JP2011191801A - Device for creating setting information, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for creating print setting information by directly designating a desired result of printing. <P>SOLUTION: A device for creating setting information for designating printing condition is provided with: a receiving unit which receives image data from a user as the printing condition; an image recognition unit which executes graphical recognition processing to the image data; a pattern data storage unit which stores obtained one or more graphics as graphical information with the positions of the graphics in an image; and a conversion unit which refers to a conversion table that associates the kinds of the graphics and print setting items by one to one, and converts each piece of the obtained graphical information into corresponding setting information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a method for creating setting information for specifying printing conditions, and more particularly to a technique for creating print setting information by directly specifying a desired printing result.

  When printing is performed in an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine, it is necessary to set printing conditions in advance in order to obtain a desired printing result. Such printing conditions are usually performed via a GUI (graphical user interface). However, since it is difficult to image the printing result from the setting contents, many printer drivers display the final finished image on the screen. It has a “preview function” to display. However, even though the print result can be confirmed by the “preview function”, it is not possible to know what setting should be made to obtain the desired print result.

Patent Document 1 exists as a conventional technique for solving such a problem. Patent Document 1 allows a user to freely set a finishing format that the user wants to set, and creates a setting sheet that visually represents the set finishing format and has a shape close to the finished image of the printed matter, and image formation The finishing format is set by the device reading the information attached to the setting paper, and the printed product is printed in the set finishing format, so that the finishing format can be easily set and the operability is high. An image forming apparatus is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-5585

  However, according to the above technique, a user who performs printing selects a setting sheet having a format close to a desired finished image, and reads the information attached to the setting sheet to the image forming apparatus to set the finishing format. Must be done. This means that a user who is familiar with the operation of the target image forming apparatus needs to create setting sheets in advance for every possible combination of setting contents. However, since there are many setting items for printing conditions and there are setting items for specifying numerical values such as margin settings, it is not realistic to create setting sheets in advance for all combinations of settings. Even if setting sheets are prepared for all combinations of settings, it is very difficult to find a setting sheet having a format close to a desired finished image from such a large number of setting sheets.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an apparatus, a method, and a program for allowing a user to designate printing conditions for an image forming apparatus by directly designating a desired printing result. Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to set printing conditions intuitively even for those who are not familiar with the target image forming apparatus.

  The present invention that achieves the above object is realized by a program for creating setting information for specifying printing conditions as follows. Such a program is obtained by the step of receiving image data from the user as a printing condition in the information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus, the step of executing the image recognition process on the image data, and the image recognition process 1 With reference to the step of storing the above figures together with the positions in the image of the figures as figure information, and the conversion table in which the figure types and the print setting items are associated one-to-one, And converting to corresponding setting information. Here, the image forming apparatus may be any one of a copying machine and a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a printer, a copying machine, and an image scanner.

  Preferably, the program executes a character recognition process on the inside of the graphic when the graphic information obtained by the image recognition process indicates a predetermined graphic to the information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus. The character information obtained by the character recognition process is stored in association with the graphic information indicating the predetermined graphic, and the graphic information indicating the predetermined graphic and the character information are converted into the corresponding setting information by referring to the conversion table. And performing the converting step.

  Preferably, the program further causes the information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus to execute a step of creating a confirmation screen indicating the content of each obtained setting information and a step of displaying the confirmation screen.

  Preferably, the program creates a setting screen for setting other print setting items other than the print setting items indicated by the obtained setting information in the information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus. And a step of displaying the setting screen are further executed.

  Preferably, the program gives an error when there is no setting information corresponding to each graphic information obtained in the information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus, or when the setting information indicates inappropriate setting contents. The step of notifying is further executed.

  Although the present invention has been described above as a program for creating setting information for specifying printing conditions, the present invention can also be grasped as a method and apparatus for creating setting information for specifying printing conditions.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to directly designate a desired printing result and designate printing conditions for the image forming apparatus. Further, even those who are not familiar with the target image forming apparatus can easily and intuitively set printing conditions. Other effects of the present invention will be understood from the description of each embodiment.

