JP2016072723A - Image processing system, image recording device, image processing method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate raster data to which magnification processing is applied, while maintaining read accuracy of a code graphic and layout of a normal image.SOLUTION: In an image processing system 5 for an image recording device, a normal image included in an original image is magnified by a predetermined correction magnification and rasterize processing is then performed therein, such that magnified normal image raster data are generated. A position of a code graphic is changed on the basis of the correction magnification and rasterize processing is then performed, such that displaced code graphic raster data are generated. The magnified normal image raster data and the displaced code graphic raster data are combined, such that corrected raster data are generated, Therefore, in the image processing system 5, the raster data to which the magnification processing is applied can be generated while maintaining the read accuracy of the code graphic and the layout of the normal image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for performing rasterization processing on image data.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ink jet printing apparatuses that perform printing by ejecting minute droplets of ink toward a recording medium such as printing paper have been used. In such a printing apparatus, when printing on both sides of the recording medium, the image printed on the other side of the recording medium after expansion / contraction by the recording medium expanding / contracting by drying or the like after printing on one side is completed. And the image printed on the one surface may not be registered (that is, the printing position and size of both images may be shifted).

  In order to correct such misregistration, an image printed on the other surface of the recording medium is enlarged or reduced in advance (ie, a scaling process is performed) in accordance with the expansion and contraction of the recording medium. Can be considered. On the other hand, if code images such as security codes and barcodes are included in the image that has been subjected to scaling processing, the spacing and size of the dots and bars that make up the code graphics will be changed, and There is a possibility that the reading accuracy is lowered.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, when printing an image including a barcode, the barcode can be read by performing a scaling process on characters other than the barcode and not performing the scaling process on the barcode. Printing techniques have been proposed. Further, Patent Document 1 proposes that when the barcode is out of the print area as a result of character reduction, the position of the barcode is shifted so that the barcode is within the print area. Further, it has been proposed to shift the position of the barcode so that the overlap of the barcode is eliminated when a plurality of barcodes are overlapped as a result of character reduction.

JP 2008-146406 A

  By the way, in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the layout of characters other than the barcode differs from the original image by shifting the position of the barcode when the barcode protrudes from the print area or overlaps. The technique of Patent Document 1 is intended for an image including a barcode composed of a font, and cannot be applied to an image including a code figure such as a barcode composed of an image.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to generate raster data that has been subjected to scaling processing while maintaining the reading accuracy of code figures and the layout of a normal image.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an image processing apparatus that performs rasterization processing on image data, a storage unit that stores original image data indicating an original image including a code graphic, and a portion other than the code graphic among the original images A normal image correction unit that generates a scaled normal image raster data by performing a rasterization process after scaling the normal image, which is an image of the image, at a predetermined correction magnification, and the position of the code figure as the correction magnification A code figure correction unit that generates a displacement code figure raster data by performing a rasterization process on the basis of the change, and combines the scaled normal image raster data and the displacement code figure raster data to obtain corrected raster data. A raster data synthesizing unit to be generated.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein a scaling process is performed at the correction magnification on a clip that limits a display range of the code figure in the original image. A clip correction unit that generates a scaled clip whose size has been corrected, wherein the code figure correction unit is a portion within the display range that is restricted by the scaled clip of the code figure whose position has been changed. Are obtained as the displacement code figure raster data.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the code figure includes a security code.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the security code is a dot code.

  Invention of Claim 5 is an image processing apparatus of Claim 3 or 4, Comprising: The said normal image contains the upper layer image arrange | positioned on the upper layer of the said code figure, The said raster data synthetic | combination part is, Prior to combining the scaled normal image raster data and the displacement code figure raster data, the upper layer image raster data, which is the result of the rasterization process on the upper layer image data, is removed from the displacement code figure raster data.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the original image data is PDF data with a layer, and the original image data includes a normal image other than the upper layer image. A lower layer image that is a part is arranged in a first layer, the code figure is arranged in a second layer above the first layer, and the upper layer image is a third layer above the second layer. Placed in a layer.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein one bit having a resolution equal to a predetermined output resolution among images included in the original image. A code graphic selection unit that selects an image as the code graphic is further provided.

  The invention according to claim 8 is an image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium, and the corrected image output from the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and the image processing apparatus An image recording unit that records an image on a recording medium according to the raster data.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the image recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image recording unit can record images on both sides of the recording medium, and the correction magnification of the recording medium is Image data indicating an image recorded on at least one surface of the recording medium is determined in advance based on the magnification of the other image with respect to one image among the images recorded on both surfaces. A rasterization process is performed to generate the corrected raster data.

  The invention according to claim 10 is an image processing method for performing rasterization processing on image data, comprising: a) preparing original image data indicating an original image including a code figure; and b) the original image among the original images. A step of generating a scaled normal image raster data by scaling a normal image that is an image other than a code figure at a predetermined correction magnification and then performing a rasterization process; and c) determining the position of the code figure. A step of generating displacement code figure raster data by performing rasterization processing after changing based on the correction magnification; and d) corrected raster data by combining the scaled normal image raster data and the displacement code figure raster data. Generating the process.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the image processing method according to claim 10, wherein the correction is performed on the clip that limits the display range of the code figure in the original image before the step c). And a step of generating a zoomed clip whose size has been corrected by performing a zooming process at a magnification, and the step c) is limited by the zooming clip of the code figure whose position has been changed. Raster data of a portion within the displayed range is acquired as the displacement code graphic raster data.

  The invention according to claim 12 is the image processing method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the code figure includes a security code.

  The invention described in claim 13 is the image processing method according to claim 12, wherein the security code is a dot code.

  Invention of Claim 14 is the image processing method of Claim 12 or 13, Comprising: The said normal image contains the upper layer image arrange | positioned on the upper layer of the said code figure, The said image processing method is the said Between the step c) and the step d), the method further comprises a step of removing the upper layer image raster data, which is a result of the rasterizing process on the upper layer image data, from the displacement code figure raster data.

  The invention according to claim 15 is the image processing method according to claim 14, wherein the original image data is PDF data with a layer, and the original image data other than the upper layer image in the normal image. A lower layer image that is a part is arranged in a first layer, the code figure is arranged in a second layer above the first layer, and the upper layer image is a third layer above the second layer. Placed in a layer.

  A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the image processing method according to any one of the tenth to fourteenth aspects, wherein the image included in the original image is prior to the step b) and the step c). And a step of selecting a 1-bit image having a resolution equal to a predetermined output resolution as the code figure.

  The invention according to claim 17 is a program for performing rasterization processing on image data, and execution of the program by a computer includes: a) preparing original image data indicating an original image including a code figure in the computer; And b) generating a scaled normal image raster data by scaling a normal image which is an image other than the code figure in the original image at a predetermined correction magnification and then performing a rasterization process; C) a step of changing the position of the code figure based on the correction magnification and performing a rasterization process to generate displacement code figure raster data; and d) the scaled normal image raster data and the displacement code figure raster. And a step of generating corrected raster data by combining the data.

  In the present invention, raster data subjected to scaling processing can be generated while maintaining the reading accuracy of a code figure and the layout of a normal image.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of an image processing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the function of an image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the flow of the correction process of image data. It is a figure which shows the flow of the correction process of image data. It is a figure which shows an original image. It is a figure which shows a 1st lower layer image. It is a figure which shows a 2nd lower layer image. It is a figure which shows a 1st upper layer image. It is a figure which shows a 2nd upper layer image. It is a figure which shows a code origin figure. It is a figure which shows a clip. It is a figure which shows a code figure. It is a figure which shows a magnification 1st lower layer image. It is a figure which shows a variable magnification clip. It is a figure which shows a displacement code original figure. It is a figure which shows a displacement code figure. It is a figure which shows a part of flow of a correction process of image data. It is a figure which shows a displacement code figure. It is a figure which shows a correction | amendment image. It is a figure which shows another original image. It is a figure which shows a part of flow of a correction process of image data.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image recording apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image recording apparatus 10 is an apparatus for recording a color image (that is, color printing) on a recording medium 9 that is a long print sheet by an inkjet method.

  The image recording device 10 includes an image processing device 5 and an image recording unit 1. The image processing device 5 is a device that performs rasterization processing on image data. The image processing apparatus 5 is, for example, a computer configured by a CPU that performs various arithmetic processes, a memory that stores various information, and the like. The image recording unit 1 records an image on the recording medium 9 in accordance with raster data output from the image processing device 5. The image recording unit 1 can record images on both sides of the recording medium 9.

  The image recording unit 1 includes a moving mechanism 2, discharge units 3a and 3b, and fixing units 4a and 4b. The moving mechanism 2 moves the recording medium 9 in a direction from the left side to the right side in FIG. 1 (hereinafter referred to as “movement direction”). The ejection units 3 a and 3 b eject minute ink droplets toward the recording medium 9 that is moving by the moving mechanism 2. The fixing units 4 a and 4 b fix the ink applied on the recording medium 9 from the discharge units 3 a and 3 b to the recording medium 9. The ink is fixed to the recording medium 9 by drying the ink by heating or curing the ink by irradiation with ultraviolet rays.

  The moving mechanism 2 includes a plurality of rollers 21, a supply unit 22, a collection unit 23, and a reversing mechanism 25. The plurality of rollers 21 are arranged along the moving direction. Each roller 21 is a roller that is long in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1 (that is, a direction that is horizontal and perpendicular to the moving direction). The supply unit 22 is disposed on the left side of the plurality of rollers 21 in FIG. 1 and holds the roll-shaped recording medium 9 (supply roll) before image recording. The collection unit 23 is disposed on the right side of the plurality of rollers 21 in FIG. 1 and holds a roll-shaped recording medium 9 (winding roll) on which an image is recorded. In the following description, the recording medium 9 simply means the recording medium 9 being transported by the plurality of rollers 21 (that is, the recording medium 9 on the plurality of rollers 21).

  One roller 21 a of the moving mechanism 2 is provided with an encoder 29 that detects the moving speed of the recording medium 9 in the moving direction. Then, by controlling the rotation of the motor of the collecting unit 23 based on the output from the encoder 29, the portion of the recording medium 9 on which image recording has been completed is taken up by the collecting unit 23, and the supply roll of the supplying unit 22 is taken up. The recording medium 9 is fed out and moves at a constant speed in the moving direction. At this time, the recording medium 9 on the plurality of rollers 21 moves smoothly without undulations by applying a load (tension) opposite to the moving direction to the recording medium 9 by the motor of the supply unit 22. To do.

  The reversing mechanism 25 reverses the front surface 91 and the back surface 92 of the moving recording medium 9. The reversing mechanism 25 is provided between the discharge unit 3a and the fixing unit 4a, and the discharge unit 3b and the fixing unit 4b on the moving path of the recording medium 9. In the image recording unit 1, after the image is recorded on the surface 91 of the recording medium 9 by the discharge unit 3 a, the recording medium 9 is reversed by the reversing mechanism 25. Then, an image is recorded on the back surface 92 of the recording medium 9 by the discharge unit 3b. In the following description, the images recorded on the front surface 91 and the back surface 92 of the recording medium 9 are also referred to as “front surface image” and “back surface image”, respectively.

  In the image recording apparatus 10, the recording medium 9 may expand and contract by recording the surface image on the recording medium 9. Therefore, the image processing apparatus 5 considers the expansion and contraction of the recording medium 9 after the recording of the surface image, and suppresses the influence of the expansion and contraction when performing rasterization processing on the image data recorded on the recording medium 9. Is corrected. For example, when the front image is shrunk by 2% from the desired size, a correction magnification determined in advance so that the back image is shrunk by 2% when the image processing device 5 rasterizes the image data of the back image. Based on the above, a correction process to be described later is performed, and corrected raster data is generated. Then, according to the corrected raster data output from the image processing device 5, the back surface image is recorded on the back surface 92 of the recording medium 9 by the image recording unit 1, thereby registering the front image and the back image (that is, both (Image recording position and size) match with high accuracy.

  The correction magnification does not necessarily need to be determined based on the expansion / contraction ratio of the front surface image, and is due to the difference in size of images (that is, the front image and the back image) recorded without magnification correction on both surfaces of the recording medium 9. Based on this, at least one of the correction magnifications may be determined in advance so that the sizes of the two match. Further, the image processing apparatus 5 does not necessarily need to generate corrected raster data of the back surface image, and performs correction by performing rasterization processing of image data indicating an image recorded on at least one surface of the recording medium 9. It is sufficient that the completed raster data is generated. In other words, the image processing apparatus 5 may generate corrected raster data of the front image or the back image, or may generate corrected raster data of both the front image and the back image. Note that when the image processing device 5 generates corrected raster data of one of the front image and the back image, the rasterization processing of the image data indicating the other image is performed by a device other than the image processing device 5. It may be broken.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the image processing apparatus 5. The image processing apparatus 5 has a general computer system configuration including a CPU 501 that performs various arithmetic processes, a ROM 502 that stores basic programs, and a RAM 503 that stores various information. The image processing apparatus 5 includes a fixed disk 504 for storing information, a display 505 for displaying various information such as images, a keyboard 506a and a mouse 506b for receiving input from an operator, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, and a magneto-optical disk. A reading / writing device 507 that reads and writes information from the computer-readable storage medium 8 and the like, and a communication unit 508 that transmits and receives signals to and from other components of the image recording device 10.

  In the image processing device 5, the program 80 is read from the storage medium 8 via the reading / writing device 507 in advance and stored in the fixed disk 504. The CPU 501 executes arithmetic processing while using the RAM 503 and the fixed disk 504 according to the program 80. The function of the image processing apparatus 5 may be realized by a dedicated electrical circuit, or a dedicated electrical circuit may be partially used.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the image processing apparatus 5. The image processing apparatus 5 includes a storage unit 51, a normal image correction unit 52, a clip correction unit 53, a code graphic correction unit 54, a raster data composition unit 56, and a code graphic selection unit 57.

  Next, image data correction processing performed by the image processing apparatus 5 shown in FIG. 3 based on the correction magnification determined in advance will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. In the image processing apparatus 5, first, original image data indicating an original image including a code figure and a normal image is prepared by being stored in the storage unit 51 (step S11). The storage unit 51 also stores the correction magnification. The code figure means a figure that holds information in a state that cannot be visually recognized by the naked eye, or a figure that holds information in a state that cannot be acquired only by visual recognition.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the original image 71. The original image 71 includes four original image elements 77 having the same size. In each original image element 77, a code figure is included in a substantially elliptical area in which the “TOMATO” logo is displayed. The code figure included in the original image includes, for example, a security code. The security code is an image that is invisible (or difficult to see) with the naked eye under visible light. The information indicated by the security code can be read through a dedicated reading device, for example. In this case, for example, a security code is recorded with infrared absorbing ink (carbon ink or the like), an image other than the security code is recorded with infrared non-absorbing ink (non-carbon ink or the like), and a reading device that reads the reflected infrared light. Only the security code is read as a dark part. Or the information which a security code shows can be visually recognized on special conditions, such as the state where the ultraviolet-ray is irradiated, for example. In this case, the security code is recorded with transparent ink that emits light when irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

  The security code is, for example, a dot code. The dot code is a security code indicating information by an arrangement pattern of a plurality of minute dots. In the following description, it is assumed that a number of identical dot codes arranged in a matrix are recorded on the recording medium 9 as security codes. Each dot code is a square of several mm square, for example, and is recorded on the recording medium 9 with infrared absorbing ink. Moreover, the normal figure which is an image other than a code figure among the said original images is recorded on the recording medium 9 with infrared non-absorbing ink. When reading the security code, a reader for reading the reflected infrared light is brought close to a part of the security code. Thereby, one dot code included in the part of the security code is read. The security code may be, for example, a company logo, a warning or authentication message related to the recording medium 9, a pattern, an encrypted character string, a barcode, or a two-dimensional code.

