels the object to be printed.
It is possible to avoid printing a destination address or the like on the back surface.

According to the present invention, there is further provided an upside-down inversion detecting means for detecting whether or not the printed image read by the image reading means has been turned upside down. The first new print image is 18
Image rotation means for rotating by 0 degrees.

In this printing apparatus, the upper and lower sides of the printing object are detected, and if the upper and lower sides are not correct, the image to be printed is rotated by 180 degrees so that the upper and lower sides of the printing object are erroneously set. However, an appropriate print result can be obtained.

According to the present invention, there is further provided an upside-down inversion detecting means for detecting whether the printed image read by the image reading means is upside down, and And a repelling means for repelling the print target without sending it to the image output means.

In this printing apparatus, the upper and lower sides of the printing object are detected, and when the upper and lower sides are not correct, the printing apparatus is repelled.
It is possible to avoid printing upside down.

The present invention also includes a step of reading an already printed image already printed on a printing object, a step of storing a first new printing image to be newly printed on the printing object, Detecting a printable area from the already printed image read by the reading unit, determining an image pasting area to which the first new print image is to be pasted from the printable area, based on the image pasting area And enlarging or reducing the size of the first new print image, and outputting the enlarged or reduced first new print image to the print target.

In this printing method, the printable area of the printing target surface is detected, the image pasting area is detected from the printable area, and the size of the pasted image is enlarged or reduced according to the detected pasting area. Then, by pasting the image, the new image is printed over the already printed image, etc., or the new image is extremely printed in order to avoid overprinting the image. Optimum printing results can be obtained without printing small.

The present invention further comprises a step of storing a second new print image different from the new print image, wherein the already-printed image read by the image reading means is provided on a front surface or a back surface of the printing object. Detecting any of the images, and, when the print object is upside down, selecting the second new print image as the pasted image instead of the first new print image, It is characterized by including.

In this printing method, by judging either the front or back surface of the printing object and selecting a pasting image in accordance with the determination result, even if the printing object is set upside down, an appropriate image can be obtained. Images can be printed.

The present invention further comprises the step of detecting whether the printed image read by the image reading means is an image on the front side or the back side of the printing target, and wherein the printing target is turned upside down. And popping out the first new print image without outputting the first new print image to the print target.

In this printing method, the front and back sides of the printing object are detected, and if the front and back sides are not correct, the printing object is flipped out. If the printing object is set upside down, the destination address and the like are printed on the back side. Printing can be avoided.

The present invention further comprises the step of detecting whether or not the already-printed image read by the image reading means has been turned upside down, and further comprising the steps of: Rotating the new print image by 180 degrees.

In this printing method, the upper and lower sides of the printing object are detected, and if the upper and lower sides are not correct, the image to be printed is rotated by 180 degrees so that the upper and lower sides of the printing object are set incorrectly. However, an appropriate print result can be obtained.

The present invention further comprises a step of detecting whether or not the printed image read by the image reading means is turned upside down, and further comprising: Popping out an object without sending it to the image output means.

In this printing method, the upper and lower sides of the printing object are detected, and if the upper and lower sides are not correct, the printing object is repelled.
It is possible to avoid printing upside down.

The present invention also provides a step of reading already-printed image information already printed on a print object, a step of storing new print image information to be newly printed on the print object, Detecting a printable area from the image information; determining an area to which the new print image is to be pasted from the printable area information; and enlarging or reducing the size of the new print image based on the image pasting area And a step of outputting the enlarged or reduced new print image to a print target. A computer-readable recording medium that records a print program.

This recording medium prints a new image over an already printed image or the like, or prints a new image in a very small size in order to avoid printing the image overlaid. Because it records a useful program that allows you to obtain the best print result without having to save it,
Transportation, execution, and the like can be facilitated, thereby making such printing easier and faster.

[0035]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the processing unit of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. The image reading unit 1 is connected to the print optimizing unit 30 and is connected to the card type determining unit 4 via the switch SW1, or is connected to SW1, SW
2 is connected to the instruction information recognition means 5 or the first image storage means 2. The determination result of the card type determination unit 4 is input to the image reading unit 1. First image storage means 2
Are connected to the print optimizing unit 30, the image processing unit 3, the associating unit 7, and the list card creating unit 9. The instruction information recognizing unit 5 is connected to the instruction information storage unit 6, and the instruction information storage unit 6 is connected to the association unit 7. The associating means 7 is connected to the document separating means 8 and the list card creating means 9. The document separating means 8 is connected to the image reading means 1 and the image processing means 3. The image processing means 3 is connected to the image output means 10. The list card creating means 9 is also connected to the image output means 10.

Here, the image reading means 1 reads the list card 20, the sender card 21a and the address card 21b, and controls the switching of SW1 and SW2 according to the discrimination result of the card type discriminating means 4 and the like. At the same time, or determines whether or not to continue reading based on the separation result of the document separation unit 8, and outputs the read image and information to the first image storage unit 2, the instruction information recognition unit 5, or the card type determination unit 4. Further, the image reading means 1 reads a New Year's postcard 21c, an official postcard 21d or a picture postcard 21e shown in Fig. 20, a plain envelope 21f or an envelope 21g containing a company logo shown in Fig. 21, and prints the read image of the postcard or the like. Output to the converting means 30.

The first image storage means 2 includes the image reading means 1
And stores the image and information read by the first and second print image storing means.

The image processing means 3 lays out the image read by the image reading means 1, performs image processing such as achromatization and image cutout processing, creates a print image, and outputs it to the image output means 10 Output to

The card type discriminating means 4 includes the image reading means 1
It is determined whether or not the read card is the list card 20, and the result of the determination is output to the image reading means 1.

The instruction recognizing means 5 recognizes an instruction item, invalidity, deletion, etc. in a printing operation from the image read by the image reading means 1, and identifies the recognized instruction information and a two-dimensional bar for specifying a document in the image. The various data represented by the codes are stored in the instruction information storage means 6.

The instruction information storing means 6 stores the instruction information from the instruction recognizing means 5 and various data represented by a two-dimensional bar code for specifying the original.