  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and are described in the embodiments. Not all combinations of features that are present are essential to the solution of the invention. Note that the same numbers are assigned to the same elements throughout the description of the embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a print system 10 according to the present embodiment. In the following, the present invention will be described focusing on a case where setting information for specifying printing conditions is created in an information processing apparatus connected to a printer. However, it should be noted that setting information can be created not only for printers but also for copiers and multifunction peripherals. That is, it should be noted that the present invention can be implemented not only in the information processing apparatus but also in the image forming apparatus itself such as a copying machine or a multifunction peripheral.

  The print system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes an information processing device 15 that sends print data and a print job that includes print conditions for printing the print data, and printers 20a and 20b as image forming devices that print the print data. including. The information processing apparatus 15 and the printer 20a are directly connected via a cable 25. The information processing apparatus 15 and the printer 20b are connected via a communication network 30 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The present invention is applicable to both connection forms.

  The information processing device 15 prints data corresponding to a print target including a created document, drawing, table, and the like, and print condition data set for printing the print target (paper orientation, duplex, aggregation, bookbinding, staple, punch , Binding margin, etc.) are sent to the printer 20a or 20b as a print job.

  Here, the information processing apparatus 15 as the setting information creation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an input device capable of inputting image data such as an image scanner, or can connect such an input device. Image data as printing conditions is received from the user via the apparatus. Then, the information processing apparatus 15 according to the embodiment of the present invention creates setting information that is a printing condition by converting each figure obtained by analyzing the received image data into a corresponding printing condition. .

  Each of the printers 20a and 20b prints print data in accordance with a print job sent from the information processing apparatus 15. Specifically, the printers 20a and 20b transfer the print data included in the print job to paper or the like according to the print condition data included in the print job (paper orientation, double-sided, aggregation, bookbinding, staple, punch, binding margin, etc.). Print on media. Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the information processing apparatus 15 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 15 suitable for realizing the setting information creation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the information processing device 15 includes a CPU 202 that controls the entire information processing device 15, a main memory 204 that is used as a work area of the CPU 202, a boot program that the CPU 202 executes when the information processing device 15 is activated, ROM 206 for storing a program or the like depending on hardware, input unit 210 for inputting data, output unit 212 for outputting a processing result by CPU 202, communication unit 214 for performing data communication, and CPU 202 And an external storage device 208 that stores various programs and data for operating the computer.

  The input unit 210 includes an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and the user gives an operation instruction to the CPU 202 or inputs data via the input unit 210. The input unit 210 according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes an image scanner, and the user draws a desired finished image on a medium such as paper and directly inputs the image data to the information processing apparatus 15 as a printing condition via the image scanner. To do. Instead, the user directly uses the display device configured by a touch screen, which will be described later, a digitizer or a tablet, a pointing device such as a mouse, a stylus pen, or the like to directly input image data as a print condition to the information processing device 15. May be entered.

  The output unit 212 includes a display device such as a CRT or LCD, and shows the calculation processing result by the CPU 202 to the user. When the output unit 212 is configured by a touch screen as a display device, the user may input image data as print conditions to the information processing device 15 using the touch screen. The output unit 212 may include an image forming apparatus such as a printer 20a connected to a parallel port or a USB port included in the information processing apparatus 15.

  The communication unit 214 includes a network adapter such as an Ethernet (R) card or a token ring card, and the information processing apparatus 15 communicates with other computers including an image forming apparatus such as the printer 20b via the network. Make it possible.

  The CPU 202 is a central control unit that controls the entire information processing apparatus 15 in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 206 and the external storage device 208. The CPU 202 is connected to the main memory 204, the ROM 206, the external storage device 108, the input unit 210, the output unit 212, and the communication unit 214 via the bus 201, and an application program for data communication and access to the memory. Reading, reading / writing various data, data / command input, display, and the like are controlled. The CPU 202 converts image data input from the input unit 210 as print conditions into print conditions by performing appropriate processing, which will be described later, and uses the print conditions and print data as a print job as a communication interface. The data is sent to the printer 20a or 20b via the unit 214.

  The main memory 204 includes a work memory that stores designated programs, input instructions, input data, processing results, and the like, and a display memory that temporarily stores display data to be displayed on the display screen of the output unit 212. I have.

  The external storage device 208 includes a hard disk device. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the external storage device 208 may include removable storage (external storage system capable of exchanging recording media) such as a CD-ROM device, a flexible disk device, an MO device, and a DVD device. . Optical, magnetic, and electrical storage media such as a flexible disk, MO, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM are inserted into the external storage devices 208, respectively.

