JP2015104821A - Print controller, printer and print control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print controller allowing character information to be easily and visually identified even when an image and the character information printed on an address surface of a mail article such as a postcard and a mailing envelope overlap with each other, and further to provide a printer and a print control program.SOLUTION: A computer disposes character information including an address and an addressee input on an address surface region (S11) and disposes an image selected on the address surface region (S12). The image is disposed so as to overlap with the character information, for example, as a background. An image processing section of the computer applies image processing for decreasing printing density to the image (S14 and S17). For example, the image processing is performed by tone curve correction processing. Print data is generated on the basis of address surface data including the image and the character information which are disposed on the address surface region and have been subjected to the image processing (S18).

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing control apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a printing control program that print an image on a mailing address of a postal item such as a postcard or an envelope.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an envelope creation system that extracts address information based on customer information from a character information file, extracts customer-specific design information corresponding to the address information from an image information file, and prints the address and design on an envelope. Has been.

JP-A-5-319439

  However, in the envelope creation system described in Patent Document 1, when an image is printed on the address surface, there is a problem that it is difficult to see the character at a portion where the character and the image overlap. Such a problem is not limited to envelopes, but also applies to postal media such as postcards, which have an address.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to make it easy to visually recognize character information even if the image printed on the address side of a postal item such as a postcard or envelope overlaps with the character information. An object of the present invention is to provide a print control apparatus, a print apparatus, and a print control program that can be used.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
A print control apparatus that solves the above problem is a print control apparatus that generates print data for printing character information including an address and a mail address on the mail address and an image, and stores the input character information. A character arrangement unit arranged in an address plane area corresponding to the address plane, an image arrangement unit arranged in the address plane area for the selected image, and an image processing unit for performing image processing for reducing the print density of the image And a generating unit that generates print data based on address surface data including the image-processed image and the character information arranged in the address surface area. Note that the print data may be print data used for printing, or preview data for the purpose of confirming a print result in advance. Here, the print density refers to the density of an image printed on the address side of a mail piece. For example, as the print density decreases, the density of print dots decreases.

  According to this configuration, the input character information is arranged in the address plane area, and the selected image is arranged in the address plane area. The image is subjected to image processing for reducing the print density. Then, print data is generated on the basis of the address surface data including the image processed image and the character information arranged in the address surface area. As a result, for example, when the print data is print data, if the image and the character information are printed on the address side of the mail based on the print data, the image is printed with a thin print density. Even if character information such as a mail address and an image overlap with each other, the character information is easy to visually recognize. On the other hand, for example, when the print data is preview data, if the address information is displayed on the display unit based on the preview data, the character information even if the character information such as the address or address overlaps with the image. Can be confirmed in advance before printing. Note that the portion where the print density is reduced in image processing may be the entire image, or a portion of the image such as a portion where the image and character information overlap or a region including this portion.

In the print control apparatus, it is preferable that the image processing unit performs tone curve correction processing as the image processing.
According to this configuration, the tone curve correction process is performed on the image as the image process, and the brightness of the image is increased, so that the print density of the image can be reduced. Since tone curve correction is performed, it is easy to set or change the print density.

  In the printing control apparatus, the image processing unit creates a mask image having a color similar to the medium color of the mail piece with a predetermined transmittance, and the mask image is upstream of the image and the image in the viewing direction. It is preferable that the image processing is performed by arranging in a layer between the character information arranged in the layer.

  According to this configuration, the mask image having the same transmittance as the medium color of the postal matter and having a predetermined transmittance is arranged in a layer between the image and the character information arranged in the layer upstream in the viewing direction of the image. Thus, image processing is performed. For this reason, the image after this image processing is printed on the address surface with a light print density when printed. Since the image is only covered with the mask image, the print density can be relatively easily reduced without performing special image processing on the image.

  In the print control apparatus, the image processing unit, when a character constituting the character information arranged in the address plane area overlaps with the image, a portion overlapping the character area including the character in the image, It is preferable to perform the second image processing for making the print density lighter than the portion of the image that does not overlap the character area.

  According to this configuration, when the characters constituting the character information arranged in the address plane area overlap the image, the print density of the portion overlapping the character area including the character in the image is higher than the portion not overlapping the character area in the image. Is thinned. Therefore, it becomes easier to visually recognize the character that overlaps the image in the character information.

In the print control apparatus, the image processing unit preferably performs the second image processing by tone curve correction processing.
According to this configuration, image processing for further reducing the print density applied to the portion of the image that overlaps the character area is performed by tone curve correction. Therefore, it is easier to visually recognize the part overlapping the image of the character information, and the print density can be easily set and changed.

  Furthermore, in the print control apparatus, the image processing unit performs a mask image having substantially the same shape and the same size as the overlapping portion of the character area and a color similar to the medium color of the mail piece as the second image processing. A layer created with a predetermined transmittance, and the mask image is a layer between the image and the character information arranged on the upstream layer in the viewing direction of the image, and overlaps the character region in the image It is preferable to arrange | position in the position corresponding to.

  According to this configuration, in the second image processing, a mask image having substantially the same shape and size as the overlapping portion of the character area and a color similar to the medium color of the postal matter is created with a predetermined transmittance. This is done by arranging at a position corresponding to a portion overlapping the character area of the image in the layer between the image and the character information. Therefore, it becomes easier to visually recognize a portion overlapping the image in the character information. Further, since the mask image is arranged on the image, it is not necessary to perform special image processing on the image. For example, the process of returning to the original image after image processing can be performed relatively easily.

  In the print control apparatus, the tone curve used in the tone curve correction processing is set to a certain threshold value or more where the brightness of the image after correction is greater than zero over the entire brightness of the image before correction. The brightness of the image after correction is set as the threshold value in a part of the range near the minimum value of the brightness, and the brightness of the image before correction is large in the range where the brightness is higher than the part near the minimum value. It is preferable that the brightness of the image after correction is set so as to increase. Note that the tone curve is a straight line in which the rate of change indicating the amount of change in lightness of the image after correction relative to the amount of change in lightness of the image before correction is constant regardless of the magnitude of the lightness of the image before correction. As the brightness of the image increases, the rate of change gradually decreases and becomes a convex curve, and as the brightness of the image before correction increases, the rate of change gradually increases and the curve of convexity increases. Good.

  According to this configuration, when the tone curve correction processing is performed on the image based on the tone curve, the portion near the lowest value of the brightness in the image before correction is corrected to a constant threshold value greater than zero after correction. Is done. Therefore, the entire image including the portion near the lowest value of brightness (dark portion) in the image before correction can be corrected to a light image having a print density equal to or higher than a certain threshold value. Further, in a portion where the lightness is higher than the portion near the lowest value, the lightness of the image after correction is set to increase as the lightness of the image before correction increases. For this reason, the tone curve correction process can obtain an image that is light but reflects the brightness of the image before correction. For example, the lightness of the image before correction is reflected in areas other than the dark part of the image before correction (the portion near the minimum value of lightness), so that the original design is easily reflected in the image after correction.

  In the above print control apparatus, the tone curve used in the tone curve correction process takes a value greater than or equal to a threshold value greater than zero after correction over the entire brightness of the image before correction, and the brightness of the image before correction is It is preferable that the brightness is set so that the brightness of the corrected image increases as the value increases.

