JP2013215911A - Printing device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique capable of accurately printing an image on a printing medium with appropriate aspect.SOLUTION: A printing device comprising a printing tool for printing an image P based on an image data on a printing medium placed on a tray includes: a location information acquisition unit for acquiring a relative location information including a rotative direction of the printing medium in a state placed on the tray; and an image data preparing unit for preparing an image data of the image printed on the printing medium placed on the tray by correcting a location on the basis of the acquired location information. Since an image tP is printed on the printing medium on the basis of the image data which is prepared based on the actual relative location information about the tray of the printing madium, the imade can be printed on the printing medium accurately with appropriate aspect.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for printing an image based on image data on a print medium placed on a tray.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes a multi-function machine that prints an image based on image data on a print medium such as a CD or DVD placed on a tray. In this multifunction device, the print medium placed on the tray is read by the scanner unit, so that the printable area and the non-printable area of the print medium are recognized, and the print medium printable area. Is stored in a storage means such as a memory as a print area. Then, image data is created so as to match the print area stored in the storage means, and an image is printed on a print medium based on the image data.

JP 2006-279570 A (paragraphs 0053 to 0057, FIG. 6, abstract, etc.)

  By the way, in the above-described multifunction device, the placement position of the print medium on the tray is set in advance for each type of print medium, and each of the print media when placed in the appropriate orientation on the corresponding placement position on the tray. Information on the relative position of the print medium with respect to the tray is stored in advance in storage means such as a memory. Accordingly, when various printing media such as general printing paper and CD and DVD are placed in appropriate orientations on the corresponding placement positions on the tray, the respective types of printing media are stored in the storage means. The image data is created based on the relative position information stored in advance, so that the image is printed in an appropriate orientation on each print medium. In addition, even when the print medium is not placed in a proper orientation at the corresponding placement position on the tray, the print area is set point-symmetrically, such as when the print medium is a circular CD or DVD, When the image may be printed in any orientation with respect to the print medium, the image is appropriately printed on the print medium. However, if an image has to be printed in a predetermined orientation on the print medium, the image will have an appropriate orientation on the print medium unless the print medium is placed in the proper orientation on the corresponding placement position on the tray. May not be printed, and there was a need to improve the technology.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique capable of accurately printing an image on a print medium in an appropriate direction.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a printing unit that prints an image based on image data on a printing medium placed on a tray, and is in a state of being placed on the tray. Position information acquisition means for acquiring relative position information including the rotation direction of the print medium with respect to the tray, and performing position correction based on the position information, and printing on the print medium placed on the tray Image data creating means for creating the image data of the image to be processed.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing method for printing an image based on image data on a print medium placed on a tray in order to achieve the above object. Relative position information including the rotation direction of the medium with respect to the tray is acquired by a position information acquisition unit, position correction based on the position information is performed, and the medium is printed on the print medium placed on the tray. The image data of the image is created by image data creating means.

  In the invention configured as described above, relative position information including the rotation direction of the printing medium placed on the tray with respect to the tray is acquired by the position information acquisition unit. Then, position correction based on the obtained actual position information is performed, and image data of an image to be printed on the print medium placed on the tray is created by the image data creation means. Accordingly, since the image is printed on the print medium based on the image data created based on the actual relative position information of the print medium with respect to the tray, the image can be accurately printed on the print medium in an appropriate direction. it can.

  The position information acquisition unit may further acquire a shape of a print area provided on the print medium, and the image data generation unit may generate the image data according to the shape of the print area. Good.

  According to this configuration, the shape of the print area provided on the print medium is acquired by the position information acquisition unit, and the image data is generated by the image data generation unit according to the acquired shape of the print area. The image can be accurately printed on the print medium in accordance with the shape of the print area.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction peripheral as an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner unit included in the multifunction machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer unit included in the multifunction machine of FIG. 1. The top view which shows the tray in the state in which the printing medium was mounted. The figure which shows an example of the image printed on a printing medium. 6 is a flowchart illustrating printing processing.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction machine as an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a scanner unit included in the multifunction machine of FIG. The figure and (b) show a side view. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer unit included in the multifunction peripheral of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a tray on which a print medium is placed. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image printed on a print medium, where (a) illustrates an image before conversion, (b) illustrates an image after conversion, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating printing processing. In FIG. 1, only the components necessary for the description of the present invention are illustrated for simplifying the description, and other components are not illustrated.

