JP5293709B2 - Image processing program and image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing program and an image processing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a poster printing function that divides and prints images on a plurality of pages of paper so that an enlarged image can be obtained by enlarging one page of images and arranging the papers is known. As one type of this poster printing function, a borderless poster printing function for forming an image up to the edge of a sheet is known. According to the borderless poster printing function, the user can connect the papers without cutting margins, so that workability can be improved.

JP 2002-321422 A JP 2000-25277 A JP 2004-98656 A

  However, when borderless poster printing is performed, there is a problem that an image obtained by arranging the sheets may be discontinuous if there is an error in the dimensions of the sheets.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a printing result of conventional borderless poster printing. The paper 100 shown in FIG. 9 is A4 size, and should have a size of 210 mm × 297 mm on the standard (ISO 216). In FIG. 9, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the paper 100 are indicated by numerical values, but the paper 100 is illustrated with a dimensional ratio different from the numerical ratio shown for the sake of simplicity.

  FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a printing result when the horizontal dimension of the paper 100 is smaller than the standard and is 209 mm. In this case, since a part 102 (shown with hatching in FIG. 9A) of the image that should originally be formed on the paper 100 is lost, the image obtained by arranging the paper 100 is discontinuous. Become.

  FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a printing result when the horizontal dimension of the paper 100 is larger than the standard and is 211 mm. Here, borderless printing is realized by preparing image data having a size slightly larger than the standard paper size and printing the image so as to slightly protrude from the standard paper size. Therefore, even when the size of the paper 100 is larger than the standard, the image is printed up to the end of the paper 100. As a result, a part 104 (image 104) that should not have been originally formed on the paper 100. 9 (b) is formed on the paper 100. Therefore, the images obtained by arranging the sheets 100 are discontinuous.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and even when there is an error in the size of the recording medium, an image obtained by arranging a plurality of pages of recording media is improved. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing program and an image processing apparatus that can perform the above processing.

  In order to achieve this object, an image processing program of the present invention is a program for supplying print data to a printing unit that starts image formation from the printing start end side of a recording medium, and includes a plurality of computers. Setting to set the edge of one of the plurality of pages as an edgeless edge where an image is formed up to the edge of the recording medium so that a desired image can be obtained by arranging the recording media of the pages A marginless edge portion set by the setting means, a generating means for generating print data for forming an image on the recording medium, and a page in which the edgeless edge portion is set by the setting means First, a rotation process is performed on the print data generated by the generation unit so that printing is performed in a direction in which the edgeless edge is arranged on the print start end side of the recording medium. To function as a rolling means.

  The above-described image processing program stores a recording medium in one direction corresponding to the rotation angle of the rotation process by the first rotation unit, out of a recording medium arranged in a vertical direction and a recording medium arranged in a horizontal direction. Selection means for selecting each of the plurality of pages, and control means for controlling the printing unit such that each of the plurality of pages is printed on the recording medium in the orientation selected by the selection means. The computer may function.

  The present invention includes various image processing apparatuses, image processing methods, recording media for recording image processing programs, printing systems including an image processing apparatus and a printing apparatus that outputs print data generated by the image processing apparatus. It can comprise in the aspect of.

  According to the image processing program of claim 1, print data is printed so that a page with a borderless edge is set in a direction in which the borderless edge is arranged on the print start end side of the recording medium. Is subjected to a rotation process. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the error in the dimensions of the recording medium from affecting the image at the edgeless edge. Therefore, even when there is an error in the size of the recording medium, there is an effect that an image obtained by arranging the recording media of a plurality of pages can be improved.

  According to the image processing program of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the rotation processing by the first rotating means is performed among the recording medium arranged in the vertical direction and the recording medium arranged in the horizontal direction. Since a recording medium in one direction corresponding to the rotation angle is selected for each of a plurality of pages, it is possible to print each page in an appropriate direction by appropriately combining the direction of the recording medium and the rotation angle. is there.

  According to the image processing program of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the second aspect, the print data is supplied to the printing unit in association with the information indicating the direction of the selected recording medium for each page. Therefore, there is an effect that each page can be printed in an appropriate direction in the printing unit.

  According to the image processing program of claim 4, in addition to the effects of claims 1 to 3, there is an effect that an appropriate rotation angle based on the position of the edgeless edge can be determined for each page.

