JP5689025B2 - Image processing system, image forming apparatus, and image processing method by computer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system, an image forming apparatus, and an image processing method using a computer, which combine a stamp image on a printed page and synthesize the stamp image, and print the printed page.

  As an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction machine, when printing a printed page on which content such as text is printed, a stamp image of characters, figures, codes, etc. is superimposed on the printed page and synthesized. Some have a function of printing a print page on a recording sheet.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a stamp image is stored in a memory, a printing position of a stamp image on a printed page is instructed by operation of an operation unit, and the stamp image is synthesized and printed at the printing position on the printing page. Yes.

  In Patent Document 2, a personal computer is connected to an image forming apparatus via a network, and a pattern page on which a stamp image is written is superimposed on a printed page on which content such as text is superimposed on the personal computer. A print page obtained by combining pages is transmitted and received from a personal computer to an image forming apparatus via a network, and the print page is printed on a recording sheet by the image forming apparatus.

JP-A-8-18767 JP 2002-333959 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, an operation for instructing the printing position of the stamp image on the printed page is necessary, which is troublesome. Further, when printing a plurality of stamp images on the same print page, it is necessary to instruct the print position for each stamp image, and the operation for that purpose becomes complicated.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, since a pattern page on which a stamp image is written is superimposed on a print page on which content such as text is superimposed, there is no need to indicate the position of the stamp image. However, it is necessary to store not only the stamp image itself but also the entire pattern page. For this reason, when storing a wide variety of pattern pages, the memory capacity for storing these pattern pages increases. did.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and can easily use various stamp images according to a user's request, and a memory for storing stamp images. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing system, an image forming apparatus, and an image processing method using a computer that can reduce the capacity.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an image processing system in which a terminal device and an image forming apparatus that prints a print page on a recording sheet are connected via a network, and the stamp setting page on which a stamp image is written The terminal device transmits and receives the image to the image forming apparatus through the network, and the image forming apparatus divides the stamp setting page on which the stamp image is written into a plurality of blocks, and the stamp image for each block. A determination step of determining whether or not the image is present in the block, an acquisition step of acquiring the stamp image of at least one block determined to have a stamp image, and a determination that the stamp image on the stamp setting page exists position information based on the position of the stamp image at the position and the block of block Generating and registering the stamp image and the position information in a memory; reading the stamp image and the position information from the memory; and synthesizing the stamp image at a position corresponding to the position information on a printed page. And an arithmetic processing unit for performing the synthesis step.

In this way, the stamp setting page on which the stamp image is written is transmitted from the terminal device to the image forming apparatus, the stamp setting page is analyzed on the image forming apparatus side, the stamp image and its position information are extracted, and the stamp image and Since the position information is stored in the memory, compared to storing the entire stamp setting page as it is, the memory capacity for registering the stamp image and its position information is small, and various stamp setting pages are registered. In this case, the memory capacity can be greatly reduced. Further, the position of the stamp image indicated by the position information becomes more accurate.

  Further, when the stamp image is combined, the size of the stamp image is small, so that the processing speed of the combining process is increased, the processing time is shortened, and the size of the work memory necessary for the combining process is reduced. In general image composition processing, the processing time increases in proportion to the image size, and the size of the work memory required for the composition processing increases.

  Further, the stamp image and the position information are read from the memory, and the stamp image is synthesized at a position corresponding to the position information on the printed page, so that an operation for adjusting the position or the like of the stamp image on the printed page is not required. .

  For example, in the image processing system of the present invention, in the determination step, the arithmetic processing unit determines whether or not a stamp image exists in the block based on the gradation of each pixel in the block for each block. ing.

  In the image processing system of the present invention, in the dividing step, the arithmetic processing unit divides the stamp setting page into a plurality of rectangular blocks, and in the acquiring step, the arithmetic processing unit includes a stamp image. Then, when a plurality of determined blocks are consecutive, a rectangular area including each continuous block is extracted, a stamp image is obtained from the rectangular area, and in the registration step, the arithmetic processing unit Position information is generated based on the position of the block of the rectangular area on the setting page, and the stamp image and the position information are stored in a memory.

  As described above, when a rectangular area composed of a plurality of blocks determined to have a stamp image is obtained and the stamp image is obtained from the rectangular area, even if the stamp image is composed of a plurality of dispersed characters, the stamp image Is not divided and extracted, and the entire stamp image can be acquired.

  Furthermore, in the image processing system of the present invention, in the dividing step, the arithmetic processing unit divides the stamp setting page into a plurality of rectangular blocks, and in the acquiring step, the arithmetic processing unit includes a stamp image. Then, when the plurality of determined blocks are not continuous, a stamp image is obtained from each block that is not continuous, and in the registration step, the arithmetic processing unit is configured to acquire the stamp image on the stamp setting page. The position information is generated based on the position of the rectangular block that has acquired the image, and the stamp image and the position information are stored in the memory.

  In the image processing system of the present invention, the arithmetic processing unit repeats the division step, the determination step, and the acquisition step a plurality of times and repeats the number of blocks divided in the division step each time it is repeated. In addition, evaluation based on the size of the stamp image acquired in the acquisition step is performed, and in the registration step, the stamp image acquired when the evaluation is highest and the position information are registered in the memory.

  Thereby, the size of the acquired stamp image can be optimized, and the memory capacity for storing the stamp image can be suppressed.

  Further, in the image processing system of the present invention, the position information indicates the position of the stamp image with respect to a preset reference point of the stamp setting page and the print page.

  As a result, even if the size of the stamp setting page and the size of the print page are different, it is possible to accurately obtain the combined position of the stamp image on the print page.

Next, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that prints a print page on which content is written, and includes a dividing step of dividing a stamp setting page on which a stamp image is written into a plurality of blocks, For each block, a determination step for determining whether or not a stamp image exists in the block, an acquisition step for acquiring the stamp image of at least one block determined to have a stamp image, and the stamp on the stamp setting page A registration step of generating position information based on the position of the block in which the image is determined to exist and the position of the stamp image in the block, and storing the stamp image and the position information in a memory; and the stamp image and the position information Corresponding to the position information on the printed page on which the content is written. And a processing unit for implementing a combining step of combining the stamp image location.

  Such an image forming apparatus of the present invention also has the same effects as the image processing system of the present invention.

Next, in the image processing method by a computer of the present invention, the computer divides the stamp setting page on which the stamp image is written into a plurality of blocks, and whether the stamp image exists in each block for each block. A determination step of determining whether or not, an acquisition step of acquiring the stamp image of at least one block determined to have a stamp image, a position of the block determined to have the stamp image on the stamp setting page, and A registration step of generating position information based on the position of the stamp image in the block and storing the stamp image and the position information in a memory; reading the stamp image and the position information from the memory; The star is positioned at a position corresponding to the position information on the printed page. It has implemented a synthesis step of synthesizing the up images.

  Furthermore, in the image processing method using a computer according to the present invention, in the determination step, the computer determines, for each block, whether a stamp image exists in the block based on the gradation of each pixel in the block. Yes.

  In the image processing method using a computer according to the present invention, in the dividing step, the computer divides the stamp setting page into a plurality of rectangular blocks, and in the obtaining step, the computer determines that a stamp image exists. When a plurality of blocks are continuous, a rectangular area including each continuous block is extracted, and a stamp image is obtained from the rectangular area. In the registration step, the computer includes the rectangle on the stamp setting page. Position information is generated based on the position of the block in the area, and the stamp image and the position information are stored in the memory.

  Further, in the image processing method by a computer according to the present invention, in the dividing step, the computer divides the stamp setting page into a plurality of rectangular blocks, and in the obtaining step, the computer determines that a stamp image exists. When the plurality of blocks are not consecutive, a stamp image is acquired from each block that is not continuous, and in the registration step, the computer acquires the rectangular image from which the stamp image on the stamp setting page has been acquired. Position information is generated based on the position of the block, and the stamp image and the position information are stored in a memory.

  In the image processing method using a computer according to the present invention, the computer repeats the dividing step, the determining step, and the obtaining step a plurality of times, and each time the number of blocks divided in the dividing step is repeated. Evaluation based on the size of the stamp image acquired in the acquisition step is performed, and in the registration step, the stamp image acquired when the evaluation is highest and the position information are registered in the memory.

  Furthermore, in the image processing method by a computer according to the present invention, the position information indicates the position of the stamp image with respect to a preset reference point of the stamp setting page and the print page.

  Such an image processing method by the computer of the present invention also has the same effects as the image processing system of the present invention.

  In the present invention, the stamp setting page on which the stamp image is written is analyzed, the stamp image and its position information are extracted, and the stamp image and its position information are stored in the memory. Compared with storing the image as it is, the memory capacity for registering the stamp image and its position information is small, and when various stamp setting pages are registered, the memory capacity can be greatly reduced.

  Further, the stamp image and the position information are read from the memory, and the stamp image is synthesized at a position corresponding to the position information on the printed page, so that an operation for adjusting the position or the like of the stamp image on the printed page is not required. .

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image processing system of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of PC in the image processing system of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the software structure of PC. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an MFP in the image processing system of FIG. 1. (A), (b) is a figure which illustrates a stamp setting page. It is a flowchart which shows roughly the flow of the process which consists of the several process for acquiring a stamp image and its positional information from a stamp setting page, and the process which synthesize | combines a stamp image on a printing page. It is a figure which shows the example of the raster image of the stamp setting page expand | deployed on the image memory. It is a figure which shows the example which divided | segmented the stamp setting page into 24 blocks. It is a figure which shows the example of the stamp image determination table formed by arranging the determination value ("0x80" or "0x00") of each block similarly to each block. (A), (b) is a figure which shows the example before labeling before labeling the determination value of each block of a stamp image determination table. It is a figure which shows the other example which labeled the determination value of each block of a stamp image determination table. It is a figure which illustrates the process of a copy process. It is a figure which shows the example of the stamp image extraction area | region extracted from the stamp setting page. It is a figure which shows the example of nine reference points in a stamp setting page. It is a figure which shows the example of a synthesis | combination of the stamp image with respect to a printing page.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image processing system of the present invention. In the image processing system PS of the present embodiment, a plurality of terminal devices (for example, personal computers, hereinafter referred to as PCs) 11 and a plurality of multifunction peripherals (hereinafter referred to as MFPs) 21 are connected through a network N, and between the PC 11 and the MFP 21. With this, various data can be sent and received. The network N is assumed to be a LAN, the Internet, or the like, but other types of networks may be applied.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the PC 11. In FIG. 2, the CPU 111 controls each device and the like through the bus 112 and controls the PC 11 in an integrated manner. The ROM 113 and the HDD 114 store a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) executed by the CPU 111, an operating system (OS), various programs necessary for realizing the functions of the PC 11, and the like.

  The RAM 115 functions as a main memory and work area for the CPU 111. The CPU 111 loads necessary programs and the like from the ROM 113 and HDD 114 to the RAM 115 and executes them.

  The input I / F 116 relays input from the operation input unit 117 such as a keyboard and a mouse to the CPU 111.

  The display I / F 118 performs display control of the display device 119. The CPU 111 rasterizes text, images, and the like in a display memory area such as the RAM 115, and displays the rasterized text, images, etc. on the screen of the display device 119 through the display I / F 118. In addition, the CPU 111 moves the cursor on the screen of the display device 119 in accordance with an input from the operation input unit 117, thereby enabling an instruction with the cursor. Note that the display device may be of any type, such as a liquid crystal display device, a CRT, or an EL display device.

  The communication I / F 122 performs data communication with the MFP 21 through the network N, and performs communication control of this data communication. For example, communication control conforming to TCP / IP is performed.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the PC 11. The PC 11 has an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) 131 and various application programs 132. The OS 131 generates PCL data indicating a print page, print setting conditions, and the like, transmits the data to the MFP 21, a data transmission / reception unit 134 that controls data communication performed through the network N, and performs data processing and operation of the PC 11. And a utility program 135 to be supported. The printer driver 133, the data transmission / reception unit 134, and the utility program 135 operate on the OS 11.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the MFP 21. The MFP (multifunction machine) 21 is a multifunctional image forming apparatus having a scanner function, a copying function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and the like.

  In FIG. 4, an image control unit 211 controls a scanner 212 that reads a document (print page) on which content such as text is written and a printer 213 that prints the document on a recording sheet, and transmits and receives PCL data and the like through a network N. To do.

  In the image control unit 211, the CPU 221 controls each device and the like through the bus 222 to control the entire MFP 21. The ROM 223 stores a boot program and various control programs. The hard disk drive (HDD) 224 stores various application programs, image data, and the like.

  The RAM 225 functions as a main memory and work area for the CPU 221. The CPU 221 loads necessary programs and the like from the ROM 223 and HDD 224 to the RAM 225 and executes them to control the MFP 21.

  The input I / F 226 is an interface of the operation input unit 215. For example, an instruction to the touch panel overlaid on the display device screen of the operation input unit 215 is input from the touch panel, and buttons and keys on the display device screen are input. Determine the input to.

  The communication I / F 227 performs data communication with the PC 11 through the network N, and performs communication control of this data communication.

  An ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit (arithmetic processing unit, computer)) 236 analyzes the PCL data and develops a raster image (image data) of the printed page on the image memory 237. The ASIC 236 corrects, processes, and edits image data. For example, correction or resolution conversion corresponding to the characteristics of the printer 213 is performed. Alternatively, image rotation, JPEG compression / decompression conversion processing for multi-valued image data, compression / decompression processing such as JBIG, MMR, and MH for binary image data, and image composition processing are performed.

  The printer I / F 234 connects the printer 213 to the image control unit 211, performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data, and outputs the image data to the printer 213. The printer 213 stores a print page corresponding to image data (raster image) on a recording sheet, forms a toner image on a photosensitive member, and transfers the toner image onto the recording sheet. Any of an ink jet method or the like that directly discharges the ink onto the recording paper may be used.

  The scanner I / F 235 connects the scanner 212 to the image control unit 211, performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data, and inputs the image data from the scanner 212. The scanner 212 reads an original (printed page) with a CCD line sensor, generates image data indicating the original, and outputs the image data to the scanner I / F 235.

  The image memory 237 temporarily stores image data (raster image) input from the scanner 212 to the scanner I / F 235 and image data (raster image) obtained by analyzing PCL data received from the PC 11.

  In the image processing system PS having such a configuration, the PC 11 can generate a print page on which content such as text is written by the application program 132. When the printer driver 133 of the PC 11 is instructed to print the printed page by operating the operation input unit 117, the printer driver 133 converts the printed page, print setting conditions, and the like into PCL data. Transmit to the MFP 21.

  In the MFP 21, when the PCL data is received by the communication I / F 227, the PCL data is input to the ASIC 236 via the bus 222, the PCL data is analyzed by the ASIC 236, and the raster image (image data) of the printed page is stored in the image memory 237. The image data is processed by the ASIC 236, the processed image data is output to the printer 213 through the printer I / F 234, and the print page corresponding to the image data (raster image) is printed on the recording paper by the printer 213. . In this case, the printer function of the MFP 21 is used.

  The MFP 21 also processes the image data by the ASIC 236 when the image data indicating the original (printed page) read by the scanner 212 is input to the image memory 237 through the scanner I / F 235, and the processed image data Is output to the printer 213 through the printer I / F 234, and the original (print page) corresponding to the image data (raster image) is printed on the recording paper by the printer 213. In this case, the copy function of the MFP 21 is used.

  In FIG. 1, the printer driver 133 of each PC 11 can designate the address of the MFP 21 on the network N and transmit PCL data or the like to the MFP 21 of the designated address. The PCL data or the like can be received after confirmation.

  By the way, in the image processing system PS, it is possible to create a stamp setting page on which at least one stamp image is written on the PC 11 side, and transmit this stamp setting page from the PC 11 to the MFP 21. Also, the stamp setting is performed on the MFP 21 side. The page is received, the stamp image on the stamp setting page and its position information are registered in the HDD 224, and when the print page is printed by the MFP 21, the stamp image and its position information are read from the HDD 224, and the stamp image is printed on the print page. The print page can be recorded on a recording sheet by the printer 213 by combining the stamp image with the position corresponding to the position information.

  Specifically, the PC 11 uses the application program 132 to create a stamp setting page in which at least one stamp image is written, and the printer driver 133 transmits the stamp setting page to the MFP 21. The printer driver 133 has a stamp image setting unit 133a for setting and registering a stamp setting page, and converts the stamp setting page into PCL data using the stamp image setting unit 133a in the same manner as a print page. Can be transmitted to the MFP 21.

  The MFP 21 receives the PCL data of the stamp setting page as well as the PCL data of the print page, analyzes the PCL data of the stamp setting page by the ASIC 236, acquires the stamp image and its position information, and acquires the stamp image and its position. The position information is registered in the HDD 224. Also, various stamp setting pages can be received from the PC 11 and the stamp image and its position information can be registered in the HDD 224 for each stamp setting page. Thereafter, when a desired stamp image is selected by an input operation of the operation input unit 215, the selected stamp image is synthesized at a position corresponding to the position information on the print page, and the print page on which the stamp image is synthesized is synthesized. Is recorded on the recording paper by the printer 213.

  Next, a stamp setting page on which at least one stamp image is written is created on the PC 11 side, the stamp image and its position information are acquired from the stamp setting page on the MFP 21 side, and are registered in the HDD 224. The procedure up to the synthesis to the position corresponding to the position information will be described in detail.

  For example, in the PC 11, the user has written at least one stamp image in a window displayed on the screen of the display device 119 while operating the operation input unit 117 using a word (a product of Microsoft Corporation). Create a stamp setting page. At this time, the size of the stamp setting page is set to be the same as the size of the print page printed on the recording paper, for example, on the MFP 21 side. Since the size of the print page is substantially the same as the size of the recording paper, and the MFP 21 uses a plurality of types of standard size recording paper, the size of the stamp setting page is set to one of the standard sizes.

  A plurality of types of stamp images may be mixed and laid out on one stamp setting page, and the number of stamp images is not particularly limited. Usually, a stamp image is created by laying out a character string or a figure. The stamp image may be either color or monochrome, or may be a watermark that is semitransparently combined with the printed page.

  5A and 5B illustrate stamp setting pages. The stamp setting page SP in FIG. 5A describes a stamp image ST formed by laying out a plurality of characters Ch. In addition, the stamp setting page SP in FIG. 5B describes a stamp image ST formed by laying out a plurality of characters Ch and a stamp image ST formed of a graphic Gr. That is, a company name logo, a seal (sign) field, a department name, a telephone number, and the like are set as the stamp image ST.

  After creating the stamp setting page using the application program 132 in this way, the printer driver 133 is activated through the application program 132. For example, the printer driver 133 can be activated by instructing a predetermined button on a menu bar of a window displayed on the screen of the display device 119 by operating the operation input unit 117.

  Further, the operation of the operation input unit 117 activates the stamp image setting unit 133a of the printer driver 133 and starts registration processing of a stamp setting page created using the application program 132.

  In the registration process by the stamp image setting unit 133a, the size of the stamp setting page is acquired from the application program 132, and the registered name of the stamp setting page input by the operation of the operation input unit 117 is acquired. The stamp image setting unit 133 a converts the stamp setting page, its size, registered name, and the like into PCL data, and transmits this PCL data to the MFP 21 through the data transmission / reception unit 134. In FIG. 2, PCL data is transmitted from the communication I / F 122 to the MFP 21 through the network N.

  Next, the MFP 21 receives the PCL data related to the stamp setting page by the communication I / F 227 and inputs the PCL data to the ASIC 236. The ASIC 236 analyzes the PCL data, performs data expansion conversion processing, and the like, develops a raster image (image data) of the stamp setting page on the image memory 237, and acquires the size and registered name of the stamp setting page.

  Then, the ASIC 236 performs processing including a plurality of processes on the stamp setting page developed on the image memory 237, acquires the stamp image and its position information from the stamp setting page, and displays the stamp image and its position information. Store in HDD 224 and register.

  The registered stamp image and its position information are read from the HDD 224 when the print page is printed by the MFP 21, and the stamp image is synthesized at a position corresponding to the position information on the print page, and the stamp image is synthesized. The page is recorded on the recording paper by the printer 213.

  FIG. 6 shows a process comprising a plurality of steps applied to a stamp setting page and a step of combining the stamp image with a print page in order to acquire a stamp image and its position information from the stamp setting page by the ASIC 236 of the MFP 21. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of this.

  Here, a development step S501 for developing a raster image (image data) of a stamp setting page on the image memory 237, the stamp setting page is divided into a plurality of blocks, and whether or not a stamp image exists in each block. Division determination step (division step and determination step) S502 for determining whether or not, and a continuous region step (acquisition step) S503 for extracting a continuous region including a plurality of continuous blocks determined to have a stamp image, A composition step S504 for combining regions, a copy step (acquisition step) S505 for copying continuous regions, and a cutout step (acquisition step) S506 for cutting stamp images from rectangular regions including continuous regions and setting position information of the stamp images Evaluation step S507 for evaluating the results of steps S502 to S506, the highest evaluation The registration step S508 for storing and registering the stamp image and its position information acquired in each of the steps S502 to S506 in the HDD 224, and the stamp image and the position information are read from the HDD 224 and printing in which contents such as text are written A combining step S509 is performed in which the stamp image is combined at a position corresponding to the position information on the page, and the print page combining the stamp image is printed.

  Next, the processing contents of each process in the MFP 21 in the flowchart of FIG. 6 will be described in more detail.

  First, in the development step S501 of FIG. 6, PCL data indicating a stamp setting page from the PC 11 is received by the communication I / F 227 of the MFP 21, and this PCL data is input to the ASIC 236. The ASIC 236 analyzes the PCL data, performs data expansion conversion processing, etc., develops a raster image (image data) of the stamp setting page on the image memory 237, acquires the size and registered name of the stamp setting page, and Store in HDD 224 and register. FIG. 7 illustrates a raster image of the stamp setting page SP developed on the image memory 237. The size of the raster image of the stamp setting page SP is a (number of horizontal pixels) × b (number of vertical lines). Also, the raster image of the stamp setting page SP is assumed to represent the gradation of each pixel of a (the number of horizontal pixels) × b (the number of vertical lines) by 8 bits (256 gradations).

  Next, in the division determination step S502 of FIG. 6, the ASIC 236 divides the stamp setting page SP into blocks of n (number of horizontal pixels) × n (number of vertical lines), and each block has colored pixels. Is included, that is, whether or not a stamp image is included, and the determination result of each block is held. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the stamp setting page SP is divided into 24 blocks BL.

  Here, for the value n of n × n, a preset fixed value (80, 200, 500, etc.) can be applied. Alternatively, it may be calculated by a predetermined method based on the size of the stamp setting page SP. For example, n = a (number of horizontal pixels) / 30, n = a (number of horizontal pixels) / 16, n = min (a (number of horizontal pixels) / 16, b (number of vertical lines) / 16) Set to. Further, although the block BL is set to a square, the block BL may be set to a rectangle.

  As will be described later, the value n is changed according to the evaluation in the evaluation step S507, and the steps S502 to S506 are repeated.

  Whether or not the block BL includes a colored pixel (stamp image) is determined based on, for example, whether or not the gradation of at least one pixel of the block BL is greater than or equal to a threshold value. The determination result (hereinafter referred to as a determination value) is associated with, for example, hexadecimal “0x80” or “0x00” (decimal “128” or “0”), and the determination value of each block BL (“0x80” or “0x00”) are arranged in the same manner as the respective blocks BL to form a stamp image determination table, and the stamp image determination table is stored in the image memory 237 or the like. FIG. 9 illustrates a stamp image determination table DD in which the determination values (“0x80” or “0x00”) of each block BL are arranged in the same manner as each block BL. The determination value is associated with the hexadecimal number “0x80” or “0x00”. Since the hexadecimal number “0xFF” (decimal number “256”) is the highest value and the decimal number “256” is represented by 8 bits (1 byte), the capacity of the stamp image determination table DD is (Integer rounded up a / n = A) × (integer rounded up b / n = B) bytes.

  Specifically, the ASIC 236 secures a storage area of A × B bytes in the image memory 237 or the like as the stamp image determination table DD, and initializes the determination value of each block BL in the stamp image determination table DD to “0x00”. .

  Then, the ASIC 236 sequentially determines whether the gradation of each pixel of n × n in the block BL is equal to or greater than the threshold for each block BL of the stamp setting page SP, and the gradation of at least one pixel in the block BL is the threshold. If it is determined as above, the block BL is regarded as including a stamp image, and “0x80” is written in the position corresponding to the block BL in the stamp image determination table DD. If it is determined that the gradation of all the pixels in the block BL is less than the threshold, the block BL is regarded as not including the stamp image, and the position corresponding to the block BL in the stamp image determination table DD is initialized. 0x00 "is maintained as it is.

  For example, in the stamp setting page SP of FIG. 8, assuming a coordinate system in which the position of the upper left pixel is the origin (0, 0), the horizontal direction is the x direction, and the vertical direction is the y direction, the pixel coordinate position CS. Is represented by (x, y), the area from the coordinate position CS (0, 0) on the stamp setting page SP to the nth pixel in both the horizontal and vertical directions (block in the first column and the first row) BL), it is sequentially determined whether or not the gradation of each pixel of n × n is equal to or greater than the threshold value. When it is determined that the gradation of one pixel is equal to or greater than the threshold value, one column 1 in the stamp image determination table DD is determined at this determination time point. The determination value “0x80” is written at the position of the line. If any of the gradations of the n × n pixels in the block BL in the first column and the first row is less than the threshold value, the determination value for the position in the first column and the first row in the stamp image determination table DD is set to the initial value “0x00”. To maintain.

  Subsequently, the value k (column order) of the coordinate position CS (n × k, 0) (k = 1, 2,...) On the stamp setting page SP is sequentially counted up, and each time the coordinate position CS ( whether or not the gradation of each pixel of n × n in a region from (n × k, 0) to the n-th pixel in both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction (block BL in the first row of k columns) is greater than or equal to a threshold value. Are sequentially determined, and the determination value of the position of the first row of the k column in the stamp image determination table DD is set to “0x80” or “0x00”.

  Further, the value j (row order) of the coordinate position CS (n × i, n × j) (i = 0, 1, 2,..., J = 1, 2,...) On the stamp setting page SP is sequentially determined. Each time counting up, the value i (column order) of the coordinate position CS (n × i, n × j) is sequentially changed in the same manner as in the first row, and n in each block BL in the jth row. It is determined whether the gradation of each pixel of xn is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and the determination value of the position of the i-th column and j-th row in the stamp image determination table DD is set to “0x80” or “0x00”. As a result, a stamp image determination table DD as shown in FIG. 9 is generated.

  Note that the size of the block BL of each row last column, last row each column, and last row last column is not limited to n × n, and may be smaller than n × n. For example, the size is (a / n remainder) × n, (b / n remainder) × n, (a / n remainder) × (b / n remainder).

  Next, in the continuous area process (acquisition process) S503 in FIG. 6, the ASIC 236 refers to the determination value “0x80” or “0x00” of each block BL in the stamp image determination table DD in FIG. A continuous area composed of blocks BL is obtained. That is, a continuous area composed of the blocks BL including the stamp image is obtained. Then, the continuous area is labeled so that it can be identified. Thus, for example, when a plurality of stamp images are distributed on the stamp setting page SP, each continuous area including each stamp image is set and labeled, and each continuous area can be identified.

  Specifically, in the stamp image determination table DD of FIG. 9, a coordinate system is assumed in which the position of the determination value of the upper left block BL is the origin (0, 0), the horizontal direction is the X direction, and the vertical direction is the Y direction. If the coordinate position CB of the determination value of the block BL is represented by (X, Y), the coordinate position CB (I, J) (I = 0, 1, 2,..., (A /) in the stamp image determination table DD. The integer J rounded up n = A), J = 0, 1, 2,... (integer rounded up b / n = B)) is set to “0” corresponding to the first line, and the value I Are sequentially counted, and the determination value of each block BL in the first row in the stamp image determination table DD is referred to. When the value I reaches the integer A, the value J is set to the value “1” corresponding to the second row. The value I is counted up again from “0”, and the stamp image determination table is set. Referring to the determination value of each block BL in the second row in the Le DD, similarly hereinafter for each row in the stamp image determination table DD, it refers to the determination value of each block BL of the row.

  In the stamp image determination table DD, the determination value of the block BL being referred to is “0x80”, and the determination value of the block BL adjacent in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction of the block BL is “0x80”. Since each block BL including the stamp image is continuous, the determination value “0x80” of these blocks BL is changed to the same value, and the continuous area including these blocks BL is labeled.

  For example, the determination value of each block BL of the continuous area that is found first is changed from “0x80” to “0x81”, and the determination value of each block BL of the second continuous area that is found is changed from “0x80” to “ After that, every time a continuous area is found, the determination value of each block BL in the continuous area is counted up and labeled. Here, the least significant 7 bits are changed, leaving the most significant bit “1” of 1 byte indicating the determination value of the block BL. In this case, the determination value of each block BL can be changed to “0x7F” (decimal number “127”), and 127 continuous areas can be labeled. As a result, the determination value of each block BL in the labeled continuous area is changed from, for example, FIG. 10A to FIG. 10B.

  If there are 128 or more continuous areas and the determination value of each block BL in the labeled continuous area does not fit in the lower 7 bits, the number of blocks BL is too large, and therefore the evaluation of each block BL The process skips to step S507, further changes the value n, and repeats steps S502 to S506.

  Such labeling can be performed using a known algorithm, and may be performed by a logic operation circuit of the ASIC 236 or by execution of application software.

  Next, in the synthesis step S504 of FIG. 6, the ASIC 236 selectively synthesizes each continuous area with reference to the stamp image determination table DD of FIG. 10B when there are a plurality of continuous areas.

  Specifically, if the coordinate position CB of the determination value of the block BL in the stamp image determination table DD in FIG. 10B is represented by (X, Y), the stamp image determination table DD in FIG. 10B is referred to. Then, for each continuous region, the maximum value Xmax and minimum value Xmin of X of the continuous region, the maximum value Ymax and minimum value Ymin of Y are obtained, and the maximum value Xmax, minimum value Xmin, maximum value Ymax of each continuous region are obtained. The minimum value Ymin is stored in the HDD 224.

  Then, the two continuous areas L1 and L2 are compared, and when all of the following conditions (1) to (4) are satisfied, the determination value of the block BL of the continuous area L2 is changed to the determination value of the block BL of the continuous area L1. Rewriting, the continuous area L2 is combined with the smallest rectangular area LL including each block BL of the continuous area L1.

Condition (1) Minimum value Xmin of continuous region L1 ≦ Minimum value Xmin of continuous region L2
Condition (2) Maximum value Xmax of continuous region L1 ≧ Maximum value Xmax of continuous region L2
Condition (3) Minimum value Ymin of continuous region L1 ≦ Minimum value Ymin of continuous region L2
Condition (4) Maximum value Ymax of continuous region L1 ≧ Maximum value Ymax of continuous region L2
However, since the determination value of the continuous area L2 is erased, the maximum value Xmax, the minimum value Xmin, the maximum value Ymax of Y and the minimum value Ymin of the continuous area L2 in the HDD 224 are set to negative numbers, and the determination value of the continuous area L2 is Record that it has been erased.

  In the stamp image determination table DD of FIG. 10B, the number of blocks BL is small, and the continuous areas L1 and L2 exist independently. On the other hand, when the number of each block BL increases as shown in FIG. 11, the determination value “2” of the block BL in the continuous area L2 is the continuous area based on the above conditions (1) to (4). The determination value “1” of the block BL of L1 may be rewritten, and the continuous area L2 may be combined into the smallest rectangular area LL including each block BL of the continuous area L1. In FIG. 11, only the first digit of the determination value of each block BL in the labeled continuous area is written to simplify the determination value.

  Next, in the copy process (acquisition process) S505 for copying the continuous area, the ASIC 236 determines the maximum value Xmax, the minimum value Xmin, and the maximum value of the continuous area (for example, the continuous area L2 in FIG. 10B) in the stamp image determination table DD. A storage area in which the value Ymax and the minimum value Ymin are read from the HDD 224 and image data of the minimum rectangular area LL (corresponding to the continuous area L2 in FIG. 10B) including each block BL of this continuous area can be stored That is, a storage area for storing the gradation of each pixel of n (Xmax−Xmin + 1) × n (Ymax−Ymin + 1) is set in the image memory 237, and this storage area is initialized.

  Then, the image data of the smallest rectangular area LL including each block BL of the continuous area L2 is extracted from the stamp setting page SP of FIG. 8, and the extracted image data of each block BL is stored in the storage area of the image memory 237. Remember. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, in the stamp image determination table DD, the maximum value Xmax, the minimum value Xmin, the maximum value Ymax, and the minimum value Ymin of the continuous area L2 made up of each block BL of the determination value “0x82” are obtained to set the stamp. On the page SP, the smallest rectangular area including each block BL of the continuous area L2, that is, the coordinate positions CS (n × Xmin, n × Ymin) and (n × Xmax + n−1, n × Ymax + n−1) are diagonal vertices. Is obtained as the stamp image extraction area ME, the gradation (image data) of each pixel in the stamp image extraction area ME is extracted, and this image data is copied to the storage area of the image memory 237.

  Of course, extraction and copying of each block BL of the determination value “0x80” are not performed. Further, extraction and copying of each block BL of the continuous area included in another continuous area are not performed in the synthesis step S504.

  Next, in the cutout step (acquisition step) S506 of FIG. 6, the ASIC 236 has a rectangular shape including colored pixels (pixels that indicate at least part of the stamp image and the gradation is equal to or higher than the threshold) from the stamp image extraction region ME. The minimum cutout area is obtained, and this cutout area is stored in the HDD 224.

  For example, in the stamp image extraction area ME of FIG. 13, assuming the coordinate system in which the position of the upper left pixel is the origin (0, 0), the horizontal direction is the xx direction, and the vertical direction is the yy direction, Assuming that CM is represented by (xx, yy), coordinate positions CM (xxmin, yymin) and (xxmax,) are defined as minimum cutout regions including colored pixels (pixels whose gradation is equal to or greater than the threshold) from the stamp image extraction region ME. xymax)) as a diagonal vertex and a cut-out area SE (including at least a part of the stamp image ST) is cut out, and (xxmax−xxmin + 1) as a storage area capable of storing image data of a size corresponding to this cut-out area SE The storage area for storing the gradation (image data) of each pixel of x (yymax−yymin + 1) is set in the HDD 224, and the image data of the cut-out area SE is stored in the HDD 224. And stores it in the pass.

  At this time, the ASIC 236 selects the determination value of the upper left block BL from the determination values of each block BL included in the smallest rectangular area LL in the stamp image determination table DD shown in FIG. The coordinate position CB (Xmin, Ymin) of the determination value of the selected block BL in the image determination table DD is acquired, and the coordinate position CB (Xmin, Ymin) of the determination value of the selected block BL and the stamp image shown in FIG. Based on the coordinate position CM (xxmin, yymin) of the uppermost left pixel of the cutout area SE in the extraction area ME, the coordinate position CS (n × Xmin + xxmin, n ×) of the uppermost left pixel of the cutout area SE in the stamp setting page SP. Ymin + yymin) is obtained and stored in the HDD 224.

  In addition, the ASIC 236 stores the width (xxmax−xxmin + 1) and height (yymax−yymin + 1) of the cutout region SE in the HDD 224.

  Further, the ASIC 236 obtains the coordinate position CS (n × Xmin + (xxmin + xxmax) / 2, n × Ymin + (yymin + yymax) / 2) of the center of gravity G of the cutout region SE in the stamp setting page SP shown in FIG. The distance between the coordinate position CS of the center of gravity G and the plurality of reference points set in advance on the stamp setting page SP is obtained by calculation, and the distance from the coordinate position CS of the center of gravity G of the cutout region SE is calculated. A reference point that is the shortest and closest to the coordinate position CS of the center of gravity G of the cutout area SE is selected, and the distance in the x direction and y from the selected reference point to the coordinate position CS of the uppermost left pixel of the cutout area SE The direction distance is obtained, and the reference point closest to the coordinate position CS of the barycentric point G of the cutout area SE and the coordinate position CS of the uppermost left pixel of the cutout area SE from the closest reference point Are stored in the HDD 224.

  The x-direction distance and the y-direction distance from the closest reference point to the coordinate position CS of the center of gravity G of the cutout region SE and from the closest reference point to the coordinate position CS of the uppermost left pixel of the cutout region SE are This is position information indicating the position of the cut-out area SE on the stamp setting page SP.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14, in the stamp setting page SP, nine reference points O1 to O9 are preset, the coordinate position CS of the upper left reference point O1 is (0, 0), and the upper center The coordinate position CS of the reference point O2 is (xmax / 2, 0), the coordinate position CS of the upper right reference point O3 is (xmax, 0), and the coordinate position CS of the middle left reference point O4 is ( 0, ymax / 2), the coordinate position CS of the middle center reference point O5 is (xmax / 2, ymax / 2), and the coordinate position CS of the middle stage right reference point O6 is (xmax, ymax / 2). The coordinate position CS of the lower left reference point O7 is (0, ymax), the coordinate position CS of the lower center reference point O8 is (xmax / 2, ymax), and the lower right reference point O9 It is assumed that the coordinate position CS is (xmax, ymax). In this case, since the coordinate position CS of the center of gravity G of the cutout area SEa is closest to the coordinate position CS (xmax / 2, 0) of the upper center reference point O2, the uppermost left uppermost part of the cutout area SEa from the upper center reference point O2. (N × Xmin + xxmin−xmax / 2) is obtained as the x direction distance to the coordinate position CS of the pixel on the side, and (n × Ymin + yymin−0) is obtained as the y direction distance. Further, since the coordinate position CS of the center of gravity G of the cutout area SEb is closest to (xmax, ymax) at the lower right reference point O9, the uppermost left upper side of the cutout area SEb from the lower right reference point O9. (N × Xmin + xxmin−xmax) is obtained as the x direction distance to the coordinate position CS of the pixel, and (n × Ymin + yymin−ymax) is obtained as the y direction distance.

  As described above, in the cutout step (acquisition step) S506 of FIG. 6, the image data indicating the cutout region SE, and the coordinate position CS (n × Xmin + xxmin, n × Ymin + yymin) of the uppermost left pixel of the cutout region SE on the stamp setting page SP. ), The width (xxmax−xxmin + 1) and height (yymax−yymin + 1) of the cutout region SE, the reference point closest to the coordinate position CS of the center of gravity G of the cutout region SE, and the uppermost left of the cutout region SE from the closest reference point The x-direction distance and the y-direction distance to the coordinate position CS of the pixel on the side are stored in the HDD 224.

  Next, in the evaluation step S507 of FIG. 6, the ASIC 236 evaluates the results of the steps S502 to S506.

  More specifically, the ASIC 236 initializes a suitably small value as a value n of n (number of horizontal pixels) × n (number of vertical lines), that is, initializes the size of the block BL to be appropriately small, and performs each step S502. ~ S506 is started, and when at least one of the processes S502 to S506 is not performed and the process skips to the evaluation process S507, for example, when the process skips from the continuous area process S503 to the evaluation process S507 as described above In addition, only the number of trials Q is counted up, and the value n is changed as appropriate, without performing evaluation, that is, the size of the block BL is changed as appropriate, and the process returns to the division determination step S502 of FIG.

  In addition, when all the steps S502 to S506 are performed, the ASIC 236 not only counts the number of trials Q, but also counts the number of successful extractions U of the extraction region SE (including at least a part of the stamp image ST). Then, the cut out region SE (results of steps S502 to S506) cut out is evaluated based on a specific evaluation function. This evaluation function is determined in advance based on the system configuration such as the performance of the ASIC 236 (the performance of the CPU 221) and the memory capacity, and is stored in the program. For example, an evaluation function such as α × (number of each block BL) + β × (total size of cut out regions SE) can be considered. In this case, the weighting by the values of the coefficients α and β becomes a tuning factor dependent on the system configuration. In the evaluation function of the above example, the first-order sum is obtained, but it is also conceivable to change the order according to the importance.

  After evaluating the cut region SE thus cut out (results of steps S502 to S506), the ASIC 236 compares this evaluation with the previous evaluation, and if the previous evaluation is higher, As a result of the executed step S506, that is, image data indicating the cutout region SE (including at least a part of the stamp image ST), the coordinate position CS of the upper leftmost pixel of the cutout region SE on the stamp setting page SP, and the cutout region SE The width and height, the reference point closest to the coordinate position CS of the center of gravity G of the cutout area SE, and the x-direction distance and the y-direction distance from the closest reference point to the coordinate position CS of the pixel on the upper left of the cutout area SE Is stored in the HDD 224. If the current evaluation is higher, the result of step S506 performed last time is deleted from the HDD 224, and the result of step S506 performed this time is held in the HDD 224.

  After this, if either of the counted number of trials Q or successful extraction number U has not reached a certain value, the ASIC 236 appropriately changes the value n, that is, changes the size of the block BL appropriately. The process returns to the division determination step S502 of 6.

  Further, when any of the counted number of trials Q and the number of successful extractions U reaches a certain value, the steps S502 to S507 are ended. At this time, steps S502 to S506 are repeated a plurality of times, and the result of step S506 having a high evaluation is held in the HDD 224 each time.

  Furthermore, even if either of the counted number of trials Q and the number of successful extractions U has reached a certain value, if the result of step S506 is not left in the HDD 224, steps S502 to S506 are performed again.

  In this way, the result of the highest evaluation step S506 left in the HDD 224, that is, the image data indicating the cutout region SE (including at least a part of the stamp image ST), the upper left pixel of the cutout region SE in the stamp setting page SP. From the coordinate position CS, the width and height of the cutout area SE, the reference point closest to the coordinate position CS of the center of gravity G of the cutout area SE, and from the closest reference point to the coordinate position CS of the pixel at the upper left of the cutout area SE The x-direction distance and the y-direction distance are stored in a file together with the size and registration name of the stamp setting page acquired in the developing step S501, and this file (hereinafter referred to as stamp registration information) is registered and saved in the HDD 224. Further, the image data indicating the cutout region SE (including at least a part of the stamp image ST) is compressed and stored in an appropriate format (JPEG, JBIG, etc.).

  The MFP 21 performs steps S501 to S508 by the ASIC 236 every time PCL data of various stamp setting pages is received from the PC 11, generates stamp registration information, and registers and saves it in the HDD 224.

  Next, in the composition step S509 in FIG. 6, the ASIC 236 composes the stamp image ST on the print page on which the content such as text is described, and prints the print page obtained by compositing the stamp image.

  Here, in the MFP 21, the CPU 221 refers to each stamp registration information in the HDD 224, extracts the registration name of each stamp registration information, and displays the registration name of each stamp registration information on the display device screen of the operation input unit 215. indicate. When one of the registered names of each stamp registration information is instructed by the user on the screen of the display device, the indicated position is detected by the touch panel superimposed on the screen of the display device, and the position of the detected position is detected. The registered name is notified to the CPU 221. When the CPU 221 is notified of the registered name, the stamp registration information of this registered name, that is, the image data indicating the cutout area SE (including at least a part of the stamp image ST), the most of the cutout area SE in the stamp setting page SP. The coordinate position CS of the upper left pixel, the width and height of the cutout area SE, the reference point closest to the coordinate position CS of the barycentric point G of the cutout area SE, and the leftmost uppermost pixel of the cutout area SE from the closest reference point The x-direction distance and the y-direction distance to the coordinate position CS and the size of the stamp setting page are read from the HDD 224, and this stamp registration information is stored in the image memory 237. Then, the ASIC 236 decompresses the image data indicating the cutout region SE and develops the image data (raster image) in the image memory 237.

  Thereafter, for example, when copying of the document is instructed by an input operation of the operation input unit 215, the document is read by the scanner 212, and image data (raster image) indicating the document (print page) is transferred from the scanner 211 to the image memory 237. Input and expand. When the raster image of the document (print page) is developed on the image memory 237, the ASIC 236 converts the raster image of the cutout region SE (including at least a part of the stamp image ST) onto the document (print page) on the image memory 237. ) And the image data (raster image) indicating the print page obtained by synthesizing the stamp image ST is output to the printer 213. When the image data is input, the printer 213 prints a print page (original) obtained by combining the stamp images ST on a recording sheet having the same size as the print page.

  An example of the procedure for synthesizing the stamp image ST with the original (print page) by the ASIC 236 at this time is as follows.

  First, as stamp registration information read from the HDD 224, image data indicating a cutout region SE (including at least a part of the stamp image ST), a reference point closest to the coordinate position CS of the center of gravity G of the cutout region SE, and An x-direction distance and a y-direction distance from the closest reference point to the coordinate position CS of the upper left pixel of the cut-out area SE are given.

  Therefore, a reference point corresponding to the reference point closest to the stamp setting page SP is set in the document (print page). Then, using the distance in the x direction and the distance in the y direction from the closest reference point of the stamp setting page SP to the coordinate position CS of the upper left pixel of the cut-out area SE, the closest position of the document in the document (print page). The position separated from the reference point by the x-direction distance and the y-direction distance is obtained as the coordinate position CS of the uppermost left pixel of the cut-out area SE, and the upper-left corner of the cut-out area SE at a position separated by this x-direction distance and y-direction distance. The cut-out area SE (including at least a part of the stamp image ST) is synthesized by superimposing the pixels on the side.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14, in the stamp setting page SP, the coordinate position CS of the center of gravity G of the cutout region SEa is closest to the coordinate position CS (xmax / 2, 0) of the upper center reference point O2, and the upper center left When the x-direction distance (n × Xmin + xxmin−xmax / 2) and the y-direction distance (n × Ymin + yymin−0) from the reference point O2 to the coordinate position CS of the upper left pixel of the cut-out area SEa are set In the printed page (original) RP as shown in FIG. 15, the x-direction distance (n × Xmin + xxmin−xmax / 2) and the y-direction distance (n × Ymin + yymin−0) are separated from the upper center reference point O2. The cut-out area SEa is synthesized by superimposing the upper leftmost pixels of the cut-out area SEa.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, on the stamp setting page SP, the coordinate position CS of the center of gravity G of the cutout area SEb is closest to the coordinate position CS (xmax, ymax) of the lower right reference point O9, and the lower right reference point. FIG. 15 shows the case where the x-direction distance (n × Xmin + xxmin−xmax) and the y-direction distance (n × Ymin + yymin−ymax) from O9 to the coordinate position CS of the upper leftmost pixel in the cutout region SEb are set. In such a printed page (original) RP, the uppermost left upper side of the cut-out area SEb at a position separated from the reference point O9 on the lower right by an x direction distance (n × Xmin + xxmin−xmax) and a y direction distance (n × Ymin + yymin−ymax). These pixels are overlapped to synthesize the cutout region SEb.

  Of course, even if there are three or more cutout areas, for each cutout area, the cutout areas are combined at positions corresponding to the reference point, the x-direction distance, and the y-direction distance on the document (print page) SP. The included stamp image is combined with the printed page (original). If the size of the stamp setting page SP is the same as the size of the recording paper (printing page), the stamp setting page SP may be directly combined with the printing page (original).

  As a result, regardless of the size of the recording paper (print page), the position of the stamp image on the print page can be associated with the position of the stamp image on the stamp setting page SP, and the stamp image can be combined and printed on the print page. it can.

  When a cutout area is combined with a print page (original), each pixel in the print page area to be combined with each pixel in the cutout area is associated with each other, and gradation and cutout of the pixels in the print page area are associated with each other. The sum of the gradations of the pixels in the area is obtained and this sum is written as the gradation of the corresponding pixels in the printed page area (watermark), or the gradation of the pixels in the cutout area is used as the gradation of the corresponding pixels in the printed page area. May be overwritten. Also, other synthesis methods may be applied.

  In the case of a color image, for example, the steps S501 to S507 are performed separately for R (red), G (green), and B (blue). In the division determination step S502, R, G, and B are performed. If the gradation of any of the pixels is determined to be equal to or greater than the threshold value, each block BL of R, G, B is regarded as including a stamp image, and the determination value of each block BL is set to “0x80”.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the stamp setting page SP is transmitted and received from the PC 11 to the MFP 21, and the MFP 21 analyzes the stamp setting page SP and extracts a cutout region SE including at least a part of the stamp image and its position information. In addition, since the cutout area SE and its position information are registered in the HDD 224, the memory capacity for registering the cutout area SE and its position information can be reduced compared to registering the entire stamp setting page as it is. When registering various stamp setting pages, the memory capacity can be greatly reduced.

  Also, when performing stamp image compression / decompression processing, various image processing, composition processing, etc., because the size of the stamp image is small, the processing speed by the ASIC 236 is increased, the processing time is shortened, and it is necessary for the processing. The size of the work memory used is reduced. In general, the larger the image size, the slower the processing speed of the ASIC and CPU, and the larger the work memory size required for processing.

  Further, the MFP 21 prints the stamp image on the print page by selecting the registered name of the stamp setting page SP and associating the position of the stamp image on the print page with the position of the stamp image on the stamp setting page SP. Therefore, an operation for adjusting the position or the like of the stamp image on the printed page is not required.

  Further, the stamp setting page SP is divided into a plurality of blocks, a rectangular area including each block including the stamp image is obtained, and the stamp image is cut out and extracted from the rectangular area. Even if it consists of characters, the stamp image is not divided and extracted, and the entire stamp image can be cut out and extracted.

  Note that the position of the stamp image ST may be represented by the position of the block BL including the stamp image. Even in this case, although the accuracy of the combining position of the stamp image ST on the printed page is lowered, the stamp image ST can be combined with the printed page.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment and modification of this invention were described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood.

11 Terminal device 21 MFP (image forming device)
111, 221 CPU
112, 222 Bus 113, 223 ROM
114, 224 HDD
115, 225 RAM
116, 226 input I / F
117, 215 Operation input unit 118 Display I / F
119 Display device 122, 227 Communication I / F
131 Operating System 132 Application Program 133 Printer Driver 133a Stamp Image Setting Unit 134 Data Transmission / Reception Unit 135 Utility Program 211 Image Control Unit 212 Scanner 213 Printer 234 Printer I / F
235 Scanner I / F
236 ASIC (arithmetic processing unit, computer)
237 Image memory

Claims (13)

An image processing system in which a terminal device and an image forming apparatus that prints a print page on recording paper are connected via a network,
A stamp setting page on which a stamp image is written is transmitted and received from the terminal device to the image forming device through the network;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A division step for dividing the stamp setting page on which the stamp image is written into a plurality of blocks, a determination step for determining whether or not the stamp image exists in each block, and a determination that the stamp image exists Obtaining the stamp image of at least one block; generating position information based on the position of the block determined to be present on the stamp setting page and the position of the stamp image in the block; and A registration step of storing the stamp image and the position information in a memory; and a combining step of reading the stamp image and the position information from the memory and synthesizing the stamp image at a position corresponding to the position information on a printed page. An image processing system comprising an arithmetic processing unit to be implemented. The image processing system according to claim 1 ,
In the determination step, the arithmetic processing unit determines, for each block, whether or not a stamp image exists in the block based on a gradation of each pixel in the block. The image processing system according to claim 1 or 2 ,
In the dividing step, the arithmetic processing unit divides the stamp setting page into a plurality of rectangular blocks,
In the obtaining step, when a plurality of blocks determined to have a stamp image exist in succession, the arithmetic processing unit extracts a rectangular region including each successive block and obtains a stamp image from the rectangular region. And
In the registration step, the arithmetic processing unit generates position information based on the position of the block of the rectangular area on the stamp setting page, and stores the stamp image and the position information in a memory. system. The image processing system according to claim 1 or 2 ,
In the dividing step, the arithmetic processing unit divides the stamp setting page into a plurality of rectangular blocks,
In the obtaining step, the arithmetic processing unit obtains a stamp image from a block for each non-consecutive block when a plurality of blocks determined to have a stamp image do not follow,
In the registration step, the arithmetic processing unit generates position information based on a position of a rectangular block from which the stamp image is acquired on the stamp setting page, and stores the stamp image and the position information in a memory. Image processing system. The image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The arithmetic processing unit repeats the division step, the determination step, and the acquisition step a plurality of times, and repeats the number of blocks divided in the division step and the stamp image acquired in the acquisition step each time it is repeated. In the registration process,
An image processing system, wherein a stamp image acquired when the evaluation is highest and the position information are registered in the memory. An image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The image processing system, wherein the position information indicates a position of the stamp image with respect to a preset reference point of the stamp setting page and the print page. An image forming apparatus for printing a print page on which content is written,
A division step for dividing the stamp setting page on which the stamp image is written into a plurality of blocks, a determination step for determining whether or not the stamp image exists in each block, and a determination that the stamp image exists Obtaining the stamp image of at least one block; generating position information based on the position of the block determined to be present on the stamp setting page and the position of the stamp image in the block; and A registration step for storing the stamp image and the position information in a memory; and reading the stamp image and the position information from the memory, and combining the stamp image at a position corresponding to the position information on a printed page on which content is written. The image processing apparatus is provided with an arithmetic processing unit that performs a synthesis process. Forming apparatus. An image processing method by a computer,
The computer
A dividing step of dividing the stamp setting page on which the stamp image is written into a plurality of blocks;
For each block, a determination step for determining whether a stamp image exists in the block;
An acquisition step of acquiring the stamp image of at least one block determined to have a stamp image;
A registration step of generating position information based on the position of the block determined to have the stamp image on the stamp setting page and the position of the stamp image in the block, and storing the stamp image and the position information in a memory;
An image by a computer comprising: performing a combining step of reading the stamp image and the position information from the memory and combining the stamp image at a position corresponding to the position information on a printed page on which content is written. Processing method. An image processing method by a computer according to claim 8 ,
In the determining step, the computer determines, for each block, whether or not a stamp image exists in the block based on a gradation of each pixel in the block. An image processing method by a computer according to claim 8 or 9 ,
In the dividing step, the computer divides the stamp setting page into a plurality of rectangular blocks,
In the obtaining step, when a plurality of blocks determined to have a stamp image are consecutive, the computer extracts a rectangular region including each continuous block, and obtains a stamp image from the rectangular region,
In the registration step, the computer generates position information based on the position of the block of the rectangular area on the stamp setting page, and stores the stamp image and the position information in a memory. Method. An image processing method by a computer according to any one of claims 8 to 10 ,
In the dividing step, the computer divides the stamp setting page into a plurality of rectangular blocks,
In the obtaining step, the computer obtains a stamp image from the block for each non-consecutive block when the plurality of blocks determined that the stamp image is present are not consecutive,
In the registration step, the computer generates position information based on a position of a rectangular block from which the stamp image is acquired on the stamp setting page, and stores the stamp image and the position information in a memory. An image processing method by a computer. An image processing method by a computer according to any one of claims 8 to 11 ,
The computer repeats the dividing step, the determining step, and the obtaining step a plurality of times, and each time it is repeated, the number of blocks divided in the dividing step and the size of the stamp image obtained in the obtaining step An image processing method using a computer, wherein the stamp image and the position information acquired when the evaluation is highest in the registration step are registered in the memory. An image processing method by a computer according to any one of claims 8 to 12 ,
The image processing method by a computer, wherein the position information indicates a position of the stamp image with respect to a preset reference point of the stamp setting page and the print page.

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