  The multifunction device 1 includes a scanner unit 2 (corresponding to “position information acquisition unit” of the present invention) that reads an image of a document placed on a document table 21, printing paper, CD, DVD, and the like placed on a tray 7. A printer unit 3 (corresponding to the “printing means” of the present invention) that prints an image based on image data on a print medium such as a recording medium M, a controller 4 that controls the entire apparatus, a menu button that accepts user operations An operation panel unit 5 provided with (not shown) and an interface 6 for connecting the external device PC such as a personal computer and the multifunction device 1 are provided. The multifunction device 1 reads the image of the document placed on the document table 21 with the scanner unit 2 by controlling the scanner unit 2 and the printer unit 3 based on the control signal output from the controller 4. A copy function for printing on a print medium by the printer unit 3, a print function for printing on a print medium by the printer unit 3 based on print data such as image data input from the external device PC, and a read by the scanner unit 2 Various functions such as a scanner function for transmitting an image of a document placed on the document table 21 to the external device PC are executed. The interface 6 is configured by a general interface standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), Ethernet (Ethernet (registered trademark)), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc., and the multifunction device 1 and the external device PC are connected to each other. ing.

  The scanner unit 2 is formed of a substantially rectangular plate-shaped glass and is provided so as to face a document with the document table 21 sandwiched in the thickness direction of the document table 21. And a reading carriage 22. Further, a white reference plate 23 formed in a rectangular strip shape is provided along the edge on the inner side of the edge on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the document table 21.

  The reading carriage 22 has a width in the longitudinal direction substantially the same as the width in the short direction (main scanning direction X) of the document table 21, and is arranged so that the longitudinal direction is along the short direction of the document table 21. Has been. The reading carriage 22 is accommodated in a longitudinal direction (sub-scanning direction Y) of the document table 21 so as to be reciprocally movable by a driving mechanism (not shown). The reading carriage 22 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the document table 21. By being guided by a guide shaft or the like (not shown) arranged in parallel to the table 21, it moves in parallel to the document table 21. The reading carriage 22 includes an optical system 24 and a linear image sensor 25. The optical system 24 and the linear image sensor 25 are provided such that the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction X) is along the longitudinal direction of the reading carriage 22, that is, the short side direction of the document table 21. 21 is conveyed along the longitudinal direction (sub-scanning direction Y).

  The optical system 24 includes a light source 24a, a mirror 24b, a condenser lens 24c, and the like. The light source 24 a is, for example, a white cold cathode fluorescent lamp. The light source 24 a is provided on the reading carriage 22 with its longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the linear image sensor 25. The irradiation light emitted from the light source 24a is reflected by the original and forms an image on the linear image sensor 25 via the mirror 24b and the condenser lens 24c. The linear image sensor 25 optically reads an image of the document placed on the document table 21 and converts it into electric charges.

  The reading carriage 22 moves in a direction (sub-scanning direction Y) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction X), that is, the longitudinal direction of the document table 21 based on a control signal from the controller 4. To do. The linear image sensor 25 is placed on the document table 21 by detecting light reflected from the document by being irradiated from the light source 24a at a predetermined timing as the reading carriage 22 moves in the sub-scanning direction Y. The document is scanned.

  The scanner unit 2 is configured to be able to read a label surface of a recording medium M such as a CD or a DVD as a print medium. Specifically, a plate-like tray 7 having a substantially rectangular surface 7 a and detachably configured on the main body of the multifunction device 1 is provided, and the recording medium M is placed on the tray 7. In this state, the tray 7 is placed on the document table 21. That is, at a position slightly deviated from the center of the surface 7a of the tray 7, the surface 7a is recessed in a substantially circular shape to form a media accommodating portion 7b. A circular convex portion 7c for positioning is provided at a substantially central position of the media accommodating portion 7b. The recording medium M is disposed in the medium accommodating portion 7b and is positioned at a predetermined position on the tray 7 by inserting the convex portion 7c into the hole H formed in the central portion of the recording medium M. At the same time, it is fixed to the tray 7.

