JP2014096720A - Image processing apparatus, control method of image processing apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus that can be used for printing, and can scan a printed surface of an envelope to visually present a print image to a user.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus includes: print data receiving means for receiving print data; scan request means for requesting, when a print request received by the print data receiving means is a print request on an envelope, a user to scan a printed surface of the envelope; scanning means for scanning the envelope requested to be scanned by the scan request means; and display means for displaying scan data scanned by the scanning means with the received print data overlapped thereon.

Description

  The present invention relates to front / back discrimination of printed matter, discrimination of printable area, and control in an image processing apparatus.

  When printing envelopes, it is necessary to consider the direction of the envelope and the front and back, unlike copy paper of a prescribed size.

  In the case of an envelope, it is necessary to set the envelope in consideration of the orientation of the envelope, such as front and back, top and bottom, left and right. As a technique for discriminating the orientation of an envelope, a technology has been proposed in which a postal code column is detected to discriminate the orientation, and the position and orientation of the lid are discriminated by comparing the size of the envelope with the size of the specified envelope. . (For example, Patent Document 1)

JP 2010-212872 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, since the zip code and the envelope standard are used for discriminating the orientation, an envelope that does not have a zip code printed thereon or a non-standard envelope such as a non-standard size was used. In this case, the orientation cannot be determined.

  In addition, when printing envelopes, the specifications differ depending on whether the envelope is printed from the top or bottom and top / bottom / left / right, and the multifunction device used for printing. It ’s hard.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of visually presenting a print image to a user by scanning the printing surface of an envelope with an image processing apparatus to be printed.

  A print data receiving means for receiving print data; a scan request means for requesting to scan the printing surface of the envelope when the print request received by the print data receiving means is a print request to an envelope; and the scan request Scanning means for scanning the envelope requested to be scanned by the means, and display means for displaying the received print data in a superimposed manner on the scan data scanned by the scanning means.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to provide the image processing apparatus which can present a print image visually to a user by scanning the printing surface of an envelope with the image processing apparatus to print.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the client terminal which comprises the image processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus that constitutes an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of a function structure of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of overall processing of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the scan image analysis process of the envelope of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of printable area determination processing of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of print data overlay processing of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen display for instruct | indicating the installation procedure of the envelope for trial printing in the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the envelope image of the scan image analysis process (FIG. 6) in the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the confirmation screen of the scan image analysis process (FIG. 6) in the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the envelope image of the discrimination process (FIG. 7) of the printable area | region in the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the process screen with respect to the postal code of the superimposition process (FIG. 8) of the print data in the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the superimposition image of the superimposition process (FIG. 8) of the print data in the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 5 is a screen showing an example of a print data confirmation screen in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting a non-printable area in the printable area determination process (FIG. 7) in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the margin detection of the print image block of the superimposition process (FIG. 8) of the print data in the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the block data of the print image of the superimposition process (FIG. 8) of the print data in the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the various data table in the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data memorize | stored in the various data table in the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which one or a plurality of multifunction peripherals 100 are connected via a local area network (LAN) 102. Reference numeral 101 denotes a client terminal in which a print driver for printing on the multifunction peripheral is incorporated, and print data can be sent to the multifunction peripheral 100 through the LAN to execute printing.

  The multifunction device 100 has a scanning unit for scanning the envelope, acquisition of coordinates of the positions of the scanned envelope corners for detecting the direction of the envelope and the lid position, software for calculating the distance between the coordinates, and scanning Software for recognizing figures and characters from data, and software for reducing and enlarging the print image and moving the print position in order to place the print image at an appropriate position are incorporated. Such software is also incorporated into the client 101 so that the client 101 can perform the same operation.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the client terminal that constitutes the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU that comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204. Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 is necessary to realize a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS), which is a control program of the CPU 201, or a function executed by each server or each PC. Various programs to be described later are stored.

  A RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for execution of processing from the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.

  An input controller 205 controls input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown). A video controller 206 controls display on a display device such as a CRT display (CRT) 210. In FIG. 2, although described as CRT 210, the display device is not limited to the CRT, but may be another display device such as a liquid crystal display. These are used by a user or an administrator as necessary.

  A memory controller 207 is an external storage device (hard disk (HD)), a flexible disk (FD), a USB memory, an SD card for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Alternatively, access to an external memory 211 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory connected to the PCMCIA card slot via an adapter is controlled.

