JP6655987B2 - Print control apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a printing apparatus that prints a cut mark on photographic paper and a control method thereof.

  There is a method of printing a plurality of images to be printed on one sheet of photographic paper, and cutting and using the image after printing.For such a method, it is necessary to simultaneously print cut marks that serve as guidelines for cutting. Will be

  Patent Document 1 discloses an ID photograph printing apparatus that prints four person images of the same person with cutout marks.

JP-A-9-27897

  In the related art disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the position of the cut mark is determined for the image to be printed (person image), and the size of the photographic paper is not particularly considered. This is because both the size of the image to be printed and the size of the printing paper are constant.

  On the other hand, in consideration of general photo printing, there is an environment in which the size of an image to be printed is not constant, and the size of photographic paper is not constant. If the technique described in Patent Document 1 is introduced into such an environment, there is a possibility that the cutout mark protrudes out of the photographic paper. In the worst case, all of the cut marks are arranged outside the photographic paper, and the cut marks may not be printed on the photographic paper.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a control method thereof that reduce the possibility that a cut mark is not printed on photographic paper.

In order to achieve the above object, a print control apparatus according to the present invention, when arranging a plurality of print target images on one sheet of paper and performing printing, sets a region of the print target image for each of the plurality of print target images. A print control unit configured to control to perform printing by arranging cutout marks outside and near four corners; and a paper size obtaining unit configured to obtain a paper size of a paper on which a plurality of print target images are printed. The print control unit determines that the print target image is not arranged at the edge of the sheet and that the first cutout mark can be sufficiently printed outside the print target image and in the vicinity of the four corners. When the first cut mark is placed outside the area and near the four corners, and the image to be printed is placed at the edge of the sheet, and the first cut mark cannot be printed sufficiently, the first cut mark is placed. The second cut different from The print control means controls the printing so that the print marks are arranged outside the area of the image to be printed and in the vicinity of the four corners, and the printing control means controls a plurality of printing targets based on the paper size obtained by the paper size obtaining means. It is characterized in that it is determined whether to arrange a first cut mark or a second cut mark on an image.
Alternatively, when the print control apparatus according to the present invention arranges a plurality of print target images on one sheet and prints, the print control device includes four corners outside the print target image area for each of the plurality of print target images. Indicates a print control unit that controls to print by arranging a cut mark in the vicinity of a sheet, a sheet size when printing a print target image based on a user operation, and the number of images to be printed on one sheet. Print setting means for setting a layout, wherein the print control means does not arrange the print target image at the end of the sheet, and sets the first cut mark outside the area of the print target image and near the four corners. When printing is sufficiently possible, the first cut mark is placed outside the area of the print target image and near the four corners, and the print target image is placed at the edge of the sheet. If you cannot print on The second cut mark, which is different from the first cut mark, is controlled to be arranged outside the area of the image to be printed and in the vicinity of the four corners for printing, and the print control means is set by the print setting means. It is characterized in that it is determined whether to arrange a first cut mark or a second cut mark for a plurality of print target images based on a paper size and a layout.
Alternatively, when the print control apparatus according to the present invention arranges a plurality of print target images on one sheet and prints, the print control device includes four corners outside the print target image area for each of the plurality of print target images. Print control means for arranging a cut mark in the vicinity of the print control means for printing, wherein the print control means does not arrange the print target image at the end of the sheet and is outside the area of the print target image. If the first cut mark can be sufficiently printed near the four corners, the first cut mark is arranged outside the area of the image to be printed and near the four corners, and the image to be printed is placed at the edge of the sheet. If the first cut mark cannot be printed sufficiently, a second cut mark different from the first cut mark is arranged outside the area of the image to be printed and near the four corners. Control to print, print control Stage, for a plurality of printed images, each printed image, or to place the first cut mark, or, and determines whether to place a second cut mark.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the possibility that a cutout mark is not printed on photographic paper can be reduced.

It is a schematic structure block diagram of one example of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of a printing process according to the embodiment. 5 is an example of a screen for selecting an image and a layout according to the embodiment. It is an example of the layout of this embodiment and the arrangement of cut marks.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the printing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, the CPU 101, the internal storage device 102, the memory 103, the storage medium 104, the operation unit 105, the display unit 106, the paper supply unit 107, and the printing unit 108 are connected to the internal bus 110. The units connected to the internal bus 110 can exchange data with each other via the internal bus 110.

  The internal storage device 102 stores data such as various programs for operating the CPU 101. The CPU 101 controls each unit of the printing apparatus 100 using the memory 103 as a work memory according to a program stored in the internal storage device 102.

  The storage medium 104 stores image data to be printed and the like. The storage medium 104 may be removable from the printing apparatus 100.

  The operation unit 105 is used to receive an instruction for the printing apparatus 100 from a user. The display unit 106 displays an image of the image data to be printed, and also displays a menu or the like for interactive operation. A unit corresponding to the display unit 106 may be externally connected to the printing apparatus 100. In this case, the printing apparatus 100 may include a display control unit that controls display on the external display unit.

  The paper supply unit 107 stores recording paper, and conveys the recording paper to the printing unit 108 under the control of the CPU 101. The printing unit 108 prints specified images, characters, and cutout marks on the recording paper conveyed from the paper feeding unit 107 under the control of the CPU 101.

  The operation of the printing process of the printing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printing process of the printing apparatus 100. FIG. 3 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 106 of the printing apparatus 100. FIG. 4 shows a layout of images and the like printed on photographic paper and an example of the arrangement of cutout marks.

  In step S201, the CPU 101 determines one or more images to be printed among the images stored in the storage medium 104 and a layout on photographic paper, based on an instruction or selection of the user. FIG. 3A shows an example of a display screen of the display unit 106 when an image to be printed is selected. FIG. 3B shows an example of a layout selection screen.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 3A, the display unit 106 displays an image 301 stored in the storage medium 104, and the user operates the operation unit 105 to display another image on the storage medium 104. be able to. By operating the print button 302 displayed on the screen with the operation unit 105, the user can instruct the CPU 101 to print (or select as a premise thereof) the image being displayed. Although not shown, the number of prints may be specified on this screen so that a plurality of images can be selected or set as print targets.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3B, “two-plane arrangement” is set as a default as the layout 303 to be applied. The user can select and set another layout by operating the operation unit 105. The “two-sided layout” is a layout for arranging two images on one photographic paper. Other layouts include “one-sided layout”, “four-sided layout”, “eight-sided layout”, and “index”. is there. The size of the printed matter can be set as “35 mm × 45 mm” or “1.5 inch × 1.5 inch”, and a layout for arranging as many images as possible on one sheet of photographic paper in the set size is provided. The CPU 101 may make a selection.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3B, the user can instruct the CPU 101 whether to print the selected image with a cut mark. In this example, “Yes” is set as the cut mark 304 by default. The user can set “absence” (do not print a cut mark) by operating the operation unit 105.

  In step S202, the CPU 101 determines whether or not to print a cut mark by referring to the settings regarding the number and size of images to be printed, the layout, and whether or not to print a cut mark. When printing a cut mark, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S203. When not printing a cut mark, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S207. The cut marks are marks that assist the user in cutting the printed image, and are arranged and printed at the four corners of the corresponding image.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3B, even when the user specifies the setting for printing the cut mark 304 (“Yes”), the CPU 101 sets the print mark not to be printed (“No”) depending on the setting of the layout 303. ). For example, if “single-sided arrangement” is set in the layout 303, one image is arranged on the photographic paper, so there is no need to cut out, and in this case, no cutout mark is printed. The setting of the presence or absence of the cut mark 304 may be eliminated, and the CPU 101 may automatically determine the presence or absence of the cut mark according to the setting of the layout 303.

  In step S203, the CPU 101 obtains the size of the photographic paper (print paper size) actually used for printing from the paper supply unit 107. If photographic paper of different photographic paper sizes can be supplied from the paper supply unit 107, the CPU 101 may display photographic paper size candidates on the display unit 106 and allow the user to select them. The selection of the photographic paper size may be performed in advance or may be performed each time printing is performed.

  In step S204, the CPU 101 determines whether a cut mark is to be printed on the edge of the sheet. If the cut mark is to be printed on the edge of the sheet, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S205. If the cut mark is not to be printed on the edge of the sheet, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S206. In this step, one determination may be performed for one photographic paper, or each determination may be performed for each image to be arranged.