  The external storage device 208 is a general-purpose OS for operating various applications such as a Windows (registered trademark) OS from Microsoft, an OS / 2 (trademark) OS from IBM, and a Linux (registered trademark) OS. Various programs and data such as a printer driver corresponding to the printer 20a or 20b are stored. Note that a program for creating setting information for specifying printing conditions according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as a function of the printer driver or as a program that cooperates with the printer driver. In addition, the data includes a conversion table that associates graphic types and print setting items, which will be described later, one-on-one.

  Such a computer program is executed by being loaded into the main memory 204. The computer program can be compressed or divided into a plurality of pieces and recorded on a plurality of media. The various programs may be recorded in advance on a recording medium or downloaded via a communication line and stored on the recording medium. Furthermore, the various programs can be distributed via a communication line.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 15 suitable for realizing the setting information creating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is an information processing apparatus such as a normal personal computer, workstation, mainframe, or a combination thereof. It will be readily understood that As described above, the setting information creation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may be directly realized by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a multifunction peripheral. An example of the hardware configuration of such an image forming apparatus will be described below using a multifunction peripheral as an example.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 300. The multifunction device 300 includes a CPU 302 that controls the entire multifunction device 300, a work area for various control programs, print data and print conditions of a print job input from the input unit 310, the communication unit 314, the document reading unit 318, and the like. Necessary in conjunction with a memory 304 for temporarily storing data, a ROM 306 and an external storage device 308 storing various control programs for operating the CPU 302, an input unit 310 for performing operations necessary for printing, and an input unit 310 A display unit 312 for displaying various information, a communication unit 314 for performing data communication, a printing unit 316 for printing print data on transfer paper, and a document reading unit 318 for reading a document. In addition, the multi-function device 300 may have a facsimile function (not shown).

  The communication unit 314 is for performing data communication with the outside. For example, the communication unit 314 performs data communication with the information processing apparatus 15. The display unit 312 is preferably configured by a touch screen. The input unit 310 may include a digitizer and a tablet in addition to a pointing device such as a mouse and a stylus pen. The document reading unit 318 includes an image scanner, and converts image data read by the image scanner into digital data. When the present invention is installed in the multifunction device 300, the user can input image data as printing conditions into the multifunction device 300 using any of the display unit 312, the input unit 310, and the document reading unit 318.

  The CPU 302 is a central control unit that controls the entire apparatus according to various control programs stored in the ROM 306 and the external storage device 308. The CPU 302 is connected with a memory 304, a ROM 306, an external storage device 308, an input unit 310, a display unit 312, a communication unit 314, a printing unit 316, and a document reading unit 318 via a bus 301 for data communication. The document reading operation and the printer operation are controlled. Further, the CPU 302 converts the image data as the printing condition input by any of the display unit 312, the input unit 310, and the document reading unit 318 into a printing condition by performing an appropriate process to be described later. Image processing to be described later is controlled according to the printing conditions.

  The ROM 306 and the external storage device 308 store various control programs for operating the CPU 302, font data used for the processing, parameters, and the like. The various control programs include a program for creating setting information for specifying printing conditions according to the embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, a conversion table that associates graphic types and print setting items, which will be described later, with one-to-one correspondence is also stored in the ROM 306 and the external storage device 308. The memory 304 includes a work memory that stores a designated control program, a processing result, received print data, and the like.

  The printing unit 316 prints data on a medium such as transfer paper and image processing for realizing a function set by the user, that is, processing related to finishing such as staples and punch holes, enlargement / reduction, and aggregation. And a unit for performing image processing including processing relating to layout such as margins and processing relating to image quality such as density and color printing. Note that these image processing units may be configured as hardware different from the printing unit 316. Alternatively, the image processing unit may be configured as a program that operates on the CPU 302 for causing the MFP 300 to realize these functions.