  A communication I / F controller 208 connects and communicates with an external device via a network (for example, the LAN 400 shown in FIG. 1), and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the CRT 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. In addition, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 210.

  Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are recorded in the external memory 211 and executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used when executing the program are also stored in the external memory 211, and a detailed description thereof will be described later.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the controller unit that controls the multifunction peripheral 100 as the information processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus that configures the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 316 denotes a controller unit which is connected to a scanner 314 functioning as an image input device and a printer 312 functioning as an image output device, while being connected to a LAN (for example, the network 102 shown in FIG. 1) or a public line (WAN). ) (For example, PSTN or ISDN) to input / output image data and device information.

  In the controller unit 316, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU, which is a processor that controls the entire system. A RAM 302 is a system work memory for the CPU 301 to operate, and is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

  A ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs. An external storage device (hard disk drive (HDD)) 304 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 307 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 308 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 308 to the operation unit 308. The operation unit I / F 307 serves to transmit information (for example, user information) input by the system user from the operation unit 308 to the CPU 301. Note that the operation unit 308 includes a display unit having a touch panel, and various instructions can be given by a user pressing (touching with a finger or the like) a button displayed on the display unit.

  A network interface (Network I / F) 305 is connected to a network (LAN) and inputs / outputs data. A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  Reference numeral 318 denotes an external interface (external I / F) that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, and RS-232C. Reference numeral 319 denotes an external device, which can connect a device suitable for the external interface.

  Reference numeral 320 denotes an image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F), which is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 309 and an image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed and converts the data structure.

  The image bus 315 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 310 develops vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image. A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects the printer 312 and the controller unit 316, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 313 connects the scanner 314 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  An image processing unit 317 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data, and performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 317 performs image data rotation and compression / decompression processing such as JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data.

  The scanner unit 314 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner 314, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. I do.

  The printer unit 312 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array directly on the paper. There is an inkjet method for printing an image, but any method may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 312 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has a paper cassette corresponding thereto.

  The operation unit 308 has an LCD display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD. The operation unit 308 displays an operation screen of the system. When a displayed key is pressed, the position information is displayed on the operation unit I / F 307. To the CPU 301 via The operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 308 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used. Further, the stop key of the operation unit 308 functions to stop the operation in operation. The ID key of the operation unit 308 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The image processing apparatus 400 has, as main functions, a print data reception unit 401, a scan request unit 402, a scan data analysis unit 403, a printable area determination unit 404, a print surface determination unit 405, a paper feed guide unit 406, and a print data merge unit. 407. Various data tables are stored in the storage device, and processing is performed in cooperation with each processing unit.

  The print data receiving unit receives print data from the client terminal 101. If the received data is printing on an envelope, the scan request unit 402 displays a screen for instructing to scan the print surface.

  A scan data analysis unit 403 analyzes the scan data of the scanned envelope and determines a printable area. The printable area is an area that avoids being overprinted on a portion that is hidden by being covered or a portion that is previously printed on an envelope.

The printable area determination unit 404 uses the analysis result of the scan data analysis unit 403 to determine the position of the lid, where it is folded, and areas other than the area preprinted on the envelope in advance. The pre-printing part detection process determined as
Specifically, there are overlap printing control that prevents the printed data from being hidden due to the lid being folded and pre-printing section printing control that prevents printing for pre-printed pre-printed areas. Done.

  The printing surface determination unit 405 determines whether printing is performed on the upper surface or the lower surface of the envelope set in the paper feed tray (manual tray) according to the specifications of the multifunction peripheral 100. Judgment is made not only on the top and bottom but also on the left and right. As for the printing surface, what is stored as printing surface information for each MFP is used.

  A paper feed guide unit 406 cooperates with the printing surface determination unit 405 to guide the user in what state the paper should be set on the paper feed tray. For example, along with the image diagram, guide the user to visually understand the setting state of the envelope on the paper feed unit, such as “Please set in this state”. It is also possible to guide the set state by an easy-to-understand method such as voice or document.

  The print data merging unit 407 superimposes the print data received by the print data receiving unit 401 on the scanned image of the scanned envelope and displays it as a preview screen.

  The various data tables are tables for storing data necessary for each process, and details will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of overall processing of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In S501, in order to actually use the mechanism, a screen as shown in FIG. 9 is prepared and the user is instructed. For convenience, this mechanism is named the trial envelope printing function.

