JP2008179085A - Printing processing unit, printing processing method, and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To permit printing speed to be increased even if a plurality of image arrangement areas having different rotation angles and sizes are laid out on paper. <P>SOLUTION: The printing processing unit expands image data of photographic images and keeps the expanded data arranged in an image arrangement area No.1 when the paper reaches a first expansion position. The unit stores the data in a memory as original data to be expanded. The unit copies the No.1 original data to be expanded to an image arrangement area No.2. After that, when the paper reaches a second expansion position, the unit arranges data acquired by compressing the No.1 original data in an image arrangement area No.3. The unit stores the compressed data in the memory as original data to be expanded. The unit copies the No.3 original data to image arrangement areas Nos.4 and 5, respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print processing apparatus, a print processing method, and a program therefor.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printers equipped with a function of printing on so-called photo sticker paper in which a seal surface is divided into a number of cells are known. With printers equipped with these functions, each time you print an image on each square, each image is expanded (analysis and restoration of compressed image data), resized (size adjustment), and automatically corrected. Although it is conceivable to create data by executing (correction of contrast, exposure, etc.), it takes a long time to print one photo sticker sheet. For this reason, in Patent Document 1, for an image to be printed on the first grid, image expansion, resizing, and automatic correction are executed to create data, hold the data as a copy source, and print on the subsequent grid With respect to images, the time for printing on photo sticker paper is shortened by using the image data of the copy source without executing image development or the like.
JP 2006-135406 A

  However, in the above-mentioned publications, it is assumed that each square of the photo sticker paper has the same orientation and the same size. No consideration is given to free-cut sticker sheets whose size can be freely determined by the user. For this reason, if there are squares with different orientations and sizes in the photo sticker paper, image development, resizing, and automatic correction are executed every time the orientation and size change, thereby sufficiently shortening the printing time. There was a problem that I could not.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems, and is intended to speed up printing even when a plurality of image arrangement areas having different rotation angles and sizes are laid out on a recording medium. An object of the present invention is to provide a print processing apparatus, a print processing method, and a program for the same.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve the above-mentioned object.

The print processing apparatus of the present invention includes:
Printing means for printing on a recording medium;
Layout setting means for laying out a plurality of image arrangement areas of different sizes on the recording medium;
Information storage means for storing information relating to the image arrangement area including the rotation angle and size of the image arrangement area for each of the plurality of image arrangement areas;
Data storage means for storing image development data;
When placing an image in each image placement area laid out by the layout setting means, information on each image placement area is read from the information storage means, and the same value as the rotation angle of the image placement area included in the information read this time If the image development data is not yet stored in the data storage unit, the image development data is created and stored in the data storage unit, and the image development data is arranged in the current image arrangement area. When image development data having the same value as the rotation angle of the image arrangement area included in the read information is stored in the data storage unit, the image arrangement area of this time is stored using the stored image development data. Image placement means to be placed on,
Print control means for controlling the printing means based on the contents arranged by the image arrangement means;
It is equipped with.

  In this print processing apparatus, first, a plurality of image arrangement areas having different sizes are laid out on a recording medium. For each of the plurality of laid out image arrangement areas, information about the image arrangement area including the rotation angle and size of the image arrangement area is stored in a predetermined information storage unit. Thereafter, when placing an image in each laid out image placement area, information relating to each image placement area is read from the information storage means, and image development data having the same value as the rotation angle of the image placement area included in the currently read information is obtained. If not yet stored in the data storage unit, the image development data is created and stored in a predetermined data storage unit, and the image development data is arranged in the current image arrangement area. On the other hand, when the image development data having the same value as the rotation angle of the image arrangement area included in the information read out this time is stored in the data storage unit, the current image arrangement using the stored image development data Place in the area. Then, the printing unit is controlled based on the arranged contents. As a result, a printed matter in which images of different sizes are printed in each image arrangement area is obtained. As described above, when the image development data having the same value as the rotation angle of the image arrangement area included in the information read this time is stored in the data storage unit, the stored image development is not performed. The data is used to arrange in the current image arrangement area. Therefore, even when a plurality of image arrangement areas having different rotation angles and sizes are laid out on the recording medium, it is possible to increase the printing speed.

  In the present invention, the “recording medium” may be a printable medium. For example, the material may be paper or plastic, and the shape may be cut one by one or on a roll. It may be. “Image development” refers to reading out, analyzing and restoring compressed image data.

