JP2021068926A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve a method for printing large-sized prints.SOLUTION: A printer 1 comprises: a margin amount calculation unit 13 that, based on the size of a large-sized print desired by a user, and the total breadth and the total longitudinal width of a printable surface on which printing can be performed when a plurality of print sheets necessary for printing an enlarged image of an original image enlarged to the size are arranged, calculates the amount of margin usable as a margin of the enlarged image; a dividable position specification unit 14 that, with the amount of margin as an upper limit amount, specifies one or more belt-like predetermined areas in the original image according to the amount of margin as areas of dividable positions; a dividing position receiving unit 15 that receives the positions of dividing lines determined by the user in the areas of the dividable positions; an image dividing unit 16 that divides the enlarged image into a plurality of division images at the positions of the dividing lines; and an image printing unit 17 that prints the plurality of division images respectively on the plurality of print sheets.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for an image forming apparatus.

When creating a large-format printed matter such as a poster, the printing apparatus enlarges the original image, divides the enlarged image, and prints each divided image on a plurality of printing papers. Depending on the print settings, each printing paper on which each divided image is printed has a margin (border) of about 1 mm to 5 mm around the entire circumference, and depending on the printing paper, the size of the enlarged image and multiple printing papers may be used. There is also a margin (amari) due to the difference from the total paper size when arranged in a two-dimensional manner.

Therefore, the user cuts all the margins (amari) of each printing paper, cuts the margins (edges) of one of the printed papers to be bonded, and pastes them on the margins (edges) of the other printing paper. , Create the desired large format print. In Cited Document 1, in order to eliminate the trouble of cutting such margins, a method of evenly allocating margins only to a part of a part of the printing paper for each printing paper is disclosed.

JP-A-2018-074536

However, in Cited Document 1, since the original image is divided based on the evenly divided margin amount, the image objects (for example, pictures, characters, etc.) included in the original image may be divided. When one image object is divided and printed on a plurality of printing papers, it is necessary to bond the printing papers to each other while aligning the two adjacent divided image objects.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to improve a printing method of a large-format printed matter.

In order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention arranges a large format printing size desired by the user and a plurality of printing papers necessary for printing an enlarged image of the original image enlarged to the size. A calculation unit that calculates the margin amount that can be used as the margin of the enlarged image based on the total width and the total height of the printable surface that can be printed at the time of printing, and the margin amount with the margin amount as the upper limit amount. A specific unit that specifies one or more strip-shaped predetermined areas in the original image according to the above as an area of a divisible position, and a reception unit that accepts the position of the dividing line determined by the user within the area of the divisible position. It is characterized by including a dividing unit that divides the enlarged image into a plurality of divided images at the position of the dividing line, and a printing unit that prints the plurality of divided images on a plurality of printing papers.

According to the present invention, the printing method of a large format printed matter can be improved.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the printing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of large-format printing. It is a figure which shows the example of the original image and poster size. It is a figure which shows the example of the print setting screen. It is a reference figure at the time of calculating a margin amount. It is a figure which shows another example of a dividing line. It is a figure which shows the example of the recommended display method of a division position. It is a figure which shows the example of the arrangement method of the divided image on the printing paper. It is a reference figure at the time of explaining the effect of this embodiment. It is a reference figure at the time of explaining the effect of the conventional method.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the present embodiment, the margins (borders, amari) described in the background technology are effectively utilized to avoid the situation where the image object in the original image is divided and printed, and the trouble of cutting the margins is eliminated, which makes it easier to handle. Realize poster printing.

[Printing device configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The printing device 1 is a printing device capable of enlarging the original image and printing in a large format. A division position reception unit 15, an image division unit 16, an image printing unit 17, and a data storage unit 18 are provided.

The print setting screen display unit (display unit) 11 is, for example, a touch panel type operation panel provided in the printing device 1, and has a function of displaying a print setting screen input by a user for performing large format printing on the display.

The number of sheets calculation unit (calculation unit) 12 is an enlarged image of the original image enlarged to the poster size based on the poster size (large format printing size) desired by the user and the size of the printing paper used for large format printing. It has a function to calculate the number of printing papers required when printing.

The margin amount calculation unit (calculation unit) 13 is based on the size of the printing paper and the number of printing papers, and all of the printable surfaces that can be printed when the number of printing papers are arranged in a two-dimensional manner. It has a function to calculate the margin amount that can be used as the margin of the enlarged image by calculating the width (maximum width) and the total height (maximum height) and calculating the difference from the poster size.

