JP6699503B2 - Information processing apparatus and foil thickness correction processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing device and a foil thickness correction processing method.

  A function called poster printing is known as a function of an image forming apparatus. Poster printing is a function that divides a large image that cannot fit on a paper size that can be handled by the image forming device into sizes that are applied to the paper size that can be handled by the image forming device, and outputs as divided images. Is. The user adheres a plurality of (divided) prints printed by using the function of poster printing, whereby the plurality of prints are finished as one large-sized product. When adhering a plurality of prints, the width of the adhering portion can be specified by the user as the overlap width at the time of printing.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-242242 discloses an overlap region in which adjacent images overlap each other with a constant length (width) from the divided portions for each of the divided images that are adjacent to each other across the divided portions of the paper. The technique of providing is disclosed.

JP, 2009-251930, A

  In addition, conventionally, foil stamp printing is known in which characters and patterns made of gold or silver foil are formed on paper. The foil stamping printing is performed by applying an adhesive agent such as a varnish on a sheet with a foil stamping machine and adhering a metal thin film (foil) to the location where the adhesive agent is applied. Therefore, the foil stamp image formed by the foil stamp printing has a thickness corresponding to the applied adhesive agent.

  In the technique described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the same image is printed on the respective overlapping areas of the upper and lower papers that are adhered to each other. Therefore, when the foil stamping process is performed on the overlap area, the same foil stamp image is formed on both the upper and lower sheets. As a result, when a foil stamped image is formed across sheets of paper that are adhered to each other, the thickness of the foil stamped image causes a height difference between the upper and lower (adjacent) sheets of paper, and as a result, the foil stamped image is used. The quality of the printed poster is reduced.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. It is an object of the present invention to reduce the height difference between upper and lower paper sheets that are adhered to each other, which occurs when a foil stamp image is formed on an overlapping portion of a printed matter printed using a poster printing function.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the information processing apparatus of the present invention is configured to include a print job acquisition unit, a split foil image data generation unit, a control unit, and a transmission unit, and the configuration of each unit is as follows. The print job acquisition unit is print setting information related to a poster print function that prints an image to be printed on a plurality of sheets of paper, and includes information about the width of an overlap area, which is an area where a print area overlaps an adjacent sheet of paper. A print job including setting information and foil image data that forms a foil stamp image formed on a sheet by performing a foil stamping process with a foil stamping machine is acquired. The divided foil image data generation unit extracts the foil image data from the print job, divides the extracted foil image data based on the information described in the print setting information acquired by the print job acquisition unit, Image data for dividing foil is generated. The control unit, based on the information described in the print setting information, from among the divided foil image data, a divided foil forming a foil stamping image formed at a position straddling an overlap region and a region other than the overlap region. Specify the image data for use. Then, among the pixels forming the specified divided foil image data, the pixel value of the pixel existing in the area other than the overlap area is set to a value between the papers generated by adhering the overlap areas of the adjacent papers. Correct to a value that reduces the height difference in the paper thickness direction. The transmitting unit transmits the divided foil image data including the pixel value corrected by the control unit to the foil stamping machine.

  In the present invention, the split foil image data forming the foil stamp image formed at the position straddling the overlap region and the region other than the overlap region is specified. Then, among the pixels forming the specified foil image data, the pixel value of the pixel existing in the area other than the overlap area is the value of the paper interval generated when the overlap areas of the adjacent papers are adhered to each other. Is corrected to a value in the direction that reduces the height difference in the paper thickness direction. Therefore, according to the present invention, the height difference between the upper and lower paper sheets that are adhered to each other, which occurs when a foil stamp image is formed in the overlapping portion of the printed matter printed using the poster printing function, is reduced. ..

It is a schematic diagram showing the whole foil stamp poster printing system composition concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the foil stamp poster printing system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a print job according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the paper thickness table which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the foil thickness table which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the state which the printed matter containing the foil stamped image printed using the conventional poster printing function was adhere|attached. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the foil thickness correction|amendment processing method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of the foil thickness amendment processing method concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of the foil thickness amendment processing method concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the explanatory view which shows the example of the state which the printed matter of foil stamp poster printing was adhere|attached after foil thickness correction processing which concerns on one Embodiment and modification of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of formation of the overlap area|region in the printed material of the foil stamp poster printing divided into four which concerns on a modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the state which bonded the printed matter of the foil stamp poster printing divided into four which concerns on one Embodiment and modification of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the contents of an information processing apparatus and a foil thickness correction processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same function or configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description of the components will be omitted.

[Overall configuration of foil stamping poster printing system]
First, with reference to FIG. 1, an overall configuration of a foil stamp poster printing system including an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a foil stamp poster printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the foil stamp poster printing system 1 includes a client terminal 10, a controller 20 (an example of an information processing apparatus), an image forming apparatus 30, and a foil stamper 40. The client terminal 10, the controller 20, the image forming apparatus 30, and the foil stamping machine 40 are connected to each other via a network (not shown).

  The client terminal 10 is a terminal device operated by a user (operator), and is composed of, for example, a personal computer. The client terminal 10 generates a print job J according to an operation performed on an operation unit (not shown) including a keyboard and a mouse. The print job J is composed of a job ticket (an example of print setting information) and image data.

  In the job ticket, for example, as settings related to the poster print function (hereinafter referred to as “poster print settings”), the number of image divisions in poster printing and the width of an overlap area where adjacent print areas overlap with the print area. Information is included. The image data includes not only image data for the image forming apparatus printed by the image forming apparatus 30 but also image data for foil. The foil stamping image data is data that constitutes a foil stamping image generated on a sheet by performing a foil stamping process with a foil stamping machine, and is composed of pixels like the image data for the image forming apparatus. The pixels forming the foil stamping image data include coordinate information indicating the position on the paper on which the foil stamping image is formed, and a pixel value that defines the amount of varnish (an example of adhesive) applied to the paper by the foil stamping machine 40. With information. The print job J including the job ticket and the image data is transmitted from the client terminal 10 to the controller 20.

  The controller 20 is composed of, for example, a server or a terminal device. Upon receiving the print job J transmitted from the client terminal 10, the controller 20 extracts image data from the print job J. Then, the controller 20 generates the divided image data by dividing the extracted image data into a predetermined number based on the information described in the job ticket. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the controller 20 divides one image into four to generate four pieces of divided image data Dm1 to divided image data Dm4. The controller 20 transmits the generated divided image data Dm1 to divided image data Dm4 to the image forming apparatus 30.

  The controller 20 also extracts foil image data from the print job J. Then, the controller 20 generates the divided foil image data Df by dividing the extracted foil image data into a predetermined number based on the information described in the job ticket. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the controller 20 divides one foil image into four to generate four divided foil image data Df1 to divided foil image data Df4. Next, the controller 20 performs a process of correcting the pixel value for the foil image data formed in a position of the divided foil image data Df that straddles the overlap region Ar1 and the other region. Then, the controller 20 transmits the foil image data Df1 to foil image data Df4 including the corrected pixel values to the foil stamper 40.

  The image forming apparatus 30 is configured as, for example, a multi-function peripheral (MFP) having a copy function, a scan function, a print function, and the like. The copy function is a function of optically reading a document and printing a duplicate image on a sheet, and the scan function is a function of saving the image data of the read document as a file. The print function is a function of printing a document or an image on a sheet and outputting the same based on a print job J received from the outside via a network or the like. FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the image forming apparatus 30 uses the printing function to print the divided image data Dm1 to the divided image data Dm4 transmitted from the controller 20 on the paper Sh1 to the paper Sh4, respectively. An overlap area Ar1 is formed on each of the paper sheets Sh1 to Sh4 based on the information on the width of the overlap area described in the poster print setting in the job ticket.

  The sheets Sh1 to Sh4 on which the divided image data Dm1 to the divided image data Dm4 are printed by the image forming apparatus 30 are set by the user in the sheet insertion port of the foil stamping machine 40 or a sheet feeding tray (neither is shown).

  The foil stamping machine 40 forms a foil stamping image on the paper by applying a varnish to a position where the image data for foil is formed on the paper and performing a foil stamping process of adhering the foil onto the varnish. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the foil stamping machine 40 has the divided foil image data Df1 to the divided foil image Df4 received from the controller 20 on the sheets Sh1 to Sh4 on which the divided image data Dm1 to the divided image data Dm4 have been printed. The foil stamping process is performed based on As a result, a foil stamp image based on the divided image data Dm1 to the divided image data Dm4 is formed on the sheets Sh1 to Sh4. In the overlap region Ar1, the same foil stamp image is formed between the paper Sh1 and the paper Sh2 and the paper Sh3 and the paper Sh4 which are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. Further, the same foil stamped image is formed between the paper Sh1 and the paper Sh3 and the paper Sh2 and the paper Sh4 that overlap in the vertical direction.

  The amount of varnish applied to the paper by the foil stamping machine 40 is associated with the pixel value of each pixel forming the divided foil image data Df1 to the divided foil image data Df4. The higher the pixel value, the higher the varnish. The amount increases. Then, as the amount of varnish increases, the thickness of the foil stamped image also increases.

  The user creates one large-sized product (poster) by pasting the sheets Sh1 to Sh4 that have been subjected to the foil stamping process by the foil stamping machine 40 so that their overlapping areas Ar1 overlap each other. .. When the foil thickness correction process of the present embodiment is not performed, the height difference between the papers ( A step) will occur. On the other hand, by performing the foil thickness correction process of the present embodiment, the height difference due to the thickness of the foil at the joint portion Bd of the paper sheet does not occur. The foil thickness correction process of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[Internal structure of foil stamp poster printing system]
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, an internal configuration of the foil stamp poster printing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the foil stamp poster printing system 1 of the present embodiment.

  The client terminal 10 includes an operation unit 11, a control unit 12, a storage unit 13, a document creation function unit 14, a print job generation unit 15, and a network IF (Interface) unit 16.

  The operation unit 11 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and generates an operation signal according to the operation content of the user and supplies it to the control unit 12. The control unit 12 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the operation of each unit included in the client terminal 10.

  The storage unit 13 includes a nonvolatile storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The nonvolatile storage medium stores programs (software) for executing the calculations performed by the control unit 12, various data, and the like. The RAM is used as a work area when the control unit 12 executes the program.

  The document creation function unit 14 is composed of, for example, a document or image creation application or the like, and creates a document for printing in an application file format based on a user's instruction input via the operation unit 11. When the user performs an operation of creating a document including a foil stamped image, the document creation function unit 14 has, for example, a layer of image data for foil superimposed on a layer of image data as a document for printing. Generate a file. Note that, here, the example in which the document creation function unit 14 generates one file including both the image data and the foil image data as the original document for printing has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The document creation function unit 14 may generate the image data and the foil image data as separate files.

  In addition, when the user performs an operation of creating a document for poster printing, the document creation function unit 14 generates image data as a source of the document and print setting information (poster printing) related to poster printing. (Setting information) is generated.

  The print job generation unit 15 is configured as, for example, a direct print application or a printer driver. The print job generation unit 15 uses a job ticket to input an instruction relating to a finishing function of a printed material such as punch and staple input by the user through the operation unit 11 and poster print setting information generated by the document creation function unit 14. Enter.

  Further, the print job generation unit 15 converts the image data in the application file format and the image data for foil generated by the document creation function unit 14 into print data described in a language readable by the controller 20. Examples of the language that the controller 20 can read include PDL (Page Description Language) such as PCL (Printer Command Language) or PostScript. Then, the print job generation unit 15 generates a print job J including a job ticket, image data described in PDL, and foil image data (hereinafter referred to as “PDL data”).

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the print job J. The print job J includes a job ticket Jt and PDL data D. In the job ticket Jt, "poster print setting", "division number", and "overlap width" are described as setting items related to the poster printing function. The setting value of the "poster print setting" is either 0 or 1, and is set to "1" when the poster print function is used and "0" when the poster print function is not used. The number of divisions of the image is set in the setting value of "the number of divisions". The "overlap width" is set to the value of the width (mm) of the bonded portion when the adjacent sheets are bonded to each other. The job ticket Jt shown in FIG. 3 has poster print settings, the image division number is "2", and the overlap width is "5 mm".

  Further, in the job ticket Jt, “foil stamping print setting”, “varnish type”, and “paper type” are described as setting items related to foil stamping printing. The setting value of the “foil stamping print setting” is either 0 or 1, and is set to “1” when foil stamping printing is performed, and is set to “0” when foil stamping printing is not performed. The type of varnish set in the foil stamping machine 40 is set in the setting value of "varnish type". In "paper type", the type of paper set in the foil stamping machine 40 is set. The job ticket Jt shown in FIG. 3 is set such that foil stamping printing is performed, the type of varnish is “varnish 1”, and the type of paper is “paper type 1”.

  Further, in the job ticket Jt, “punch setting” and “staple setting” are described as setting items related to the finishing function of the printed matter. Each of the "punch setting" and "staple setting" has a value of 0 or 1, and is set to "1" when processing is performed and "0" when processing is not performed. It The job ticket Jt shown in FIG. 3 indicates that neither punch setting nor staple setting is performed. Note that the setting items related to the finishing function of the printed matter shown in FIG. 3 are examples, and when the user makes other settings, information about the setting items and setting values related to the settings is also included in the job ticket Jt.

  The PDL data D includes information about the pixel value and coordinates of each pixel forming the image data, and information about the pixel value and coordinates of each pixel forming the foil image data. Note that the configuration example of the print job J shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and the possible values of the setting values described in the job ticket Jt, the names or types of the setting items, etc. are not limited to this example.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the description will be continued. The network IF unit 16 of the client terminal 10 is connected to the network N and controls a transmission/reception operation of data and/or control signals performed with the controller 20 or the image forming apparatus 30 connected via the network N.

  The controller 20 includes a network IF unit 21 (an example of a transmission unit), a print job analysis unit 22 (an example of a print job acquisition unit), and a RIP (Raster Image Processor) unit 23 (an example of a split foil image data generation unit). .. The controller 20 also includes a control unit 24, a storage unit 25, an image data processing unit 26, a gradation correction unit 27, and a halftone dot processing unit 28.

  The network IF unit 21 is connected to the network N and controls a data and/or control signal transmission/reception operation performed with the client terminal 10 or the image forming apparatus 30 connected via the network N. Further, the network IF section 21 transmits the divided foil image data Df to the foil stamping machine 40.

  The print job analysis unit 22 analyzes the job ticket Jt included in the print job J transmitted from the client terminal 10, and transmits the request content obtained by the analysis to the image forming apparatus 30 via the network IF unit 21. Further, the print job analysis unit 22 acquires PDL data from the print job J transmitted from the client terminal 10 and outputs the acquired PDL data to the RIP unit 23.

  The RIP unit 23 sequentially translates the PDL data input from the print job analysis unit 22 in the order of arrival to generate image data in bitmap format. When the job ticket Jt acquired by the print job analysis unit 22 includes poster print setting information, the RIP unit 23 divides the image data by the number of divisions described in the poster print setting information. The divided image data Dm is generated. The RIP unit 23 outputs the generated divided image data Dm to the image data processing unit 26 or the gradation correction unit 27.

  Further, the RIP unit 23 extracts the foil image data from the PDL data D input from the print job analysis unit 22, and the extracted foil image data can be read by the foil stamper 40, for example, TIFF (Tagged Image). Convert to File Format) format data. As described above, the foil image data in the TIFF format includes the information on the coordinates of each pixel forming the image data for foil and the information on the pixel value of each pixel. The pixel value of each pixel forming the foil image data is represented by 256 gradations of “0” to “255”, for example.

  When the job ticket Jt acquired by the print job analysis unit 22 includes poster print setting information, the RIP unit 23 divides the foil image data by the number of divisions described in the poster print setting information, Image data Df for dividing foil is generated. The RIP unit 23 outputs the generated divided foil image data Df to the image data processing unit 26 or the gradation correction unit 27. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the image data and the divided image data Dm, the image data is simply referred to as “image data”, and it is not necessary to distinguish between the foil image data and the divided foil image data Df. Is simply referred to as "foil image data".

  The control unit 24 is composed of, for example, a CPU and controls the operation of each unit constituting the controller 20. In the present embodiment, when the job ticket Jt includes the poster print setting information and the foil stamping image is formed at the position across the sheets, the control unit 24 configures the foil image forming the foil stamping image. A process of correcting the pixel value is performed on the pixel of the data Df. The correction process of the pixel value of the foil image data Df by the control unit 24 is performed with reference to the paper thickness table T1 and the foil thickness table T2 stored in the storage unit 25 described later. The configurations of the paper thickness table T1 and the foil thickness table T2 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 described later. The outline of the correction process of the pixel value of the divided foil image data Df by the control unit 24 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 described later, and the details of the correction process will be described in FIGS. Will be described in detail.

  The storage unit 25 is composed of, for example, a nonvolatile storage medium such as a ROM or an HDD, and a RAM. The non-volatile storage medium stores programs (software) for the control unit 24 to execute calculations, various image data, various tables, and the like. The RAM is used as a work area when the control unit 24 executes the program.

  The storage unit 25 stores a paper thickness table T1 and a foil thickness table T2. The paper thickness table T1 is a table showing the correspondence between the type of paper on which the foil pressing process is performed and the thickness of the paper (hereinafter also referred to as “paper thickness”). FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the paper thickness table T1. The paper thickness table T1 includes items of "paper type" and "paper thickness (mm)". "Paper type" indicates the type of paper such as plain paper and glossy paper, and "paper thickness (mm)" indicates the thickness of paper (in millimeters). In the paper thickness table T1 shown in FIG. 4, the paper thickness of the “paper type 1” is “ii” (i is a positive integer) mm, and the paper thickness of the “paper type 2” is “jj”. (J is a positive integer) mm, and the paper thickness of the paper of “paper type 3” is “kk” (k is a positive integer) mm.

  In the paper thickness table T1 shown in FIG. 4, an example in which the value of each item forming the table is preset as a fixed value has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the value of each item in the paper thickness table T1 may be set by the user to any value. Alternatively, instead of providing the paper thickness table T1 itself, the values of "paper type" and "paper thickness" may be registered by the user each time via a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like.

  The foil thickness table T2 corresponds to each combination of the pixel value of the foil image data, the type of varnish used in the foil stamping machine 40, and the type of the sheet on which the foil stamping process is performed, and the foil of the stamped image formed on the sheet. 2 is a table showing the thickness of each (hereinafter referred to as “foil thickness”). Even with the same pixel value, the foil thickness of the foil stamped image formed on the paper varies depending on the type of varnish used in the foil stamping machine 40 and the type of paper on which the foil stamping process is performed.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the foil thickness table T2. The foil thickness table T2 includes items of "pixel value" and "varnish type and paper type". The “pixel value” indicates the pixel value of the foil image data. “Varnish type and paper type” indicates a combination of the type of varnish used in the foil stamping machine 40 and the type of paper on which foil stamping processing is performed (set in the foil stamping machine 40).

  In the foil thickness table T2 shown in FIG. 5, when the pixel value is "1", the varnish type is "varnish 1", and the paper type is "paper type 1", the foil thickness is "ii1" (mm). Has been shown. Further, it is shown that the foil thickness is “jj1” (mm) when the pixel value is “1”, the varnish type is “varnish 2”, and the paper type is “paper type 1”.

  In the foil thickness table T2 shown in FIG. 5, an example in which the value of each item forming the table is preset as a fixed value has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each value forming the foil thickness table T2 may be configured so that the user can set any value. Alternatively, the foil thickness table T2 itself may not be provided, and the "pixel value", "varnish type", and "paper type" values may be registered by the user each time via a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like. Good.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the description will be continued. The image data processing unit 26 of the controller 20 performs various image processing on the image data or the foil image data input from the RIP unit 23. The image processing performed by the image data processing unit 26 includes, for example, color conversion processing using an ICC (International Color Consortium) profile and gradation correction processing using a tone curve. The image data processing unit 26 outputs the image-processed image data to the gradation correction unit 27, and outputs the image-processed foil image data to the foil stamper 40.

  The gradation correction unit 27 performs correction for adjusting the brightness and contrast of the image with respect to the image data or the image data for foil input from the RIP unit 23 or the image data processing unit 26, and the corrected image data is screened. It is output to the point processing unit 28.

  The halftone dot processing unit 28 converts the image data input from the gradation correction unit 27 into halftone dots, and transmits the image data converted into halftone dots to the image forming apparatus 30 via the network IF unit 21.

  The image forming apparatus 30 includes a network IF unit 31, a storage unit 32, an image data processing unit 33, an operation unit 34, a scan processing unit 35, a print processing unit 36, and a control unit 37.

  The network IF unit 31 is connected to the network N and controls a data and/or control signal transmission/reception operation performed with the client terminal 10 or the controller 20 connected via the network N.

  The storage unit 32 includes, for example, a nonvolatile storage medium such as a ROM or an HDD, and a RAM. The non-volatile storage medium stores programs (software) for the controller 37 to execute calculations, various image data, various tables, and the like. The RAM is used as a work area when the control unit 37 executes the program.

  The image data processing unit 33 performs various image processing on the image data received by the network IF unit 31. The image processing performed by the image data processing unit 33 includes, for example, a process of combining a plurality of print jobs and a process of deleting a specific page in the print job.

  The operation unit 34 is configured as, for example, an operation panel provided on the housing of the image forming apparatus 30, generates an operation signal according to the content of the operation input by the user, and outputs the generated operation signal to the control unit 37. Supply to.

  The scan processing unit 35 scans a sheet set on a document table or a sheet feeding device (not shown) by a user to read a character or an image formed on the sheet. The print processing unit 36 forms the image data transmitted from the client terminal 10 or the controller 20 as an image on a sheet. When a print execution request is sent from a client terminal in which a job management application is installed, the print processing unit 36 reads a print job stored in advance in the storage unit 32 and prints it.

  The control unit 37 includes, for example, a CPU, and controls the operation of each unit included in the image forming apparatus 30.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the controller 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 are separately configured, but the present invention is not limited to this. Each unit that constitutes the controller 20 may be formed in the image forming apparatus 30.

  The foil stamper 40 reads the foil image data transmitted from the controller 20, applies varnish of an amount corresponding to the pixel value of each pixel forming the foil image data to the paper, and bonds the foil onto the varnish. As a result, a foil stamped image is formed.

[Outline of foil thickness correction processing by controller]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, an outline of the foil thickness correction processing by the controller 20 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a state in which printed materials including a foil stamped image printed by using the conventional poster printing function are stuck together, FIG. 6A is a top view, and FIG. 6B is a side view. 7A and 7B are explanatory views showing the outline of the foil thickness correction processing by the controller 20 of the present embodiment, FIG. 7A is a top view, and FIG. 7B is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 7A. .

  First, with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the finish of the printed matter when the printed matter including the foil stamped images printed by using the conventional poster printing function is pasted will be described. FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B show an example of a printed material when one original image is divided into two by the poster printing function. The sheet Shb located on the right side of FIG. 6A is a sheet arranged on the lower side, and the sheet Sha located on the left side of the figure is a sheet arranged on the upper side. The lower sheet Shb and the upper sheet Sha are adhered by the user such that their overlapping areas Ar1 overlap each other. The overlap area Ar1 is formed based on the information on the overlap width W described in the job ticket Jt (see FIG. 3).

  A foil stamp image Of1 is formed on the upper sheet Sha and the lower sheet Shb at positions that straddle both the sheets. As shown in FIG. 6B, the foil stamp image Of1 is formed on both the lower sheet Shb and the upper sheet Sha in the overlap region Ar1. As a result, a height difference G occurs at the joint portion Bd (the boundary portion between the overlap region Ar1 and the non-overlap region Ar2) between the lower sheet Shb and the upper sheet Sha. In the present embodiment, the controller 20 performs a foil thickness correction process for reducing this height difference.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, an outline of the foil thickness correction processing by the controller 20 of the present embodiment will be described. 7A is a top view of the lower sheet Shb (an example of the first sheet) on which the foil stamped image Of1 and the foil stamped image Of2 are formed, and FIG. 7B is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 7A. Is.

  In the present embodiment, the controller 20 specifies the foil stamp image Of1 formed across the overlap region Ar1 and the non-overlap region Ar2 that is the other region. Then, the controller 20 corrects the pixel value of the pixel located in the non-overlap region Ar2 among the pixels forming the identified foil stamped image Of1.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7B, the controller 20 does not correct the pixel value for the foil stamped image Of1 formed in the overlap area Ar1 defined by the overlap width W. That is, the pixel value transmitted from the client terminal 10, that is, the original pixel value of the pixel is used as it is. As a result, the foil thickness of the foil stamp image Of1 formed in the overlap area Ar1 becomes the foil thickness Tf1 determined by the pixel value transmitted from the client terminal 10.

  In a region Ar21, which is a region where the foil stamped image Of1 is formed and which is a region within the non-overlap region Ar2, the controller 20 corrects the pixel value. More specifically, the controller 20 forms the foil thickness Tf1 determined based on the pixel value of the pixel, the paper thickness Ts1 of the upper paper Sha (an example of the second paper: not shown), and the upper paper Sha. A value obtained by adding together the foil thickness Tf1 of the foil stamped image Of1 to be obtained is obtained as a corrected thickness Tc2. Then, the controller 20 replaces the original pixel value with a value obtained by converting the calculated correction thickness Tc2 into a pixel value. As a result, the foil thickness of the foil stamp image Of1 formed in the region Ar21 is the foil thickness Tf1 determined based on the original pixel value, the sheet thickness Ts1 of the upper sheet Sha, and the foil stamp image formed on the upper sheet Sha. The thickness is the sum of the foil thickness Tf1 of Of1.

  By performing the above-described correction process by the controller 20, as shown in FIG. 7B, the foil stamped image Of1 is formed in the joint portion Bd between the upper and lower sheets (the boundary portion between the overlap area Ar1 and the non-overlap area Ar21). There is no height difference in foil thickness.

  Even for the foil stamped image, the controller 20 sets the pixel 20 for the divided foil image data Df forming the foil stamped image Of2 that is formed at a position other than the position where the overlapping region Ar1 and the non-overlap region Ar2 are straddled. The value is not corrected. Therefore, the foil thickness of the foil stamped image Of2 is the foil thickness determined based on the pixel value of the pixel of the divided foil image data Df that forms the foil stamped image Of2.

[Foil thickness correction processing method by controller]
Next, a foil thickness correction processing method by the controller 20 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the foil thickness correction processing method by the controller 20 of the present embodiment.

  First, the RIP unit 23 (see FIG. 2) of the controller 20 extracts foil image data from the print job J. Then, the RIP unit 23 divides the extracted foil image data based on the number of divisions described in the poster print setting information in the job ticket Jt to generate a plurality of divided foil image data Df (step S1). Next, the control unit 24 of the controller 20 reads one of the plurality of pieces of foil image data Df generated in step S1 (step S2).

  Next, the control unit 24 reads the job ticket Jt, the paper thickness table T1 (see FIG. 4) and the foil thickness table T2 (see FIG. 5) (step S3). Next, the control unit 24 acquires, from the job ticket Jt, the information on the paper type described in the poster print setting information and the information on the type of varnish set in the foil stamper 40 to be used.

  Next, the control unit 24 determines whether or not the paper overlaps the overlap area Ar1 of the divided foil image data Df read in step S2. That is, the control unit 24 determines whether or not the read divided foil image data Df is the foil image data formed on the lower sheet Shb (step S4). In the present embodiment, the control unit 24 of the controller 20 performs the foil thickness correction process on the foil image data formed on the lower sheet Shb. Therefore, in step S4, it is determined whether the divided foil image data Df read in step S2 is the divided foil image data that is the target of the foil thickness correction process.

  Whether or not the read divided foil image data Df is the foil image data formed on the lower sheet Shb is determined by, for example, how many times the divided foil image data Df is read in step S2 (an odd number). It is possible to make a determination based on information such as whether or not it is an even number.

  When it is determined in step S4 that the divided foil image data Df read in step S2 is not the image data formed on the lower sheet Shb (when NO is determined in step S4), the control unit 24 The process of step S9 of FIG. 9 is performed. The processing content of step S9 will be described later.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S4 that the image data Df for the split foil is formed on the lower sheet Shb (when YES is determined in step S4), the control unit 24 causes the image data Df for the split foil. One of the pixels forming the pixel is read as the pixel to be processed (step S5 in FIG. 9). Next, the control unit 24 determines whether or not the pixel to be processed is a pixel in the overlap area Ar1 (step S6).

  Whether or not the pixel to be processed is a pixel in the overlap area Ar1 can be determined based on, for example, the coordinate information of the pixel described in the job ticket Jt and the overlap width W information. it can. If the horizontal coordinate value of the pixel to be processed is within the range defined by the overlap width W, it can be determined that the pixel is a pixel in the overlap area Ar1. On the other hand, when the horizontal coordinate value of the pixel to be processed is a coordinate value outside the range defined by the overlap width W, for example, in the non-overlap area Ar21 of FIG. 7A, It can be determined that the pixel is a pixel outside the overlap area Ar1.

  When it is determined in step S6 that the pixel to be processed is a pixel in the overlap area Ar1 (YES in step S6), the control unit 24 causes the foil of the foil stamped image formed by the pixel to be processed. The thickness Tf1 is acquired. Then, the control unit 24 stores the acquired foil thickness Tf1 in the storage unit 25 (step S7).

  The foil thickness Tf1 of the foil stamped image can be acquired based on the information described in the job ticket Jt and the content described in the foil thickness table T2 (see FIG. 5). For example, it is assumed that the job ticket Jt describes that the pixel value is “254”, the paper type is “paper type 1”, and the varnish type is “varnish 1”. In this case, the control unit 24 can acquire the foil thickness Tf1 “ii254” (mm) based on the foil thickness table T2.

  Next, the control unit 24 sets “1” to the flag (“Overlapped Image”) indicating that the pixels forming the foil stamp image Of1 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) formed on the overlap region Ar1 are being processed. Is set (step S8). Next, the control unit 24 determines whether or not the processing for all the pixels forming the divided foil image data Df is completed (step S9). Even when it is determined in step S4 that the divided foil image data Df read in step S2 is not image data formed on the lower sheet Shb (when NO is determined in step S4), step S9 is performed. A decision is made.

  When it is determined in step S9 that the process for all the pixels forming the divided foil image data Df is not completed (NO in step S9), the control unit 24 returns the process to step S5. .. That is, the control unit 24 reads one pixel to be processed next.

  On the other hand, in step S9, when the control unit 24 determines that the processing for all the pixels is completed (YES in step S9), the control unit 24 ends the processing for all the divided foil image data Df. It is determined whether or not (step S10).

  When it is determined in step S10 that the processing for all the divided foil image data Df is not completed (NO in step S10), the control unit 24 returns the processing to step S2 in FIG. That is, the control unit 24 reads one piece of the divided foil image data Df that has not been processed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S10 that the process for all the divided foil image data Df is completed (YES in step S10), the foil thickness correction process is completed.

  When it is determined in step S6 that the pixel to be processed is not the pixel in the overlap region Ar1 (NO in step S6), the control unit 24 acquires the sheet thickness Ts of the upper sheet Sha, and The acquired paper thickness Ts is stored in the storage unit 25 (step S11). The paper thickness Ts of the upper paper Sha can be acquired by comparing the paper type described in the job ticket Jt with the paper type described in the paper thickness table T1 (see FIG. 4).

  Next, the control unit 24 obtains the foil thickness Tf1 of the foil stamped image formed by the pixel to be processed (step S12). As described above, the foil thickness Tf1 of the foil stamped image can be obtained based on the pixel value of the pixel, the type of varnish used in the foil stamping machine 40, and the type of paper. The type of varnish and the type of paper are described in the job ticket Jt, and the foil thickness Tf1 is a foil thickness table T2 (FIG. 5) showing the foil thickness according to the pixel value, the type of varnish and the type of paper. It can be obtained by referring to (Reference).

  Next, the control unit 24 obtains the total value of the paper thickness Ts1 and the foil thickness Tf1 stored in the storage unit 25, and stores the obtained total value in the storage unit 25 as the corrected thickness Tc1 (step S13). As shown in FIG. 7B, the corrected thickness Tc1 is added to the foil thickness of the foil stamp image Of1 formed on the lower sheet Shb to reduce the height difference in the joint portion Bd between the sheets. It is the realized thickness (correction value).

  Next, the control unit 24 determines whether or not the value of the "Overlapped Image" flag is "1" (step S14). When it is determined in step S14 that the value of the flag of "Overlapped Image" is "1" (YES in step S14), the control unit 24 corrects the total value of the foil thickness Tf1 and the correction thickness Tc1. It is calculated as the thickness Tc2 (step S15). Next, the control unit 24 replaces the pixel value of the pixel to be processed with a value obtained by converting the corrected thickness Tc2 calculated in step S15 into a pixel value (step S16).

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the corrected thickness Tc2 is the sum of the foil thickness Tf1 of the foil stamp image Of1 formed on the lower sheet Shb and the corrected thickness Tc1 calculated in step S12. .. The correction thickness Tc1 is a correction value for reducing the height difference in the joint portion between the sheets, and is the sheet thickness Ts1 of the upper sheet Sha and the foil thickness Tf1 of the foil stamped image Of1 formed on the upper sheet Sha. Is the total thickness. By performing the process of step S16 by the control unit 24, the foil thickness of the foil stamped image Of1 is made uniform at the joint portion Bd between the upper sheet Sha and the lower sheet Shb. That is, there is no difference in height between the upper and lower sheets adhered to each other.

  After the processing of step S16, the control unit 24 determines whether or not the pixel value of the pixel adjacent to the processing target pixel is "0" (step S17). When it is determined in step S17 that the pixel value of the pixel adjacent to the pixel to be processed is "0" (YES in step S17), the control unit 24 sets the value of the "Overlapped Image" flag to " It is set to 0" (step S18). After the processing of step S18, the control unit 24 makes the determination of step S9.

  When the pixel value of the pixel adjacent to the pixel to be processed is “0”, the adjacent pixel is a pixel forming the foil stamped image Of1 formed on the overlap region Ar1 and a pixel continuous in pixel value. Not considered. That is, it can be determined that the adjacent pixels are, for example, the pixels formed at the positions of the gaps between the different foil stamped images. Therefore, the process for the pixels forming the foil stamped image Of1 formed on the overlap region Ar1 ends at this stage when it is found that the pixel value of the adjacent pixel is “0”. Therefore, in step S18, the value of the "Overlapped Image" flag is changed from "1" to "0". For example, while processing the pixels located in the area A221 of the gap between the foil stamp image Of1 and the other foil stamp image Of2 on the line indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 7B, the “Overlapped Image” flag is set. The value is set to "0".

  When the control unit 24 determines in step S17 that the pixel value of the pixel adjacent to the pixel to be processed is not "0" (NO determination in step S17), the control unit 24 sets the value of the flag in step S18. The determination of step S9 is performed without performing the change process.

  When it is determined in step S14 that the value of the "Overlapped Image" flag is not "1" (NO in step S14), the control unit 24 sets the corrected thickness Tc1 to "0" (step S19). .. The value of the flag of "Overlapped Image" is set to "0", as described above, when the pixel value of the pixel adjacent to the pixel to be processed is determined to be "0" in step S17. is there. When it is determined in step S9 that the processing for all the pixels forming the divided foil image data Df has not been completed, the next step S5 is to read the pixel value "0" in step S17. It is an adjacent pixel determined to be.

  Therefore, the foil thickness Tf1 acquired in the subsequent step S12 is also “0”. In the next step S13, the total value of the paper thickness Ts1 and the foil thickness Tf1 of the upper paper Sha is calculated as the corrected thickness Tc1, but when the foil thickness Tf1 acquired in step S12 is “0”, The corrected thickness Tc1 is the sheet thickness Ts1 of the upper sheet Sha. Then, in the next step S19, the corrected thickness Tc1 is changed to "0". Therefore, the correction thickness Tc2 calculated by the control unit 24 in the next step S15 also becomes “0”, and in the next step S16, the pixel value of the pixel to be processed becomes the pixel value of the correction thickness Tc2 by the control unit 24. It is replaced with the converted value, that is, "0".

  In the present embodiment, in step S17, the control unit 24 determines whether or not the pixel value of the pixel adjacent to the pixel to be processed is “0”, but the present invention is not limited to this. The determination in step S17 may be any as long as it can be determined whether or not the adjacent pixel is a pixel forming the foil stamped image Of1 formed on the overlap region Ar1. Method may be used. For example, even when the pixel value is a predetermined low pixel value, it is determined that the adjacent pixel is not a pixel forming the foil stamped image Of1, and the process of step S18 (the value of the flag of “Overlapped Image” is changed to “0”). Processing) may be performed. In this case, the corrected thickness Tc2 calculated in step S15 performed after the processing in step S18 is not "0" but the foil thickness Tf1 determined based on a predetermined low pixel value.

  If the pixel to be processed read by the control unit 24 in step S5 is an image other than the foil stamped image Of1, for example, a pixel forming the foil stamped image Of2 of FIG. 7A, in step S12 the foil thickness determined by the pixel to be processed Tf1 is acquired. Then, in the next step S13, the total value of the sheet thickness Ts1 of the upper sheet Sha and the foil thickness Tf1 acquired in step S12 is calculated as the corrected thickness Tc1. However, at the time when this processing is performed, the processing of the pixels forming the foil stamped image Of1 has been completed, so the value of the “Overlapped Image” flag has already been rewritten to “0”. Therefore, "NO" is selected in the next step S14 for determining whether or not the value of the flag is "1". Then, in the next step S19, the corrected thickness Tc1 is changed to "0".

  In the next step S15, the total value of the foil thickness Tf1 determined in step S12, which is determined by the pixel to be processed, and the corrected thickness Tc1 whose value has been rewritten to “0” is calculated as the corrected thickness Tc2. That is, the corrected thickness Tc2 calculated in step S15 is the foil thickness Tf1 determined by the pixel to be processed. In the next step S16, the pixel value of the pixel to be processed is rewritten with a value obtained by converting the corrected thickness Tc2 calculated in step S15 into a pixel value. However, since the corrected thickness Tc2 calculated in step S15 is the foil thickness Tf1 that is determined by the pixel to be processed, even when the process of step S16 is performed, the foil stamped image Of2 composed of the pixel to be processed is also included. The foil thickness of is the same as the foil thickness before the treatment. That is, according to the present embodiment, the foil thickness correction process is substantially performed on the pixels that form the foil stamped image Of2 that is formed at a position other than the position that straddles the overlap region Ar1 and the non-overlap region A2. I don't know.

  When it is determined in step S9 that the processing for all the pixels is completed, and when it is determined in step S10 that the processing for all the divided foil image data Df is completed, the foil thickness correction processing is completed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the divided foil image data forming the foil stamp image Of1 existing at the position where the overlapping area Ar1 in which the printing area overlaps with the adjacent paper and the other non-overlap area Ar2 are located. Df is specified. Then, the control unit 24 corrects the pixel value of the pixel existing in the non-overlap region Ar2 among the pixels forming the specified divided foil image data Df. In the correction, the pixel value of the pixel existing in the non-overlap area Ar2 is set to a value in the direction that reduces the height difference in the paper thickness direction between the papers caused by the adhesion of the overlap areas Ar1 of the adjacent papers. Will be corrected. As a result, the height difference that occurs in the connecting portion Bd of the upper and lower sheets when the overlapping areas Ar1 of the sheets are adhered to each other is reduced. That is, according to the present embodiment, the quality of the finish of the connected portion of the paper sheets in the product (poster) generated by pasting the paper sheets together is improved.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the pixel value of the pixel in the specified divided foil image data is the paper thickness of the upper side paper, the foil thickness of the foil stamped image formed on the upper side paper, and the lower side. The corrected thickness, which is the sum of the foil thickness of the foil stamped image formed on the paper, is replaced with a value converted into a pixel value. As a result, there is no difference in height at the connecting portion between the sheets.

<Variations>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various other application examples and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention described in the claims. For example, the following various modifications are also included in the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 24 of the controller 20 calculates, as the correction thickness Tc1, the total value of the sheet thickness Ts1 of the upper sheet Sha and the foil thickness Tf1 of the foil stamp image Of1 formed on the upper sheet Sha. .. Then, the control unit 24 is a value obtained by converting the corrected thickness Tc obtained by adding the foil thickness Tf1 of the foil stamped image Of1 formed on the lower sheet Shb and the corrected thickness Tc1 into a pixel value, which is the processing target. An example of replacing the pixel value of the pixel of is given. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The controller 24 may adjust the foil thickness Tf1 to an arbitrary value.

  For example, the control unit 24 always sets the foil thickness Tf1 of the foil pressing image Of1 (the image formed at the position crossing the overlap area Ar1 and the non-overlap area Ar21) formed on the lower sheet Shb to “0”. You may perform the control. This makes it possible to reduce the gap in the thickness direction of the sheet between the upper sheet Sha and the lower sheet Shb by the foil thickness Tf1.

  FIG. 10A is a side view showing an example of the finish of printed materials when two printed materials that have been subjected to the foil thickness correction processing according to the above-described embodiment are pasted together. FIG. 10B is a side view showing an example of the finish of the printed matter when the foil thickness Tf1 of the foil stamp image Of1 formed on the lower sheet Shb is controlled to be always “0”.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 10A, the foil stamp image Of1 is formed on both the upper paper Sha and the lower paper Shb in the overlap area Ar1. Therefore, a gap G1 based on the paper thickness Ts1 of the lower paper Shb and the foil thickness Tf1 of the foil stamp image Of1 is generated between the upper paper Sha and the lower paper Shb. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 10B, since the foil stamp image Of1 is not formed on the lower sheet Shb, the gap G2 between the upper and lower sheets is narrowed by the foil thickness Tf1 of the foil stamp image Of1. That is, the control unit 24 controls the foil thickness Tf1 of the foil stamp image Of1 formed on the lower sheet Shb to be always "0", thereby making the gap between the upper and lower sheets adhered to each other smaller. Can be narrowed.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 10B, since the upper sheet Sha and the lower sheet Shb are directly adhered (without a foil sandwiched between them), a foil stamp image Of1 is formed between the upper and lower sheets. The adhesive force between the sheets can be increased as compared with.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the foil thickness correction processing method by the controller 20 is described, an example in which the two foil divided image data Df are generated using the poster printing function has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Not done. The foil stamp poster printing system 1 may be applied to a case where four pieces of divided image data for foil Df are generated as in the example shown in FIG. Further, even if the four foil divided image data Df are generated, the control unit 24 may perform control such that the foil thickness Tf1 of the foil pushing image Of1 formed on the lower sheet is always "0". Good.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of forming the overlap region Ar1 and the foil stamp image Of1 on each of the four printed materials printed using the poster printing function. In the example illustrated in FIG. 11, one foil stamped image Of1 is formed across four sheets of paper Sh1 to paper Sh4. Overlap areas Ar1a are formed on the sheets Sh1 and Sh2, respectively, and overlap areas Ar1a and Ar1b are formed on the sheets Sh3 and Sh4, respectively.

  When one poster is generated using each of these papers, the user first attaches the overlap area Ar1a of the paper Sh1 onto the overlap area Ar1a of the paper Sh2. Further, the overlap area Ar1a of the sheet Sh3 is pasted onto the overlap area Ar1a of the sheet Sh4. Next, the overlap area Ar1b formed on the paper Sh1 and the paper Sh2 is bonded onto the overlap area Ar1b formed on the paper Sh3 and the paper Sh4.

  FIG. 12A is a side view showing an example of the finish of printed materials when four printed materials are pasted together, and FIG. 12B shows the foil thickness Tf1 of the foil stamped image Of1 formed on the lower sheet Shb. FIG. 6 is a side view showing an example of the finish of the printed matter when the control of “0” is performed.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 12A, the foil stamp image Of1 is formed on each of the paper Sh2, the paper Sh3, and the paper Sh4 arranged below the paper Sh1. Therefore, the gaps G3 formed between the paper Sh1 and the paper Sh3 and between the paper Sh2 and the paper Sh4 are particularly large.

  On the contrary, in the example shown in FIG. 12B, the foil stamp image Of1 is not formed on the lower paper Sh2, the paper Sh3, and the paper Sh4. Therefore, the gap G4 between the paper Sh1 and the paper Sh3 and the gap G4 between the paper Sh2 and the paper Sh4 are reduced by the foil thickness Tf1 of the foil stamped image Of1.

  Alternatively, instead of setting the foil thickness Tf1 of the foil stamp image Of1 formed on the lower sheet to “0”, the control unit 24 may perform control such that the foil thickness Tf1 is a predetermined thin thickness. By the control unit 24 performing such control, the foil stamp image Of1 having a thin foil thickness is formed at the bonding portion between the upper and lower sheets. Therefore, for example, even when the upper and lower papers are misaligned when the upper and lower papers are bonded to each other, the gap caused by the misalignment becomes inconspicuous due to the thin foil stamping image Of1.

  Further, the control unit 24 may perform control for adjusting the corrected thickness Tc1 to an arbitrary value. For example, the control unit 24 may perform control to reduce the correction thickness Tc1 corresponding to the pixel in proportion to the distance from the bonded portion between the sheets to the pixel. By the control unit 24 performing such control, the foil thickness of the foil stamp image Of1 gradually decreases as the distance from the bonded portion between the sheets increases. Therefore, no step is formed between the portion where the foil stamped image Of1 is formed and the portion where the foil stamped image Of1 is not formed.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the shape of the foil stamp image Of1 formed at the position straddling the overlap area Ar1 and the non-overlap area Ar2 is a simple shape (circle) without a dent is given. The invention is not limited to this. The foil stamp image Of1 to be the target of the foil thickness correction processing of the present invention may have a complicated shape or pattern having a depression. For example, information is added to the divided foil image data Df in advance so that the control unit 24 can determine whether or not the pixel to be processed is the pixel to be subjected to the foil thickness correction processing of the present invention. Thus, the foil thickness correction process of the present invention can be applied to the foil stamp image Of1 having a complicated shape or pattern.

  Examples of a method for allowing the control unit 24 to determine whether or not the pixel to be processed is a pixel to be subjected to the foil thickness correction processing of the present invention include the following methods. First, the control unit 24 scans the plurality of divided foil image data Df generated by the RIP unit 23 to obtain information about the shape of the foil stamped image Of1 and the formation position on the paper, and the information is stored in a table. Save in a format such as. Then, the control unit 24 is a method of performing foil thickness correction processing based on the information described in the created table. Alternatively, for each pixel forming the divided foil image data Df, flag information indicating that the pixel is a pixel forming the foil stamped image Of1 and located in the non-overlap area Ar2 is set in advance. A method of adding to

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example is given in which the control unit 24 uniformly performs the same control for each pixel forming the foil stamped image Of1 formed at a position that straddles the overlap region Ar1 and the non-overlap region Ar2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the various controls described above as modifications may be individually applied according to the type of the pixel or the foil stamped image Of1.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the foil stamping machine 40 performs the foil stamping process of stacking the foil on the varnish applied on the paper has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the foil stamping machine 40 may be applied to the case where only the varnish is applied without adhering the foil, that is, only the so-called thick coating process is performed.

  In addition, the above-described embodiment is a detailed and specific description of the configurations of the device and the system in order to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and is not necessarily limited to those including all the configurations described. Further, the control lines and information lines shown by solid lines in the figure are those considered necessary for explanation, and not all control lines and information lines are shown in the product. In practice, it may be considered that almost all the configurations are connected to each other.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Fountain poster printing system, 10... Client terminal, 11... Operation part, 12... Control part, 13... Storage part, 14... Document creation function part, 15... Print job generation part, 16... Network IF part, 20... Controller , 21... Network IF unit, 22... Print job analysis unit, 23... RIP unit, 24... Control unit, 25... Storage unit, 26... Image data processing unit, 27... Gradation correction unit, 28... Halftone dot processing unit, 30... Image forming apparatus, 31... Network IF section, 32... Storage section, 33... Image data processing section, 34... Operation section, 35... Scan processing section, 36... Print processing section, 37... Control section, 40... Foil stamper

Claims (7)

Print setting information relating to the poster print function for printing an image to be printed on a plurality of sheets of paper, including print setting information including information on the width of an overlap area, which is an area where a print area overlaps with an adjacent sheet, and a foil stamping machine. A print job acquisition unit that acquires a print job including foil image data that forms a foil stamp image formed on the sheet by performing a foil stamping process on the sheet.
Extracting the foil image data from the print job, dividing the extracted foil image data based on the information described in the print setting information acquired by the print job acquisition unit, and dividing the foil image An image data generation unit for dividing foil that generates data,
Based on the information described in the print setting information, from among the image data for dividing foil, a dividing foil forming a foil stamp image formed at a position straddling the overlap region and a region other than the overlap region. Image data is specified, and among the pixels forming the specified divided foil image data, the pixel value of a pixel existing in an area other than the overlap area is set to be the overlap area of the adjacent sheets. A control unit that corrects to a value in a direction that reduces the height difference in the paper thickness direction between the paper sheets that is caused by bonding,
An information processing apparatus, comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits the divided foil image data including the pixel value corrected by the control unit to the foil stamping machine. The split foil image data specified by the control unit is split foil image data that forms a foil stamping image formed on the first sheet placed below when the sheets are bonded to each other. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The control unit includes a paper thickness of a second paper placed on the upper side when the papers are adhered to each other, and a first foil thickness that is a foil thickness of a foil stamp image formed on the first paper. And a corrected pixel value obtained by converting the total value of the second foil thickness, which is the foil thickness of the foil stamped image formed on the second sheet, into a pixel value, and The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein correction is performed to replace the pixel value. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit corrects a pixel value of each pixel forming the specified divided foil image data to zero. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit corrects a pixel value of each pixel that constitutes the specified divided foil image data to a predetermined low pixel value. The said control part performs the correction|amendment which reduces the pixel value of each pixel which comprises the said image data for dividing foils specified in proportion to the distance from the adhesion part of said paper sheets to the said pixel. Information processing equipment. Print setting information relating to a poster printing function for printing an image to be printed on a plurality of sheets of paper, including print setting information including information on the width of an overlap area, which is an area where a print area overlaps an adjacent sheet, and a foil stamping machine. Acquiring a print job including foil image data forming a foil stamp image formed on the paper by performing a foil stamping process with
Extracting the foil image data from the print job, dividing the extracted foil image data based on the information described in the print setting information, and generating divided foil image data,
Based on the information described in the print setting information, from among the image data for dividing foil, a dividing foil forming a foil stamp image formed at a position straddling the overlap region and a region other than the overlap region. Image data is specified, and among the pixels forming the specified divided foil image data, the pixel value of a pixel existing in an area other than the overlapping area is determined by the overlapping areas of the adjacent sheets. Compensating to a value in a direction that reduces the height difference in the paper thickness direction between the papers caused by being bonded,
A foil thickness correction processing method, comprising: transmitting the divided foil image data including the corrected pixel value to the foil stamping machine.

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