  Further, a rectangular frame-shaped document guide 26 is provided on the periphery of the document table, and the tray 7 is disposed along the inner peripheral surface 26 a of the document guide 26 of the document table 21, so that the recording medium M is The document table 21 is positioned at a predetermined position. In the process of reading the label surface of the recording medium M placed on the tray 7, when reading is started, for example, the mode for reading the label surface on the setting screen displayed on the operation panel unit 5 is selected. To be executed.

  Then, as will be described later, an image of the label surface obtained by reading the label surface of the recording medium M by the scanner unit 2 is printed and copied on a print medium including the recording medium M by the printer unit 3. The controller 4 executes processing for creating image data. Further, as will be described later, by reading the label surface of the recording medium M by the scanner unit 2, a process of obtaining the shape of a printable region (printing region R) provided on the label surface of the recording medium M, The controller 4 executes processing for acquiring relative position information including the rotation direction of the recording medium M placed on the tray 7 with respect to the tray 7.

  The printer unit 3 includes a writing carriage 31 that ejects ink onto a printing medium such as general printing paper or a recording medium M such as a CD and a DVD, and a roller 32 that supplies the printing medium to the printing position of the writing carriage 31. The printing process is executed based on the control signal output from the controller 4. In this embodiment, the printer unit 3 employs an inkjet system that forms an image by ejecting ink droplets onto a printing medium such as a printing paper. However, the printing system is not limited to this, and thermal printing is not limited thereto. Any printing method such as a method, a sublimation type, or an electrophotographic method in which an image is formed with toner using a photoconductor may be adopted.

  The writing carriage 31 has a nozzle (not shown) from which ink droplets are ejected, and includes a recording head 33 disposed below the writing carriage 31 and an ink cartridge K. The ink cartridge K is filled with four color inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). When the color ink is ejected from the nozzles of the recording head 33 onto the print medium, the printer unit 3 outputs a color image. In addition to the above four colors, light cyan (light cyan, LC), light magenta (light magenta, LM), and dark yellow (dark yellow, DY) may be used as the color ink.

  Further, the writing carriage 31 is based on a control signal from the controller 4 in a direction (in FIG. 3) substantially perpendicular to the printing medium transport direction by the roller 32 (left and right direction in FIG. 3: sub-scanning direction Y). It moves back and forth in the depth direction: main scanning direction X). Then, the writing carriage 31 reciprocates in the main scanning direction X at predetermined intervals with respect to the print medium conveyed in the sub-scanning direction Y by the roller 32, and ink droplets are ejected from the recording head 33 at a predetermined timing. Thus, an image based on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 2 or the image data input from the external device PC is printed on the print medium.

  In this embodiment, as described above, the printer unit 3 is configured so that the recording medium M such as a CD or DVD can be used as a printing medium and can be printed on the printing region R on the surface (label surface). By setting the tray 7 on which the recording medium M is placed at a predetermined position of the printer unit 3, an image based on the predetermined image data is printed on the recording medium M by the printer unit 3. When printing on the recording medium M, the tray 7 on which the recording medium M is placed is the same as that used in the label surface reading process by the scanner unit 2 described above.

  In the printing process in which printing is performed on the recording medium M in the printer unit 3, when printing is started, for example, a mode for printing on the recording medium M is selected on the setting screen displayed on the operation panel unit 5. To be executed. Further, by using the image data of the label surface of the recording medium M read by the scanner unit 2 as the image data to be printed by the printer unit 3, the label surface of the recording medium M is used as the label of another recording medium M. The process of printing on the side and copying is executed.

  The controller 4 controls the entire MFP 1 and stores an ASIC (Application Specific IC) 41 incorporating a CPU, various control circuits and input / output circuits, various programs, and various preset data. A ROM 42, a RAM 43 for temporarily storing various data, and an image memory 44 including a RAM and the like are provided.