  According to this configuration, the brightness of the image after the correction is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and the tone of the corrected image increases as the brightness of the image before correction increases with respect to the image before correction. Since the curve correction process is performed, the print density can be reduced over the entire area of the image, and an image after correction reflecting the brightness of the image before correction can be obtained. For example, since the brightness of the image before correction is reflected, the original pattern is easily reflected in the corrected image although it is faint.

  Also, a printing apparatus that solves the above-mentioned problem is that the printing data is print data, and the address where the print control apparatus and the character information are arranged with the image after the image processing as a background based on the print data. And a printing unit that prints surface information. According to this configuration, it is possible to print the address information in which the character information is arranged on the address surface of the mail with the image having the low print density after the image processing as the background.

  Further, a printing control program for solving the above-mentioned problem is a printing control program that is executed by a computer to generate printing data for printing character information and an image including an address and a mail address on a mail address. A character placement step for placing the inputted character information in an address face area corresponding to the address face in the storage unit, an image placement step for placing the selected image in the address face area, and a print density for the image An image processing step for performing image processing for thinning, and a generation step for generating printing data based on address surface data including the image processed image and the character information arranged in the address surface area. ing. According to this configuration, by causing the computer to execute the print control program, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as those of the print control apparatus.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a computer in the printing apparatus. The top view which shows the address surface area | region where the character information and the image are arrange | positioned. The top view which shows the address surface area | region where the image after image processing and character information are arrange | positioned. The disassembled perspective view which shows the layer structure for demonstrating 2nd image processing. The top view which shows the address surface area | region where the image after 2nd image processing and character information are arrange | positioned. The flowchart which shows an address surface printing process. The graph which shows a correction map. The flowchart which shows an image processing routine. The disassembled perspective view which shows the layer structure for demonstrating the image processing of a modification. The graph which shows the correction map of a modification. The graph which shows the correction map of the modification different from FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the printing control apparatus in a modification. The block diagram which shows the structure of the printing control apparatus in the modification different from FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a printing apparatus is embodied in an ink jet printer will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 11 includes a substantially rectangular apparatus body 12, a feeding unit 13 that feeds (feeds) a postcard P as an example of a postal item, and a postcard from the apparatus body 12. And a discharge unit 14 that discharges (discharges) P. The feeding unit 13 has a feeding tray 15 that supports a postcard P to be fed, and the discharging unit 14 has a discharging tray 16 that supports the discharged postcard P.

  In addition, the printing apparatus 11 includes a display unit 17 including a liquid crystal display, a handle unit 18 that becomes a handle when the printing device 11 is carried, and an operation unit 30 that can input characters. The display unit 17 can display various types of information of the printing apparatus 11 and displays a setting screen of the printing apparatus 11, a postcard P address screen, a communication screen editing screen, and the like. The operation unit 30 is a wireless keyboard capable of short-range wireless communication such as infrared communication with the apparatus main body 12. For this reason, the user of the printing apparatus 11 operates the printing apparatus 11 via the operation unit 30. The operation unit 30 includes a key operation unit 31 operated to input characters and the like, a selection operation unit 32 including, for example, a cross key operated to select various setting items on the setting screen, And a confirming operation unit 33 operated to confirm and execute the selected item.

  On the side surface of the apparatus main body 12, a power button 21 is provided that is operated when the printing apparatus 11 is turned on or off. In addition, a wireless communication port 22 constituting a part of an interface for communicating with the operation unit 30 is provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 12.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 11 includes a transport roller 23 that transports the postcard P from the feeding unit 13 to the discharge unit 14, a transport motor 24 that drives the transport roller 23, and a postcard in the apparatus main body 12. A print head 25 that prints characters and images by ejecting ink onto P and a controller 40 that controls the printing apparatus 11 are provided. In this way, the printing apparatus 11 performs a series of printing operations by printing on the postcard P fed from the feeding tray 15 and discharging the printed postcard P to the discharge tray 16 based on the control of the controller 40. Do. Note that the printing apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment is a printer capable of performing a single operation from the creation of the address and communication surfaces of the postcard P to the printing of the postcard P.

Next, the electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 11 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 40 includes a head unit 41 that drives the print head 25, a motor driver 42 that drives the transport motor 24, a display driver 43 that drives the display unit 17, and a computer 50. Yes. The printing apparatus 11 also has a communication interface 44 (hereinafter also referred to as I / F 44) for communicating with the operation unit 30 and a card interface 45 (hereinafter also referred to as I / F 45) for connecting the memory card 35. And. The computer 50 includes a CPU 51, an ASIC 52 (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a nonvolatile memory 53, and a RAM 54.

  The RAM 54 temporarily stores data generated when the printing contents of the address side and the communication side to be printed on the postcard P are created / edited. At this time, first, in the RAM 54, as a virtual canvas for arranging each layer of destination information, image, character information, and the like, an address surface area 100 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) corresponding to the address surface of the postcard P is stored. A communication area corresponding to the communication area of the postcard P is secured. A layer refers to data having hierarchical information.

  Here, the address plane area 100 is a blank (blank) address plane image corresponding to a postcard (for example, a new year postcard) selected by the operation unit 30 by the user, read from the non-volatile memory 53, and stored in this area of the RAM 54. Generated by writing. The address surface area 100 is visualized on the address surface editing screen by the display driver 43 displaying an image of the address surface based on the data in the RAM 54 on the display unit 17 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). By operating the operation unit 30, the user can create a text box for writing characters of destination information and place an image on the address surface area 100, and change and edit the destination information and the placement position of the image. Destination information and images placed on the address plane area 100 by the user are stored in the RAM 54 together with position information (coordinate information). These pieces of position information are represented by, for example, relative coordinates with respect to arbitrary reference coordinates (for example, coordinates (0, 0) with the upper left corner as the origin) on the address plane area 100, for example, a diagonal of a rectangular area of a text box or an image. Indicated by the coordinates of the two corners located at. Similarly, the communication surface area is a virtual canvas secured in the RAM 54, and is generated by writing an image of a white communication surface in this area. The communication surface area is visualized on the communication surface editing screen by the display driver 43 displaying an image of the communication surface based on the data in the RAM 54 on the display unit 17. By operating the operation unit 30, the user can create a text box for writing characters of character information, arrange images, change or edit the character information and image arrangement positions, etc. on the displayed communication area. Become.

  The nonvolatile memory 53 stores programs and data necessary for various controls of the printing apparatus 11. The non-volatile memory 53 is also representative of a blank image on the address side and the communication side for a plurality of types of postcards including the above-mentioned New Year's postcards, as well as typical characters and images on the address side and the communication side. Data of a plurality of layouts are stored.

Next, a functional configuration of the controller 40 will be described with reference to FIG.
The controller 40 includes a functional part constructed as software by the CPU 51 that executes the program, and a functional part constructed by a circuit in the ASIC 52 in which the program is written. Specifically, the controller 40 performs printing control for performing editing of the address side of the postcard P and editing of the communication side, generation of print data for printing each editing result, and the like according to the operation through the operation unit 30 of the user. The apparatus 60 includes a print control unit 70 that drives and controls the print head 25 and the transport motor 24 based on the generated print data. In the present embodiment, the print control unit 70, the print head 25, and the transport motor 24 constitute a print engine 46. The print control device 60 includes a character arrangement unit 61, an image arrangement unit 62, an image processing unit 63, a display processing unit 64, a print data generation unit 65, and a storage unit 66 as functional components. The storage unit 66 includes a predetermined storage area of the nonvolatile memory 53, for example, and stored data such as the correction map MA is retained even when the printing apparatus 11 is turned off.