  In the print processing apparatus of the present invention, the layout setting unit lays out a plurality of image arrangement areas on the recording medium so that the size is from large to small in order of printing order, and the image arrangement unit includes the layout setting. When placing an image in each image placement area laid out by the means, information on the image placement area is read from the information storage means in order from the printing order 1, and the rotation angle of the image placement area included in the information read this time If image development data having the same value has not yet been stored in the data storage unit, the image development data is created and stored in the data storage unit, and the image development data is arranged in the current image arrangement area. The image development data having the same value and the same size as the rotation angle of the image arrangement area included in the information read this time If stored in the data storage means, the stored image development data is reduced and placed in the current image placement area, and the same value as the rotation angle of the image placement area included in the information read this time In the case where the image development data having the same size is stored in the data storage means, the stored image development data may be arranged as it is in the current image arrangement area. In this way, the information related to the image arrangement area is read in order from the printing order 1, that is, in order from the largest, so that the image development data having the same value as the rotation angle of the image arrangement area read this time is stored in different sizes. In this case, the image development data can be reduced without being enlarged and arranged in the current image arrangement area.

  Thus, in the print processing apparatus that lays out a plurality of image arrangement areas on the recording medium so that the size is from large to small in order from the printing order 1, the printing unit moves the carriage on which the print head is mounted in the main scanning direction. Then, after ejecting ink from the print head onto the recording medium, the recording medium is transported in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and the layout setting means has a size from large to small in order from the printing order 1. When laying out a plurality of image arrangement areas on the recording medium, the image arrangement areas may be laid out so that the same size image arrangement areas are arranged at the same rotation angle along the main scanning direction. In this way, for the image arrangement area of the same size at the same rotation angle arranged along the main scanning direction, the image development data stored in the data storage means is arranged at least once in the current image arrangement area. Therefore, the effect of the present invention can be obtained effectively.

  In the print processing apparatus of the present invention, the recording medium may be free cut sticker paper. The free-cut sticker paper is a sticker paper that is used by a user after cutting into a free size with scissors or a cutter. The present invention is highly applicable when printing on such free-cut sticker paper.

The print processing method of the present invention includes:
A printing method using computer software,
(A) laying out a plurality of image arrangement areas having different sizes on a recording medium;
(B) storing information on an image arrangement area including a rotation angle and a size of the image arrangement area for each of the plurality of image arrangement areas in a predetermined information storage unit;
(C) When an image is arranged in each image arrangement area laid out in the step (a), information on each image arrangement area is read from the information storage unit, and the rotation angle of the image arrangement area included in the information read this time If the image development data having the same value as in the above has not been saved in the predetermined data storage means, the image development data is created and saved in the data storage means, and the image development data is stored in the current image arrangement area. If the image expansion data having the same value as the rotation angle of the image arrangement area included in the information read out this time is stored in the data storage means, the stored image expansion data is used this time Placing in the image placement area of
(D) controlling printing means for printing on the recording medium based on the contents arranged in the step (c);
Is included.

  In this print processing method, first, a plurality of image arrangement areas having different sizes are laid out on a recording medium. For each of the plurality of laid out image arrangement areas, information about the image arrangement area including the rotation angle and size of the image arrangement area is stored in a predetermined information storage unit. Thereafter, when placing an image in each laid out image placement area, information relating to each image placement area is read from the information storage means, and image development data having the same value as the rotation angle of the image placement area included in the currently read information is obtained. If not yet stored in the data storage unit, the image development data is created and stored in a predetermined data storage unit, and the image development data is arranged in the current image arrangement area. On the other hand, when the image development data having the same value as the rotation angle of the image arrangement area included in the information read out this time is stored in the data storage unit, the current image arrangement using the stored image development data Place in the area. Then, the printing unit is controlled based on the arranged contents. As a result, a printed matter in which images of different sizes are printed in each image arrangement area is obtained. As described above, when the image development data having the same value as the rotation angle of the image arrangement area included in the information read this time is stored in the data storage unit, the stored image development is not performed. The data is used to arrange in the current image arrangement area. Therefore, even when a plurality of image arrangement areas having different rotation angles and sizes are laid out on the recording medium, it is possible to increase the printing speed. Note that steps for realizing the functions of any of the above-described print processing apparatuses may be added to the print processing method.

  The program of the present invention is a program for causing one or a plurality of computers to execute each step of the print processing method of the present invention. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.), or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by one computer, or if each step is shared and executed by a plurality of computers, the same effect as the above-described printing processing method of the present invention can be obtained.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a photo printer 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention with a front door 14 and a cover 30 opened. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electrical configuration of the photo printer 10. FIG.

  The photo printer 10 according to the present embodiment includes an operation panel 20 provided on the upper surface of the printer main body 12, a cover 30 that is attached to an inner side of the upper surface of the printer main body 12 so as to be freely opened and closed and covers the operation panel 20 in a closed state The printer main body 12 includes a printing mechanism 50 (see FIG. 2), a front door 14 that can open and close the front surface of the printer main body 12, and a controller 70 (see FIG. 2) that controls the entire photo printer 10. ing.

