JP2015106201A - Print control apparatus, printer, and print control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print control apparatus configured to print an image on an address side of a postal matter so as to be clearly determine character information on the address side, a printer and a print control program.SOLUTION: A print control apparatus includes: an image selection unit which selects an image to be arranged in an address side area corresponding to an address side of a postcard; a character area acquisition unit which acquires a character area where character information is arranged, in the address side area; an image arrangement unit which arranges the image in an image arrangement area formed by excluding the character area from the address side area; and a print data generation unit which generates print data on the basis of the address side data including the image and the character information.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing control apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a printing control program for printing an image on a mailing address of a mail such as a letter or a postcard.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an envelope creation system that prints character information (address information such as an address) based on customer information and pattern information (image) corresponding to the character information on an envelope is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-5-319439

  By the way, in the above envelope creation system, depending on the size of the image to be printed and the arrangement of the image to be printed, the image may be printed redundantly on the character information, or the image may be printed adjacent to the character information. It may be difficult to determine character information.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a printing control device, a printing device, and a printing control program capable of easily discriminating character information written on the address surface even when an image is printed on the mail address surface. There is.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
A print control apparatus that solves the above-described problem is a print control apparatus for printing character information and an image on a mail address surface, and selects the image to be arranged in a mail address surface area corresponding to the mail address surface. In the address selection area, in the address plane area, a character area acquisition section that acquires a character area in which the character information is arranged, and to arrange the image in an image arrangement possible area excluding the character area from the address plane area An image arrangement unit; and a generation unit that generates printing data based on address surface data including the image and the character information arranged in the address surface area.

  According to the above configuration, the printing control apparatus arranges the selected image in the image arrangement possible area excluding the character area where the character information is arranged from the address plane area, and the image and the character information arranged as such are arranged. Print data is generated based on the included address data. Therefore, even when an image is printed on the address surface, the character information and the image are not printed redundantly, so that the character information written on the address surface can be easily discriminated.

In the print control apparatus, it is preferable that the image placement unit reduces and places the image in the image placeable area when the image is larger than the image placeable area.
According to the above configuration, even when the image is larger than the image arrangement possible area, the image can be arranged in the image arrangement possible area.

  In the print control apparatus, the image arrangement unit sets a value obtained by dividing the length of the image arrangement possible area in the first direction by the length of the image as a first ratio, and orthogonally intersects the first direction. When the value obtained by dividing the length of the image allocable area in the direction of 2 by the length of the image is the second ratio, the image is set to a smaller value of the first ratio and the second ratio. It is desirable to reduce the image as a reduction ratio and arrange it in the image arrangement possible area.

  According to the above configuration, even when the aspect ratio of the image allocable area is different from the aspect ratio of the image, the image reduction ratio can be the maximum reduction ratio that can be arranged in the image allocable area. For this reason, in order to arrange | position an image in an image arrangement | positioning possible area | region, it can suppress that the image is reduced too much.

  The print control apparatus further includes an image processing unit that performs image processing of the image so that the print density of the image becomes light, and when the image is the first image, the image selection unit A second image different from the image is selected, the image arrangement unit arranges the second image in the address surface area, and the image processing unit makes the print density of the second image lighter. It is desirable to perform image processing.

  According to the above configuration, the print control apparatus arranges the second image, which is different from the first image, in the address surface area after performing image processing so that the print density is reduced. Here, when the second image is not printed overlapping with the character information, it is suppressed that the character information is difficult to be determined by the second image. On the other hand, when the second image is printed overlapping with the character information, the brightness of the second image is increased, so that it is suppressed that the character information overlapping with the second image is difficult to distinguish. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the first image and the second image in the address plane area while suppressing the character information from being difficult to discriminate.

A printing apparatus that solves the above problem includes the above-described print control apparatus and a printing unit that performs printing on the address surface based on the printing data.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to obtain an operational effect equivalent to the operational effect exhibited by the above-described print control apparatus.