  FIG. 4 shows a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 15 (or image forming apparatus) for creating setting information for designating printing conditions according to the embodiment of the present invention. A program for creating setting information for designating printing conditions according to an embodiment of the present invention stored in the external storage device 208 (or the external storage device 308) is, for example, based on the function of the OS in response to a user operation. The information processing apparatus 15 (or the image forming apparatus) is loaded into the memory 204 and executed by the CPU 202 (or the CPU 302), so that the reception unit 405, the image data storage unit 410, the image recognition unit 415, the conversion table storage unit 430, The pattern data storage unit 435, the conversion unit 440, the set value storage unit 445, the setting content determination unit 455, the settable value storage unit 450, the error notification unit 460, the confirmation unit 465, and the setting change unit 470 are caused to function.

  The accepting unit 405 accepts image data from the user as a printing condition. An image scanner can be used to input image data by the user. Instead of this, the user may directly draw image data as a printing condition and input it to the information processing apparatus 15 using an input device such as a mouse or a touch panel and a display device. The selection of the image data input method may use a setting method selection screen as shown in FIG. 5A as an example.

  That is, in response to a print setting instruction from the user, the printer driver installed in the information processing apparatus 15 displays a setting method selection screen as shown in FIG. When the check box 502 is selected by the user, the reception unit 405 receives image data output from the scanner. On the other hand, when the check box 503 is selected by the user, the printer driver further displays a graphic drawing screen as shown in FIG. 5B, and the user prints using an input device such as a mouse or a touch panel. It is possible to draw a figure as a condition. In this case, the accepting unit 405 accepts image data input using the graphic drawing screen.

  The graphic drawing screen shown in FIG. 5B includes a pull-down button 505 for selecting a paper size, a graphic drawing area 515 in which a graphic can be drawn, and a tool that supports the drawing of a graphic by the user. As an example, the tool includes an arrow, a rectangle, a circle / ellipse, a cross, a straight line, and a dot / black circle. Although these figures will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, both are figures corresponding to printing conditions. However, it is needless to say that the graphics shown here are illustrative examples, and other graphics can be associated with the printing conditions. Moreover, you may make it a user draw a figure directly, without providing such a support tool. When the accepting unit accepts the image data, it converts it into digital data, corrects it appropriately, and stores it in the image data storage unit 410.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a correspondence relationship between a graphic that can be included in the image data input as a printing condition by the user and the printing condition indicated by the graphic. Such a correspondence relationship is previously set and held in the information processing apparatus 15 as a conversion table described with reference to FIG. The figure corresponding to the printing conditions is not limited to that shown in FIG. However, it is preferable to select a graphic that allows the user to easily associate the corresponding printing conditions from the shape and that can be easily recognized by the information processing device 15.

  In FIG. 6, each rectangle 620 represents a print sheet. A straight line 600 that equally divides the region into two indicates a 2-in-1 printing condition. In other words, one or more straight lines that equally divide the region into a plurality indicate other layout printing conditions. Here, the position of the straight line 600 indicates the position of division. A short straight line 602 drawn along the side of the paper indicates a staple printing condition. Here, the position of the short straight line 602 indicates the position of the staple, and the number of short straight lines indicates the number of staples.

  Further, an ellipse 604 in which numbers are drawn indicates a printing condition for adding a page number to the position of the ellipse 604. The number drawn in the ellipse indicates the starting page number. An arrow 606 indicates a printing condition for designating a printing direction (vertical or horizontal). A rectangle 608 indicates margin / binding margin printing conditions. That is, a rectangle 608 indicates that a range surrounded by the rectangle 608 is a print range. The dots / black circles 610 indicate punch hole printing conditions. As in the case of the staple, the position of the dot / black circle 610 indicates the position of the punch hole, and the number of the dot / black circle 610 indicates the number of the punch holes.

  Further, a cross 612 indicates a printing condition for a writing margin. That is, the area where the x mark 612 is drawn indicates a blank area for writing. An ellipse 614 in which character data beginning with “FAX” or “MAIL” is drawn indicates that the condition is not a printing condition but a condition for sending by FAX or e-mail. The character data following “FAX” or “MAIL” designates the transmission destination.

  When actually setting printing conditions, the user specifies desired printing conditions by combining the basic figures 600 to 614 shown in FIG. 6 (see paper 616). As described above, a figure having a shape that easily associates a corresponding printing condition is selected. Also, the position of the graphic forms part of the printing conditions. Therefore, a figure created by the user as a printing condition, for example, a figure as shown on the paper 616 is a figure close to a desired finished image. This means that the user can specify printing conditions by creating a diagram showing a desired finished image.