  Processing is started when a print request is made from the client terminal and the output sheet for printing is an envelope.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display for instructing an installation procedure of an envelope for trial printing in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The user reads 900 trial print envelope installation instruction messages, and 905 is located on the pressure plate 904 so that the orientation is the same as when the actual envelope print envelope 903 is set in the manual feed tray (feed unit) 901. Place a 906 trial envelope printing envelope on the scanner surface. In actual printing, the envelope is read in the direction of the print direction instruction arrow 903, but in the trial envelope printing function, the installed envelope is scanned.

  The message 900 is displayed on the operation panel of the image processing apparatus (multifunction machine). Alternatively, it may be displayed on the client terminal that made the print request.

  In step S501, since it is determined that printing is performed on the envelope, the image processing apparatus requests the user to scan the envelope to be printed. The envelope placed on the scanner surface is scanned in response to a request, and is stored in the multifunction peripheral 100 as scan data of the envelope. The stored data is transferred to the 101 client terminal.

  In S502, the scanned envelope data is analyzed. A detailed processing procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 10, and 11. Details will be described later.

  In step S503, the printable area is determined for the scanned envelope. A detailed processing procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. Details will be described later.

  In step S504, print data overlay processing is performed. Specifically, the scanned envelope data is merged with the print data received from the client terminal. Detailed processing procedures will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 13, 14, 17, and 18. Details will be described later.

  In step S505, the processed preview screen is displayed, and the user is confirmed and corrected if necessary. A screen such as the print image confirmation / correction screen after superposition shown in FIG. 15 is displayed, and the process is terminated. Details will be described later.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an envelope scan image analysis process of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. This corresponds to the processing in step S502 in FIG.

  In step S601, the vertex coordinates of the envelope are acquired from the scanned image of the envelope. In the envelope in which the corner of the envelope is a vertex and the lid 1003 is open, the vertex AEFGH shown in FIG. 10 is detected and the respective coordinates are acquired.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an envelope image of the scan image analysis process (FIG. 6) in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the envelope with the lid 1005 closed, the vertex IJKL shown in FIG. 10 is detected, and the respective coordinates are acquired.

  The distance between adjacent vertices detected in S602 is obtained. When the vertex ABEGH shown in FIG. 10 is detected, the distances of the line segments AF, FG, GH, HE, EC, CB, BA shown in FIG. 10 are obtained. When the vertex IJKL shown in FIG. 10 is detected, the distances of the line segments IK, KL, LJ, and JI shown in FIG. 10 are obtained.

  In step S603, it is determined whether the envelope lid is open or closed. When only the vertex IJKL is detected, it is determined that the envelope is in a closed state.

  In S604, the boundary coordinates between the lid and the main body are acquired. A shadow line drawn in the square area AFEB or IJKL shown in FIG. 10 or a boundary line having a different color is found. When the envelope is open, the shadow lines DC and YZ shown in FIG. 10 are detected. When the envelope is closed, the shadow lines KMNL and YZ shown in FIG. 10 are detected.

  The color density of the area on both sides of the shadow line is inspected, and if the colors on both sides are different, it is determined that the boundary between the envelope and the lid. When the envelope lid is open, the shadow line DC shown in FIG. 10 is the boundary between the envelope body and the lid, and when the envelope lid is closed, the shadow line KMNL shown in FIG. 10 is the boundary between the envelope body and the lid. Become.

  If a shadow line other than the boundary line between the envelope body and the lid is detected in S605, it is determined to be the reverse side, and otherwise, it is determined to be the front side.

  The result analyzed in S606 is displayed on the confirmation screen after discrimination in FIG. It also gives the user the opportunity to make corrections.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen for scan image analysis processing (FIG. 6) in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  An envelope scan image is displayed as in 1100, and a line indicating the boundary between the envelope body portion and the lid portion of 1101 is displayed. The user confirmation & correction menu 1103 also displays the front and back of the envelope and the open / closed state of the lid based on the determination result. In 1102, a message for confirming the state is displayed to the user, and a user confirmation and correction menu 1103 is displayed to accept the correction or confirmation of the user.

  When the left button 1104 is pressed, a line indicating the boundary between the envelope body 1101 and the lid 1101 moves to the left. When the right button 1105 is pressed, a line indicating the boundary between the envelope body 1101 and the lid 1101 moves to the right. When the back button 1106 is pressed, the envelope is changed to a state of being set face down.

