JP6601426B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Description

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

  In general, an image processing apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral receives print job data from a terminal device, and forms an image based on the print job data on a sheet. The print job data may include font designation information indicating a designated font and a designated font size to be used for drawing a character string. In this case, the image processing apparatus acquires designated font data corresponding to the font designation information from a nonvolatile storage unit that previously stores font data.

  The designated font data may not exist in the storage unit. In this case, it is known that the image processing apparatus acquires substitute font data from the storage unit or the like, and generates character string image data using the substitute font data (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

  Further, it is also known that the image processing apparatus acquires font width information together with the substitute font data, and generates a character string image based on the substitute font data according to the font width information (for example, Patent Documents). 1). Thereby, when the substitute font data is used, the character string image is prevented from protruding from the allowable drawing area.

JP 2012-168953 A

  By the way, even when the substitute font data is used, it is desirable that the character string image is drawn with the font size specified in the print job data as much as possible.

  However, if the character string image based on the substitute font data is drawn with the specified font size, there is a possibility that the character string image will protrude from the allowable drawing area.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and image capable of rendering the character string image with the specified font size as much as possible while preventing the character string image using the substitute font data from protruding from an allowable drawing area. It is to provide a processing method.

An image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a drawing job data acquisition unit, a font data acquisition unit, a character string rasterization unit, a protrusion determination unit, and a synthesis unit. The drawing job data acquisition unit acquires drawing job data including drawing content information and drawing position information for each page of a drawing object including a drawing character string. In the case where the drawing content information includes font designation information indicating a character code, a designated font, and a designated font size for the drawing character string, the font data acquisition unit includes a non-volatile font storage unit that stores the designated font information. If it is information of an existing font representing any one of a plurality of types of vector font data stored in advance, the character code of the font designation information and designated font data corresponding to the designated font are acquired from the font storage unit. If the information of the designated font is not the information of the existing font, substitute font data replacing the designated font data is acquired from the font storage unit. When the designated font data is acquired from the font storage unit, the character string rasterizing unit obtains designated character string raster data that is raster data of a character string image specified by the designated font data and the designated font size. When the substitute font data is acquired from the font storage unit, substitute character string raster data which is raster data of a character string image specified by the substitute font data and the designated font size is generated. The protrusion determination unit includes a designated character string image that is an image represented by the designated character string raster data, a substitute character string image that is an image represented by the substitute character string raster data, and the drawing content information related to the other drawing objects. In the image in which the other object images specified by the above are arranged according to the drawing position information, it is determined whether the substitute character string image is an image that protrudes from the allowable area or an in-area image that does not. The other rasterizing unit generates other object raster data that is raster data of the other object image in accordance with the drawing content information. The combining unit combines the designated character string raster data, the substitute character string raster data, and the other object raster data according to the drawing position information when it is determined that the substitute character string image is the intra-region image. By doing so, drawing raster data is generated. The allowable area is a remaining area obtained by excluding the priority area occupied by the designated character string image and the other object image from the effective area of the page.
When it is determined that the substitute character string image is the protrusion image, the font data acquisition unit, the character string rasterization unit, and the protrusion determination unit execute a retry process. In the retry process, the font data acquisition unit newly acquires another type of the substitute font data from the font storage unit, and further, the character string rasterization unit includes the newly acquired substitute font data and The substitute character string raster data corresponding to the designated font size is newly generated, and the protrusion determination unit is further configured to generate the substitute character string image represented by the newly generated substitute character string raster data as the protrusion image. It is determined whether the image is within the area or not.

  An image processing method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of steps shown below. One of the plurality of steps is a step of obtaining drawing job data including drawing content information and drawing position information for each page of a drawing object including a drawing character string. In another one of the plurality of steps, when the drawing content information includes font designation information indicating a character code, a designated font, and a designated font size for the drawing character string, the designated font information is non-volatile. If the existing font information represents any one of a plurality of types of vector font data stored in advance in the font storage unit, the font storage stores the character code of the font specification information and the specified font data corresponding to the specified font. If the designated font information is not the existing font information, the substitute font data replacing the designated font data is obtained from the font storage unit. Another one of the plurality of steps includes a designated character that is raster data of a character string image specified by the designated font data and the designated font size when the designated font data is acquired from the font storage unit. When column raster data is generated and the substitute font data is acquired from the font storage unit, substitute character string raster data that is raster data of a character string image specified by the substitute font data and the designated font size is obtained. It is a process of generating. Another one of the plurality of steps includes a designated character string image that is an image represented by the designated character string raster data, a substitute character string image that is an image represented by the substitute character string raster data, and the other drawing objects. In the image in which the other object image specified by the drawing content information is arranged according to the drawing position information, whether the substitute character string image is a protruding image outside the allowable area or an in-region image that is not It is the process of determining. Another one of the plurality of steps is a step of generating other object raster data which is raster data of the other object image in accordance with the drawing content information. In another one of the plurality of steps, when it is determined that the substitute character string image is the intra-region image, the designated character string raster data, the substitute character string raster data, and the other object raster data are It is a step of generating drawing raster data by combining in accordance with the drawing position information. The allowable area is a remaining area obtained by excluding the priority area occupied by the designated character string image and the other object image from the effective area of the page. This image processing method further includes the following three steps as steps performed when it is determined that the substitute character string image is the protruding image. One of the three steps is a step of newly acquiring another type of substitute font data from the font storage unit. Another one of the three steps is a step of newly generating the substitute character string raster data corresponding to the newly obtained substitute font data and the designated font size. The other of the three steps is a step of determining whether the substitute character string image represented by the newly generated substitute character string raster data is the protruding image or the intra-region image.