  A printing control program that solves the above-described problem is a printing control program that is executed by a computer to print character information and an image on a mailing address, and is arranged in an addressing area corresponding to the addressing surface. An image selection step of selecting an image; a character area acquisition step of acquiring a character area in which the character information is arranged in the address plane area; and an image arrangement possible area obtained by removing the character area from the address plane area. An image placement step for placing an image and a generation step for creating print data based on address surface data including the image and the character information placed in the address surface area are executed by a computer.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to obtain an operational effect equivalent to the operational effect exhibited by the above-described print control apparatus.

1 is a perspective view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printing apparatus. The figure which shows the address face area | region of the postcard which cannot discriminate | determine an address and a full name. The flowchart explaining the processing routine performed in order to perform printing of an address surface. The figure which shows the address surface area | region containing a character area and an image arrangement | positioning possible area | region. The figure explaining the reduction ratio of the image for arrange | positioning an image in an image arrangement | positioning possible area | region. A map for correcting the brightness of images. The flowchart explaining the processing routine for correct | amending the brightness of an image highly. The figure which shows the address surface area | region where the image was arrange | positioned in the image arrangement | positioning possible area | region. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the printing apparatus of a modification.

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 MC. 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 images, character information, etc., the address surface area 100 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to the address surface of the postcard P and the communication surface of the postcard P And a communication area corresponding to. A layer refers to data having hierarchical information.

  Here, in the address plane area 100, a blank address plane image corresponding to a postcard (for example, New Year's postcard) selected by the user via the operation unit 30 is read from the nonvolatile memory 53 and written in this area of the RAM 54. Is generated by 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 FIG. 4). By operating the operation unit 30, the user can create a text box in which characters of character information are written, arrange an image, change the character information and the arrangement position of the image, and edit on the address plane area 100. Character information and images arranged 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 a blank communication surface image 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 includes a plurality of representative images for addressing and communication planes and a plurality of representative characters used when arranging characters and images on the addressing and communication planes. The layout data and the like 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 an image selection unit 61, a character area acquisition unit 62, an image arrangement unit 63, an image processing unit 64, a display processing unit 65, a print data generation unit 66, and a storage unit 67 as functional components. It has. The storage unit 67 is configured by a predetermined storage area of the nonvolatile memory 53 and the RAM 54, for example. Data such as the correction map M stored in the storage unit 67 is retained even when the printing apparatus 11 is turned off.

  The image selection unit 61 is based on a selection signal input from the operation unit 30 when the user performs an operation of selecting from a plurality of images (image data) displayed in a list on the display unit 17. The image Img (see FIG. 4) to be arranged at 100 is selected. For example, the image selection unit 61 arranges the image in the address plane area 100 from among images stored in the nonvolatile memory 53 of the printing apparatus 11 main body or images stored in the memory card MC connected to the printing apparatus 11. Select the image Img.

  The character area acquisition unit 62 acquires an area in the address plane area 100 where character information including an address and a name is arranged. As an acquisition method of the area, for example, in the address plane area 100, it can be grasped based on the coordinates of each character constituting the character information.

  The image placement unit 63 places the image Img selected by the image selection unit 61 in the address plane area 100. At that time, the image arrangement unit 63 adjusts the arrangement position and the image size in the address plane area 100 according to the size of the image Img, or arranges the arrangement so as to avoid a specific area in the address plane area 100. Adjust the position and image size.

  The image processing unit 64 performs image processing on the image Img arranged by the image arranging unit 63. For example, the image processing unit 64 uses the correction map M stored in the storage unit 67 to correct the image Img arranged in the address plane area 100 to a lightness of a certain level or more, thereby reducing the print density of the image Img. Perform image processing.

  The display processing unit 65 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. For this reason, the display processing unit 65 displays the address screen and the communication screen of the postcard P on the display unit 17 and displays the print preview screen of the postcard P on the display unit 17.

