JP2002209083A - Method for generating logo data, recording medium with the recorded thereon, program product consisting of execution instructions of the method and logo data generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a logo generating tool that can apply different subtractive processes to each component of an image even when the original image consists of objects in the case of generating logo data. SOLUTION: In the case of applying image processing to original data consisting of objects (images or texts) by utilizing a function and characteristics specific to a model of a printer used for logo registration, each object is extracted from the original data, image processing is applied to each object and each processed object is integrated with the original data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a logo data creating apparatus for creating a logo for registration, and more particularly, to creating logo data, comprising a plurality of image data and / or text data (referred to as constituent images or constituent data). The present invention relates to a logo data generating apparatus capable of processing an original image (hereinafter referred to as original data) to be processed such as a color reduction process and a color assignment process for each constituent image. Here, the logo generally indicates a store or company name printed on a receipt by a POS terminal or the like, for example. It is used as a concept that also includes advertising information, coupons, and announcement information. Further, in this specification, color reduction is used to mean that the color depth is reduced or binarized.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a POS (point of sale system) terminal device, a logo including a store name or a company name is printed on a receipt on which product settlement information is printed. The logo printed on the POS terminal is a special decorative character,
Most logos are made up of special designs, and most logos are made up of image information.

Since such image information has a large amount of data, if logo data is transmitted each time a receipt is printed, much time is required for printing. Meanwhile, PO
In the S terminal device, it is necessary to quickly register and clear the purchased merchandise, so that particularly rapid printing is required. For this reason, the POS terminal stores (registers) logo data to be frequently printed in a nonvolatile storage unit inside the printer, and receives a predetermined print command to store the registered logo data from the nonvolatile storage unit. Read and print.

In a recent full-color printer, 1600
Some types can print more than 10,000 colors, and can print in colors that are almost natural. But POS
In a terminal device, receipts must be printed at the time of settlement of a product. Therefore, high speed, constant printing quality, quietness, and other economical factors are required. A printer is used in which the number of colors is limited to a predetermined number, such as colors or three colors.

[0005] Receipts issued by POS printers are:
This is a message sheet for notifying the customer of detailed information such as the details and the amount of the purchased product, and is a receipt. Therefore, the receipt is directly handed to the customer at the end of the registration of the purchased merchandise and the settlement process. Many customers confirm that the settlement is correct by reading the contents of the receipt. Also, many customers return to their homes and check the contents of these receipts while recording them in a household account book. In this way, receipts are handed directly to each individual customer individually, and receipts are important records for customers, so they are treated with care and are essentially different from normal advertising flyers Medium. The customer's alertness and influence on receipts are much higher than regular leaflet advertisements and hanging advertisements. In particular, when color printing becomes possible, the discrimination power is increased, the attention of the customer is strongly elicited, and the presence of the receipt can be emphasized every time the receipt is checked, which is extremely effective for announcement or promotion.

[0006] From the viewpoint of notification and sales promotion, it is desirable to print information on a receipt with as much discrimination as possible of information to be conveyed. For example, similar to conventional logo printing, photos or pictures or characters for advertisements, notice information, etc. can be printed in color on the receipt, so that product promotion to customers, notification of events, etc. can be done through the receipt Becomes

As described above, a POS printer is not a full-color printer from the viewpoints of printing speed and economy,
A limited number of predetermined colors (for example, two colors of red and black)
Color printers that can only print are the mainstream. However, although the number of colors is limited, the POS system that can print color image information can be used as a tool for product sales promotion through receipts, and further color printers will be installed in the distribution field in the future. POS
The use of the system is expected to expand.

[0008]

As described above, when color logo printing becomes possible and printing purposes are diversified, it is necessary to create a logo suitable for printing purposes such as notification information, product advertisements, and coupons. Becomes In particular, since the number of printable colors is small, which color reduction method is used to reduce colors and how colors are assigned has an important influence on a logo image. Conventionally, when creating logo data, even if the original image (original data) is composed of a plurality of objects (image data or text data objects), the entire image of the original data is subjected to color reduction processing by a single color reduction method. Thus, the logo data created by processing such as two-color or three-color conversion that matches the printing capability of the printer has been registered in the printer. Therefore, in the related art, different color reduction processing cannot be performed for each component of an image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has as its object to provide a logo data generating apparatus capable of performing different color reduction processing for each component of original data. .

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a logo creating apparatus capable of creating original data from a plurality of constituent data and performing image processing including color reduction processing for each constituent data.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is disclosed.

According to the present invention, when performing image processing of original data composed of a plurality of objects (images or texts) in accordance with functions and characteristics unique to the model of a printer for which a logo is to be registered, each object is extracted from the original data, The above object has been achieved by performing a process for further incorporating the original data after the process.