  When the front button 1107 is pressed, the envelope is changed to a state of being set face down. When the close button 1108 is pressed, the envelope lid is changed to the closed state. When the open button 1108 is pressed, the envelope lid is changed to an open state. By pressing the 1110 OK button, the process proceeds to the state saving process.

  In step S607, it is determined whether the user has made corrections. If correction has been made, the correction contents are reflected in the state in S608.

  In step S609, the state of the envelope is confirmed, the boundary position between the envelope body and the lid, the state of the front and back of the envelope, and the state of opening and closing the lid are saved, and the analysis process is terminated.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of printable area determination processing of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In S700 of FIG. 7, the printable area determination process is started.

  In the branch determination in S701, S702, and S703, the envelope determines whether the envelope is in the open / closed state of the front or back and the lid. If the envelope is front and the lid is closed, there is no need to adjust the printable area for the lid. The process proceeds to S706.

  If the envelope is front and the lid is open, the lid portion is excluded from the printable area. In step S <b> 705, a portion surrounded by the boundary between the envelope body and the lid is set as an unprintable region using the coordinates of the vertices of the lid and the distance between the line segments connecting the adjacent vertices.

  If the envelope is on the back and the lid is closed, the coordinates and distances of the lid and body boundaries, and the coordinates of the apex of the binding margins, for the portion surrounded by the lid margin and the boundary between the lid and the body , And the distances between the vertices connecting the adjacent ones are specified and excluded from the printable area.

  In step S <b> 702, the coordinates of the portion where the lid is closed are calculated from the coordinates of each vertex of the lid portion, the coordinates and distance of the boundary between the lid and the main body, and the distance between the adjacent vertices. The coordinates of each vertex of the lid are inverted with the lid-body boundary as the axis, the lid is set as the coordinates of each vertex of the closed part, and the coordinate position and the distance between the adjacent vertices are stored. Using the coordinates and distance of each vertex of the part with the lid closed, the part surrounded by the coordinates of the boundary between the envelope body and the lid is specified and excluded from the printable area.

  If the envelope is back and the lid is open, the lid portion and the binding margin portion of the lid are excluded from the printable area. In S702 and S705, the enclosed part is specified by using the coordinates of the vertices of the lid part, the binding margin part of the lid, and the distance between the adjacent vertices, and excluded from the printable area.

  In S706, discrimination between characters and graphics is performed. Characters are detected by using a character reading program, and a figure is discriminated by scanning a portion different from the color of the envelope fabric, and a group of portions having different colors is discriminated as a graphic. For characters, a block that is determined to be a sentence by a character reading program is handled as one unit. If neither a figure nor a character can be detected, the printable area determination process ends in S711.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an envelope image of the printable area discrimination process (FIG. 7) in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The areas 1201 to 1203 and 1204 to 1206 are areas excluded from the printable area.

  If a graphic or character is detected, the coordinates of the character and graphic are set in S708, and the portion is excluded from the printable area.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of setting a non-printable area in the printable area determination process (FIG. 7) in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the case of a figure, as shown in the example of FIG. 16, the coordinates of the upper right edge of 1601, the coordinates of the upper left edge of 1602, the coordinates of the lower left edge of 1603, and the coordinates of the lower right edge of 1604 are obtained. Set.

  For characters, 1606 lower right end coordinates, 1607 upper right end coordinates, 1608 upper left end coordinates, 1609 lower left end coordinates are detected and set as an area that cannot be printed. Also, the detected figure is checked to see if there is a postal code column. Two squares of the same size with no color inside are lined up at equal intervals and a hyphen "-" is shown, and then the four postal codes are lined up at equal intervals with no color inside Judge as column.

  In S709, it is determined whether or not there is a postal code column. If there is no postal code column, the process proceeds to a printable area discrimination end process in S711. If there is a zip code field, the coordinates and distance of the zip code field are acquired in S710.

  As the processing of S710, the coordinates of the upper right end, upper left end, lower left end, and lower right end of the inner corner of the line that forms the rectangle are acquired. This is done for all six squares. After the coordinates are acquired, the process proceeds to a printable area determination end process in S711.