  According to the present invention, an image processing apparatus and an image capable of rendering the character string image with the specified font size as much as possible while preventing the character string image using the substitute font data from protruding from an allowable drawing area. A processing method can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data structure of a part of the drawing job data. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a drawing data generation process in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of substitute data generation processing in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a part of an example of a composite image including a character string image of a substitute font that falls within the allowable area. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a part of an example of a composite image including a character string image of a substitute font that protrudes from the allowable area. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a part of an example of a composite image including a character string image of a substitute font adjusted to a size that fits in the allowable area.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: It does not have the character which limits the technical scope of this invention.

[Configuration of Image Processing Device 10]
The image processing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment is an apparatus that can execute drawing data generation processing that receives drawing job data J0 from the terminal device 8 and generates drawing raster data D0 from the received drawing job data J0. The drawing job data J0 is print job data J1 or FAX job data J2.

  For example, the image processing apparatus 10 is a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine, or the like. The terminal device 8 is an information processing device such as a personal computer or a portable information terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing device 10 and the terminal device 8 can communicate with each other through a network 80. For example, the network 80 is a local area network. In FIG. 1, the terminal device 8 and the network 80 are indicated by virtual lines (two-dot chain lines).

  The image processing apparatus 10 includes a control unit 1, an image forming unit 2, a built-in storage 3, an operation display unit 4, a communication unit 5, and the like. The operation display unit 4 is a user interface including an operation unit and a display unit.

  The communication unit 5 is a communication interface device that exchanges data with the terminal device 8 through the network 80. The control unit 1 performs all transmission and reception of data with the terminal device 8 through the communication unit 5.

  The image forming unit 2 is an apparatus that forms an image on the sheet 9 by a predetermined method such as an electrophotographic method or an ink jet method.

  The built-in storage 3 is a computer-readable non-volatile data storage device. The built-in storage 3 can store programs and various data. For example, one or a combination of a hard disk drive and an SSD (Solid State Drive) is employed as the internal storage 3.

  The built-in storage 3 stores a plurality of types of font data D1 in advance. In the present embodiment, the font data D1 is vector data. That is, the font data D1 is vector font data.

  For example, it is conceivable that the font data D1 includes a plurality of types of Mincho font data and a plurality of types of Gothic font data. The internal storage 3 is an example of a non-volatile font storage unit that stores a plurality of types of font data D1 in advance.

  The control unit 1 executes various calculations, data processing, and various electronic devices included in the image processing apparatus 10. The control unit 1 can exchange data and control signals between the internal storage 3 and the communication unit 5 through the bus.

  The control unit 1 includes a job control unit 11 that executes various jobs accompanying the control of the image forming unit 2, and an image processing unit 12 that executes processing such as processing and generation of image data in the course of executing the job. Including. In addition, the control unit 1 includes a UI (User Interface) control unit 13 that controls the operation display unit 4.

  The control unit 1 is realized by a processor that executes a program stored in advance in the internal storage 3 or the like. For example, the control unit 1 may include one or both of an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

  The job control unit 11 includes a print control unit 11a and a FAX control unit 11b. The print control unit 11a executes a print job. The print job is a process for receiving the print job data J1 from the terminal device 8 through the communication unit 5 and causing the image forming unit 2 to execute a print process for forming an image corresponding to the received print job data J1 on the sheet 9. .

  In the print job, the image processing unit 12 executes processing for generating drawing raster data D0 from the print job data J1. The print control unit 11 a controls the image forming unit 2 according to the contents of the printing raster data generated by the image processing unit 12.

  The FAX control unit 11b executes a network FAX job. The network FAX job includes a process of receiving FAX job data J2 from the terminal device 8 that is the transmission source, and storing the received FAX data corresponding to the FAX job data J2 in the internal storage 3. Further, the network FAX job transmits a FAX reception notification to the destination terminal device 8 indicated by the destination information included in the FAX job data J2, and in response to a request from the destination terminal device 8, the communication unit 5 Through which the received FAX data is transmitted.

  In the FAX job, the image processing unit 12 executes processing for generating drawing raster data D0 from the FAX job data J2. The drawing raster data D0 generated from the FAX job data J2 is included in the received FAX data. The terminal device 8 can display an image based on the drawing raster data D0 included in the received FAX data on the screen of the terminal device 8.

  In some cases, drawing job data J0 such as print job data J1 and FAX job data J2 includes information on a designated font to be used for drawing a character string. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the drawing job data J0 may include designated character string drawing information J01 and object drawing information J02 for each page.

  The designated character string drawing information J01 includes character code data J01a for a character string to be drawn for each page, font designation information J01x including a designated font name J01b and a size designation code J01c, and drawing coordinate data J01y. In the following description, the character string to be drawn is referred to as a drawing character string.

  The designated font name J01b is an example of information for designating the font type of the drawn character string specified by the character code data J01a. In the following description, the font data corresponding to the designated font name J01b is referred to as designated font data D11.

  The size designation code J01c is an example of information for designating the font size of the drawing character string, that is, the drawing size corresponding to the designated font data D11. The drawing coordinate data J01y is an example of information representing the drawing position of the drawing character string for each page.