  The ASIC 41 includes an input processing unit 45, an image reading control unit 46, an image processing unit 47, and a printing control unit 48, and is connected to the ROM 42, RAM 43, image memory 44, scanner unit 2, printer unit 3, and operation panel unit 5. Yes.

  The ROM 42 stores various programs such as a control program and a processing program executed by the CPU included in the ASIC 41, various preset data used when the various programs are executed, and the like. Then, various programs stored in the ROM 42 are executed by the CPU and various control circuits and input / output circuits provided in the ASIC 41 are controlled, whereby the input processing unit 45, the image reading control unit 46, the image Various functions described below, such as the processing unit 47 and the print control unit 48, are implemented. As the data stored in the ROM 42, for example, data indicating relative positional information with respect to the tray 7 at the center of the recording medium M when stored in the medium storage unit 7b is stored in the ROM 42.

  The RAM 43 temporarily stores image data read by the scanner unit 2 and subjected to predetermined processing, print data printed by the printer unit 3, and the like. Also, the image memory 44 temporarily stores image data before being read by the scanner unit 2 and subjected to predetermined processing, and image data subjected to predetermined processing by the input processing unit 45 and the image processing unit 47. Stored in In addition, the image memory 44 includes various buffers necessary for performing predetermined processing on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 2.

  The various processing programs stored in the ROM 42 are implemented by the CPU. The input processing unit 45, the image reading control unit 46, the image processing unit 47, and the printing control unit 48 realize the scanner unit 2 and As described below, the printer unit 3 is controlled so that the scanner unit 2 can read an image of a document placed on the document table 21 and can perform printing on a printing medium such as printing paper or a recording medium M. Various processes such as a printing process for printing an image based on the image data are performed by the unit 3. In addition, by executing various programs stored in the ROM 42 by the CPU, a process of acquiring relative position information including the rotation direction of the recording medium M placed on the tray 7 with respect to the tray 7 The position correction based on the acquired position information of the recording medium M is performed to create image data of an image to be printed on the recording medium M placed on the tray 7, and printing is possible on the label surface of the recording medium M A document (recording medium) read by the scanner unit 2, such as a process for acquiring the shape of the print area R provided in the image forming apparatus or a process for creating image data according to the acquired shape of the print area R of the recording medium M. Various processes are executed by the image processing unit 47 based on the image data constituting the image M).

  The input processing unit 45 stores print data (image data) input from the external device PC via the interface 6 in the RAM 43 or performs predetermined processing on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 2 to perform the image memory 44. The control command input from the external device PC via the interface 6 is analyzed, and a command is given to each part of the ASIC 41 to execute a predetermined process.

  The image reading control unit 46 drives and controls each mechanism of the scanner unit 2 and controls a scanner driving unit (not shown) having a motor and the like for driving the reading carriage 22 of the scanner unit 2. The scanner driving unit is controlled by the image reading control unit 46 to operate the reading carriage 22, the light source 24 a, and the linear image sensor 25 to move the reading carriage 22 in the sub-scanning direction Y, and to perform a predetermined reading timing. Every time, the image of the document placed on the document table 21 is read along the main scanning direction X. Then, the scanner driving unit operates the reading carriage 22 based on a control signal from the image reading control unit 46, so that the document placed on the document table 21 is moved from one end to the other end in the sub-scanning direction Y. By repeating reading along the main operation direction at predetermined intervals, the two-dimensional image data of the document is read by the scanner unit 2.

  The scanner unit 2 includes a signal processing unit (not shown). The signal processing unit includes an A / D conversion circuit, and A / D-converts charges stored in the linear image sensor 25 provided in the reading carriage 22 at every predetermined reading timing. The A / D converted data is subjected to various digital conversion processes such as shading correction, gamma correction, and pixel interpolation, and is input to the input processing unit 45 of the ASIC 41. The shading correction is to correct shading caused by sensitivity variations among the photoelectric conversion elements of the linear image sensor 25 and the irradiation light amount distribution in the main scanning direction X of the light source 24a, and the white reference plate 23 is read. This is carried out using the white reference value obtained in (1).