  According to the image processing program of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effects of the first to third aspects, the print data can be printed at an appropriate rotation angle according to the number and arrangement of a plurality of pages of recording media constituting a desired image. There is an effect that the rotation processing can be performed.

  According to the image processing program of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effects of the first to fifth aspects, it is determined that printing cannot be performed in a direction in which the edgeless end portion is disposed on the print start end side of the recording medium. In the case of printing, the print data is subjected to a rotation process so that printing is performed in a direction in which the marginal end portion is arranged on the other end side of the print start end. Therefore, an error in the size of the recording medium can be included in the marginal edge portion that is hidden by the bonding. Therefore, even when there is an error in the dimensions of the recording medium, there is an effect that an image obtained by bonding the recording media of a plurality of pages can be improved.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the seventh aspect, the same effect as the computer that executes the image processing program according to the first aspect is obtained.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a PC that is an embodiment of an image processing apparatus of the present invention and a printer connected to the PC. It is a figure explaining the structure of the printing part of a printer. (A) is a figure explaining the printing process produced | generated when performing 2x1 poster printing, and the rotation process performed to printing data, (b) is produced | generated when performing 2x2 poster printing It is a figure explaining the rotation process performed to print data and print data. It is a figure explaining composition of a marginal line. It is a flowchart which shows a poster printing process. It is a flowchart which shows a vertically long data rotation process. It is a flowchart which shows a landscape data rotation process. 10 is a table showing the presence / absence of rotation of each page when only portrait paper or only landscape paper can be selected. It is a figure explaining the printing result of the conventional borderless poster printing.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical schematic configuration of a personal computer 10 (hereinafter referred to as a PC 10) equipped with a printer driver 14a, which is an embodiment of an image processing program of the present invention, and a printer 20 connected to the PC 10. FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the PC 10 and the printer 20 are connected via a LAN line 4.

  The printer 20 has a poster printing function that divides and prints images on a plurality of pages so that a user can obtain a desired image by pasting the sheets together. The PC 10 according to the present embodiment executes the poster printing process (FIG. 5) according to the printer driver 14a, thereby generating print data that can provide a good image even if there is an error in the paper dimensions. Can be supplied to the printer 20. Details will be described below.

  The PC 10 mainly includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a hard disk drive 14 (hereinafter referred to as HDD 14), a LAN interface 16 (hereinafter referred to as LAN I / F 16), an input device 17, and an LCD 18, which are connected via a bus line 19. Are connected to each other.

  The CPU 11 controls each unit connected via the bus line 19 according to fixed values and programs stored in the ROM 12 and the HDD 14. The ROM 12 is a memory in which a program for controlling the operation of the PC 10 is stored, and the RAM 13 is a readable / writable memory for temporarily storing data necessary for the processing of the CPU 11.

  The HDD 14 stores a printer driver 14a. The printer driver 14 a is a program for controlling the printer 20. The CPU 11 executes a poster print process (FIG. 5) described later by executing the printer driver 14a. The LAN I / F 16 connects the PC 10 to the LAN line 4. The input device 17 is for inputting instructions and information to the PC 10. The LCD 18 is for displaying various data.

  The printer 20 mainly includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a LAN interface 24 (hereinafter, LAN I / F 24), an operation key 25, an LCD 26, and a printing unit 27, which are connected to each other via a bus line 28. Yes.

  The CPU 21 executes various processes according to programs stored in the ROM 22. The ROM 22 is a memory that stores a program for controlling the operation of the printer 20. The RAM 23 is a readable / writable memory for temporarily storing data necessary for processing of the CPU 21.

  The operation keys 25 are for inputting instructions and information to the printer 20. The LCD 26 is for displaying various data. The printer 20 drives the printing unit 27 based on print data input via the LAN I / F 24 to form an image on the paper P.

  The configuration of the printing unit 27 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing the printing unit 27 of the printer 20. The printing unit 27 includes an ink cartridge 61 filled with four color inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk), and an ink head for printing on the paper P. 60, a carriage 64 on which the ink cartridge 61 and the ink head 60 are mounted, a drive unit 63 that reciprocates the carriage 64 in the direction of arrow A (main scanning direction), and an ink head that extends in the reciprocation direction A of the carriage 64. 60 and a platen 66 disposed to face each other.