  The drawing job data J0 does not include the designated font data D11. Therefore, the image processing unit 12 of the image processing apparatus 10 acquires the designated font data D11 from the built-in storage 3 in principle. Further, the image processing unit 12 generates image data of the drawing character string using the designated font data D11.

  However, the designated font data D11 may not be included in the font data D1 stored in the internal storage 3. In this case, the image processing unit 12 acquires font data D1 stored in advance in the internal storage 3 from the internal storage 3 as substitute font data D12, and generates image data of the drawing character string using the substitute font data D12. To do.

  On the other hand, the object drawing information J02 includes drawing content data J02x and drawing coordinate data J02y for each page. The drawing content data J02x is data representing the drawing content of an object to be drawn, such as font data corresponding to the drawing character string, vector data representing a graphic, or bitmap image data.

  In the following description, a group of drawing objects such as the drawing character string, figure, and bitmap image is referred to as a drawing object. The drawing coordinate data J02y is an example of information representing the drawing position of the drawing object for each page.

  The object drawing information J02 is complete information including all information necessary for drawing the drawing object. For example, the object drawing information J02 related to the drawing character string includes font data corresponding to the drawing character string and font size information. Therefore, the image processing apparatus 10 does not need to refer to the font data D1 stored in the internal storage 3 when generating the image data of the drawing character string specified by the object drawing information J02.

  That is, in the drawing job data J0, the information regarding the drawing character string for each page is provided by one or both of the designated character string drawing information J01 not including font data and the object drawing information J02 including font data.

  The font designation information J01x including the character code data J01a, the designated font name J01b, and the size designation code J01c is an example of drawing content information representing the drawing content for each page of the drawing character string. The drawing content data J02x of the object drawing information J02 is an example of the drawing content information for each page related to the drawing object other than the drawing character string specified by the font designation information J01x.

  The print job data J1 and FAX job data J2 include drawing content information (J01x, J02x) and drawing position information (J01y, J02y) for each page of the drawing object including the drawing character string as shown in FIG. .

  By the way, even when the substitute font data D12 is used, it is desirable that the drawing character string is drawn with the font size specified in the print job data as much as possible.

  However, if the image of the drawing character string based on the substitute font data is drawn with the font size specified by the size specifying code J01c, there is a possibility that the drawing character string will protrude from the allowable drawing area.

  On the other hand, the image processing unit 12 of the image processing apparatus 10 executes drawing data generation processing to be described later. As a result, the image processing apparatus 10 prevents the drawing character string image using the substitute font data D12 from protruding from an allowable drawing area, and keeps the drawing character string in the designated font size as much as possible. Can draw.

[Drawing data generation processing]
Hereinafter, an example of the procedure of the drawing data generation process based on the print job data J1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In order to execute the drawing data generation process, the image processing unit 12 performs a job data analysis unit 12a, a font data acquisition unit 12b, a character string rasterization unit 12c, a protrusion determination unit 12d, and a reduction rate calculation unit 12e. A size adjusting unit 12f, a rasterizing unit 12g, a combining unit 12h, and a sufficiency calculating unit 12i.

  The drawing data generation process shown in FIG. 3 is started when the communication unit 5 receives the print job data J1 from the terminal device 8. In the following description, S101, S102,... Represent identification codes of steps executed by the control unit 1 in the drawing data generation process. Note that the drawing data generation process may be executed for the FAX job data J2.

<Step S101>
In the drawing data generation process, first, the print control unit 11 a receives print job data J <b> 1 from the terminal device 8 via the communication unit 5. The print control unit 11a is an example of a drawing job data acquisition unit that acquires the drawing job data J0.

<Step S102>
Next, the job data analysis unit 12a selects a process to be transferred next depending on whether or not the print job data J1 obtained in step S101 includes font designation information J01x as the drawing content information.

  Further, when the print job data J1 includes the font designation information J01x, the job data analysis unit 12a selects a process to be moved next depending on whether or not the designated font name J01b includes an existing font name. The existing font name is a name representing one of a plurality of types of font data D1 stored in the internal storage 3 in advance.

  Specifically, when the print job data J1 does not include the font designation information J01x, the job data analysis unit 12a shifts the process to step S106. Further, when the designated font name J01b of the font designation information J01x included in the print job data J1 includes the existing font name, the job data analysis unit 12a shifts the process to step S103. If the designated font name J01b does not include the existing font name, the job data analysis unit 12a moves the process to step S105.

<Step S103>
In step S103, the font data acquisition unit 12b acquires the specified font data D11 corresponding to the character code data J01a and the specified font name J01b in the font specification information J01x from the internal storage 3.

<Step S104>
Next, the character string rasterization unit 12c executes character string rasterization processing. The character string rasterization process is a process of generating raster data of a character string image represented by data acquired by the font data acquisition unit 12b in the font data D1.

  The character string rasterization process in step S104 is a process for generating designated character string raster data. The designated character string raster data is raster data of a character string image specified by the designated font data D11 obtained in step S103 and the size designation code J01c corresponding to the designated font data D11.

<Step S105>
Further, when the designated font name J01b includes a font name different from the existing font name, the image processing unit 12 executes a substitute data generation process to be described later.

  The substitute data generation process is a process of acquiring substitute font data D12 instead of the designated font data D11 from the internal storage 3, and generating raster data of a character string image represented by the substitute font data D12.