  In step S205, the CPU 101 deforms the cut mark from a default shape (normal shape) to a shape for the sheet edge. Alternatively, the CPU 101 may set a cutout mark having a shape for the sheet edge for printing. FIG. 4A shows an example of the layout and the cut marks when the cut marks are printed on the edge of the sheet. Here, an example is shown in which the layout is set to “two-plane arrangement” in step S201. The image arrangement area 401 indicates an area where the image determined in step S201 is arranged. In the example shown in FIG. 4A, since the image arrangement area 401 has reached the end of the sheet, a cutout mark 402 having a shape for the end of the sheet is arranged. In the illustrated example, the shape for the sheet edge is an elongated rectangular shape, but the shape is not limited to this shape. Also, the cut mark 402 for the paper edge is arranged at a position separated by two dots (pixels) from the image arrangement area 401 so that the cut mark does not remain on the image side when cut. However, the separation distance may be one dot or may be arranged adjacent to the image arrangement area 401.

  In step S206, the CPU 101 sets the cut mark to a normal shape (default shape). FIG. 4B shows an example of a layout and a cut mark when the cut mark is not printed on the edge of the sheet. Here, an example is shown in which the layout is set to “two-plane arrangement” in step S201. 4A, the aspect ratio of the image determined in step S201 is different, and the image arrangement area 403 does not reach the edge of the sheet. Therefore, the cut mark 404 having a normal shape is arranged. Here, the normal shape is a square shape, but is not limited to this shape. In FIG. 4B, the cut marks 404 are arranged at the four corners of the image arrangement area 403 and at positions two dots away from each side of the image arrangement area 403. This is because the cut mark is arranged at a position slightly away from the image arrangement area 403 so that the cut mark does not remain on the image side when the cut mark is cut. May be arranged at different positions. Alternatively, they may be arranged adjacent to each other without being separated from the image arrangement area 401.

  In FIG. 4C, the same “two-sided layout” layout as in FIG. 4A is selected, the same image is set as a print target, and the print size of the image is set to the same size. An example of a layout and a cut mark when the size is set to be larger than (a) is shown. In FIG. 4C, since the image arrangement area 405 does not reach the edge of the sheet, the cut mark 404 having a normal shape is arranged.

  As described above, the determination in step S204 may be performed once for one photographic paper, or may be performed for each image to be printed. FIG. 4D shows an example of a layout and a cut mark when the determination in step S204 is performed on each image to be printed. In the illustrated example, the image print area 406 on the left has reached the end of the sheet, so a cutout mark 402 having a shape for the end of the sheet is arranged in the image print area 406. On the other hand, since the right image printing area 407 does not reach the edge of the sheet, the cut mark 404 having a normal shape is arranged.

  In the above description, it is assumed that the cut mark 402 having a shape for the paper edge is arranged when the image print area reaches the paper edge, and the cut mark 404 having a normal shape is arranged when the image print area does not reach the paper edge. . However, in step S204, it is not determined whether the image print area reaches the edge of the sheet, but whether the cutout marks arranged around the image print area (four corners) are positioned at the edge of the sheet. You may. In this case, when it is determined that the cut mark is arranged at the end of the sheet, a cut mark having a shape for the sheet end is arranged. When it is determined that the cut mark is not arranged at the end of the sheet, a cut mark having a normal shape is arranged.

  The determination in S204 may be based on the layout of the image print area or the cut mark after the image to be printed and the cut mark are actually laid out, or the aspect ratio of the image to be printed or the print size of the image. Alternatively, a table including paper size, image layout setting, and the like may be prepared in advance, and the determination may be made based on the set paper size, print size, layout, and the like.

  In FIG. 4A, the case where the image arrangement area 401 has reached the edge of the sheet has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 4E, even when the image arrangement area 408 does not completely reach the end of the sheet, it may reach the end of the sheet (for example, an area of several dots at the end of the sheet). Since there is a possibility that the cut mark arranged at the end of the sheet may not be printed, the cut mark 402 for the end of the sheet may be arranged. Further, not only whether the image arrangement area 401 reaches the end of the sheet, but also whether the arrangement position of the cut mark reaches the end of the sheet, that is, if the cut mark is arranged at the end of the sheet, May be arranged.