The character arrangement unit 61 arranges the character information 110 including the input address and name in the address plane area 100 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).
The image arrangement unit 62 should be arranged in the address plane area 100 based on a selection signal input from the operation unit 30 when the user performs an operation of selecting from a plurality of images displayed in a list on the display unit 17. The image Img (see FIG. 4) is read and acquired from the nonvolatile memory 53 in the printing apparatus 11 or the memory card 35 connected to the printing apparatus 11. Then, the image placement unit 62 places the acquired image Img in the address plane area 100. In this example, the image arrangement area where the image Img is arranged is set in advance, and the image size may be adjusted when the image Img is arranged in the image arrangement area.

  The image processing unit 63 performs image processing on the image Img arranged by the image arranging unit 62. For example, the image processing unit 63 uses the correction map MA stored in the storage unit 66 to perform image processing for correcting the image Img arranged in the address plane area 100 to a lightness of a certain level or more and fainting the image Img. Do.

  The display processing unit 64 displays a setting screen on the display unit 17 or displays various screens corresponding to the selection result selected by the user by operating the operation unit 30. Therefore, the display processing unit 64 displays the postcard P address and communication screen editing screens on the display unit 17 and displays the postcard P print preview screen on the display unit 17.

  The print data generation unit 65 generates print data for printing characters and images Img arranged on the address side and the communication side of the postcard P. Specifically, the print data generation unit 65 generates address plane print data based on address plane data including characters and images arranged in the address plane area 100 in the RAM 54. Further, the print data generation unit 65 generates print data for the communication surface based on communication surface data including characters and images arranged in the communication surface area in the RAM 54. Here, the color systems of the address plane data and the communication plane data are not particularly limited, but here, as an example, data of the RGB color system is used. The print data includes CMYK color system print image data corresponding to the color of ink ejected from the print head 25 and a command (command) used by the print control unit 70 for print control.

  The print data generated by the print data generation unit 65 is input to the print control unit 70 constituting the print engine 46. The print control unit 70 includes a head control unit 71 that controls driving of the print head 25 based on print image data in the print data, and a conveyance control unit 72 that controls the conveyance motor 24 based on commands in the print data. have. When printing on the postcard P, the head control unit 71 performs ejection control for ejecting ink from the nozzles of the print head 25 based on the print image data, and the transport control unit 72 transports the postcard P based on the command. I do. In this respect, in this embodiment, the print engine 46 corresponds to an example of a “printing unit”.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 4, in the address area 100, character information 110 including a postal code 111, an address 112, a name 113, and sender information 114 including the address and name of the sender is arranged. And in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the image Img can be arrange | positioned in the background of the character information 110. FIG. In this case, as shown in the figure, it may be difficult to determine a portion of the character information 110 that overlaps the image Img. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by performing image processing for increasing the lightness of the image Img arranged in the address surface area 100 and reducing the print density, the image Img1 in which the entire image is lightened as shown in FIG. Thus, the visibility of the character information 110 is improved. Further, in the present embodiment, the color of the characters constituting the character information 110 is a dark color such as black or dark blue that improves the visibility when printed on a white address surface that is the medium color of the postcard P. . The print density refers to the density of a print image printed on the address face of the postcard P. For example, the lower the density of print dots, the lower the print density. Further, the density of printing dots decreases as the number of printing dots per unit area decreases. When there are a plurality of sizes of print dots, the smaller the number of print dots per unit area and the smaller the print dot size, the smaller the print dot density.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the character information 110 is arranged in the character area 130. The character area 130 is composed of a text box, for example, and one character area 130 is a unit for moving, enlarging / reducing, editing, etc., the character information 110. The character area 130 includes a character area 131 including a postal code frame in which the destination postal code 111 is described, a character area 132 in which the address 112 of the addressee is described, a character area 133 in which the name 113 is described, and the address of the sender. A character area 134 in which the sender information 114 such as a name is described, and a character area 135 including a zip code frame in which the zip code of the sender is described are included. The user can move the position in units of the character area 130 or edit characters in the character area 130 by operating the operation unit 30.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the address area 100 is set with an area where an image can be arranged (image arrangement area). If the postcard P is a New Year's card, for example, the address surface area 100 includes a prohibited area in which an image cannot be placed. The prohibited area includes an area including the fee stamp surface 120, for example, an area including a postal code frame for entering the postal codes 111 and 115, an area within a predetermined range from both ends in the width direction of the address surface area 100, and the address surface area 100. There is a rectangular area containing the lottery number of the New Year's lottery written on the lower edge. Among the areas avoiding these prohibited areas, the image arrangement area is set at a position where a size as large as possible can be secured. In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in which the address and name of the destination are written vertically, the position of the image Img arranged in the figure is set in the image arrangement area. In the case of horizontal writing, the image arrangement area is set, for example, in an area below the postal code 111 and on the right side of the fee stamp surface 120.

  In FIG. 5, the image Img <b> 1 is light and the character information 110 is easily visible, but in this embodiment, the character information 110 is overlapped with the character information 110 in the image Img in order to further improve the visibility of the character information 110. It is also possible to specify image processing (second image processing) for further fading the periphery of the portion. In this example, the second image processing is performed on the portion of the image Img that overlaps the character area 130.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the second image processing performed on a portion of the image that overlaps the character region 130, a postcard P medium color that is the same shape and size as the portion that overlaps the character region 130 (the color of the address surface) ) And a mask image MS of the same color as that of () is created with a predetermined transmittance. A mask image MS is created for each character region 130. The transmittance of the mask image MS is preferably a value in the range of 30 to 70%, for example. However, if it is easy to visually recognize a character that overlaps the image Img1 in the character information 110, it is greater than 0 (zero)% and less than 100%. An appropriate value within the range can be set. In this example, the transmittance is set within a range of 40% to 60%, for example. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the mask image MS is placed on the layer between the image Img1 and the character information 110 disposed on the layer upstream in the viewing direction (upper side in FIG. 6) of the image Img1. It is arranged at a position corresponding to a portion overlapping with the character area 130.

  When the user views the image Img1 from the viewing direction, the portion of the image Img1 that overlaps the character region 130 is viewed through the translucent white mask image MS, and therefore the portion other than the portion that overlaps the character region 130 It will look even thinner. By this second image processing, as shown in FIG. 7, an image Img2 is obtained in which the portion of the image that overlaps the character region is further lightened.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, a processing routine executed by the computer 50 in order to perform editing for arranging the character information 110 and the image Img in the address surface area 100 and print the edited address surface will be described. To do. The computer 50 executes this processing routine by executing the print control program read from the nonvolatile memory 53.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in this processing routine, in step S <b> 11, the computer 50 places the input character information 110 in the address plane area 100 based on the operation of the operation unit 30 by the user. For example, the character information 110 such as the input zip code 111, address 112, name 113, and sender information 114 is arranged in the address area 100. The character information 110 is moved to a designated position based on an operation signal from the operation unit 30 operated by the user as necessary, and the position is adjusted. If the address information has already been created, the user designates the addressee in the address book. In this case, the character information 110 corresponding to the addressee specified in the address book based on the operation signal from the operation unit 30 is read from the storage unit 66 and arranged in the address surface area 100. Note that the processing in step S11 corresponds to an example of a “character placement step”.