  The operation panel 20 includes a display 22 that displays characters, graphics, symbols, and the like, and a button group 24 arranged around the display 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the button group 24 includes a power button 24a for turning on / off the power, a menu button 24b for calling a main menu screen (see FIG. 2) on which a plurality of options relating to the printing function are arranged, and an operation. Cancel button 24c for canceling halfway or interrupting printing on paper, print button 24d for instructing execution of printing on paper, and editing image on memory card M inserted in memory card slot 16 The save button 24e for saving the image, etc., and the up, down, left, and right buttons operated when selecting a desired option from among a plurality of options displayed on the display 22, moving the cursor, or changing the size of the image frame Each arrow button 24f-24i is arranged at the center of each of the up / down / left / right arrow buttons 24f-24i. 4i OK button for instructing the determined choices selected by the 24j, and is constituted by a zoom button 24k is operated to scale the image displayed on the display 22.

  The cover 30 is a resin plate formed in a size that can cover the upper surface of the printer main body 12, and exposes the surface of the operation panel 20 to the outside in the open state (see FIG. 1), and the operation panel 20 in the closed state. Cover. The cover 30 includes a window 32 having the same size as the display 22. When the cover 30 is in a closed state, the user can check the display content of the display 22 through the window 32. Furthermore, the cover 30 is held in a state of being inclined obliquely rearward with respect to the operation panel 20 in the open state. Therefore, the back surface of the open cover 30 can be used as a tray for supplying paper to the print mechanism 50. Further, at the back of the operation panel 20, a paper feed port 58 of the print mechanism 50 is provided. The paper feed port 58 has a pair of papers that are slid in the horizontal direction so that the guide width matches the width of the paper. Guides 59, 59 are provided.

  The printing mechanism 50 is disposed inside the printer main body 12 and is driven by a timing belt 51 that is looped in the left-right direction as shown in FIG. The ink cartridge 54 mounted on the carriage 53 and individually containing inks of each color such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and the ink supplied from each ink cartridge 54 is pressurized to face the paper from the nozzles. The printer includes a print head 55 that ejects ink, and a transport roller 56 that feeds paper supplied from a paper feed port 58 formed on the operation panel 20 to the open front door 14 that is a paper discharge tray. Here, the print head 55 employs a method in which a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element to deform the piezoelectric element and pressurize the ink. However, a voltage is applied to a heating resistor (for example, a heater) to heat the ink. A method of pressurizing the ink with the generated bubbles may be employed. The carriage 53 includes a paper edge detection sensor 57 that detects left and right edges and upper and lower edges of the paper. The paper edge detection sensor 57 detects the left and right edges of the paper when the carriage 53 scans in the left and right directions before printing on the paper set in the paper supply port 58, and enables recognition of the paper width. The trailing edge of the paper is detected during printing, and the paper length can be recognized. A direction in which the carriage 53 moves is referred to as a main scanning direction, and a direction in which the conveyance roller 56 conveys paper is referred to as a sub-scanning direction.

  The front door 14 is a lid for opening and closing the front surface of the printer main body 12. When the front door 14 is open, the front door 14 functions as a paper discharge tray for receiving paper discharged from the front surface of the printer main body 12. The various memory card slots 16 provided on the front surface of the user can be used by the user. A memory card M is inserted into the memory card slot 16. The memory card M stores a plurality of image files.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 70 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU 71, and includes a ROM 72 that stores various processing programs and various data, a RAM 73 that temporarily stores data, A flash memory 74 that can be rewritten and retains data even when the power is turned off, an interface 75 that enables communication with the print mechanism 50, the operation panel 20, the memory card slot 16, and the like, and an image to be drawn on the display 22 A graphic memory 76 for storing data is provided, and these are connected via a bus 77 so that signals can be exchanged with each other. The controller 70 inputs an image file of the memory card M inserted into the memory card slot 16, and also detects a detection signal from the paper edge detection sensor 57 of the print mechanism 50 and a command signal from the button group 24 of the operation panel 20. Enter. Further, the controller 70 stores an edited image or the like in the memory card M, and outputs a control signal to the print head 55 of the print mechanism 50 and a control signal to the display 22 of the operation panel.

  The hardware configuration of the photo printer 10 of the present embodiment is as shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 shows the CPU 71 of the controller 70 as a functional block. The CPU 71 can be described as including an object information generation unit 710, an object image generation unit 712, and an ink data generation unit 714 as functional blocks. The object information generation unit 710 inputs seal layout data and a photographic image selected and set by the user. Here, the sticker layout is a layout in which a plurality of images having different image sizes are arranged on one sticker sheet, and an example thereof is shown in FIG. In the seal layout SL1 of FIG. 3, a plurality of image arrangement areas having the same rotation angle and the same size are arranged in a row along the main scanning direction (the moving direction of the carriage 53), and each row is in the sub-scanning direction (paper feeding direction). ). In FIG. 3, the image arrangement region No. having the largest rotation angle (angle when rotated clockwise) is 0 °. 1 and 2 are arranged in the main scanning direction in the first row L1, and the second largest image arrangement area No. 3 to 5 are arranged in the main scanning direction in the second row L2, and the image arrangement region No. 6 to 10 are arranged in the main scanning direction in the third row L3, image arrangement region No. 6 to 10 having the same rotation angle and size. A fourth row L4 in which 11 to 15 are arranged along the main scanning direction is formed. In addition, among the first row L1 to the fourth row L4, the first row L1 is arranged on the leading end side in the sub-scanning direction (the side with the earlier printing order), and then the second row L3, the third row L3, the fourth row. They are arranged in the order of L4 toward the rear end side in the sub-scanning direction (the slow printing order side). Also, the image layout area numbers are printed in order from the smallest. Here, the left end of the first row L1 with the earliest print order is referred to as the first development position, and the left end of the second row L2 with the next print order is referred to as the second development position. The left end of the fourth row L4 is referred to as the third and fourth development positions, respectively. An example of a photographic image is also shown in FIG. A photographic image PG1 in FIG. 3 is an image obtained by photographing the church with a digital camera.