  The drive unit 63 includes a carriage shaft 71 disposed at the lower end portion of the carriage 64 and extending in parallel with the platen 66, a guide plate 72, two pulleys 73 and 74 disposed at both ends of the carriage shaft 71, and The endless belt 75 is provided between the pulleys 73 and 74. As the pulleys 73 and 74 rotate forward and backward, the carriage 64 joined to the endless belt 75 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction (arrow A direction).

  The paper P is fed from the tray (not shown) of the printer 20 to the printing unit 27, and is mainly fed via a conveyance roller (not shown) between the nozzle forming surface 60 a of the ink head 60 and the platen 66. It is conveyed in the conveyance direction (arrow B direction in FIG. 2) orthogonal to the scanning direction. Then, an image is formed on the paper P by the ink ejected from the ink head 60, and then discharged.

  FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the carriage 64 and the paper P. As shown in FIG. 2B, a media sensor 65 is mounted on the carriage 64 in addition to the ink cartridge 61 and the ink head 60. The media sensor 65 emits light toward the platen 66 and receives the reflected light. The color of the upper surface of the platen 66 is composed of a color having a reflectance different from that of the paper P, such as black. For example, when the paper P does not exist, reflected light from the platen 66 having a low reflectance is received. The detection value (AD value) of the media sensor 65 is a low value. On the other hand, when the paper P is present, the reflected light from the paper P having a high reflectance is received, so that the detection value (AD value) of the media sensor 65 becomes a high value. Therefore, the presence or absence of the paper P can be detected from the difference in the amount of reflected light received by the media sensor 65.

  By disposing the media sensor 65 at the upstream end in the transport direction (arrow B direction) in the carriage 64, the media sensor 65 sets the left end PL and the upper end PU of the paper P before the start of image formation on the paper P. It can be detected. In the following description, the intersection of the left end PL and the upper end PU of the paper P when the carriage 64 is viewed from above is referred to as a paper reference position PO.

  The printer 20 detects the paper reference position PO of the paper P by the media sensor 65, and starts image formation from the left end PL side and the upper end PU side of the paper P based on the paper reference position PO. Specifically, the first row image is formed on the upper end PU of the paper P by ejecting ink from the ink head 60 while moving the carriage 64 from the paper reference position PO toward the right end PR. However, when a marginal end portion 82 or a marginal end portion 83 to be described later is disposed at the upper end PU of the paper P, the printer 20 detects the paper reference position PO and then detects the marginal end portion 82 or the marginal end portion 83 of the paper P. The image is conveyed by the width, and then the first line image is formed from the left end PL toward the right end PR. When the margin end 82 or the margin end 83 is disposed at the left end PL of the paper P, the printer 20 moves the carriage 64 from the left end PL of the sheet P by the width of the margin end 82 or the margin end 83. The image of the first row is formed from there to the right end PR.

  Next, the printer 20 transports the paper P by a transport unit (not shown), and forms an image of the next row from the right end PR to the left end PL of the paper P. The printer 20 sequentially forms an image from the upper end PU of the paper P toward the lower end PD (not shown) while repeating the processing in this way.

  Although illustration is omitted, the printer 20 is provided with a plurality of trays. The vertical paper P is arranged in one tray, and the horizontal paper P is arranged in the other tray. Explain that it is. In the present embodiment, the vertically oriented paper P means the paper P in which the longitudinal direction of the paper P is substantially parallel to the transport direction (arrow B direction). Further, the horizontally oriented paper P means the paper P in which the longitudinal direction of the paper P is substantially parallel to the main scanning direction (arrow A direction).

  FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining print data generated when 2 × 1 poster printing is performed and a rotation process performed on the print data. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating 2 × 2 poster printing. It is a figure explaining the printing process produced | generated in the case, and the rotation process performed to the printing data. In the present embodiment, the print data stores the pixel value of each pixel constituting the image 80. Further, the print data stores information indicating the positions and the number of pixels of the marginal edge part 82 and the marginal edge part 83 to be set at the edge part of the image 80. Note that the edge where the image 80 is to be formed up to the edge of the paper P, that is, the edge of the image 80 in which neither the marginal edge 82 nor the margin edge 83 is set, will be referred to as an edgeless edge 81 hereinafter. Called. Each pixel constituting the print data is specified by coordinates in an XY coordinate system in which the upper left corner of the image 80 is the origin O, the horizontal direction of the image 80 is the X direction, and the vertical direction of the image 80 is the Y direction.