The divideable position specifying portion (specific portion) 14 has the above margin amount as the upper limit amount, and one or more strip-shaped predetermined regions in the original image corresponding to the margin amount are divided into the divideable position region (hereinafter, the divideable region). It has a function to specify as. For example, when the original image is divided into three in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, the divisible position specifying unit 14 specifies two divisible regions in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, respectively.

Further, the divideable position specifying unit (specific unit) 14 has a function of superimposing and displaying the divisible area on the original image being previewed and further superimposing and displaying a dividing line on which the dividing position can be changed in the subdividable area. To be equipped. At this time, the divisionable position specifying unit 14 may use the division line as a division line in which a plurality of divided images arranged in a row in each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction can be collectively changed. The division line may be a division line in which each division position can be changed for each division image in the direction. That is, the division position of the image is not limited to one horizontal row or one vertical row, and can be changed for each image unit to be divided.

Further, when the division line is displayed, the divisionable position specifying unit (specific unit) 14 searches for a pixel line that does not overlap with an image object (for example, a picture, a character, etc.) in the original image, and the position of the pixel line. Has a function to specify as the default position of the dividing line and display it by default.

Further, the divideable position specifying unit (specific unit) 14 has a function of searching for a band-shaped area that does not overlap with the image object in the original image and displaying the band-shaped area as a recommended division position in the above-mentioned divideable area. Be prepared.

The division position reception unit (reception unit) 15 has a function of receiving the position information of the division line determined by the user in the divisionable area.

The image dividing unit (division unit) 16 has a function of dividing an enlarged image of the original image into a plurality of divided images at the position of the dividing line determined by the user.

The image printing unit (printing unit) 17 has a function of printing the plurality of divided images on a plurality of printing papers. At this time, the image printing unit 17 arranges and prints the divided image on the outer periphery closer to the outside of the printing paper, and arranges and prints the divided image other than the outer periphery closer to the center of the printing paper.

The data storage unit 18 has a function of storing various data, mathematical formulas, and the like used by the printing device 1 during large format printing. For example, the data storage unit 18 can read the original image data, the enlarged image data, the calculated margin value, the calculation formula for calculating the number of printing papers, the number of printing papers calculated by the calculation formula, and the like. Remember.

[Operation of printing device]
Next, the large format printing operation of the printing device 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of large format printing. In this operation example, as shown in FIG. 3, an original image of 210 mm × 297 mm is printed in a poster size of 500 mm × 707 mm. Further, the print setting screen display unit 11 displays the print setting screen 20 shown in FIG. 4 on the display.

Step U1 (user operation);
When performing large format printing, the user inputs the image size of the original image in the "original size" field 20a of the print setting screen 20. Further, the user inputs the desired enlargement ratio of the original image in the “enlargement ratio” column 20b, or inputs the desired width and height of the poster size in the “poster size” column 20c. Further, the user inputs the size of the printing paper used for large format printing in the "printing paper size" field 20d.

At this time, the user may input both the enlargement ratio of the original image and the width and height of the poster size, or may input only one of them. When both are input, the printing device 1 gives priority to, for example, the enlargement ratio based on the config setting value. When only the enlargement ratio is input, the printing device 1 calculates the width and height of the poster size using the enlargement ratio.

Step S1;
Next, the paper number calculation unit 12 is based on the enlargement ratio of the original image or the width and height of the poster size desired by the user and the size of the printing paper used for large format printing, which are input to the print setting screen 20. , The number of printing papers required for printing the enlarged image of the original image is calculated, and the number of printing papers is displayed in the "number of papers to be used" column 20e of the print setting screen 20.

For example, when the user desires the poster size (500 mm × 707 mm) shown in FIG. 3 and prints in large format on A4 size printing paper (210 mm × 297 mm), the number of sheets calculation unit 12 divides 500 mm by 210 mm. Is carried up to the right of the decimal point to calculate the minimum number of sheets required in the horizontal direction, and the value obtained by dividing 707 mm by 297 mm is carried up to the right of the decimal point to calculate the minimum number of sheets required in the vertical direction. In the case of this example, at least three sheets of printing paper are required in each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, so a total of nine sheets is the required number of printing sheets.

The user can also manually input the number of printing papers after the number of sheets calculating unit 12 calculates the number of printing papers. In this case, the margin calculation unit 13 in the subsequent stage preferentially uses the number of printing papers manually input by the user, but if the number of sheets input by the user is insufficient compared to the number of sheets calculated by the user, the calculation is performed by the user. Use the number of sheets.