  The input processing unit 45 temporarily stores each raster line data (RGB multi-tone image data) input from the scanner unit 2 in a line buffer of the image memory 44. Then, the input processing unit 45 sequentially performs inter-line correction processing on the RGB data captured in the line buffer, and transmits the RGB data to the image processing unit 47 as RGB data for the same line. The inter-line correction process is a process of correcting a reading position shift between the R, G, and B linear image sensors that occurs due to the structure of the scanner unit 2.

  The input processing unit 45 performs resolution conversion processing for converting the RGB data reading resolution [dpi] into the printing resolution [dpi] for printing by the printer unit 3 in parallel with the interline correction processing. That is, when the RGB data reading resolution is lower than the printing resolution, linear interpolation or the like is performed to generate new data between adjacent data. For example, the resolution of RGB data is made equal to the print resolution by thinning out the data.

  As described above, when the control signal is output from the image reading control unit 46 to the scanner unit 2, the image reading process is executed in the scanner unit 2.

  The image processing unit 47 performs various types of image processing on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 2 and the image data input from the external device PC. The position information acquisition unit 47a (the “position” An information acquisition unit ”, an image data creation unit 47b (corresponding to an“ image data creation unit ”of the present invention), and a print data creation unit 47c.

  In the following, an example will be described in which printing is performed by the printer unit 3 on the print region R provided on the label surface of the noun-shaped recording medium M accommodated in the media accommodating unit 7b of the tray 7. . In the print area R of the recording medium M, an image based on image data acquired by the scanner unit 2 and an image based on print data (image data) input from the external device PC are printed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the recording medium M is provided with a hole H at the center of a business card-shaped plate member. The label surface of the recording medium M is provided with a rectangular print region R in which the hole H is cut out, so that the surface of the label surface can easily absorb ink. It is formed by covering with. In addition, the business card-shaped recording medium M of this embodiment can read information recorded on the internal recording layer from the main surface side opposite to the label surface, as in a normal circular CD and DVD. It is configured as follows.

(1) Position information acquisition unit 47a
The position information acquisition unit 47a is provided so as to be able to print on the label surface of the recording medium M based on the image data acquired by reading the recording medium M placed on the tray 7 by the scanner unit 2. A process of acquiring the shape of the print region R (shape acquisition process) and a process of acquiring relative position information including the rotation direction of the recording medium M with respect to the tray 7 (position information acquisition process) are executed.

  Note that the print region R provided on the label surface of the recording medium M has a different reflectance as compared with a region where printing is impossible (a region not covered with a member that easily absorbs ink). Therefore, when the scanner unit 2 irradiates the label surface of the recording medium M with light from the light source 24a and the reflected light reflected on the label surface is detected by the linear image sensor 25, the printable area R that can be printed, and the print There is a clear distinction between light and dark areas where this is impossible. Therefore, the position information acquisition unit 47a determines whether or not the print area R is based on the difference in luminance (intensity of reflected light) between the print area R and the area where printing is impossible.

a) Shape acquisition process In the shape acquisition process, first, based on the image data acquired by reading the recording medium M stored in the medium storage unit 7b of the tray 7 by the scanner unit 2, the recording medium M is recorded. The luminance value at an arbitrary position on the label surface is acquired by the position information acquisition unit 47a. Next, the acquired luminance value is compared with a threshold value, and the position information acquisition unit 47a determines whether or not the print region R is present. That is, a preset threshold value is stored in the ROM 42, and the position information acquisition unit 47a has a reflectance value when the luminance value calculated based on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 2 exceeds this threshold value. It is determined that the area cannot be printed with high printing. If the threshold value is not exceeded, the printing area R is determined to be capable of printing with low reflectance.

  When the position information acquisition unit 47a determines that the luminance value is less than the threshold value, the position information acquisition unit 47a stores in the RAM 43 that the label surface area having the luminance value is the print area R. . When the position information acquisition unit 47a determines that the luminance value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the position information acquisition unit 47a in the RAM 43 indicates that the label surface area having the luminance value is an area that cannot be printed. Remembered. Then, based on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 2, the position information acquisition unit 47a makes the above-described determination for all the regions on the label surface of the recording medium M, so that the shape of the print region R acquires the position information. Acquired by the unit 47a.

b) Position Information Acquisition Process In the position information acquisition process, the central axis C in the longitudinal direction of the print region R is derived by the position information acquisition unit 47a by pattern recognition based on the shape of the print region R acquired in the shape acquisition process. The The main scanning direction X, which is the moving direction of the writing carriage 31, and the sub-scanning direction Y, which is the conveying direction of the tray 7 by the rollers 32, are set in advance on the surface 7a of the tray 7, and the derived printing is performed. A rotation angle θ of the central axis C of the region R with respect to the main scanning direction X is calculated by the position information acquisition unit 47a.