  Further, only when the cut mark is printed on the end of the sheet in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction (when the image arrangement area reaches the end of the sheet in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction), the cut mark is set to the end of the sheet. May be used. FIG. 4F shows that the image arrangement area 409 has reached the end of the sheet in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction, and the cutout mark 410 in the image arrangement area 409 also has the sheet edge in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction. Located in the department. Therefore, the cutout mark 410 has a cutout mark for the sheet edge. The image arrangement area 411 reaches the end of the sheet in the sheet conveyance direction, and the cutout mark 412 of the image arrangement area 411 is arranged at the end of the sheet in the sheet conveyance direction. However, neither the image arrangement area 411 nor the cutout mark 412 is arranged at the end of the sheet in a direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction. Therefore, the cutout mark 412 has a normal shape. This is because there is no skew of the paper feed in the same direction as the paper transport direction, so that the cutout mark at the edge of the paper in the paper transport direction does not need to be changed or enlarged. However, in FIG. 4F, if the image is arranged at a position two dots away from each side of the image arrangement area as shown in FIG. Therefore, the print position of the cut mark is changed so as to be within the print range (paper).

  In step S207, the CPU 101 instructs the paper feed unit 107 to feed photographic paper, and instructs the print unit 108 to print, thereby executing printing on photographic paper. In the example of the layout and the cut marks illustrated in FIG. 4, the cut marks may be printed outside the photographic paper due to the tolerance of the photographic paper or the skew generated when the photographic paper is fed in the paper feeding unit 107. . On the other hand, the processing in this embodiment can prevent a case where all of the cut marks are printed outside the photographic paper.

  In the above embodiment, the shape of the cutout mark is changed depending on whether or not the image to be printed reaches the end of the sheet. However, the size may be changed. The difference between a rectangle and a square may be changed to a difference between an oval and a circle. By default, a cut mark having a normal shape may be arranged at a predetermined position, and the shape and position of the cut mark of the print target image located at the end of the sheet may be changed in S205.

  In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention may be realized by a system in which a printing apparatus having the paper feeding unit 107 and the printing unit 108 is connected to a control apparatus for controlling selection and layout of an image and controlling the printing apparatus. In this case, for example, the printing process in S207 is performed by the printing device, and the determination of the image and the layout in S201 to S205 is performed by the control device.

  Further, when a software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus having a computer capable of executing the program directly from a recording medium or using wired / wireless communication, and the program is executed. Is also included in the present invention. The present invention also includes a recording medium for supplying a program. As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk or a magnetic tape, an optical / magneto-optical storage medium, or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory may be used.

Claims (15)