  In step S <b> 12, the computer 50 places the selected image Img (image data) in the address plane area 100 based on the operation of the operation unit 30 by the user. For example, the user displays a list of a plurality of images on the display unit 17 and operates the operation unit 30 to perform an operation of selecting a desired image from the plurality of images. The computer 50 reads the image Img selected based on the operation signal from the operated operation unit 30 from the storage unit 66 and arranges it in a preset image arrangement area in the address plane area 100. In step S12, only one image may be selected, or a plurality of images may be selected. The process in step S12 corresponds to an example of “image placement step”.

  Here, the character information 110 and the image Img arranged in the address plane area 100 are stored in the work area of the storage unit 66 in the coordinates of the character area 130 (for example, a text box), the coordinates of the image Img, and the layer information (hierarchical information). ) Are stored together. Then, based on the coordinate information and the layer information stored in the storage unit 66, the address surface information of the address surface region 100, the character information 110, and the image Img are combined in the order corresponding to the hierarchy and are displayed on the display unit 17. indicate. Therefore, an image of the address area similar to that shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the address face editing screen of the display unit 17. Since the displayed image is visualized based on various data stored in the storage unit 66, the character information written in the storage unit 66 can be seen by looking at the address plane area 100 displayed on the editing screen. 110 and various data of the image Img are uniquely specified.

  Note that the arrangement of character information in the address plane area corresponding to the address plane in the storage unit means that the character information 110 is stored in the storage unit 66 together with coordinates that can specify the relative position with respect to the address plane area 100. This indicates that data necessary for arranging and displaying the character information 110 at a predetermined position in the address plane area 100 on the editing screen is stored in the storage unit 66. For this reason, if the character information 110 is arranged and displayed in the address plane area 100 on the editing screen, it can be considered that the character information 110 is arranged in the address plane area 100 in the storage unit 66. Further, to arrange an image in the address plane area corresponding to the address plane in the storage unit is to store the image Img in the storage unit 66 together with coordinates that can specify the relative position with respect to the address plane area 100. This indicates that data necessary for arranging and displaying the image Img at the predetermined position in the address plane area 100 on the editing screen is stored in the storage unit 66. For this reason, if the image Img is arranged and displayed in the address plane area 100 on the editing screen, it can be considered that the image Img is arranged in the address plane area 100 in the storage unit 66.

  In the next step S13, the computer 50 determines whether a preview operation is performed by the user. The “preview operation” refers to an operation for requesting the printing apparatus 11 to display the print content to be printed on the address face of the postcard P on the display unit 17. If the preview operation has not been performed (step S13: NO), the process proceeds to step S16 described later. On the other hand, if a preview operation has been performed (step S13: YES), the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the computer 50 performs image processing on the image Img (image data). This image processing is performed by the image processing unit 63, and the process proceeds to the next step S15. In this respect, step S14 corresponds to an “image processing step”. Note that the image processing performed in step S14 is processing for generating preview data. Therefore, in this image processing, processing is performed on a low-resolution image for preview.

  In step S15, the computer 50 performs display processing for displaying a preview image. This display processing is performed by the display processing unit 64, and a preview image indicating the print content to be printed on the address face of the postcard P is displayed on the display unit 17. In this preview image, as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 7, a preview image of the address surface area 100 in which the lightly corrected image Img1 or Img2 is arranged in the background of the character information 110 is displayed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step S16.

  In step S <b> 16, the computer 50 determines whether or not the user has instructed printing on the address face of the postcard P. When there is no instruction for printing on the address surface by the user (step S16: NO), this processing routine is ended. On the other hand, when printing on the address surface is instructed by the user (step S16: YES), the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S17, the computer 50 performs image processing on the image Img (image data). This image processing is performed by the image processing unit 63, and the process proceeds to the next step S18. Accordingly, in this respect, step S18 corresponds to an “image processing step”.

  In step S18, the computer 50 generates print data based on the address data including the character information 110 and the image Img1 or Img2 arranged in the address area 100. This process is performed by the print data generation unit 65. Therefore, in this respect, step S18 corresponds to a “generation step”.

  In the next step S19, the computer 50 drives and controls the print head 25 and the transport motor 24 based on the generated print data, and performs a printing process on the address side of the postcard P. This print processing is performed by the print control unit 70. When this printing process is finished, this processing routine is finished. In the processing routine described above, the processing of steps S11 to S18 executed by the computer 50 corresponds to an example of a “printing control program”.

Next, with reference to the correction map MA shown in FIG. 9 and the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, the contents of image processing for increasing the brightness of the image Img and reducing the print density will be described.
The correction map MA shown in FIG. 9 is referred to when determining the RGB value of the image Img after correction according to the RGB value of the image Img before correction. In the graph showing the correction map MA, the horizontal axis is the RGB value (256 gradations) of the image Img before correction, and the vertical axis is the RGB value (256 gradations) of the image Img after correction. In the graph shown in FIG. 9, a straight line LB indicated by an alternate long and short dash line indicates a tone curve when the RGB values are the same before and after correction and the brightness is not corrected. In the region below the straight line LB indicated by the alternate long and short dash line, the RGB value of the image Img after correction is smaller than the RGB value of the image Img before correction, and in the region above the straight line LB indicated by the alternate long and short dashed line, The RGB value of the image Img after correction is made larger than the RGB value of the image Img before correction.

  Then, according to the correction map MA of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the RGB value of the image Img before correction is corrected to an RGB value equal to or greater than the threshold Th. The threshold value Th is set to the minimum RGB value that can make the image light enough to distinguish the character even if the image and the character overlap.

  By the way, the tone curve correction uses the point where the RGB value of the image before correction is “0 (zero)” and the RGB value of the image after correction is “0 (zero)” as the first point, and before correction. When the point where the RGB value of the image of “255” is “255” and the RGB value of the image after correction is “255” is taken as the second point, the line segment connecting the first point and the second point (The one-dot chain line in FIG. 9) is adjusted. In other words, with the first point and the second point fixed, the line segment connecting the first point and the second point is projected upward to make the image lighter or the same line segment lower. By making it convex, the image can be darkened. For this reason, a steep rise from the first point (coordinates (0, 0)) passes through the linear tone curve shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. Adjust to draw a large convex curve. However, even with this adjustment, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 9, the RGB value of the uncorrected image Img is in the range from “0 (zero)” to the value Va, and the RGB of the corrected image Img The value is a value less than the threshold value Th. That is, in this case, in an image having a RGB value portion within a range of 0 or more and less than Va before correction, a dark portion (dark portion) still exists in the corrected image, and characters are present in the same portion. If it overlaps, it may be impossible to distinguish the character. For this reason, as indicated by a thick line in FIG. 9, in the correction map MA of the present embodiment, the portion of the image Img before correction in the range from the RGB value “0 (zero)” to the value Va makes the image lighter. Is set to a threshold value Th, which is the minimum RGB value necessary for. In the present embodiment, the range below the value Va among the RGB values of the image Img before correction corresponds to an example of a partial range near the lowest value of the brightness of the image before correction.