  In generating the print data, the PC 10 sets the edge of one of the plurality of pages to be printed by the printer 20 as the edgeless edge 81 on which the image 80 is formed up to the edge of the paper P. The edge of the page is set as a marginal edge 82 on which the edgeless edge 81 is overlapped. The other end is set as the margin end 83.

  For example, in the case of 2 × 1 poster printing shown in FIG. 3A, an edgeless edge 81 is set at the right edge of the first page, and a marginal edge 82 is set at the left edge of the second page. In this case, when the print data is output to the printer 20 without being rotated, in the printer 20, the edgeless end portion 81 set in the print data for the first page is formed at the right end PR of the paper P. Is done.

  Here, as described above, the left end PL and the upper end PU of the paper P can be accurately aligned by the media sensor 65. On the other hand, the right end PR and the lower end PD of the paper P vary in position due to paper size errors. Therefore, when the image of the edgeless edge portion 81 is formed on the right end PR or the lower end PD of the paper P, it should be formed on the right end PR or the lower end PD of the paper P if the size of the paper P is smaller than the standard. There is a possibility that the image of the edgeless end portion 81 is missing. Similarly, when the size of the paper P is larger than the standard, the ink that should be dropped on the platen 66 is applied to the paper P, so that an image that should not have been originally formed is formed.

  Therefore, in the poster printing process of the present embodiment, when printing each page, it is necessary to perform printing in a direction in which the edgeless end portion 81 is arranged on the left end PL side or the upper end PU side of the paper P. The print data is rotated according to the above. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3A, the edgeless edge 81 of the first page is arranged on the left edge PL side of the paper P, and the margin edge 83 facing the edgeless edge 81 is the right edge PR of the paper P. A 180 ° rotation process is performed on the print data of the first page so that printing is performed in the orientation arranged on the side. By doing this, even if there is a variation in the position of the right end PR or the lower end PD of the paper P sent to the platen 66 due to an error in the size of the paper P, the error affects the margin end 83. To do. On the other hand, the edgeless end portion 81 is formed at the left end PL of the paper P that can be accurately aligned by the media sensor 65. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image from becoming discontinuous when the paper P is bonded.

  FIG. 3B illustrates the case of 2 × 2 poster printing. In this case as well, as in the example of 2 × 1 poster printing, the print data of each page is printed so that printing is performed in a direction in which the edgeless end portion 81 is arranged on the left end PL side or the upper end PU side of the paper P. Apply rotation processing.

  Further, as in the second page shown in FIG. 3A, for the page in which the marginal end portion 82 is set, in this embodiment, the marginal end portion 82 is printed in the direction in which it is arranged on the right end PR side or the lower end PD. The print data is subjected to a rotation process so as to be performed. In this way, an error in the size of the paper P can be included in the marginal end portion 82. The marginal edge portion 82 is overlapped with the edgeless edge portion 81 of the other paper P so that it cannot be seen from the surface. Therefore, even if there is a variation in the size of the marginal end portion 82, the image to be finally completed is not adversely affected.

  In the poster printing, the setting positions of the edgeless end portion 81 and the marginal end portion 82 are arbitrary, and may be set by the user himself / herself. However, when the margin line 84 indicating the range of the margin end portion 82 is synthesized as in the example shown in FIG. 3, the margin end portion 82 is preferably set on the origin O side of the image 80.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the synthesis of the marginal line 84. As shown in FIG. 4 (a), when trying to set the end 82 overlap the right end side of the image 80 to obtain the right edge of the X-coordinate x ₃ of the image 80 is specified by the X coordinate x ₃ obtained It is necessary to synthesize the marginal line 84 on the pixel. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the marginal end portion 82 is to be set on the origin O side of the image 80, the marginal line extends to the pixel whose x coordinate is 0 regardless of the size of the image 80. 84 may be synthesized. As described above, when the margin end 82 is set on the origin O side of the image 80, the margin line 84 can be synthesized without obtaining a value indicating the size of the image 80.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, when the marginal end portion 82 is set on the origin O side of the image 80, the marginal end portion 82 is located on the right end PR side of the paper P after the marginal line 84 is combined. It is desirable to perform rotation processing on the print data so as to be arranged on the lower end PD side.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a poster printing process executed by the CPU 11 of the PC 10. This process is a process for generating print data and supplying it to the printer 20, and is executed according to the printer driver 14a. This process is started when the user selects image data to be printed and instructs execution of poster printing in the PC 10.

  First, in step S502 (hereinafter, step is omitted), the CPU 11 determines an enlargement rate based on the size of image data designated as a print target and the size of an image desired as a print result (S502).

  Next, the CPU 11 enlarges the image data at the determined enlargement ratio (S503). Next, the CPU 11 determines the number of sheets P and the arrangement (layout) necessary for obtaining a desired image based on the desired image size and the size of the sheet P arranged on the tray of the printer 20. (S504). For example, when N sheets P are arranged in the X direction of the image 80 and M sheets P are arranged in the Y direction of the image 80 to form a desired image (in the case of N × M poster printing), N and M are , Determined as a value representing the layout. Here, N and M are both integers of 1 or more.

  Next, the CPU 11 divides the image data into a plurality of pages based on the layout, and generates print data (S505). In the present embodiment, the RGB color system pixel values included in the image data are color-converted into CMYK color system pixel values, and then the data obtained by performing halftone processing is used as print data. Called.

  Next, the CPU 11 sets the edgeless end portion 81, the margin end portion 82, or the margin end portion 83 for the print data of each page, and combines the margin line 84 with the print data (S506). Note that the setting positions of the edgeless end portion 81, the margin end portion 82, and the margin end portion 83 are determined in advance for each layout. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, in 2 × 1 poster printing, an edgeless edge 81 is set at the right edge of the first page, and a marginal edge 82 is set at the left edge of the second page. It is assumed that it is predetermined.

  Next, the CPU 11 selects one page (S507), and determines whether the print data of the page selected as the processing target is vertically long data (S508). Specifically, it is determined whether the vertical height of the image 80 is greater than the horizontal width of the image 80. When it is determined that the print data of the selected page is portrait data (S508: Yes), the CPU 11 executes portrait data rotation processing (S510). On the other hand, if it is determined that the print data of the selected page is horizontally long data (S508: No), the CPU 11 executes a horizontally long data rotation process (S512). In both the portrait data rotation process (S510) and the landscape data rotation process (S512), the print data is printed so that printing is performed in the direction in which the edgeless end portion 81 is arranged at the left end PL or the upper end PU of the paper P. This is a process of performing rotation processing and selecting the orientation of the paper P to be used for each page. Details of these processes will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not print data for all pages has been processed (S514). If the determination in S514 is negative (S514: No), the CPU 11 repeats the process from S507. On the other hand, if the determination in S514 is affirmative (S514: Yes), the CPU 11 supplies print data to the printer 20 (S516), and the process ends. Note that when supplying print data to the printer 20, the CPU 11 performs information indicating the orientation of the paper P selected for each page (for example, the selected paper P) by the portrait data rotation process (S510) or the landscape data rotation process (S512). Information specifying the tray on which the paper P in the direction is set is supplied to the printer 20 in association with the print data for each page. On the other hand, the printer 20 selects the orientation of the paper P to be sent to the printing position for each page in accordance with the information indicating the orientation of the paper P transmitted from the PC 10, and for each page, an image corresponding to the print data is selected. Form.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the portrait data rotation process (S510) executed by the CPU 11 of the PC 10. This process is a process of determining the orientation and rotation angle of the paper P for each page based on the positions of the edgeless end portion 81 and the marginal end portion 82.

  First, the CPU 11 acquires the positions of the edgeless end portion 81 and the marginal end portion 82 set in the page to be processed (S601). Next, the CPU 11 determines that “the edgeless end portion 81 is set only at the lower end” or “the edgeless end portion 81 is set only at the right end” or “the edgeless end portion 81 is set at the lower end and the right end. It is determined whether it corresponds to any of “set” (S602). If the determination in S602 is affirmative (S602: Yes), the CPU 11 selects the portrait paper P (S604), performs rotation processing on the print data so that the image 80 is rotated 180 ° (S606), and processing Exit. As a result, the print data can be rotated so that the edgeless end portion 81 is disposed at the left end PL or the upper end PU of the paper P.

  On the other hand, if the determination in S602 is negative (S602: No), the CPU 11 determines whether the print data of the page to be processed is “the borderless end portion 81 is set at the upper end and the right end”. (S608). If the determination in S608 is affirmative (S608: Yes), the CPU 11 selects the landscape paper P (S610). Next, the CPU 11 performs a rotation process on the print data so that the image 80 rotates 90 ° counterclockwise (S612), and ends the process. As a result, the print data can be rotated so that the edgeless end portion 81 is disposed at the left end PL and the upper end PU of the paper P.

  On the other hand, if the determination in S608 is negative (S608: No), the CPU 11 determines whether the print data of the page to be processed is “the borderless end portion 81 is set at the lower end and the left end”. (S614). If the determination in S614 is affirmative (S614: Yes), the CPU 11 selects the landscape paper P (S616). Next, the CPU 11 performs a rotation process on the print data so that the image 80 rotates 270 ° counterclockwise (S618), and ends the process. As a result, the print data can be rotated so that the edgeless end portion 81 is disposed at the left end PL and the upper end PU of the paper P.

On the other hand, if the determination in S614 is negative (S614: No), that is, if there is no orientation in which all the edgeless edges 81 are arranged at the left end PL or the upper end PU of the paper P, then, The CPU 11 determines whether any of the other rotation conditions is satisfied (S620). Here, “other rotation conditions” determine whether or not the image 80 can be rotated such that printing is performed in a direction in which the marginal end portion 82 is disposed on the right end PR or lower end PD side of the paper P. In the present embodiment, the following three conditions are satisfied.
(1) An edgeless end portion 81 is set at the upper end and the lower end, a marginal end portion 82 is set at the left end, and a margin end portion 83 is set at the right end.
(2) A marginless end portion 81 is set at the left end and the right end, a marginal end portion 82 is set at the upper end, and a margin end portion 83 is set at the lower end.
(3) A marginal end portion 82 is set at the left end and the upper end, and a margin end portion 83 is set at the right end and the lower end.

  If any of the above conditions (1) to (3) is satisfied (S620: Yes), the CPU 11 selects the vertically oriented paper P (S622). Next, the CPU 11 performs a rotation process on the print data so that the image 80 rotates 180 degrees (S624), and ends the process. Accordingly, the print data can be rotated so that the marginal end portion 82 is disposed at the right end PR or the lower end PD of the paper P.

  On the other hand, when none of the above conditions (1) to (3) is satisfied (S620: No), the CPU 11 selects a vertically oriented sheet (S626), does not perform the rotation process on the print data, and ends the process. . In this case, the image 80 can be printed by the printer 20 in such a direction that the left end of the image 80 is disposed on the left end PL side of the paper P and the upper end of the image 80 is disposed on the upper end PU side of the paper P.

  According to the portrait data rotation processing (S510), an appropriate rotation angle is determined for each page based on the position of the edgeless end portion 81 or the marginal end portion 82, and the paper is in an appropriate orientation corresponding to the rotation angle. P can be selected for each page.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the horizontal data rotation process (S512) executed by the CPU 11 of the PC 10. Note that the portrait data rotation process (S510) and the landscape data rotation process (S512) described with reference to FIG. 6 are different in the orientation of the selected paper P and the other processes are the same, so the landscape data rotation process is performed. Among the processes included in the process (S512), the same processes as those included in the vertically long data rotation process (S510) are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The print data is “the edgeless edge 81 is set only at the lower edge” or “the edgeless edge 81 is set only at the right edge” or “the edgeless edge 81 is set at the lower edge and the right edge. If it corresponds to any of “Yes” (S602: Yes), the CPU 11 selects the landscape paper P (S702), and rotates the print data so that the image 80 is rotated 180 ° (S606). As a result, the print data can be rotated so that the edgeless end portion 81 is disposed at the left end PL or the upper end PU of the paper P.

  If the print data is “the edge-less edge 81 is set at the upper end and the right end” (S608: Yes), the CPU 11 selects the portrait paper P (S704), and the image 80 is counterclockwise. In step S612, the print data is rotated so that the print data is rotated 90 degrees. As a result, the print data can be rotated so that the edgeless end portion 81 is disposed at the left end PL and the upper end PU of the paper P.

  Further, when the print data is “the borderless end portion 81 is set at the lower end and the left end” (S614: Yes), the CPU 11 selects the portrait paper P (S706), and the image 80 is counterclockwise. In step S618, the print data is rotated so as to be rotated by 270 °. As a result, the print data can be rotated so that the edgeless end portion 81 is disposed at the left end PL and the upper end PU of the paper P.

  If there is no orientation in which all the edgeless edges 81 are arranged at the left edge PL or the upper edge PU of the paper P (S614: No), the CPU 11 determines that the marginal edge 82 is the right edge PR or the paper P. It is determined whether or not it can be rotated so that printing is performed in the orientation arranged on the lower end PD side (S620). If the determination in S620 is affirmative (S620: Yes), the CPU 11 selects the landscape paper P (S708). Next, the CPU 11 performs a rotation process on the print data so that the image 80 is rotated by 180 ° (S624). On the other hand, if the determination in S620 is negative (S620: No), the CPU 11 selects landscape paper (S710), does not perform rotation processing on the print data, and ends the processing.

  According to the landscape data rotation process (S512), as in the portrait data rotation process (S510), an appropriate rotation angle is determined for each page, and the paper P having an appropriate orientation corresponding to the rotation angle is determined for each page. Can be selected.

  In the above embodiment, the PC 10 corresponds to an example of a computer and an image processing apparatus, the printer driver 14a corresponds to an example of an image processing program, and the printer 20 corresponds to an example of a printing unit. The paper P corresponds to an example of a recording medium, and the left end PL and the upper end PU of the paper P correspond to an example of a print start end. The right end PR and the lower end PD of the paper P correspond to an example of the other end. The CPU 11 that executes S504 corresponds to an example of overall information determination means. The CPU 11 that executes S505 corresponds to an example of a generation unit. The CPU 11 that executes S506 corresponds to an example of a setting unit. The CPU 11 that executes S516 corresponds to an example of a control unit. The CPU 11 that executes S601 corresponds to an example of a position acquisition unit. The CPU 11 that executes S606, S612, and S618 corresponds to an example of an angle determination unit and a first rotation unit. The CPU 11 that executes S604, S610, S616, S702, S704, and S706 corresponds to an example of a selection unit. The CPU 11 that executes S602, S608, and S614 corresponds to an example of a determination unit. The CPU 11 that executes S624 corresponds to an example of a second rotating unit.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Can be inferred.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the PC 10 is an example of a computer or an image processing apparatus, and the printer driver 14a is an example of an image processing program. However, the present invention may be applied by using the printer 20 as an example of a computer and an image processing apparatus, and using a control program installed in the printer 20 as an example of an image processing program. In that case, the printing unit 27 corresponds to an example of a printing unit. Various devices such as a mobile phone and a digital camera can be an example of a computer or an image processing device.

  In the above embodiment, the printer 20 is a so-called serial printer in which the ink head 60 reciprocates in the main scanning direction. However, the ink head is fixed, and dot rows having a sheet width orthogonal to the transport direction are collectively displayed. The present invention can also be applied when a so-called line printer that can be formed is used. In that case, the upper end PU of the paper P corresponds to the printing start end.

  In the above embodiment, the rotation angle is determined based on the position of the edgeless end portion 81 or the marginal end portion 82. However, when the edgeless end portion 81 and the marginal end portion 82 are set at a predetermined position for each layout (the number and arrangement of sheets), a predetermined rotation angle is used for each page. The print data may be rotated.

  Further, in the above embodiment, it has been described that one of the vertically oriented paper P and the horizontally oriented paper P can be selected for each page. However, the present invention can also be applied to the case where only portrait paper P or only landscape paper P can be selected.

  FIG. 8 is a table showing the presence / absence of rotation for each pattern, which is applied when only portrait paper P or only landscape paper P can be selected. In the table shown in FIG. 8, “without edge” means that the edgeless edge portion 81 is set, and “with edge” means that either the marginal edge portion 82 or the marginal edge portion 83 is set. It means that it is set. As shown in FIG. 8, there are 16 patterns of combinations of “no edge” or “with edge” at the left and right and upper and lower ends. The table shown in FIG. 8 determines whether or not to rotate the print data for each of these 16 patterns. For patterns marked with “x” as “requires rotation”, the print data For a pattern marked with a circle as “requires rotation” without performing the rotation process, it indicates that the print data should be rotated 180 °. In this way, even if the orientation of the paper P cannot be selected, the effect of the present invention can be obtained.

  The rotation angle for each pattern may be stored in advance in a table, and the rotation angle of each page may be determined based on the table.

  In the above embodiment, the image is enlarged and printed. However, the present invention can be applied even when the image is printed without being enlarged.

  The present invention can also be applied to the execution of a poster copy in which a scanner is provided in the printer 20 and an image read by the scanner is enlarged and printed.

  In the poster printing of the above embodiment, the marginal end portion 82 is set. However, the present invention can also be applied to the case where poster printing is performed without setting the marginal end portion 82. That is, the present invention can be applied to poster printing in which a desired image is created by arranging the sheets P without overlapping each other and joining the back sides with a tape or the like, or pasting it on a mount.