  In the following description, raster data generated by the substitute data generation process is referred to as substitute character string raster data. The character string image represented by the substitute font data D12 is referred to as a substitute character string image g2 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  As will be described later, basically, the substitute character string raster data is generated based on the substitute font data D12 and the standard font size represented by the size designation code J01c corresponding to the substitute font data D12. In this case, the substitute character string image g2 is the basic size character string image g21 specified by the substitute font data D12 and the standard font size (see FIG. 5).

  However, there is a case where the basic size character string image g21 protrudes from the allowable area 903 allowed for drawing the substitute character string image g2 (see FIG. 6). In this case, the substitute character string raster data may be generated based on the substitute font data D12 and a reduced font size smaller than the standard font size. The substitute character string image g2 corresponding to the substitute font data D12 generated based on the reduced font size is a reduced size character string image g22 (see FIG. 6). The reduced size character string image g22 is a character string image specified by the substitute font data D12 and the reduced font size.

  Accordingly, the first example of the substitute character string image g2 is the basic size character string image g21, and the second example of the substitute character string image g2 is the reduced size character string image g22 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Details of the substitute data generation process will be described later.

  Subsequent to the substitute data generation process, the process of step S106 is executed. If the designated font name J01b does not include a font name other than the existing font name, the substitute data generation process is skipped.

<Step S106>
In step S106, the other rasterizing unit 12g generates other object raster data that is raster data of the other object image g3 according to the drawing content data J02x included in the print job data J1.

  For example, the other rasterizing unit 12g generates, as the other object raster data, raster data obtained by adjusting the size of the vector data according to the size data, based on the vector data and the size data included in the drawing content data J02x. The other rasterizing unit 12g may generate the other object raster data by converting the bitmap data included in the drawing content data J02x into printing raster data.

<Step S107>
Next, the synthesizing unit 12h obtains drawing raster data D0 representing the synthesized image g00, which is an image in which the designated character string image g1, the substitute character string image g2, and the other object image g3 are arranged according to the drawing coordinate data J01y and J02y. Generate. FIG. 5 shows an example of the composite image g00.

  Specifically, the synthesizing unit 12h generates the drawing raster data D0 by synthesizing the designated character string raster data, the reduced substitution raster data, and the other object raster data.

  The designated character string image g1 is an image represented by the designated character string raster data. The substitute character string image g2 is an image represented by the substitute character string raster data. The other object image g3 is an image represented by the other object raster data. The other object image g3 may include a character string image specified by the drawing content data J02x including font data and font size information.

  The composite image g00 shown in FIG. 5 includes a designated character string image g1 representing a character string for one line, a substitute character string image g2 representing a character string for five lines, and another object image g3 representing a graph. .

  The synthesizer 12h ends the drawing data generation process after the process of step S107 is completed.

  The combining unit 12h outputs the drawing raster data D0 generated based on the print job data J1 to the print control unit 11a. As a result, the print control unit 11a controls the image forming unit 2 so that the image forming unit 2 executes a printing process based on the drawing raster data D0. As a result, a composite image g00 represented by the drawing raster data D0 is formed on the sheet 9.

[Substitute data generation processing]
Next, an example of the procedure of the substitute data generation process in step S105 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the following description, S201, S202,... Represent identification codes of steps executed by the control unit 1 in the substitute data generation process.

  As described above, the substitute data generation process is executed when the designated font name J01b is not the existing font name, that is, when the designated character string drawing information J01 is not information on the existing font existing in the internal storage 3. The

<Step S201>
In the substitute data generation process, the font data acquisition unit 12b selects substitute font data D12 from a plurality of types of font data D1 according to a predetermined selection rule.

  For example, it is conceivable that the font data acquisition unit 12b selects the substitute font data D12 from a plurality of types of font data D1 according to a predetermined priority order. For example, regarding a plurality of types of font data D1, when a predetermined sample character string is drawn with the same font size, a higher priority may be set in order from the type in which the length of the character string image becomes longer. It is done.

  Further, the font data acquisition unit 12b compares the font names between the designated font name J01b of the designated character string drawing information J01 and a plurality of types of font data D1, and determines the predetermined “Gothic”, “Mincho”, It is also conceivable to preferentially select the font data D1 having the existing font name including more common keywords such as “line book” and “book” as substitute font data D12.

<Step S202>
Subsequently, the font data acquisition unit 12b acquires the substitute font data D12 selected in step S201 from the internal storage 3. At that time, the font data acquisition unit 12b acquires substitute font data D12 corresponding to the character code data J01a in the font designation information J01x.

<Step S203>
Next, the character string rasterizing unit 12c executes the character string rasterizing process on the substitute font data D12 obtained in step S202.

  The character string rasterization process in step S203 is a process of generating the substitute character string raster data representing the substitute character string data D12 and the character string image specified by the size designation code J01c for the substitute font data D12. The character string image represented by the substitute font data D12 is the substitute character string image g2 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

<Step S204>
Next, the protrusion determination unit 12d executes the protrusion determination process for the substitute character string image g2. In the protrusion determination process, the protrusion determination unit 12d specifies a permissible area 903 for each page that is allowed to draw the substitute character string image g2, and further determines whether or not the substitute character string image g2 protrudes from the allowable area 903. Is determined (see FIG. 6).