  According to the correction map MA shown in FIG. 9, when the value is equal to or less than Va, the RGB value of the corrected image Img is set to the threshold Th. That is, when the RGB value of the image Img before correction is a value within the range from “0 (zero)” to the value Va, the RGB value of the image Img after correction is set to the threshold Th. Further, when the RGB value of the image Img before correction is larger than the value Va, the RGB value of the image Img after correction is a value larger than the threshold value Th, and becomes larger as the RGB value before correction is larger. Is done. Therefore, according to the correction map MA, a color having an RGB value equal to or less than the value Va and a relatively low brightness (for example, black) is changed to a color having an RGB value of the threshold Th and a relatively high brightness (for example, gray). It is corrected. Also, a color (for example, white) whose RGB value is larger than the value Va and has a relatively high brightness is corrected to a color (for example, white) whose RGB value is larger than the threshold value Th and has a relatively high brightness. For this reason, according to this correction map MA, the brightness difference before and after the correction becomes larger when the RGB value is lower than when the RGB value is high in the image Img before correction. The map shown in FIG. 9 corrects all the RGB values in the same manner. However, a correction map corresponding to each color (red (R), green (G), blue (B)) is prepared, and each color is corrected. You can use different correction maps.

  Next, an image processing routine executed by the computer 50 in steps S14 and S17 in FIG. 8 in order to increase the brightness of the image Img will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step S21, the computer 50 acquires the image Img before correction. In the next step S22, the computer 50 acquires a correction map MA shown in FIG. In step S23, the computer 50 corrects the image Img based on the correction map MA. That is, by the tone curve correction process in which the RGB value of the image Img before correction is converted into the RGB value of the image Img after correction with reference to the correction map MA shown in FIG. 9, the image Img is changed to the image Img1 having high brightness. Correction is performed (first image processing). In this case, since the RGB value of the image Img before correction is corrected to an RGB value equal to or greater than the threshold value Th, the image Img1 is lightly adjusted so that overlapping characters can be discriminated in the entire area regardless of the RGB values before correction. The

  Subsequently, in step S24, the computer 50 rearranges the corrected image Img1 in the address plane area 100. Accordingly, the corrected image Img1 is written in the storage unit 66 together with the coordinates of the image Img before correction in place of the image Img before correction.

  Further, when the mode in which the portion overlapping the character area 130 in the image Img1 is made thinner than the portion not overlapping is selected by the user operation or the setting of the printing apparatus 11, the second image processing in step S25 is further performed. Is done.

  In step S25, a translucent mask image MS is arranged on a portion overlapping the character area 130 of the image Img1 (second image processing). That is, as shown in FIG. 6, in the image Img1, a translucent mask image MS having substantially the same shape and the same size as the portion overlapping the character area 130 and a color similar to the medium color of the postcard P (for example, white). Create Then, mask image MS is arranged at a position corresponding to a portion where image Img1 and character region 130 overlap in a layer between image Img1 and character information 110. When the first image processing and the second image processing are thus completed, this processing routine is once ended. Thus, the corrected image Img1 or Img2 having a higher brightness than the image Img before correction is arranged in the address area 100 where the image Img before correction is arranged. In FIG. 10, the first image processing (S24) for performing image processing for reducing the print density on the entire image Img and the second image processing (S25) for the portion overlapping the character area 130 of the image. The order of processing may be reversed.

Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 11 of this embodiment will be described.
The user operates the operation unit 30 to place the character information 110 and the image Img in the address surface area 100 shown in FIG. 4 displayed on the address surface editing screen, and edit the character information 110 and the image Img as necessary. To complete the contents of the address. The user performs a preview operation using the operation unit 30 to confirm the print contents before printing. The computer 50 that has received the preview operation performs image processing (first image processing) for reducing the print density on the entire image Img. In this case, the computer 50 performs tone curve correction processing for converting the RGB value of the image Img before correction into the RGB value of the image after correction with reference to the correction map MA shown in FIG. 9 (S23 in FIG. 10). As a result, when the first mode for fainting the entire image Img is set, the address plane area 100 in which the image Img1 shown in FIG. 5 is arranged in the background of the character information 110 is displayed.

  On the other hand, when the second mode for further fainting the portion of the image that overlaps the character information 110 is set, the medium color of the postcard P is substantially the same shape and size as the portion of the image that overlaps the character region 130. A mask image MS of the same color (for example, white) is created with a predetermined transmittance. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, mask image MS is arranged in the layer between image Img1 and character information 110 at a position corresponding to a portion where image Img1 and character region 130 overlap. As a result, when the second mode is set, as shown in FIG. 7, the address surface area 100 where the image Img2 and the character information 110 in which the portion overlapping the character area 130 is further thinned is arranged, It is displayed on the display unit 17. Note that the preview data used for the display at this time is generated based on address surface data including a blank address surface image, character information 110, and an image Img2. The preview data is generated at a low resolution because a high resolution is not required for display on the display unit 17.

  The user confirms the previewed address surface information shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 7, and if there is no problem, instructs the printing using the operation unit 30. The computer 50 that has received the print instruction performs image processing (first image processing) for reducing the print density on the entire image Img. In this case, the computer 50 performs tone curve correction processing for converting the RGB value of the image Img before correction into the RGB value of the image after correction with reference to the correction map MA shown in FIG. 9 (S23 in FIG. 10). As a result, when the first mode for fainting the entire image Img is set, the print data is based on the address surface data including the character information 110 and the image Img1 arranged in the address surface area 100 shown in FIG. Is generated. Then, the print control unit 70 controls the print head 25 and the transport motor 24 based on the print data, so that the same print contents as the address surface information shown in FIG. 5 are printed on the address surface of the postcard P. Since the image is printed lightly on the address face of the postcard P, the character information including the address and name printed together can be easily recognized.

  On the other hand, when the second mode is set, the image processing unit 63 of the computer 50 has a color similar to the medium color of the postcard P (for example, substantially the same shape and the same size as the portion of the image overlapping the character region 130). A white mask image MS is created with a predetermined transmittance. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, mask image MS is arranged in the layer between image Img1 and character information 110 at a position corresponding to a portion where image Img1 and character region 130 overlap. As a result, when the second mode is set, as shown in FIG. 7, the image Img <b> 2 and the character information 110 in which the portion overlapping the character area 130 arranged in the address area 100 is further thinned are included. Print data is generated based on the address surface data. Then, the print control unit 70 controls the print head 25 and the transport motor 24 based on the print data, so that the same print contents as the address information shown in FIG. 7 are printed on the address face of the postcard P. On the address surface of this postcard P, the image is printed lightly and the periphery of the portion of the light image that overlaps the character information including the address and name is further lightly printed, so the address and name printed together are displayed. The included character information is easily visible.

According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Image processing for reducing the print density was performed on the image Img (image data) arranged in the address plane area 100 together with the input character information 110. For this reason, when printing is performed based on print data (an example of print data) generated based on address surface data including an image after image processing and character information, the image is printed light on the address surface of the postcard P. Prints lightly in density. Therefore, even if the image printed on the postcard P and the character information overlap, the character information can be easily visually recognized.