  The image recognition unit 415 reads the image data converted into digital data from the image data storage unit 410 and executes image analysis processing on the image data. Specifically, the image recognizing unit 415 includes a graphic recognizing unit 420 and a character recognizing unit 425. The graphic recognizing unit 420 executes graphic recognition processing on the image data, and the graphic data included in the image data Get figure position data.

  Here, the graphic recognition process by the graphic recognition unit 420 may be an image recognition process based on a conventional pattern processing base. Such image recognition processing includes digitizing an input image, preprocessing for correction, processing for extracting a feature parameter from the preprocessed input image to obtain a feature parameter or feature pattern, and the obtained feature parameter or feature pattern. Is compared with the standard pattern and is associated with the category to which the most similar standard pattern belongs.

  As pattern recognition, for example, a method using DP matching or a neural network can be used. Particularly, those using a neural network have an advantage that human knowledge is not necessary because knowledge about the target object is acquired by learning. As a neural network algorithm, the back-propagation method is best known. In the backpropagation method, the output result is compared with a teacher signal to be learned, and the error is fed back to correct the weighting factor and threshold value.

  Specifically, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2635582, a ratio between a distance between corresponding points of the input pattern and the standard pattern and a distance from a predetermined pattern reference point of each point of the standard pattern is a feature point. A technique for recognizing an input pattern with high accuracy by calculating each time may be used. In addition, a comparison result of image data obtained by scanning the observed pattern with the standard pattern bordering the outline of the fixed figure disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-20074 and a standard pattern in which the outside of the outline of the fixed figure is inverted And a technique for detecting the presence position of a predetermined fixed figure from a drawing including a plurality of figures using a comparison result of the inverted data of the image data obtained by scanning the observed figure. .

  Furthermore, symbol processing and pattern processing disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-34758 exist in parallel and complement, that is, feature information extracted in pattern processing is converted into symbol knowledge and the knowledge is used. A technique may be used in which a region segmentation of an object recognized by symbolic reasoning, a complementary image of a missing target object is obtained, or a region segmentation of an overlapping figure is performed. However, since the figures to be recognized in the present invention are basic figures such as straight lines, circles, and arrows, and the types thereof are limited, a simpler image recognition method can be adopted.

  In addition, when the graphic recognition unit 420 detects a predetermined graphic in the image data, the character recognition unit 425 performs character recognition processing on the inside of the predetermined graphic. In this embodiment, an ellipse is used as the predetermined graphic. When the figure recognition unit 420 recognizes an ellipse in the image data, the character recognition unit 425 executes character recognition processing on the area in the ellipse and acquires character string data. Character recognition processing by the character recognition unit 425 can use OCR (Optical Character Reader) software. Instead of this, the character recognition unit 425 may execute a character recognition process on a portion in the image data determined to be unrecognizable by the graphic recognition unit 420.

  The graphic data and position data acquired by the graphic recognizing unit 420 are associated with graphic information, the character string data acquired by the character recognizing unit 425 is associated with the graphic information of a predetermined graphic or the positional information of the character, and then the pattern data. It is temporarily stored in the storage unit 435.

  The conversion table storage unit 430 stores a conversion table that associates graphic types with print setting items on a one-to-one basis. Here, the print setting item is a setting item that can be set at the time of printing in order to specify a printing condition, and includes a setting item related to an input format of a medium to be printed and a setting item related to a print finish format. As an example, the print setting items include paper size, margin / binding margin, consolidated printing, duplex printing, stapling, punching, page setting, and the like. The type of figure refers to the name of a figure associated with a printing condition, such as a straight line, rectangle, circle, ellipse, or arrow. As described above, such a conversion table is held in the information processing apparatus 15 in advance.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the conversion table. In the figure name field, the figure type, that is, the name of the figure is registered. In the setting item field, a setting item name corresponding to the type of graphic registered in the graphic field is registered. In the detailed setting field, a method for handling position information of the corresponding graphic is registered. In the character string field, a character string handling method is registered when applicable. Furthermore, although the details will be described later, a setting ID of a setting item that may be set incorrectly is registered in the erroneous setting field. The value of the erroneous setting field is used by the confirmation unit 465 described later.