  Now, after inputting the seal layout data and the photographic image, the object information generating unit 710 generates object information to be described later for each image arrangement area in order to arrange the photographic image in each image arrangement area of the seal layout. To do. The object information generation unit 710 passes the object information thus generated to the object image generation unit 712. Then, the object image generation unit 712 sequentially reads out the object information according to the printing order, rewrites the object type of each object information to any one of a copy source, a copy destination, and a reduced copy, and then performs a seal layout based on the object type. An object image is generated by arranging an image in each image arrangement area. The object image generation unit 712 passes the object image generated in this way to the ink data generation unit 714. Then, the ink data generation unit 714 executes processing such as color conversion based on the object image to generate ink data. The print mechanism 50 is controlled based on the ink data and prints on the paper. Thereby, it is possible to obtain a printed matter in which a predetermined photographic image is printed in a different size in each image arrangement region of the seal layout.

  The seal layout is stored in the flash memory 74. The seal layout is selected and set by the following procedure. That is, the user moves the cursor to “paper / layout” on the main menu screen (see FIG. 2) and presses the OK button 24j. Then, a plurality of layouts are displayed on the display 22. Next, the user moves the cursor to a desired seal layout and presses the OK button 24j. Then, the seal layout is selected and set. The photographic image is stored in the memory card M. Photo images are selected and set according to the following procedure. That is, the user moves the cursor to “select photo” on the main menu screen (see FIG. 2) and presses the OK button 24j. Then, a plurality of image files are displayed on the display 22. Next, the user moves the cursor to the desired image file and presses the OK button 24j. Then, the photo image of the image file is selected and set.

  Next, the operation of the photo printer 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. In the following description, the CPU 71 of the controller 70 is divided into three parts, ie, an object information generation unit 710, an object image generation unit 712, and an ink data generation unit 714, which are functional blocks, and each block performs operations mainly. To do.

  When the seal layout data and the photographic image are input, the object information generation unit 710 starts an object information generation routine related to the seal layout. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the object information generation routine. When this routine is started, the object information generation unit 710 first sets a value n to a counter n (not shown) (step S100), and the image arrangement area No. n object information is generated (step S110). This object information is temporarily stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 73. An example of the object information is shown in FIG. The object information includes an image arrangement area No. The information includes the rotation angle of n, the size of the image arrangement area, the coordinate position, the object type, and the like, and is set based on the data of the seal layout. Since the seal layout of this embodiment is a layout in which the same photographic image is arranged in each image arrangement area, all object types are set to copy objects. The copy object is an object type that is set when the photographic images to be arranged in a plurality of image arrangement areas of the seal layout are all in common, and any one of the copy source, the copy destination, and the reduced copy in the object image generation routine described later are categorized. The object information includes an image arrangement area No. of the development source data in preparation for the case where the image is arranged by copying or reducing the development source data without executing the image development. Is the original region No. This is set in an object image generation routine to be described later. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the object information of all the image arrangement areas has been generated (step S120), and when the image arrangement area for which the object information has not yet been generated remains, the value of the counter n is incremented by 1. (Step S130), the process of Step S110 is executed again. On the other hand, when the object information of all the image arrangement areas is generated, the generated object information is passed to the object image generation unit 712 (step S140), and this routine is finished. For example, in the case of the seal layout SL1 shown in FIG. Object information is generated for each of 1-15. An example of the object information at this time is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the transition of the object information. (A) shows the object information when the object information generation routine ends, and (b) shows the object information when the object image generation routine described later ends. To express.

  When the object image generation unit 712 receives the object information from the object information generation unit 710, the object image generation unit 712 starts an object image generation routine. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the object image generation routine. When this routine is started, the object image generation unit 712 first executes queuing of object information (step S200). That is, the object information is arranged in order from 1 in the printing order. Specifically, the image placement area No. Since printing is performed in order from 1, the image placement area No. 1 object information at the top and the last image arrangement area No. Are arranged so that the object information at the end of the object information. Subsequently, the array of structures set in a predetermined area of the RAM 73 is initialized (step S210). An array is a member having various pieces of information of an image arrangement area as development source data, an example of which is shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the transition of the array, and transitions from (a) to (d) in order as the object image generation routine progresses. As shown in FIG. And the rotation angle and size of the image arrangement area, the pointer to the development source data, and the like. Subsequently, the processing target is set to the first development position (step S220). For example, in the seal layout SL1 of FIG. 3, the first development position is the image arrangement area No. 1 in the first row L1. 1 and 2 are the leftmost positions.