  According to this processing, there is a portion in which characters and graphics are printed in advance in a commercial envelope or the like, and it is possible to prevent overprinting here. Further, it is possible to prevent the printed portion from being hidden by the lid when the lid is actually closed, or from being unintentionally printed on the envelope lid. In such a case, if the data is overwritten and hidden, it can be prevented by shifting the position of the print data or reducing the print data.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of print data overlay processing of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In step S800, printing image overlay processing starts. In step S801, an actual print image is acquired from a print image file 1800 in FIG. 18 using a print image file analysis program 1801 to obtain a print image block. If the block here is a character, the sentence is a block unit, and if it is an independent figure, it is a unit.

  Each acquired print image block is 1802 by using each of the vertex coordinate data 1808, 1809, 1810, and 1811 in the envelope data scanned in 1813 and the envelope data 1808, 1809, 1810, and 1811 in the scanned envelope data like the image block 1813. As in 1803, 1804, and 1805, the coordinates of the four sides of the print image block are acquired.

  In order to process an unprocessed print image block such as 1806, the processes from S802 to S812 are looped by the number of unprocessed print blocks.

  In step S804, it is determined whether the block of the print image is a zip code. If it is a block of 〒 “3-digit number”-“4-digit number”, it is determined as a zip code (it is determined as a zip code even if 〒 is not present), and the process proceeds to S806. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S805.

  In S806, if the postal code column exists in the figure, the process proceeds to S810, and a process of storing the postal code in the postal code column is performed. If there is no figure in the postal code column, the process proceeds to S805. In S810, the postal code position is adjusted.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a processing screen for the postal code in the print data overlay processing (FIG. 8) in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As in the example of position adjustment of the zip code, the size and position are adjusted so that the number of the zip code 1301 fits in the 1300 zip code field. Numbers are stored in the postal code field to which the same alphabet is attached (numbers with A 'are stored in the postal code field of A, and B' to H 'are similarly processed). Also, 〒 and hyphen (-) are not printed.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an overlay image of the print data overlay process (FIG. 8) in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  1409 As shown in Modification 2 of the print image, the image block indicating 1403 postal code is moved from the image block indicating the postal code to 1406 in the postal code column. When the process is finished, the process proceeds to S812.

  In step S805, a print image block other than the postal code is processed. If the coordinates of the print image block are on a portion that is not a printable area, the process proceeds to S807 and the print position is adjusted. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S812 without correcting the position and size of the print image block, such as 1407 from the print image block in the printable area 1404 in FIG.

  In step S807, the top, bottom, left, and right margins of the print image block are checked using the coordinates and distance of the portion set as the non-printable area. When there is a non-printable area with respect to the survey direction, the distance between a straight line perpendicular to the edge of the print image block and the non-printable area is a margin. If there is no unprintable area up to the edge of the envelope with respect to the survey direction, the distance between a straight line perpendicular to the edge of the envelope and the edge of the print image is a margin.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of print image block margin detection in the print data overlay process (FIG. 8) in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the example shown in the figure, the print image block 1704 has a left edge and a bottom edge that overlap with a non-printable area (complex figure) 1706, so the left edge margin (no margin) 1705 and the bottom edge margin of 1702 (no margin). )

  As for the upper margin, since there is no unprintable area, the orthogonal distance between the upper end of the envelope 1707 and the upper end of the print image block 1704 is the upper margin of 1703. With regard to the right end margin, there are 1700 unprintable areas (printed characters), and the right end margin is the orthogonal distance between the right end margin 1701 and the left end of the unprintable area. If necessary, the lower end of the 1709 envelope and the right end of the 1710 envelope (when the envelope lid is closed and the envelope print side is front) are also used to determine the margin.

  In S808, the size of the margin is checked to verify whether it can be moved. The priority when moving is the top, bottom, left, and right with the envelope lid on top. In the case where a portion of the print image that extends over the unprintable area can be avoided by moving, the process advances to step S809 to perform a moving process. If it cannot be avoided that the print image is printed in an area that cannot be printed even if it moves both vertically and horizontally, the process proceeds to S811 enlargement / reduction processing.

  In S809, movement processing is performed. By moving to a margin that has a margin, it is possible to avoid placing a print image block in an unprintable area. When the 1400 figure and the print image block overlap as in the modification 1 of the print image 1407 in FIG. 14, processing such as moving the 1401 print image block to the upper margin is performed.

  In step S811, the print image block that cannot be moved is reduced. The coordinates do not move and are reduced until there are no print image blocks in the unprintable area. As shown in the correction example 2 of the print image, a process is performed in which a print image block 1405 that does not fit in the printable area even after moving to the 1402 margin is reduced to fit in the printable area.

