JP2018106248A - Image data generating method and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image data generating method that reduces a processing amount of image data when generating print image data for rimless printing by allocating a plurality of images to one sheet.SOLUTION: An image data generating method generates print image data 74 by arranging a plurality of image data to each of allocation areas A1 to A4 in a print area protruded by a predetermined amount from each end portion of a sheet S to be printed. Therefore, in processing for obtaining the print image data 74 by processing both side portions along boarder lines 64 and 65 between allocation areas adjacent in horizontal and vertical directions to margin data of a predetermined amount, the amount of margin data 75 on a right side of the boarder line 64 is equalized to a first protrusion amount P1, the amount of margin data 76 on a left side of the boarder line 64 is equalized to a second protrusion amount P2, the amount of margin data 77 on a lower side of the boarder line 65 is equalized to a third protrusion amount P3, and the amount of margin data 78 on an upper side of the boarder line 65 is equalized to a fourth protrusion amount P4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an image data creation method and an image forming apparatus for creating image data for allocating a plurality of images on one sheet and performing borderless printing.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a printer has a function of assigning a plurality of images to a single sheet and performing borderless printing. In general, borderless printing enables printing in a state without borders by forming an image outside the edge of the sheet. Therefore, when multiple images are assigned to one sheet during borderless printing, the area of the image that is actually printed on the sheet differs for each assigned area, especially when the same image is assigned. However, there is a problem that the difference between the images appears remarkably.

  As a countermeasure, in Patent Document 1, a necessary portion is extracted from each image data in accordance with each allocated area of the sheet, and the extracted image data is arranged in each allocated area, whereby one sheet of print image data is obtained. Creating. For example, when a sheet is divided into four and two images are arranged vertically and horizontally, each image data is processed as follows.

  First, each image data is enlarged or reduced so as to be slightly larger than the print area in each allocation area. Next, from the image data arranged at the upper left of the sheet, a portion excluding a portion overlapping the right printing region and a portion overlapping the lower printing region when centered in the upper left printing region is extracted. . Next, from the image data arranged on the upper right side of the sheet, a portion excluding a portion overlapping the left print region and a portion overlapping the lower print region when centered in the upper right print region is extracted. .

  Next, from the image data arranged at the lower left of the sheet, a portion excluding a portion overlapping the right print region and a portion overlapping the upper print region when centered in the lower left print region is extracted. Next, from the image data arranged on the lower right side of the sheet, a portion excluding a portion overlapping the left printing region and a portion overlapping the upper printing region when being centered in the lower right printing region is extracted. . Then, by arranging the extracted image data in each allocation area, print image data slightly larger than the sheet is created. Thereby, when the original four images are the same image, the images printed on the sheet are the same without any deviation.

Japanese Patent No. 4305621

  However, according to Patent Document 1, a necessary portion must be extracted from each image data in accordance with each allocated area of the sheet, and there is a problem that the load on the apparatus is large because the processing amount of the image data increases. .

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image data creation method that reduces the amount of processing of image data when creating print image data for borderless printing by assigning a plurality of images to a single sheet. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that executes this image data creation method.

  The present invention provides an image data creation method for creating print image data by arranging a plurality of image data in each allocation area in a print area protruding from each end of a sheet to be printed, the print area One of the vertical direction and the left-right direction of the printing area is a first direction, one end of the printing area in the first direction is a first end, the other end is a second end, and the first end protrudes from the sheet. The first step of acquiring the print area, and the allocation of the image data in the first direction, where the amount of the protrusion is the first protrusion amount and the amount of the second end protruding from the sheet is the second protrusion amount. The printing area is equally divided in the first direction according to the number, the second step of determining the allocation area, and the original image data that is the image data before processing is respectively processed into the size of the allocation area, Image data after processing Using the intermediate generation data, a third step of obtaining certain processed image data, a fourth step of arranging the processed image data in the allocation area, and obtaining intermediate generation data that is the print image data in the middle stage, and A process of obtaining the print image data by processing both side portions along a boundary line between the allocation areas adjacent to each other in the first direction into a predetermined amount of margin data, the second end portion of the boundary line And a fifth step in which the margin data on the side has the same amount as the first protrusion amount, and the margin data on the first end portion side of the boundary line has the same amount as the second protrusion amount. To do.