  (2) Since the address information is displayed on the display unit 17 based on the preview data (an example of print data), even if the character information 110 such as an address or name and the image Img1 (or Img2) overlap, A pale image in which the information 110 is easily visible is displayed in advance as a print result. Therefore, it can be confirmed in advance before printing that the text information is easy to visually recognize with the lightened image.

  (3) Since tone curve correction processing is performed as image processing, the RGB value (lightness) of the image Img is converted to a high value based on the correction map MA, and an image Img1 (or Img2) having a low print density can be obtained. . By the way, a translucent mask image having a color similar to the medium color of the postcard P can be arranged in the layer on the upstream side in the viewing direction so that the printing density of the image Img can be reduced. However, in this case, the pixels covered by the non-transparent portion of the mask image become invisible, so that the pixels are thinned out and the image becomes relatively rough. On the other hand, the tone curve correction process is a process of changing the RGB value of the image before correction and the RGB value of the image after correction, so there are no pixels that are not visible after correction, so even if the image becomes lighter, As compared with image processing using a mask image, it can be suppressed that the image becomes rough. Further, since the tone curve of the correction map MA can be adjusted, it is easy to set or change the print density.

  (4) When the character information 110 arranged in the address plane area 100 overlaps the image Img, image processing (first processing) in which the print density is lighter in the portion overlapping the character region 130 in the image Img than the portion not overlapping the character region 130 2 image processing). Therefore, it becomes easy to visually recognize characters overlapping with the image among the character information printed on the address face of the postcard P.

  (5) Image processing for further reducing the print density is performed on a portion overlapping the character area 130 in the image Img1 arranged in the address plane area 100. Therefore, the portion overlapping the image Img in the character information 110 becomes easier to visually recognize.

  (6) Translucent mask image MS having the same image shape and size as the overlapping area of character area 130 and the same color as the postcard P medium color in the second image processing applied to the overlapping area of character area 130 in the image Are arranged at a position corresponding to a portion where the image Img1 and the character region 130 overlap in a layer between the image Img1 and the character information 110. Since it is not necessary to perform special image processing on the image Img, for example, processing for returning to the original image after image processing can be performed relatively easily.

  (7) The correction map MA (tone curve) is a partial area (0 to Va) near the lowest RGB value (brightness) before correction (area where the value Va is 20% or less of the entire RGB value). The corrected RGB value (lightness) is set to a certain threshold Th (> 0), which is the necessary minimum RGB value. For this reason, the extremely low portion of the RGB value in the image before correction is corrected to an RGB value equal to or greater than the threshold Th after correction. Therefore, it is possible to correct the image to a thin print density having an RGB value equal to or higher than the required fixed threshold Th for the entire image including a portion having a very low RGB value (dark portion) in the image before correction. For example, in the map graph shown in FIG. 9, if the tone curve is an upward convex curve passing through two points of coordinate points (0, 0) and (255, 255), the portion indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. In the image before correction, a pixel having an RGB value equal to or less than the value Va is corrected to an RGB value less than the threshold value Th after correction. In this case, the visibility of the character information 110 decreases due to the presence of pixels having RGB values less than the threshold Th. However, in this embodiment, a pixel having an RGB value less than the threshold Th before correction is also corrected to the RGB value of the threshold Th after correction. Therefore, when the corrected image Img1 is printed, the visibility of the character information is improved.

  (8) Since the pixel having an extremely low RGB value in the range of 0 to Va in the image before correction is a dark part (black or dark color) of the image Img, the image of the dark part is originally difficult to be visually recognized. . Therefore, there is no problem even if pixels with an RGB value of 0 to Va in the pre-correction image are uniformly corrected to the threshold value Th and the pattern of that portion is not reflected. Then, the tone curve of the correction map MA is set such that the RGB value of the image after correction increases as the RGB value of the image before correction increases in a region equal to or greater than the value Va. Therefore, as a result of the tone curve correction process, a light image Img1 reflecting the pattern of the image Img before correction can be obtained. In addition, pixels with a considerably high RGB value in an uncorrected image are often not so important for visually recognizing a picture. For this reason, in the region where the RGB value of the image before correction is quite high, even if the RGB value of the image after correction is almost uniformly corrected to a value close to the maximum RGB value, there is no problem in visually recognizing the pattern. As described above, in the present embodiment, the corrected RGB value is corrected to be equal to or greater than the threshold value Th, and the RGB value of the image before correction is small in the middle of the region near the minimum value and the maximum value. It draws a tone curve where the gradient changes greatly in the area. Therefore, the pattern of the image before correction is easily reflected in the lightened image after correction. This is particularly effective for gray scale images.

  (9) The printing apparatus 11 prints the image Img1 (or Img2) after image processing and the character information 110 based on the print data generated by the print control device 60 and the print data generation unit 65 (printing unit 46). For example). For this reason, the printing apparatus 11 can print on the address face of the postcard P an image with a low print density and character information with this image as the background.

  (10) By causing the computer 50 to execute the print control program (steps S11 to S18), each functional part of the print control device 60 is configured, and the same effects as the above (1) to (8) can be obtained. .

In addition, the said embodiment can also be changed into the following forms.
The image processing (first image processing) may employ other image processing other than tone curve correction as long as an image can be printed thinly on the address surface. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a translucent mask image MS1 having a color similar to the postcard medium color (address surface ground color) and having a predetermined transmittance is substantially the same shape and size as the image Img. This mask image MS1 is arranged in a layer between the image Img and the character information 110 arranged in a layer on the upstream side (front side) in the viewing direction of the image Img. Thus, the entire area of the image Img is covered with the mask image MS1. The transmittance of the mask image MS1 is preferably a value within a range of, for example, 30 to 70%. An appropriate value can be set. The light image Img1 as shown in FIG. 5 can also be generated by the image processing using the mask image MS1, and when printed on the address face of the postcard P, as shown in FIG. A portion overlapping the image Img1 is also easily visible. Further, the image after this image processing (mask processing) is printed on the address face of the postcard P with a thin print density when printed. Since the image Img is only covered with the mask image MS1, the print density can be reduced without performing special image processing on the image Img. Therefore, the same effect as the above (1) and (2) can be obtained.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the character area 130 has the same shape and size as the portion overlapping the image Img, and has the same color (for example, white) as the medium color of the postcard P (the background color of the address plane). A semitransparent mask image MS2 is created. The mask image MS2 is superposed on the same position as the portion overlapping the image of the character region 130 on the layer between the image Img and the character information 110 arranged on the layer upstream in the viewing direction with respect to the image Img. The second image processing is performed by arranging in the position. If the process of superimposing the mask image MS1 on the image Img is the first image process, the first and second image processes yield the light image Img2 shown in FIG. Further, it can be generated lighter than a portion that does not overlap the character region 130. Therefore, when printing on the address side of the postcard P, as shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to make it easier to visually recognize characters that overlap the image in the character information, as compared to the image Img <b> 1 in FIG. 5. Therefore, the same effects as the above (4) to (6) can be obtained also by image processing (mask processing) using such mask images MS1 and MS2.