  After the processing target development position is set in this way, the object image generation unit 712 selects the image placement area No. 1 from among the image placement areas arranged in the processing target development position. The object information of the younger one is read and the rotation angle is acquired (step S230). Then, it is determined whether or not the same rotation angle as the rotation angle exists in the array (step S240). If not, information necessary for the array is set (step S250) and the object of the object information is set. The type is rewritten from the copy object to the copy source object (step S260). For example, the image arrangement area No. Since the object information of 1 is read first after the object image generation routine is started, the array remains empty (see FIG. 8A) when this object information is read, and a negative determination is made in step S240. . Therefore, the image arrangement area No. 1 information is set in the array. Since the pointer to the expansion source data of this array is set when the image is expanded in the image arrangement routine of step S340 described later, it remains empty at this point. The state at this time is shown in FIG. In addition, the image arrangement area No. 1 object information is rewritten to the copy source object, and the original area No. Remains empty because it does not exist (see FIG. 6B).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the processing of all object information at the same development position has been completed (step S330), and if the processing of all object information at the same development position has not been completed, the process returns to step S230 again. Of the image arrangement areas arranged in the development position, the next image arrangement area No. The object information of the younger one is read, and then the process of step S240 is performed. In step S240, when the same rotation angle as the rotation angle exists in the array, the size is acquired from the array (step S270), and it is determined whether or not they are the same size (step S280). If the sizes are the same in step S280, the object type of the current object information is rewritten from the copy object to the copy destination object, and the original area No. In the image arrangement area No. Is written (step S290). For example, the image arrangement area No. 2, the object information is read second after the object image generation routine is started. Therefore, when the object information is read, the image arrangement area No. 1 is set (see FIG. 8B), and the rotation angle and the size are the same. Therefore, an affirmative determination is made in steps S240 and S280. Therefore, the image arrangement area No. In the object information of No. 2, the object type is rewritten to the copy destination object, and the original area No. In the image arrangement area No. 1 is set (see FIG. 6B).

  On the other hand, if the image sizes do not match in step S280, the current size is smaller than the size stored in the array, so the reduction ratio is calculated from the ratio of both sizes (step S300), and is necessary for the array. Information is set (step S310), and the object type of the object information is rewritten from the copy object to the reduced copy object (step S320). For example, the image arrangement area No. 3, since the object information is read out third after the object image generation routine is started, the image arrangement area No. 3 is included in the array when the object information is read out. 1 is set (see FIG. 8B), and the rotation angle is the same as this arrangement but the size is different. Therefore, an affirmative determination is made in step S240 and a negative determination is made in step S280. Therefore, the image arrangement area No. Three kinds of information are set in the array. Since the pointer to the expansion source data of this array is set when the image is expanded in the image arrangement routine of step S340 described later, it remains empty at this point. The state at this time is shown in FIG. In addition, the image arrangement area No. 3 is rewritten as a reduced copy object, and the original area No. 3 is rewritten. The image arrangement area No. as the reduction source 1 is set (see FIG. 6B). In the case of a reduced copy object, the reduction ratio is also added to the object information. Then, after the process of step S290 or step S320, the process proceeds to step S330, and it is determined whether or not the process of all object information at the same development position has been completed.

  When the processing of all object information at the same development position is completed in step S330, the image arrangement routine is executed (step S340), the image arrangement data is passed to the ink data generation unit 714 (step S350), and all the development positions are obtained. It is determined whether or not the process has been completed (step S360). If the processing for all the development positions has not been completed yet, the development position to be processed is updated to the next development position (step S370), and the processing after step S230 is performed again. On the other hand, when all the development positions have been processed, the object image generation routine ends. The ink data generation unit 714 generates ink data based on the received image arrangement data, and finally the printing mechanism 50 is controlled based on the ink data to perform printing on the paper.

  Next, the image arrangement routine in step S340 will be described with reference to FIG. When this routine is started, the object image generation unit 712 first selects an image placement area No. 1 from among the image placement areas arranged in the current development position. Is set as a processing target (step S400). Subsequently, the object type is acquired from the object information of the image arrangement area set as the processing target (step S410), and it is determined whether the object type is the copy source object, the copy destination object, or the reduced copy object (step S420). Then, when the object type is a copy source object, the image development that reads, analyzes and restores the compressed image data (here, JPEG) of the photographic image is executed, and resizing for adjusting the size is executed, Thereafter, a series of processes of automatically correcting the contrast, exposure, and saturation based on the statistical information of the image is executed (step 430). The data obtained by executing this series of processing is arranged in the current image arrangement area, is stored in order from the start address of the preset RAM 73, and the start address is a pointer to the expansion source data of the corresponding array. Is set (step S440). On the other hand, when the object type is a copy destination object, the original area No. And the region No. is read from the array. Is obtained (step S450), and the development source data is copied and arranged in the current image arrangement area (step S460). If the object type is a reduced copy object, the original area No. And the area No. A pointer to the decompression source data is obtained from the array corresponding to (step S470), the pointer to the decompression source data is input to a resizer (not shown), and the reduced data output from the resizer is obtained, and then the contrast and the like Is automatically corrected (step S480). The resizer outputs the reduced data by converting the color information values of a plurality of pixels of the development source data into color information of one pixel in accordance with the reduction ratio of the reduced copy object. Thereafter, the obtained data is arranged in the current image arrangement area, is stored in order from the preset start address of the RAM 73, and the start address is set as a pointer to the development source data of the corresponding array (step S490). . Then, after step S440, S460 or S490, it is determined whether or not the processing for all object types at the same development position has been completed (step S500), and the processing for all object types at the same development position has not been completed yet. , The next image arrangement area No. Is set as a processing target (step S510), and the processing after step S410 is executed again. On the other hand, when the processing of all object types at the same development position is completed in step S500, this image arrangement routine is ended.

  Next, a case where free cut sticker paper is printed using the sticker layout SL1 and the photographic image PG1 in FIG. 3 will be described. The image arrangement area No. 1 arranged at the first development position is displayed. For 1, the object information is set in the array (see FIG. 8B), and the object type is the copy source object. Image arrangement area No. 2 has the same rotation angle and the same size (No. 1), the object type is set as the copy destination object, and the original area No. As the image arrangement area No. 1 is set. Since these two are arranged in the first development position, image arrangement is performed thereafter. Specifically, the image placement area No. In 1, data obtained by executing a series of processing such as image development, resizing, and automatic correction is arranged. Further, this data is stored as development source data in order from the top address aaa of the RAM 73, and the start address aaa is set as a pointer to the development source data of the corresponding array (see the arrow portion in FIG. 8B). Image arrangement area No. No. 2 1 expansion source data is copied.

  The image arrangement area No. 2 arranged at the second development position. For 3, the object information is set in the array (see FIG. 8C), and is a reduced copy object. Image arrangement area No. 4 and 5 have the same rotation angle and the same size array (No. 3), and are therefore copy destination objects. 3 is set. Since these three are arranged in the second development position, image arrangement is performed thereafter. Specifically, the image placement area No. 3 is No.3. Data obtained by automatically correcting after resizing (decompressing) one development source data is arranged. Further, this data is stored as expansion source data in order from the leading address bbb of the RAM 73, and the leading address bbb is set as a pointer to the expansion source data of the corresponding array (see the arrow portion in FIG. 8C). Image arrangement area No. 4 and 5 are No. The expansion source data 3 is copied.

  The image arrangement area No. 3 arranged at the third development position. For object 6, the object information is set in the array (see FIG. 8D), and is a reduced copy object. Image arrangement area No. Nos. 7 to 10 are set as copy destination objects because there is an array (No. 6) having the same rotation angle and the same size. 6 is set. Since these five are arranged in the third development position, image placement is performed thereafter. Specifically, the image placement area No. No. 6 is No. Data obtained by automatically correcting after resizing (decompressing) one development source data is arranged. Further, this data is stored as expansion source data in order from the head address ccc of the RAM 73, and the head address ccc is set as a pointer to the expansion source data of the corresponding array (see the arrow portion in FIG. 8D). Image arrangement area No. Nos. 7 to 10 are No. 6 expansion source data is copied.

  The image arrangement area No. 4 arranged at the fourth development position is shown. Nos. 11 to 15 are set as copy destination objects because there is an array (No. 6) having the same rotation angle and the same size. 6 is set. Since these five are arranged in the fourth development position, image arrangement is performed thereafter. Specifically, the image placement area No. Nos. 11 to 15 are No. 6 expansion source data is copied. In this way, the image arrangement area No. FIG. 10 shows a printed matter obtained by controlling the print mechanism 50 based on the contents of the images 1 to 15 arranged.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The photo printer 10 of the present embodiment corresponds to a print processing apparatus of the present invention, the print mechanism 50 corresponds to a printing unit, the RAM 73 corresponds to an information storage unit and a data storage unit, and the CPU 71 includes an image arrangement unit and a print control unit. It corresponds to. In this embodiment, an example of the print processing method of the present invention is also clarified by describing the operation of the photo printer 10.

  According to the photo printer 10 of the present embodiment described in detail above, when development source data having the same value as the rotation angle of the image arrangement area included in the object information read according to the printing order is stored in the RAM 73, Without developing the image, the image data is arranged in the current image arrangement area using the development source data. Therefore, even when a plurality of image arrangement regions having different rotation angles and sizes are laid out on the free-cut sticker paper, the printing speed can be increased. Further, the seal layout is laid out so that the size is from large to small in order from the printing order 1, and the object information is read in order from the printing order 1 in order, that is, from the largest in size. If development source data having the same value as the rotation angle and a different size is stored, the development source data can be reduced and arranged in the current image arrangement area. In addition, by saving the reduced data obtained in this way as development source data, it is possible to copy the same value and the same size as the rotation angle of the image layout area read out next time. Furthermore, since the image arrangement areas of the same size are arranged at the same rotation angle along the main scanning direction of the free cut sticker paper, the development source data can be arranged as it is in the current image arrangement area at least once.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the seal layout SL1 of FIG. 3 has been described, but the seal layout SL2 of FIG. 11 may be used. In the seal layout SL2, the image arrangement area No. 1 and 2 are the largest size at a rotation angle of 0 °, and the image arrangement area No. 3 and 4 have a rotation angle of 270 ° (clockwise), the second largest size, and the image arrangement area No. 3 aligned in the third development position. 5 and 6 are No. 3 and 4 having the same rotation angle and size, the image arrangement area No. 4 aligned at the fourth development position. 7 to 11 are the third largest size at an angle of rotation of 0 °, and the image placement area No. 5 aligned at the fifth development position. 12-15 is the smallest size with a rotation angle of 270 °. When this seal layout SL2 is adopted, the image arrangement area No. For 1, the object information is set in the array and is set as the copy source object. Image arrangement area No. 2 is the copy destination object because there is an array (No. 1) having the same rotation angle and the same size, and the image arrangement area No. 2 is the original area. 1 is set. Subsequently, the image placement area No. In 1, data obtained by decompressing the compressed image data and executing resizing and automatic correction is arranged, and this data is stored in the RAM 73 as decompression source data. Image arrangement area No. 2 includes No. 2; 1 expansion source data is copied. The image arrangement area No. 2 arranged at the second development position. For No. 3, since there is no array with the same rotation angle, the object information is set in the array and is set as the copy source object. Image arrangement area No. 4 is the copy destination object because there is an array (No. 3) having the same rotation angle and the same size, and the image arrangement area No. 4 is the original area. 3 is set. Subsequently, the image placement area No. 3, data obtained by decompressing the compressed image data and executing resizing and automatic correction is arranged, and this data is stored in the RAM 73 as decompression source data. Image arrangement area No. No. 4 is No.4. The expansion source data 3 is copied. The image arrangement area No. 3 arranged at the third development position. 5 and 6 have the same rotation angle and the same size (No. 3), and are therefore copy destination objects. 3 is set. Subsequently, the image placement area No. Nos. 5 and 6 are No. The expansion source data 3 is copied. The image arrangement area No. 4 arranged at the fourth development position is shown. As for No. 7, since there is an array (No. 1) of different sizes at the same rotation angle, the object information is set in the array and is a reduced copy object. Image arrangement area No. 8 to 11 are the copy destination objects because there is an array (No. 7) having the same rotation angle and the same size, and the image arrangement area No. 8 is the original area. 7 is set. Subsequently, the image placement area No. No. 7 Data obtained by automatically correcting after reducing one expansion source data is arranged, and this data is stored in the RAM 73 as expansion source data. Image arrangement area No. Nos. 8 to 11 are No. 7 expansion source data is copied. The image arrangement area No. 5 arranged at the fifth development position is shown. For No. 12, since there is an array (No. 3) with different sizes at the same rotation angle, the object information is set in the array, and a reduced copy object is obtained. Image arrangement area No. Nos. 13 to 15 are set as copy destination objects because there is an array (No. 12) having the same rotation angle and the same size. 12 is set. Subsequently, the image placement area No. No. 12 is no. Data obtained by automatically correcting after reducing the expansion source data 3 is arranged, and this data is stored in the RAM 73 as the expansion source data. Image arrangement area No. Nos. 13 to 15 are No. 12 expansion source data are copied. Then, ink data is generated for each developed position, and printing is executed. As a result, the printed matter of FIG. 11 is obtained.

  In the embodiment described above, the image arrangement area No. Based on the data developed in step 1, the image arrangement area No. 6 of the reduced data is created. Based on the data developed in step 3, the image placement area No. Six pieces of reduced data may be created.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where one type of photographic image is arranged in all image arrangement regions has been described, but the photographic image is not particularly limited to one type. For example, in the seal layout of FIG. 3, one of the two types of photographic images is arranged in the first row L1 and the third row L3, and the other photographic image is placed in the second row L2 and the fourth row L4. You may arrange in. Even in this case, the image arrangement area No. 6 for the image arrangement area No. 1 expansion source data can be reduced and used. 11 for image arrangement area No. 3 expansion source data can be reduced and used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the inkjet photo printer 10 is exemplified as the print processing apparatus. However, the present invention may be applied to a printer such as an electrophotographic method or a dot impact method, and functions of a scanner or the like in addition to the printer. The present invention may be applied to a multifunction machine having both of the above.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image file stored in the memory card M is used. However, the image file is stored in an external device (for example, a digital camera, a mobile phone, a CD / DVD drive device, etc.) connected to the photo printer 10. The image file may be used, or the image file distributed to the photo printer 10 via the network may be stored in the flash memory 74 and the image file may be used.