  The print data generation unit 66 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 66 generates print data for the address plane based on the address plane data including characters and images arranged in the address plane area 100 in the RAM 54. In addition, the print data generation unit 66 generates communication surface print data 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. In this respect, the print data generation unit 66 corresponds to an example of “generation unit”, and the print data corresponds to an example of “print data”.

  The print control unit 70 constituting the print engine 46 receives print data generated by the print data generation unit 66. 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, when the image Img is printed on the address surface, the image Img is included in the character information 110 including the zip code 111, the address 112, the name 113, and the sender information 114 such as the sender's address name. By overlapping printing, it may be difficult to distinguish the character information 110 that overlaps the image Img. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first image Img1 is not duplicated in the area where the character information 110 on the address surface is printed. Further, when a second image Img2 different from the first image Img1 is arranged, image processing for increasing the brightness of the second image Img2 and reducing the print density is performed on the second image Img2. I did it. That is, in the present embodiment, the image Img printed on the address surface is changed in its arrangement position or increased in brightness. In the present embodiment, the character color described on the address surface, such as characters constituting the character information 110, is a dark color such as black or dark blue.

  Next, a processing routine executed by the computer 50 for printing the character information 110 and the image Img on the address surface will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This processing routine is a processing routine that is executed after the contents and arrangement of the character information 110 described on the address surface are determined.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in step S <b> 11, the computer 50 acquires a character area 130 in which the character information 110 is arranged in the address plane area 100. The character information 110 in the address plane area 100 is information that the computer 50 is automatically arranged at an appropriate position according to the number of characters of the address 112 and the name 113, or the user is arranged through the operation unit 30. . As shown in FIG. 6, the character area 130 here includes an area 131 including an area within the postal code frame, an area 132 where the address 112 and the name 113 are arranged, and sender information 114 of the sender. Region 133 is included. In addition, although it is not the character area | region 130, the area | region 134 including the area | region where the postal code corresponding to the sender's sender information 114 is described, the area | region where the lottery number of the New Year's card postcard is described, and the area | region of a fee stamp face are included. By treating the area 135 as the character area 130, the image Img may not be arranged in these areas 134 and 135.

  In step S <b> 12, the computer 50 acquires (calculates) the image layout possible area 140 obtained by removing the character area 130 from the address plane area 100 of the postcard P. In FIG. 6, the image-arrangeable area 140 is a plurality of areas 141, 142, and 143 surrounded by a two-dot chain line.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 13, the computer 50 selects the first image Img <b> 1 arranged in the address plane area 100 of the postcard P. In step S <b> 13, the computer 50 selects the first image Img <b> 1 arranged in the address plane area 100 based on an operation signal from the operation unit 30 when the user selects the first image Img <b> 1 via the operation unit 30. Select.

  In step S14, the computer 50 determines whether or not the first image Img1 selected in the previous step S13 can be arranged in the image arrangement possible area 140 (area 142). Here, when the image arrangement possible area 140 includes a plurality of areas 141 to 143, the computer 50 uniquely determines in which of the areas 141 to 143 the first image Img1 is to be arranged. Alternatively, the user may make a selection via the display unit 17. In the following steps, the first image Img1 will be described as being arranged in the region 142. When the first image Img1 can be arranged in the image arrangement possible area 140 (area 142) (step S14: YES), in step S15, the computer 50 displays the image arrangement possible area 140 (area 142) in the address plane area 100. The first image Img1 is arranged on the screen.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when the image size of the first image Img1 is larger than that of the image arrangeable area 140 (area 142) and the first image Img1 cannot be arranged in the image arrangeable area 140 (area 142). (Step S14: NO) In step S16, the computer 50 reduces the first image Img1, and shifts the processing to step S15. Here, in the present embodiment, the reduction ratio of the first image Img1 is set by the computer 50 as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, first, the computer 50 sets the length L1A of the image arrangement possible region 140 (region 142) in the first direction (left-right direction in FIG. 7) to the first image Img1 in the same direction. The first ratio, which is a value divided by the length L1B, is calculated. Subsequently, the computer 50 sets the length L2A of the image arrangement possible region 140 (region 142) in the second direction (vertical direction in FIG. 7) orthogonal to the first direction to the first direction in the second direction. A second ratio that is a value divided by the length L2B of the image Img1 is calculated. Then, the computer 50 sets the smaller ratio (value) of the first ratio and the second ratio as the reduction ratio of the first image Img1. According to this, as shown in FIG. 7, the reduced first image Img1 has a length in the first direction equal to the length L1A. If the first image Img1 is too small with respect to the image arrangeable area 140, the first image Img1 may be enlarged to an appropriate size and then arranged in the image arrangeable area 140. In the present embodiment, the first direction corresponds to the short direction, which is also the width direction of the postcard P, and the second direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction orthogonal to the width direction of the postcard P. In FIG. 7, of the two first images Img1, the image whose length in the first direction is the length L1B is the image Img1 before the reduction, and the other image is the image Img1 after the reduction. .

  When the first image Img1 is arranged in step S15, the computer 50 selects the second image Img2 to be arranged in the address plane area 100 of the postcard P in the next step S17. In step S <b> 17, the computer 50 selects the second image Img <b> 2 arranged in the address plane area 100 based on an operation signal from the operation unit 30 when the user selects the second image Img <b> 2 via the operation unit 30. Select. In the following description, it is assumed that the user selects an image Img different from the first image Img1 as the second image Img2. Note that the user may select the same image Img as the first image Img1 as the second image Img2.

  In step S18, the computer 50 arranges the second image Img2 selected in the previous step S17 in the address area 100. Note that the area in which the second image Img2 is arranged may be the image arrangement possible area 140 or the address plane area 100 including the image arrangement possible area 140. As an example, when the second image Img2 cannot be arranged in the image arrangement possible area 140, the second image Img2 may be arranged in the address plane area 100. Further, even when the second image Img2 is arranged in the image arrangement possible area 140 or when the second image Img2 is arranged in the address plane area 100, the second image Img2 is the first image Img2. It is preferable to arrange so as not to overlap the image Img1. In the subsequent steps, the second image Img2 will be described as being arranged in the region 141.

  In step S19, the computer 50 performs image processing for increasing the brightness of the second image Img2 on the second image Img2 arranged in the address plane area 100 (area 141). In step S20, print data is generated based on address surface data including the character information 110, the reduced first image Img1, and the image-processed second image Img2. The generated print data is output from the computer 50 to the print engine 46. Then, the print engine 46 performs printing on the address face of the postcard P based on the print data. Here, after executing step S19 and before executing step S20, the computer 50 inquires whether the user can execute printing. That is, it is assumed that the computer 50 executes step S20 when there is an explicit print instruction from the user. As a result, the user can issue a print instruction after confirming the print position and print density of the image Img on the address face of the postcard P.

  In the above processing routine, the processing of each step executed by the computer 50 corresponds to an example of a “printing control program”. In the processing routine, steps S13 and S17 correspond to an example of “image selection step”, step S11 corresponds to an example of “character area acquisition step”, and steps S14 to S16 and S18 correspond to “image placement step”. Step S20 corresponds to an example of “generation step”.

Next, image processing contents for correcting the brightness of the image Img (second image Img2) will be described with reference to the correction map M shown in FIG. 8 and the flowchart shown in FIG.
The correction map M shown in FIG. 8 is a map that 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 correction map M, the horizontal axis represents the RGB value (256 gradations) of the image Img before correction, and the vertical axis represents the RGB value (256 gradations) of the image Img after correction. In the map shown in FIG. 8, the straight line indicated by the alternate long and short dash line indicates the tone curve when the RGB values are the same before and after the correction and the brightness is not corrected. In the region below the straight line indicated by the alternate long and short dash line, the RGB value of the image Img after the correction is made smaller than the RGB value of the image Img before the correction, and in the region above the straight line indicated by the alternate long and short dashed line, the correction is performed. The RGB value of the corrected image Img is made larger than the RGB value of the previous image Img.

  Then, according to the correction map M of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the RGB value of the image Img before correction is corrected to an RGB value equal to or greater than the threshold Th. Here, 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. 8) is adjusted. That is, in a state where the first point and the second point are fixed, the line segment connecting the first point and the second point is made convex upward so that the corrected image becomes lighter or the same line By making the minute convex downward, the corrected image can be darkened. For this reason, in order to make the image after correction light, the linear tone curve indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 8 greatly increases with a steep rise from the first point so as to pass through an area equal to or greater than the threshold Th. It may be adjusted so as to draw a convex curve. However, even with this adjustment, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 8, the RGB value of the image Img after correction is within the range of the RGB value of the image Img before correction from the value “0 (zero)” to the value Va. The value is a value less than the threshold value Th. That is, in this case, in an image having an RGB value within the range of “0 (zero)” to the value Va before correction, a dark portion (dark portion) still exists in the corrected image. If a character overlaps, it may be impossible to distinguish the character. Therefore, as indicated by the bold solid line in FIG. 8, in the correction map M of the present embodiment, the image is lightened in the range where the RGB value of the image Img before correction is from “0 (zero)” to the value Va. Is set to a threshold value Th, which is the minimum RGB value necessary for.

  Thus, according to the correction map M shown in FIG. 8, when the value is equal to or less than the reference value 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 M, 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. In addition, a color having an RGB value larger than the value Va and a relatively high lightness (for example, gray) is corrected to a color having an RGB value larger than the threshold Th and a relatively high lightness (for example, gray close to white). For this reason, according to this correction map M, the brightness difference before and after the correction becomes larger in the image Img before correction when the RGB value is lower than when the RGB value is high. The map shown in FIG. 8 corrects all 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 order to increase the brightness of the image Img will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
In step S21, the computer 50 acquires an image Img before correction. In step S22, the computer 50 acquires the correction map M shown in FIG. In step S23, the computer 50 corrects the image Img based on the correction map M. That is, the RGB value of the image Img after correction is an RGB value corresponding to the RGB value of the image Img before correction and the correction map M shown in FIG. 8, and is an image Img having a higher brightness than before correction. 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 Img can be distinguished to the character that overlaps the image Img in the entire area regardless of the RGB value before correction. Lightly adjusted.

  Subsequently, in step S24, the computer 50 rearranges the corrected image Img in the address plane area 100, and once ends this processing routine. In this way, the corrected image Img whose brightness is higher than that of the image Img before correction is arranged in the address area 100 where the image Img before correction is arranged.

Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 11 of this embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, when the image layoutable area 140 excluding the character area 130 is determined in the address plane area 100, the first image Img1 is placed in the image layoutable area 140 (area 142). The second image Img2 is arranged in the region 100 (region 141). Here, when the first image Img1 is arranged in the image arrangement possible region 140 (region 142), since the image size of the first image Img1 is larger than the region 142, the first image Img1 is reduced. In the state, it is arranged in the image arrangement possible area 140 (area 142). On the other hand, when the second image Img2 is arranged in the address plane area 100 (area 141), the second image Img2 is arranged in the address plane area 100 (area 141) in a state where the brightness is corrected to be high. . Then, print data is generated based on the address plane data including the image Img and the character information 110 arranged in the address plane area 100 shown in FIG. 10, and the postcard P is printed based on the print data. In this way, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the image Img is not printed redundantly in the character area 130 on the postcard P's address surface, and therefore it is difficult to distinguish the character information 110 on the postcard P's address surface. It is suppressed.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the first image Img1 is printed on the address surface, the character information 110 and the first image Img1 are not printed redundantly, so that the character information 110 described on the address surface can be easily discriminated. it can.

  (2) When the image size of the first image Img1 is larger than the image arrangeable area 140, the first image Img1 is reduced and arranged in the image arrangeable area 140. The image Img1 can be arranged in the image arrangement possible area 140.

  (3) Even when the aspect ratio of the image arrangeable area 140 is different from the aspect ratio of the first image Img1, the reduction ratio of the first image Img1 can be arranged in the image arrangeable area 140 (area 142). The maximum reduction rate can be obtained. For this reason, in order to arrange | position the 1st image Img1 in the image arrangement | positioning possible area | region 140, it can suppress that the 1st image Img1 reduces too much.

  (4) The second image Img2, which is different from the first image Img1, is arranged in the address surface area 100 with its brightness increased. For this reason, even when the second image Img2 is printed overlapping with the character information 110, it is suppressed that the character information 110 overlapping with the second image Img2 becomes difficult to distinguish. Therefore, even after the first image Img1 is arranged in the image arrangementable area 140, the second image Img2 is further arranged in the address plane area 100 while suppressing the difficulty of determining the character information 110. be able to.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as shown below.
When the image size of the first image Img1 is larger than the image arrangeable area 140 and the first image Img1 cannot be arranged in the image arrangeable area 140 (step S14: NO), the computer 50 displays the first image Img1. May be trimmed to a size that can be arranged in the image arrangement possible area 140, and the processing may be shifted to step S15. According to this, even when the image size of the first image Img1 is larger than the image arrangeable area 140, the first image Img1 can be arranged in the image arrangeable area 140. Further, depending on the area to be trimmed, for example, if the image is a photograph of a human figure, it can be arranged in the image arrangement possible area 140 while suppressing the reduction of the main part of the image corresponding to the face.

  When the image size of the first image Img1 is larger than the image arrangeable area 140 and the first image Img1 cannot be arranged in the image arrangeable area 140 (step S14: NO), the computer 50 displays the first image Img1. The process may be shifted to step S15. When the first image Img1 can be tilted and placed in the image placeable area 140, the first image Img1 is printed larger on the address surface than when the first image Img1 is reduced and placed in the image placeable area 140. can do.

  The second image Img2 may be arranged so as to overlap the character area 130 (132, 133) where the address 112 and the name 113 are arranged. According to this, it is possible to print the first image Img1 on the address surface without increasing the brightness while suppressing the character information 110 from becoming difficult to distinguish, while the second image Img2 It is possible to print larger than one image Img1.

  In the first image Img1, the reduction ratio in the first direction and the reduction ratio in the second direction may be different. In this case, the reduction ratio in the first direction is set to a first ratio that is a value obtained by dividing the length L1A of the image allocable area 140 by the length L1B of the first image Img1, and the reduction ratio in the second direction. May be a second ratio that is a value obtained by dividing the length L2A of the image disposition possible region 140 by the length L2B of the first image Img1.

The second image Img2 may be arranged in the address plane area 100 in a state of being reduced, trimmed, or tilted.
The first image Img may be selected after the second image Img2 is selected.

  The printing apparatus 11 may not include the printing control apparatus 60. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, in a printing system including a host device 90 (operation terminal) such as a personal computer or a smartphone, and a printing device 11A that can communicate with the host device 90 in a wired or wireless manner, A print control device 60 may be provided. In FIG. 11, the printing apparatus 11 </ b> A may have one or more functional units included in the printing control apparatus 60.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the processing routine executed by the computer 50 may be a processing routine executed by the computer 50 in order to display the print preview screen of the address surface on the display unit 17 according to an instruction from the user to the printing apparatus 11. Good. In this case, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, instead of step S20, the computer 50 generates print preview data as an example of print data including the character information 110 and the image processed image Img, and the print preview is performed. It is preferable to display the data on the display unit 17.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, steps S17 to S19 may be omitted. That is, only the first image Img may be arranged in the address plane area 100. Even in this case, since the first image Img1 is prevented from being printed in the character area 130, it is possible to prevent the character information 110 such as the address 112 and the name 113 from being difficult to distinguish.

  In the correction map M shown in FIG. 8, the point where the RGB value of the image before correction is “0 (zero)” and the RGB value of the image after correction is the threshold value Th is the first point, When the point where the RGB value of the image is “255” and the RGB value of the image after correction is “255” is the second point, the correction is made by connecting the first point and the second point with a straight line. It may be a map. Moreover, the correction map which connected the 1st point and the 2nd point with the quadratic function or the higher order function beyond it may be sufficient. That is, in this case, the tone curve takes a value greater than or equal to the threshold Th greater than “0 (zero)” after correction in the entire brightness range of the image Img before correction, and the brightness of the image Img before correction increases. It is desirable that the brightness of the image after correction is set to be large.

  According to this, the brightness of the image after correction has a threshold value Th or more over the entire area, and the tone is set so that the brightness of the image after correction increases as the brightness of the image before correction increases relative to the image before correction. Since the curve correction process is performed, the print density can be reduced over the entire brightness of the image Img. Furthermore, it is possible to obtain a corrected image Img reflecting the brightness of the image Img before correction. For example, since the brightness of the image Img before correction is reflected, the original picture is easily reflected although it is faint in the image Img after correction.

  In the correction map M shown in FIG. 8, the 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).

  The image processing unit 64 may perform image processing for reducing the print density of the image Img by an image processing method other than tone curve correction. As an example, the semi-transparent mask may be overlaid on the image Img so that the print density of the image Img is reduced.

  The printing device 11 may be a printing device 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. Further, the printing apparatus may be a serial printer, a line printer, or a page printer.

  The postal matter may be another postal matter such as an envelope instead of the postcard P. 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. In the present specification, the mail includes a courier service. 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”.

  -The address of the postcard P may be written horizontally. In this case, it is preferable to change the ranges of the character area 130 and the image layoutable area 140 between vertical writing and horizontal writing.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printing apparatus, 25 ... Print head (an example of a printing part), 40 ... Controller, 50 ... Computer, 53 ... Non-volatile memory (an example of a memory | storage part), 54 ... RAM (an example of a memory | storage part), 60 ... Print control Device 61... Image selection unit 62 62 Character region acquisition unit 63. Image arrangement unit 64 64 Image processing unit 65 Display processing unit 66 Print data generation unit (an example of generation unit) 67 Storage unit , 100 ... address plane area, 110 ... destination information, 130 ... character area, Img1 (Img) ... first image, Img2 (Img) ... second image, P ... postcard (an example of postal matter), S13, S17 ... image selection step, S11 ... character region acquisition step, S14 to S16, S18 ... image placement step, S20 ... generation step.

Claims (6)

A print control device for printing character information and images on the address of a mail,
An image selection unit for selecting the image to be arranged in an address surface area corresponding to the address surface;
A character area acquisition unit for acquiring a character area in which the character information is arranged in the address plane area;
An image arrangement unit for arranging the image in an image arrangement possible area excluding the character area from the address surface area;
A print control apparatus comprising: a generation unit that generates print data based on address surface data including the image and the character information arranged in the address surface area.   The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the image is larger than the image arrangeable area, the image arrangement unit reduces the image and arranges the image in the image arrangeable area. The image arrangement unit takes a value obtained by dividing the length of the image arrangement possible area in the first direction by the length of the image as a first ratio, and the image in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. When the value obtained by dividing the length of the placeable area by the length of the image is the second ratio,
The print control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image is reduced and arranged in the image arrangement possible area using a smaller value of the first ratio and the second ratio as a reduction ratio. An image processing unit that performs image processing of the image so that the print density of the image is reduced;
When the image is the first image,
The image selection unit selects a second image different from the first image;
The image placement unit places the second image in the address surface area,
The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit performs image processing so that a print density of the second image is lightened. The print control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
And a printing unit that performs printing on the address surface based on the printing data. A printing control program that is executed by a computer to print character information and an image on a mail address.
An image selection step of selecting the image to be arranged in an address surface area corresponding to the address surface;
A character area obtaining step for obtaining a character area in which the character information is arranged in the address plane area;
An image arrangement step of arranging the image in an image arrangement possible area excluding the character area from the address surface area;
A print control program for causing a computer to execute a generation step of generating print data based on address plane data including the image and the character information arranged in the address plane area.