Step S2;
Next, the margin amount calculation unit 13 prints when the number of printing papers is arranged in a two-dimensional manner based on the size of the printing paper input on the print setting screen 20 and the calculated number of printing papers. By calculating the total width and height of the printable surface and calculating the difference from the poster size input on the print setting screen 20, each of the horizontal and vertical directions that can be used as the margin of the enlarged image. Calculate the margin amount. After that, the margin amount calculation unit 13 displays the total width and the total height, and the margins in the horizontal and vertical directions in the "maximum width" and "maximum height" columns 20f of the print setting screen 20, respectively. indicate.

In the case of the above example, as shown in FIG. 5, the margin amount calculation unit 13 first multiplies the width of 210 mm of the A4 size by 200 mm excluding the 5 mm of the left and right margins (edges) by three sheets. The total width (600 mm) of the printable surface A that can be printed with is calculated, and the product is multiplied by 287 mm, which is the vertical width of A4 size minus 5 mm of the upper and lower margins (edges), and multiplied by 3 sheets. The total vertical width (861 mm) of the printable surface A is calculated. Next, the margin amount calculation unit 13 calculates the margin amount of 100 mm × 154 mm by subtracting the poster size B of 500 mm × 707 mm from the calculated printable surface A of 600 mm × 861 mm. This margin amount is the maximum range in which the division position of the image can be adjusted.

Step S3;
Next, the divideable position specifying unit 14 sets the margin amount as the upper limit amount, and specifies one or more strip-shaped predetermined rectangular areas in the original image according to the margin amount as the divideable area. After that, the divisible position specifying unit 14 superimposes and displays the divisible area on the original image of the preview display field 20g of the print setting screen 20, and further superimposes the dividing line on which the dividing position can be changed in the divisible area. indicate. The user can change the division position of the image within the divisionable area.

In the case of the above example, since the original image is divided into three in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction (9 divisions in total), the divideable position specifying unit 14 has two divideable areas in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the original image, respectively. To identify. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the divideable position specifying unit 14 superimposes and displays a total of four divideable areas X1, X2, Y1 and Y2 on the original image, and divides lines in the four divideable areas. Lx1, Lx2, Ly1, Ly2 are displayed respectively.

At this time, the default value of each width of the splittable region X1 and the splittable region X2 is a value (50 mm) obtained by bisecting the margin amount (100 mm) in the horizontal direction. Further, for each vertical width of the divisible region Y1 and the divisible region Y2, a value (77 mm) obtained by bisecting the vertical margin amount (154 mm) is used as a default value.

Further, the divisionable position specifying unit 14 may use each division line as a division line in which each division position can be changed for each division image. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the divisible position specifying unit 14 divides one dividing line Ly1 into three dividing lines Ly11 to Ly13, and displays the positions of the three dividing lines Ly11 to Ly13 in a variable manner. .. That is, regarding the division position of the image, it is possible to individually adjust a plurality of division positions in each row instead of one horizontal row or one vertical row. The divideable position specifying unit 14 may similarly divide the remaining three dividing lines Lx1, Lx2, and Ly2 into three dividing lines.

(Default position of dividing line)
When displaying the dividing line, the divisionable position specifying unit 14 searches for a pixel line that does not overlap with the image object in the original image, specifies the position of the pixel line as the default position of the dividing line, and displays it by default.

Any method is used for detecting / not detecting the presence / absence of the image object. For example, when an image object is created using a predetermined software application installed on a user terminal, attribute information of the object is added to each pixel in the image. For example, font information is given for characters, vector graphic information is given for pictures, and the like. Therefore, the divisible position specifying unit 14 determines whether or not each pixel is an image object by referring to the attribute information of each pixel.

In addition, the divisible position specifying unit 14 may determine the presence or absence of an image object based on the gradation value of each pixel constituting the bitmap image. The image to be printed is converted into a pixel-by-pixel bitmap image before the printing process. Therefore, the divisible position specifying unit 14 reads all the gradation values of each pixel of each line in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the bitmap image, and the gradation values of one line are all the same value (for example, all zeros (for example, all zeros). The white)) line is determined as a line without an image object.

(Recommended display of division position)
Further, the divisionable position specifying unit 14 searches for a band-shaped area that does not overlap with the image object in the original image in the divisionable area, and displays the band-shaped area as a recommended division position. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when each image object end of two image objects O1 and O2 is included in one divisible area X1, the divisible position specifying unit 14 has the two image objects O1 and O2. The non-image object area X1'that does not cover the area is searched, and the color of the non-image object area X1'is highlighted darker than the color of the divisible area X1. In addition, the splittable position specifying unit 14 may highlight the non-image object area X1'such as blinking.