  The second image processing is not limited to the mask processing for overlaying the mask image MS (or MS2) on the image, and may be other processing. For example, tone curve correction processing based on the correction map MA may be performed on a portion of the image that overlaps the character region 130, and the image portion after this processing may be rearranged to the original position. Even if printing is performed with print data generated based on address surface data including such an image, the same effects as in the above (4) to (6) can be obtained.

  The correction map used in the tone curve correction process may be another map different from the above correction map MA as long as the image can be thinned. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, regardless of whether the RGB value of the image before correction is less than the value Va, the RGB value of the image after correction increases as the RGB value of the image before correction increases. A correct correction map MB may be adopted. The correction map MB includes a first point and coordinates (255, 255) indicated by the map coordinates (0, Th) in a range equal to or higher than a threshold Th set with the minimum RGB value corresponding to the maximum print density required after correction. It is set so as to draw a convex curve connecting two points with the second point indicated by 255). For this reason, the higher the RGB value before correction, the higher the RGB value after correction, the higher the corrected RGB value. Therefore, when the image processing for reducing the print density is performed on the image, the corrected image Img1, The RGB value (brightness) of each pixel of the image Img before correction is reflected in the entire RGB value of Img2. For example, if the RGB values of the image before correction are corrected to the same value, the image becomes light but the original picture becomes difficult to understand. However, if the RGB values of the image before correction are different, they are converted into different RGB values after correction, so that the original pattern is easily reflected even if the image becomes light.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, a correction map MC in which the gradient, which is the rate of change of the RGB value after correction with respect to the change amount of the RGB value before correction, may be employed. That is, it may be a correction map MC in which two points of map coordinate points (0, Th) and (255, 255) are connected by a straight line. Also with this correction map MC, if the RGB values of the image before correction are different, they are converted into different RGB values after correction, so that the original design is easily reflected even if the image becomes lighter. Moreover, the correction map which connected the said 2 points | pieces with the curve shown by a quadratic function or the higher order function beyond it may be sufficient. Even if the image processing is performed on the image using the correction maps MB and MC and the address data is printed with the print data generated based on the image after the image processing, the same as the above (1) to (3) An effect can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printing apparatus 11 includes the print control apparatus 60, and the printing apparatus alone performs a process from creation / editing of an address surface to generation of print data and further printing. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, for example, in a printing system that includes a host device 90 (external device) and a printing device 11A that can communicate with the host device 90 in a wired or wireless manner, the host device 90 performs printing. A control device 60 may be provided. The host device 90 is a personal computer, for example. In this configuration, the user operates the operation unit of the host device 90 to edit the address surface, and print data based on the address surface data including the image Img1 or Img2 after the image processing by the image processing unit 63 and the character information 110. And the generated print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 11A. In the printing apparatus 11 </ b> A, printing on the address face of the postcard P is performed based on the print data received from the host apparatus 90. In this case, the computer of the host device 90 functions as the print control device 60 by executing the print control program.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in a printing system that includes a host device 91 (external device) and a printing device 11B that can communicate with the host device 91 in a wired or wireless manner, the print control device 60 is connected to the host device 91. It may exist separately in both of the printing apparatuses 11B. That is, the host device 91 is provided with a part constituting the print control device 60, and the printing device 11B is provided with another part constituting the print control device 60. In the example illustrated in FIG. 15, the print data generation unit 65 of the print control device 60 is provided in the print device 11B, and the other parts constituting the print control device 60 are provided in the host device 91. The host device 91 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet PC, or a personal digital assistant (PDA (Personal Digital Assistants)). This type of portable host device 91 has a relatively small memory capacity, and if a relatively large capacity software such as a print driver for configuring the print data generation unit 65 is stored, a considerable part of the memory area is used. Therefore, the print data is generated on the printing apparatus 11B side. Therefore, the address data is transmitted from the host device 91 to the printing device 11B, and the print data generation unit 65 in the printing device 11B generates print data based on the address data, and prints based on the generated print data. The engine 46 prints on the address face of the postcard P.

  The density at which the image Img is lightened by image processing may be adjusted by the user by operating the operation unit 30. For example, the threshold value Th in the correction maps MA, MB, and MC may be changed by the operation of the operation unit 30 by the user. Further, for example, the user may be able to change the transmittance of the mask images MS, MS1, and MS2 by operating the operation unit 30. Further, the print density of an image obtained by image processing may be adjusted by operating the operation unit 30.

  The image processing unit corrects the RGB value within the range of 0 to Va of the image before correction to an RGB value less than the threshold Th of the image after correction, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Image processing for increasing the RGB value (lightness) of the image Img may be performed using the map. In this case, the RGB value less than the value Va cannot sufficiently increase the brightness, but at least a portion of the image before the correction at least the value Va is lightly corrected, so that at least this portion makes it easy to visually recognize the overlapped characters. In addition, when there are few or no pixels less than the value Va in the image before correction, or even if there are pixels less than the value Va and the portion does not overlap the character information 110, the image is printed on the postcard P. The character information can be visually recognized without problems.

  The image placement unit 62 is not limited to a configuration that selects an image based on an operation signal from the operation unit 30, and searches the address book based on a keyword (for example, an address or name) in the character information, and the corresponding addressee A configuration may be adopted in which an image corresponding to is arranged in the address plane area 100.

  When the size of the image Img is larger than the image arrangement area, the image arrangement unit 62 may reduce the image Img and arrange it in the image arrangement area. In addition, when the size of the image Img is too small with respect to the image arrangement area, for example, less than a predetermined ratio (for example, 60%), the image Img has an appropriate size (for example, a size of 80% to 100% of the image arrangement area) The image may be enlarged and arranged in the image arrangement area. According to these configurations, the image Img is arranged in the image arrangement area with an appropriate size, and thereafter, the user does not need to adjust the size of the image Img, or the size adjustment that slightly changes the size is sufficient. Can do.

  Although an example in which image processing is performed using a preview operation and a print instruction as a trigger, the image processing unit 63 performs image processing before the image placement unit 62 of the computer 50 places the image Img selected by the user in the address plane area 100. The image Img1 or Img2 after image processing may be arranged in the address plane area 100. For example, when “background” is designated when the user selects an image, image processing may be performed on the image before the placement. According to this configuration, the light image Img1 or Img2 that has been subjected to image processing from the beginning when the image is arranged in the address surface area 100 is arranged without displaying the dark image Img as shown in FIG. The suitability of the image can be determined immediately. In addition, when a dark image Img is displayed, an operation to lighten the image is unavoidable, but this kind of extra operation can be omitted. In addition, after the image Img is arranged in the address surface area 100, when the user performs an operation to select an image and set it to “background”, image processing for reducing the print density is started using this operation as a trigger. May be. In this case, the user can display the light image Img1 on the editing screen without performing the preview operation to display the preview screen, so that the appropriateness as the background image can be determined on the editing screen.

  Each time the user edits the image on the editing screen, the computer 50 determines whether the image and the character information 110 are overlapped, and performs image processing on the image when it is determined that the image Img overlaps the character information 110. Also good. For example, when the user enlarges the image and the enlarged image overlaps the character information 110, image processing is performed on the image Img using the determination result as a trigger. Further, for example, when the image is overlapped with the character information 110 because the user has moved the image, image processing is performed on the image Img using the determination result as a trigger.