  6 to 9 and FIG. 12 are diagrams individually showing a plurality of images included in the original image 71. An original image 71 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a plurality of normal images illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9 and one code graphic 73 illustrated in FIG. The original image 71 may include a plurality of code figures 73. The normal image is an image other than the code graphic 73 in the original image 71.

  The four normal images illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9 are a first lower layer image 741, a second lower layer image 742, a first upper layer image 751, and a second upper layer image 752. A first lower layer image 741 shown in FIG. 6 is an image including four substantially rectangular first colored regions 743. Each first colored region 743 is provided with a substantially elliptical non-colored region 744. A second lower layer image 742 shown in FIG. 7 is an image including four substantially elliptical second colored regions 745. The four second colored regions 745 of the second lower layer image 742 are the same size as the four non-colored regions 744 of the first lower layer image 741, and are arranged at the same position. In the first colored region 743 and the second colored region 745, a colored image (so-called sketch) such as a solid image, an illustration, a photograph, or a pattern is arranged.

  A first upper layer image 751 shown in FIG. 8 includes four substantially rectangular character display areas 753 and a plurality of characters and symbols displayed in each character display area 753. In FIG. 8, for convenience of illustration, characters and symbols in each character display area 753 are indicated by small circles (the same applies to other drawings). The character display area 753 of the first upper layer image 751 is on the right side of the second colored area 745 (see FIG. 7) of the second lower layer image 742 and on the first colored area 743 (see FIG. 6) of the first lower layer image 741. Be placed. The second upper layer image 752 shown in FIG. 9 includes four logos 755. In the example shown in FIG. 9, each logo 755 is “TOMATO”. The four logos 755 of the second upper layer image 752 are arranged on the four second colored regions 745 (see FIG. 7) of the second lower layer image 742.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a graphic (hereinafter referred to as “code original graphic 730”) that is the basis of the code graphic 73 shown in FIG. The code source graphic 730 shown in FIG. 10 includes four substantially rectangular code areas 734. In each code area 734, as described above, a large number of substantially rectangular dot codes are arranged in a matrix.

  In the image processing apparatus 5 illustrated in FIG. 3, a clip that limits the display range of the code graphic 73 (see FIG. 12) in the original image 71 is stored in the storage unit 51 in advance. In FIG. 11, a non-display area 761 whose display is restricted by the clip is hidden, and a parallel diagonal line is added, and a display range 762 excluding the non-display area 761 is surrounded by a two-dot chain line. Four substantially elliptical display ranges 762 shown in FIG. 11 have the same size as the four second colored regions 745 (see FIG. 7) of the second lower layer image 742 and are arranged at the same positions. Since the display of the four code areas 734 shown in FIG. 10 is limited by the clip, four substantially elliptical code display areas 735 are displayed as code figures 73 as shown in FIG.

  Here, when the first lower layer image 741 and the second lower layer image 742 are collectively referred to as “lower layer image”, and the first upper layer image 751 and the second upper layer image 752 are collectively referred to as “upper layer image”, the lower layer image is It is a part other than the upper layer image in the normal image. The code graphic 73 is arranged on the upper layer of the lower layer image included in the normal image, and the upper layer image included in the normal image is arranged on the upper layer of the code graphic 73.

  The original image data prepared in step S11 is, for example, layered PDF data (that is, PDF data having a layer structure). In the original image data, the lower layer image described above is arranged in the first layer, and the code figure 73 is arranged in the second layer above the first layer. In addition, the above-described upper layer image is arranged in a third layer that is higher than the second layer.

  When step S11 ends, one image is selected as the “target image” from the normal image and the code graphic 73 included in the original image 71 (step S12). Actually, the data of the one image is selected from the original image data. Subsequently, it is determined whether the image of interest is a code graphic or a normal graphic (step S13). When the target image is a normal image, the normal image correction unit 52 shown in FIG. 3 scales the normal image that is the target image with the above-described correction magnification, and then performs a rasterization process to change the normal image. Raster data is generated (step S14). The scaled normal image raster data is sent to the raster data synthesis unit 56.

  In the normal image correction unit 52, for example, the first lower layer image 741 (see FIG. 6) that is a normal image is scaled at the correction magnification, and as shown in FIG. After the data of the lower layer image 741a is generated, the rasterizing process is performed on the data of the variable magnification normal image. In FIG. 13, the outlines of the first colored region 743 and the non-colored region 744 of the first lower layer image 741 are combined with the first corrected colored region 743a and the corrected non-colored region 744a of the zoom first lower layer image 741a. It is drawn in. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the first lower layer image 741 is reduced to generate a scaled first lower layer image 741a. In the generation of the scaled first lower layer image 741a, for example, the scaling process is performed with the lower left corner of the first lower layer image 741 as the reference point 70. The actual correction magnification is, for example, about −2% to + 2% (that is, the size of the figure after correction is about 98% to 102% of the size of the figure before correction). The difference in image size before and after correction is drawn larger than the actual size (the same applies to other drawings).

  When step S14 ends, it is determined whether the normal image as the target image is the above-described upper layer image or the lower layer image (step S15). If the target image is a lower layer image, the process for the target image is terminated, the next image included in the original image 71 is selected as a new target image (steps S19 and S20), and the process returns to step S13.

  On the other hand, when the target image is an upper layer image in step S15, the scaled normal image raster data generated in step S14 and sent to the raster data combining unit 56 is converted into upper layer image raster data in the raster data combining unit 56. Is also remembered. In other words, the upper layer image raster data, which is the result of the rasterization process for the upper layer image data, is acquired by the raster data combining unit 56 (step S16). Then, the next image included in the original image 71 is selected as a new attention image (steps S19 and S20), and the process returns to step S13.

  On the other hand, if the target image is a code figure in step S13, the clip correction unit 53 shown in FIG. 3 performs the scaling process at the correction magnification on the clip that limits the display range of the code figure that is the target image. This is performed to generate a zoomed clip in which the size of the display range is corrected (step S17). In the clip correction unit 53, for example, the clip display range 762 (see FIG. 11) related to the code figure 73 (see FIG. 12) that is the target image is displayed in the lower left as in the scaled first lower layer image 741a shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, a scaling display range 762a that is a display range in the scaling clip is generated. In FIG. 14, the four display ranges 762 of the clip before correction are drawn together with a two-dot chain line. The positions and sizes of the four zoom display ranges 762a are the positions and sizes of the four second corrected coloring regions 745a (see FIG. 19) obtained by scaling the four second coloring regions 745 of the second lower layer image 742. Is the same.

  Subsequently, the position of the code graphic 73 that is the target image is changed based on the above-described correction magnification by the code graphic correction unit 54 shown in FIG. Then, the rasterization process is performed on the portion of the code figure 73 whose position has been changed, within the scaling display range 762a (see FIG. 14) limited by the scaling clip generated in step S17. Displacement code figure raster data is generated (step S18). The displacement code figure raster data is sent to the raster data synthesis unit 56.

  In the code figure correction unit 54, for example, the positions of the four code areas 734 (see FIG. 10) of the code source figure 730 are changed based on the correction magnification, and a displacement code source figure 730a is generated as shown in FIG. Is done. Specifically, for example, the moving directions and moving distances (see FIG. 13) of the four first colored regions 743 of the first lower layer image 741 in the normal image scaling process in step S14 are obtained. Then, in the code source graphic 730, the four code regions 734 (drawn by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 15) corresponding to the four first colored regions 743 are respectively moved in the corresponding moving direction of the first colored region 743. Are moved in the same direction by a distance equal to the above-mentioned movement distance. Thereby, a displacement code original figure 730a including four displacement code areas 734a is generated. When the displacement code original figure 730a is generated, the portions in the four magnification display ranges 762a (see FIG. 14) of the above-described magnification clip in the displacement code original figure 730a are shown in FIG. The four correction code display areas 735a of the figure 73a are extracted. Thereafter, rasterization processing is performed on the data of the displacement code graphic 73a, whereby the raster data of the displacement code graphic 73a is acquired as displacement code graphic raster data.

  If a clip (see FIG. 11) for limiting the display range of the code graphic 73 is not prepared in advance, the code graphic correction unit 54 performs a clip between step S13 and step S17 as shown in FIG. Is generated (step S170). In step S170, for example, when the four code areas 734 (see FIG. 10) in the code source graphic 730 have the same shape as the four substantially elliptical code display areas 735 shown in FIG. 12, as shown in FIG. A clip is generated in which four display ranges 762 having the same size as the four code display areas 735 of the code figure 73 are arranged at the same positions as the four code display areas 735.

  When step S18 ends, the next image included in the original image 71 is selected as a new attention image (steps S19 and S20), and the process returns to step S13. In the image processing device 5, all the images included in the original image 71 (that is, the normal image and the code graphic 73) are used as the target images, respectively, and correction processing (that is, scaling processing or displacement processing) shown in steps S <b> 13 to S <b> 18 and The rasterization process is repeated.

  When the correction processing and rasterization processing for all the images included in the original image 71 are completed (step S19), the raster data composition unit 56 shown in FIG. 3 uses the displacement code figure raster data generated in step S18 to perform step S16. The upper layer image raster data acquired in step S21 is removed (step S21). Specifically, the second upper layer image 752 (see FIG. 9) including the logo 755 that overlaps the code display area 735 of the code graphic 73 is selected from the first upper layer image 751 and the second upper layer image 752, and the second upper layer image 751 is selected. The scaled normal image raster data of the image 752 is removed from the displacement code graphic raster data of the code graphic 73. As a result, the displacement code figure raster data is obtained by rasterizing the data of the image (see FIG. 18) obtained by removing the region corresponding to the second upper layer image 752 from the displacement code figure 73a shown in FIG. Is equal to the result. In the following description, the process of step S21 is also referred to as “exclusion process”.

  When step S21 is completed, the displacement code figure raster data from which the upper layer image raster data has been removed and the scaled normal image raster data generated in step S14 (ie, the first lower layer image 741, the second lower layer image 742, the first layer image data). The scaled normal image raster data of the first upper layer image 751 and the second upper layer image 752) are combined by the raster data combining unit 56 to generate corrected raster data (step S22). In step S22, the pixel of the displacement code graphic raster data is employed as a pixel to be recorded on the recording medium 9 at the pixel position where the pixel of the displacement code graphic raster data and the pixel of the scaling normal image raster data overlap.

  The corrected raster data is output from the image processing apparatus 5 shown in FIG. 1 to the image recording unit 1 as data used for image recording on the back surface 92 of the recording medium 9. Note that raster data used for recording an image on the surface 91 of the recording medium 9 is sent to the image recording unit 1 in advance. In the image recording unit 1, based on the raster data for the front surface 91 and the corrected raster data for the back surface 92, the movement of the recording medium 9 by the moving mechanism 2 and the ejection of ink by the ejection units 3a and 3b are performed. Done. As a result, an image is recorded on the surface 91 of the recording medium 9, and thereafter includes four corrected image elements 77a corresponding to the four original image elements 77 (see FIG. 5) of the original image 71, as shown in FIG. The corrected image 71 a is recorded on the back surface 92 of the recording medium 9. In FIG. 19, the outline of the original image 71 is drawn together with a two-dot chain line.

  In the recording of the corrected image 71a, specifically, the four first colored regions 743 of the first lower layer image 741 are subjected to scaling processing based on the scaling normal image raster data among the corrected raster data. Four corrected second colored regions 745a obtained by scaling the four corrected colored regions 745 of the first corrected colored region 743a and the second lower layer image 742, and four character display regions 753 of the first upper layer image 751 are processed by the scaling. The four corrected character display areas 753a and the four corrected logos 755a obtained by scaling the four logos 755 of the second upper layer image 752 are recorded with infrared non-absorbing ink or the like. Further, a displacement code figure 73a including four correction code display areas 735a obtained by displacing the four code display areas 735 of the code figure 73 based on the displacement code figure raster data from which the upper layer image raster data has been removed is an infrared ray. Recorded by absorbing ink or the like. Each correction code display area 735a is recorded on the second correction coloring area 745a. Each correction logo 755a is recorded on an area where no dot code is recorded in the correction code display area 735a. In other words, the dot code in the correction code display area 735a is recorded on the second correction coloring area 745a avoiding each correction logo 755a.

  As described above, in the image processing apparatus 5, the normal image included in the original image 71 is scaled at a predetermined correction magnification and then rasterized, so that the scaled normal image raster is processed. Data is generated. Further, after the position of the code figure 73 included in the original image 71 is changed based on the correction magnification, rasterization processing is performed to generate displacement code figure raster data. Then, the scaled normal image raster data and the displacement code figure raster data are combined to generate corrected raster data. For this reason, the image processing apparatus 5 can generate raster data that has been subjected to the scaling process while maintaining the reading accuracy of the code figure 73 and the layout of the normal image. The image recording apparatus 10 including the image processing apparatus 5 can record the image subjected to the scaling process on the recording medium 9 while maintaining the reading accuracy of the code figure 73 and the layout of the normal image.

  As described above, in the image recording apparatus 10, the correction magnification is determined in advance based on the magnification of the other image with respect to one image among the images recorded on both sides of the recording medium 9. Then, the image processing device 5 performs rasterization processing of image data indicating an image recorded on at least one surface of the recording medium 9 to generate corrected raster data. As a result, the registration of the images recorded on both sides of the recording medium 9 (that is, the recording position and size of the images recorded on both sides) can be accurately matched.

  In the image processing apparatus 5, as described above, the scaling process is performed on the clip that limits the display range of the code graphic 73 in the original image 71 at the correction magnification, and the scaled clip whose size is corrected is obtained. Generated. Of the code figure 73 whose position has been changed based on the correction magnification, raster data of a portion within the display range limited by the scaling clip is acquired as displacement code figure raster data. As a result, the correction code display area 735a of the displacement code figure 73a, which is the code figure 73 subjected to the displacement process, can be prevented from protruding from the magnification display range 762a of the magnification clip.

  In the above example, the position and size of each zoom display range 762a are the same as the position and size of the corresponding second corrected coloring area 745a. For this reason, the displacement code figure 73a is recorded only in an area overlapping the four second corrected coloring areas 745a. In other words, the four second correction coloring areas 745a are camouflage images that overlap the entire four correction code display areas 735a of the displacement code figure 73a and conceal the presence of the displacement code figure 73a. By recording the displacement code figure 73a only on the camouflage image, it is possible to suppress the presence of the displacement code figure 73a.

  When the code figure 73 includes a security code such as a dot code, the corrected raster data is generated by the image processing device 5 as described above, so that the security code is read in the corrected image 71a subjected to the scaling process. A reduction in accuracy can be prevented. Moreover, since it can prevent that a security code protrudes from the above-mentioned camouflage image, it can suppress that presence of a security code is recognized.

  In the image processing apparatus 5, the security code in the correction code display area 735a is recorded on the second correction coloring area 745a, which is a camouflage image, avoiding the correction logo 755a by performing the extraction process in step S21. Thus, by preventing the security code from overlapping the upper layer image such as characters and symbols, the presence of the security code can be further suppressed.

  As described above, the original image data is PDF data with a layer, and the first lower layer image 741 and the second lower layer image 742 of the normal image are arranged in the first layer. Further, the code figure 73 is arranged in the second layer above the first layer, and the first upper layer image 751 and the second upper layer image 752 of the normal image are arranged in the third layer above the second layer. . Thus, since the lower layer image, the code figure, and the upper layer image are separated in the original image data, the image processing device 5 easily distinguishes the type of each image and performs appropriate processing according to the type of the image. It can be carried out. As a result, the processing on the image data in the image processing apparatus 5 can be performed easily and quickly.

  In the image processing device 5, for example, original image data including normal image data and code graphic data without being distinguished may be prepared in step S11. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of the original image 71b indicated by the original image data. An original image 71b illustrated in FIG. 20 includes a colored region 781, a logo 782, and a barcode 73b. The colored region 781 and the logo 782 are normal images, and the barcode 73b is a code graphic. However, as described above, in the original image data, the data of these images is not separated into the normal image and the code graphic. .

  In this case, when step S11 is completed in the image processing apparatus 5, steps S31 and S32 shown in FIG. 21 are performed before steps S12 to S22. In step S31, a 1-bit image (that is, a binary image) having a resolution equal to a predetermined output resolution among a plurality of images included in the original image 71b by the code figure selection unit 57 shown in FIG. Selected as a code figure. The above-described predetermined output resolution is, for example, the output resolution at the time of image recording in the image recording unit 1. In the code graphic selection unit 57, an image that is not selected as a code graphic among a plurality of images included in the original image 71b is selected as a normal image. As a result, the plurality of images included in the original image 71b are automatically separated into normal images and code figures. In the example shown in FIG. 20, the barcode 73b is selected as a code figure, and the colored region 781 and the logo 782 are selected as normal images.

  In step S32, the colored region 781 and the logo 782 selected as the normal image in step S31 are arranged in the first layer of the layered PDF data, and the barcode 73b selected as the code figure is more than the first layer. Arranged in the upper second layer.

  In step S32, the image processing apparatus 5 performs steps S12 to S22 to generate corrected raster data. However, in steps S31 and S32, since the normal image is not classified into the upper layer image and the lower layer image, among steps S12 to S22, the acquisition of the upper layer image raster data in steps S15 and S16 and the extraction process in step S21 are performed. Is not done.

  Even in this case, the image processing apparatus 5 can generate the raster data subjected to the scaling process while maintaining the reading accuracy of the code figure and the layout of the normal image as described above. . Further, in the image processing apparatus 5, even if the original image data prepared in step S11 includes the normal image data and the code graphic data without distinguishing them, the code graphic selection unit 57 Normal images and code figures can be automatically separated. As a result, as described above, it is possible to easily process the image data.

  In the image processing device 5, in step S31, an image (for example, a logo 782) that is a character or a symbol is selected as an upper layer image among images selected as the normal image, and an image other than the upper layer image of the normal image (for example, for example, A colored region 781) may be selected as the lower layer image. In this case, in step S32, the lower layer image is arranged in the first layer, and the upper layer image is arranged in a third layer that is higher than the second layer. In steps S12 to S22, the acquisition of the upper layer raster data in steps S15 and S16 and the extraction process in step S21 are performed. Thereby, as described above, it is possible to prevent the security code from overlapping the upper layer image such as characters and symbols, and to suppress the presence of the security code.

  In the image processing device 5, instead of steps S31 and S32, the attention image is a 1-bit image having a resolution equal to a predetermined output resolution in step S13 every time the attention image is selected in steps S12 and S20. Or not (that is, whether or not the image is a code image).

  Various changes can be made in the image processing apparatus 5 and the image recording apparatus 10 described above.

  In the image processing apparatus 5, the clip that limits the display range of the code graphic does not necessarily have to be used. In this case, the generation of the magnification clip by the clip correction unit 53 in step S17 is omitted.

  In the image processing apparatus 5, a code figure that does not have a problem in reading accuracy even when the scaling process is performed may be handled as the above-described normal image. In other words, the image processing apparatus 5 does not need to rasterize all the graphics that can generally be interpreted as code graphics among the images included in the original image by the code graphic correction unit 54. At least one figure is subjected to rasterization processing by the code figure correction unit 54 as a code figure.

  The type of original image data is not necessarily limited to layered PDF data. The original image data is preferably various kinds of data having a layer structure, but may be data of a kind not having a layer structure.

  In the image recording apparatus 10, it is not always necessary to record images on both sides of the recording medium 9, and images may be recorded only on one side of the recording medium 9. Even in this case, the image processing apparatus 5 performs the scaling process while maintaining the reading accuracy of the code figure and the layout of the normal image by performing the above-described processing on the original image data of the image. The recorded image can be recorded on the recording medium 9.

  In the image recording unit 1, a monochrome image may be recorded on the recording medium 9. The image recording unit 1 may record images on various types of recording media 9 other than printing paper. Furthermore, the image recording unit 1 may perform sheet-fed printing for sequentially recording images on a plurality of recording media that are not long (for example, a plurality of substantially rectangular printing papers).

  The image processing apparatus 5 including the storage unit 51, the normal image correction unit 52, the code figure correction unit 54, and the raster data synthesis unit 56 is used in devices other than the image recording unit 10 independently of the image recording unit 1. May be. The image processing device 5 may include the clip correction unit 53 described above. The image processing apparatus 5 may also include the code figure selection unit 57 described above.

  The configurations in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate as long as they do not contradict each other.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image recording part 5 Image processing apparatus 9 Recording medium 10 Image recording apparatus 51 Storage part 52 Normal image correction part 53 Clip correction part 54 Code figure correction part 56 Raster data composition part 57 Code figure selection part 71, 71b Original image 73 Code figure 73b Barcode 80 Program 91 Front surface 92 Back surface 741 First lower layer image 742 Second lower layer image 751 First upper layer image 752 Second upper layer image 762 Display range 762a Scaling display range 781 Colored region 782 Logo S11-S22, S31, S32, S170 step

Claims (17)

An image processing apparatus that performs rasterization processing on image data,
A storage unit for storing original image data indicating an original image including a code figure;
A normal image correction unit that generates a scaled normal image raster data by performing a rasterization process after scaling a normal image that is an image other than the code figure of the original image at a predetermined correction magnification;
A code figure correction unit that generates a displacement code figure raster data by performing a rasterization process after changing the position of the code figure based on the correction magnification;
A raster data synthesis unit for generating corrected raster data by synthesizing the scaling normal image raster data and the displacement code figure raster data;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,
A clip correction unit that performs a scaling process at the correction magnification on the clip that limits the display range of the code figure in the original image, and generates a scaled clip whose size is corrected;
The code graphic correction unit acquires raster data of a portion of the code graphic whose position has been changed within a display range limited by the scaling clip as the displacement code graphic raster data. Processing equipment. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The image processing apparatus, wherein the code figure includes a security code. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the security code is a dot code. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:
The normal image includes an upper layer image disposed on an upper layer of the code figure;
The raster data synthesizing unit converts the upper layer image raster data, which is the result of the rasterization process on the upper layer image data, into the displacement code figure raster before the composition of the scaled normal image raster data and the displacement code figure raster data. An image processing apparatus that is removed from data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5,
The original image data is PDF data with a layer;
In the original image data,
A lower layer image that is a part other than the upper layer image is arranged in the first layer in the normal image,
The code figure is arranged in a second layer above the first layer;
The image processing apparatus, wherein the upper layer image is arranged in a third layer that is higher than the second layer. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An image processing apparatus, further comprising: a code graphic selection unit that selects, as the code graphic, a 1-bit image having a resolution equal to a predetermined output resolution among images included in the original image. An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium,
An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An image recording unit for recording an image on a recording medium in accordance with the corrected raster data output from the image processing device;
An image recording apparatus comprising: The image recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
Images can be recorded on both sides of the recording medium by the image recording unit,
The correction magnification is determined in advance based on the magnification of the other image with respect to one of the images recorded on the both surfaces of the recording medium,
The image recording apparatus, wherein the image processing apparatus performs rasterization processing of image data indicating an image recorded on at least one surface of the recording medium, and generates the corrected raster data. An image processing method for performing rasterization processing on image data,
a) preparing original image data indicating an original image including a code figure;
b) generating a scaled normal image raster data by performing a rasterization process after scaling a normal image that is an image other than the code figure in the original image at a predetermined correction magnification;
c) changing the position of the code figure based on the correction magnification and performing a rasterization process to generate displacement code figure raster data;
d) combining the scaled normal image raster data and the displacement code figure raster data to generate corrected raster data;
An image processing method comprising: The image processing method according to claim 10, comprising:
Before the step c), a scaling clip whose size is corrected is generated by performing a scaling process on the clip that limits the display range of the code figure in the original image at the correction magnification. Process,
Further comprising
In the step c), raster data of a portion within a display range limited by the scaling clip among the code figures whose positions have been changed is acquired as the displacement code figure raster data. Processing method. The image processing method according to claim 10 or 11,
The image processing method, wherein the code figure includes a security code. The image processing method according to claim 12,
The image processing method, wherein the security code is a dot code. The image processing method according to claim 12 or 13,
The normal image includes an upper layer image disposed on an upper layer of the code figure;
The image processing method further includes a step of removing, from the displacement code figure raster data, upper layer image raster data that is a result of rasterization processing on the upper layer image data between the step c) and the step d). An image processing method comprising: The image processing method according to claim 14, comprising:
The original image data is PDF data with a layer;
In the original image data,
A lower layer image that is a part other than the upper layer image is arranged in the first layer in the normal image,
The code figure is arranged in a second layer above the first layer;
An image processing method, wherein the upper layer image is arranged in a third layer that is higher than the second layer. The image processing method according to any one of claims 10 to 14,
Before the step b) and the step c), a step of selecting a 1-bit image having a resolution equal to a predetermined output resolution among the images included in the original image as the code figure is further provided. An image processing method. A program for performing rasterization processing on image data, and execution of the program by a computer is performed on the computer,
a) preparing original image data indicating an original image including a code figure;
b) generating a scaled normal image raster data by performing a rasterization process after scaling a normal image that is an image other than the code figure in the original image at a predetermined correction magnification;
c) changing the position of the code figure based on the correction magnification and performing a rasterization process to generate displacement code figure raster data;
d) combining the scaled normal image raster data and the displacement code figure raster data to generate corrected raster data;
A program characterized by having executed.

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