  In this embodiment, when the recording medium M is accommodated in the medium accommodating portion 7b with the convex portion 7c fitted in the hole H, relative position information with respect to the tray 7 at the center of the recording medium M is stored in the ROM 42. Stored in advance. Specifically, the center position of the convex portion 7 c (recording medium M) in the main scanning direction X and the sub-scanning direction Y on the surface 7 a of the tray 7 is stored in the ROM 42 in advance. Therefore, based on the calculated rotation angle θ and the center position of the recording medium M stored in advance in the ROM 42, relative position information including the rotation direction of the recording medium M with respect to the tray 7 is obtained by the position information acquisition unit 47a. To be acquired.

(2) Image data creation unit 47b
The image data creation unit 47b is configured to use the tray of the recording medium M acquired by the position information acquisition unit 47a for the image data acquired by reading the recording medium M placed on the tray 7 by the scanner unit 2. 7 is performed, and image data of an image to be printed on the recording medium M placed on the tray 7 is created. At this time, the image data creation unit 47b creates image data according to the shape of the print region R acquired by the position information acquisition unit 47a.

  The image data creation unit 47b also prints image data input from the external device PC via the interface 6 or an image based on the image data, the position information of the recording medium M acquired by the position information acquisition unit 47a, and the print region R. Compare the shape. As a result of the comparison, there is a deviation between the orientation and shape of the image based on the input print data or image data and the arrangement state of the recording medium M on the tray 7 and the shape of the print region R. If the print data or image data is used as it is and printing by the printer unit 3 is executed, if it is determined that an image is not properly printed in the print area R of the recording medium M, the input print data or image data The image data of the converted image is created so that the image based on the above substantially matches the arrangement state of the recording medium M on the tray 7 and the shape of the print region R.

  An example of processing for creating image data will be specifically described. When the image data constituting the image P shown in FIG. 5A is acquired by the scanner unit 2, or when print data or image data constituting the image P is input from the external device PC via the interface 6, the image P Are compared with the arrangement state of the recording medium M on the tray 7 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 47a and the shape of the print region R by the image data creation unit 47b. Then, an image that matches the orientation of the recording medium M on the tray 7 and the shape of the print region R by executing a process of rotating (parallel) moving the image P and a process of enlarging or reducing the image P. Image data constituting tP is created by the image data creation unit 47b.

(3) Print data creation unit 47c
The print data creation unit 47c drives the printer unit 3 to create print data for printing an image based on the image data created by the image data creation unit 47b on a print medium (print area R of the recording medium M). To do. Specifically, the image data created by the image data creation unit 47b is taken in and image processing such as color conversion processing, halftone processing, microwave processing, and the like is performed. The color conversion process is a process of converting RGB multi-tone image data into CMYK four-color multi-tone image data. Halftone processing is processing for converting multi-gradation data into area gradation data. The microwave processing is processing for adjusting a dot line forming method in order to prevent stripes (banding) between rows.

  In the print data creation unit 47 c, the data subjected to the microwave processing is stored in the microwave buffer of the image memory 44. Further, the print data creation unit 47c reads the data stored in the microwave buffer for each predetermined size, rearranges the data based on various information (for example, the number of nozzles for each color, the number of head scans, etc.), and then Transfer to the image buffer of the memory 44. As a result of this data transfer, the image buffer stores head drive data (print data) for ejecting ink to each nozzle for each scan of the writing carriage 31 provided in the printer unit 3.

  The head drive data (print data) for each scan stored in the image buffer is transferred to the print control unit 48, and the print control unit 48 controls the printer unit 3 based on the print data, thereby printing on the print medium. Is realized.