The associating means 7 determines whether or not the address card 21b read by the first image storage means 2 is a new address card 21b by using a two-dimensional bar code for specifying the original in the instruction information storage means 6. Judgment is made based on the various data represented, and the result is output to the document classification means 8 and the list card creation means 9.

The document sorting means 8 sorts the address card read by the image reading means 1 for which there is an instruction for erasing based on the instruction information in the instruction information storage means 6 and sends the result to the image processing means 3. Output.

The list card creating means 9 creates a reduced image of the address entry field of the address card 21b to be subjected to the next address printing based on the determination result of the associating means 7, and
By creating an instruction entry column corresponding to the reduced image and laying out both, a print image of the next list card 20b is created and output to the image output means 10.

The image output means 10 prints and outputs an address and a sender on a New Year's postcard 21c or the like, or prints and outputs a reduced image and an instruction entry column as the next list card 20b.

Note that the address here is the address of the destination,
Name, postal code, etc.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the above-described print optimization means 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the print optimizing unit 30 includes a front / back detecting unit 31, an upside down detecting unit 32, an image rotating unit 33, a flipping unit 34, a greeting image reading unit 35, a greeting image storing unit 36, a second image It comprises a storage unit 37, a printable area detection unit 38, an image pasting area detection unit 39, and an image enlargement / reduction unit 40.

The image reading means 1 is connected to the front and back detection means 31 and the printable area detection means 38, and includes a switch SW.
3 is connected to the upside down detecting means 32. The first image storage unit 2 is connected to the image rotation unit 33. The vertical inversion detecting means 32 is connected to the image rotating means 33 or the flipping means 34 via the switch SW4. The repelling unit 34 is connected to the image reading unit 1. The front / back detection means 31 is connected to the flipping means 34 or the greeting image reading means 35 via the switch SW5. The greeting image storage means 36 is connected to the greeting image reading means 35. Greeting image reading means 35
Are connected to the second image storage means 37. The second image storage unit 37 is connected to the image enlargement / reduction unit 40. The printable area detecting means 38 is connected to the image pasting area detecting means 39. Image pasting area detecting means 3
9 is connected to the image scaling means 40. The image enlargement / reduction unit 40 is connected to the image processing unit 3.

The image of the address card and the sender card is stored in the second image storage means 37 in advance. Also,
The second image storage unit 37 corresponds to a second new print image storage unit according to the second aspect.

The front / back detection means 31 detects whether the printing object is front or back from the image f output from the image reading means 1, and outputs front / back information. For example, an attempt is made to detect the presence or absence of a postal code frame image from the image f.

The upside-down inversion detecting means 32 detects whether the printing object is upside down from the image f, and outputs upside-down inversion information. For example, an attempt is made to detect the position of the postal code frame image from the image f. If the postal code frame image is detected from the lower portion of the image f, it is determined that the upper and lower sides are upside down. It is preferable that the upside-down inversion detecting means 32 be turned on and operated only when the front and back detecting means 31 determines that it is a front side.

The image rotation means 33 1) When the upside-down inversion detection means 32 determines that the image is upside down and outputs information to that effect, the image g such as the destination address image output from the first image storage means 2 Is rotated 180 degrees to output an image g '. 2) When the upside-down inversion detecting means 32 determines that the upside-down direction is positive and outputs information to that effect, or when the upside-down inversion information is not output,
The image g is output as it is as the image g ′.

The flipping means 34 includes the upside down detecting means 32
Is determined to be upside down, or when the front and back detection means 31 determines that the print object is upside down, the print object is flipped out of the transport path for sending the image output means 10 and a signal for additional request is output to the image reading means 1. Here, the additional request signal is a signal requesting the image reading means 1 to read the next New Year's postcard 21c or the like.

The greeting image storage means 36 stores a greeting image h in advance.

The greeting image reading means 35 reads the greeting image h from the greeting image storage means 36 and outputs the greeting image h to the second image storage means 37 when the front and back detection means 31 determines that the image is upside down.

The second image storage means 37 stores the image of the image g 'or the image h which has been input. However,
When both images are input, only the image h is stored. The stored image is output to the image enlargement / reduction means 40 as an image i as it is.

The printable area detecting means 38 regards the area of the base color as a printable area from the image f read by the image reading means 1 and outputs it as printable area information. FIG.
As indicated by 0 to 22, the printable area is an area other than the area where the lottery numbers of stamps and lottery, the illustrations, and the address and name of the sender are already printed.

The image pasting area detecting means 39 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, a rectangular image pasting area to which a destination address image, a destination zip code image, a sender address image, a sender zip code image, and the like are pasted is detected from the printable area.

The image enlargement / reduction means 40 enlarges or reduces the image i according to the size of the image pasting area, and outputs the enlarged or reduced image i ′. For example, in the case of a postcard, the widths of the destination address image area and the sender address image area are fixed,
Scale the vertical width according to the size of each address area. In other words, as shown in FIGS.
In both New Year postcards and pictured postcards, the width of the destination address image area and the sender address image area are constant,
The vertical width is scaled according to the size of the lottery number portion and the illustration portion of the lottery. In the case of an envelope, the size is changed both vertically and horizontally according to the size of the envelope. If the envelope size is the same,
As shown in (a) and (b), the width is the same,
Scales the vertical width according to the size of the company address and company logo. In the case of an envelope, the sender image is not pasted.

The image processing means 3 includes an image scaling means 40
Receives an image i 'that has been enlarged or reduced by, lays out this image i', performs image processing such as achromatization or image cutout processing, creates a print image such as a New Year's postcard, and outputs it. Output to the means 10.

The image output means 10 prints and outputs the address, sender and the like on the New Year's postcard 21c and the like, or prints and outputs the reduced image and the instruction entry column on the next-time list card 22.

The switches SW1 to SW5 specify on / off or one of a plurality of connection paths before the user starts the printing process. This switch does not change during processing.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the printing apparatus including the processing section shown in FIG. The printing apparatus includes a processing unit 70 including a personal computer, a reading unit 12 that operates as a part of the image reading unit 1, and a reading unit 1.
2, a paper feeding unit 11 for feeding various cards and postcards, a printing unit 13 operating as a part of the image output unit 10, a card read by the reading unit 12, a printed postcard, and the like. A paper unit 15, a repelling unit 16 for repelling and separating various cards and postcards under certain conditions, and a second paper discharge unit 14 for discharging the repelled various cards and postcards.

FIG. 4 is a system diagram showing a schematic processing flow when address printing is performed using the above-described printing apparatus. The printing apparatus 100 of the present invention is placed, for example, at a printing company.

The user 60 first has a sender card 21a in which a sender name is previously written and an address card 21b in which an address is written.
Is brought to the printer 50 (arrow A). The printing company 50 sends the sender card 21a to the address printing apparatus 100.
And the address card 21b are read.

When the reading of the sender card 21a and the address card 21b is completed, the New Year postcard 21c and the like and the next list card 20b are put into the address printing apparatus 100.
The address and sender are printed on New Year's postcard 21c, etc.
A next list card 20b describing the current address and the like is created. After that, New Year's postcard 2 with the address and sender printed
1c, the next list card 20b, and the sender card 21a and the address card 21b used in the address printing are stored in the user 60 (arrow B).

The next time the address printing is performed, the user 6
0 indicates whether a postcard is to be displayed this time in the corresponding address in the instruction entry column of the current list card 20a (this is the next list card 20b in the above description), or an instruction to delete the data of the corresponding address. Fill in. Then, the user 60 sets the list card 20a, the address card 21b, and the new address card 21b as necessary.
Is brought to the printing company 50 (arrow C).

The printing company 50 has the list card 20
a, The address printing device 100 reads the sender card 21a and the address card 21b. This time list card 20
a, When reading of the sender card 21a and the address card 21b is completed, the postcard 21c and the next list card 2 are read.
0b is input to the address printing apparatus 100, and the address and the sender are printed on the postcard 21c. At this time, the address printing device 100
Indicates that the user 60
The corresponding address is not printed on the postcard 21c or the corresponding address is printed according to the contents designated by
Processing such as not printing on the address card 1c and not printing the address information on the next list card 20b is performed.

Thereafter, the postcard 23 on which the sender and the address are printed, the next list card 20b, and the used sender card 21a and the address card 21b are stored in the user 60 (arrow D).

The outline processing described above is performed for the sender card 2
Although the example in which the user 1a and the address card 21b are returned to the user 60 every time, and the user 60 always requests the printing company to perform the address printing, the user 60 must bring these cards.
Various other methods are conceivable.

For example, when the address printing is performed for the first time, the user 60 deposits the sender card 21a and the address card 21b used in the printing with a printing company, and
Bring back only b (arrow B). At the time of the next address printing, the user 60 operates the next list card 20 created at the first time.
b is brought to the printing company as a list card 20a this time (arrow C). When a new address is added, a new address card 21b in which only the new address is entered is also brought. The printing company 50 performs address printing based on the previously stored sender card 21a and address card 21b and the current list card 20a brought by the user.

In such a system, when it is burdensome for the printing company 50 to store many cards, it is conceivable to store and store the address data in an electronic medium. If you store your address information on electronic media,
When performing address printing, instead of inserting the sender card 21a and the address card 21b into the address printing apparatus, an electronic medium storing the sender and address data may be input from a personal computer as the processing unit 70.

In the method of returning the sender card 21a and the address card 21b to the user 60 each time as described above, the address and the sender data may be stored in the electronic medium and passed to the user 60 (arrow). B). From the next time, the user 60 only needs to bring the electronic media and the current list card 20a (and the new address card 21b if necessary) (arrow C).

Further, if the printing apparatus 100 which saves space and cost is provided to the end user, the user 60 does not need to go to the printing company 50.

Next, an example of the processing operation of the address printing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 5 to 15 are flowcharts illustrating the processing procedure of the address printing apparatus. These series of processing procedures are programmed and installed in the processing unit 70. FIG.
18 are examples of various cards. FIG. 23 exemplifies a screen displayed on the processing unit 70 during the address printing process, and the operator (for example, the printing company 50) operates the address printing process while interacting with this screen.

First, the flow of the entire address printing process will be described with reference to FIG. When the address printing program installed in the processing unit 70 is started, an initial menu 500 of the address printing process is displayed on the screen (FIG. 23). Here, when the reading button 51 is selected using the icon 57, a reading process (step 50) of the card inserted in the address printing device is executed.

Next, a card information reading process (step 5)
If there is a card that cannot be read correctly in step 0), a card information correction process (step 60) for correcting the information of this card is performed. This card information correction processing (step 6)
0) may be skipped if unnecessary, such as when all the cards have been read normally.

Next, when the list data creation button 52 is selected in the initial menu 500, the card information read in the card information reading process (step 50) and the card information corrected in the card information correcting process (step 60) are displayed. To create data for the list card. Further, print data creation processing (step 70) for editing data necessary for printing is executed.

When the data for the list card and the data for printing are completed, the list print button 53 is selected in the initial menu 500, the list card printing card 25 is set in the address printing device, and the list card printing is performed. Perform (Step 80).

After printing the list card, the user selects the postcard print button 54 in the initial menu 500, sets a postcard in the address printing device, and performs postcard printing (step 90). When the printing of the postcard is completed for all the destinations, the address printing process ends. Initial menu 50
At 0, the end button 56 is selected to end.

The environment setting button 55 on the initial menu 500 is used to make various settings for performing the address printing process. The items to be set include, for example, adjustment of the print position and print density, test printing, and the like.

Next, the user 60 becomes the printing company 50 for the first time.
The first address printing process when requesting the address printing from the server will be described.

The user 60 preliminarily fills in blanks of two types of cards, that is, the sender card 21a and the address card 21b. Specifically, FIG.
In the “From 1” column of the sender column 231 of the sender card 21a as shown in (1), for example, the individual's postal code, address, name, telephone number, and the like are entered. , Family name, company total 3
In the case of using the pattern, also fill in the fields of “sender 2” and “sender 3”), and create one sender card 21a as shown in FIG. 18B.

Also, the postal code, address, name, etc. of the person to whom the New Year's card is sent are entered in the address entry field 221 of the address card 21b as shown in FIG. 17 (a). Further, when a plurality of sender patterns are created on the sender card 21a, which pattern is to be used is marked in a corresponding part of the sender selection column 223. In addition, the initial column 224 of the address
"A" to "Other" are also marked. These operations are repeated to create address cards 21b for the number of people sending the New Year's card this time. In the example shown in FIG. 17B, the sender pattern to be used is “3” (“Company” in the example of FIG. 18), and the first letter of the address is “ha” line.

The user 60 comes to the printing company 50 with the sender card 21a and the address card 21b prepared in advance. And the user 60
The sender card 21a and the address card 21b are handed over to the printing business 50, and the printing business 50 sets these cards in the paper feeding unit 11 so that the reading means 12 of the address printing device can read them.

On the other hand, the address printing program installed in the processing section 70 has an initial menu 500 for address printing on the screen.
Is displayed (FIG. 23). The printing company 50 selects the read button 51 from this menu as shown. As a result, the card information reading process (step 50) is started, a control signal is sent from the processing unit 70 to the paper feeding unit 11, and the paper feeding unit 11 feeds the set cards one by one to the reading unit 12. start.

When the sheets are set in the sheet feeding unit 11, the order of the sender card 21a, the address card 21b, and the order in the address card 21b may be any order.

The orientation of the card when it is set in the paper feeding section 11 may be either vertical or horizontal, but more preferably, it can be set horizontally in the paper feeding direction as shown in FIG. Such a printing device is good. As shown,
The lateral direction in the paper feeding direction has the advantage that the length of the apparatus main body can be made compact.
The scanning length of the head can be shortened, and the distance for transporting the card can be shortened, so that the processing time of the entire printing process can be expected to be shortened.

<Card Information Reading Process (Step 50)
> Reading unit 12 that receives a card fed from paper feeding unit 11
Reads the written information on the card and sends the read data to the processing unit 70. The processing unit 70 performs the following processing illustrated in FIG. 6 based on the transmitted data.

It is determined whether there is, for example, an address bar code 225 or a sender bar code 235 at a predetermined position of the read (step 51) card (step 5).
2). If either the address barcode 225 or the sender barcode 235 can be recognized, the card is the address card 21b or the sender card 21.
a can be determined.

Next, based on the recognized barcode, whether the card is the address card 21b or the sender card 21
a is determined (step 53), and the sender card 21
If it is a, the read data is stored in a sender card memory area (not shown) (step 54), and if it is an address card 21b, the read data is stored in an address card memory area (not shown). (Step 5)
5). When the item to be stored is the address card 21b,
The image information described in the address entry field 221 and the post code field 222, the mark information of the sender classification 223 and the address prefix 224, the address bar code 225, and the like. In the case of the sender card 21a, the sender entry field 231 and the mail Number column 2
32, image information described in the classification name entry field 233, a sender bar code 235, and the like.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 52 that neither the address bar code 225 nor the sender bar code 235 can be recognized, then it is determined whether or not the list card 20 is present (step 56). If it is determined that the number is 20, the read data is stored in a list card memory area (not shown) (step 57). At the time of the first address printing, list card 2
Since 0 does not yet exist, reading of the list card 20 will be described later.

If it cannot be determined that the card is the list card 20, the read data is stored as an unknown card in a memory area (not shown) for the unknown card (step 58). Here, the determination as to whether or not the card is a list card can be made based on, for example, whether or not the list barcode 215 is located at a predetermined position on the card.

The processing from step 51 to step 58 is repeated until there are no more cards to be read (step 59).

The cards for which the reading process has been completed are sequentially
The sheet is conveyed to the sheet discharging unit 15 via the printing unit 13. Also,
The card which has been processed as an unknown card because the type of the card cannot be determined is sent to the second paper output unit 14 by the repelling unit 16.

<Card Information Correction Processing (Step 60)>
In the card information reading process (step 50),
For a card processed as an unknown card because the type of the card cannot be determined, or a card whose type can be specified but the item described in the card cannot be read, the processing unit 70
, The information of the card can be corrected interactively (see FIG. 7).

The card information correction processing (step 60)
Correction of an unknown card (step 61) and correction of a card error (step 62) are included.

Correction of an unknown card (step 61)
This refers to correcting the card type of a card which has been processed as an unknown card because the card type cannot be determined and which kind of card it is.

Further, correction of a card error (step 6)
2) means that the correct sender classification is input when the sender classification 223 in the address card 21b cannot be read.

<Print Data Processing (Step 70)> Next, the list data creation button 52
Is selected, the card information reading process (step 50)
The print data for the next list card 20b is sorted based on the information of the card read in step 2 and the information of the card corrected in the card information correction process (step 60).

First, the information of the current list card 20a stored in the memory area in step 57 is decomposed for each destination (step 71). In the case of the first address printing, there is no list card 20a this time, so nothing is performed here.

Next, the address information newly added this time from the information of the address card 21b stored in the memory area of the processing unit 70 in step 55 is added to the address information decomposed in step 71 (step 55). 72). The determination of whether or not the address is a newly added address is performed based on the barcode 225 of the address card and the barcode 215 of the current list card 20a.
Should be checked. At the first address printing, all addresses are added as new ones.

Subsequently, the address information is sorted in a predetermined order (step 73). The sort key is the sender classification 22
3 and the initial letter 224.

Next, the next list card 20b and postcard 2
A print list for printing 1c is created (step 74).

<List Card Printing Process (Step 80)
> When the data for the next list card 20b and the data for printing are completed, the list print button 53 is selected in the initial menu 500, and the card for list card printing is set in the paper feed unit 11 of the address printing device. Next list card 20
The printing of b is started (step 80). by this,
The list card printing process (step 80) is started, and a control signal is sent from the processing unit 70 to the paper feeding unit 11 so that the paper feeding unit 1
The cards set to 1 pass through the reading unit 12 and are conveyed to the printing unit 13 one by one.

To the printing unit 13, the data for printing the list card 20b and the TPH control signal are sent from the processing unit 70.
The printing unit 13 performs printing based on the data (step 81).

In step 81, the individual image data and the like necessary for printing the next list card 20b are stored.
A process for adding data necessary for laying out these data on one list card is performed. Step 55
In FIG. 16, after the postal code field and the address entry field are separated and cut out from the image information of the address card 22 stored in the memory area of the processing unit 70 and reduced at the respective preset reduction rates, FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a reduced image of the address information 211 and the postal code information 212 is created by laying out a predetermined form. Further, an instruction entry field 214 for the user 60 to enter various instructions next time is laid out at a predetermined position.

The reduced image 211 in the next list card 20b is for causing the user 60 to recognize the correspondence between the address card 22 and the instruction entry field 214, and the bar code 215 indicates the correspondence to the apparatus. This is for recognition.

Further, the classification is performed by the classification name stored in the memory area in step 54 and the address prefix stored in the memory area in step 55, and each time the classification is sorted, FIG. As shown, a print image of the next list card 20b is created.

Incidentally, the reduced image for the list card may be created after reading the address card (step 55), stored in the memory, and read from the memory at the time of printing the list.

The printed next list card 20 b is conveyed to the paper discharge unit 15.

<Postcard Printing Process (Step 90)> After the next printing of the list card is completed, the postcard print button 54 is selected in the initial menu 500, and a postcard is set in the paper feed unit 11 of the address printing apparatus. Postcard printing is performed (step 90). To print a postcard, data for printing the postcard address is created. As shown in FIG. 19, the image of the address entry field 221 and the image of the zip code 222 stored in the memory, and the image of the sender entry field 231 and the image of the sender zip code 232 corresponding to the mark of the sender information 223. Lay out in a predetermined format. As a result, the postcard printing process (step 90) is started, a control signal is sent from the processing unit 70 to the paper feeding unit 11, and the postcard set in the paper feeding unit 11 passes through the reading unit 12,
The sheets are conveyed to the printing unit 13 one by one.

[0114] Data for postcard printing and a print control signal are sent from the processing unit 70 to the printing unit 13, and the printing unit 13 performs printing based on the data (step 91). The printed postcard is conveyed to the paper discharge unit 15.

Here, the following print optimization processing is performed to obtain an optimum print result.

<Print Optimization Process> FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the flow of the print optimization process.

First, an image of a postcard is read using the image reading means 1 (FIG. 22A).

Next, the printable area is detected by using the printable area detecting means 38 (FIG. 22B). At this time, the place of the base color is regarded as a printable area. The front and back detection means 31
Alternatively, upside down or upside down or upside down is detected using the upside down detecting means 32. For example, upside down and upside down are detected using a postal code frame. If the postal code frame is at the bottom of the image read by the image reading means, it is determined to be “upside down”, and if it is not found at the bottom or top, it is determined to be “upside down”.

Next, an image pastable area is detected using the image pasting area detecting means 39 (FIG. 22C). The printable area detected by the printable area detection unit 38 is divided into a destination address area for pasting a destination address image and a sender address area for pasting a sender address image. Both the destination address area and the sender address area are rectangles inscribed in the printable area.

Then, the size of the pasted image is enlarged or reduced so as to fit the image pasting area using the image enlargement / reduction means 40, and the enlarged or reduced image is transmitted to the New Year postcard using the image processing means 3 and the image output means 10. Paste (Fig. 22
D). That is, the size of the destination address image, the sender address image, the destination zip code image, and the size of the sender zip code image are enlarged or reduced so as to fit in the destination address area, the sender address area, the destination zip code area, and the sender zip code area, respectively. , And paste on each corresponding area.

Next, a method for enlarging or reducing an image according to an image pasting area will be described with reference to FIG.

The paper is fed (S9101), and the image of the paper is read by the image reading means 1 (S910).
2). The printable area of the paper is detected by the printable area detecting means 38 (S9103), and the image pasting area is detected from the printable area of the paper by the image pasting area detecting means 39 (S9104). The size of the pasted image of the image data is enlarged or reduced using the image enlargement / reduction means 40 so as to fit the image pasting area (S9105), and the enlarged or reduced image is pasted using the image processing means 3 (S9106).
The image is printed on paper using the image output means 10 (S91
07), the sheet on which the image is printed is discharged (S910).
8). Here, pasting an image means associating each of the enlarged or reduced image data with a predetermined coordinate position in the image pasting area. For example, the postal code image has a size of 500 × 100 from the coordinates (100, 100).
The address image is calculated from coordinates (100, 250) to 500 × 80.
The size is 0. The origin (0,0) is the coordinates of the upper left corner when the destination postal code of the postcard is placed on the top, and the coordinates (100,100) are 10 to the right from the origin.
It is assumed that the position is shifted by 0, 100 by downward. The unit of each numerical value is a pixel.

Next, a method of detecting upside down of a sheet will be described with reference to FIG. Steps S9121 to 9123 surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 12 are steps not described in FIG.

The paper is fed (S9101), and the image of the paper is read by the image reading means 1 (S910).
2) Thereafter, it is detected whether or not the sheet is turned upside down by the upside down detecting means 32 (S9121). For example, upside down is detected using a postal code frame. If the postal code space is
If it is below the image read by the image reading means 1, it is determined as "upside down".

The printable area detecting means 38 detects the printable area of the paper (S9103), the image pasting area detecting means 39 detects the image pasting area from the printable area of the paper (S9104), and the image enlargement / reduction means 40. To enlarge or reduce the size of the pasted image to fit the image pasting area (S9105).

In step S9122, if it is determined that the image is upside down, the image rotation means 33 changes the pasted image to 1
It rotates by 80 degrees (S9123), and does not rotate when it is determined that the up and down directions are correct.

Then, the image is pasted using the image processing means 3 (S9106), the image is printed on paper using the image output means 10 (S9107), and the paper on which the image is printed is discharged (S9108). .

Next, another method for detecting the upside down of the sheet will be described with reference to FIG. Steps S9121 and S9122 surrounded by a dotted line in FIG.
And S9124 are steps not described in FIG.

The sheet is fed (S9101), and the image of the sheet is read by the image reading means 1 (S910).
2) Thereafter, it is detected whether or not the sheet is turned upside down by using the upside down detecting means 32 by the above-described method (S912).
1).

If it is determined in step S9122 that the sheet is upside down, the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharging section (second sheet discharging section 14) different from the sheet discharging section 15 for discharging the sheet on which the image is printed by the repelling means 34. The page is popped out and returns to step S9101 (S9124).

The printable area detecting means 38 detects the printable area of the paper (S9103), the image pasting area detecting means 39 detects the image pasting area from the printable area of the paper (S9104), and the image enlargement / reduction means 40 To enlarge or reduce the size of the pasted image to fit the image pasting area (S9105).

Then, the image is pasted using the image processing means 3 (S9106), the image is printed on paper using the image output means 10 (S9107), and the paper on which the image is printed is discharged (S9108). .

Next, a method for detecting the reversal of a sheet will be described with reference to FIG. Steps S9131 to 9133 surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 14 are steps not described in FIG.

The paper is fed (S9101), and the image of the paper is read by the image reading means 1 (S910).
2) After that, it is detected by the front / back reversal detecting means whether or not the paper is reversed (S9131). As a method of detecting front / back inversion, for example, the presence / absence of a zip code frame image is attempted from the image.

The printable area of the paper is detected by the printable area detecting means 38 (S9103), and the image pasting area is detected from the printable area of the paper by the image pasting area detecting means 39 (S9104).

If the front / back reversal detecting means determines that the data is “front”, the size of the image data such as the destination address image is enlarged or reduced (S9105).

If the reverse side is detected by the front / back inversion detecting means, the image data is used as a greeting, and then the size of the image data is enlarged or reduced (S 9133).

Then, the image is pasted using the image processing means 3 (S9106), the image is printed on paper using the image output means 10 (S9107), and the paper on which the image is printed is discharged (S9108). .

Next, another method for detecting the reversal of the sheet will be described with reference to FIG. Steps S9131 and S9132 surrounded by a dotted line in FIG.
And S9134 are steps not described in FIG.

The paper is fed (S9101), and the image of the paper is read by the image reading means 1 (S910).
2) After that, it is detected whether or not the sheet has been turned upside down using the upside down detection means by the above-described method (S913).
1).

If it is determined that the front and back sides are opposite, the sheet is flipped out to the second sheet discharging portion by the flipping means, and step S91 is performed.
Returning to 01 (S9134), if it is determined that the front and back sides are correct, no flipping is performed.

The printable area detecting means 38 detects the printable area of the paper (S9103), the image pasting area detecting means 39 detects the image pasting area from the printable area of the paper (S9104), and the image enlargement / reduction means 40. To enlarge or reduce the size of the pasted image to fit the image pasting area (S9105).

Then, the image is pasted using the image processing means 3 (S9106), the image is printed on paper using the image output means 10 (S9107), and the paper on which the image is printed is discharged (S9108). .

As described above, after the printing of the postcard 21c is completed for all destinations after optimizing the image size and the like (step 92), the address printing process is completed. The user selects the end button 56 in the initial menu 500 to end the process.

In this embodiment, the list card print processing (step 80) → the postcard print processing (step 90)
Has been described, the order of this processing may be reversed. However, from the viewpoint of preventing printing errors on high-cost paper such as government-made postcards, list card printing processing (step 80) → postcard printing processing (step 90)
It is more preferable to perform the processing in this order.

With the above, the first address printing process is completed, and the printing company 50 puts the printed postcard 21c and the next list card 20b in the user 60, and also sends the sender card 21a and the address card 21b used for printing. Return to user 60.

Next, address printing in the next and subsequent times will be described. A description of the same processing as the “first” address printing processing described above will be appropriately omitted.

The user 60 looks at the reduced image of the address entry field 211 in the current list card 20a (previously printed list card) as shown in FIG. Instruction item 2 for classification
14. For example, mark a corresponding part such as "invalid" in the case of mourning, "delete" when it is no longer necessary to send a new year's card, or "receive" when a new year's card was received in the previous year.

However, if there is a change (change of address, etc.) in the contents of this list card, it is marked as “delete” in the corresponding manuscript separation instruction item 214 and the same as in the first case. Thus, a new address card 21b as shown in FIG. 17 is created. If there is a new destination not listed on this list card, the address card 21b is created in the same manner.

The user 60 enters the list card 20a,
If there is a newly created address card 21b, go to the printing company with the address card 21b, the sender card 21a and the address card 21b used in the previous address printing.

The user 60 gives the present-time list card 20a, the sender card 21a, and the address card 21b to the printing company 50, and the printing company 50 transfers these cards.
It is set on the sheet feeding unit 11 so that the reading unit 12 of the address printing device can read, and “read” is selected from the initial menu 500 for address printing of the address printing program.

When the cards are set in the sheet feeding section 11, the order of the present list card 20a, the sender card 21a, and the address card 21b may be set in any order.

<Card Information Reading Process (Step 50)
> Reading unit 12 that receives a card fed from paper feeding unit 11
Reads the written information on the card and sends the read data to the processing unit 70. The processing unit 70 performs the processing illustrated in FIG. 6 based on the transmitted data.

As in the first address printing, it is determined whether or not the read card is the address card 21b or the sender card 21a (step 52).
1b or the sender card 21a, it is determined whether the card is the address card 21b or the sender card 21a (step 53). If the card is the sender card 21a, the read data is stored in the memory area for the sender card. (Not shown) (step 54), and in the case of the address card 21b, the read data is stored in a memory area (not shown) for the address card (step 5).
5). The items to be stored are the same as in the first address printing.

On the other hand, if the card is neither the address card 21b nor the sender card 21a in step 52, it is next determined whether or not the card is the list card 20 (step 56). In this case, the read data is stored in a list card memory area (not shown) (step 57). The items to be stored are the mark information of the instruction entry field 214 for each address and the barcode 215 corresponding to each address.

If the card cannot be determined to be the list card 20, the read data is stored as an unknown card in a memory area (not shown) for the unknown card (step 58).

The processing from step 51 to step 58 is repeated until there are no more cards to be read (step 59).

The cards for which the reading process has been completed are sequentially
The sheet is conveyed to the sheet discharging unit 15 via the printing unit 13. Also,
Cards that have been processed as unknown cards because the card type cannot be determined are sorted and sent to the second paper output unit 14.

<Card Information Correction Processing (Step 60)>
In the card information reading process (step 50),
For a card processed as an unknown card because the type of the card cannot be determined, or a card whose type can be specified but the item described in the card cannot be read, the processing unit 70
, The information on the card can be corrected interactively.
These processing operations are the same as in the first address printing.

<Print Data Processing (Step 70)> Next, the list data creation button 52
Is selected, the card information reading process (step 50)
The print data for the next list card 20b is sorted based on the information of the card read in step 2 and the information of the card corrected in the card information correction process (step 60).

First, the information of the current list card 20a stored in the memory area in step 57 is decomposed for each destination (step 71).

Next, the address information newly added from the address card 21b stored in the memory area of the processing unit 70 in step 55 is added to the address information disassembled in step 71 (step 55). 72). The determination of whether or not the address is a newly added address is performed based on the barcode 225 of the address card and the barcode 215 of the current list card 20a.
Should be checked.

Next, the mark information in the instruction entry field 214 for each address is checked. If there is an instruction of "delete" in the instruction entry field 214, the address information is separated into "do not print and delete", and if there is an instruction of "invalid", the address information is made into "not print and save" If no instruction is given for either “delete” or “invalid”, it is classified as “print”. If there is an instruction for “Reception”, the “Reception” column of the history information is enabled. The card recognized as a new address card in step 72 is classified as "print".

Subsequently, the address information is sorted in a predetermined order (step 73). The sort key is the sender classification 22
3 and the initial letter 224.

Next, the next list card 20b and postcard 2
A print list for printing 1c is created (step 74).

First, for the address information classified as “not print and save” and the address information classified as “print”, data creation processing for printing the next list card 20b is performed. The procedure for creating data is the same as that for the first address printing.

<List Card Printing Process (Step 80)
When the data for the next list card 20b and the data for printing are completed, the list print button 53 is selected in the initial menu 500, and the card 25 for list card printing is set in the paper feed unit 11 of the address printing device. Next, the list card is printed next time (step 80). The processing procedure is the same as in the first address printing.

<Postcard Printing Process (Step 90)> After all the printing of the list card is completed next time, the postcard print button 54 is selected in the initial menu 500, and the postcard 21c is set in the paper feed unit 11 of the address printing apparatus. Then, postcard printing is performed (step 90). The processing procedure creates data for address printing of the postcard 21c for the address information classified as "print" as in the case of the initial address printing. The image of the address entry field 221 and the image of the zip code 222 stored in the memory and the image of the sender entry field 231 corresponding to the mark of the sender information 223 are laid out one address at a time in a predetermined format as shown in FIG. And print. The print optimization processing is the same as the first time.

With the above, the address printing process to be performed in the next and subsequent times is completed, and the printing company 50 puts the printed postcard 21c and the next list card 20b in the user 60, and sends the sender card 21a and the address card 21b used for printing. Is returned to the user 60.

In the following years, the above procedure is repeated to
Handwritten address printing can be easily performed.

Further, a printing program for causing a computer to execute each step required in each of the printing methods described above is recorded on a recording medium, and is read and executed by a computer, thereby realizing the printing method described above. Can be. Here, examples of the recording medium include devices capable of recording a program, such as a memory device, a magnetic disk device, an optical disk device, and a magnetic tape device.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a computer system which reads programs stored in these recording media and implements a printing process in accordance with the steps described therein. A floppy disk drive 81 and a CD-
A ROM drive 82 is provided, and a floppy disk 83 as a magnetic disk device or a CD-ROM 84 as an optical disk device is inserted from each drive entrance, and a predetermined read operation is performed to store the data in these recording media. The program can be installed in the system. Further, by connecting a predetermined drive device, for example, a ROM 85 as a memory device used for a game pack or the like and a cassette tape 86 as a magnetic tape device can be used.

[0173]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By using the address card, the sender card, or the list card, the work load for the user to separate the original document can be reduced as compared with the related art, and further, handwritten-style address printing can be performed at low cost.

Further, according to the present invention, when printing only a desired original from an existing bundle of originals, the user prints while viewing the address identification information such as a reduced image of the original in the instruction entry field of the list card. If you decide not to do so and repeat the work of filling in the instructions, and if you want to add more manuscripts, look at the address identification information on the list card and check if there is a duplicate manuscript in the existing manuscript bundle Since the work is performed, the burden on the user for separating the original can be reduced as compared with the case where address printing is performed using a copying machine. In addition, since the original itself becomes stored data, other recording media can be used. , The handwritten address printing can be performed by an inexpensive system.

Further, according to the present invention, an optimum image pasting result can be obtained by enlarging or reducing the size of an image to be pasted (such as a destination address image) according to the size of the image pasting area.

Further, according to the present invention, when a sheet is fed upside down, the image to be pasted (destination address image, etc.) is rotated 180 degrees so that the image can be printed up and down correctly.

Further, according to the present invention, when the paper is fed upside down, the paper is not printed, and the paper output unit (the second paper output unit) is different from the paper output unit from which the printed paper is discharged. By ejecting the print result, only the print result that is not inverted upside down can be discharged to the discharge unit.

Further, according to the present invention, when the sheet is fed upside down, the greeting can be printed, and the labor of the operator can be saved.