  The allowable area 903 is a remaining area obtained by removing the priority area 902 occupied by the designated character string image g1 and the other object image g3 from the effective area 901 of the page. For example, the protrusion determination unit 12d specifies the effective area 901 according to the margin information of the page margin set in advance according to the setting operation on the operation display unit 4. It is also conceivable that the information of the valid area 901 is included in the print job data J1.

  The protrusion determination unit 12d specifies the width and height of the circumscribed rectangle of the designated character string image g1 from the designated character string raster data. Further, the protrusion determination unit 12d specifies an area occupied by the designated character string image g1 based on the width and height of the circumscribed rectangle of the designated character string image g1 and the drawing coordinate data J01y corresponding to the designated character string raster data.

  The protrusion determination unit 12d specifies the width and height of the circumscribed rectangle of the other object image g3 from the drawing content data J02x. Furthermore, the protrusion determination unit 12d specifies the area occupied by the other object image g3 based on the width and height of the circumscribed rectangle of the other object image g3 and the drawing coordinate data J02y.

  In this embodiment, the protrusion determination unit 12d determines whether or not each unit substitute character string image g20 that is a substitute character string image g2 for one line along the character string arrangement direction protrudes from the allowable area 903. . At this time, the protrusion determination unit 12d determines whether a part of the unit substitute character string area 904 that is an area occupied by the circumscribed rectangle of the unit substitute character string image g20 protrudes from the allowable area 903.

  The protrusion determination unit 12d sets the base point 904a of the unit substitute character string area 904 as the reference position of the arrangement of the unit substitute character string image g20 for each line in the allowable area 903 (see FIG. 6). The base point 904a is, for example, the position of the lower left corner or the upper left corner of the unit substitute character string area 904.

  In the example of the composite image g00 shown in FIG. 6, the unit substitute character string images g20 in the first, third, and fourth lines out of the unit substitute character string image g20 for five lines protrude from the allowable area 903. An example is shown.

  The situation where the unit substitute character string image g20 protrudes from the allowable area 903 includes the situation where the unit substitute character string image g20 overlaps the area occupied by the other object image g3 as shown in FIG. 6, and the unit substitute character string image g20. It is conceivable that a part of the area protrudes from the effective area 901.

  In the following description, the substitute character string image g2 that protrudes from the allowable area 903 in the composite image g00 is referred to as a protruding image. In addition, the substitute character string image g2 that falls within the allowable area 903 in the composite image g00 is referred to as an in-area image.

  The protrusion determination unit 12d shifts the process to the next step S205 when determining that the substitute character string image g2 is the protrusion image, and performs the process when determining that the substitute character string image g2 is the intra-region image. It moves to process S207 mentioned later.

<Step S205>
In step S205, the reduction rate calculation unit 12e calculates a size reduction rate for the substitute character string image g2 determined as the protruding image. The size reduction ratio is a reduction ratio that fits the substitute character string image g2 in the allowable area 903.

  For example, the reduction rate calculation unit 12e calculates a line unit reduction rate that is a reduction rate for storing the unit substitute character string image g20 in the allowable area 903 for each row along the arrangement direction of the character strings. In this case, the reduction ratio calculation unit 12e calculates an allowable width by subtracting a predetermined object interval from the width of the allowable area 903 for each row where the unit substitute character string image g20 is located, and further, The line unit reduction ratio is calculated by dividing the width by the width of the unit substitute character string area 904.

  Further, in step S205, the reduction ratio calculation unit 12e selects the minimum value of the line unit reduction ratio for each type of substitute font data D12 of the same type as the size reduction ratio for each type of substitute font data D12.

  Of the unit substitute character string images g20 for five lines shown in FIG. 6, the unit substitute character string images g20 on the first and second lines are images based on the first type substitute font data D12, and 3 The unit substitute character string images g20 from the fifth line to the fifth line are images based on the second type substitute font data D12.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, the line unit reduction ratio calculated for the unit substitute character string image g20 in the first line is the size reduction ratio for the unit substitute character string images g20 in the first and second lines. The line unit reduction ratio calculated for the unit substitute character string image g20 on the third line is selected as the size reduction ratio for the unit substitute character string images g20 from the third line to the fifth line.

  As described above, the reduction ratio calculation unit 12e calculates the size reduction ratio, which is a reduction ratio that fits the substitute character string image g2 determined to be the protruding image in the allowable area 903 (S205).

<Step S206>
Next, the font data acquisition unit 12b controls the processing shift destination according to whether or not there is a type of font data D1 that has not been selected in step S201.

  When font data D1 of an unselected type remains, the font data acquisition unit 12b shifts the process to step S201. On the other hand, when there is no unselected type of font data D1, the font data acquisition unit 12b shifts the process to step S209 described later.

  Therefore, when it is determined that the substitute character string image g2 is the protruding image, the font data acquisition unit 12b, the character string rasterizing unit 12c, and the protruding determination unit 12d perform the processes of steps S201 to S204 as retry processing.

  In the retry process, the font data acquisition unit 12b newly acquires another type of substitute font data D12 from the internal storage 3 (S201, S201).

  Further, in the retry process, the character string rasterizing unit 12c executes the character string rasterizing process on the newly obtained substitute font data D12 (S203). Thereby, the character string rasterizing unit 12c newly generates the substitute character string raster data corresponding to the newly obtained substitute font data D12 and the size designation code J01c for the substitute font data D12.