  In the conversion table shown in FIG. 7, for example, a dot / black circle figure with setting ID = 2 is associated with the punch hole printing condition. It is determined that the position of the dot / black circle figure is handled as a punch position, and the number of dot / black circle figures is handled as a punch hole. Further, since 6 is registered as the setting ID in the erroneous setting field, it is indicated that the dot / black circle figure may be originally drawn with the intention of stapling.

  Also, since the value is registered in the character string field for the ellipse graphic with the setting ID = 1, it can be seen that the character string exists inside the ellipse graphic. This indicates that when drawing a character string, the user must always enclose the character string with an ellipse. In the example shown in FIG. 7, three types of setting items are associated with an elliptical figure. That is, when there is a character string with only numbers inside, the ellipse is associated with the page number setting. If a character string beginning with “Mail” exists inside, the ellipse is associated with the mail destination setting. Further, when a character string beginning with “Fax” exists inside, the ellipse is associated with the Fax destination setting. Further, when the ellipse is associated with the page number setting, it is determined that the center position of the ellipse is handled as the page number printing position.

  Further, the setting of the writing margin is associated with the figure of the x point with the setting ID = 3, and a rectangular area surrounding the x point is determined as the writing margin position. Also, the setting of the paper orientation is associated with the figure of the arrow with the setting ID = 4. That is, the direction of the arrow is associated with the printing direction of the paper.

  In addition, the setting of margin and binding margin is associated with the quadrilateral figure with the setting ID = 5, and the inside of the quadrilateral is defined as the printing range. In this case, the position of each side of the square specifies the margin and binding margin, but if the distance from the edge of the paper to each side of the square is not constant, the average value is calculated and adopted. You can negotiate. In addition, since 7 is registered as the setting ID in the erroneous setting field of setting ID = 5, it is indicated that there is a possibility that the square figure is originally drawn with the intention of collective printing. ing.

  Further, even for the same type of figure, different setting items can be associated depending on the size of the figure, such as its length. For example, in the conversion table shown in FIG. 7, even in the same straight line, the short straight line is associated with staples, and the long straight line is associated with aggregate printing. Here, the determination of the length of the straight line may be performed as follows as an example. That is, if the length of the straight line is 1/8 or less of the side of the paper parallel to the straight line, this is judged as a short straight line. If the length of the straight line is 4/5 or more of the side of the paper parallel to the straight line, this is determined. It may be determined as a long straight line. Needless to say, if the information processing apparatus 15 can determine, other determination methods can be adopted. In addition, since 2 is registered as the setting ID in the erroneous setting field of setting ID = 6, it is indicated that there is a possibility that the short straight line figure is originally intended to be punched. Has been.

  The conversion unit 440 reads each graphic data and corresponding position data acquired by the image recognition unit 415 from the pattern data storage unit 435, and character string data if applicable. Then, the conversion unit 440 refers to the conversion table stored in the conversion table storage unit 430, and converts each set of graphic data and its position data into corresponding print setting information. Similarly, the conversion unit 440 converts the character string data and the position data of the center of the ellipse, if applicable, into corresponding printing conditions. If there is a set of graphic data that does not have a corresponding printing condition and its position data or character string data, the conversion unit 440 notifies the error notification unit described later to that effect.

  For example, the paper 616 in FIG. 6 is input by the user as image data, and the image recognition unit 415 stores two black circle graphic data and its position data, long straight graphic data and its position data, and × Assume that point graphic data and its position data are stored. In such a case, the conversion unit 440 refers to the conversion table shown in FIG. 7 and converts the two black circle graphic data and its position data into settings for providing two punch holes on the left side of the paper.

  The conversion unit 440 also refers to the conversion table shown in FIG. 7 and converts the long line graphic data and its position data into a 2-in-1 setting for dividing the area at the position of the long line. Further, the conversion unit 440 refers to the conversion table shown in FIG. 7 and converts the x-point graphic data and its position data into a setting in which the right half of the paper is set as a writing margin. Each setting item and setting value converted by the conversion unit 440 is stored in the setting value storage unit 445.

  The settable value storage unit 450 stores a set value table that defines settable values for each print setting item. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the setting value table.