  According to said structure, the edge part of several image data can be processed simultaneously by the process of one margin data. In other words, a plurality of processing processes of image data can be made into one processing process.

  According to the present invention, when creating print image data for allocating a plurality of images to a single sheet and performing borderless printing, a margin is provided between the images to print on the sheets of the images. The regions can be the same without shifting, and the processing amount of image data can be reduced. In addition, the user can easily cut out each image by cutting off the blank portion of the printed sheet.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part regarding print image data preparation of borderless printing of one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the sheet | seat of one Embodiment, and the printing area corresponding to it. It is the figure which added the allocation area | region to FIG. It is a figure which shows the original image data and processed image data of one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the sheet | seat and intermediate generation data of one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the sheet | seat and print image data of one Embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates a printed sheet of one embodiment. It is a figure which shows the sheet | seat and print image data at the time of 2 division in one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the sheet | seat and print image data at the time of 9 division | segmentation in one Embodiment.

[Configuration of printing system]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment. The printing system 1 includes a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 2, a display device 3, an operation device 4, and an image forming device 5.

  The PC 2 of this embodiment is a so-called desktop PC. The PC 2 may be a computer having a general configuration, and may be a notebook PC, a tablet PC, or the like including the display device 3 and the operation device 4. The display device 3 is connected to the PC 2 and displays information output from the PC 2, and is a liquid crystal display, for example.

  The operating device 4 is connected to the PC 2 and outputs information input by the user to the PC 2 and is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse. The image forming apparatus 5 is an apparatus that is connected to the PC 2 and forms an image on a sheet in accordance with image data output from the PC 2. In the present embodiment, an ink jet printer is used as the image forming apparatus 5, but a laser printer or a thermal printer may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the PC 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, and a recording medium reading unit 24. The control unit 21 includes a microcomputer such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the entire PC 2. One of the processes performed by the control unit 21 is a process of allocating a plurality of images on one sheet and creating print image data for borderless printing. In order to perform this process, the control unit 21 executes an image data creation program and arranges a plurality of image data in each allocation area in a print area that protrudes a predetermined amount from each edge of the sheet to be printed. Create data.

  As a configuration for performing this process, the control unit 21 includes an acquisition unit 211, an allocation area determination unit 212, a processed image data creation unit 213, an intermediate generation data creation unit 214, and a print image data creation unit 215. Have.

  The acquisition unit 211 acquires a print area for borderless printing. The print area is determined by, for example, the specifications of the image forming apparatus 5, and the amount of protrusion of the print area that protrudes from the sheet is set to be smaller as the image forming position with respect to the sheet has higher accuracy. The print area may be calculated by the control unit 21 based on the sheet size to be printed and a preset amount of protrusion, or may be stored in advance in the storage unit 22 for each sheet size to be printed.

  When the control unit 21 calculates the print area, it is possible to cope with various sheet sizes by storing the amount of protrusion in the storage unit 22. Therefore, a print area is set for each sheet size and stored in the storage unit 22. The amount of data stored in the storage unit 22 can be reduced. On the other hand, if the capacity of the storage unit 22 allows, the acquisition unit 211 sets a print area for each sheet size and stores the print area in the storage unit 22 so that the print area corresponding to the sheet size specified by the user can be obtained. It can be acquired by reading from the storage unit 22, and does not require a calculation process.

  The allocation area determination unit 212 equally divides the print area in the first direction according to the number of allocations of the image data in the first direction, and the print area in the second direction according to the allocation number of the image data in the second direction. Dividing and determining the allocation area. Here, one of the up and down direction or the left and right direction of the print area is a first direction, and the other is a second direction.