  In step S812, the loop process is checked. If there is still an unprocessed print image block, the process returns to S802; otherwise, the print image overlay process is terminated in S813.

A confirmation diagram of 1515 prompts the user for confirmation and correction with a figure in which the envelope of 1500 and the print image are superimposed and a confirmation message 1515.

  FIG. 15 is a screen showing an example of a print data confirmation screen in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  An area that is inconvenient for printing in 1504 is clearly indicated, and a print image block such as 1502 and 1503 is displayed. In particular, the currently selected print image block is highlighted so that a difference from other image blocks can be seen, such as 1501.

  A menu such as 1514 is prepared for user confirmation and correction. A print image can be selected using buttons 1505 and 1506, and a print image block selected using buttons 1507 to 1510 can be moved. The print image block selected by the buttons 1511 and 1512 can be enlarged or reduced. The user's confirmation and correction are accepted until the button 1513 is pressed.

  In addition, a screen 1516 is displayed and an instruction is issued regarding the actual installation direction of the envelope. Depending on the specifications of the multifunction device, printing is performed on the upper surface or the lower surface of the envelope placed on the paper feed tray. As the specifications of the multifunction machine, those stored in the printing surface storage unit in which information about the surface to be printed of the envelope set in the paper feeding unit is stored are used.

  Also, whether the envelope must be installed sideways with respect to the paper feed tray or whether the lower side of the envelope must be placed toward the paper feed opening differs depending on the specification. In the figure, an example of a multi-function peripheral that has to be installed with the printing surface on the bottom and the orientation on the bottom of the envelope facing the paper feed port is shown.

  In the example, since printing is to be performed on the front surface of the envelope, an instruction screen is configured such that the back side of the envelope is the upper side and the front side is the lower side. In addition, an instruction screen is configured so that the lower side of the envelope is set toward the paper feed port with respect to the direction of the envelope. After the instruction screen is configured, a screen 1516 is displayed.

  In step S506, the trial printing function process is terminated. Upon completion, the corrected print image data is saved, and printing can be performed based on the saved print image data.

  The overall flow and the detailed flow of each step have been described above using the flowcharts of FIGS. Data stored in each process is stored in the storage unit of the image processing apparatus. An example will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of various data tables in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The envelope scan data (ID1) is obtained by scanning the target envelope to be printed with the multifunction device 100. It is used to extract data (graphics, characters, and envelope shape printed on the envelope) necessary for overlay and correction with the print image. Further, it is used by being superimposed with print image data at the time of the final print preview.

  The print image data (ID2) is data to be printed on the envelope. Data prepared in advance for printing by the user and transmitted from the client terminal 101 to the multifunction peripheral 100 using the network 102. Using this data, the print data is corrected to be optimal for envelope printing. In addition, it is used by being overlapped with the scan data of the envelope at the time of the final print preview.

  The coordinates (ID3) of each vertex including the envelope lid are acquired from the scan data of the envelope in order to recognize the shape of the envelope body and the lid, and are stored in the multi-function device 100. Used to determine printable area.

  The boundary coordinates (ID4) between the envelope main body and the lid are acquired from the scan data of the envelope in order to recognize the envelope main body portion and the lid portion, and are stored in the MFP 100. Used to determine printable area.

  The distance (ID5) between adjacent vertex coordinates of the envelope is acquired from the scan data of the envelope in order to recognize the shape of the envelope main body and the lid, and is stored in the multifunction device 100. Used to determine printable area.

  The distance (ID6) between the envelope main body and the lid boundary is obtained from the scan data of the envelope in order to recognize the envelope main body portion and the lid portion, and is stored in the multi function device 100. Used to determine printable area.

  The envelope front / back type (ID7) is determined by envelope scan data or user selection, and is stored in the MFP 100. Since the determination process of the printable area for the lid portion of the envelope is different between the front and back sides, it is used for the determination.

  The open / close state (ID8) of the envelope lid is determined by the scan data of the envelope or the user's selection, and is stored in the multifunction device 100. Since the determination process of the printable area for the lid portion of the envelope differs depending on whether the lid is opened or closed, it is used for the determination.

  The shape (ID9) of the non-printable area is obtained by storing the envelope lid, the binding margin portion of the envelope, the vertex and distance, and the coordinates and distance of characters and figures already printed in the multi-function device 100. Print data is used for determination of correction processing at the time of overlay.

  The coordinates (ID10) of the vertices of the six rectangles in the postal code column are used to determine the printing position where the print block is placed in the postal code column when the postal code is in the print image block. It is detected during the printable area determination process and stored in the multifunction peripheral 100.

  The print image block (ID11) is obtained by disassembling each character of the print image data for each sentence so that it can be easily corrected. It is used to correct the printing position and print preview by superimposing it on the envelope scan data. When the print image is superimposed, the blocks are divided into blocks and stored in the multifunction peripheral 100. The print image block is designated by the coordinates (ID12) of the print image block.

  The margin (ID13) of the print image block is used when correcting the print position of the print image block. It is determined when the print image is superimposed, and is stored in the multifunction device 100.

  The corrected print image data (ID 14) is the print data that is actually used when the envelope is actually enveloped. Sent to the client terminal 101.

  Note that the file format and data format stored for each data name are determined. In addition, related drawing numbers of the present embodiment are displayed for convenience.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in various data tables in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

  It is stored in accordance with the file format and data format saved for each data name.

  Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system including a single device.

  The program according to the present invention is a program that can be executed by a computer according to the processing method of the flowchart shown in the present invention. The storage medium according to the present invention stores a program that can be executed by a computer. The program in the present invention may be a program for each processing method of each device.

  As described above, a recording medium that records a program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by executing the reading.

  In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon A disk, solid state drive, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on an instruction of the program is actually It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network using a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

100 MFP with envelope reading and printing functions

101 Client terminal 102 network incorporating a multifunction printer print driver

200 Hardware configuration of client terminal (block diagram)
201 CPU
202 RAM
203 ROM
204 System bus 205 Input controller 206 Video controller 207 Memory controller 208 Communication I / F controller 209 Keyboard 210 Display 211 External memory (HD, Flash)

Claims (9)

An image processing apparatus capable of printing on an envelope,
Print data receiving means for receiving print data;
If the print request received by the print data receiving means is a print request to an envelope, a scan request means for requesting to scan the printing surface of the envelope;
Scanning means for scanning the envelope requested to be scanned by the scanning request means;
Display means for displaying the received print data superimposed on the scan data scanned by the scanning means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: Printing surface storage means for storing information on the surface to be printed of the envelope set in the paper feeding unit;
Paper feed guide means for guiding the envelope set to the paper feed unit according to information on the surface of the scanned envelope and information on the printed face stored in the print face storage means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The information on the printed surface is information on whether the printed surface is the upper surface or the lower surface of the envelope set in the paper feed unit,
The state of the surface of the scanned envelope is information on whether the surface of the scanned envelope is the front surface or the back surface,
The paper feed guide means guides the paper to be fed with the surface of the scanned envelope facing up when the information on the surface to be printed is the upper surface, while the surface to be printed 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the information is a lower surface, the image is guided so that the scanned envelope surface faces downward. 4. The state of the surface of the printed envelope further includes information on the orientation of the scanned envelope,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the paper feed guide unit further includes a direction of the envelope in a set state. A lid detecting means for detecting a lid and a folding direction from the scan data scanned by the scanning means;
A first print control means for controlling the print data not to be printed on a portion where the lid overlaps when the lid detected by the lid detection means is folded on the surface of the scanned envelope;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A pre-printing unit detecting unit for detecting a pre-printed portion on an envelope from scan data scanned by the scanning unit;
Second print control means for controlling the print data not to be printed on the pre-printed portion detected by the pre-printing section detection means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The first print control means and the second print control means reduce and print the print data so that the print data is not printed on the detected part. The image processing apparatus according to 5 or 6. An image processing apparatus control method capable of printing on an envelope,
A print data receiving step for receiving print data;
If the print request received by the print data reception step is a print request to an envelope, a scan request step for requesting to scan the printing surface of the envelope;
A scan step of scanning the envelope requested to be scanned by the scan request step;
A display step of displaying the received print data superimposed on the scan data scanned by the scan step;
A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: An image processing apparatus capable of printing on an envelope
Print data receiving means for receiving print data;
If the print request received by the print data receiving means is a print request to an envelope, a scan request means for requesting to scan the printing surface of the envelope;
Scanning means for scanning the envelope requested to be scanned by the scanning request means;
Display means for displaying the received print data superimposed on the scan data scanned by the scanning means;
A program for causing an image processing apparatus to function.

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