  The print control unit 48 is connected to a carriage drive unit (not shown) and a roller drive unit (not shown) of the printer unit 3. The carriage drive unit includes a motor for sliding the writing carriage 31 in the main scanning direction X, a mechanism for ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles of the recording head 33, and the like. The roller driving unit is a mechanism for driving the roller 32 and transporting the printing medium to be printed in the printer unit 3 in the sub-scanning direction Y. Based on the print data created by the print data creation unit 47c, the carriage drive unit and the roller drive unit are driven by the print control unit 48, so that the writing carriage 31 moves in the main scanning direction X, and according to the movement. Ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles at a predetermined timing. That is, according to the print data, a control signal is output from the head print control unit 48 to the printer unit 3, whereby a print process is executed in the printer unit 3.

  The operation panel unit 5 is used by a user to operate the multifunction machine 1 and is provided with display means such as a liquid crystal display. The display means can display the setting item, the setting state, the operation state, and the like by characters, and can also display an image read by the scanner unit 2.

  A menu button for switching setting items displayed on the display unit is provided adjacent to the display unit. The menu button is composed of, for example, two buttons arranged on the left and right, and a left-pointing arrow or a right-pointing arrow is shown respectively. The setting items displayed on the display means are sequentially switched in the order determined every time one of the left and right menu buttons is pressed. When the display is completed, the first setting item is displayed.

  Both buttons display the setting items in the reverse order of the display order when the other buttons are pressed. The display means also displays a menu screen for setting the above-described “shape acquisition process” and “position information acquisition process”. The user refers to the display unit and operates the menu button to select a print mode in which the print medium is the recording medium M, a print mode in which the arrangement state of the recording medium M on the tray is read before printing, and the like. be able to. In addition, a determination button is disposed on the operation panel unit 5. The decision button is a button for notifying the start of various processes. When the decision button is pressed by the user, the controller 4 starts each process.

  Next, an example of the printing process will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, an example will be described in which an image based on image data is printed on the above-described business card-shaped recording medium M by a copy function or a print function.

  First, the recording medium M is arranged in the medium accommodating portion 7b of the tray 7 (step S1), and the tray 7 in a state where the recording medium M is arranged in the medium accommodating portion 7b has the label surface of the recording medium M as the document table 21. The document table 21 is arranged at a predetermined position so as to face each other. Next, when the operation panel unit 5 is operated or a control command is input from the external device PC via the interface 6, the recording medium M (printing medium) placed on the tray 7 is loaded. The label surface is read by the scanner unit 2. Then, based on the image data on the label surface of the recording medium M acquired by the scanner unit 2, the relative position including the rotation direction of the recording medium M (printing medium) placed on the tray 7 with respect to the tray 7. Information and the print area R provided on the label surface of the recording medium M are acquired by the position information acquisition unit 47a (step S2).

  Subsequently, after the tray 7 in a state where the recording medium M is accommodated in the medium accommodating portion 7b is mounted at a predetermined position of the printer unit 3 of the multifunction device 1, an image to be printed in the print region R of the recording medium M is displayed. The constituent image data is acquired. Specifically, a document having a predetermined image is placed on the document table 21, and the image of the document is read by the scanner unit 2 to acquire image data. Further, image data is acquired by inputting image data or print data from the external device PC.

  Next, the acquired image data is corrected on the basis of the arrangement state of the recording medium M on the tray 7 and the shape of the printing area R acquired by the position information acquisition unit 47a in step S2, whereby the recording medium is recorded. Image data forming an image that substantially matches the direction of M and the shape of the print region R is generated by the image data generation unit 47b (step S3). Then, print data is created by the print data creation unit 47c based on the created image data, and the printer unit 3 is driven by the print control unit 48 based on the created print data, whereby the print area of the recording medium M is printed. A predetermined image is printed on R (step S4), and the process ends.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the position information acquisition unit 47a acquires relative position information including the rotation direction of the recording medium M in the state of being placed in the storage unit 7b of the tray 7 with respect to the tray 7. Then, position correction based on the acquired actual position information is performed, and image data of an image to be printed on the print region R of the recording medium M placed on the tray 7 is created by the image data creation unit 47b. . Therefore, since the image is printed in the print area R of the recording medium M based on the image data created based on the actual relative position information of the recording medium M with respect to the tray 7, the image is accurately and accurately oriented. Printing on the recording medium M is possible.

  Further, the shape of the print area R on the label surface of the recording medium M is acquired by the position information acquisition unit 47a, and the image data is generated by the image data generation unit 47b according to the acquired shape of the print area R. An image can be accurately printed on the recording medium M in accordance with the shape of the printing region R of the medium M.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made to the above-described one without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the multifunction device 1 in which the scanner unit 2 and the printer unit 3 are integrally configured has been described as an example. However, the configuration of the printing apparatus of the present invention is limited to the above-described example. Instead, a configuration in which individually configured scanners and printers are connected by cables or the like may be used. In the above-described embodiment, the position information acquisition unit 47a and the image data creation unit 47b are mounted on the controller 4 included in the multi-function device 1. However, the printer driver installed in the personal computer connected to the multi-function device 1 may be used. The printing apparatus of the present invention may be configured such that the same processing as that of the position information acquisition unit 47a and the image data creation unit 47b is executed. Further, the printer of the present invention may be configured by connecting a printer, a scanner, and a personal computer with a cable or the like.

  The configuration of the scanner unit 2 is not limited to the flat bed type described above, and may be a handy type or the like as long as the recording medium M (print medium) placed on the tray 7 can be reliably read. The scanner unit 2 may be configured in any way.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the positional information relative to the tray 7 at the center of the recording medium M when the recording medium M is accommodated in the medium accommodating portion 7b with the convex portion 7c fitted in the hole H is obtained. Although stored in the ROM 42 in advance, the pattern of the image is recognized on the basis of the image data acquired by the scanner unit 2 reading the label surface of the recording medium M, and the central tray 7 of the recording medium M is detected. You may make it acquire relative positional information. In this case, if the print medium such as the recording medium M is fixed and placed at an arbitrary position on the tray 7, the relative print medium in the state of being placed on the tray 7 including the rotation direction with respect to the tray 7. The position information can be acquired with certainty.

  In the above-described embodiment, the shape of the print region R of the recording medium M is acquired by the position information acquisition unit 47a. However, the shape of the image formed by the image data acquired as a print target is the recording medium M. If it is the same as the shape of the print region R or the image size is smaller than the range of the print region R, at least the relative direction including the rotation direction of the recording medium M placed on the tray 7 with respect to the tray 7 is included. The position information may be acquired by the position information acquisition unit 47a.

  In the above-described embodiment, the tray 7 (print medium) is transported in the sub-scanning direction Y by the roller 32 of the printer unit 3, but the tray 7 is transported in the main scanning direction X by the roller 32. In addition, the writing carriage 31 may be configured to move in the sub-scanning direction Y.

  The printing medium is not limited to the business card-shaped recording medium M described above, and may be any circular recording medium such as a CD or DVD, or general printing paper, and is placed on the tray. The present invention can be widely applied to a technique for printing an image based on print data on a printed medium.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MFP (printing apparatus), 2 ... Scanner part (position information acquisition means), 3 ... Printer part (printing means), 47a ... Position information acquisition part (position information acquisition means) 47b ... Image data creation part (image data) Creation means) M: Recording medium (print medium), P, tP: Image, R: Print area

Claims (3)

In a printing apparatus including a printing unit that prints an image based on image data on a print medium placed on a tray,
Position information acquisition means for acquiring relative position information including a rotation direction of the print medium placed on the tray with respect to the tray;
An image data creating unit that performs position correction based on the position information and creates the image data of the image to be printed on the print medium placed on the tray. . The position information acquisition means further acquires the shape of a print area provided on the print medium,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data creation unit creates the image data according to a shape of the print area. In a printing method for printing an image based on image data on a print medium placed on a tray,
The relative position information including the rotation direction of the print medium placed on the tray with respect to the tray is acquired by the position information acquisition unit,
A printing method comprising: performing position correction based on the position information, and creating the image data of the image to be printed on the print medium placed on the tray by an image data creating unit.

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