At this time, the divisionable position specifying unit 14 displays the division line Lx1 by default in the non-image object area X1'. Further, the divideable position specifying unit 14 may display the non-image object area for each divided image. For example, when one dividing line Ly1 is three dividing lines Ly11 to Ly13, the recommended division positions are displayed for each of the three dividing positions. Further, the divisionable position specifying unit 14 may display the recommended division position for a predetermined division position and may not display the recommended division position for other division units.

Step U2 (user operation);
After that, the user moves the four dividing lines Lx1, Lx2, Ly1, Ly2 within the respective divideable areas X1, X2, Y1 and Y2 while watching the preview of the print setting screen 20. By this user operation, the division position of the original image is determined. At this time, when the user determines the position of the dividing line Lx1 in the dividing line X1 for example, the divisionable position specifying unit 14 expands the width of the dividing line X2 to the upper limit amount (100 mm) of the margin amount in the horizontal direction. .. Further, when the user determines the position of the dividing line Ly1 in the divisible region Y1, for example, the vertical width of the divisible region Y2 is expanded to the upper limit of the margin amount in the vertical direction (154 mm).

Step S4;
Next, the division position receiving unit 15 receives the position information of the dividing line determined by the user.

Step S5;
Next, the image dividing unit 16 enlarges the original image to a poster size desired by the user, and divides the enlarged enlarged image into a plurality of divided images at the positions of the dividing lines determined by the user. In the case of the above example, the image dividing unit 16 enlarges the original image of 210 mm × 297 mm into a poster size of 500 mm × 707 mm, and divides the original image into nine divided images at the divided positions determined by the user.

Step S6;
Finally, the image printing unit 17 prints the plurality of divided images on the plurality of printing papers. In the case of the above example, as shown in FIG. 8, the image printing unit 17 aligns the eight divided images D1 to D8 on the outer periphery of the nine divided images D1 to D9 to the outside of each printing paper P1 to P8. The divided image D9 other than the outer periphery is arranged and printed close to the center of the printing paper P9.

For example, in FIG. 8, the divided image D1 constituting the upper left image is printed closer to the upper left of the printing paper P1 on which the divided image D1 is printed. The divided image D2 constituting the image in the center of the upper row is printed close to the printing paper P2 on which the divided image D2 is printed. The divided image D5 constituting the lower right image is printed closer to the lower right of the printing paper P5 on which the divided image D5 is printed. The divided image D9 in the center is printed close to the center of the printing paper P9 on which the divided image D9 is printed. Although there is a margin (border) on the entire circumference of each of the printing papers P1 to P9, it is small, about 5 mm, so that cutting is not necessary in practice.

Up to this point, the large format printing operation of the printing device 1 has been described. Data that each processing unit such as the sheet number calculation unit 12 stores various data used at the time of executing each processing in the data storage unit 18 and reads out the data and calculation formula required for each processing from the data storage unit 18. Executes the writing and reading processing of.

[effect]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the margin amount calculation unit 13 calculates each of the horizontal and vertical margins that can be used as the margin of the enlarged image, and the divideable position specifying unit 14 increases the margin amount. The limit amount is set, and one or more strip-shaped predetermined rectangular areas in the original image according to the margin amount are specified as the divisible area, and the division position receiving unit 15 determines the position of the dividing line in the divisible area. Since information is accepted, the user can determine the division position within the margin amount, so that important patterns can be stored on one sheet of printing paper without being divided, and the situation where the image object is divided and printed can be avoided. ..

Further, in the present embodiment, the divideable position specifying unit 14 divides the division line so that each division position can be changed for each divided image, so that the user can appropriately set the division position according to the arrangement status of the image object. Since it can be determined to be, it is possible to surely avoid the situation where the image object is printed separately.

Further, in the present embodiment, the divisionable position specifying unit 14 sets the pixel line that does not overlap the image object in the original image as the default position of the division line, so that the user adjusts the division position while being aware of the position of the image object. It is possible to eliminate the trouble of doing this, and it is possible to more reliably avoid the situation where the image object is printed separately.

Further, in the present embodiment, the partitionable position specifying unit 14 displays a band-shaped area that does not overlap with the image object in the original image as the recommended division position in the partitionable area, so that the user can set the position without the image object. It can be easily grasped, and the situation where the image object is divided and printed can be avoided more reliably.

Further, in the present embodiment, the image printing unit 17 arranges and prints the outer peripheral divided image among the plurality of divided images closer to the outside of each printing paper, and prints the divided image other than the outer peripheral. Since the image is placed close to the center of the paper and printed, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of cutting the outer periphery of the poster and reduce the number of cuttings. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, it is sufficient to cut only the inner margins (edges, edges) of the eight outer peripheral printing papers P1 to P8. Not only in the case of borderless printing settings, but also in the case of normal printing settings, margins (borders) remain on the outside of the eight printing papers P1 to P8, but since they are as small as about 5 mm, cutting is unnecessary. Is. Further, as shown by the diagonal hatch in FIG. 9, a large amount of margins (edges, amari) are formed on the printing paper P9 other than the outer circumference, and the margin is increased by that amount, so that the adhesive strength after pasting is strengthened. It is possible to prevent the poster from collapsing even when the poster is posted.

On the other hand, in the case of conventional large-format printing, since the images are generally arranged and printed in the center, as shown in FIG. 10, a large amount of margins (borders, margins) are formed on the eight printing papers P1 to P8 on the outer circumference. .. Therefore, it is necessary to further cut the margins (edges, amari), and there are more places to be cut as compared with the present embodiment. In addition, the cutting makes the appearance of the outer peripheral edge of the poster worse. Further, as shown by the diagonal hatch in FIG. 10, since the glue margin is only a margin (edge) of about 5 mm, the adhesive strength is weaker than that of the present embodiment.

From the above, the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can improve the printing method of a large-format printed matter.

[Other]
The printing apparatus 1 described in this embodiment can be realized by an existing printing machine and a computer provided with a CPU, a memory, a hard disk, an input / output interface, and the like. It is also possible to construct the operation of the printing device 1 as a program, install it on a computer and execute it, or distribute it via a communication network. The printing device 1 is an example of an image forming device. The encapsulation and sealing device attached to the printing device 1 can also be included in the target device.

[Additional Notes]
This application discloses the following inventions.

(Appendix 1)
The size of large-format printing desired by the user and the total width and height of the printable surface that can be printed when a plurality of printing papers necessary for printing the enlarged image of the original image enlarged to the size are arranged. Based on, a calculation unit that calculates the amount of margin that can be used as the margin of the enlarged image, and
A specific portion that uses the margin amount as the upper limit amount and specifies one or more strip-shaped predetermined regions in the original image according to the margin amount as regions at divisible positions.
A reception unit that accepts the position of the dividing line determined by the user within the area of the dividing position, and
A dividing portion that divides the enlarged image into a plurality of divided images at the position of the dividing line, and
A printing unit that prints the plurality of divided images on a plurality of printing sheets, respectively.
An image forming apparatus comprising.

(Appendix 2)
The specific part is
The image forming apparatus according to Appendix 1, wherein the dividing line whose division position can be changed for each divided image is displayed on the display unit.

(Appendix 3)
The specific part is
The image forming apparatus according to Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the position of the dividing line that does not overlap with the image object in the original image is specified as the default position of the dividing line.

(Appendix 4)
The specific part is
The image forming apparatus according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 3, wherein a band-shaped region that does not overlap with the image object in the original image within the region of the separable position is displayed on the display unit as a recommended division position.

1 ... Printing device 11 ... Print setting screen display unit 12 ... Paper number calculation unit 13 ... Margin amount calculation unit 14 ... Dividable position identification unit 15 ... Division position reception unit 16 ... Image division unit 17 ... Image printing unit 18 ... Data storage Department

Claims (4)

The size of large-format printing desired by the user and the total width and height of the printable surface that can be printed when a plurality of printing papers necessary for printing the enlarged image of the original image enlarged to the size are arranged. Based on, a calculation unit that calculates the amount of margin that can be used as the margin of the enlarged image, and
A specific portion that uses the margin amount as the upper limit amount and specifies one or more strip-shaped predetermined regions in the original image according to the margin amount as regions at divisible positions.
A reception unit that accepts the position of the dividing line determined by the user within the area of the dividing position, and
A dividing portion that divides the enlarged image into a plurality of divided images at the position of the dividing line, and
A printing unit that prints the plurality of divided images on a plurality of printing sheets, respectively.
An image forming apparatus comprising. The specific part is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dividing line whose division position can be changed for each divided image is displayed on the display unit. The specific part is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the position of the dividing line that does not overlap with the image object in the original image is specified as the default position of the dividing line. The specific part is
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a band-shaped region that does not overlap with the image object in the original image within the region of the separable position is displayed on the display unit as a recommended division position. ..

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