The second image processing for performing image processing for further reducing the print density on a portion overlapping the character area 130 in the image Img1 may be abolished.
The image processing unit 63 may perform only the second image processing (S25) on the image Img in the image processing (S14, S17). According to this configuration, even if the image Img is used as the background, the peripheral portion of the overlapped character (for example, the portion of the character region 130) in the image Img becomes lighter. The visibility of 110 is improved.

  The character area whose print density is reduced in the second image processing is not limited to the character area 130 such as a text box. For example, a character region including characters one by one may be used, and a character region smaller than a text box or a character region larger than a text box may be set for the size. Also, the shape is not limited to a rectangle, but may be a circle, an ellipse, or a shape in which the two sides at both ends in the longitudinal direction (character string direction) are replaced with an outwardly convex arc. In short, the character region need only be a region having a shape and size that can improve the visibility of the character by making the periphery of the character overlapping the image thinner.

  In the correction maps MA, MB, and MC, the color tone is displayed with 256 gradations, but the gradation may be lower than the same gradation (for example, 16 gradations) or higher than the same gradation. (For example, 512 gradations).

  As an example of print data, if the print data is output from the print control device 60 for the purpose of printing, the color system is not limited to the YMCK color system, but the RGB color system or the YCbCr color system But you can. Even if the print data of the RGB color system or the YCbCr color system is converted to the YMCK color system in the output destination printing apparatus 11B, the edited address plane can be printed on the postcard P by the printing apparatus 11B. it can. Also, as an example of print data, preview data is not limited to data generated by the print driver for previewing, and can be displayed on the editing screen if the same content as the print result can be confirmed before printing. Display data. That is, the editing screen in which the character information 110 and the image Img1 or Img2 shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 are arranged in the address area 100 represents the print result at that time, and the preview data here is this kind of data. Display data for displaying the address plane editing screen may be used.

  -The lightness (for example, RGB value) of the image Img may be detected, and the print density to be reduced by image processing may be adjusted based on the lightness detection result. For example, the image processing unit 63 adjusts the threshold Th or the transmittance of the mask image based on the brightness detection result. For example, the lower the brightness of the image Img, the higher the threshold Th and the lower the transmittance of the mask image. At this time, as a method of detecting the brightness of the image Img, the average value of the RGB values of the pixels detected in the entire area of the image Img, or the average value of the RGB values detected at a plurality of locations that can be regarded as approximately representing the brightness of the entire image. An example using is used.

The display unit 17 may be a touch panel and the touch panel may be an example of the operation unit instead of the operation unit 30 or in addition to the operation unit 30.
Each function unit constituting the print control device 60 is realized by software by the CPU 51 that executes the print control program. However, it is realized by hardware by an electronic circuit such as ASIC, or by cooperation of software and hardware. You may do it.

  The printing apparatus 11 may be a printing apparatus other than an ink jet printer as long as it can print on a postal matter such as a postcard P. For example, the printing apparatus may be a dot impact type or laser type printer, or may be a multifunction machine. Furthermore, the printing apparatus may be a serial printer, a line printer, or a page printer.

  The postal matter that is the printing target of the printing apparatus 11 is not limited to the postcard P, and may be other postal items such as an envelope. In this case, it is preferable to change the ranges of the character area 130 and the image arrangement possible area 140 in accordance with the size of the address surface of another mail such as an envelope. The postal matter may be delivered by putting a package to be delivered at a post office, for example, a package in which a letter or a package is enclosed, or a package in which a package is packed. In this case, the address surface is composed of an address sticker (address label). After printing character information such as address information and sender information on the address sticker, the address sticker is affixed to a predetermined place on the pack or box and mailed. It is assumed to be a thing. This kind of mail may be printed on the address face of the address sticker separated from the pack or box. In other words, the address surface of the mail piece does not need to be integrated with the mail piece at the time of printing, and the part forming the address surface may be separated from the mail piece like an address sticker. Note that in this specification, postal items include delivery objects for home delivery. Also for the courier service, the address surface of the address sticker that is used by being affixed to the pack or box corresponds to the “address surface of the mail”.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printing apparatus, 24 ... Conveyance motor which comprises an example of a printing part, 25 ... Print head which comprises an example of a printing part, 46 ... Print engine as an example of a printing part, 50 ... Computer, 60 ... Print control apparatus, 61: Character arrangement unit, 62 ... Image arrangement unit, 63 ... Image processing unit, 64 ... Display processing unit, 65 ... Print data generation unit as an example of generation unit, 66 ... Storage unit, 100 ... Address plane area, 110 ... Character information, 130 ... character area, MA, MB, MC ... correction map, Img ... image (before image processing), Img1 ... image (after image processing), Img2 ... image (after image processing), MS, MS1 ... mask image (For image processing), MS2 ... mask image (for second image processing), P ... postcard as an example of mail.

Claims (10)

A print control device for generating print data for printing character information including an address and a mail address and an image on a mail address.
A character arrangement unit that arranges the input character information in an address surface area corresponding to the address surface in the storage unit;
An image placement unit for placing the selected image in the address plane area;
An image processing unit that performs image processing for reducing the print density of the image;
A generating unit that generates print data based on address surface data including the image processed image and the character information arranged in the address surface area;
A printing control apparatus comprising:   The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit performs tone curve correction processing as the image processing.   The image processing unit creates a mask image having a color similar to the medium color of the postal matter with a predetermined transmittance, and the character information arranged in the image and a layer on the upstream side in the viewing direction of the image. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing is performed by disposing the layer in a layer between the first and second layers.   The image processing unit, when a character constituting the character information arranged in the address surface area overlaps the image, a portion overlapping the character area including the character in the image and the character area in the image 4. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein second image processing is performed to make a print density lighter than a portion that does not overlap. 5.   The print control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image processing unit performs the second image processing by tone curve correction processing.   As the second image processing, the image processing unit creates a mask image having substantially the same shape and the same size as the overlapping portion of the character area and a color similar to the medium color of the mail with a predetermined transmittance. The mask image is a layer between the image and the character information disposed on the upstream layer in the viewing direction of the image, and is disposed at a position corresponding to a portion overlapping the character region in the image. The printing control apparatus according to claim 4.   The tone curve used in the tone curve correction process is set to a certain threshold value or more where the brightness of the image after correction is greater than zero over the entire brightness of the image before correction, and is closer to the minimum value of the brightness of the image before correction. In a range where the brightness of the image after correction is set to the threshold value in a part of the range and the brightness is higher than a part near the lowest value, the higher the brightness of the image before the correction, the higher the corrected image. The print control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print control apparatus is set to increase the brightness of the print.   The tone curve used in the tone curve correction process takes a value greater than or equal to a threshold value greater than zero after correction in the entire brightness range of the image before correction, and the greater the brightness of the image before correction, the greater the brightness of the image after correction. The print control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print control apparatus is set to increase brightness.   The print data is print data, and a print control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and an address in which character information is arranged based on the print data with the image after image processing as a background. A printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints surface information. A print control program executed by a computer to generate print data for printing character information including an address and a mail address and an image on a mail address.
A character placement step of placing the inputted character information in an address surface area corresponding to the address surface in the storage unit;
An image placement step of placing the selected image in the address plane area;
An image processing step for performing image processing for reducing the print density on the image;
Generating data for printing based on address surface data including the image-processed image and the character information arranged in the address surface area;
A printing control program comprising: