JP5962741B2 - Image processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

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

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-228561 describes that when the size of a paper to be printed is an envelope size of a regular envelope, an image obtained by rotating the image to be printed by 180 degrees is printed on a printing unit.

JP 2005-56001 A

  An object of the present invention is to enable a user to register print control information used when an image is printed on a printing means on an atypical envelope.

  An image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a receiving unit that receives an input of print control information by a user; a unit that stores the printing control information received by the receiving unit in a storage unit; and a predetermined operation. Print control means for causing the printing means to print an image representing a print target image on a print target paper based on the print control information stored in the storage means when the print control is performed. The information includes the first information indicating whether or not the print target paper is an envelope and the second information indicating the size of the print target paper.

  In one aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, when the first information included in the print control information indicates that the print target paper is an envelope, the print control unit performs the rotation process. An image is printed on the printing unit, and when the first information included in the printing control information indicates that the printing target paper is not an envelope, the printing target image is printed on the printing unit.

  In one aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, the print control information including the first information indicating that the print target paper is an envelope further includes third information indicating a flap open / close state, and the print control When the first information included in the print control information indicates that the print target paper is an envelope, the third information included in the print control information may indicate a predetermined reference state. For example, the printing target image that has been subjected to the rotation process is printed on the printing unit, and if the third information does not indicate the reference state, the printing target image is printed on the printing unit. .

  In one aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, the print control information including the first information indicating that the print target paper is an envelope further includes fourth information indicating a flap position, and the printing unit includes: The image representing the print target image is printed on the print target paper set on the setting member for setting the paper, and the image processing system displays the guide image when the predetermined operation is performed. Is further displayed on the display means to guide the user who has performed the operation on how to set the print target paper, and the guide means includes the first information included in the print control information. When indicating that the print target paper is an envelope, a combination of the state indicated by the third information included in the print control information and the position indicated by the fourth information included in the print control information Wherein the guide image to be displayed on said display means and in accordance with.

  A program according to an aspect of the present invention is a program for storing print control information received by a receiving unit that receives input of print control information by a user in a storage unit, and storing the memory when a predetermined operation is performed. Based on the print control information stored in the unit, the computer functions as a print control unit that causes the printing unit to print an image representing a print target image on the print target paper, and the print control information is the print target A program comprising: first information indicating whether or not a sheet is an envelope; and second information indicating a dimension of the print target sheet.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a user can register print control information used when an image is printed on a printing means on an atypical envelope.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the orientation of an atypical envelope and the orientation of an image printed on an atypical envelope can be matched.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the orientation of the atypical envelope and the orientation of the image printed on the atypical envelope are made to coincide with each other with higher accuracy than when the configuration is not provided. Can do.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to guide a user to install an atypical envelope in consideration of flap position and opening / closing information.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system. It is a figure which illustrates a table. It is a figure which illustrates the user interface for paper registration. It is a figure which illustrates a table. 3 is a diagram illustrating a print setting interface. FIG. It is a flowchart which illustrates the process performed with an image processing apparatus. It is a figure which illustrates the guidance image for user-defined envelopes. It is a figure which illustrates the guidance image for user-defined envelopes. It is a figure which illustrates the guidance image for user-defined envelopes. It is a figure which illustrates the guidance image for user-defined envelopes.

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

[Image processing system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the printing system 1. The printing system 1 includes a user image processing apparatus 2 and a printer 4. The image processing apparatus 2 and the printer 4 are communicably connected via a network.

[Image processing device]
The image processing apparatus 2 is a personal computer, for example, and includes a control unit 2a, a main memory 2b, a hard disk 2c, an operation input unit 2d, a display unit 2e, and a network interface 2f (hereinafter referred to as a network IF 2f).

  The control unit 2a is a microprocessor, for example, and executes information processing according to a program stored in the main memory 2b. Hereinafter, the program stored in the main memory 2b is referred to as a printer driver.

  The main memory 2b includes RAM and ROM. The main memory 2b stores the printer driver and various data necessary for information processing. The printer driver may be read from a computer-readable information storage medium such as a DVD (registered trademark) -ROM and stored in the main memory 2b, or supplied from a communication network such as a network and stored in the main memory. 2b may be stored.

  The hard disk 2c is a storage medium for storing various information. The hard disk 2c stores a plurality of images that are candidates for printing. Other information stored in the hard disk 2c will be described later.

  The operation input unit 2d is, for example, a mouse and a keyboard, and outputs the content of the operation performed by the user to the control unit 2a. The display unit 2e is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays and outputs information input from the control unit 2a.

  The network IF 2f is an interface for transmitting information to the network and receiving information from the network, and is, for example, a network interface card. The network IF 2f receives information from the network and outputs it to the control unit 2a.

  Further, the network IF 2f transmits information input from the control unit 2a to the network. In the case of the present embodiment, the network IF 2f transmits print job data based on the image to be printed to the printer 4 via the network.

[Printer]
The printer 4 (printing means) is, for example, a laser printer. The printer 4 includes a paper tray 4a (installation member) for setting paper to be printed, and based on print job data received from the image processing apparatus 2, an image to be printed on the paper set in the paper tray 4a. Print an image representing.

  Specifically, when the printer 4 receives print job data, the paper set on the paper tray 4a is conveyed to the transfer drum, and the toner attached to the transfer drum is transferred to the paper. In order to fix the toner, the sheet is heated and pressed by the fixing roller, and then the sheet is output to an output tray (not shown). Note that the pressure applied by the fixing roller is controlled based on the print job data. As a result, pressure is applied in accordance with the quality of the paper.

[table]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a table stored in the hard disk 2c (storage means) simultaneously with the installation of the printer driver. This table associates paper names of paper registered as candidates for printing (hereinafter referred to as registered paper) and print control information for controlling printing of images on registered paper by the printer 4. keeping. As shown in the figure, the print control information includes type data (first information), dimension data (second information), status data (third information), and position data (fourth information). .

  The type data indicates the type of registered paper. In other words, the type data indicates whether or not the registration sheet is an envelope. For example, the type data included in the print control information for controlling printing of an image on A4 paper indicates that the A4 paper is plain paper. That is, this type data indicates that A4 paper is not an envelope. For example, the type data included in the print control information for controlling the printing of an image on B5 paper indicates that the B5 paper is plain paper. That is, this type data indicates that the B5 sheet is not an envelope. In addition, the type data included in the print control information for controlling the printing of the image on the fixed envelope indicates that the fixed envelope is an envelope.

  Here, the fixed envelope is an envelope having a size defined in the standard, and is commercially available. In the present embodiment, a flap is provided on the short side of the fixed envelope. Further, when printing is performed, it is determined that the fixed envelope is placed on the paper tray 4a with the short side of the flap provided at the top after closing the flap.

  The dimension data indicates the dimension of the registered sheet. The dimensions include the length of the long side and the length of the short side.

  Note that print control information for controlling printing of an image on A4 paper, print control information for controlling printing of an image on B5 paper, and print control information for controlling printing of an image on a fixed envelope. Does not include status data and position data. The significance of the status data and position data will be described later.

  Hereinafter, A4 paper, B5 paper, and fixed envelopes registered as registration paper from the time of installation of the printer driver may be collectively referred to as default paper.

[User interface for paper registration]
In the image processing apparatus 2, the user may register a sheet other than the default sheet as a registered sheet. For example, the user may register a handmade envelope as a registration sheet.

  Hereinafter, an example of a method for registering paper other than the default paper will be described. In this embodiment, the user uses a paper registration user interface (hereinafter referred to as a paper registration UI). The paper registration UI is a user interface (accepting means) that accepts both the paper name of the paper to be registered and the print control information for controlling the printing of the image on the paper to be registered by the user. is there. The paper registration UI is displayed on the display unit 2e by the control unit 2a operating according to the printer driver.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a paper registration UI. The user inputs the paper name of the paper to be registered in the input field 6a. In addition, the user inputs the dimensions of the registration target paper. Specifically, the user inputs the length of the long side of the paper to be registered in the input field 6b, and inputs the length of the short side of the paper to be registered in the input field 6c. The user also inputs the type of paper to be registered. Specifically, when the registration target paper is an envelope, the user inputs a check mark in the check box 6d, and when the registration target paper is not an envelope, the user does not input a check mark in the check box 6d.

  In addition, when the registration target paper is an envelope, the user inputs the flap position of the registration target envelope. Specifically, the user inputs a check mark in the check box 6e when a flap is provided on the short side of the registration target envelope, and the flap is provided on the long side of the registration target envelope. Enter a check mark in the check box 6f.

  In addition, when the registration target paper is an envelope, the user inputs the open / close state of the flap when the registration target envelope is placed on the paper tray. For example, when it is considered that the user should place the envelope to be registered on the paper tray with the flap open, the user inputs a check mark in the check box 6g and opens the envelope to be registered with the flap closed. If it is considered that it should be placed on the paper tray, a check mark is entered in the check box 6h.

  The control unit 2a adds a record corresponding to the paper name received by the paper registration UI to the table, associates the record with the paper name, the dimension data indicating the dimensions received by the paper registration UI, and the paper registration UI. Print control information including the type data indicating the paper type received by the printer, the position data indicating the flap position received by the paper registration UI, and the status data indicating the open / closed state received by the paper registration UI. Store new in. When the registration target paper is an envelope, the print control information newly stored in the table does not include status data and position data.

  In this way, paper other than the default paper is registered. FIG. 4 shows an example of the table after registration of paper other than the default paper. The “open state” is a state where the flap is open, and the “closed state” is a state where the flap is closed.

  Hereinafter, an envelope registered as a registration sheet by a user is referred to as a user-defined envelope.

[Print Setting Interface]
The user selects an image to be printed from images stored in the hard disk 2c, and instructs the printer 4 to print the image to be printed using the print setting interface.

  FIG. 5 illustrates the print setting interface. It is displayed on the display unit 2e. In the case of this embodiment, the user performs a print target paper input operation (operation), and inputs the paper name of the print target paper in the input field 8a. Specifically, the user inputs the paper name of one registered paper in the input field 8a.

  In addition, the user inputs the number of copies to be input in the input field 8b and the color mode in the input field 8c.

  When a paper to be printed is input, a guidance image for guiding the user how to set the paper to be printed is displayed in the guidance area 9. The user refers to the guide image and installs the paper to be printed on the paper tray 4a. Then, the user who has placed the paper to be printed on the paper tray 4 a presses the button 10 to instruct the printer 4 to execute printing.

[processing]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the image processing apparatus 2 when a user inputs a print target paper. This process is executed by the control unit 2a operating according to the printer driver.

  The control unit 2a determines whether or not the paper to be printed is an envelope (S101). Specifically, the control unit 2a reads out print control information (hereinafter referred to as “notable print control information”) associated with the paper name input to the print setting interface, and uses the type data included in the noticeable print control information. It is determined whether or not the indicated paper type is an envelope.

  When the paper to be printed is not an envelope, that is, when the paper to be printed is plain paper (N in S101), the control unit 2a displays the guide image for plain paper on the display unit 2e (S102).

  Then, the control unit 2a (printing control means) causes the printer 4 to print an image to be printed (S103). Specifically, when the button 10 (see FIG. 5) is pressed, the control unit 2a generates print job data for printing an image to be printed based on the target print control information, and the generated print job Data is transmitted to the printer 4. Note that the type data included in the target print control information is used so that the heating and pressurization of the printing target paper by the fixing roller are performed in accordance with the quality of the printing target paper. In addition, the dimension data included in the target print control information is used to print an image to be printed in accordance with the dimensions of the sheet to be printed.

  When the printing target paper is an envelope (Y in S101), the control unit 2a determines whether the printing target paper is a fixed envelope (S104). Specifically, the control unit 2a determines whether the attention print control information includes neither status data nor position data. If the target print control information contains neither status data nor position data, the paper to be printed is a standard envelope, and if the target print control information contains status data and position data, the print target paper is It is a user-defined envelope, not an envelope.

  When the paper to be printed is a user-defined envelope (N in S104), the control unit 2a (guidance means) causes the display unit 2e to display the guide image for the user-defined envelope (S105). Here, the control unit 2a displays a guide image corresponding to a combination of the flap position indicated by the position data included in the target print control information and the open / closed state indicated by the state data included in the target print control information on the display unit 2e. Display.

  7A to 7D are diagrams illustrating guide images for user-defined envelopes. These guide images are stored in the hard disk 2c. The guide images shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B show how to install a user-defined envelope with a flap on the short side, and the guide images shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D each have a flap on the long side. Shows how to install a user-defined envelope. The guide images shown in FIGS. 7A and 7C show the installation method when the user-defined envelope is installed on the paper tray 4a with the flap opened, and the guide images shown in FIGS. 7B and 7D are The installation method when the user-defined envelope is installed on the paper tray 4a with the flap closed is shown.

  In the case of this embodiment, when the user-defined envelope is set on the paper tray 4a with the flap closed, the user-defined envelope is set to be set with the short side of the flap provided at the top. Further, when the user-defined envelope is set on the paper tray 4a with the flap opened, it is determined that the user-defined envelope is set starting from the short side where the flap is not provided. That is, the orientation of the user-defined envelope placed on the paper tray 4a differs by 180 degrees between the state in which the flap is closed and the state in which the flap is open.

  Therefore, when the flap position indicated by the position data included in the target print control information is “short side”, the control unit 2a (guidance unit) sets the open / close state indicated by the state data included in the target print control information to “open state”. 7A, the guide image shown in FIG. 7A is displayed on the display unit 2e. If the open / close state indicated by the state data included in the target print control information is “closed state”, the guide image shown in FIG. 2e. On the other hand, when the flap position indicated by the position data included in the target print control information is “long side”, the control unit 2a (guidance unit) sets the open / close state indicated by the state data included in the target print control information to “open state”. 7C, the guide image shown in FIG. 7C is displayed on the display unit 2e. If the open / close state indicated by the state data included in the target print control information is “closed state”, the guide image shown in FIG. 2e.

  Then, in step S106 to S108, the control unit 2a (print control unit) causes the printer 4 to print an image representing an image to be printed based on the target print control information.

  Specifically, when the button 10 is pressed, the control unit 2a determines whether or not the flap state is the open state, that is, the state data included in the target print control information indicates the open state (reference state). It is determined whether or not (S106). When the flap state is not open (N in S106), the control unit 2a (printing control means) causes the printer 4 to print an image to be printed in the same manner as in Step S103 (S107). As described above, the type data included in the target print control information is used so that the heating and pressurization of the printing target paper by the fixing roller are performed in accordance with the quality of the printing target paper. The dimension data included in the print control information is used for printing an image to be printed in accordance with the dimensions of the paper to be printed.

  As described above, the orientation of the user-defined envelope placed on the paper tray 4a differs between the state in which the flap is closed and the state in which the flap is open. Therefore, when the flap state is the open state, that is, when the state data included in the target print control information indicates the open state (Y in S106), the control unit 2a (print control means) A rotated image obtained by rotating the image 180 degrees is printed on the printer 4 (S108). Specifically, print job data for printing the rotated image is generated based on the noticeable print control information, and the generated print job data is transmitted to the printer 4. In this case, the dimension data included in the noticeable print control information is used to print the rotated image in accordance with the dimensions of the paper to be printed.