  Further, the printer 20 of the above embodiment is provided with the media sensor 65 that detects the left end PL and the upper end PU of the paper P. However, the present invention can be applied even when the media sensor 65 is not provided. Even without the media sensor 65, the printing start end of the paper P can be sent to a substantially accurate position by rotation control of a guide (not shown) for guiding the conveyance of the paper P and a conveyance roller (not shown). Because it is possible.

  Further, in the above embodiment, no image is formed at the marginal end portion 82. However, an image may be formed at the marginal end portion 82. However, even in that case, the marginal end portion 82 does not correspond to an example of an edgeless end portion.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the image data composed of the RGB color system pixel values is color-converted to the CMYK color system pixel values, and then subjected to halftone processing is referred to as print data. It was. However, the print data is not limited to this, and may be, for example, data composed of RGB color system pixel values before color conversion, or after color conversion and before halftone processing. The data may be composed of pixel values of the CMYK color system.

10 PC (an example of a computer and an image processing apparatus)
14a Printer driver (an example of an image processing program)
81 Edgeless edge 82 Marginal edge P Paper

Claims (7)

An image processing program for supplying print data to a printing unit that starts image formation from the printing start end side of a recording medium,
Computer
In order to obtain a desired image by arranging a plurality of pages of recording media, the end of one of the plurality of pages is set as an edgeless end where an image is formed up to the end of the recording medium. Setting means;
Generating means for generating print data for forming the edgeless edge and the image set by the setting means on the recording medium;
The page in which the edgeless edge is set by the setting means is generated by the generating means so that printing is performed in a direction in which the edgeless edge is arranged on the printing start end side of the recording medium. An image processing program for causing the print data to function as first rotation means for performing rotation processing. Among the plurality of pages, a recording medium in one direction corresponding to the rotation angle of the rotation processing by the first rotation unit is selected from the recording medium arranged in the vertical direction and the recording medium arranged in the horizontal direction. A selection means to select;
The image processing program according to claim 1, wherein the computer is caused to function as a control unit that controls the printing unit so that each of the plurality of pages is printed on a recording medium in a direction selected by the selection unit. .   The image processing program according to claim 2, wherein the control unit supplies the print data with information indicating the orientation of the recording medium selected by the selection unit for each page and supplies the print data to the printing unit. Position acquisition means for acquiring, for each page, the position where the edgeless edge is set by the setting means;
Based on the position of the edgeless edge acquired by the position acquisition means, the computer functions as an angle determination means for determining a rotation angle for each page,
The image processing program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first rotation unit performs a rotation process on the print data using the rotation angle determined by the angle determination unit. Causing the computer to function as overall information determining means for determining the number and arrangement of a plurality of pages of recording media constituting the desired image;
The setting means sets the edgeless end portion at a position determined in advance for each of the number of sheets determined by the overall information determination means and the arrangement,
The first rotation means performs a rotation process on the print data by using a rotation angle predetermined for each page for each number and arrangement determined by the overall information determination means. 4. The image processing program according to any one of 3 to 3. The setting means sets an end portion of any one of the plurality of pages as the edgeless edge portion, and sets an edge portion of another page as a marginal edge portion where the edgeless edge portions are overlapped. Is what
Determining means for determining whether printing can be performed in an orientation in which the edgeless edge is disposed on the printing start end side of the recording medium;
If it is determined by the determination means that printing cannot be performed in the orientation in which the edgeless edge is disposed on the print start end side of the recording medium, the print data is rotated by the first rotation means. Instead, the computer functions as a second rotation unit that performs a rotation process on the print data so that printing is performed in a direction in which the margin end is disposed on the other end side of the print start end of the recording medium. The image processing program according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An image processing apparatus for supplying print data to a printing unit that starts image formation from a printing start end side of a recording medium,
In order to obtain a desired image by arranging a plurality of pages of recording media, the end of one of the plurality of pages is set as an edgeless end where an image is formed up to the end of the recording medium. Setting means;
Generating means for generating print data for forming the edgeless edge and the image set by the setting means on the recording medium;
The page in which the edgeless edge is set by the setting means is generated by the generating means so that printing is performed in a direction in which the edgeless edge is arranged on the printing start end side of the recording medium. An image processing apparatus comprising: a first rotation unit that performs a rotation process on the print data.

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