  The processed image data creation unit 213 processes the original image data that is image data before processing into the size of the allocation area, and obtains processed image data that is image data after processing.

  The intermediate generation data creation unit 214 arranges the processed image data in the allocation area, and obtains intermediate generation data that is print image data at an intermediate stage.

  The print image data creation unit 215 uses the intermediate generation data, processes both side portions along the boundary line between the allocation areas adjacent in the first direction into a predetermined amount of margin data, and allocates the allocation areas adjacent in the second direction. The processing for obtaining print image data is performed by processing both side portions along the boundary line into a predetermined amount of margin data.

  Here, the first end of the print area in the first direction is the first end, the other end is the second end, the amount of the first end protruding from the sheet is the first protrusion amount, and the second end is from the sheet. Let the amount of protrusion be the second amount of protrusion. Also, one end of the print area in the second direction is the third end, the other end is the fourth end, the amount of the third end protruding from the sheet is the third protrusion amount, and the fourth end is protruding from the sheet. This amount is taken as the fourth protrusion amount.

  When the print image data creation unit 215 processes the predetermined amount of margin data, the margin data on the second end side of the boundary line is set to the same amount as the first protrusion amount, and the first end portion of the boundary line is set. The margin data on the side is the same amount as the second protrusion amount. Further, the margin data on the fourth end portion side of the boundary line is set to the same amount as the third protrusion amount, and the margin data on the third end portion side of the boundary line is set to the same amount as the fourth protrusion amount.

  The margin data referred to here may be a region where the data has been erased by cropping the image data, or may be a region where there is no apparent image by superimposing the white data on the image data.

  As the storage unit 22, a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, or a flash memory can be used as appropriate. The control unit 21 reads the image data creation program stored in advance in the ROM of the storage unit 22 onto the RAM of the storage unit 22 and executes it to create print image data.

  The communication unit 23 is a device that accesses a server storing various programs via the Internet network or the like. For example, the PC 2 can download an image data creation program related to an image data creation method from a server using the communication unit 23 and store the program in the storage unit 22 for use.

  The recording medium reading unit 24 is a device that reads information recorded on the recording medium, and is, for example, an optical disk drive. For example, the PC 2 can read a program related to an image data creation method recorded on an optical disc by the recording medium reading unit 24 and store the program in the storage unit 22 for use.

[Image data creation method]
Next, a procedure in which the PC 2 creates print image data for assigning a plurality of images to one sheet and performing borderless printing will be described. Here, an example will be described in which the long sides of a rectangular sheet are arranged in the vertical direction, and the layout is divided into four parts by dividing into two parts in the up and down direction and two parts in the left and right direction.

  In the present embodiment, the left-right direction of the print area is the first direction, and the up-down direction is the second direction. The left end of the print area is the first end, the right end is the second end, the amount of the first end protruding from the sheet is the first protrusion amount, and the amount of the second end protruding from the sheet is the second protrusion. Amount. The upper end of the print area is the third end, the lower end is the fourth end, the amount of the third end protruding from the sheet is the third protrusion amount, and the amount of the fourth end protruding from the sheet is the fourth protrusion. Amount.

  In order to perform borderless printing, the user operates the operation device 4 according to an instruction displayed on the display device 3 to specify various conditions. Various conditions include the sheet size to be printed, the sheet orientation, the number of assignments, the original image to be assigned, and the like. When all the input of various conditions is completed, the control unit 21 executes an image data creation program and starts creating print image data for borderless printing.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 21 relating to creation of print image data for borderless printing. First, in step S10, the acquisition unit 211 acquires a print area for borderless printing. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the sheet S and the print area 61 corresponding thereto. The printing area 61 is an area that is slightly larger than the sheet S and protrudes by a predetermined amount from each end of the sheet S to be printed.

  In order to acquire the print area 61, the acquisition unit 211 firstly has a left-right length L1, a vertical length L2, a first protrusion amount P1, and a second protrusion amount P2 of the sheet S designated by the user. Then, the third protrusion amount P3 and the fourth protrusion amount P4 are read from the storage unit 22. Then, the acquisition unit 211 adds the first protrusion amount P1 and the second protrusion amount P2 to the length L1 in the left-right direction of the sheet S to calculate the length L3 in the left-right direction of the print region 61, and The length L4 in the vertical direction of the print area is calculated by adding the third protrusion amount P3 and the fourth protrusion amount P4 to the length L2 in the direction.

  Next, proceeding to step S11, the allocation area determination unit 212 equally divides the print area 61 in the left-right direction according to the number of horizontal allocations of the image data, and the print area according to the number of vertical allocations of the image data. 61 is equally divided in the vertical direction, and an allocation area is determined. FIG. 4 is a diagram in which allocation areas A1 to A4 are added to FIG. In the present embodiment, the number of allocations in the left-right direction is 2 and the number of allocations in the up-down direction is 2. Therefore, the printing area 61 is divided into two equal parts in the left-right direction by the dividing line 62, and the printing area 61 is arranged in the up-down direction by the dividing line 63. Dividing into two equal parts, four allocation areas A1 to A4 are obtained from the first allocation area A1 to the fourth allocation area A4.

  Next, proceeding to step S12, the processed image data creation unit 213 processes the original image data, which is image data before processing, into the sizes of the allocation areas A1 to A4, respectively, and processed image data, which is image data after processing. Get. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the original image data 71 and the processed image data 72. Since the original image data 71 shown in FIG. 5 is larger than the assigned areas A1 to A4, the processed image data 72 is obtained by reducing the original image data 71 to the size of the assigned areas A1 to A4. Conversely, when the original image data is smaller than each of the allocation areas A1 to A4, the processed image data can be obtained by enlarging the size of each of the allocation areas A1 to A4.

  The creation method of the processed image data is not particularly limited as long as it matches the size of the allocation areas A1 to A4, and can be used in combination with processing such as enlargement, reduction, and cropping. Moreover, the image data manually processed by the user into the sizes of the allocation areas A1 to A4 can also be used as the processed image data.

  Next, proceeding to step S13, the intermediate generation data creation unit 214 arranges the processed image data 72 in each of the allocation areas A1 to A4, and obtains intermediate generation data that is intermediate-stage print image data. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there is one original image data 71 and the same processed image data 72 is arranged in four allocation areas A1 to A4. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the sheet S and the intermediate generation data 73. The intermediate generation data 73 is generated by arranging the processed image data 72 in each of the allocation areas A1 to A4.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S14, and the print image data creation unit 215 performs the following processing using the intermediate generation data 73. That is, both side portions along the boundary line between the allocation areas adjacent in the left-right direction (A1 and A2, A3 and A4) are processed into a predetermined amount of margin data, and the allocation areas adjacent in the vertical direction (A1 and A3, Print image data is obtained by processing both side portions along the boundary line of A2 and A4) into a predetermined amount of margin data.

  When processing into a predetermined amount of margin data, the margin data on the second end side of the boundary line between the left and right allocation areas (A1 and A2, A3 and A4) is the same amount as the first protrusion amount P1, The margin data on the first end side of the boundary line is the same amount as the second protrusion amount P2. Further, the margin data on the fourth end side of the boundary line between the allocation areas adjacent in the vertical direction (A1 and A3, A2 and A4) is the same amount as the third protrusion amount P3, and the third end part of the boundary line The margin data on the side is the same amount as the fourth protrusion amount P4.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the sheet S and the print image data 74. The boundary line 64 between the allocation areas adjacent in the left-right direction (A1 and A2, A3 and A4) overlaps the division line 62 shown in FIG. 4, and the allocation areas adjacent in the vertical direction (A1 and A3, A2 and A4) The boundary line 65 overlaps the dividing line 63 shown in FIG.

  The length L5 in the left-right direction of the margin data 75 on the right side of the boundary line 64 is the same amount as the first protrusion amount P1. On the other hand, the length L6 in the left-right direction of the margin data 76 on the left side of the boundary line 64 is the same amount as the second protrusion amount P2. Further, the length L7 in the vertical direction of the margin data 77 below the boundary line 65 is the same as the third protrusion amount P3. On the other hand, the length L8 in the vertical direction of the margin data 78 above the boundary line 65 is the same amount as the fourth protrusion amount P4.

  As described above, the margin data 75 enables the left end of the processed image data 72 arranged in the second allocation area A2 and the left end of the processed image data 72 arranged in the fourth allocation area A4 to be cropped simultaneously. Similarly, with the margin data 76, the right end of the processed image data 72 arranged in the first allocation area A1 and the right end of the processed image data 72 arranged in the third allocation area A3 can be cropped simultaneously. Further, by using the margin data 77, the upper end of the processed image data 72 arranged in the third allocation area A3 and the upper end of the processed image data 72 arranged in the fourth allocation area A4 can be cropped simultaneously. Further, the margin data 78 allows the lower end of the processed image data 72 arranged in the first allocation area A1 and the lower end of the processed image data 72 arranged in the second allocation area A2 to be cropped simultaneously.

  That is, by processing one margin data, the end portions of two image data can be processed simultaneously. In other words, two processing processes can be made into one processing process. Therefore, the processing amount of image data can be reduced.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S <b> 15, and the control unit 21 outputs the print image data 74 to the image forming apparatus 5. In response to this, the image forming apparatus 5 forms an image on the sheet S according to the print image data 74. As a result, a printed sheet S1 as shown in FIG. 8 is obtained. In the sheet S1, the printed images 79 are the same without any deviation. The user can easily cut out each image by cutting off the margin W of the printed sheet S1.

  The first protrusion amount P1 and the second protrusion amount P2 may be the same amount. Further, the third protrusion amount P3 and the fourth protrusion amount P4 may be the same amount. Further, the first protrusion amount P1 to the fourth protrusion amount P4 may be the same amount. Accordingly, the present invention can be applied to specifications that are often employed in image forming apparatuses.

  When the above-mentioned borderless printing function is made to correspond to various sheet sizes and various allocation methods, a control program is required for each combination. However, by using the above-described image data creation method, image data processing is performed. Since the amount is small and the control program is simple, creation of each control program is facilitated.

  9 and 10 show other allocation examples. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the sheet S2 and the print image data 81 when divided into two. The long side of the sheet S2 is arranged in the left-right direction and divided into two in the left-right direction. The length M1 in the left-right direction of the margin data 83 on the right side of the boundary line 82 is the same amount as the first protrusion amount P1. On the other hand, the length M2 in the left-right direction of the margin data 84 on the left side of the boundary line 82 is the same as the second protrusion amount P2.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the sheet S3 and the print image data 91 at the time of nine divisions. The long side of the sheet S3 is arranged in the vertical direction, and is divided into three in the vertical direction and three in the horizontal direction. The length N1 in the left-right direction of the margin data 93A, 93B on the right side of the boundary lines 92A, 92B is the same amount as the first protrusion amount P1. On the other hand, the length N2 in the left-right direction of the margin data 94A, 94B on the left side of the boundary lines 92A, 92B is the same amount as the second protrusion amount P2.

  Further, the vertical length N3 of the margin data 96A, 96B below the boundary lines 95A, 95B is the same as the third protrusion amount P3. On the other hand, the vertical length N4 of the margin data 97A, 97B above the boundary lines 95A, 95B is the same amount as the fourth protrusion amount P4.

  Also, if the type of image forming apparatus is different, the amount of protrusion in borderless printing also differs, but by using the above image data creation method, the amount of image data processing is small and the control program is simple. The program can be changed easily.

