JP7033033B2 - Image processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus having a function of arranging and printing a plurality of the same images on one sheet of printing paper.

Conventionally, an image forming apparatus has been used, but in recent years, a multifunctional multifunction device having a document reading (scanning) function, a network connection function, and the like in addition to a document duplication function has been used.
For example, in a multifunction device, when a user intends to print a document, the user makes a predetermined selection input for setting items such as the number of copies to be printed, selection of printing paper, setting of enlargement / reduction ratio, setting of single-sided or double-sided printing, and the like. After that, print the document.

Further, by reading one image information and inputting the number of the image information (number of repeats) to be printed on one sheet of printing paper, the same number of image information corresponding to the number of repeats can be obtained. There is also a multifunction device that has the function of printing on a sheet of printing paper.
In this way, when printing a plurality of the same image information on one sheet of printing paper, the main purpose is often to cut each image information, so that each image information can be easily cut. An auxiliary line indicating the cutting position may be printed at the boundary portion of each image information at the same time.
In the conventional image forming apparatus, the auxiliary line indicating the cutting position is formed by combining a fixed-length straight line at the boundary of each image.

The auxiliary line is a line segment used to cut each image information, but after cutting, the auxiliary line becomes an unnecessary line segment, so in order to remove the auxiliary line, the auxiliary line remaining after cutting is included. In some cases, the peripheral part of the paper is cut off or the auxiliary line is erased.
Therefore, it is preferable that only the image information remains on each cut paper and the auxiliary lines are not left as much as possible. Therefore, one sheet printed so as to show the entire boundary of each image. Instead of the boundary line, the length of each auxiliary line is set to a length that can be cut without any problem, and each auxiliary line is printed with a blank space between the auxiliary lines.

FIG. 13 shows an explanatory diagram when printing a composite image of a plurality of image information and auxiliary lines on one printing sheet in a conventional image processing apparatus.
FIG. 13A shows an example of one image information to be read and printed. Here, it is assumed that the image information "A" is printed.

FIG. 13 (b) shows a case where one image information called "A" is arranged vertically and horizontally two by two, and printed repeatedly on one sheet of printing paper, and FIG. 13 (c) shows this "A". This shows a case where one image information is arranged vertically and horizontally three by three, and printed repeatedly on one sheet of printing paper.
13 (b) and 13 (c) show the case where the auxiliary line is not printed.
In this case, since there is no auxiliary line indicating the cutting position, it is difficult to accurately divide the image information into equal parts and cut the image information by hand.

FIG. 13 (d) shows auxiliary lines shown by two straight lines in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction as auxiliary lines showing the cutting position, and FIG. 13 (e) shows the two auxiliary lines shown in FIG. 13 (d). A case is shown in which an image obtained by combining an auxiliary line shown by a straight line and the four image information shown in FIG. 13B is repeatedly printed on one printing sheet.
In the case of FIG. 13 (e), since there is a straight auxiliary line indicating the cutting position, cutting may be performed along this straight line, but if the auxiliary line is thick, the auxiliary line remains on the printing paper after cutting. There is.

FIG. 13 (f) shows an auxiliary line formed by combining fixed-length straight lines as an auxiliary line indicating a cutting position, and FIG. 13 (g) shows an auxiliary line in which the straight lines of FIG. 13 (f) are combined. , The case where the image obtained by combining the four image information of FIG. 13B is repeatedly printed on one sheet of printing paper is shown.
Further, in FIG. 13 (h), an auxiliary line combining the straight lines of FIG. 13 (f) is formed at the boundary of the image information, and an image obtained by synthesizing the nine image information of FIG. 13 (c) and the auxiliary line is obtained. The case where repeat printing is performed on one sheet of printing paper is shown.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13 (g), when one image information "A" is arranged vertically and horizontally two by two and repeated on one printing sheet for printing, it is fixed at the boundary portion of each image information. An auxiliary line with a short length and an auxiliary line with a fixed length straight line combined in a cross shape are printed.
In this case, since each auxiliary line is printed with a blank space between adjacent auxiliary lines, it is possible to leave as few auxiliary lines as possible on each sheet after cutting.

Further, Patent Document 1 includes an image repeat function for forming a part or the whole of an image on one sheet of recording paper, and a margin addition function for adding a margin between a plurality of formed images and a margin addition function. If a setting function is provided to select whether or not to use, and a margin addition function is set to use the margin addition function to obtain an image for cutting, a margin is added between a plurality of formed images. Then, multiple images are printed so that this margin can be used as the cutting allowance for cutting between the cutting allowances, while the margin addition function is not used to obtain an image used for the background or pattern. In some cases, an image forming apparatus is described in which images are packed and printed without a gap between a plurality of formed images.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-248262

However, the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1 does not consider printing an auxiliary line indicating a boundary between a plurality of formed images, and when the auxiliary line is not printed, the user manually cuts the auxiliary line. If cutting is performed at the margin provided as a margin, it is difficult to accurately cut an image of the same size along the contour of each image because there is no line segment that serves as a guide for the cutting position.

Further, as described above, it is preferable that the auxiliary lines indicating the cutting position are formed at the boundary of each image with a blank space between the auxiliary lines so that the adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected to each other. Since it is formed by combining fixed-length straight lines, the number of images that are repeatedly printed on one sheet of printing paper is large, and when the size of each image becomes small, adjacent auxiliary lines are connected to each other. It may be printed as a single straight line,

FIG. 14 shows an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between a plurality of image information printed on one sheet of printing paper and auxiliary lines in a conventional image processing apparatus.
FIG. 14A shows the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the image information “A” to be printed on the printing paper. Here, the vertical length of the image information is H1 and the horizontal length is W1. ..
FIG. 14B shows an example of the size of the cross-shaped auxiliary line, and here, the length in the vertical direction and the length in the horizontal direction of the auxiliary line are both fixed length La.

FIG. 14 (c) shows an example of an image in which the cross-shaped auxiliary line and the image information “A” are combined, and the cross-shaped auxiliary line is formed at the positions of the four vertices of the image information “A”. The part that was done is shown. Further, here, it is assumed that the length H1 in the vertical direction and the length W1 in the horizontal direction of the image information are larger than the length La of the auxiliary line.
In this way, when the vertical and horizontal lengths (H1, W1) of one image information to be printed are sufficiently larger than the length La of the fixed length auxiliary line (W1> La, H1> La), the figure is shown. As in 14 (c), there is a gap between adjacent cross-shaped auxiliary lines, and the adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected to each other.

On the other hand, the number of images that are repeatedly printed on one sheet of printing paper increases, and one image to be printed becomes smaller. For example, as shown in FIG. 14D, in the horizontal direction of one image information. It is assumed that the length W2 is shorter than the horizontal length W1 in FIG. 14 (a), and the vertical length H2 is shorter than the vertical length H1 in FIG. 14 (a).
Further, it is assumed that the horizontal length W2 and the vertical length H2 of one image information are shorter than the length La of the fixed length auxiliary line (W2 <La, H2 <La).
In this case, when the cross-shaped auxiliary line of FIG. 14 (b) and the image information of FIG. 14 (d) are combined and printed, W2 <La and H2 <La, so as shown in FIG. 14 (e). , Adjacent auxiliary lines are connected to each other and printed as one straight line.
That is, since the adjacent auxiliary lines are connected to each other for printing, there is a high possibility that the auxiliary lines will remain on the printing paper after cutting, as in FIG. 13 (e).

In this way, even if the number of images that are repeatedly printed on one sheet of printing paper increases and one image to be printed becomes smaller, in order to minimize the number of auxiliary lines left after cutting. , It is desirable to form auxiliary lines so that adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected to each other.
On the other hand, when the number of images to be repeatedly printed on one sheet of printing paper is small and the distance between adjacent auxiliary lines is too large, the user's visibility of the cut position is poor and the cutting position is accurate by hand. It may not be easy to cut.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and the adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected to each other regardless of the number of images repeatedly printed on one sheet of printing paper. An image processing device capable of printing auxiliary lines indicating the cutting position by minimizing the number of auxiliary lines left after cutting and considering the visibility of the cutting position by the user and the ease of manual cutting. The challenge is to provide.

The present invention has an image input unit for inputting image information, and a unit for setting the size of a unit image in which the size of the input image information is changed when printing a plurality of the image information on one printing sheet. Between the image setting unit, the storage unit that stores the input image information, the unit image size information indicating the size of the set unit image, and the plurality of unit images printed on the printing paper. When printing an auxiliary line indicating the cutting position for cutting each unit image to be printed, the length of each auxiliary line corresponds to the size of the unit image so that adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected. Composite image generation that generates composite image information that combines the auxiliary line length correction unit that sets the The present invention provides an image processing apparatus including a unit and an output unit for outputting the composite image information.

Further, the unit image size information is characterized by including a vertical length and a horizontal length of a unit image to be printed on printing paper.
Further, the length of the auxiliary line is set to be shorter than the shorter of the vertical length and the horizontal length of the unit image.

Further, the auxiliary line reference length, which is the reference for the length of the auxiliary line, and the auxiliary line correction length ratio for changing the length of the auxiliary line are stored in advance in the storage unit, and the auxiliary line reference is stored. When the length is longer than the shorter of the vertical length and the horizontal length of the set unit image, the length of the auxiliary line to be printed on the printing paper is set. It is characterized in that the auxiliary line correction length ratio is used to set the unit image shorter than the shorter of the vertical length and the horizontal length.
The length of the auxiliary line is a numerical value obtained by multiplying the shorter of the vertical length and the horizontal length of the unit image by a preset auxiliary line correction length ratio. It is characterized by being set to.

Further, the auxiliary line is characterized by being composed of a combination of a variable length vertical straight line and a horizontal straight line.
Further, the vertical straight lines constituting the auxiliary lines correspond to the vertical lengths of the unit images, and are in the vertical direction of each auxiliary line so that the vertical straight lines of the adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected. The horizontal straight lines that set the length and constitute the auxiliary line correspond to the horizontal length of the unit image so that the horizontal straight lines of the adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected to each auxiliary line. It is characterized by setting the length in the horizontal direction of.

Further, when printing the plurality of unit images and the auxiliary line, an auxiliary line correction determination unit for determining whether or not it is necessary to correct the length of the auxiliary line in relation to the size of the unit image is provided. Further, it is assumed that the auxiliary line reference length, which is the reference for the auxiliary line length, is stored in advance in the storage unit, and the auxiliary line is printed using the auxiliary line having the auxiliary line reference length. When the auxiliary lines to be printed are connected, the auxiliary line correction determination unit determines that the length of the auxiliary line needs to be corrected, and the composite image generation unit corrects the adjacent auxiliary lines so that they are not connected. Suppose that a composite image information is generated by combining a print auxiliary line consisting of an auxiliary line having a later length and the printed image, and the auxiliary line is printed using the auxiliary line having the auxiliary line reference length. When the adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected, the auxiliary line correction determination unit determines that it is not necessary to correct the length of the auxiliary line, and the composite image generation unit starts from the auxiliary line having the auxiliary line reference length. It is characterized in that a composite image information obtained by combining the print auxiliary line and the print image is generated.

Further, an operation unit for inputting setting input information for setting the size of the unit image printed on the printing paper is further provided, and the setting input information is described before setting the size of the unit image. It is stored in advance in the storage unit, and in the setting input information, the input image size that specifies the vertical length and the horizontal length of the input image information, and the vertical and horizontal lengths of the printing paper are specified. The size of the printing paper to be printed, the image reduction ratio when reducing the input image information, the total number of repeats, which is the total number of unit images printed on the printing paper, and the number of vertical arrangements of the unit images printed on the printing paper. It is characterized in that it includes a repeat vertical and horizontal number consisting of the number of arrangements in the horizontal direction.

Further, the unit image setting unit is characterized in that the vertical length and the horizontal length of the unit image printed on the printing paper are set from the input image size and the image reduction ratio. ..
Further, the unit image setting unit is characterized in that the vertical length and the horizontal length of the unit image printed on the printing paper are set from the printing paper size and the total number of repeats.
Further, the unit image setting unit sets the length of the unit image to be printed on the printing paper in the vertical direction from the size of the printing paper and the number of arrangements of the repeat vertical and horizontal numbers in the vertical direction, and the printing paper. It is characterized in that the horizontal length of the unit image printed on printing paper is set from the size and the number of horizontal arrangements of the repeat vertical and horizontal numbers.

Further, the composite image generation unit changes at least one or more of the color, thickness, and type of the print auxiliary line printed on the printing paper according to the size of the unit image. It is characterized by.
When the size of the unit image printed on the printing paper is smaller than the predetermined size, the composite image generation unit reduces the color density of the printing auxiliary line printed on the printing paper. , The thickness of the auxiliary line is reduced, and the type of the auxiliary line is changed to a broken line at least one of them.
When the size of the unit image printed on the printing paper is larger than the predetermined size, the composite image generation unit increases the color density of the printing auxiliary line printed on the printing paper. It is characterized in that at least one of thickening the thickness of the auxiliary line and making the type of the auxiliary line a solid line is performed.

Further, the auxiliary line is characterized in that it has any one of a cross shape, an L shape, a T shape, a straight line only in the vertical direction, and a straight line only in the horizontal direction.

Further, the present invention sets an image input step for inputting image information and a unit image size in which the size of the input image information is changed when printing a plurality of the image information on one printing sheet. When printing an auxiliary line indicating a cutting position for cutting each unit image to be printed between the unit image setting step to be printed and the plurality of unit images printed on the printing paper, the size of the unit image is to be printed. Corresponding to this, a printing consisting of an auxiliary line length correction step for setting the length of each auxiliary line so that adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected, and a plurality of unit images to be printed on the one printing sheet. A composite image in which the print image generation step for generating an image, the print auxiliary line generation step for generating a print auxiliary line consisting of a plurality of auxiliary lines having the length set, and the print image and the print auxiliary line are combined. It provides an auxiliary line generation method characterized by including a composite image generation step for generating information and an output step for outputting the composite image information.

According to the present invention, when printing a plurality of image information on one sheet of printing paper, the size of the unit image in which the size of the input image information is changed is set, and the plurality of units printed on the printing paper are set. When printing an auxiliary line indicating the cutting position for cutting each unit image to be printed between the images, the length of each auxiliary line is set according to the size of the unit image, so one sheet. Regardless of the number of unit images printed on the printing paper, adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected to each other, and the auxiliary lines are not left as much as possible after cutting. Auxiliary lines can be printed in consideration of the ease of use.

It is a block diagram of the block of the example of the image processing apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of one Example of the information stored in the image processing apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of one Example of the information stored in the image processing apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of one Example of the information stored in the image processing apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows one Example of the relationship between a plurality of image information printed on one sheet of printing paper, and the size of an auxiliary line in the image processing apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows one Example of the presence or absence of correction of the auxiliary line to be printed in the image processing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart of one Example of the auxiliary line generation processing in the image processing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart of correction necessity determination and correction processing of the auxiliary line in the image processing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart of correction necessity determination and correction processing of the auxiliary line in the image processing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart of correction necessity determination and correction processing of the auxiliary line in the image processing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart of correction necessity determination and correction processing of the auxiliary line in the image processing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart of the confirmation adjustment process of the auxiliary line in the image processing apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing in the case of printing a composite image of a plurality of image information and auxiliary lines on one sheet of printing paper in a conventional image processing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a plurality of image information printed on one sheet of printing paper, and an auxiliary line in a conventional image processing apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the description of the following examples does not limit the present invention.
<Configuration of image processing device>
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention.
The image processing device (hereinafter, also referred to as MFP: Multifunction Peripheral, also referred to as a multifunction device) 1 is a device that processes image data, and is, for example, a copying function, a printing function, a document reading function (scan function), an image composition function, and a FAX function. , It is an electronic device equipped with communication functions.

In particular, in the present invention, one input image information is read by using the document reading function, a printed image in which a plurality of read input image information are arranged is generated, and each input image information (unit image) constituting the printed image is generated. When an auxiliary line indicating the cutting position for cutting each unit image is formed between a plurality of unit images in consideration of the vertical length and the horizontal length of the unit image, the adjacent auxiliary lines are connected. A function that corrects the length of auxiliary lines and prints an image consisting of a print image consisting of multiple unit images and a print auxiliary line consisting of multiple auxiliary lines on a single printing sheet ( Auxiliary line composite printing function).

In order to perform the document scanning function, the image processing apparatus includes a platen on which the document to be scanned is placed. A document containing characters, images, etc. is placed on the document table so that the document fits within the scanning area of the document table, and after the user sets and inputs the setting items required for scanning, a predetermined scanning start operation is performed. By doing so, the information described in the manuscript is read as input image information.

Further, when a plurality of read input image information is arranged and printed on one printing paper, the user sets the image reduction ratio as described later, the total number of image information to be printed (total number of repeats), and the like. After inputting, the setting An auxiliary line indicating the cutting position between the image information is generated based on the input information.
In the present invention, the auxiliary line is composed of a combination of a variable length vertical straight line and a horizontal straight line.

In FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus (MFP) 1 of the present invention mainly includes a control unit 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, an image input unit 14, a communication unit 15, an output unit 16, a unit image setting unit 17, and printing. It includes an image information generation unit 18, an auxiliary line correction determination unit 19, an auxiliary line length correction unit 20, a print auxiliary line generation unit 21, a composite image generation unit 22, and a storage unit 50.

The control unit 11 is a part that controls the operation of each component such as an image input unit, and is mainly realized by a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O controller, a timer, and the like.
The CPU organically operates various hardware based on a control program stored in advance in a ROM or the like to execute the auxiliary line correction determination function, the composite image generation function, and the like of the present invention.
In particular, the CPU determines the unit image setting unit 17, the print image information generation unit 18, the auxiliary line correction determination unit 19, the auxiliary line length correction unit 20, the print auxiliary line generation unit 21, and the composite image generation unit 22. It is a functional block that is executed by software based on a program.

The operation unit 12 is a part for inputting information such as characters, selecting a function, inputting setting items necessary for executing the function, and for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like are used.
In the present invention, in order to generate image information and auxiliary lines to be printed on one sheet of paper, the user uses the operation unit 12 to display the contents of necessary setting items as shown in FIG. 2 (b) described later. Enter the setting input information).

The display unit 13 is a part for displaying information, and displays information necessary for executing each function, the result of executing the function, and the like in order to inform the user.
As the display unit 13, for example, an LCD, an organic EL display, or the like is used, and when a touch panel is used as the operation unit 12, the display unit and the touch panel are arranged so as to overlap each other.

The image input unit 14 is a unit for inputting image information described in a document of a predetermined size based on the setting information set and input by the user.
For example, input information such as a manuscript containing images, characters, figures, and the like. The input image information is stored in the storage unit 50 as electronic data in a predetermined image format.
As the image input unit 14, a scanner (reading device) that reads a document in which information is described is mainly used.
A manuscript on which information is described is placed on a manuscript table, the manuscript is scanned by a scanner, and electronic data obtained by digitizing the contents of the scanned manuscript is stored in the storage unit 50 as input image information.

However, the method for inputting information such as an image is not limited to the above, and for example, an interface for connecting an external storage medium such as a USB memory corresponds to the image input unit 14.
An electronic data file such as an image or a document to be input is saved in an external storage medium such as a USB memory, the USB memory or the like is connected to an input interface such as a USB terminal, and a predetermined input operation is performed by the operation unit 12. As a result, a desired electronic data file stored in a USB memory or the like may be read out and stored in the storage unit 50 as input image information.

Further, in a mobile terminal or the like, the user selects a desired electronic data file, transfers the selected electronic data file to the image processing apparatus MFP, and transfers the electronic data file received via the communication unit 15 to the storage unit 50. It may be stored as input image information.

The image information input by the scanner or the like is stored in the storage unit 50 as electronic data in a predetermined image format, but as a file format for storing the electronic data, any existing file format currently used is used. (For example, PDF format, TIFF format, JPEG format, etc.) may be used.

The communication unit 15 is a part that performs data communication with another communication device via a network.
For example, it receives an electronic data file transferred from a mobile terminal or server.
Further, the composite image information obtained by synthesizing the print image generated by the image processing apparatus MFP of the present invention and the print auxiliary line may be transmitted to the mobile terminal or the server.
As the network, a wide area communication network such as the Internet or any existing communication network such as LAN can be used, and either wired communication or wireless communication may be used.

The output unit 16 is a unit that outputs the generated image information.
In the present invention, a composite image information obtained by synthesizing a print image in which a plurality of the same input image information is arranged and a print auxiliary line is output.
The output unit 16 corresponds to, for example, a printer that prints and outputs image information on a paper medium.

The output of information is not limited to printing on paper media, but storage of information on an external storage medium such as a USB memory, display of information on the display unit 13, and other information processing via a network such as the Internet. Information may be transmitted to a device or a server.

The unit image setting unit 17 is a unit for setting the size of one image information (unit image) as a reference when printing a plurality of the same image information on one sheet of printing paper.
One reference image information is called a unit image, and the unit image is an image in which the size (vertical length, horizontal length) of the input image information is changed.
One reference image information (unit image) is a rectangular image, and the size of the unit image is the vertical length (vertical length H) and the horizontal length (horizontal length W) of the rectangle. Determined by.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4 (c-1) described later, two unit images "A" are arranged horizontally and two vertically, and a total of four identical image information is printed on one printing sheet. In this case, the vertical length of the unit image (vertical length H) is set to 1/2 of the vertical length of the printing paper, and the horizontal length of the unit image (horizontal length W) is the printing paper. Set to 1/2 of the horizontal length of.
Information indicating the size of the set unit image (vertical length H, horizontal length W) is stored in the storage unit 50 as unit image size information.

The number of the same image information printed on one sheet of printing paper is called the total number of repeats (Rn).
Further, when the number of the same image information arranged in the vertical direction of the printing paper is m and the number of the same image information arranged in the horizontal direction of the printing paper is n, the total number of repeats Rn is represented by m × n and is repeated. The vertical and horizontal numbers are represented by (m, n).
As described later, the size of the unit image (unit image size information) is the size (original size) and image reduction ratio of the input image information input by the user, or the size of the printing paper and the total number of repeats Rn or repeat vertical and horizontal. It is calculated using a number (m, n) or the like.

The print image information generation unit 18 is a portion that generates a print image (also referred to as print image information) composed of a plurality of unit images to be printed on one sheet of printing paper.
When printing a plurality of the same image information on one printing sheet, the same image information having the size of the unit image set by the unit image setting unit 17 is generated by arranging the same image information by the total number of repeats. It is assumed that the printed image generated here does not include auxiliary lines.

The auxiliary line correction determination unit 19 is a portion that determines whether or not it is necessary to correct the length of the auxiliary line in relation to the size of the unit image when printing a plurality of unit images and the auxiliary line. be.
As described above, the auxiliary line indicates the cutting position, and it is an object of the present invention to print the auxiliary line so that the adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected.
It is assumed that the reference length of the auxiliary line length (referred to as the auxiliary line reference length L0) is fixedly stored in the storage unit 50 in advance, and the auxiliary line having the auxiliary line reference length L0 is printed. If this is the case, the necessity of correcting the length of the auxiliary line is determined based on whether or not the adjacent auxiliary lines are connected.

When the auxiliary line is printed using the auxiliary line having the auxiliary line reference length L0 and the adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected, it is determined that it is not necessary to correct the length of the auxiliary line. In this case, the length L of the auxiliary line to be printed is L0, and the auxiliary line having the auxiliary line reference length L0 and the composite image composed of a plurality of unit images are printed on the printing paper.

On the other hand, when the auxiliary line is printed using the auxiliary line having the auxiliary line reference length L0, if the adjacent auxiliary lines are connected due to the size of the unit image, the length of the auxiliary line is changed. Judge that it needs to be corrected.
For example, if the auxiliary line with the auxiliary line reference length L0 is longer than the vertical length H of the unit image (L0 ≧ H), the adjacent auxiliary lines in the vertical direction will be connected, so it is necessary to correct the length of the auxiliary line. And correct it so that the length of the auxiliary line is shortened.

Further, when the auxiliary line having the auxiliary line reference length L0 is longer than the shorter of the vertical length H and the horizontal length W of the unit image (L0 ≧ min (W, H)), at least the unit image is short. Since adjacent auxiliary lines in the direction of the other length are connected, it is determined that the length of the auxiliary line needs to be corrected, and the length of the auxiliary line is corrected to be shortened.
That is, the length of the auxiliary line is set shorter than the shorter of the vertical length (vertical length H) and the horizontal length (horizontal length W) of the unit image.

If the vertical length and the horizontal length of the auxiliary line are the same, one auxiliary line reference length L0 may be stored in advance, but the vertical length and the horizontal length are different. When using an auxiliary line, the auxiliary line reference length Lh0 in the vertical direction and the auxiliary line reference length Lw0 in the horizontal direction are stored in advance as the auxiliary line reference length.

The auxiliary line length correction unit 20 is a portion that corrects the length of the auxiliary line when the auxiliary line correction determination unit 19 determines that the length of the auxiliary line needs to be corrected.
In particular, when printing an auxiliary line indicating a cutting position for cutting each unit image to be printed between a plurality of unit images printed on printing paper, they are adjacent to each other according to the size of the unit image. Set the length of each auxiliary line so that the auxiliary lines are not connected.

The auxiliary line correction length ratio LA (%) for changing the length of the auxiliary line is stored in advance in the storage unit 50.
For example, the auxiliary line reference length L0 multiplied by the auxiliary line correction length factor LA is set to the corrected auxiliary line length L (L = L0 × LA). If the auxiliary line reference length L0 is 10 mm and the auxiliary line correction length ratio LA is 50%, the corrected auxiliary line length L is 5 mm.

Further, as will be described later, the auxiliary line reference length L0 is the shorter of the vertical length (vertical length H) and the horizontal length (horizontal length W) of the set unit image. If the length is longer than the length, the length L of the auxiliary line to be printed on the printing paper is set to the vertical length (vertical length H) and the horizontal direction of the unit image by using the auxiliary line correction length ratio LA. It may be set shorter than the shorter of the lengths (horizontal length W) of.

For example, the length L of the auxiliary line is multiplied by the preset auxiliary line correction length factor LA by the shorter of the vertical length and the horizontal length of the unit image. Set to (L = H × LA or L = W × LA).
If the shorter length of the unit image is W = 40 mm and the auxiliary line correction length ratio LA is 70%, the corrected auxiliary line length L is 28 mm.
The length L of the corrected auxiliary line is stored in the storage unit 50 as the corrected auxiliary line information, and the auxiliary line having the corrected auxiliary line length L is generated as the print auxiliary line.

If the vertical length and the horizontal length that make up the auxiliary line are different, the vertical straight line that makes up the auxiliary line corresponds to the vertical length of the unit image of the adjacent auxiliary line. The vertical length of each auxiliary line is set so that the vertical straight lines are not connected, and the horizontal straight lines that make up the auxiliary line correspond to the horizontal length of the unit image and are adjacent to each other. The horizontal length of each auxiliary line may be set so that the horizontal straight lines of the lines are not connected.

The vertical length and the horizontal length of the auxiliary line are different, and the vertical auxiliary line reference length Lh0 and the horizontal auxiliary line reference length Lw0 are stored in advance as the auxiliary line reference length. In this case, as the auxiliary line correction length factor, the auxiliary line correction length factor LAh (%) for calculating the vertical correction and the auxiliary line correction length factor LAw (%) for calculating the horizontal correction are used. , Stored in the storage unit 50 in advance.
However, the auxiliary line correction length ratio LAh (%) for calculating the vertical correction and the auxiliary line correction length ratio LAw (%) for calculating the horizontal correction may be the same numerical value.

The print auxiliary line generation unit 21 is a portion that generates a plurality of auxiliary lines (also referred to as print auxiliary lines) after the length to be printed on the printing paper is set. For example, the print auxiliary line information 57 as shown in FIG. 4B, which will be described later, is generated.
When the auxiliary line correction is not necessary, the auxiliary line is generated at the boundary portion of each unit image to be printed on the printing paper by using the auxiliary line having the auxiliary line reference length L0.
When correction of the auxiliary line is required, the auxiliary line having the length L after being corrected by the auxiliary line length correction unit 20 is used at the boundary portion of each unit image to be printed on the printing paper. Is generated.
Further, the shape of the auxiliary line differs depending on the position where it is arranged, and as will be described later, a cross-shaped auxiliary line, an L-shaped auxiliary line, a T-shaped auxiliary line, an auxiliary line consisting of straight lines only in the vertical direction, and an auxiliary line. It is one of the auxiliary lines consisting of straight lines only in the horizontal direction.

The composite image generation unit 22 synthesizes a print image composed of a plurality of unit images generated by the print image information generation unit 18 and a print auxiliary line composed of a plurality of auxiliary lines generated by the print auxiliary line generation unit 21. This is a part that generates an image (composite image information) to be printed on one sheet of printing paper.

In the present invention, if an auxiliary line is printed using an auxiliary line having an auxiliary line reference length and the adjacent auxiliary lines are connected, the auxiliary line correction determination unit 19 corrects the length of the auxiliary line. After determining that it is necessary, the composite image generation unit 22 obtains composite image information obtained by synthesizing a print auxiliary line consisting of an auxiliary line having a length corrected so that adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected and a printed image. Generate.
On the other hand, if the auxiliary line is printed using the auxiliary line having the auxiliary line reference length and the adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected, the auxiliary line correction determination unit 19 does not need to correct the length of the auxiliary line. The composite image generation unit 22 generates composite image information in which a print auxiliary line composed of an auxiliary line having an auxiliary line reference length and a printed image are combined.

For example, synthetic image information as shown in FIG. 4 (c) described later is generated.
Instead of generating the print image and the print auxiliary line separately, set the size of the unit image, set the length of the auxiliary line, and then print the unit image and the auxiliary line on one sheet of printing paper. The position of the line may be determined, and the composite image information including the print image and the print auxiliary line may be generated almost at the same time.

Further, in both the case where the length of the auxiliary line is corrected and the case where the length of the auxiliary line is not corrected, when the composite image generation unit 22 synthesizes the print auxiliary line, it corresponds to the size of the unit image as well as the length of the auxiliary line. Then, at least one or more of the color, thickness, and type of the print auxiliary line printed on the printing paper may be changed.

For example, when the size of the unit image printed on the printing paper is smaller than the predetermined size, the composite image generation unit 22 reduces the color density of the printing auxiliary line printed on the printing paper. At least one or more of thinning the line thickness and making the auxiliary line type a broken line may be performed.
When the size of the unit image printed on the printing paper is larger than the predetermined size, the composite image generation unit 22 assists by increasing the color density of the printing auxiliary line printed on the printing paper. At least one or more of increasing the thickness of the line and making the type of the auxiliary line a solid line may be performed.

The storage unit 50 is a part that stores information and programs necessary for executing each function of the image processing device of the present invention, and is a storage device such as a semiconductor storage element such as ROM, RAM, or flash memory, or an HDD or SSD. , Other storage media are used.
In the storage unit 50, for example, input image information 51, setting input information 52, reference setting information 53, unit image size information 54, auxiliary line item information 55, corrected auxiliary line information 56, print auxiliary line information 57, and composite image Information 58 and the like are stored.
2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show explanatory views of an embodiment of information stored in the image processing apparatus of the present invention.

The input image information 51 is image information input by the image input unit 14.
When a plurality of the same images are arranged and printed on one sheet of printing paper, the input image information 51 is an image that is a source of the unit image, and the input image information is reduced or enlarged to obtain the unit image. Calculate the size.
FIG. 2A shows an embodiment of the input image information 51.
Here, for ease of explanation, image information consisting of the character "A" is shown, but image information of a manuscript including a large number of characters, symbols, figures, photographs, etc. may be input.
Further, the information indicating the size of the input image information 51 (input image size) is represented by a length Hg in the vertical direction and a length Wg in the horizontal direction, and is stored in the storage unit 50. ..
The input image size (Hg, Wg) may be input by the user, or if the size of the document to be read is a standard size such as A4, the standard size may be set in advance.

The setting input information 52 is information input by the user.
The user uses the operation unit 12 to input setting input information for setting the size of the unit image printed on the printing paper.
The setting input information 52 is input before setting the size of the unit image, and is stored in the storage unit 50 in advance. However, information such as standard size printing paper may be fixedly set and stored in advance.
As shown in FIG. 2B, the setting input information 52 includes, for example, an input image size, a printing paper size, an image reduction ratio, a total number of repeats, a number of repeat vertical and horizontal directions, and information on whether or not auxiliary lines can be printed.

The input image size is information that specifies the vertical length and the horizontal length of the input image information, and the print paper size is information that specifies the vertical and horizontal lengths of the printing paper. The image reduction ratio is information used when reducing the input image information, the total number of repeats is the total number of unit images printed on the printing paper, and the repeat vertical and horizontal numbers are printed on the printing paper. This is information consisting of the number of arrangements in the vertical direction and the number of arrangements in the horizontal direction of the unit image.
Using these setting input information 52, the size of a unit image when printing a plurality of image information on one printing sheet is determined.

For example, the unit image setting unit 17 sets the vertical length and the horizontal length of the unit image to be printed on the printing paper from the input image size and the image reduction ratio.
Further, the unit image setting unit 17 sets the vertical length and the horizontal length of the unit image to be printed on the printing paper from the printing paper size and the total number of repeats.
Alternatively, the unit image setting unit 17 sets the vertical length of the unit image to be printed on the printing paper from the printing paper size and the number of repeat vertical and horizontal arrangements in the vertical direction, and sets the printing paper size and the repeat. The horizontal length of the unit image printed on the printing paper may be set from the number of horizontal arrangements of the vertical and horizontal numbers.

As described above, the input image size is information indicating the size of the input image information 51, and the vertical length Hg and the horizontal length Wg of the input image information 51 are set and input.
Further, when the original size in which the image information to be input is described is a standard size, the length in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction may not be directly input, but a symbol for specifying the standard size may be selected and input.
For example, if the image information to be input is a standard A5 size document, select and input the information meaning "A5", and use the input image size (Hg, Wg) as the vertical length of the A5 size document. Hg (= 210 mm) and the lateral length Wg (= 148 mm) may be automatically set and stored.

The print paper size is information indicating the size of the paper on which the image information is printed, and the vertical length Hi and the horizontal length Wi of the print paper are set and input.
When the paper to be printed has a standard size, the length in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction may not be directly input, but a symbol for specifying the standard size may be selected and input.
For example, if the printing paper to be used is a standard A4 size, select and enter the information that means "A4", and set the printing paper size (Hi, Wi) as the vertical length Hi (Hi) of the A4 size paper. = 297 mm) and the lateral length Wi (= 210 mm) may be automatically set and stored.

The image reduction ratio P means a ratio (%) of reducing or enlarging the input image information 51.
When printing a plurality of input image information 51 on one sheet of printing paper, the image reduction ratio P for determining how much the input image information 51 is reduced and printed is set and input.
For example, if the size of the original input image information 51 is about the same as that of the printing paper and it is desired to print the 16 input image information 51 on one sheet of printing paper, the image reduction ratio P is 25%. Set and enter. As a result, the input image size (Hg, Wg) of the input image information 51 is reduced to 1/4, and the size information of the unit image is calculated so that the 16 unit images fit on one printing paper.

The total number of repeats Rn means the total number of unit images to be printed on one sheet of printing paper.
When the number of unit images to be printed on one sheet of printing paper is the same in the vertical direction and the number in the horizontal direction, the total number of repeats Rn shall be input, and the total number of repeats Rn may be, for example, 4, 9, 16. Enter a number equivalent to the square of an integer in.
When the total number of repeats Rn is 4, the number of vertical and horizontal numbers printed on one sheet of printing paper is two, and when the total number of repeats Rn is 16, printing is performed on one sheet of printing paper. The number in the vertical direction and the number in the horizontal direction are both four.

The repeat vertical / horizontal number means a number m in the vertical direction of the unit image to be printed on one sheet of printing paper and a number n in the horizontal direction of the unit image.
The user directly inputs a number m in the vertical direction of the unit image to be printed on one sheet of printing paper and a number n in the horizontal direction of the unit image.
When the repeat vertical / horizontal number (m, n) is set and input, the repeat total number Rn (= m × n) can be known from the repeat vertical / horizontal number (m, n), so that the repeat total number does not have to be input.

The auxiliary line printability information HJ is information set as to whether or not to print the auxiliary line indicating the cutting position when printing a plurality of input image information 51 on one sheet of printing paper.
For example, when "OK" is set in the auxiliary line printability information HJ, it means that the auxiliary line is also printed, and the auxiliary line is corrected and the printing auxiliary line is generated.
When "No" is set in the auxiliary line printability information HJ, it means that the auxiliary line is not printed, and a plurality of input image information 51 is printed on one printing sheet, and the auxiliary line is not printed.

The reference setting information 53 is information in which information about the auxiliary line is set in advance, and as shown in FIG. 2 (c), mainly the auxiliary line reference length L0 and the auxiliary line correction length ratio LA are stored. ..
The auxiliary line reference length L0 means the length that becomes the reference of the auxiliary line indicating the cutting position, and if the auxiliary line is not corrected, the auxiliary line to be printed is printed by using this auxiliary line reference length L0. Generated.
The auxiliary line correction length ratio LA is a ratio (%) for calculating the length of the auxiliary line after correction when the auxiliary line needs to be corrected.

Alternatively, since the auxiliary line is composed of a vertical straight line and a horizontal straight line, if the lengths of the vertical and horizontal auxiliary lines are different, the vertical auxiliary line reference length Lh0 and The horizontal auxiliary line reference length Lw0 may be set separately.
When the vertical and horizontal auxiliary line reference lengths are set separately, the auxiliary line correction length ratio is also the vertical auxiliary line correction length factor LAh and the horizontal auxiliary line correction length ratio. Set Law separately.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2C, the vertical auxiliary line reference length Lh0 is set to 10 mm, and the horizontal auxiliary line reference length Lw0 is set to 8 mm. In addition, 50% is set for the auxiliary line correction length ratio LAh in the vertical direction, 55% is set for the auxiliary line correction length ratio Law in the horizontal direction, and this auxiliary line correction length ratio (Lah, Law) is used. The length of the auxiliary line is corrected by using the vertical or horizontal length of the unit image.

The unit image size information 54 is information indicating the size of a unit image when a plurality of input image information 51 is printed on one printing paper, and is the vertical length and the horizontal direction of the unit image to be printed on the printing paper. Consists of the length of.
As shown in FIG. 2D, the size of the unit image is represented by the vertical length H and the horizontal length W, is calculated using the above-mentioned setting input information 52, and is stored in the storage unit 50. It shall be.
As a general rule, since the unit image is rectangular, the vertical length H and the horizontal length W of the unit image mean the lengths as shown in FIG. 4A.
For example, the vertical length H and the horizontal length W of the unit image size information 54 are obtained as follows.

(Calculation method of vertical length H and horizontal length W of unit image size information: Example 1)
Here, the vertical length H and the horizontal length W of the unit image size information are calculated from the input image size (Hg, Wg) and the image reduction ratio P that have been set and input.
Since the image reduction ratio P is the ratio (%) of reducing the input image information 51, the vertical length H and the horizontal length of the unit image size information are obtained by multiplying the input image size (Hg, Wg) by the image reduction ratio P. W is calculated. That is, the unit image size information (H, W) is calculated by the following equation.
Vertical length H = Vertical length of input image size Hg x image reduction ratio P
Horizontal length W = Horizontal length of input image size Wg × Image reduction ratio P

(Calculation method of vertical length H and horizontal length W of unit image size information: Example 2)
Here, the vertical length H and the horizontal length W of the unit image size information are calculated from the set and input print paper size (Hi, Wi) and the total number of repeats Rn.
As described above, assuming that the total number of repeats Rn is the square of an integer K (Rn = K × K), K unit images are arranged in the vertical direction of the printing paper, and K pieces are also arranged in the horizontal direction of the printing paper. Unit images will be arranged.
That is, when the total number of repeats Rn is input, the unit images of the same number K are arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the printing paper.
Therefore, first, the number of arrangements K of the unit images in the vertical and horizontal directions is obtained from the total number of repeats Rn, and then the vertical length of the unit image size information is obtained using the printing paper size (Hi, Wi) and the number of arrangements K. H and the horizontal length W are calculated by the following equation.
Vertical length H = Vertical length of printing paper size Hi / Number of unit images in the vertical direction K
Horizontal length W = Horizontal length of printing paper size Wi / Number of horizontal unit images K

(Calculation method of vertical length H and horizontal length W of unit image size information: Example 3)
Here, the vertical length H and the horizontal length W of the unit image size information are calculated from the print paper size (Hi, Wi) set and input and the repeat vertical / horizontal number (m, n).
From the repeat vertical and horizontal numbers (m, n), it can be seen that the number of unit images arranged in the vertical direction of the printing paper is m, and the number of unit images arranged in the horizontal direction of the printing paper is n.
Therefore, using the printing paper size (Hi, Wi), the number m of the unit images arranged in the vertical direction of the printing paper, and the number n of the unit images arranged in the horizontal direction of the printing paper, the unit image size information is vertically long. The H and the horizontal length W are calculated by the following equation.
Vertical length H = Vertical length of printing paper size Hi / Number of unit images in the vertical direction m
Horizontal length W = Horizontal length of printing paper size Wi / Number of horizontal unit images n

(Other Examples of Vertical Length H and Horizontal Length W of Unit Image Size Information)
In the second and third embodiments described above, the vertical length H and the horizontal length W of the unit image size information are calculated, and the number of unit images printed on one sheet of printing paper is also determined. Further, in the second and third embodiments, m × n unit images corresponding to the total number of repeats Rn and the number of repeats in the vertical and horizontal directions are printed on the printing paper with almost no margin.
However, in the case of the first embodiment, only the vertical length H and the horizontal length W of the unit image size information are calculated from the input image size (Hg, Wg) and the image reduction ratio P set and input, and printing is performed. The number of unit images to be printed is not set.

Therefore, the vertical length H and the horizontal length W of the unit image size information are considerably smaller than the printing paper size (Hi, Wi), and the user can use the calculated vertical length H and horizontal length W of the unit image and the printing paper. If you know the size relationship with the size (Hi, Wi), you can also set and enter the total number of repeats Rn of the unit image that can be placed on the printing paper and the number of repeats (m, n). good.
For example, the user may set and input an input image size (Hg, Wg), an image reduction ratio P, and a repeat vertical / horizontal number (m, n). As a result, the vertical length H and the horizontal length W of the unit image size information are determined, and the number of unit images printed on the printing paper is also determined.
Further, in this case, since the printing paper size is not taken into consideration, as shown in FIG. 4 (c-2), a plurality of unit images may be printed on a part of the printing paper, and a margin may be formed on the printing paper. be.

As shown in FIG. 2D, when the vertical length H of the unit image size information 54 is calculated to be 60 mm, the horizontal length W is calculated to be 40 mm, and the printing paper size (Hi, Wi) is the size of A4 paper ( Hi = 297 mm, Wi = 210 mm), four unit images can be arranged in the vertical direction of the printing paper, and five unit images can be arranged in the horizontal direction of the printing paper, and the input image information can be input. A total of 20 reduced unit images are printed on A4 printing paper, and a margin is created on the printing paper.

In the storage unit 50 shown in FIG. 1, the auxiliary line item information 55 is information for specifying the auxiliary line to be printed.
As shown in FIG. 3A, for example, the auxiliary line item information 55 includes four items of auxiliary line length L, auxiliary line color CL, auxiliary line thickness FA, and auxiliary line type TY, and each item is included. , The initial reference value, the correction setting value, and the information on whether or not the correction is possible are stored in advance.
Any information may be set as a fixed value that cannot be rewritten, but the setting may be freely changed by the user.
When the auxiliary line is not corrected, the auxiliary line to be printed is generated by using the initial reference value of the auxiliary line item information 55.
The auxiliary line item information 55 is not limited to these four items, and information other than the four items may be defined and set and input.

Auxiliary line length L means the length of the auxiliary line to be printed.
In FIG. 3A, for example, the reference length (L0) is set as the initial reference value.
When this initial reference value is adopted for printing the auxiliary line, the auxiliary line to be printed is generated by using the auxiliary line reference length L0 described above.
When correcting the auxiliary line length L, it is automatically corrected in relation to the size of the unit image (vertical length H, horizontal length W), so the correction setting value for the auxiliary line length L is It does not have to be set in advance.
When correcting the auxiliary line length L, information meaning "correction" is set in advance for whether or not the correction is possible, and when the auxiliary line length L is not corrected, "do not correct" for whether or not the correction is possible. Information that means that is set in advance.

Auxiliary line color CL means the color of the auxiliary line to be printed.
In FIG. 3A, for example, yellow is set as the initial reference value.
When this initial reference value is adopted for printing the auxiliary line, when color printing is possible, the yellow auxiliary line is used to generate the auxiliary line to be printed.
However, when printing in black and white, even if yellow is set, it may be changed to black.
Further, in FIG. 3A, for example, red is set as the correction setting value of the auxiliary line color CL. That is, when the auxiliary line is corrected, the auxiliary line color CL is changed to red.
When correcting the color of the auxiliary line, the information meaning "correction" is set in advance in the possibility of correcting the auxiliary line color CL, and when the color of the auxiliary line is not corrected, the auxiliary line color CL is used. Information that means "do not correct" is preset in the possibility of correction.
In FIG. 3A, the information meaning "do not correct" is preset, so even when the auxiliary line is corrected, the color of the auxiliary line is not corrected and the auxiliary line color is not corrected. The initial reference value of CL (yellow) is used.

Auxiliary line thickness FA means the thickness of the auxiliary line to be printed.
In FIG. 3A, 0.1 mm is set as the initial reference value of the auxiliary line thickness FA.
When this initial reference value is adopted for printing the auxiliary line, the auxiliary line to be printed is generated with a thickness of 0.1 mm.
Further, in FIG. 3A, 0.3 mm is set as the correction setting value of the auxiliary line thickness FA. That is, when correcting the auxiliary line, the auxiliary line thickness FA is changed to 0.3 mm.
When correcting the thickness of the auxiliary line, the information meaning "correction" is set in advance in the possibility of correcting the auxiliary line thickness FA, and when the thickness of the auxiliary line is not corrected, the auxiliary line is not corrected. Information that means "do not correct" is preset in whether or not the thickness FA can be corrected.
In FIG. 3A, information meaning "correction" is preset, so when correcting the auxiliary line, the auxiliary line thickness is also corrected and an auxiliary line with a thickness of 0.3 mm is generated. Will be done.

Auxiliary line type TY means the type of auxiliary line to be printed.
Types of auxiliary lines include, for example, solid lines, broken lines, and alternate long and short dash lines.
In FIG. 3A, a broken line is set as the initial reference value of the auxiliary line type TY.
When this initial reference value is adopted for printing the auxiliary line, the auxiliary line to be printed is generated by the broken line.
Further, in FIG. 3A, a solid line is set as a correction setting value of the auxiliary line type TY. That is, when the auxiliary line is corrected, the auxiliary line type TY is changed to a solid line.
When correcting the auxiliary line type, the information meaning "correction" is set in advance in the possibility of correcting the auxiliary line type TY, and when the auxiliary line type is not corrected, the auxiliary line type TY is corrected. Information that means "do not correct" is preset in the possibility of correction.
In FIG. 3A, the information meaning "do not correct" is preset, so even when the auxiliary line is corrected, the auxiliary line type is not corrected and the auxiliary line type is not corrected. The initial reference value (dashed line) of TY is used.

The corrected auxiliary line information 56 stores information about the auxiliary line after the auxiliary line is corrected when the auxiliary line needs to be corrected.
When the auxiliary line is corrected, the auxiliary line to be printed is generated by using the corrected auxiliary line information 56.
As the corrected auxiliary line information 56, as shown in FIG. 3B, for example, the auxiliary line length L, the auxiliary line color CL, the auxiliary line thickness FA, and the auxiliary line thickness FA are the same as the auxiliary line item information 55 described above. Four items of line type TY are stored.
However, when the vertical length and the horizontal length are set separately as the auxiliary line length, the corrected vertical length Lh and the horizontal length Lw of the auxiliary line are stored.

In FIG. 3B, when the length in the vertical direction and the length in the horizontal direction are the same, 7 mm is stored as the corrected auxiliary line length L. When the length in the vertical direction and the length in the horizontal direction are different, 7 mm is stored as the vertical length Lh of the corrected auxiliary line, and 5 mm is stored as the horizontal length Lw.
Further, yellow is stored as the auxiliary line color CL after correction, 0.1 mm is stored as the auxiliary line thickness FA after correction, and a broken line is stored as the auxiliary line type TY after correction.

The print auxiliary line information 57 is information on the auxiliary line (printing auxiliary line) to be printed on the printing paper, and mainly, when printing the auxiliary line on the printing paper, the position where the auxiliary line is printed, the shape of the auxiliary line, and the like. It consists of information that specifies the color and the like.
After the size of the unit image to be printed, the length of the auxiliary line, and the like are determined, the print auxiliary line information 57 uses the auxiliary line item information 55 and the corrected auxiliary line information 56 described above to generate a print auxiliary line. Generated by 21.
FIG. 4B shows an explanatory diagram of two print auxiliary line information 57 as an embodiment.

In FIG. 4 (b-1), two unit images shown in FIG. 4 (a) are arranged in the vertical direction and two in the horizontal direction, and a total of four unit images are arranged on one printing paper 40. An auxiliary line 41 for printing is shown.
Here, a cross-shaped auxiliary line 41 is generated in the center of the printing paper 40, and an auxiliary line composed of a vertical straight line and a horizontal straight line is generated at the position shown in FIG. 4 (b-1).
The print auxiliary line information 57 stores information regarding the positions and shapes of these five auxiliary lines. Five auxiliary lines indicate the cutting positions of the four unit images.

In FIG. 4 (b-2), four unit images shown in FIG. 4 (a) are arranged in the vertical direction and four in the horizontal direction, and a total of 16 unit images are printed on one printing paper 40. The auxiliary line 41 in the case of printing on is shown.
Here, the generated auxiliary line consists of a cross-shaped auxiliary line 41, an L-shaped auxiliary line 41, and a T-shaped auxiliary line 41, and each auxiliary line is shown in FIG. 4 (b-2), for example. Generated at the indicated position.
The print auxiliary line information 57 stores information regarding the positions and shapes of a total of 25 auxiliary lines shown in FIG. 4 (b-2).

The composite image information 58 is an image printed on one sheet of printing paper, and when printing an auxiliary line, it is information on an image obtained by combining the printed image and the print auxiliary line.
The composite image information 58 is generated by the composite image generation unit 22.
FIG. 4C shows an explanatory diagram of two composite image information 58 as an embodiment.
Here, an image image to be printed using the composite image information 58 is shown.

FIG. 4 (c-1) shows a printed image consisting of a total of four unit images in which two unit images shown in FIG. 4 (a) are arranged in the vertical direction and two in the horizontal direction, and FIG. 4 (b-1). The information which is combined with the print auxiliary line generated by using the print auxiliary line information 57 shown in 1 is shown.
FIG. 4 (c-2) shows a printed image consisting of a total of 16 unit images in which four unit images shown in FIG. 4 (a) are arranged in the vertical direction and four in the horizontal direction, and FIG. 4 (b-2). ), The information obtained by combining the print auxiliary line generated by using the print auxiliary line information 57 is shown.
Based on the composite image information 58, a plurality of input image information and auxiliary lines indicating the cutting position are printed on one printing sheet 40.

<Explanation of the relationship between the size of the unit image and the auxiliary line>
FIG. 5 shows an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the relationship between a plurality of image information printed on one sheet of printing paper and the size of auxiliary lines.
FIG. 5A shows a printed image of a composite image of the auxiliary line 41 printed on the printing paper 40 and the four unit images. This is the same composite image as in FIG. 4 (c-1).
Here, the auxiliary line 41 is composed of a cross-shaped auxiliary line in the center and four straight-shaped auxiliary lines, and the auxiliary lines 41 are auxiliary so as not to be connected to the adjacent cross-shaped auxiliary line and the straight-shaped auxiliary line. The length of the line is set.

As shown in FIG. 5B, it is assumed that the vertical length of the unit image is H, the horizontal length of the unit image is W, and W <H.
Further, let L be the length of the vertical straight line and the horizontal straight line constituting the cross-shaped auxiliary line, and let L / 2 be the length of the straight-shaped auxiliary line.
For example, if the length L of the straight line of the auxiliary line is equal to or longer than the horizontal length W of the unit image (L ≧ W), it is a straight line with the adjacent cross-shaped auxiliary line. It will be connected to the auxiliary line of the shape.

Therefore, in order to prevent the adjacent cross-shaped auxiliary line and the straight-shaped auxiliary line from being connected, the length L of the straight line of the auxiliary line should be shorter than the horizontal length W of the unit image. to correct.
That is, if the length L of the straight line of the auxiliary line is shorter than the length W of the horizontal direction of the unit image, the adjacent cross-shaped auxiliary line and the straight-shaped auxiliary line are not connected.

For example, when the auxiliary line correction length ratio LA is 50% as shown in FIG. 2 (c), the length L of the straight line of the auxiliary line is set to the horizontal length of the unit image as shown in FIG. 5 (c). It is corrected to 50% of W (L = W × 0.5). In this way, when the length L of the straight line of the auxiliary line is set, a W / 2 gap is created between the adjacent cross-shaped auxiliary line and the horizontal straight line-shaped auxiliary line, and the adjacent crosses are formed. The auxiliary line of the shape and the auxiliary line of the linear shape in the horizontal direction are not connected.

When the relationship between the vertical length H of the unit image and the horizontal length W of the unit image is W <H, at least the length L of the straight line of the auxiliary line and the length W in the horizontal direction If the relationship is L <W, the adjacent cross-shaped auxiliary line and the horizontal straight-shaped auxiliary line are not connected, and the adjacent cross-shaped auxiliary line and the vertical straight-shaped auxiliary line are not connected. ..

According to the same idea, when the relationship between the vertical length H of the unit image and the horizontal length W of the unit image is W> H, at least the length L of the straight line of the auxiliary line and the vertical length. If the relationship with the length H in the direction is L <H, the adjacent cross-shaped auxiliary line and the vertical straight-shaped auxiliary line are not connected, and the adjacent cross-shaped auxiliary line and the horizontal straight line are not connected. It does not connect to the auxiliary line of the shape.

Therefore, the length L of the straight line of the cross-shaped auxiliary line is set to be shorter than the shorter length of the vertical length H of the unit image and the horizontal length W of the unit image. Then, it is possible to prevent the adjacent cross-shaped auxiliary line and the straight-shaped auxiliary line from being connected.
That is, when correcting the length L of the straight line of the auxiliary line, the length L of the straight line of the auxiliary line may be set so that L <min (H, W).
However, if the auxiliary line reference length L0, which is the initial value of the auxiliary line length, is already L0 <min (H, W), it is not necessary to correct the auxiliary line, and the auxiliary line reference length L0 is used. You can use it to print auxiliary lines.

FIG. 5D shows a print image of a composite image of the auxiliary line 41 and the four unit images printed on the printing paper 40 when the unit image is further reduced.
FIG. 5 (a) shows a case where four unit images are arranged so as to fit exactly on one sheet of printing paper, but in FIG. 5 (d), the repeat vertical and horizontal numbers (m, n) are (2). 2), and the print image when the image reduction ratio P is set so as to have the size of the unit image as shown in FIG. 5 (d) is shown.

In FIG. 5D, the size of the four unit images to be printed is considerably smaller than the size of the printing paper, so that the printing paper 40 has a margin.
In this case, the auxiliary line 41 indicating the cutting position for cutting the unit image is different from FIG. 5A, and has one cross-shaped auxiliary line in the center, four L-shaped auxiliary lines, and four L-shaped auxiliary lines. It consists of four T-shaped auxiliary lines, and the length of the auxiliary lines is set so that adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected to each other.
As shown in FIG. 5 (c) above, the lengths of the vertical straight line and the horizontal straight line constituting the cross-shaped auxiliary line are L, and as shown in FIG. 5 (e), the L-shaped shape is formed. Let L / 2 be the length of the vertical straight line and the horizontal straight line that make up the auxiliary line, and as shown in Fig. 5 (f), the vertical straight line and the horizontal straight line that make up the T-shaped auxiliary line. Let the lengths of the straight lines be L / 2 and L, respectively.

Assuming that the sizes of the printing paper 40 of FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (d) are the same, in FIG. 5 (d), the size of the unit image is smaller, so that the length H of the unit image in the vertical direction is H. And the length L of the straight line of the auxiliary line is also set shorter corresponding to the horizontal length W of the unit image.
Also in this case, in order to prevent adjacent auxiliary lines from being connected to each other, the length L of the straight line of the auxiliary line is the length H of the vertical direction of the unit image and the length W of the horizontal direction of the unit image. It is set to be shorter than the shorter one.
That is, when correcting the length L of the straight line of the auxiliary line, the length L of the straight line of the auxiliary line may be set so that L <min (H, W).

In FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (d), two unit images are arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions of the printing paper 40, and a total of four unit images and auxiliary lines are combined and printed in two embodiments. However, even if the number of unit images to be printed is larger than this, an auxiliary line is generated in the same way as in either FIG. 5 (a) or FIG. 5 (d), and the auxiliary line and the unit image are used. Is combined and printed.

FIG. 6 shows an explanatory diagram of an embodiment regarding the presence or absence of correction of the auxiliary line to be printed.
6 (a) and 6 (b) show an example of the print auxiliary line information 57.
FIG. 6A describes a case where the length of the auxiliary line is not corrected and the adjacent auxiliary lines are connected.
The horizontal length of the printing paper is 40 mm, the vertical length is 60 mm, and the length L of the cross-shaped auxiliary line is 10 mm.

FIG. 6A-1 shows the positions and lengths of auxiliary lines when printing two unit images in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the printing paper, respectively.
In this case, if the horizontal length W of one unit image is 20 mm, the vertical length H is 30 mm, and the length of the auxiliary line of the linear shape is L / 2 = 5 mm, the adjacent linear shape is formed. The distance between the horizontal auxiliary line and the cross-shaped auxiliary line is 10 mm, and the distance between the adjacent linear auxiliary line and the cross-shaped auxiliary line is 20 mm, and the adjacent auxiliary lines are adjacent. They don't connect with each other.

However, if the length L of the cross-shaped auxiliary line is left at 10 mm without correcting the length of the auxiliary line, as shown in FIG. 6 (a-2), the printing paper of the same size can be printed vertically. When four unit images are arranged in each of the direction and the horizontal direction and a total of 16 unit images are printed, the adjacent linear auxiliary lines in the horizontal direction and the auxiliary lines in the cross shape are connected.

As shown in FIG. 6 (a-2), when a total of 16 unit images are printed on printing paper of the same size (horizontal length = 40 mm, vertical length = 60 mm), one unit. The horizontal length W of the image is 10 mm, and the vertical length H is 15 mm.
At this time, assuming that the length L of the cross-shaped auxiliary line is 10 mm and the length of the linear auxiliary line remains L / 2 = 5 mm, as shown in FIG. 6 (a-2), the length of the adjacent straight line shape is formed. The distance between the lateral auxiliary line and the cross-shaped auxiliary line becomes zero, and the adjacent linear auxiliary line and the cross-shaped auxiliary line are connected.

Therefore, in the present invention, in order to prevent the adjacent auxiliary lines from being connected to each other, the length of the auxiliary lines is corrected to be short.
In the case of FIG. 6A-2, since the distance between the adjacent linear auxiliary lines and the cross-shaped auxiliary lines is 5 mm, the adjacent auxiliary lines in this direction are not connected to each other. ..

FIG. 6B describes a case where the length of the auxiliary line is corrected so that the adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected in the present invention.
Here, the auxiliary line correction length ratio LA is set to 60%.
FIG. 6 (b-1) is the same drawing as FIG. 6 (a-1), and shows the positions and lengths of auxiliary lines when printing two unit images in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the printing paper, respectively. ing.

As shown in Fig. 6 (a-2), when a total of 16 unit images are printed on printing paper of the same size (horizontal length = 40 mm, vertical length = 60 mm), the auxiliary lines If the length L (= 10 mm) is not corrected, adjacent auxiliary lines in the horizontal direction will be connected to each other, so the horizontal length (W = 10 mm), which is the shorter length of the unit image size. ) And the auxiliary line correction length ratio LA (= 60%) are used to correct the auxiliary line length L.
That is, the length L of the auxiliary line is set to 10 × 0.6 = 6 mm by the length L of the auxiliary line = the horizontal length W of the unit image × the auxiliary line correction length ratio LA.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 6 (b-2), the length L of the cross-shaped auxiliary line is 6 mm, and the length L / 2 of the linear auxiliary line in the horizontal and vertical directions is 3 mm. The distance between the horizontal auxiliary line of the adjacent straight line and the auxiliary line of the cross shape is 4 mm, and the distance between the vertical auxiliary line of the adjacent straight line and the auxiliary line of the cross shape is 9 mm. It is possible to prevent the adjacent linear auxiliary line and the cross-shaped auxiliary line from being connected to each other.

Generally speaking, when the length L of the auxiliary line is the same as or longer than the shorter length of the vertical length H of the unit image and the horizontal length W of the unit image () Since L ≧ min (H, W)) and adjacent auxiliary lines are connected to each other, the length L of the auxiliary lines is set according to the size of the unit image so that the adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected to each other. Auxiliary line correction Use the length factor LA to correct the length so that it becomes shorter.

FIG. 6 (c) shows composite image information printed on printing paper using the print auxiliary line information 57 of FIG. 6 (b).
FIG. 6 (c-1) shows image information obtained by synthesizing the auxiliary line of FIG. 6 (b-1) and the four unit images. Further, FIG. 6 (c-2) shows image information obtained by synthesizing the auxiliary line corrected in the length of FIG. 6 (b-2) and 16 unit images.
As shown in FIG. 6 (c), by correcting the length L of the auxiliary line to be printed in correspondence with the size of the unit image to be printed (length H in the vertical direction, length W in the horizontal direction). , It is possible to prevent adjacent auxiliary lines from being connected to each other.

<Explanation of auxiliary line generation and composite image printing process>
FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the auxiliary line generation process of the present invention.
Here, after the user inputs the image information to be printed and the setting information related to the auxiliary line, the size of the unit image to be printed on the printing paper is calculated, and the print image information and the printing assist to be printed on one sheet of printing paper are calculated. A process of generating lines and printing an image obtained by combining print image information and print auxiliary lines on printing paper will be described.
When printing an auxiliary line, in order to prevent adjacent auxiliary lines from being connected, it is determined that the length of the auxiliary line needs to be corrected according to the calculated unit image size, and the auxiliary line is printed. If it is necessary to correct the length of the auxiliary line, correct the length of the auxiliary line.

In step S1 of FIG. 7, the user inputs the setting information regarding the auxiliary line by the operation unit 12, and the input information is stored in the storage unit 50 as the setting input information 52.
Here, the setting input information 52 as shown in FIG. 2B is input.
For example, the input image size (Hg, Wg), printing paper size (Hi, Wi), image reduction ratio P, and auxiliary line printability information HJ are input. The total number of repeats Rn or the number of repeats (m, n) may be input.
Further, the reference setting information 53 and the auxiliary line item information 55 are set in advance and stored in the storage unit 50, but if the user wants to set them independently, the user can change the preset contents. May be good.

In step S2, the original document in which the image to be printed by the user is described is read by the image input unit 14 and stored in the storage unit 50 as the input image information 51.
The above-mentioned input image size (Hg, Wg) may be acquired from the input image information 51 input at this time.

In step S3, the unit image setting unit 17 calculates the size of the unit image (vertical length H, horizontal length W) and stores it in the storage unit 50 as the unit image size information 54.
The size of the unit image (vertical length H, horizontal length W) may be calculated by the method of any of the above-described embodiments.
If the unit image size information 54 is set, the total number of repeats Rn or the number of repeats (m, n) may be set from the relationship between the size of the unit image and the size of the printing paper.

In step S4, the print image information generation unit 18 generates image information (print image information) to be printed on one sheet of printing paper.
Since the unit image size information 54 is set as described above, the input image information 51 is changed to the size of the unit image (vertical length H, horizontal length W). Further, since the number and arrangement of the unit images to be printed are determined by the total number of repeats Rn or the number of repeats (m, n), the plurality of input image information 51 whose sizes have been changed can be stored vertically and horizontally. Generates printed image information arranged in a predetermined number in the direction. The printed image information does not include auxiliary lines.

In step S5, it is checked whether or not to print the auxiliary line based on the input auxiliary line printability information HJ.
If the auxiliary line printability information HJ is "Yes", the process proceeds to step S7 to print the auxiliary line. If the auxiliary line printability information HJ is "No", the process proceeds to step S6.
In step S6, the generated print image information is printed on the printing paper, and the process is terminated.
As a result, a plurality of image information including auxiliary lines is printed on one printing sheet.

In step S7, the auxiliary line correction determination unit 19 performs the auxiliary line correction necessity determination process, and when correction is necessary, the auxiliary line length correction unit 20 performs the auxiliary line correction process.
The correction of the length of the auxiliary line is performed based on the magnitude relationship between the auxiliary line reference length L0, which is the initial setting value, and the size of the unit image (vertical length H, horizontal length W).
Examples of the detailed contents of this process are shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 described later.
Here, the length of the auxiliary line is set, but if no correction is made, the auxiliary line reference length L0, which is the initial setting value, is set as the auxiliary line length L. If the auxiliary line needs to be corrected, the length after the auxiliary line reference length L0 is corrected is set as the auxiliary line length L.

In step S8, the print auxiliary line generation unit 21 generates a print auxiliary line.
Here, a plurality of auxiliary lines (printing auxiliary lines) to be printed on printing paper are determined by determining the position where the auxiliary line having the set auxiliary line length L is placed, and determining the shape of the auxiliary line to be placed at that position. To generate.

In step S9, the composite image generation unit 22 generates an image in which the generated print image information and the generated print auxiliary line are combined.
In step S10, the output unit 16 prints the generated composite image on a predetermined sheet of printing paper, and ends the process.
As described above, the length of the auxiliary line is set in consideration of the size of the unit image printed on one sheet of printing paper, so that the number of the same images printed on one sheet of printing paper is small. Regardless of this, adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected to each other, and it is possible to leave as few auxiliary lines as possible after cutting.

<Explanation of auxiliary line correction necessity judgment and auxiliary line correction processing>
(Example 1 of correction of auxiliary line)
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the correction necessity determination and the correction process of the auxiliary line.
This flowchart is the process performed in step S7 of FIG.
Here, in the reference setting information 53, the same reference length is set as the auxiliary line reference length L0 in both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and the auxiliary line correction length ratio LA is also set to one correction length ratio. A case where both the vertical auxiliary line and the horizontal auxiliary line are changed at the same ratio when correcting the auxiliary line will be described.

Therefore, the auxiliary line reference length L0 is compared with the vertical length H and the horizontal length W of the unit image size information 54, and the auxiliary line reference length L0 is the same as the shorter of the vertical length H and the horizontal length W. If it is long or long (L0 ≧ min (H, W)), it is determined that the length of the auxiliary line needs to be corrected.
If it is determined that the length of the auxiliary line needs to be corrected, the value obtained by multiplying the shorter of the vertical length H and the horizontal length W by the auxiliary line correction length factor LA is added to the corrected auxiliary line. Set the line length to L (L = min (H, W) x LA).

In step S51 of FIG. 8, the calculated unit image size information 54 (vertical length H, horizontal length W) is read out. Further, the auxiliary line reference length L0 and the auxiliary line correction length factor LA of the reference setting information 53 stored in advance are read out.

In step S52, the auxiliary line reference length L0 and the horizontal length W are compared, and if L0 ≧ W, the process proceeds to step S55, and if not, the process proceeds to step S53.
In step S53, the auxiliary line reference length L0 and the vertical length H are compared, and if L0 ≧ H, the process proceeds to step S58, and if not, the process proceeds to step S54.

In step S54, since the auxiliary line reference length L0 is shorter than the vertical length H and shorter than the horizontal length W (L0 <W, L0 <H), it is determined that it is not necessary to correct the length of the auxiliary line. Then, the length L of the auxiliary line used for printing is set to the auxiliary line reference length L0. After that, the process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S8 in FIG.

In step S55, the auxiliary line reference length L0 and the vertical length H are compared, and if L0 ≧ H, the process proceeds to step S56, and if not (H> L0 ≧ W), the process proceeds to step S57.
In step S56, since the auxiliary line reference length L0 is the vertical length H or more and the horizontal length W or more (L0 ≧ W, L0 ≧ H), the horizontal length W and the vertical length H are compared.
If the horizontal length W <vertical length H, the process proceeds to step S57, and if not (W ≧ H), the process proceeds to step S58.

In step S57, the auxiliary line reference length L0 is the same as or longer than the shorter horizontal length W of the vertical length H and the horizontal length W (L0 ≧ W), so the length of the auxiliary line is corrected. It is determined that it is necessary to do so, and the length of the auxiliary line is corrected by using the shorter horizontal length W.
Here, the length L of the auxiliary line after correction is a numerical value obtained by multiplying the horizontal length W by the auxiliary line correction length factor LA (L = W × LA). After that, the process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S8 in FIG.

In step S58, the auxiliary line reference length L0 is the same as or longer than the same or shorter vertical length H of the vertical length H and the horizontal length W (L0 ≧ H), so that the length of the auxiliary line is long. It is determined that it is necessary to correct the length of the auxiliary line, and the length of the auxiliary line is corrected by using the vertical length H.
Here, the length L of the auxiliary line after correction is a numerical value obtained by multiplying the vertical length H by the auxiliary line correction length factor LA (L = H × LA). After that, the process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S8 in FIG.

(Example 2 of correction of auxiliary line)
FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the correction necessity determination and the correction process of the auxiliary line.
This flowchart is the process performed in step S7 of FIG.
Here, in the reference setting information 53, different reference lengths are set in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction as the auxiliary line reference length (Lh0, Lw0), and the auxiliary line correction length ratio is also different in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. A case where the correction length ratio is set (LAh, LAw) and the auxiliary line in the vertical direction and the auxiliary line in the horizontal direction are changed at different ratios when the auxiliary line is corrected will be described.

In this embodiment, the vertical auxiliary line reference length Lh0 and the vertical length H of the unit image size information 54 are compared, and the horizontal auxiliary line reference length Lw0 and the horizontal length W of the unit image size information 54 are compared. And, in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the auxiliary line, it is determined whether or not the length of the auxiliary line needs to be corrected independently.
For example, if the lateral auxiliary line reference length Lw0 is the same as or longer than the horizontal length W (Lw0 ≧ W), it is determined that the horizontal auxiliary line length needs to be corrected.
On the other hand, when the reference length Lh0 of the auxiliary line in the vertical direction is the same as or longer than the vertical length H (Lh0 ≧ H), it is determined that the length of the auxiliary line in the vertical direction needs to be corrected.

If it is determined that the length of the auxiliary line needs to be corrected, the length (Lw or Lh) of the auxiliary line in the direction determined to be corrected is set in the same direction as the auxiliary line correction length ratio in the same direction. It may be corrected by using the length of the unit image of (Lw = W × LAw or Lh = H × LAh).
Furthermore, if both the horizontal auxiliary line reference length Lw0 and the vertical auxiliary line reference length Lh0 are equal to or longer than the length of the unit image in each direction, the shorter of the vertical length H and the horizontal length W. The value obtained by multiplying the length of the auxiliary line by the auxiliary line correction length factor (LAw or LAh) in each direction may be set as the corrected auxiliary line length L (Lh = min (H, W) ×. LAh, Lw = min (H, W) x LAw).

In step S61 of FIG. 9, the calculated unit image size information 54 (vertical length H, horizontal length W) is read out. Further, the auxiliary line reference length (Lh0, Lw0) and the auxiliary line correction length ratio (LAh, LAw) of the reference setting information 53 stored in advance are read out.

In step S62, the lateral auxiliary line reference length Lw0 and the horizontal length W are compared, and if Lw0 ≧ W, the process proceeds to step S65, and if not, the process proceeds to step S63.
In step S63, the reference length Lh0 in the vertical direction and the vertical length H are compared, and if Lh0 ≧ H, the process proceeds to step S70, and if not, the process proceeds to step S64.

In step S64, the horizontal auxiliary line reference length Lw0 is shorter than the horizontal length W, and the vertical auxiliary line reference length Lh0 is shorter than the vertical length H (Lw0 <W, Lh0 <H). , Judging that it is not necessary to correct the length of the auxiliary line, set the length Lw of the horizontal auxiliary line used for printing to the horizontal auxiliary line reference length Lw0, and set the vertical direction used for printing. Set the auxiliary line reference length Lh of to the vertical auxiliary line reference length Lh0. After that, the process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S8 in FIG.

In step S70, the horizontal auxiliary line reference length Lw0 is shorter than the horizontal length W, and the vertical auxiliary line reference length Lh0 is the vertical length H or more (Lw0 <W, Lh0 ≧ H). It is determined that it is necessary to correct the length of the auxiliary line in the direction, and only the auxiliary line length Lh in the vertical direction is corrected by using the vertical length H.
Here, the corrected vertical auxiliary line length Lh is a numerical value obtained by multiplying the vertical length H by the vertical auxiliary line correction length ratio LAh (Lh = H × LAh). After that, the process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S8 in FIG.

In step S65, the reference length Lh0 in the vertical direction and the vertical length H are compared, and if Lh0 ≧ H, the process proceeds to step S67, and if not, the process proceeds to step S66.
In step S66, the horizontal auxiliary line reference length Lw0 is equal to or greater than the horizontal length W, and the vertical auxiliary line reference length Lh0 is shorter than the vertical length H (Lw0 ≧ W, Lh0 <H). It is determined that it is necessary to correct the length of the auxiliary line in the horizontal direction, and only the auxiliary line length Lw in the horizontal direction is corrected by using the horizontal length W.
Here, the corrected lateral auxiliary line length Lw is a numerical value obtained by multiplying the horizontal length W by the horizontal auxiliary line correction length ratio LAw (Lw = W × LAw). After that, the process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S8 in FIG.

In step S67, since the horizontal auxiliary line reference length Lw0 is the horizontal length W or more and the vertical auxiliary line reference length Lh0 is also the vertical length H or more (Lw0 ≧ W, Lh0 ≧ H), the horizontal length is long. Compare the W and the vertical length H.
If the horizontal length W <vertical length H, the process proceeds to step S68. If not, the process proceeds to step S69 (W ≧ H).

In step S68, the auxiliary line reference length (Lw0, Lh0) is the same as or longer than the shorter horizontal length W of the vertical length H and the horizontal length W (Lw0 ≧ W, Lh0 ≧ W). , It is determined that the length of the auxiliary line needs to be corrected, and the length of the auxiliary line (Lh, Lw) is corrected by using the shorter horizontal length W.
Here, the length Lh of the corrected vertical auxiliary line is a value obtained by multiplying the horizontal length W by the vertical auxiliary line correction length ratio LAh (Lh = W × LAh), and the corrected horizontal direction. The length Lw of the auxiliary line of is the value obtained by multiplying the horizontal length W by the horizontal auxiliary line correction length factor LAw (Lw = W × LAw).
After that, the process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S8 in FIG.

In step S69, the auxiliary line reference length (Lw0, Lh0) is the same as or longer than the shorter vertical length H of the vertical length H and the horizontal length W (Lw0 ≧ H, Lh0 ≧ H). , It is determined that the length of the auxiliary line needs to be corrected, and the length of the auxiliary line (Lh, Lw) is corrected by using the shorter vertical length H.
Here, the length Lh of the corrected vertical auxiliary line is a value obtained by multiplying the vertical length H by the vertical auxiliary line correction length factor LAh (Lh = H × LAh), and the corrected horizontal direction. The length Lw of the auxiliary line of is the value obtained by multiplying the vertical length H by the horizontal auxiliary line correction length factor LAw (Lw = H × LAw).
After that, the process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S8 in FIG.

(Example 3 of correction of auxiliary line)
FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the correction necessity determination and the correction process of the auxiliary line.
This flowchart is the process performed in step S7 of FIG.
Here, as in the second embodiment of the auxiliary line correction described above, in the reference setting information 53, different reference lengths are set as the auxiliary line reference lengths in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction (Lh0, Lw0), and the auxiliary lines are auxiliary. As for the line correction length ratio, different correction length ratios are set for the vertical direction and the horizontal direction (LAh, LAw), and when correcting the auxiliary line, the vertical auxiliary line and the horizontal auxiliary line are set at different ratios. change.

However, in this embodiment, the vertical auxiliary line reference length Lh0 and the vertical length H of the unit image size information 54 are multiplied by the vertical auxiliary line correction length factor LAh (vertical length H × LAh). Compare the horizontal auxiliary line reference length Lw0 with the horizontal length W of the unit image size information 54 multiplied by the horizontal auxiliary line correction length factor LAw (horizontal length W × LAw). , It is determined whether or not the length of the auxiliary line needs to be corrected independently in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the auxiliary line.

For example, if the horizontal auxiliary line reference length Lw0 is the same as or longer than the horizontal length W multiplied by the horizontal auxiliary line correction length factor LAw (horizontal length W × LAw) (horizontal length W × LAw). Lw0 ≧ W × LAw), it is judged that the length of the auxiliary line in the horizontal direction needs to be corrected.
On the other hand, when the vertical auxiliary line reference length Lh0 is the same as or longer than the vertical length H multiplied by the vertical auxiliary line correction length factor LAh (vertical length H × LAh) (vertical length H × LAh). Lh0 ≧ H × LAh), it is judged that the length of the auxiliary line in the vertical direction needs to be corrected.

If it is determined that the auxiliary line length needs to be corrected, only the auxiliary line length (Lw or Lh) in the direction in which the correction is determined is the same as the auxiliary line correction length ratio in the same direction. It may be corrected by using the unit image length of the direction (Lw = W × LAw or Lh = H × LAh).

In step S81 of FIG. 10, the calculated unit image size information 54 (vertical length H, horizontal length W) is read out. Further, the auxiliary line reference length (Lh0, Lw0) and the auxiliary line correction length ratio (LAh, LAw) of the reference setting information 53 stored in advance are read out.
In step S82, the auxiliary line lengths (Lh, Lw) are initialized.
That is, the vertical auxiliary line length Lh is set to the vertical auxiliary line reference length Lh0, and the horizontal auxiliary line length Lw is set to the horizontal auxiliary line reference length Lw0.

In step S83, the horizontal auxiliary line reference length Lw0 is compared with the horizontal length W of the unit image size information 54 multiplied by the horizontal auxiliary line correction length factor LAw (horizontal length W × LAw). If Lw0 ≧ W × LAw, the process proceeds to step S84. If not, the process proceeds to step S85.

In step S84, the horizontal auxiliary line reference length Lw0 is equal to or greater than the horizontal length W multiplied by the horizontal auxiliary line correction length factor LAw (horizontal length W × LAw) (Lw0 ≧ W × LAw). ), It is determined that it is necessary to correct the length of the auxiliary line in the horizontal direction, and only the auxiliary line length Lw in the horizontal direction is corrected by using the horizontal length W.
Here, the corrected lateral auxiliary line length Lw is a numerical value obtained by multiplying the horizontal length W by the horizontal auxiliary line correction length ratio LAw (Lw = W × LAw). Then, the process proceeds to step S85.

In step S85, the vertical auxiliary line reference length Lh0 is compared with the vertical length H of the unit image size information 54 multiplied by the vertical auxiliary line correction length factor LAh (vertical length H × LAh). If Lh0 ≧ H × LAh, the process proceeds to step S86. If not, the process ends without correcting the length of the auxiliary line.

In step S86, the vertical auxiliary line reference length Lh0 is equal to or greater than the vertical length H multiplied by the vertical auxiliary line correction length factor LAh (vertical length H × LAh) (Lh0 ≧ H × LAh). ), It is determined that it is necessary to correct the length of the auxiliary line in the vertical direction, and only the auxiliary line length Lh in the vertical direction is corrected by using the vertical length H.
Here, the corrected vertical auxiliary line length Lh is a numerical value obtained by multiplying the vertical length H by the vertical auxiliary line correction length ratio LAh (Lh = H × LAh). After that, the process ends.

(Example 4 of correction of auxiliary line)
FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the correction necessity determination and the correction process of the auxiliary line.
This flowchart is the process performed in step S7 of FIG.
Here, unlike the above-mentioned embodiment of auxiliary line correction, if the auxiliary line reference length is too short for the size of a plurality of printed unit images, it is assumed that adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected. The case where the length of the auxiliary line to be printed is lengthened will be described.

If the auxiliary line reference length is too short compared to the size of the plurality of unit images to be printed, for example, the horizontal length W of the unit image is 100 mm, whereas the auxiliary line preset as an initial value is used. If the line reference length L0 is 2 mm, the distance between adjacent auxiliary lines will be 90 mm or more, so the visibility of the cutting position will be poor, and the section without auxiliary lines will be long, so it will be done manually. It is highly possible that the cutting work is not easy either.
Therefore, in order to improve the visibility of the cutting position and facilitate the manual cutting work, it may be preferable to slightly increase the length of the auxiliary line.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the auxiliary line reference length L0 is compared with the vertical length H of the unit image size information 54 multiplied by the auxiliary line correction length factor LA (vertical length H × LA), and further. Compare the auxiliary line reference length L0 with the horizontal length W of the unit image size information 54 multiplied by the auxiliary line correction length factor LA (horizontal length W × LA) so that the length of the auxiliary line is lengthened. Determine if any correction is required.

For example, the auxiliary line reference length L0 is compared with the numerical value obtained by multiplying the shorter of the vertical length H and the horizontal length W of the unit image size information 54 by the auxiliary line correction length factor LA, and the auxiliary line reference. If the length L0 is less than or equal to that value, it is determined that correction to increase the length of the auxiliary line is necessary.
If it is determined that a correction to increase the length of the auxiliary line is necessary, the value obtained by multiplying the shorter of the vertical length H and the horizontal length W by the auxiliary line correction length factor LA is corrected. Set to the length L of the auxiliary line of (L = min (H, W) × LA).

In step S91 of FIG. 11, the calculated unit image size information 54 (vertical length H, horizontal length W) is read out. Further, the auxiliary line reference length L0 of the reference setting information 53 stored in advance and the auxiliary line correction length ratio LA are read out.
In step S92, the auxiliary line length L is initially set to the auxiliary line reference length L0.

In step S93, the auxiliary line reference length L0 is compared with the horizontal length W of the unit image size information 54 multiplied by the auxiliary line correction length factor LA (horizontal length W × LA), and L0 ≦ W × LA. If, the process proceeds to step S95. If not, the process proceeds to step S94.

In step S94, the auxiliary line reference length L0 is compared with the vertical length H of the unit image size information 54 multiplied by the auxiliary line correction length factor LA (vertical length H × LA), and L0 ≦ H × LA. In the case of, the process proceeds to step S98. On the other hand, if L0 ≤ H × LA, the auxiliary line reference length L0 is not too short compared to the size of the unit image (vertical length H, horizontal length W), so the length of the auxiliary line is increased. It is determined that the correction to be performed is not necessary, and the process is terminated.

In step S95, the auxiliary line reference length L0 is compared with the vertical length H of the unit image size information 54 multiplied by the auxiliary line correction length factor LA (vertical length H × LA), and L0 ≦ H × LA. If, proceed to step S96, otherwise proceed to step S97.

In step S96, since the auxiliary line reference length L0 is the horizontal length W × LA or less and the vertical length H × LA or less (L0 ≦ W × LA, L0 ≦ H × LA), the horizontal length W and the vertical length Compare with H.
If the horizontal length W <vertical length H, the process proceeds to step S97, and if not (W ≧ H), the process proceeds to step S98.

In step S97, the auxiliary line reference length L0 is the same length as the one obtained by multiplying the shorter horizontal length W of the vertical length H and the horizontal length W by the auxiliary line correction length factor LA (horizontal length W × LA). Since it is or is short (L0≤W × LA), it is determined that it is necessary to make a correction to lengthen the auxiliary line, and the shorter horizontal length W is used to determine the length L of the auxiliary line. to correct.
Here, the length L of the auxiliary line after correction is a numerical value obtained by multiplying the horizontal length W by the auxiliary line correction length factor LA (L = W × LA). After that, the process ends.

In step S98, the auxiliary line reference length L0 is the same length of the vertical length H and the horizontal length W, or the shorter vertical length H multiplied by the auxiliary line correction length factor LA (vertical length H). Since it has the same length as × LA) or is shorter (L0 ≦ H × LA), it is judged that it is necessary to make a correction to increase the length of the auxiliary line, and the vertical length H is used to make the auxiliary line. Correct the length L.
Here, the length L of the auxiliary line after correction is a numerical value obtained by multiplying the vertical length H by the auxiliary line correction length factor LA (L = H × LA). After that, the process ends.

By presetting a value smaller than 100% for the auxiliary line correction length ratio LA, the corrected auxiliary line length L is the shorter of the vertical length H and the horizontal length W of the unit image. Since it is shorter than that, adjacent auxiliary lines will not be connected to each other.
Further, also in this embodiment, the auxiliary line reference length and the auxiliary line correction length ratio are set in advance with different lengths in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and the vertical and horizontal lengths of the auxiliary line are set. , May be corrected separately.

(Example 5 of correction of auxiliary line)
FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the confirmation and adjustment process of the auxiliary line.
Here, before printing the composite image generated in step S9 of FIG. 7 on the printing paper, the composite image is displayed on the display unit, and the user confirms the image including the auxiliary line.
If the user sees the image containing the auxiliary lines displayed and does not need to adjust the auxiliary lines, the generated composite image is printed as is, but the user needs to adjust the auxiliary lines. If this is the case, the user performs an input operation to change the length, color, etc. of the auxiliary line, and then generates a composite image again.
This makes it possible to print a composite image including auxiliary lines intended by the user on printing paper.

In FIG. 12, the processes from step S1 to step S8 may be the same as those in FIG. 7, and are omitted, and the processes after step S9 are described.
First, after processing up to step S8, in step S9, the composite image generation unit 22 generates an image in which the generated print image information and the generated print auxiliary line are combined.

Next, in step S21, the generated composite image is displayed on the display unit 13.
The user looks at the displayed composite image and confirms whether or not the generated unit image and auxiliary line are intended by the user.
If the auxiliary line of the displayed composite image is the user's intention, the user performs an input operation indicating that the adjustment of the auxiliary line is not necessary, while if it is not the user's intention, the user performs an input operation. Perform an input operation to indicate that the auxiliary line needs to be adjusted.

In step S22, it is checked whether or not the auxiliary line adjustment is necessary or not.
If there is an input that requires adjustment of the auxiliary line in step S23, the process proceeds to step S24, and if not, the process proceeds to step S10.
In step S10, as shown in FIG. 7, the output unit 16 prints the generated composite image on a predetermined sheet of printing paper, and ends the process.

In step S24, the user checks whether or not there is an input for changing the auxiliary line, and if there is an input for changing, adjusts the auxiliary line based on the content.
The user performs an input operation that requires adjustment of the auxiliary line, and then inputs an input for changing the auxiliary line.
For example, specify the length of the auxiliary line after the change. Alternatively, specify the thickness and color of the auxiliary line after the change. If there is such a change input, adjust the auxiliary line.
If an input indicating the end of the input for changing the auxiliary line is input in step S25, the process proceeds to step S26, and if not, the process returns to step S24.

In step S26, the corrected auxiliary line information 56 is changed based on the adjusted auxiliary line.
In step S27, similarly to step S8, the modified auxiliary line information 56 is used to generate the print auxiliary line again. After that, the process returns to step S9 and the above process is repeated.
This allows the user to check the image to be printed before printing the composite image containing the generated auxiliary lines, and if the composite image to be printed is not what the user intended, the user himself assists. By adjusting the lines, you can print the intended image.

(Example 6 of correction of auxiliary line)
In the above-mentioned embodiment, the embodiment for correcting the length of the auxiliary line has been mainly described, but the correction of the auxiliary line is not limited to the one for correcting the length of the auxiliary line.
As described above, as the auxiliary line item information 55, the auxiliary line color, the auxiliary line thickness, and the auxiliary line type are preset in addition to the auxiliary line length, so that the size of the unit image printed on the printing paper can be used. In relation to the above, at least one or more of the auxiliary line color, the auxiliary line thickness, and the auxiliary line type may be changed to different contents from the preset ones.

For example, when the size of the unit image printed on the printing paper is smaller than the predetermined size, the auxiliary line is set so that the auxiliary line is not too conspicuous compared to many small unit images. The color may be changed to an inconspicuous color, or the color may not be changed but the density of the color may be reduced for printing.
Alternatively, when the size of the unit image printed on the printing paper is smaller than the predetermined size, the thickness of the auxiliary line may be made smaller than the thickness of the initial reference value.
Alternatively, when the size of the unit image printed on the printing paper is smaller than the predetermined size, the type of the auxiliary line may be changed to a broken line.

Alternatively, instead of changing any one item of the auxiliary line color, the auxiliary line thickness, and the auxiliary line type, all the items may be changed. For example, the color may be changed to a thin and thin dashed auxiliary line with an inconspicuous color.
Here, the predetermined size of the unit image cannot be uniquely determined, but for example, when printing a plurality of unit images on A4 size printing paper, the size of one unit image is set to a predetermined size. May be set in advance. However, the predetermined size of this unit image may be set and changed by the user.

Further, when the total number of unit images to be printed on the printing paper is equal to or more than a predetermined number, at least one of the color, thickness, and type of the auxiliary line is changed to a content different from the preset one. You may.

Further, when the size of the unit image printed on the printing paper is larger than the predetermined size, the auxiliary line may be difficult to see as compared with the relatively large unit image, so that the auxiliary line is visually recognized. In order to facilitate the printing, the color of the auxiliary line may be changed to a conspicuous color, or the color may not be changed but the density of the color may be increased for printing.
Alternatively, when the size of the unit image printed on the printing paper is larger than the predetermined size, the thickness of the auxiliary line may be thicker than the thickness of the initial reference value.
Alternatively, when the size of the unit image printed on the printing paper is larger than the predetermined size, the type of the auxiliary line may be changed to a solid line.
Alternatively, instead of changing any one item of the auxiliary line color, the auxiliary line thickness, and the auxiliary line type, all the items may be changed. For example, it may be changed to a thick and dark solid auxiliary line with a prominent color.

Alternatively, at least one of the auxiliary line color, the auxiliary line thickness, and the auxiliary line type may be changed in conjunction with the correction content of the auxiliary line length.
In addition, as described above, for any of the auxiliary line color, auxiliary line thickness, and auxiliary line type, information indicating correction is set in "whether or not correction is possible", and the length of the auxiliary line is set. When making a correction, the item in which the information meaning the correction is set may be changed to the content preset in the correction setting value.
For example, when the length of the auxiliary line is corrected to be longer than the auxiliary line reference length L0, the part corresponding to the auxiliary line reference length L0 is printed as a thick solid line, but is larger than the auxiliary line reference length L0. The extended portion may be changed to be printed with a thin broken line.

1 Image processing device (MFP),
11 Control unit,
12 Operation unit,
13 Display section,
14 Image input section,
15 Communication Department,
16 Output section,
17 Unit image setting unit,
18 Print image information generator,
19 Auxiliary line correction judgment unit,
20 Auxiliary line length correction unit,
21 Printing auxiliary line generator,
22 Composite image generator,
40 printing paper,
41 auxiliary line,
50 memory unit,
51 Input image information,
52 Setting input information,
53 Standard setting information,
54 unit image size information,
55 Auxiliary line item information,
56 Corrected auxiliary line information,
57 Printing auxiliary line information,
58 Composite image information

Claims (10)

An image input unit for inputting image information and
When printing a plurality of the image information on one sheet of printing paper, a unit image setting unit that sets the size of the unit image in which the size of the input image information is changed, and a unit image setting unit.
A storage unit that stores the input image information and the unit image size information indicating the size of the set unit image.
When printing an auxiliary line indicating a cutting position for cutting each unit image to be printed between the plurality of unit images printed on printing paper, the auxiliary lines corresponding to the size of the unit images are adjacent to each other. Auxiliary line length correction unit that sets the length of each auxiliary line so that the auxiliary lines are not connected,
A composite image generation unit that generates composite image information obtained by synthesizing a print image composed of the plurality of unit images and a print auxiliary line composed of a plurality of auxiliary lines having a set length.
An output unit that outputs the composite image information and
It is equipped with an operation unit for inputting setting input information for setting the size of the unit image printed on printing paper.
The unit image size information includes a vertical length and a horizontal length of a unit image to be printed on printing paper.
The setting input information is stored in advance in the storage unit before setting the size of the unit image.
The setting input information includes
Input image size, which specifies the vertical and horizontal length of the input image information
Printing paper size, which specifies the vertical and horizontal length of the printing paper
Image reduction rate when reducing the input image information,
The total number of repeats, which is the total number of unit images printed on printing paper, and
An image processing apparatus characterized in that a repeat vertical / horizontal number consisting of a number of vertically arranged units and a number of horizontally arranged unit images printed on printing paper is included . The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the length of the auxiliary line is set shorter than the shorter of the vertical length and the horizontal length of the unit image. Device. The auxiliary line reference length, which is the reference for the length of the auxiliary line, and the auxiliary line correction length ratio for changing the length of the auxiliary line are stored in advance in the storage unit.
When the auxiliary line reference length is longer than the shorter of the vertical length and the horizontal length of the set unit image, the auxiliary line to be printed on the printing paper. 1. The length of the unit image is set to be shorter than the shorter of the vertical length and the horizontal length of the unit image by using the auxiliary line correction length ratio. The image processing apparatus according to. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary line is composed of a combination of a variable-length vertical straight line and a horizontal straight line. The vertical straight line constituting the auxiliary line corresponds to the vertical length of the unit image and is the vertical length of each auxiliary line so that the vertical straight lines of the adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected. And set
The horizontal straight line constituting the auxiliary line corresponds to the horizontal length of the unit image, and the horizontal length of each auxiliary line is not connected so that the horizontal straight lines of the adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the image processing apparatus is set. Further provided with an auxiliary line correction determination unit for determining whether or not it is necessary to correct the length of the auxiliary line in relation to the size of the unit image when printing the plurality of unit images and the auxiliary line. ,
The auxiliary line reference length, which is the reference for the auxiliary line length, is stored in advance in the storage unit.
If an auxiliary line is printed using the auxiliary line having the auxiliary line reference length and the adjacent auxiliary lines are connected, the auxiliary line correction determination unit needs to correct the length of the auxiliary line. The composite image generation unit generates composite image information in which a print auxiliary line consisting of an auxiliary line having a length corrected so that adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected and the printed image are combined. ,
Assuming that the auxiliary line is printed using the auxiliary line having the auxiliary line reference length, if the adjacent auxiliary lines are not connected, the auxiliary line correction determination unit does not need to correct the length of the auxiliary line. The first aspect of claim 1, wherein the composite image generation unit generates composite image information obtained by synthesizing a print auxiliary line composed of an auxiliary line having the auxiliary line reference length and the printed image. Image processing equipment. The unit image setting unit is based on the input image size and the image reduction rate.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the length in the vertical direction and the length in the horizontal direction of the unit image printed on the printing paper are set. The unit image setting unit sets the vertical length of the unit image to be printed on the printing paper from the print paper size and the number of repeat vertical and horizontal arrangements in the vertical direction.
The image processing according to claim 1 , wherein the horizontal length of the unit image printed on the printing paper is set from the printing paper size and the number of repeat vertical and horizontal arrangements in the horizontal direction. Device. The composite image generation unit is characterized in that at least one or more of the color, thickness, and type of the printing auxiliary line printed on the printing paper is changed according to the size of the unit image. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . Image input step to input image information and
Setting for setting the size of the unit image printed on the printing paper Steps for inputting input information and
When printing a plurality of the image information on one sheet of printing paper, the unit image setting step for setting the size of the unit image in which the size of the input image information is changed, and the unit image setting step.
A storage step for storing the input image information and the unit image size information indicating the size of the set unit image, and the storage step.
When printing an auxiliary line indicating a cutting position for cutting each unit image to be printed between the plurality of unit images printed on printing paper, the auxiliary lines corresponding to the size of the unit images are adjacent to each other. Auxiliary line length correction step that sets the length of each auxiliary line so that the auxiliary lines are not connected,
A print image generation step of generating a print image consisting of a plurality of unit images to be printed on one sheet of printing paper, and a print image generation step.
A printing auxiliary line generation step for generating a printing auxiliary line consisting of a plurality of auxiliary lines having the length set, and a printing auxiliary line generation step.
A composite image generation step for generating composite image information obtained by synthesizing the print image and the print auxiliary line, and a composite image generation step.
It is provided with an output step for outputting the composite image information.
The unit image size information includes a vertical length and a horizontal length of a unit image to be printed on printing paper.
The setting input information includes
Input image size, which specifies the vertical and horizontal length of the input image information
Printing paper size, which specifies the vertical and horizontal length of the printing paper
Image reduction rate when reducing the input image information,
The total number of repeats, which is the total number of unit images printed on printing paper, and
An auxiliary line generation method characterized in that a repeat vertical / horizontal number consisting of a number of vertically arranged units and a number of horizontally arranged unit images printed on printing paper is included .

Images