The perspective view of the state which opened the front door and cover of the photo printer. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an electrical configuration of a photo printer. Explanatory drawing when CPU of a controller is represented with a functional block diagram. The flowchart which shows an example of an object information generation routine. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of object information. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of transition of object information. The flowchart which shows an example of an object image generation routine. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the transition of an arrangement | sequence. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an image arrangement routine. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the printed matter of free cut sticker paper. Explanatory drawing of the printed matter of the free cut sticker paper when another layout is used.

Explanation of symbols

10 Photo Printer, 12 Printer Body, 14 Front Door, 16 Memory Card Slot, 20 Operation Panel, 22 Display, 24 Button Group, 24a Power Button, 24b Menu Button, 24c Cancel Button, 24d Print Button, 24e Save Button, 24f Up Arrow button, 24g down arrow button, 24h left arrow button, 24i right arrow button, 24j OK button, 24k zoom button, 30 cover, 32 window, 50 printing mechanism, 51 timing belt, 52 guide, 53 carriage, 54 ink cartridge, 55 Print head, 56 Transport roller, 57 Paper edge detection sensor, 58 Paper feed port, 59 Paper guide, 70 Controller, 71 CPU, 72 ROM, 73 RAM, 74 Flash memory, 75 inch Face, 76 graphic memory, 77 a bus, 710 object information generating unit, 712 object image generating unit, 714 ink data generation unit.

Claims (6)

Printing means for printing on a recording medium;
Layout setting means for laying out a plurality of image arrangement areas of different sizes on the recording medium;
Information storage means for storing information relating to the image arrangement area including the rotation angle and size of the image arrangement area for each of the plurality of image arrangement areas;
Data storage means for storing image development data;
When placing an image in each image placement area laid out by the layout setting means, information on each image placement area is read from the information storage means, and the same value as the rotation angle of the image placement area included in the information read this time If the image development data is not yet stored in the data storage unit, the image development data is created and stored in the data storage unit, and the image development data is arranged in the current image arrangement area. When image development data having the same value as the rotation angle of the image arrangement area included in the read information is stored in the data storage unit, the image arrangement area of this time is stored using the stored image development data. Image placement means to be placed on,
Print control means for controlling the printing means based on the contents arranged by the image arrangement means;
A printing processing apparatus. The layout setting means lays out a plurality of image arrangement areas on the recording medium so that the size is from large to small in order from 1 in the print order;
The image placement unit reads information on the image placement area from the information storage means in order from 1 in the print order when placing an image in each image placement area laid out by the layout setting means. If image development data having the same value as the rotation angle of the included image arrangement area has not been saved in the data storage means, the image development data is created and saved in the data storage means, and the image development data Is stored in the data storage unit, and image development data having the same value as the rotation angle of the image layout region included in the information read this time and having a different size is stored in the data storage unit. The image development data that has been reduced is reduced and arranged in the current image arrangement area, and the image arrangement included in the information read out this time When the rotation angle and same image expanded data size by the same value of frequency has been stored in said data storage means positions the image expanded data that has been said preserved in this image layout area,
The print processing apparatus according to claim 1. The printing means transports the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction after ejecting ink from the printing head to the recording medium while a carriage on which the print head is mounted moves in the main scanning direction.
The layout setting means arranges image arrangements of the same size at the same rotation angle along the main scanning direction when laying out a plurality of image arrangement areas on the recording medium so that the size is from large to small in order of printing order 1. Lay out areas so that they line up,
The print processing apparatus according to claim 2. The recording medium is free cut sticker paper,
The print processing apparatus according to claim 1. A printing method using computer software,
(A) laying out a plurality of image arrangement areas having different sizes on a recording medium;
(B) storing information on an image arrangement area including a rotation angle and a size of the image arrangement area for each of the plurality of image arrangement areas in a predetermined information storage unit;
(C) When an image is arranged in each image arrangement area laid out in the step (a), information on each image arrangement area is read from the information storage unit, and the rotation angle of the image arrangement area included in the information read this time If the image development data having the same value as in the above has not been saved in the predetermined data storage means, the image development data is created and saved in the data storage means, and the image development data is stored in the current image arrangement area. If the image expansion data having the same value as the rotation angle of the image arrangement area included in the information read out this time is stored in the data storage means, the stored image expansion data is used this time Placing in the image placement area of
(D) controlling printing means for printing on the recording medium based on the contents arranged in the step (c);
A printing processing method including:   A program for causing one or more computers to execute each step of the print processing method according to claim 5.

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