  The above-described image data creation method can be applied to a program, a recording medium, a control device, and an image forming device. That is, the image data creation program is a program for executing the above image data creation method. The recording medium is a recording medium that stores the image data creation program. The control device is a control device that executes the image data creation program. The image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus equipped with the control device. The image forming apparatus includes, for example, a control unit that executes the above-described image data creation method and an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet.

[Effect of the embodiment]
In the image data creation method of the above-described embodiment, the print image data 74 is arranged by arranging a plurality of image data in the allocation areas A1 to A4 in the print area 61 protruding by a predetermined amount from each end of the sheet S to be printed. This is an image data creation method to be created. One of the vertical and horizontal directions of the print area 61 is the first direction, one end of the print area 61 in the first direction is the first end, the other end is the second end, and the first end protrudes from the sheet. The amount of the first protrusion P1 and the amount of the second end protruding from the sheet are the second protrusion P2. Then, the image data creation method includes a first step of acquiring the print area 61. The image data creation method includes a second step of equally dividing the print area 61 in the first direction according to the number of allocations in the first direction of the image data and determining the allocation area. The image data creation method includes a third step of processing the original image data 71, which is image data before processing, into the sizes of the allocation areas A1 to A4 to obtain processed image data 72, which is image data after processing. . The image data creation method includes a fourth step in which the processed image data 72 is arranged in each allocation area, and intermediate generation data 73 that is print image data at an intermediate stage is obtained. Further, the image data creation method uses intermediate generation data 73 to process both side portions along the boundary line 64 between the allocation areas adjacent in the first direction to obtain print image data 74 by processing a predetermined amount of margin data. The margin data 75 on the second end side of the boundary line 64 has the same amount as the first protrusion amount P1, and the margin data 76 on the first end portion side of the boundary line 64 has the same amount as the second protrusion amount P2. Including a fifth step.

  According to this image data creation method, when creating the print image data 74 for allocating a plurality of images to one sheet S and performing borderless printing, by providing a margin between the images, The areas printed on the sheet S are the same without any deviation, and the processing amount of the image data can be reduced. Further, the user can easily cut out each image by cutting off the blank portion W of the printed sheet S1.

  In the image data creation method of the above embodiment, the other of the print area 61 in the vertical direction or the left-right direction is the second direction, one end of the print area 61 in the second direction is the third end, and the other end is the fourth. The amount that the third end protrudes from the sheet S is the third protrusion amount P3, and the amount that the fourth end protrudes from the sheet S is the fourth protrusion amount P4. When determining the allocation area 61 in the second step, the print area 61 is equally divided in the second direction according to the number of allocations in the second direction of the image data. When the print image data 74 is obtained in the fifth step, the intermediate generation data 73 is used to process both side portions along the boundary line 65 between the allocation areas adjacent in the second direction into a predetermined amount of margin data. The margin data 77 on the fourth end side of the boundary line 65 has the same amount as the third protrusion amount P3, and the margin data 78 on the third end portion side of the boundary line 65 has the same amount as the fourth protrusion amount P4.

  This image data creation method can be applied to the case where images are allocated in the vertical and horizontal directions of a single sheet S.

  In the image data generation method of the above embodiment, the first protrusion amount P1 and the second protrusion amount P2 may be the same amount.

  This image data creation method can be applied to specifications often used in the image forming apparatus 5.

  In the image data generation method of the above embodiment, the third protrusion amount P3 and the fourth protrusion amount P4 may be the same amount.

  This image data creation method can be applied to specifications often used in image forming apparatuses.

  In the image data creation method of the above-described embodiment, the length of the print region 61 in the first direction is added to the length of the sheet S in the first direction by adding a preset first protrusion amount P1 and second protrusion amount P2. The length L3 is calculated.

  According to this image data creation method, if the amount that protrudes from the sheet S at the time of borderless printing is set, the print area 61 can be calculated according to the size of the sheet S. Therefore, the print area 61 is set for each size of the sheet S. There is no need to set it.