  The setting content determination unit 455 refers to the setting value table stored in the settable value storage unit 450, and the setting value of each setting item stored in the setting value storage unit 445 is a settable value. It is determined whether or not. When the setting content determination unit 455 determines that the setting value stored in the setting value storage unit 445 includes an unsettable value, the setting content determination unit 455 sets an inappropriate setting item name and the setting value. Delete from the value storage unit 445. Then, the setting content determination unit 455 passes an inappropriate setting item name, its setting value, and a settable value to an error notification unit 460 described later.

  Instead of or in addition to this, the setting content determination unit 455 sets the inappropriate setting value stored in the setting value storage unit 445 to a value that is closest to the setting value and can be set. May be replaced. In this case, the setting content determination unit 455 passes the inappropriate setting item name and the changed setting value to the error notification unit 460 described later together with information indicating that the setting value has been changed. In addition, the setting content determination unit 455 passes the setting item names and setting values to the confirmation unit 465 for all remaining setting items except the inappropriate setting items.

  In response to receiving an inappropriate setting item name and its setting value from the setting content determination unit 455, the error notification unit 460 notifies the user of an error indicating that an inappropriate setting has been made. As an error notification method, for example, the content of the error may be displayed on the display screen, or a beep sound may be sounded. FIG. 9A shows an example of an error notification screen. When the error notification unit 460 receives an inappropriate setting item name and the changed setting value from the setting content determination unit 455 together with information indicating that the setting value has been changed, the corresponding printing condition is also received from the conversion unit 440. The same applies when information indicating that it does not exist is received.

  The confirmation unit 465 is configured to allow the user to confirm the setting content in response to receiving the setting item name and the setting value for all remaining setting items except the inappropriate setting item from the setting content determination unit 455. Create a confirmation screen and display it on the display screen. The confirmation screen may be anything as long as it shows the setting contents. As an example, the confirmation screen may list the setting item names and their setting values. However, it is more preferable that the confirmation screen can accept a change in setting contents.

  More preferably, the confirmation unit 465 refers to the erroneous setting field of the conversion table stored in the conversion table storage unit 430, and the setting item whose value is registered in the field is a setting item displayed on the confirmation screen. It is judged whether it is in. When there is such a setting item, the confirmation unit 465 displays a button for displaying a screen for setting the setting item of the setting ID registered in the erroneous setting field near the setting item. . An example of such a confirmation screen is shown in FIG.

  In the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 9B, it is assumed that the paper 616 shown in FIG. 6 is input by the user as image data. Here, a value registered in the erroneous setting field is a punch hole setting item. Therefore, a button for displaying a setting screen for setting staples is shown below the punch hole setting item.

  Further, the confirmation unit 465 refers to the setting value table stored in the settable value storage unit 450 and makes settings for other setting items except for the setting items stored in the setting value storage unit 445. A setting screen may be created and displayed. Such a setting screen may be created and displayed separately from the confirmation screen, or, as shown in FIG. 9B, a confirmation screen for confirming the setting contents using a tab is displayed at the top. A setting screen for displaying on the tab 905 and setting for other print setting items may be displayed on the lower tab 910. When the confirmation unit 465 receives a request for setting change or additional setting through the confirmation screen or setting screen, the confirmation unit 465 passes the contents of the setting change or additional setting to a setting changing unit 470 described later.

  The setting change unit 470 updates the setting information stored in the setting value storage unit 445 with the contents in response to receiving information related to the setting change or additional setting from the confirmation unit 465. The setting content finally stored in the setting value storage unit 445 is sent to the printer 20a or b as a print job together with print data by the printer driver.

  Next, a flow of processing by the information processing apparatus 15 for creating setting information for specifying printing conditions according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 10, the processing starts from step 1000, and the information processing device 15 receives image data from the user via an input device such as a scanner, digitizes and corrects it, and stores it. Next, the information processing apparatus 15 performs a figure recognition process on the image data (step 1005). As described above, the figure recognition process based on the pattern recognition process can be used.

  The information processing apparatus 15 stores the graphic data obtained as a result of the graphic recognition process in association with the position data (step 1010). Next, the information processing apparatus 15 determines whether or not the obtained graphic data includes a predetermined graphic, in this embodiment, an ellipse (step 1015). If an ellipse graphic is included (step 1015: YES), the information processing apparatus 15 reads the image data again, searches the area where the ellipse graphic is drawn, Character recognition processing is executed (step 1020). The obtained character string data is stored in association with the ellipse graphic data (step 1025).