  When the paper to be printed is a fixed envelope (Y in S104), the control unit 2a displays a guide image for the fixed envelope on the display unit 2e (S109). As described above, in the case of the present embodiment, a flap is provided on the short side of the fixed envelope, and when printing, the fixed envelope is placed with the short side of the flap provided at the top after closing the flap. It is determined to be installed in the paper tray 4a. Therefore, the control part 2a displays the guidance image shown in FIG. 7B on the display part 2e.

  Then, the control unit 2a causes the printer 4 to print an image to be printed (S110). Specifically, when the button 10 (see FIG. 5) is pressed, the control unit 2a performs print job data for printing an image to be printed based on the target print control information in the same manner as in step S103. And the generated print job data is transmitted to the printer 4. As described above, the type data included in the target print control information is used so that the heating and pressurization of the printing target paper by the fixing roller are performed in accordance with the quality of the printing target paper. The dimension data included in the print control information is used for printing an image to be printed in accordance with the dimensions of the paper to be printed.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the printer 4 is provided outside the image processing apparatus 2, but the printer 4 may be provided inside the image processing apparatus 2.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing system, 2 Image processing apparatus, 2a Control part, 2b Main memory, 2c Hard disk, 2d Operation input part, 2e Display part, 2f Network interface, 4
Printer, 4a Paper tray, 6a, 6b, 6c, 8a, 8b, 8c Input field, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h Check box, 9 Guide area, 10 button.

Claims (8)

An accepting means for accepting input of print control information by a user;
Means for storing in the storage means the printing control information received by the receiving means;
When a predetermined operation is performed, the guide image is displayed on the display means, and the user who has performed the operation is instructed how to set the print target paper to be set on the setting member for setting the paper. Guidance means to perform,
A print control unit that causes the printing unit to print an image representing a print target image on the print target paper based on print control information stored in the storage unit when a printing instruction operation is performed;
Including
Said guide means, when the print target sheet in the print control information includes information indicating that the envelope, the information indicating the position information and the flap indicating the open or closed state of the flap before Symbol envelope Correspondingly, the guide image for guiding the installation orientation of the previous SL printed sheets to be displayed on said display means,
An image processing apparatus. The print control means includes
When the print control information includes information indicating that the print target paper is an envelope, the print unit prints the print target image that has been subjected to the rotation process,
If the print control information includes information indicating that the print target paper is not an envelope, causing the printing unit to print the print target image;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The print control means includes
When the print control information includes information indicating that the print target paper is an envelope, the information indicating the opening / closing state of the flap of the envelope included in the print control information indicates a predetermined reference state. If the printing target image that has been subjected to the rotation process is printed on the printing unit, and the information indicating the opening / closing state of the flap of the envelope does not indicate the reference state, the printing target image is sent to the printing unit. Printing,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2. Said guiding means,
The installation orientation of the previous SL printed sheet to top side the flap is located, to guide the,
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Said guiding means,
Information indicating the open or closed state of the envelope flaps included before Symbol print control information, the open state, in accordance with the closed state, be guided at different installation direction 180 degrees of the printed paper,
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The guiding means includes
The state of the envelope flap when in the open state, said flap installation orientation before Kishirushi printing Target sheet to top side opposite to the side located to guide the,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5. The guiding means includes
The state of the envelope flap when in the closed state, the installation direction of the previous SL printed sheet to top side the flap is positioned to guide the,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5. Accepting means for accepting input of print control information by the user;
Means for storing in the storage means the printing control information received by the receiving means;
When a predetermined operation is performed, the guide image is displayed on the display means, and the user who has performed the operation is instructed how to set the print target paper to be set on the setting member for setting the paper. Guiding means,
A print control means for causing the printing means to print an image representing a print target image on the print target paper based on the print control information stored in the storage means when a printing instruction operation is performed;
As a program for causing a computer to function as
Said guide means, when the print target sheet in the print control information includes information indicating that the envelope, the information indicating the position information and the flap indicating the open or closed state of the flap before Symbol envelope Correspondingly, the guide image for guiding the installation orientation of the previous SL printed sheets to be displayed on said display means,
A program characterized by

Images