  In the image data creation method of the above embodiment, the length of the print area 61 in the second direction is added to the length of the sheet S in the second direction by adding a preset third protrusion amount P3 and fourth protrusion amount P4. The length L4 is calculated.

  According to this image data creation method, if the amount that protrudes from the sheet S at the time of borderless printing is set, the print area 61 can be calculated according to the size of the sheet S. Therefore, the print area 61 is set for each size of the sheet S. There is no need to set it.

  Further, the image forming apparatus may include a control unit that executes the image data creation method and an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet S.

  According to this, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that executes the above-described image data creation method.

5 Image forming apparatus 61 Print region 64, 65, 82, 92A, 92B, 95A, 95B Border 71 Original image data 72 Processed image data 73 Intermediate generation data 74, 81, 91 Print image data 75, 76, 77, 78, 83, 84, 93A, 93B, 94A, 94B, 96A, 96B, 97A, 97B Margin data A1 First allocation area (allocation area)
A2 2nd allocation area (allocation area)
A3 3rd allocation area (allocation area)
A4 4th allocation area (allocation area)
L3 Length in the first direction of the print area L4 Length in the second direction of the print area P1 First amount of protrusion P2 Second amount of protrusion P3 Third amount of protrusion P4 Fourth amount of protrusion S, S2, S3 Sheet

Claims (7)

An image data creation method for creating print image data by arranging a plurality of image data in each allocation area in a print area protruding by a predetermined amount from each edge of a sheet to be printed,
One of the up and down direction or the left and right direction of the print area is a first direction, one end of the print area in the first direction is a first end, the other end is a second end, and the first end is the When the amount of protrusion from the sheet is the first protrusion amount, and the amount of the second end protruding from the sheet is the second protrusion amount,
A first step of obtaining the print area;
A second step of equally dividing the print area in the first direction according to the number of assignments in the first direction of the image data and determining the assignment area;
A third step of processing the original image data that is the image data before processing into the size of the allocation area, and obtaining processed image data that is the image data after processing;
A fourth step of arranging the processed image data in the allocation area, and obtaining intermediate generation data that is the print image data in the middle stage;
A process of obtaining the print image data by processing both side portions along a boundary line between the allocation areas adjacent to each other in the first direction using the intermediate generation data, and obtaining the print image data. A fifth step in which margin data on the second end side of the line is set to the same amount as the first protruding amount, and margin data on the first end side of the boundary line is set to the same amount as the second protruding amount; The image data creation method characterized by including these. The other of the up and down direction or the left and right direction of the print area is a second direction, one end of the print area in the second direction is a third end, the other end is a fourth end, and the third end is the When the amount of protrusion from the sheet is the third protrusion amount, and the amount of the fourth end protruding from the sheet is the fourth protrusion amount,
When determining the allocation area in the second step, the print area is equally divided in the second direction according to the number of allocations of the image data in the second direction,
When obtaining the print image data in the fifth step, using the intermediate generation data, when processing both side portions along the boundary line between the allocation areas adjacent in the second direction into a predetermined amount of margin data, The margin data on the fourth end portion side of the boundary line is set to the same amount as the third protrusion amount, and the margin data on the third end portion side of the boundary line is set to the same amount as the fourth protrusion amount. The image data creation method according to claim 1, wherein   3. The image data creation method according to claim 1, wherein the first protrusion amount and the second protrusion amount are the same amount.   3. The image data creation method according to claim 2, wherein the third protrusion amount and the fourth protrusion amount are the same amount.   The length of the printing area in the first direction is calculated by adding the first protruding amount and the second protruding amount set in advance to the length of the sheet in the first direction. The image data creation method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The length of the printing area in the second direction is calculated by adding the third protruding amount and the fourth protruding amount set in advance to the length of the sheet in the second direction. Item 5. The image data creation method according to Item 2 or Item 4. A control unit that executes the image data creation method according to any one of claims 1 to 6;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet.

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