  Further, in the retry process, the protrusion determination unit 12d determines whether the substitute character string image g2 represented by the newly generated substitute character string raster data is the protrusion image or the intra-region image (S204). .

<Step S207>
In step S207, the sufficiency calculation unit 12i calculates a size sufficiency rate for the allowable area 903 of the substitute character string image g2 determined as the intra-area image. The size sufficiency rate is an example of a sufficiency level.

  For example, the sufficiency calculation unit 12i calculates a line unit sufficiency rate, which is the degree that the unit substitute character string image g20 occupies in the allowable area 903 for each line along the arrangement direction of the character strings. In this case, the sufficiency calculation unit 12i calculates the allowable width by subtracting the object interval from the width of the allowable area 903 for each row where the unit substitute character string image g20 is located, and further, the unit substitute character string The row unit sufficiency rate is calculated by dividing the width of the region 904 by the allowable width.

  Furthermore, in step S207, the sufficiency calculation unit 12i derives the representative value of the line unit sufficiency for each type of substitute font data D12 as the size sufficiency for each type of substitute font data D12. For example, the satisfaction degree calculation unit 12i derives a representative value such as an average value or a maximum value of the row unit satisfaction rate as the size satisfaction rate.

<Step S208>
Next, the sufficiency degree calculation unit 12i controls the processing transition destination according to whether or not the size sufficiency rate calculated in step S208 is within a preset target range.

  Specifically, when the size sufficiency rate is within the target range, the sufficiency calculation unit 12i shifts the process to step S213 described later.

  On the other hand, when the size sufficiency rate is out of the target range, the sufficiency calculation unit 12i shifts the process to the above-described step S206. As a result, when the unselected font data D1 remains, the font data acquisition unit 12b, the character string rasterization unit 12c, and the protrusion determination unit 12d execute the retry process (S201 to S204).

  That is, even when it is determined that the substitute character string image g2 is the intra-region image and the sufficiency rate is out of the target range, the font data acquisition unit 12b, the character string rasterization unit 12c, and the protrusion determination unit 12d The retry process is executed.

  For example, it is conceivable that the lower limit value of the target range is about 0.7 to 0.8. Further, it is conceivable that the upper limit value of the target range is 1.0.

<Step S209>
The process of step S209 is performed when the processes of steps S201 to S204 are performed for all types of font data D1 stored in the internal storage 3, and the process of step S205 or the processes of steps S207 and S208 are performed. To be executed.

  In step S209, the font data acquisition unit 12b acquires the substitute font data D12 determined to be the intra-region image from the internal storage 3 again. At that time, the font data acquisition unit 12b acquires substitute font data D12 corresponding to the substitute character string image g2 having the maximum size sufficiency rate.

  On the other hand, when the designated font data D11 determined to be the in-region image does not exist, the font data acquisition unit 12b acquires again the substitute font data D12 determined to be the protruding image from the internal storage 3 (S209). At that time, the font data acquisition unit 12b acquires substitute font data D12 corresponding to the substitute character string image g2 having the maximum size reduction rate.

  The substitute character string image g2 having the maximum size reduction rate is the substitute character string image g2 having the smallest degree of protrusion from the allowable area 903.

<Step S210>
Then, the font data acquisition unit 12b shifts the process to step S211 if the substitute font data D12 acquired in step S209 is the protruding image, and shifts the process to step S212 if not.

<Step S211>
In step S211, the size adjustment unit 12f calculates the reduced font size by adjusting the font size represented by the size designation code J01c corresponding to the substitute font data D12 obtained in step S209 according to the size reduction rate.

  That is, the size adjusting unit 12f calculates the reduced font size by adjusting the font size represented by the size designation code J01c according to the maximum size reduction rate.

  The process of step S211 is executed only when it is determined that all types of substitute character string images g2 corresponding to all types of font data D1 stored in the internal storage 3 are the above-described protruding images.

<Step S212>
After the processes of steps S209 and S210 are performed, the character string rasterizing unit 12c executes the character string rasterizing process on the substitute font data D12 obtained in step S209. Depending on whether the substitute font data D12 obtained in step S209 is data corresponding to the protruding image or data corresponding to the in-region image, the font size used for the character string rasterization process differs.

  When the substitute font data D12 obtained in step S209 is the protruding image, the character string rasterizing unit 12c is specified by the substitute font data D12 obtained in step S209 and the reduced font size calculated in step S211. The substitute character string raster data representing the character string image is generated. In the following description, the substitute character string raster data generated based on the reduced font size is referred to as reduced substitute raster data.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a composite image g00 including the substitute character string image g2 represented by the reduced substitute raster data. The composite image g00 shown in FIG. 7 includes unit substitute character string images g20 from the first line to the second line and unit substitute character string images g20 from the third line to the fifth line shown in FIG. An example adjusted according to the reduced font size is shown.

  On the other hand, when the substitute font data D12 obtained in step S209 is the intra-region image, the character string rasterizing unit 12c is specified by the font size corresponding to the substitute font data D12 obtained in step S209 and the size designation code J01c. The substitute character string raster data representing the character string image to be generated is generated.

  In step S209, the substitute character string raster data generated based on the size designation code J01c is the first basic substitute raster data or the second basic substitute raster data. The first basic substitute raster data is data representing the substitute character string image g2 in which the size satisfaction rate is within the target range. The second basic substitute raster data is data representing the substitute character string image g2 corresponding to the maximum value of the size satisfaction rates outside the target range.

<Step S213>
When the substitute font data D12 corresponding to the size satisfaction rate within the target range exists (Yes in step S208), or when the process in step S212 is performed, the character string rasterizing unit 12c performs the process The process of S213 is executed, and the substitute data generation process is terminated.

  If the substitute font data D12 corresponding to the size satisfaction rate within the target range exists, in step S213, the character string rasterization unit 12c converts the substitute character string raster data obtained in step S203 into the substitute character string raster. The data is fixed data. In this case, the fixed data is the first basic substitute raster data.

  When the processes in steps S211 and S212 are performed, the character string rasterizing unit 12c sets the substitute character string raster data obtained in step S212 as the determined data of the substitute character string raster data. In this case, the fixed data is the reduced substitute raster data.

  When the process of S212 is performed without performing the process of step S211, the character string rasterizing unit 12c uses the substitute character string raster data obtained in step S212 as the determined data of the substitute character string raster data. To do. In this case, the fixed data is the second basic substitute raster data.

  In step S107 of FIG. 2, the compositing unit 12h generates rendering raster data D0 by compositing the designated character string raster data, the determined data of the substitute character string raster data, and the other object raster data.

  That is, when the sufficiency rate of the substitute character string image g2 determined to be the intra-region image falls within the target range, the synthesizer 12h corresponds to the substitute character string image g2 corresponding to the sufficiency rate falling within the target range. Rendering raster data D0 is generated based on the first basic substitute raster data.

  Further, when the sufficiency degree of the substitute character string image determined to be the in-region image is out of the target range, the compositing unit 12h causes the second basic character string corresponding to the substitute character string image g2 having the maximum sufficiency rate. Rendering raster data D0 is generated based on the substitute raster data.

  As described above, when the image processing apparatus 10 determines that the substitute character string image g2 is the protrusion image, the font data acquisition unit 12b, the character string rasterization unit 12c, and the protrusion determination unit 12d perform the retry. Processing is executed (steps S201 to S204).

  Therefore, the image processing apparatus 10 prevents the substitute character string image g2 using the substitute font data D12 from protruding from the allowable area 903 and, as much as possible, the substitute character string image g2 having the font size designated by the size designation code J01c. You can draw as is.

  When the substitute character string image g2 cannot be drawn with the font size designated by the size designation code J01c, the image processing apparatus 10 resizes the designated font size according to the size reduction rate, The reduction substitute raster data is generated. As a result, the substitute character string image g2 using the substitute font data D12 can be prevented from protruding from the allowable area 903.

  In addition, for the substitute character string image g2 determined to be the in-region image, the sufficiency rate is calculated, and substitute font data D12 that becomes the substitute character string image g2 in which the sufficiency rate falls within the target range is preferentially adopted. (Steps S207, S208, and S213 in FIG. 4). Furthermore, when the fullness rate does not fall within the target range, the substitute font data D12 that becomes the substitute character string image g2 having the maximum fullness rate is preferentially adopted (step S209 in FIG. 4). As a result, the substitute character string image g2 having a more approximate size can be drawn with respect to the character string image based on the designated type of font.

  Further, as described above, in step S201 in FIG. 4, the font data acquisition unit 12b gives priority to the substitute font data D12 having a font name including more commonly the keywords such as “Gothic” or “Mincho”. It is conceivable to get it. This makes it possible to draw the substitute character string image g2 having a more approximate form with respect to the character string image based on the designated type of font.

[Application example]
In the image processing apparatus 10, the nonvolatile storage unit that stores font data D <b> 1 in advance may be a storage unit of another device that can communicate through the communication unit 5. In this case, the image processing apparatus 10 acquires the designated font data D11 and the substitute font data D12 from the storage unit of the other apparatus through the communication unit 5.

  In the process shown in FIG. 4, it may be considered that the processes in steps S207 and S208 related to the sufficiency rate are omitted. In this case, when it is determined that the substitute character string image g2 is the intra-region image, the process of step S213 is executed.

1: Control unit 2: Image forming unit 3: Built-in storage 4: Operation display unit 5: Communication unit 8: Terminal device 9: Sheet 10: Image processing device 11: Job control unit 11a: Print control unit 11b: FAX control unit 12 : Image processing unit 12a: Job data analysis unit 12b: Font data acquisition unit 12c: Character string rasterization unit 12d: Overhang determination unit 12e: Reduction rate calculation unit 12f: Size adjustment unit 12g: Other rasterization unit 12h: Composition unit 12i: Satisfaction Degree calculation unit 13: Control unit 80: Network 901: Effective area 902: Priority area 903: Allowable area 904: Unit substitution character string area 904a: Base point D0: Raster data for drawing D1: Font data (vector font data)
D11: Designated font data D12: Substitute font data J0: Drawing job data J01: Designated character string drawing information J01a: Character code data J01b: Designated font name J01c: Size designation code J01x: Font designation information J01y: Drawing coordinate data J02: Object Drawing information J02x: Drawing content data J02y: Drawing coordinate data J1: Print job data J2: FAX job data g00: Composite image g1: Designated character string image g2: Substitute character string image g20: Unit substitute character string image g21: Basic size character Column image g22: Reduced size character string image g3: Other object image

Claims (6)

A drawing job data acquisition unit for acquiring drawing job data including drawing content information and drawing position information for each page of a drawing object including a drawing character string;
When the drawing content information includes font designation information indicating a character code, a designated font, and a designated font size for the drawing character string, a plurality of types of information on the designated font stored in advance in a nonvolatile font storage unit If the existing font information represents any one of the vector font data, the character code of the font designation information and the designated font data corresponding to the designated font are acquired from the font storage unit, and the designated font information is If it is not information on the existing font, a font data acquisition unit that acquires substitute font data instead of the designated font data from the font storage unit;
When the designated font data is acquired from the font storage unit, the designated font data and raster data of a character string image specified by the designated font size are generated, and the substitute font data is generated. A character string rasterizing unit that generates substitute character string raster data that is raster data of a character string image specified by the substitute font data and the designated font size;
A designated character string image that is an image represented by the designated character string raster data, a substitute character string image that is an image represented by the substitute character string raster data, and other objects specified by the drawing content information regarding the other drawing objects In an image arranged in accordance with the drawing position information, a protrusion determination unit that determines whether the substitute character string image is a protruding image that protrudes from an allowable region or an in-region image that does not.
Other rasterizing unit for generating other object raster data that is raster data of the other object image according to the drawing content information;
When it is determined that the substitute character string image is the intra-region image, the designated character string raster data, the substitute character string raster data, and the other object raster data are combined according to the drawing position information for drawing. A synthesis unit for generating raster data,
The allowable area is a remaining area excluding a priority area occupied by the designated character string image and the other object image from an effective area of a page,
When it is determined that the substitute character string image is the protrusion image, the font data acquisition unit, the character string rasterization unit, and the protrusion determination unit execute a retry process,
In the retry process,
The font data acquisition unit newly acquires the substitute font data of another type from the font storage unit,
Further, the character string rasterization unit newly generates the substitute character string raster data corresponding to the newly obtained substitute font data and the designated font size,
Furthermore, the protrusion determination unit determines whether the substitute character string image represented by the newly generated substitute character string raster data is the protrusion image or the intra-region image. A satisfaction degree calculating unit that calculates a degree of satisfaction with respect to the allowable area of the substitute character string image determined to be the in-region image;
Even when it is determined that the substitute character string image is the intra-region image and the sufficiency is outside the preset target range, the font data acquisition unit, the character string rasterization unit, and the protrusion determination unit , Execute the retry process,
The synthesizing unit, when the sufficiency of the substitute character string image determined to be the in-region image falls within the target range, the substitute character corresponding to the substitute character string image having the sufficiency within the target range When the rendering raster data is generated based on column raster data, and the sufficiency of the surrogate character string image determined to be the in-region image is out of the target range, the surrogate character string having the maximum sufficiency The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drawing raster data is generated based on the substitute character string raster data corresponding to an image. A reduction ratio calculation unit for calculating a reduction ratio for fitting the substitute character string image determined as the protruding image within the allowable area;
When it is determined that all types of the substitute character string images corresponding to all types of the vector font data stored in the font storage unit are the protruding images, the designated font size is set to the maximum A size adjustment unit that calculates a reduced font size by adjusting according to the reduction ratio;
The character string rasterization unit can generate reduced substitute raster data that is raster data of a character string image specified by the substitute font data and the reduced font size,
2. The rendering raster data can be generated by synthesizing the designated character string raster data, the reduced substitution raster data, and the other object raster data according to the rendering position information. Item 3. The image processing apparatus according to Item 2.   When the information on the designated font is not the information on the existing font, the font data acquisition unit compares the font name between the information on the designated font and the plurality of types of vector font data, and is determined in advance. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the substitute font data having the font name including more keywords in common is acquired from the font storage unit.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on the drawing raster data. Obtaining drawing job data including drawing content information and drawing position information for each page of a drawing object including a drawing character string;
When the drawing content information includes font designation information indicating a character code, a designated font, and a designated font size for the drawing character string, a plurality of types of information on the designated font stored in advance in a nonvolatile font storage unit If the existing font information represents any one of the vector font data, the character code of the font designation information and the designated font data corresponding to the designated font are acquired from the font storage unit, and the designated font information is If it is not information of the existing font, a step of acquiring substitute font data in place of the designated font data from the font storage unit;
When the designated font data is acquired from the font storage unit, the designated font data and raster data of a character string image specified by the designated font size are generated, and the substitute font data is generated. Generating the substitute character string raster data that is the raster data of the character string image specified by the substitute font data and the designated font size,
A designated character string image that is an image represented by the designated character string raster data, a substitute character string image that is an image represented by the substitute character string raster data, and other objects specified by the drawing content information regarding the other drawing objects In the image arranged according to the drawing position information, determining whether the substitute character string image is a protruding image that protrudes from the allowable region or an in-region image that does not.
Generating other object raster data that is raster data of the other object image according to the drawing content information;
When it is determined that the substitute character string image is the intra-region image, the designated character string raster data, the substitute character string raster data, and the other object raster data are combined according to the drawing position information for drawing. Generating raster data, and
The allowable area is a remaining area excluding a priority area occupied by the designated character string image and the other object image from an effective area of a page,
As a step performed when it is determined that the substitute character string image is the protruding image,
A step of newly acquiring the substitute font data of another type from the font storage unit;
Newly generating the substitute font data and the substitute character string raster data corresponding to the designated font size;
And a step of determining whether the substitute character string image represented by the newly generated substitute character string raster data is the protruding image or the intra-region image.

Images