  If NO in step 1015, or the process proceeds from step 1025 to step 1030, the information processing apparatus 15 refers to the conversion table that associates the graphic type and the print setting item on a one-to-one basis, and obtains each graphic data obtained And the set of position data is converted into one corresponding setting information, that is, a setting item name and a setting value. Then, the information processing apparatus 15 refers to a setting value table that defines values that can be set for each print setting item, and determines whether or not the obtained setting information has contents that can be set (step 1035). When the obtained setting information includes inappropriate setting contents that cannot be set (step 1035: NO), the information processing apparatus 15 informs the user that there is inappropriate setting contents. Error notification is performed (step 1040). In step 1030, if there is a figure for which there is no corresponding setting information, the fact may be included in an error notification to notify the user.

  If YES in step 1035, or the process proceeds from step 1040 to step 1045, the information processing apparatus 15 creates a confirmation screen indicating the content of each obtained setting information and displays it. As described above, the confirmation screen to be created is preferably configured to accept setting changes and additional settings. When the user receives a setting change or addition request through the confirmation screen, the information processing device 15 The setting contents are updated according to the contents of the received setting change or additional setting (step 1050). Then, the process ends.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiments. Therefore, it is a matter of course that embodiments with such changes or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 shows an example of a schematic configuration of a print system 10 according to the present embodiment. An example of the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus 15 which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown. 2 shows an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the information processing apparatus 15 for creating setting information for specifying printing conditions according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) shows an example of a setting method selection screen. (B) shows an example of a figure drawing screen. FIG. 6 is a correspondence diagram between a figure that can be included in image data input by a user as a printing condition and a printing condition indicated by the figure. An example of a conversion table is shown. An example of the setting value table (A) shows an example of an error notification screen. (B) shows an example of a confirmation screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing by the information processing apparatus 15 for creating setting information for specifying printing conditions according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (7)

A program for creating setting information for specifying printing conditions, the program being stored in an information processing apparatus or an image forming apparatus.
Accepting image data from the user as printing conditions;
Performing an image recognition process on the image data;
Storing one or more figures obtained by the image recognition processing as figure information together with positions of the figures in the image;
A setting information creation program that executes a step of referring to a conversion table that associates graphic types with print setting items on a one-to-one basis, and converting the obtained graphic information into corresponding setting information. When the graphic information indicates a predetermined graphic, executing character recognition processing on the inside of the graphic;
Storing the character information obtained by the character recognition process in association with the graphic information;
The information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus is further configured to refer to the conversion table and convert the graphic information indicating the predetermined graphic and the associated character information into the corresponding setting information. The setting information creation program according to claim 1. Creating a confirmation screen showing the content of each of the obtained setting information;
The setting information creation program according to claim 1, further causing the information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus to execute the step of displaying the confirmation screen. Creating a setting screen for setting other print setting items excluding the print setting items indicated by the obtained setting information;
The setting information creation program according to claim 1, further causing the information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus to execute the step of displaying the setting screen.   If the setting information corresponding to the obtained graphic information does not exist or if the setting information indicates inappropriate setting contents, a step of notifying the information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus is further executed. The setting information creation program according to claim 1. In an information processing apparatus or an image forming apparatus, a method for creating setting information for specifying printing conditions,
Accepting image data from the user as printing conditions;
Performing an image recognition process on the image data;
Storing one or more figures obtained by the image recognition processing as figure information together with positions of the figures in the image;
A setting information creating method, comprising: referring to a conversion table that associates graphic types with print setting items on a one-to-one basis, and converting the obtained graphic information into corresponding setting information. A setting information creation device for creating setting information for specifying printing conditions,
As a printing condition, a reception unit that receives image data from a user;
An image recognition unit that performs an image recognition process on the image data;
A pattern data storage unit that stores one or more obtained figures as figure information together with positions in the figure image;
A setting information creating apparatus, comprising: a conversion unit that converts each of the obtained graphic information into the corresponding setting information with reference to a conversion table that associates graphic types with print setting items on a one-to-one basis.

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