Further, according to the present invention, when the paper is fed upside down, the paper is not printed and the printed paper is discharged separately from the paper discharge unit (the second paper discharge unit where the printed paper is discharged). By ejecting the print result, only the print result that is not inverted upside down can be discharged to the discharge unit. By ejecting the printed sheet to a sheet discharge unit (second sheet discharge unit) different from the sheet discharge unit from which the printed sheet is discharged, it is possible to discharge only the print result that is not turned upside down to the sheet discharge unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a print optimization unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the printing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a system diagram illustrating a schematic processing flow when printing is performed using the printing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a print processing procedure of the printing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of card information reading processing in the printing processing procedure shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of a card information correction process in the print processing procedure shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of print data processing in the print processing procedure shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of a list card printing process in the printing process procedure shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of a postcard printing process in the printing process procedure shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a print size optimization processing procedure.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a printing vertical optimization processing procedure.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of another print vertical optimization processing procedure.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a print front / back optimization processing procedure.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of another print front and back optimization processing procedure.

FIG. 16 is an image diagram showing an example of a format of a list card.

FIG. 17 is an image diagram showing an example of a format of an address card.

FIG. 18 is an image diagram showing an example of a format of a sender card.

FIG. 19 is an image diagram illustrating an example of a postcard printed by the printing device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 20 is an image diagram showing a printable area and an image pasting area of an official postcard, a New Year's postcard, and a picture postcard.

FIG. 21 is an image diagram showing a printable area and an image pasting area of a plain envelope and an envelope containing a company logo.

FIG. 22 is an image diagram showing a series of flows from reading of a sheet to pasting of an image.

23 is an image diagram showing a display example of a processing menu screen of a printing program for performing a printing process in the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a computer system that reads a program stored in a recording medium and implements a printing process according to a procedure described therein.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image reading means 2 first image storing means 3 image processing means 4 card type determining means 5 instruction information recognizing means 6 instruction information storing means 7 associating means 8 document sorting means 9 list card creating means 10 image output means 20 list card 20a present-time list card 20b next-time list card 21a sender card 21b address card 21c postcard 23 printed matter 31 front / back detection means 32 upside-down inversion detection means 33 image rotation means 34 repelling means 35 greeting image reading means 36 greeting image storage means 37 second image storage Means 38 Printable area detection means 39 Image pasting area detection means 40 Image enlargement / reduction means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/21 566 G06F 17/21 566D 9A001 566Q G06T 3/40 G06T 3/40 A 3/60 3/60 H04N 1/387 H04N 1/387 (72) Inventor Takahiko Nakamura 2-20-15 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo R-Science Industry Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C087 AA18 BA14 BB10 BC13 BC15 BD01 BD05 BD06 CB02 CB12 5B009 LA01 NA01 NG02 NG05 RA06 RC01 RC04 RC06 RC14 TB15 5B021 LB07 QQ04 5B057 AA11 BA19 CA12 CA16 CB12 CB16 CD04 CD05 CH11 DA08 DB02 DC08 DC22 5C076 AA13 AA17 AA21 AA22 AA24 BA02 CA10 CB02 9A001 BB04 BB04 K06 DD34

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A print image reading means for reading a print image already printed on a print target, and a first new print image storage for storing a first new print image to be newly printed on the print target. Means, a printable area detecting means for detecting a printable area from the already printed image read by the image reading means, and an image pasting area to which the first new print image is to be pasted is determined from the printable area. An image pasting region determining unit; an image scaling unit that enlarges or reduces the size of the first new print image based on the image pasting region; and an object to print the enlarged or reduced first new print image. A printing apparatus comprising: an image output unit that outputs an image to a printer. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second new print image storage unit that stores a second new print image that is different from the new print image; The printed image, the front and back detection means for detecting whether the image of the front surface or the back surface of the printing object, When the printing object is upside down, instead of the first new print image And an image selecting means for selecting the second new print image as a pasted image. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a front-back detection unit that detects whether the already-printed image read by the image reading unit is an image on a front surface or a back surface of the printing target. And a repelling unit for repelling the print target without sending it to the image output unit when the print target is turned upside down. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an upside-down inversion detecting unit configured to detect whether the already-printed image read by the image reading unit is upside-down. An image rotating unit that rotates the first new print image by 180 degrees when the image is turned upside down. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an upside-down inversion detecting unit configured to detect whether the already-printed image read by the image reading unit is upside-down. A repelling means for repelling the printing object without sending the image to the image output means when the image is upside down. 6. A step of reading an already-printed image already printed on a print target, a step of storing a first new print image to be newly printed on the print target, and reading by the image reading means. Detecting a printable area from the obtained printed image; determining an image pasting area to which the first new print image is to be pasted from the printable area; and determining the first area based on the image pasting area. A step of enlarging or reducing the size of the new print image, and outputting the enlarged or reduced first new print image to the print target. 7. The printing method according to claim 6, further comprising: storing a second new print image different from the new print image; Detecting whether the image of the front side or the back side of the print target, and when the print target is upside down, the second new print image instead of the first new print image Selecting a pasted image, and a printing method. 8. The printing method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of detecting whether the printed image read by the image reading unit is an image on the front side or the back side of the printing target. A step of ejecting the first new print image to the print object without outputting the first new print image when the print object is turned upside down. 9. The printing method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of detecting whether or not the already-printed image read by the image reading unit has been turned upside down; And rotating the first new print image by 180 degrees. 10. The printing method according to claim 6, further comprising: detecting whether or not the printed image read by the image reading unit is upside down; and A step of ejecting the print target without sending the print target to the image output unit. 11. A step of reading already-printed image information already printed on a printing target, a step of storing new printing image information to be newly printed on the printing target, and printing from the already-printed image information. Detecting an available area; determining an area to which the new print image is to be pasted from the printable area information; enlarging or reducing the size of the new print image based on the image pasting area; Outputting a reduced new print image to a print target; and causing a computer to execute the steps. A computer-readable storage medium storing a print program.