When arranging a plurality of print target images on a single sheet and printing, for each of the plurality of print target images, a cutout mark is arranged outside the area of the print target image and near four corners. Print control means for controlling to print ,
Paper size acquisition means for acquiring the paper size of the paper on which the plurality of print target images are printed,
Has,
It said print control means is not disposed printed image on the sheet edge, wherein when in the vicinity of four corners in an area outside of the printed image first cut mark can be fully printed, the printing placing the first cut mark in the vicinity of four corners in an area outside the object image, is disposed printed image on the sheet end, when the first cut mark can not be sufficiently printed, the Controlling to arrange and print a second cut mark different from the first cut mark outside the area of the image to be printed and near four corners ;
The print control unit arranges the first cut mark on the plurality of print target images or sets the second cut mark on the plurality of print target images based on the paper size acquired by the paper size acquisition unit. A print control device, which determines whether to arrange the print data. 2. The print control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the paper size obtaining unit obtains a paper size set by a user. When arranging a plurality of print target images on a single sheet and printing, for each of the plurality of print target images, a cutout mark is arranged outside the area of the print target image and near four corners. Print control means for controlling to print,
Print setting means for setting a paper size for printing a print target image based on a user operation and a layout indicating the number of images to be printed on one sheet ;
Has,
The print control unit is configured to, when the print target image is not arranged at the edge of the sheet and the first cutout mark can be printed sufficiently outside the area of the print target image and near four corners, If the first cut mark is placed outside the area of the target image and near the four corners, the print target image is placed at the edge of the sheet, and the first cut mark cannot be printed sufficiently, Controlling to arrange and print a second cut mark different from the first cut mark outside the area of the image to be printed and near four corners;
The print control unit arranges the first cut mark on the plurality of print target images based on the paper size and layout set by the print setting unit, or executes the second cut mark. printing control device shall be the determining means determines whether to place the mark. When arranging a plurality of print target images on a single sheet and printing, for each of the plurality of print target images, a cutout mark is arranged outside the area of the print target image and near four corners. Print control means for controlling to print,
The print control unit is configured to, when the print target image is not arranged at the edge of the sheet and the first cutout mark can be printed sufficiently outside the area of the print target image and near four corners, If the first cut mark is placed outside the area of the target image and near the four corners, the print target image is placed at the edge of the sheet, and the first cut mark cannot be printed sufficiently, Controlling to arrange and print a second cut mark different from the first cut mark outside the area of the image to be printed and near four corners;
The print control unit determines whether to arrange the first cut mark or the second cut mark for each of the plurality of print target images for each print target image. It is that print controller. Having a cut mark print setting means for setting whether to print a cut mark,
The print control means controls to arrange and print the cut marks outside the area of the image to be printed and near four corners when the cut mark print setting means sets the print of the cut marks. The print control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the print control is performed. The first cut mark is square, the printing control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said second cut mark is a rectangle. The second cut mark, the print control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first is a large cut mark than cut mark. When the image to be printed is arranged at the end of the sheet in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction, the print control unit arranges the second cutout mark and prints the image at the end of the sheet in the sheet conveyance direction. even as the target image is placed, when a printing target image on the sheet ends not disposed in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet, claims 1, wherein placing the first cut mark 7 The print control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The printing control means arranges the second cut mark at a sheet end in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, and arranges the first cut mark at a sheet end in the sheet conveying direction. The print control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the print control is performed. Wherein under the control of print control means, the printing control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a printing means for printing the plurality of print target image on one sheet. Program for causing to function as each means described in claims 1 to computer 10. When arranging a plurality of print target images on a single sheet and printing, for each of the plurality of print target images, a cutout mark is arranged outside the area of the print target image and near four corners. A print control step of controlling to print,
A paper size obtaining step of obtaining a paper size of a paper on which the plurality of print target images are printed,
Has,
In the print control step, when the print target image is not arranged at the end of the sheet and the first cutout mark can be printed sufficiently outside the area of the print target image and in the vicinity of the four corners, If the first cut mark is placed outside the area of the target image and near the four corners, the print target image is placed at the edge of the sheet, and the first cut mark cannot be printed sufficiently, Controlling to arrange and print a second cut mark different from the first cut mark outside the area of the image to be printed and near four corners;
In the printing control step, based on the paper size obtained by the paper size obtaining unit, the first cutout mark is arranged for the plurality of print target images, or the second cutout mark is A method for controlling a print control device, comprising determining whether to arrange the print control device. When arranging a plurality of print target images on a single sheet and printing, for each of the plurality of print target images, a cutout mark is arranged outside the area of the print target image and near four corners. A print control step of controlling to print,
A print setting step of setting a paper size for printing a print target image based on a user operation and a layout indicating the number of images to be printed on one sheet;
Has,
In the print control step, when the print target image is not arranged at the end of the sheet and the first cutout mark can be printed sufficiently outside the area of the print target image and in the vicinity of the four corners, If the first cut mark is placed outside the area of the target image and near the four corners, the print target image is placed at the edge of the sheet, and the first cut mark cannot be printed sufficiently, Controlling to arrange and print a second cut mark different from the first cut mark outside the area of the image to be printed and near four corners;
In the print control step, the first cut mark is arranged on the plurality of print target images based on the paper size and layout set by the print setting unit, or the second cut mark is A method for controlling a print control device, comprising determining whether to arrange a mark. When arranging a plurality of print target images on a single sheet and printing, for each of the plurality of print target images, a cutout mark is arranged outside the area of the print target image and near four corners. Having a print control step of controlling to print,
In the print control step, when the print target image is not arranged at the end of the sheet and the first cutout mark can be printed sufficiently outside the area of the print target image and in the vicinity of the four corners, If the first cut mark is placed outside the area of the target image and near the four corners, the print target image is placed at the edge of the sheet, and the first cut mark cannot be printed sufficiently, Controlling to arrange and print a second cut mark different from the first cut mark outside the area of the image to be printed and near four corners;
In the print control step, for the plurality of print target images, for each print target image, it is determined whether to arrange the first cut mark or to arrange the second cut mark. Control method for a print control device. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method for a print control device according to claim 12.

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