As a result, image processing can be performed for each object constituting the original image, and it is possible to create a logo that maximizes and reflects the capabilities of the printer. As a result, product advertising information, coupons, discount coupons,
It has become easier to create logos for purposes such as announcement information.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of generating logo data, comprising: (a) obtaining an original data composed of a combination of a plurality of independent image objects and / or text objects; Specifying an object to be processed and receiving an input for setting image processing contents; (c) an image processing step of executing the set image processing for the specified object; and (d) image processing. Incorporating the performed object into the original data.

Further, in the logo data creating method according to another aspect of the present invention, the inputting step (b) includes receiving a setting input for specifying at least a color reduction processing method of the specified object, and the image processing step (c) includes And performing a color reduction process on the designated object by the color reduction processing method set in the input step.

This makes it possible to assign colors while checking an image before designation of color assignment and the like, and further facilitates creation of logo data. For example, a dither method, an error diffusion method, a simple color reduction method, or the like can be designated as the color reduction processing method.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the input step (b)
Can specify a plurality of objects.
(c) is characterized in that the image processing set and input in the input step (b) is executed for all of the plurality of objects specified in the input step (b).

Still another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, following the step (a) of acquiring the original data, a step (e) of displaying the original data is provided. Thus, it is possible to input the setting information while checking the original data.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the inputting step (b) for receiving the object designation further includes a step of displaying the entirety of the designated object so as to be confirmed, and the image processing step (c) further comprises the step of: The entirety of the processed object is displayed so as to be confirmed. Thereby, it is possible to input the setting information while confirming the images before and after the image processing of the object, and to perform the optimum setting.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a logo data generating apparatus, comprising: an original data acquiring means for acquiring original data constituted by a combination of a plurality of independent image objects and / or text objects; It is provided with setting input means for receiving setting input of image processing content, image processing means for executing set image processing for a specified object, and means for incorporating the image-processed object into original data. Features.

Further, in another aspect, the setting input means includes:
The image processing means includes at least receiving a setting input for designating a color reduction processing method, wherein the image processing means performs color reduction processing of the designated object by the color reduction processing method set in the input step.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the setting input means is capable of designating a plurality of objects, and the image processing means performs image processing in which setting and input are performed for all of the plurality of objects designated by the setting input means. It is characterized by executing.

In another aspect of the present invention, each function of the present invention is implemented by a central control unit (CPU), a ROM, a RAM, a display device, an input / output device, an interface, a ROM,
This is achieved by a control program and a data set recorded in a RAM. Further, these control programs and data sets, and recording media on which these control programs and data sets are recorded are also included in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The embodiments described below are for explanation, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can adopt embodiments in which each of these elements or all elements are replaced with equivalents, but these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention. (Outline of Processing from Creation to Registration of Logo Data) An example of a procedure for creating and registering a logo according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a procedure from creation of a logo according to the present invention to registration of the logo in a printer.

When registering logo data, a logo to be registered must be determined first. In order to determine the logo to be registered in the printer, data (called original data) 3 such as an image serving as the original of the logo is created by the logo editing tool 2, and the original data 3 is further adapted to the printer model-specific conditions. Is changed (processed) by the logo creation device 3.

The original data 3 used as the basis for creating a logo is usually created anew by the logo editing tool 2 or by reading a file in which a logo already in use is registered and reworking it. However, if data that can be used as the original data exists in the existing image file, the existing file (not shown) can also be used.

The logo data creating device 4 adjusts the color of the original data (color reduction processing, color assignment, etc.) in accordance with the width of the printing paper used in the printer for registering the logo data, the printing resolution, and the printable colors. , Size and resolution are adjusted. Data after adjustment of color adjustment, size, resolution, and the like (such data is called a logo, logo data, or logo information) is to be registered in the printer.

When a printer is connected, such logo data is transmitted to the printer as it is, and registered in a non-volatile storage unit inside the printer. When the printer is not connected to the logo creation device 4, the logo registration file 5 for registering the logo data is created. The logo registration file 5 is an image file with a command in which logo data and various instruction data sets necessary for registering the logo data are integrated. By causing the host device to read the logo registration file 5, the logo can be registered without installing a registration-only program in the host device. When the logo data is registered in the logo storage unit of the printer, the logo data can be printed in accordance with the logo data print command. (Logo Editing Tool) Next, the logo editing tool 2 will be described in detail.

With the logo editing tool, image data (original data) including a plurality of image objects to be processed according to the present invention is created. The logo editing tool 2 can be incorporated in the logo data creating device 4 of the present invention.

The logo data includes, for example, printing of a coupon, printing of a logo of a company / store, or advertisement of a product.
It must be created according to the printing purpose. The original data 3 is the data on which it is based, and the basic framework of the logo is determined by the logo editing tool 2. The logo editing tool 2 captures image information such as various pictures and photographs used in the logo, and appropriately combines this with text information to create desired original data. The logo editing tool 2 can be configured so that text data can be written without taking in an image to create the original data 3 and a figure can be drawn.

As shown in FIG. 2, the logo data may be created by reading the existing logos 5, 83 or the original data 3 and re-editing the data, or may be created completely new. In the case of creating a completely new image, the logo existing tool 80 is used to capture the existing picture / photograph 80, etc., and write the text data into the image. The basic data 3 is created.

The logo editing tool 2 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing one embodiment of the logo editing tool 2 according to the present invention.

The logo editing tool 2 is used to create a basic structure of an effective logo most suitable for printing purposes such as advertisements and announcements. With the Logo Editing Tool 2, you can create the original data that is the basis of the logo combining the image data and the text data.
The original data can be transmitted to the logo data creating device 4 (FIG. 2) or can be stored as the original data file 3.

The logo editing tool 2 includes an image information acquisition unit 3
1, an image information storage means 32, an image information display means 33, an image processing means 34, an edit input means 35, a figure / text creation means 36, and an original data output means 37. The image information obtaining means 31 reads image data or character data and stores the read image data or character data as basic data.
Stored in 2. In this case, it is possible to acquire a plurality of images and the like. The acquired images and the like can be stored as independent objects. Magnetic disk, CD-
Graphic data or the like stored as an image file in a ROM or other recording medium is used as an image to be read. In addition, a configuration in which an image is captured by a digital camera or a configuration in which an image is read by a scanner may be employed. Graphic data includes, for example, photographic images,
Various data such as animation-like graphics data, geometric figures, decorative characters, various figures, and text data can be read. The image information storage means 32 can independently store a plurality of pieces of image information. Also,
It is desirable that the image information acquisition unit 31 be compatible with various image information file-related software so that various image files can be read. The data of each read image etc. is an independent object,
Alternatively, the image data can be stored in the image information storage unit 32 as image data.

The image information display means 33 can display not only the read image and the like and the image stored in the image information storage means 32 but also the output data from the image processing means 34 and the figure / text creation means 36.

The image processing means 34 reads out the respective image data stored in the image information storage means 32 based on the input of the editing input means 35 and freely overlaps or combines them as independent objects. Is possible. It is also possible to superimpose an object created by the figure / text creation means 36 and an object stored in the image information storage means 32, which will be described later. The superimposed objects can be processed by the image processing means 34 independently for each individual object. Further, for a part where objects overlap each other, it is possible to appropriately designate or change which object is to be preferentially displayed. Furthermore, the size of individual objects can be changed. Since individual techniques such as superposition and display of these images are techniques well known to those skilled in the art, no further explanation will be given on this point.

The graphic / text creating means 36, based on the input from the editing input means 35,
Create figures or text data in (FIG. 2). This makes it possible to create a unique figure or the like when registering a logo. The graphics and the like created by the figure / text creating means 36 are also synthesized (overlaid) by the image processing means 34.

In this manner, the original data 3 is created by combining a plurality of images and / or texts by the image processing means 34. The original data is configured so that each combined object (composite element) can perform image processing independently. The figure synthesized by the image processing means 34 is output to the original data output means 37.
Data output means 37 output as raw data from
Can send the original data as it is to the logo data creation device or output it as an original logo data file. Even when the original data is output as a file, it is output as a file in which each composite element can be handled independently. In FIG. 3, color processing such as color reduction processing of an image or the like captured by the editing tool 2 is not performed in principle.
For example, if the original picture 80 etc. is full color,
The logo editing tool 2 can also be configured to reduce the number of colors to a certain number and then output the original data. (Logo Data Creation Device) Next, the logo data creation device 4 will be described in detail. The original data 3 created by the logo editing tool 2 is changed by the logo data creating device 4 into a form that can be registered in a specific specific printer.
The final form is the logo data. In the present specification, unless otherwise limited, the original data 3 includes not only the original data 3 created by the logo data creation tool 4 but also existing image data read by the logo data creation device for creating the logo. I do.

As described above, the POS printer is mainly a two-color or three-color color printer. Therefore, if the image of the original data is full-color or graphic data having various types of colors (brightness, saturation, and hue),
It is necessary to reduce the color of the original image to a printable color so that it can be printed by a POS printer. Further, even when the number of colors that can be used in the printer is small, it is possible to express the print in subtle shades instead of simple two colors. For example, a case in which two colors available in the printer are red and black will be described. By forming a unit pixel with a plurality of dots, the density of black and red is stepped using a method such as area gradation. It can be expressed in a typical way. By combining red, black, and white (paper color)
Very subtle, delicate and complex color expression (hereinafter referred to as intermediate color) is also possible. If three or more colors can be used, more complicated and subtle printing becomes possible.

The logo creating apparatus specifies such a color reduction method of the original data and designates a printable color (including an intermediate color) (referred to as color assignment) to determine the color expression of the final logo. Further, since the width of the printing paper (receipt) used differs depending on the individual printer, it is necessary to adjust the size of the logo to be printed according to the printing paper used. Further, since the size of the logo to be printed varies depending on the printing resolution of the printer, it is necessary to adjust the size of the logo in accordance with the printing resolution.

The logo data creation device 4 specifies the paper width, printable color, vertical and horizontal print resolution, connection port designation, communication speed, parity check, flow control method, etc. of the printer for which logo registration is desired. This is a device that processes the original data so that it conforms to the standard, and completes a logo that can be properly printed by a desired printer.

In the present specification, storing such a logo in the printer is referred to as logo registration. Also, the created logo can be output as a unique format logo registration file. (First Embodiment of Logo Data Creation Apparatus) An embodiment of a logo data creation apparatus 4 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a logo data creating device 4 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The logo data creating device 4 includes an original data acquisition unit 10, an original data image display unit 11, a setting information input unit 12, a data adjustment processing unit 13, a logo data image display unit 15, a logo data output unit 16, and Is provided. The data adjustment processing means 13 further includes an original data temporary storage means 6, an image processing means 7, an object read / write control means 8, and a logo data storage means 9. A in the drawing indicates an image image based on the original data 3, and b1, b2, and b3 indicate objects constituting the original data. A '
Indicates an image (logo) after the image processing by the data adjustment processing means 13, and b'1, b'2, and b'3 indicate A '.
The object which comprises is shown.

The main control means 14 controls the original data A to be read from the file designated by the original data acquisition means 10 based on a file designation input from the setting information input means 12 or the like. The acquired original data A is stored inside the original data acquisition means 10. When the original data A is obtained, the main control unit 14 stores the original data A in the original data temporary storage unit 6 and receives the input of setting conditions for image adjustment and the like. 1
3 and the setting information input means 12 are controlled. This allows
Setting conditions such as a printer name, colors printable by the printer, print resolution, and gradation designation can be input. At the same time, the main control means 14 controls the original data image display means 1
1 to display an image of the original data A on the screen. Further, the original data A is stored in the logo data storage means 9 via the image processing means 7. At this time, if the setting information for image processing has been input, the image processing is performed in accordance with the specification, and then stored in the logo data storage unit 9. If there is no setting input and no initial setting, the original data A is stored in the logo data storage means 9 as it is. The logo data stored in the logo data storage means 9 is displayed on the display screen 20 by the logo data image display means 15.

By looking at the image image of the original data A, it is specifically examined what kind of color reduction processing method should be used and which color of the original data A should be assigned to which printable color. It is possible to input necessary condition settings.

When an object designation is input by the setting information input means 12, the main control means 14 controls the object read / write control means 8 to read the designated object from the original data temporary storage means 6 and read the image. Processing means 7
Send to The image processing means 7 continuously performs image processing according to the input setting information, and executes the logo data storage means 9.
To memorize. The data stored in the logo data storage means 9 is displayed by the logo data image display means 15.

Now, the case where the object b3 is designated will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 (a), (b)
Shows an example of the display on the display screen 20. FIG. 4A shows a configuration example of A of the original data. Original data A
Consists of a square figure b1, a triangular figure b2, and a circular figure b3 as constituent objects, and it is assumed that the relationship between the objects is as shown in FIG. Round b
In the case of performing the image processing of No. 3, when the circle b3 is designated and clicked with the pointer 18 such as a mouse, the object reading / writing control means 8 of FIG. Send. Thereby, image processing of the circular object b3 becomes possible. At this time, for example, when a circular object b3 is displayed on the foreground as shown in FIG. 4B and image processing is to be performed on a triangle, processing can be performed by selecting and clicking the triangle in the same manner. .

In this example, an example is shown in which an image object to be processed is displayed on the front and processed, but it is also possible to display only a specified object. Further, it is also possible to designate that all objects are to be processed collectively, so that all objects can be processed collectively.

The processing after the setting information is input by the setting information input means 12 will be described below. Subsequent processing is the processing of the specified object unit, the original data 3
(FIG. 2) This is applied to any of the entire image processing. It is also possible to designate a plurality of objects at the same time and perform image processing on all the designated objects at the same time.

When the setting information is input, the setting information is transmitted to the data adjustment processing means 13, and the original data 3 is processed and processed in color, resolution, size, and the like according to the setting information. In this case, if the print resolution decreases, the print image printed by the printer becomes larger as a whole.
Therefore, when it is desired to maintain the print image at the same size as the original data image image or when the print image is larger than the width of the printing paper due to the low printing resolution of the printer,
Processing such as reducing the print image is also required. That is,
The size of the logo to be registered in the printer needs to be adjusted based on both the width of the printing paper and the resolution of the size of the original data 3. The adjusted original data 3 is displayed on the display screen 20 as an image after the change by the logo data image display means 15. Therefore, it is possible to confirm what print image is created by inputting the setting with the image image. It is also possible to change the setting input by looking at the processed image. When there is no change in the setting input, the setting input is confirmed, and based on the control of the main control unit 14,
The logo data after data processing is output to the logo data output means 14.
Is forwarded to

The logo data output means 16 is a main control means 1
Based on the control of step 4, the logo data is stored or output as a logo registration file which is a special format for registration, or registered in a printer. Logo data output means 1
6 can output the logo data after the adjustment processing according to the specifications of the target printer as an image file composed of one monochrome or multicolor bitmap. The file created in this way can be stored in a recording unit (for example, a magnetic recording unit) inside or outside (not shown) of the logo registration tool.

Specific setting inputs such as color assignment designation and image processing method designation will be described later in detail with reference to the operation screen. (Second Embodiment of Logo Data Creation Apparatus) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a logo data creating device 4-2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The difference from the first embodiment is that an image reduction processing means 17 is provided to display the reduced image a of the original data and the logo data image a 'after the processing after the reduction processing. I'm trying to do it. As a result, the image a of the original data and the image image a ′ of the changed logo can be simultaneously displayed on the same screen 20, and more efficient adjustment work can be performed.

(Third Embodiment of Logo Data Creation Apparatus)
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of a logo data creating device 4-3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. “a” indicates original data before image processing by the data adjustment processing unit 13 or a reduced image image of the object, and “a ′” indicates a logo after image processing or a reduced image image of the object.

The difference from the second embodiment is that when displaying the logo data or the reduced image a of the object, the original data A is once sent to the image reduction processing means 17,
The point is that the reduced image image a 'is created and reduced by the data adjustment processing means 13 after the reduced image image a is created by performing the reduction process. As described above, by performing the color reduction processing after the image is once reduced, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the lattice-like noise or the stripe pattern which occurs when the color reduction processing is performed and then the display is reduced. , It is possible to obtain a preview display similar to that of the print. (Logo Data Creation Procedure) Next, the creation procedure of the logo data will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for creating logo data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The flowchart will be described in order. First, the original data is obtained by specifying the original data file as described above (S101). Next, the acquired image of the original data and the logo image passed through the image processing means 7 are displayed (S102). At this stage, the content of the image processing is performed according to the initial set value, and the logo image is displayed.

Next, the presence or absence of an object designation input is confirmed (S103). If there is no object designation input (S103; No), the process proceeds to a processing step (S107).
If there is an object designation input (S103; Ye
s) The specified object is read out and displayed on the screen 20 (FIG. 1 and the like) (S104). It is confirmed whether or not there is an input of setting information (S105). If there is no input of setting information (S105; No), the process proceeds to the processing step (S107). If the setting information is input (S105; Yes), the image processing of the designated object is performed (S106). Next, the presence or absence of the logo output is checked (S107), and when the logo is output (S1).
07; Yes), the image-processed data is output (S
109). If the logo is not output (S107; N
o), confirms whether to end the setting (S108),
When the setting is completed (S108; Yes), the logo creation processing ends. To continue the setting (S108; N
o), the process returns to step (S103) again, and the same processing is repeated. The output of the logo and the end of the setting are confirmed by the input information to the setting information input means.

In FIG. 7, the reduction processing step (S10
If 2) is provided immediately after acquisition of the original data, but a reduced image of the original data is not displayed, the image processing step (S10
After 5), a reduction step may be provided. In addition, the range in which a person skilled in the art can change the design according to the principle of the present invention is the intended range of the present invention.

Next, the logo data creation processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12 showing one example of a display screen for the logo creation processing. The processing described in the following display screen shows one embodiment of the screen configuration, and does not necessarily correspond to the above-described first to third embodiments or the flowchart of FIG. 7 on a one-to-one basis. Absent.

First, the main screen will be described with reference to FIG. According to one embodiment of the logo data creation device of the present invention, when the logo data creation tool is activated, the main screen 2
10 is displayed. This screen 210 is provided with a printer information designation box 220, in which model-specific information such as the paper width, printable color designation, and resolution of the target printer in which the logo is registered can be set. In the communication condition setting box 221, various conditions such as a port number and a communication speed can be set. These printer information and communication conditions are stored in the printer information designation box 22.
When a model is designated by the name input unit of 0, it may be configured to be automatically set as much as possible. This is because the device-specific information for each printer is stored internally,
This is possible by configuring so that when the model name is input, the corresponding model-specific information is read out and automatically set.

By inputting a file name into the source file input section 223, it becomes possible to read the original data serving as the basis of the logo from a desired file. At this time, the file can be referred to in a pull-down format (not shown) by the reference button 224. The first display area 225 is an area for displaying a reduced image of the original data,
The second display area 216 is an area for displaying a reduced image that has been subjected to image processing according to the setting conditions. The most common file is the original data created by the logo editing tool 2, but it is necessary to make it possible to read as many types of file formats as possible based on the image data etc. stored in various types of files. It will be possible to use it as data.

Next, reading of the original image, setting input, and image processing will be described. When a file name is input to the source file input section 223 of the main screen 210, the contents of the specified file are read as original data and stored in a predetermined storage location. The stored original data is reduced as described above, and displayed in the first display area 225 in the main screen 210 as a reduced image image a of the original data.

From the printer information designation box 220,
Model-specific information of the target printer, such as the name of the target printer to be registered, paper width, usable colors and resolution, can be set, and a communication condition setting box 221 is set.
From, model-specific information such as a port number, a communication rate, and a bit length can be input. In this case, when the name of the printer is input or specified, the model-specific information of the corresponding printer is read out from the model-specific information storage means (not shown), and is automatically set. It is possible. When a target printer is connected, the model ID may be automatically read from the printer and the corresponding model-specific information may be automatically set. Further, it is possible to set a color allocation color reduction method or the like by using the property input box 222.

In the second display area 226, a reduced image a 'of data that has been subjected to image processing in accordance with model-specific information and property setting input is displayed. Until these settings are input, processing is performed in accordance with the previously set information or preset setting values, and the processed image image after processing is displayed in the second display area 226 of the screen 210.
It is also possible to configure so as to be displayed on the display. The image after the image processing is, for example, 2
A print image (logo) expressed in three colors of color and white (non-printing: printing paper color) and its intermediate color is displayed as a preview. Also, if the resolution of the printer is low, the displayed image will also appear at a low resolution.

In this screen, the processed image is reduced and displayed in the second display area 216.
The actual size display button 231 can also be displayed in the same size (not shown) as the actual print image.

Next, setting of properties of image data and text data will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description of the screen, it is assumed that the property setting is to perform image processing on the original data 3 created by the logo editing tool 2. As described above, the original data created by the logo editing tool 2 may be a combination of a plurality of image data or text data. Therefore, first, an object to be processed is specified in the object specification box 227 of the property input box 222 in FIG. If image 1 is specified,
Image 1 is processed by the processing method specified by the halftone specification key box 228 and the gray scale specification box 229, and the entire logo image including the processed image 1 is displayed in the second display area 226. In the property input box 222, individual processing can be performed for each image or text by individually selecting and specifying all the images or texts synthesized by the object specification box 227.

The color reduction slider key 237 of the halftone designation key box 228 is slidable from left to right, and can specify a color reduction method stepwise from coarse to dense. For example, three levels can be specified in the order of “simple color reduction”, “dither”, and “error diffusion” in order from coarse to dense. Also, the brightness slider key 236 can be slid horizontally to specify the brightness stepwise. For example, five levels of brightness can be designated.

The gray scale designation box 229 can designate that a single color is to be subjected to color reduction processing when in the ON state, and all printable colors (2 in this example) when OFF.
Color). The designated color in the case of a single color may be entered in the input box 238 or one color may be selected from a pull-down menu.

For example, in the property input box 2
When text 2 is input into the object designation box 227 of FIG. 22, the property input box 222 (FIG. 8) becomes a text input screen 240 as shown in FIG. The operator can input a desired text character from the text input box 241, and can specify the color of the text using a pull-down menu or the like in the color specification box 242.

FIG. 10 shows an example in which image processing is performed for each object. When a selection mark in the object specification box 227 of the property input box 222 is specified, a pull-down menu 245 appears. Pulldown menu 2
From 45, the objects to be processed are represented by images 1 and 2.
Choose from Select the desired object and its image will be displayed. The color reduction processing and the designation of the brightness and the designation of the gray scale by the halftone designation key box 228 are as described above. For example,
The image 1 can be subjected to color reduction processing by dither without gray scale processing, and the image 2 can be processed for each object such as simple color reduction and black gray scale processing.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, an example of a setting screen enabling various color assignments will be described. FIG. 11 (a)
After reducing the original data to eight colors, the eight colors are further reduced to 15 colors.
An example of a screen that can be designated to be assigned to colors is shown, and FIG. 12B is an example of a setting screen when original data reduced to eight colors is assigned to three colors. The color reduction up to eight colors is performed by the color reduction processing method selected by the color reduction processing slider key 237 of the above-described halftone designation key box 228, or by a preset color reduction processing method.

FIG. 11A shows a case where the printable colors are two colors, in which the first color is black and the second color is red. On this screen, eight colors of black, blue, red, magenta, green, cyan, yellow, and white are slid, and the slider 251 of the allocation processing unit 250 is slid in the order of 0 → 1 → 2 → 0 → 12 to select any of the 15 colors. Assigned to crabs. On the right side of FIG. 11, an image of the original data is displayed in the upper row,
An image image after the color assignment processing is displayed in a lower stage.

In order to explain a method of specifying 15 colors by each slider 251 shown in FIG. 11, how a printer capable of printing two colors can print 15 colors and how the slider 251 can be used. Whether 15 colors are designated for the image will be described with reference to FIG.

Two-color inks (three colors if non-printing is white)
Is used to convert a matrix of 2 × 2 4 dots into 1
If each color is assigned to four dots as pixels, one pixel can represent 15 types of colors. FIG. 12 shows the relationship between these 15 colors and the color assignment slider 251 shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, ● indicates black, ○ indicates red, and blank indicates white dots, and (x, y, z) indicates the number of (white, black, red) dots in each matrix. That is, 1
The color tone of each unit pixel is expressed by the ratio of the color dots in the dots (four) constituting the pixel.

An area a (0 → 1) in FIG. 12 is a matrix composed of a combination of only white and black, and indicates a range (direction) of change from a matrix of four white to a matrix of four black. ing. In a region b (1 → 2), a matrix composed of a combination of black and red only, where black is 4
The range (direction) of the change from the number of red to four red is shown. The area c (2 → 0) is a matrix composed of a combination of only red and white, and shows a range (direction) of change from four red to four white. Region d (0 →
12) is a combination of white, red and black, where white is 4
The range (direction) from black to black is shown.

The color assignment designation according to the position of the slider is performed by the slider 251 shown in FIG. 11 and FIG.
This can be understood from the relationship between the region b and the region c. That is, when the slider 251 is moved from 0 to 1, the color gradually becomes black from white, when the slider 251 is further moved from 1 to 2, the color gradually becomes red from black, and when the slider 251 is further moved from 2 to 0, the color gradually becomes white from red. → Sliding to 12, the color changes from white to red-black-white and gradually becomes black.

Next, a screen for allocating the original data of eight colors to three colors will be described with reference to FIG. In (b), each of black, blue, red, magenta, green, cyan, yellow, and white of the original data reduced to eight colors is converted to white,
It is assigned to either the first color (black) or the second color (red). Also in this case, the image is displayed so that the original data and the image image after the allocation can be confirmed.

As described above, by allowing the user to arbitrarily assign colors that can be expressed by the printer to data obtained by performing color reduction processing on the original data image, an important color boundary can be established in a fixed fixed assignment. Even in the case where the images are assigned to the same color and the image becomes very difficult to see, the color assignment can be easily changed, so that a print result (logo) with expressive power can be obtained.

Further, even in a printer having a low expressive power (for example, a two-color printer), the number of colors assigned by the area gradation and the dot gradation is increased so that the user can arbitrarily assign various kinds of printing colors. In addition, the expressiveness of the logo can be increased.

In the above description, the original data in which the color processing can be arbitrarily specified by the property input box 222 is limited to the original data file created by the logo editing tool 2. The existing image file serving as the original data may be designated by 227, so that the color processing can be arbitrarily designated similarly for the original data based on the existing image file.

The main screen 210 for creating the logo data shown in FIG.
Includes edit 230, test print 232, and file output 2
33, printer registration 234, printer NV management 23
There are 5 and end 246 buttons.

The edit button 230 is used to activate a logo editing tool, and is used when the user wants to re-edit the file in which the logo data is being created. After finishing the editing with the logo editing tool, the logo data creation device reads the contents of the file currently used (the contents after editing) again,
Create a logo that reflects the edited content. The editing process by the edit button 230 may be limited so that it can be used only when the original data file for which the logo is being created is a file created by the logo editing tool 2. The test print button 232 is a button for actually printing the created logo data on the connected target printer. The printer NV management button 235 can print or delete NV graphics (NV; nonvolatile storage) already registered in the target printer.

[0083]

As described above, according to the present invention,
An original image (original data) created by superimposing a plurality of image data and text data can be subjected to processing such as color reduction processing and color assignment processing for each constituent object. Therefore, when creating a logo for color printing of product advertisement information, coupons, discount tickets, announcement information, and the like, it is possible to perform delicate and subtle image adjustment for each object.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a logo data creation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an outline of a procedure for creating and registering a logo by a logo editing tool and a logo data creating device.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of a logo editing tool according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which an image is displayed on a screen 20. 5 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a logo data creation method according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a second embodiment of the logo data creating device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a second embodiment of the logo data creating device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for creating logo data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a main display screen of a logo creation process.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a property input box displayed when input of text data is designated in the property input box in the logo data generating device.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen when performing image processing for each object.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen in which various color assignments are enabled. FIG. 11A illustrates an example of a setting screen in which original data is reduced to eight colors and then assigned to 15 colors. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen when original data reduced to eight colors is allocated to three colors.

FIG. 12 shows a printer capable of printing two colors of one dot (three colors including non-printing) and 15 colors that can be expressed when one pixel is represented by four dots, and the colors of FIG. 11A. The figure which shows the relationship of the allocation slider 251.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Logo editing tool 3 Original data 4 Logo data creation device 5 Logo registration file 6 Original data temporary storage means 7 Image processing means 8 Object reading / writing control means 9 Logo data storage means 9 10 Original data acquisition means 11 Original data display means 12 Setting information input means 13 Data adjustment processing means 14 Main control means 15 Logo data display means 17 Image reduction means 20 Screen display example A Original data image A 'Data after image processing (logo data) a Reduced image of original data image A a 'Preview reduced image of data (logo data) after image processing b1, b2, b3 objects

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/46 H04N 1/46 Z (72) Inventor Katsuto Kitahara 3-5-3 Yamato, Suwa-shi, Suwa-shi, Nagano No. Seiko Epson Corporation F-term (reference) 2C262 AA24 AB12 CA08 CA10 CA13 EA02 FA14 5B050 AA09 BA06 BA15 BA18 BA20 DA02 DA04 DA06 EA19 FA02 FA05 5C076 AA02 AA11 AA12 AA17 AA22 AA26 BB14 CA02 PP01 MP1919 PP19 PP37 TT02 TT08 5C079 HA19 LA27 LA37 LA39 LA40 LB01 LB02 MA17 MA19 NA02 NA03 NA04 NA06 PA03 PA07

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A method comprising the following steps:
How to create LOGO data to create LOGO data to be registered inside the printer. (a) an acquisition step of acquiring original data composed of a combination of a plurality of independent image objects and / or text objects; and (b) an input step of receiving designation of the object and setting input of image processing contents, (c) for the specified object,
An image processing step of executing the set image processing;
(d) a step of incorporating the object subjected to the image processing into the original data. 2. The input step (b) includes receiving a setting input for specifying at least a color reduction processing method of the specified object, and the image processing step (c) includes a color reduction set in the input step. The method according to claim 1, wherein a color reduction process is performed on the specified object by a processing method. 3. The logo data processing method according to claim 1, wherein the color reduction processing method that can be specified in the input step (b) includes a dither method, an error diffusion method, or a simple color reduction method. How to make. 4. The input step (b) is capable of designating a plurality of the objects, and the image processing step (c) is capable of specifying the input for all of the plurality of objects designated in the input step (b). Process
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image processing set and input in (b) is executed. 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: (e) a display step of displaying the original data, following the obtaining step (a) of the original data. How to create the logo data described in. 6. The input step (b) for receiving the object designation further includes a step of displaying the entirety of the designated object in a confirmable manner. The image processing step (c) further comprises the step of: 6. The logo data creating method according to claim 1, wherein the whole is displayed so as to be confirmed. 7. It is characterized by comprising the following means:
Logo data creation device that creates logo data to be registered inside the printer. An original data acquisition unit for acquiring original data constituted by a combination of a plurality of independent image objects and / or text objects; a setting input unit for receiving designation of the object and setting input of image processing content; Image processing means for executing the set image processing for the object, and means for incorporating the object subjected to the image processing into the original data. 8. The setting input means includes at least receiving a setting input for designating a color reduction processing method, and the image processing means performs color reduction of the specified object by the color reduction processing method set in the input step. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the processing is performed. 9. The creation of logo data according to claim 7, wherein the setting input means can designate a dither method, an error diffusion method, or a simple color reduction method as the color reduction processing method. Method. 10. The setting input means is capable of specifying a plurality of the objects, and the image processing means executes the image processing in which the setting is input for all of the plurality of objects specified by the setting input means. The method for creating logo data according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein: 11. The method for creating logo data according to claim 7, further comprising a display unit for displaying the original data. 12. The setting input unit further includes a step of displaying an entire image of the object specified by the setting input unit in a recognizable manner, wherein the image processing unit further includes an entire image of the object image after the image processing. 12. The logo data creation method according to claim 7, wherein the logo data is displayed in a recognizable manner. 13. A computer-readable information recording medium storing a computer program for realizing each step of the method of creating logo data according to claim 1. Description: 14. The information recording medium according to claim 18, wherein the information recording medium records the computer program on a compact disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic recording tape. 15. A computer program product comprising an execution instruction set and a data set for realizing each step of the logo data creation method according to claim 1. Description: