JP7479141B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

There is a known technology for using an image forming device to create wrapping paper with patterns and fold lines printed on the paper to serve as a guide for wrapping. However, there is a problem with wrapping paper created using conventional technology in that it cannot be used to wrap objects larger than the dimensions that can be wrapped with paper of a size that can be transported by the image forming device.

JP 2012-171633 A

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide an image forming device that can create wrapping paper that can fit large-sized objects.

In order to solve the above problem, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a recording media size receiving means, a packaging object size receiving means, a wrapping method receiving means, a database, a search unit, an image forming unit, and an image generating means. The recording media size receiving means receives input of information on the size of the recording media. The packaging object size receiving means receives input of information on the size of the packaging object. The wrapping method receiving means receives input of information on the wrapping method of the packaging object. The database stores an algorithm for calculating the size of the packaging media based on the size of the packaging object and the wrapping method of the packaging object, a connection pattern which is a way of arranging a plurality of recording media, guide lines which are images of auxiliary lines arranged according to the size of the packaging media and the wrapping method of the packaging object, and a pattern image which is a pattern formed on the packaging media . The search unit extracts the size of the packaging media from the database using the size of the packaging object input by the packaging object size receiving means and the wrapping method of the packaging object input by the wrapping method receiving means, extracts a connection pattern from the database using the size of the recording media input by the recording media size receiving means and the extracted size of the packaging media, extracts guide lines from the wrapping method of the packaging object, and extracts a pattern image from the pattern . When the size of the recording medium input by the recording media size receiving means is equal to or larger than the size of the packaging medium extracted by the search unit, the image forming unit forms on the recording medium a first image generated using image data formed on the front side of the packaging medium and image data formed on the back side of the packaging medium by combining the guide lines and pattern image extracted by the search unit by the image generating means . When the size of the recording medium input by the recording media size receiving means is smaller than the size of the packaging medium extracted by the search unit, the image generating means generates a first image, generates a plurality of divided images by dividing the first image into a plurality of parts based on the connection pattern extracted by the search unit , and generates a plurality of second images by combining the plurality of divided images with white space as an overlap based on the connection pattern.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming unit according to the present embodiment. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit and an image forming unit according to the embodiment; FIG. FIG. 13 is a display image diagram of a packaging object dimension reception UI. FIG. 13 is a display image diagram of a wrapping method reception UI. FIG. 13 is a display image diagram of a paper size reception UI. FIG. 13 is a display image diagram of a wrapping paper design reception UI. This is a development diagram of a laminated package for determining the wrapping paper dimensions. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a connecting wrapper. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating examples of wrapping paper parts. This is an exploded view of diagonal wrapping and furoshiki wrapping. 1A to 1C are diagrams showing examples of connected wrapping paper made from wrapping paper parts. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a first division in generating image data for wrapping paper parts. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a second division in generating image data for wrapping paper parts. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing examples of connected wrapping paper made from wrapping paper parts on which images are formed. 5 is a flowchart showing a printing procedure for wrapping paper and wrapping paper parts in the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out the invention will be described.
First Embodiment
First, the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view that shows a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, the image forming device 1 is configured as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral). As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming device 1 includes a control unit 2, a reading unit 3, a paper storage unit 4, an image forming unit 5, an operation input unit 6, a transport means 7, and a toner cartridge 8. The reading unit 3 reads image data from a document. The operation input unit 6 accepts operations from a user. The image forming unit 5 forms an image on paper. The paper storage unit 4 holds paper on which an image is to be formed. The transport means 7 transports the paper from the paper storage unit 4. The toner cartridge 8 contains toner used to form an image.

Next, the conveying means 7 will be described in detail. The conveying means 7 includes a pickup roller 71, a registration roller 72, a paper discharge roller 73, a reversing roller 74, and a conveying roller (not shown). The conveying rollers are a number of rollers arranged at key points in the paper conveying path, and act as relays between the rollers when the conveying means 7 conveys paper.

The pickup roller 71 picks up one of the sheets of paper stacked in the paper storage section 4. The picked up sheet is then transported by the transport roller to the registration roller 72. The registration roller 72 temporarily stops the transported sheet and sends it out in time with the secondary transfer roller 57 to which the toner image is transferred, which will be described later. The sheet sent out from the registration roller 72 passes through the secondary transfer roller 57 and the fuser 59, and is discharged from the paper discharge roller 73. If the sheet being transported is printed on both sides, the sheet sent out from the paper discharge roller 73 is transported to the reversal roller 74 from one end of the sheet on the upstream side in the paper discharge direction. The sheet sent out from the reversal roller 74 is transported again to the registration roller 72, and passes through the secondary transfer roller 57 and the fuser 59, where the toner image is transferred to the back side of the sheet, and the sheet is discharged from the paper discharge roller 73.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming device 1 of this embodiment. The image forming device 1 shown in Figure 1 has a control unit 2, a reading unit 3, a paper storage unit 4, an image forming unit 5, an operation input unit 6, and an I/F 9. Each of these components is connected via a bus 94.

The control unit 2 has a processor 21 and built-in memory 22, reads data and programs from the built-in memory 22, and executes the programs with the processor 21. The built-in memory 22 is composed of a storage memory 222 that temporarily stores and reads data, and a read memory 221 that is a memory dedicated to reading data and programs. The read memory 221 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the storage memory 222 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory).

The reading unit 3 stores the image of the document as image data in the built-in memory 22 by setting and scanning the document. The paper storage unit 4 has multiple paper feed trays 41, which are trays for stacking paper on which an image is formed as described above. It also has a manual feed tray 42, which is a tray for setting paper of a size that cannot be set in the paper feed tray 41 or paper of a size of the user's choice (see FIG. 1). The image forming unit 5 forms a toner image on paper transported from the paper storage unit 4 by the transport means 7 shown in FIG. 1 using image data acquired from the built-in memory 22 and the external device 91. The operation input unit 6 is composed of a display unit 61 that displays predetermined information and physical keys 62 that accept operation input by pressing them. The display unit 61 is composed of, for example, a touch panel display, and accepts operation input based on the display contents displayed on the screen by touching the panel without using the physical keys 62.

I/F9 is an interface for connecting an external device 91, and includes both wired and wireless interfaces.

The external device 91 is, for example, a smart device, a PC (Personal Computer), an external memory, an external server, etc. The smart device is a multi-function terminal that can use functions such as communication via a network, web browsing, and the use of various applications. The external memory is, for example, a USB memory (Universal Serial Bus) or an SD memory card (Secure Digital), which is an external storage memory that can be attached to and detached from the image forming device 1 separately from the built-in memory 22. The external server is, for example, a print server that connects the image forming device 1 to a computer network and makes it available to multiple PCs.

Next, the configuration of the image forming unit 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image forming unit 5 of this embodiment. Here, in FIG. 3, arrow a indicates the rotation direction of the transfer belt 56, arrow b indicates the rotation direction of the photoconductor 51, arrow c indicates the irradiation direction of the laser from an exposure device (not shown), and arrow d indicates the transport direction of the paper.

The image forming unit 5 includes a photoconductor 51 , a charger 52 , a developing unit 53 , a primary transfer roller 54 , a photoconductor cleaner 55 , a transfer belt 56 , a secondary transfer roller 57 , an opposing roller 58 , and a fixing unit 59 .
3 contains yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner, respectively, and replenishes the toner to the developing device 53 for each station handling each color. The yellow toner cartridge 8Y contains yellow toner. The magenta toner cartridge 8M contains magenta toner. The cyan toner cartridge 8C contains cyan toner. The black toner cartridge 8K contains black toner.
Each station has a photoconductor 51, a charger 52, a developer 53, a primary transfer roller 54, and a photoconductor cleaner 55. As shown in Fig. 3, four stations are provided in this embodiment, and they are divided into stations that handle yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners. The yellow station 50Y handles yellow toner. The magenta station 50M handles magenta toner. The cyan station 50C handles cyan toner. The black station 50K handles black toner. Here, the number of each component is followed by the initial letter (Y, M, C, K) of the color of toner handled by the station to which the component is provided.

Next, the process of forming an image in the image forming unit 5 will be described. First, in the yellow station 50Y that handles yellow toner, the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 51Y that rotates in the b direction is charged by the charger 52Y to obtain an electric charge. The charged photoconductor 51Y is exposed to a laser cY from an exposure device (not shown), and a part of the electric charge is removed by the exposure, forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 51Y. Yellow toner from the developer 53Y is electrically attached to the part where the electrostatic latent image is formed, and the yellow toner image is developed. After that, the toner image on the photoconductor 51Y is electrically transferred to the transfer belt 56 by the primary transfer roller 54Y. The toner remaining on the photoconductor 51Y without being transferred is cleaned by the photoconductor cleaner 55Y, and the remaining electric charge is also removed. By repeating this series of operations, the yellow station 50Y transfers the yellow toner image to the transfer belt 56.

Similarly, the magenta station 50M, which handles magenta toner, the cyan station 50C, which handles cyan toner, and the black station 50K, which handles black toner, develop toner images of each color and transfer them to the transfer belt 56.

Meanwhile, paper transported from the paper storage section 4 is sent to the secondary transfer area by registration rollers 72 in synchronization with the toner image. The secondary transfer area is formed by transfer belt 56, secondary transfer roller 57, and opposing roller 58, and the toner image on the transfer roller is electrically transferred to the paper by opposing roller 58. The paper with the toner image transferred is transported to fixing device 59, where heat and pressure are applied to melt the toner and fix it to the paper. Any toner that is not transferred and remains on the transfer belt 56 is removed by a transfer belt cleaner (not shown).

Next, the control unit 2 of this embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 2 and image forming unit 5 of this embodiment. The control unit 2 has a wrapping paper condition receiving unit 23, a wrapping paper DB (database) 24, and an image data generating unit 27. The image forming unit 5 forms image data generated by the image data generating unit 27 on paper under the control of the control unit 2.

The wrapping paper conditions reception unit 23 has a wrapping object dimension reception UI (User Interface) 231, a paper size reception UI 233, a wrapping method reception UI 232, and a wrapping paper pattern reception UI 234. The wrapping paper conditions reception unit 23 provides a user interface function that receives the setting conditions for the wrapping paper that wraps the wrapping object. The control unit 2 displays each UI of the wrapping condition reception unit on the display unit 61, and the user can input the dimensions of the wrapping object, the size of the paper to be used, the wrapping method for the wrapping object, and the wrapping paper pattern to be formed on the paper from the operation input unit 6. These UIs are implemented, for example, as GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces).

The wrapping paper DB24 has a wrapping paper dimension DB241, a connection pattern DB242, a wrapping paper guide DB243, and a wrapping paper pattern DB26. The wrapping paper dimension DB241 stores dimensional data of wrapping paper according to the dimensions of the item to be wrapped and the wrapping method. The connection pattern DB242 stores the arrangement of wrapping paper parts 11 that make up the connected wrapping paper 10. The connected wrapping paper 10 and wrapping paper parts 11 will be described in detail later. The wrapping paper guide DB243 stores image data such as auxiliary lines to be formed on the wrapping paper according to the dimensions of the item to be wrapped and the wrapping method of the wrapping paper. The wrapping paper pattern DB26 stores image data to be formed on the surface of the wrapping paper.

The wrapping paper pattern DB 26 stores patterns and textures to be printed on wrapping paper. Patterns include, for example, floral patterns, stripes, geometric patterns, and solid colors. Textures include, for example, images of wood grain and stone.

The image data generating unit 27 has a front side image data generating unit 271, a back side image data generating unit 272, and a DB search unit 273. The image data generating unit 27 generates the image data to be formed based on the conditions accepted by the wrapping paper condition accepting unit 23.

Here, the connected wrapping paper 10 is wrapping paper of a large size that cannot be transported by the transport means 7 provided in the image forming device 1, and is produced by connecting multiple wrapping paper parts 11 at appropriate positions. The connected wrapping paper 10 is effective when the wrapping paper dimensions read from the wrapping paper dimension DB 241 are larger than the size of the paper provided in the image forming device 1.

The wrapping paper parts 11 are sheets of paper that become one connected wrapping paper 10 by connecting predetermined wrapping paper parts 11 together at appropriate positions. The number of wrapping paper parts 11 that become a connected wrapping paper 10 is determined by the size of the paper selected by the paper size reception UI 233 and the dimensions of the wrapping paper read from the wrapping paper dimension DB 241.

The wrapping object dimensions reception UI 231, wrapping method reception UI 232, paper size reception UI 233, and wrapping paper pattern reception UI 234 provided in the wrapping paper conditions reception unit 23 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 5 to 8. Figure 5 is a display image diagram of the wrapping object dimensions reception UI 231.

The packaging object dimension reception UI 231 is a UI for receiving input of the dimensions of the packaging object. The dimensions of the packaging object refer to the width, depth, and height of the packaging object when viewed as a rectangular parallelepiped. As shown in Figure 5, a supplementary diagram is displayed showing the locations where the width, depth, and height of the packaging object correspond.

As an operation of the packaging object dimension reception UI 231, for example, the control unit 2 displays the screen shown in FIG. 5 on the display unit 61 and prompts the user to input the dimensions of the packaging object. At this time, the user can input numerical values into the boxes displayed as "Width: W mm," "Depth: D mm," and "Height: H mm" using the physical keys 62 or the display unit 61, which is a touch panel display.

Figure 6 is a display image diagram of the wrapping method reception UI 232. The wrapping method reception UI 232 is a UI for receiving a wrapping method for an object to be wrapped. For example, wrapping methods for a rectangular object to be wrapped include "wrapping with a combination of layers," "wrapping with a furoshiki cloth," and "wrapping at an angle."

As an operation of the wrapping method reception UI 232, for example, the control unit 2 displays the screen shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit 61, and the user can select any wrapping method from the displayed options. At this time, an example of a package wrapped in the selected wrapping method may be displayed on the screen as a schematic diagram. FIG. 6 shows the state in which combined wrapping has been selected, and the figure in the box on the right side of the drawing shows a schematic diagram of combined wrapping.

Figure 7 is a display image diagram of the paper size reception UI 233. The paper size reception UI 233 is a UI for receiving the size of the paper to be used as the wrapping paper. The paper size can be selected from the papers held in the paper feed tray 41, and it is also possible for the user to select paper of any size that has been set in the manual feed tray 42.

As an operation of the paper size reception UI 233, for example, the control unit 2 displays a screen shown in FIG. 7 on the display unit 61. As shown in FIG. 7, the screen displays a diagram of the image forming device 1 and selection buttons showing paper sizes. The user can input the paper size to be used for the wrapping paper by selecting the displayed selection button or by selecting a part corresponding to the paper feed tray 41 or the manual feed tray 42 in the schematic diagram of the image forming device 1. In addition, when the paper storage unit 4 is equipped with paper of an appropriate size for the conditions received by the above-mentioned wrapping target size reception UI 231 and wrapping method reception UI 232, the control unit 2 may highlight and display the part and selection button of the schematic diagram of the image forming device 1 corresponding to the paper size, or set it to the default. The appropriate size paper here is a paper whose vertical and horizontal dimensions are greater than or equal to the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the wrapping paper calculated by the wrapping paper size DB 241 described later, and which is the smallest size among the paper sizes selectable by the paper size reception UI 233.

The size of paper selected in the paper size reception UI 233 will also be the size of paper used as the wrapping paper part 11 of the connected wrapping paper 10, so if it is to be used as a wrapping paper part 11, the user must register the dimensions of the paper set in the manual feed tray 42 in the control unit 2.

Figure 8 is a display image diagram of the wrapping paper pattern reception UI 234. The wrapping paper pattern reception UI 234 is a UI for receiving the pattern (pattern or texture) to be formed on the paper that will become the wrapping paper.

As an operation of the wrapping paper pattern reception UI 234, for example, the control unit 2 displays the screen shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit 61, and the user can select any pattern from the displayed options. The displayed options correspond to images stored in the wrapping paper pattern DB 26. FIG. 8 shows the state in which a floral pattern has been selected, and the diagram in the box on the right side of the drawing shows the image stored in the wrapping paper pattern DB 26 that corresponds to the floral pattern.

In addition, the dimensions of the item to be wrapped, the wrapping method, the size of the paper to be used, and the pattern of the wrapping paper may be input from an external device 91 such as a smart device or PC.

The objects to be packaged given as input examples for the packaging paper condition receiving unit 23 are rectangular parallelepipeds, but the objects to be packaged are not limited to rectangular parallelepipeds and can be of various shapes such as cylindrical or triangular prism shapes.

Next, the wrapping paper dimension DB241, connection pattern DB242, wrapping paper guide DB243, and wrapping paper pattern DB26 contained in the wrapping paper DB24 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 9 to 12.

The dimensions of the wrapping paper required for packaging vary depending on the dimensions of the item to be packaged and the wrapping method. In addition, the dimensions of the wrapping paper for each wrapping method can be calculated using an algorithm.

The wrapping paper dimensions DB241 stores algorithms that derive the dimensions of wrapping paper for each wrapping method, such as "double wrapping," "wrapping in a furoshiki cloth," and "diagonal wrapping." The control unit 2 calculates the dimensions of wrapping paper required to wrap the item to be wrapped by substituting the values entered through the wrapping object dimensions reception UI231 into the algorithm of the wrapping paper dimensions DB241 that corresponds to the information entered through the wrapping method reception UI232.

FIG. 9 is a development view of a combined package for determining the dimensions of the wrapping paper. The dimensions of the wrapping paper P suitable for combined packaging are as shown in FIG. 9. That is, when the object to be packaged is placed in the center of the wrapping paper P as shown in FIG. 9 and the dimensions of the object to be packaged are width: W, depth: D, and height: H, the vertical dimension A of the wrapping paper P is the width W of the object to be packaged plus, for example, 2/3 of the height H of the object to be packaged at both ends. This length is a length that contributes to overlapping in the height direction when the object to be packaged is packaged, and the numerical value may be adjusted as appropriate. In addition, the horizontal dimension B of the wrapping paper P is a dimension obtained by adding, for example, a length of 30 mm to the perimeter of one surface surrounded by the depth D and height H of the object to be packaged. This length is a length that contributes to overlapping in the width direction when the object to be packaged is packaged, and the numerical value may be adjusted as appropriate. Based on the above-mentioned algorithm, the vertical dimension A of the wrapping paper P can be expressed using the following formula.
A = W + 2 x (2/3H)
Furthermore, the lateral dimension B of the wrapping paper P can be expressed using the following formula.
B = 2 x (D + H) + 30 mm

The connection pattern DB 242 stores patterns of arrangement of the wrapping paper parts 11 that make up the connected wrapping paper 10. If the dimensions of the wrapping paper obtained from the wrapping paper dimension DB 241 are larger than the size of the paper selected by the user, the DB search unit 273 searches for connection patterns of the wrapping paper parts 11 that make up the connected wrapping paper 10 that are larger than the dimensions of the wrapping paper obtained from the wrapping paper dimension DB 241. In addition, the display unit 61 may display the number of sheets of paper used that are selected according to the searched connection pattern.

The connected packaging paper 10 is made of paper of the size selected by the paper size reception UI 233, so simply connecting the packaging paper parts 11 together may not match the dimensions of the packaging paper read from the packaging paper dimension DB 241. For this reason, the excess parts must be cut off. In addition, the dimensions of the connected packaging paper 10 are greater than or equal to the dimensions of the packaging paper read from the packaging paper dimension DB 241, and a search is performed for a connection pattern with the smallest dimensions.

The dimensions of the connecting packaging paper 10 will be explained using FIG. 10 as an example. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the connecting packaging paper 10. The connecting packaging paper 10 shown in FIG. 10 is produced by arranging and connecting the packaging paper parts 11 vertically and horizontally, but there are no limitations on the arrangement or direction of the packaging paper parts 11.

Because the connecting packaging paper 10 requires an overlap 250 for connecting the packaging paper parts 11 to each other, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the connecting packaging paper 10 are shortened by the width of the overlap 250 for each overlapping portion of the packaging paper parts 11. In other words, when the vertical dimension of the connecting packaging paper 10 is A, the vertical dimension of the packaging paper part 11 is x, the width of the overlap 250 is s, and the number of packaging paper parts 11 used in the vertical direction of the connecting packaging paper 10 is p, the vertical dimension A of the connecting packaging paper 10 must satisfy the following formula.
A≦px−s(p−1)
Furthermore, when the horizontal dimension of the connecting packaging paper 10 is B, the horizontal dimension of the packaging paper part 11 is y, and the number of packaging paper parts 11 used in the horizontal direction of the connecting packaging paper 10 is q, the horizontal dimension B of the connecting packaging paper 10 must satisfy the following formula.
B≦qy−s(q−1)
Therefore, it can be seen that (p×q) wrapping paper parts 11 are required, with p and q satisfying the above two equations.
Here, when the surplus vertical dimension of the connecting wrapper 10 is t and the surplus horizontal dimension is u, t and u can be expressed as follows.
t = px - s (p - 1) - A
u = qy-s(q-1)-B

Here, the dimensions of the connecting wrapping paper 10 are calculated using the connecting wrapping paper 10 in FIG. 10 as an example, but the method of calculating the dimensions is not limited to this. The dimensions of the connecting wrapping paper 10 vary depending on the connection pattern.

11 is a diagram showing an example of the wrapping paper part 11. The numbers 247 formed on the front surface of the wrapping paper part 11 indicate the order in which the wrapping paper parts 11 in FIGS. 11 and 14 are arranged, and therefore do not need to be printed.
The image data stored in the wrapping paper guide DB 243 will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The wrapping paper guide DB 243 stores image data of an initial position 244, a folding line 245, a cutting line 246, a number 247, a symbol 248, and a gluing line 249 based on the wrapping method. The initial position 244 is a starting position where the wrapping object is first placed on the wrapping paper when wrapping. The folding line 245 is an auxiliary line that serves as a guide for folding when wrapping. The cutting line 246 is an auxiliary line that serves as a guide for cutting off unnecessary parts when producing the wrapping paper. The number 247 and the symbol 248 indicate the order, orientation, and position of each wrapping paper part 11. The gluing line 249 is an auxiliary line that forms a gluing line 250 for connecting the wrapping paper parts 11 to each other when producing the connected wrapping paper 10. The initial position 244, the folding line 245, the cutting line 246, and the gluing line 249 may be represented by lines of different shapes so as to be distinguishable. Also, a line indicating what is to be printed between the lines may be printed. A mark indicating the overlap margin 250 may be printed on the overlap margin 250. Also, no image may be formed in the space that will become the overlap margin 250.

Fig. 12 is a development view of diagonal wrapping and furoshiki wrapping. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, diagonal wrapping and furoshiki wrapping are appropriately wrapped by placing the object to be wrapped on the back side of wrapping paper P of appropriate dimensions so that the determined surface of the object to be wrapped is in contact with the initial position 244, and wrapping is performed according to the procedure of each wrapping method. In this way, when wrapping an object to be wrapped, the position on the wrapping paper P where the object to be wrapped is initially placed is determined by each wrapping method. By printing a line indicating the initial position 244 of the object to be wrapped on the wrapping paper P or by coloring the area indicating the initial position 244, the user can easily grasp the initial position 244 of the object to be wrapped.
Since the initial position 244 and wrapping procedure are determined for each wrapping method, it is preferable to register the positions of the fold line 245, cutting line 246, number 247 and symbol 248 in the wrapping paper guide DB 243 in advance.

Next, the DB search unit 273, the front image data generation unit 271, and the back image data generation unit 272 provided in the image data generation unit 27 will be described in detail.

The DB search unit 273 searches the wrapping paper DB 24 for wrapping paper data that matches the conditions received from the wrapping paper condition reception unit 23. Based on this data, the image data generation unit 27 generates an image to be formed on paper.

The front side image data generating unit 271 generates image data to be formed on the front side of the wrapping paper by combining the image data of the wrapping paper guide DB 243 and the wrapping paper pattern DB 26 extracted by the DB searching unit 273. Furthermore, if the dimensions of the wrapping paper obtained from the wrapping paper dimension DB 241 are larger than the size of the paper provided in the paper feed tray 41 and the manual feed tray 42, front side image data for the connected wrapping paper 10 is generated.
Here, the front surface of the wrapping paper refers to the surface that has a larger exposed area when the wrapping object is wrapped. Here, it is assumed that a pattern is formed on the front surface of the wrapping paper.

The back side image data generating unit 272 generates image data to be formed on the back side of the wrapping paper by combining the image data of the wrapping paper guide DB 243 and wrapping paper pattern DB 26 extracted by the DB search unit 273. In addition, if the dimensions of the wrapping paper obtained from the wrapping paper dimension DB 241 are larger than the size of the paper provided in the paper feed tray 41 and manual feed tray 42, back side image data for the connected wrapping paper 10 is generated. Here, the back side of the wrapping paper refers to the side on which the wrapping object is placed when it is wrapped. Here, the initial position 244, fold line 245, number 247, and symbol 248 are formed on the back side of the wrapping paper.

Next, the procedure for generating image data for the wrapping paper parts 11 that constitute the image that appears on the connected wrapping paper 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 13(a) to (c). Figure 13(a) is a diagram showing an example of image data formed on the connected wrapping paper 10. Figure 13(b) is a diagram explaining a first division in generating image data for the wrapping paper parts 11. Figure 13(c) is a diagram explaining a second division in generating image data for the wrapping paper parts 11. The dot pattern area in Figures 13(a) to (c) is the range of the connected wrapping paper 10 used when packaging the object to be packaged. The area outside the dot pattern formed on the paper becomes a glue margin 250 that connects the wrapping paper parts 11 together, or becomes a part that is cut along the cutting line 246.

Here, the image formed within the range of the paper used to package the packaging object is defined as the first image. That is, in FIG. 13(a), the image data formed in the dot pattern area of the connected packaging paper 10 is the first image. Also, in FIGS. 13(a) to (c), the image data including the margins formed in the packaging paper part 11 is defined as the second image. That is, the area surrounded by the vertical dimension x and horizontal dimension y of the packaging paper part 11 is the second image. The second image has a part of the divided first image.

The image data generation unit 27 compares the dimensions of the wrapping paper obtained from the wrapping paper dimension DB 241 based on the information input via the wrapping object dimension reception UI 231, the paper size reception UI 233, and the wrapping method reception UI 232 with the size information of the paper provided in the paper feed tray 41 and the manual feed tray 42 input via the paper size reception UI 233. If the dimensions of the wrapping paper obtained from the wrapping paper dimension DB 241 are larger than the size information of the paper provided in the paper feed tray 41 and the manual feed tray 42, it starts generating a second image.

First, the image data generating unit 27 generates a first image using image data from the wrapping paper guide DB 243 and wrapping paper pattern DB 26 extracted by the DB search unit 273.

The first image is divided into image data to be formed into the wrapping paper part 11 according to the connection pattern obtained from the connection pattern DB 242. In this embodiment, two sets of divisions, a first division and a second division, are performed. The first division divides the image horizontally so that it is divided into top and bottom. The second division divides the image vertically so that it is divided into left and right. The top left vertex of the first image in Figure 13(a) is set as the reference position for starting measurement of the dimensions to divide into specified dimensions, and the first division moves the reference position downward from the reference position. The second division moves the reference position to the right from the reference position.

The first division will be explained with reference to FIG. 13(b). Here, the width of the overlap line 249 that faces one of the sides that make up the outer periphery of the wrapping paper part 11 via the overlap 250 is defined as the overlap dimension s. The dimension obtained by subtracting the overlap dimension s, which is the overlap 250, from the vertical dimension x of the wrapping paper part 11 is defined as the divided image dimension m. The remaining vertical dimension of the divided image is defined as the extra image dimension i.

The generated image data is divided so that the vertical dimension of each divided image data is divided image dimension m. This is continued if image margin dimension i is larger than divided image dimension m, and ends when image margin dimension i becomes equal to or smaller than divided image dimension m. The first division ends when image margin dimension i becomes equal to overlap dimension s, that is, when the dimension obtained by adding image margin dimension i to divided image dimension m becomes equal to vertical dimension x of wrapping paper part 11. After that, margin v is added below the image data of image margin dimension i so that it becomes equal to vertical dimension x of wrapping paper part 11. At this time, a cutting line 246 may be drawn at the boundary between the image and margin v.

For each divided image data, an overlap margin of overlap dimension s is added below the divided image dimension m so that it is equal to the vertical dimension x of the wrapping paper part 11. The overlap margin is a margin that becomes the overlap margin 250 when the wrapping paper parts 11 are connected, and an overlap line 249 is drawn at the boundary between the overlap margin and the image. Also, the overlap margin may be printed to indicate the overlap margin 250. Note that even if the image margin dimension i becomes the same dimension as the divided image dimension m, no overlap margin is added below the image margin dimension i.

The second division will be described with reference to FIG. 13(c). The second division is performed using the same procedure as the first division. The dimension obtained by subtracting the overlap dimension s from the horizontal dimension of the wrapping paper part 11 is defined as the divided image dimension n. The remaining horizontal dimension of the divided image is defined as the extra image dimension j.

The generated image data is divided so that the horizontal dimension of each divided image data is divided image dimension n. This is continued if image margin dimension j is larger than divided image dimension n, and ends when image margin dimension j is equal to or smaller than divided image dimension n. The second division ends when image margin dimension j is equal to overlap dimension s, that is, when the dimension obtained by adding image margin dimension j to divided image dimension n is equal to horizontal dimension y of wrapping paper part 11. After that, margin v is added to the right side of the image data with image margin dimension j so that it is equal to horizontal dimension y of wrapping paper part 11. At this time, a cutting line 246 may be drawn at the boundary between the image and margin v.

For each divided image data, an overlap margin of dimension s is added after the divided image dimension n so that it is equal to the horizontal dimension y of the wrapping paper part 11. An overlap margin line 249 is drawn at the boundary between the overlap margin and the image. Also, the overlap margin may be printed to indicate the overlap margin 250. Note that even if the image margin dimension j is the same dimension as the divided image dimension n, no overlap margin is added to the right of the image margin dimension j.

An image may or may not be formed in the margin space v shown in Figures 13(a) to (c).

14 is a diagram showing an example of a connected packaging paper 10 made from packaging paper parts 11 on which an image is formed. The connected packaging paper 10 shown in FIG. 14 has a margin v cut along the cutting line 246. The image data processed as described above becomes image data (second image) formed on the packaging paper parts 11. The image data for the packaging paper parts 11 may indicate the corresponding positions and directions with numbers or arrows as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 14. In addition, the image forming device 1 may print materials explaining the connection order of the packaging paper parts 11 and a packaging method for the packaged object as separate materials together with printing the packaging paper parts 11, or may transmit these data to an external device. The overlap margin 250, the initial position 244, the fold line 245, the cutting line 246, the number 247, and the symbol 248 may be printed with erasable ink and toner. At that time, the packaging method may be printed on the packaging paper parts 11. For example, erasable ink and toner can be erased with heat, and if printed with this, applying heat after packaging will erase the printing, so that the printing will not be visible when the wrapping paper is opened.

The connected wrapping paper 10 shown in FIG. 13(a) is produced by connecting the papers in a fixed orientation, arranging them vertically and horizontally. The procedure for generating the image data in this embodiment is as shown in the example above, but the procedure for generating the image data changes depending on the connection pattern of the wrapping paper parts 11.

Next, the procedure for printing the wrapping paper and wrapping paper parts 11 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the printing process of the wrapping paper and wrapping paper parts 11 in this embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 15 is executed by, for example, the control unit 2.

In ACT 10, the control unit 2 displays the packaging object dimension reception UI 231 (see FIG. 5) on the display unit 61 to receive input of the dimensions of the packaged object. The user inputs the width, depth, and height dimensions of the packaged object via the operation input unit 6.

In ACT 12, the control unit 2 displays the wrapping method reception UI 232 (see FIG. 6) on the display unit 61 and receives input of the wrapping method. The user selects a wrapping method from the displayed options via the operation input unit 6.

In ACT 14, the control unit 2 displays the paper size reception UI 233 (see FIG. 7) on the display unit 61 and accepts input of the paper size to be used for the wrapping paper. The user selects the paper size from the options displayed via the operation input unit 6. In addition, if the manual feed tray 42 is selected, input of the dimensions of the paper to be fed from the manual feed tray 42 is accepted.

In ACT 16, the DB search unit 273 calculates the dimensions of the required wrapping paper from the wrapping paper dimension DB 241 based on the dimensions of the item to be wrapped and the wrapping method input in ACT 10 and ACT 12. If the dimensions of the wrapping paper obtained from the wrapping paper dimension DB 241 in ACT 16 fit within the paper size selected in ACT 14 (ACT 17, YES), the processing in ACT 16 ends and proceeds to ACT 18.

In ACT 18, the control unit 2 displays the wrapping paper pattern reception UI 234 (see FIG. 8) on the display unit 61 and receives input of the pattern to be formed on the wrapping paper. The user selects a pattern from the displayed options via the operation input unit 6.

In ACT 20, the DB search unit 273 searches for the target image from the wrapping paper guide DB 243 and wrapping paper pattern DB 26 based on the conditions input by the wrapping paper condition reception unit 23. The image data generation unit 27 generates image data for the front and back sides of the wrapping paper by combining the searched images from the wrapping paper guide DB 243 and wrapping paper pattern DB 26.

In ACT 22, the image data generated according to the accepted conditions is printed on the paper selected in ACT 14.

In ACT 24, if the wrapping paper dimensions obtained from the wrapping paper dimension DB 241 in ACT 16 are dimensions that do not fit within the selected paper size (ACT 17, NO), the DB search unit 273 searches for a paper connection pattern. Based on the wrapping paper dimensions obtained from the wrapping paper dimension DB 241 and the selected paper size, the connection pattern DB 242 is searched for a connection pattern that is equal to or larger than the wrapping paper dimensions and has the smallest dimensions.

In ACT 26, similar to ACT 18, the control unit 2 displays the wrapping paper pattern reception UI 234 (see FIG. 8) on the display unit 61 and receives input of the wrapping paper pattern from the user.

In ACT 28, the image data generation unit 27 generates image data for the wrapping paper parts 11. The image data for the wrapping paper parts 11 varies depending on the number of wrapping paper parts 11 and the connection pattern. As in ACT 20, image data for the wrapping paper is generated by combining images from the wrapping paper guide DB 243 and the wrapping paper pattern DB 26 searched based on the input wrapping paper conditions. Next, the generated image data is divided according to the connection pattern, and the overlap margin 250 is added at a specified position to generate image data for the wrapping paper parts 11. Then, the process proceeds to ACT 22.

In the first embodiment, a wrapping paper part 11 with a glue tab 250 is printed on at least one of a plurality of sheets of paper. This wrapping paper part 11 is a sheet that constitutes the connected wrapping paper 10, which is a large-sized wrapping paper that cannot be conveyed by the image forming device 1. By appropriately connecting the wrapping paper parts 11 together via the glue tabs 250 to produce the connected wrapping paper 10, it becomes possible to wrap objects of a size that would not have been possible to wrap with the dimensions of the paper provided in the image forming device 1.

Second Embodiment
The object to be packaged is not necessarily a fixed shape, and it is quite possible to package irregularly shaped items. If the object to be packaged is irregular, it is not easy to prepare a development diagram, and it is difficult to form an appropriate wrapping paper guide. However, in order to package the object to be packaged, a new exterior can be applied to give it a fixed shape.

For example, the exterior is made of cardboard, and the dimensions of the cardboard required for the exterior are read from the wrapping paper dimension DB 241 using the dimensions of a rectangular parallelepiped that are the maximum dimensions of the width, depth, and height of the irregularly shaped object to be packaged, and the initial position 244 and fold line 245 read from the wrapping paper guide DB 243 are formed on the cardboard. Then, the cardboard is deformed along the fold line 245 to create an exterior for storing the irregularly shaped object to be packaged. At this time, a glue margin 250 may be formed on the cardboard to form a part that constitutes a large-sized exterior. Furthermore, a cutting line 246, a number 247, and a symbol 248 may also be printed. It is also possible to increase the variety of methods for creating the exterior by adding further data for the exterior to the wrapping paper dimension DB 241 and the wrapping paper guide DB 243 and adding an item for the exterior to the wrapping method reception UI 232. For example, an algorithm for determining the dimensions of various exteriors is registered in the wrapping paper dimension DB 241. Development diagrams of various exteriors are registered in the wrapping paper guide DB 243. For example, various exterior options may be additionally displayed in the wrapping method reception UI 232 .
By producing the wrapping paper shown in the first embodiment based on the dimensions of the exterior packaging that will contain irregularly shaped objects, it becomes possible to indirectly wrap irregularly shaped objects.

In the second embodiment, data for the packaging is registered in the wrapping paper condition reception unit 23, wrapping paper DB 24, and image data generation unit 27 used in the first embodiment, making it possible to create a packaging for giving a standard shape to the object to be packaged. As a result, even if the object to be packaged has an irregular shape, it can be packaged in the wrapping paper created in the first embodiment by storing it in the packaging.

According to at least one of the embodiments described above, when printing packaging media with the image forming device 1, it is possible to print multiple packaging media parts, at least one of which includes the overlap margin 250. By connecting these packaging media parts, it is possible to create packaging media corresponding to various sizes and shapes of packaging objects that require packaging media of a size that cannot be transported by the image forming device 1.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. The image forming device 1 used in the first and second embodiments has an MFP as a component, but it may also be an inkjet printer. If an inkjet printer is used as a component, it is possible to apply a heat-based adhesive to the glue margin 250 since heat is not used to fix the ink. In addition, each DB (wrapping paper dimension DB, connection pattern DB, wrapping paper guide DB, wrapping paper pattern DB) provided in the wrapping paper DB of the first and second embodiments may be stored in an external server connected via a network.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

5: Printing means (image forming unit)
27: Image generating means (image data generating unit)
231: Packaging size reception means (packaging size reception UI)
233: Recording media size reception means (paper size reception UI)
241: Packaging media size extraction means (packaging paper size DB)
242: Connection pattern extraction means (connection pattern DB)
244: initial position 245: folding line 246: cutting line 247: number 248: symbol 249: overlap line 250: overlap

Claims (4)

a recording medium size receiving means for receiving input of information on the size of the recording medium;
A packaging object size receiving means for receiving input of information on the size of the packaging object;
a wrapping method receiving means for receiving input of information on how to wrap an object to be packaged; an algorithm for calculating a size of a packaging medium based on the size of the object to be packaged and the wrapping method of the object to be packaged; a connection pattern which is an arrangement of a plurality of recording media; guide lines which are images of auxiliary lines arranged according to the size of the packaging medium and the wrapping method of the object to be packaged; and a pattern image which is a pattern to be formed on the packaging medium.
A database in which
a search unit that extracts the size of the packaging medium from the database using the size of the packaging object input by the packaging object size receiving means and the wrapping method of the packaging object input by the wrapping method receiving means, extracts the connection pattern from the database using the size of the recording medium input by the recording medium size receiving means and the extracted size of the packaging medium, extracts the guide lines from the wrapping method of the packaging object, and extracts the pattern image from the pattern ;
an image forming unit which, when the size of the recording medium input by the recording medium size receiving unit is equal to or larger than the size of the packaging medium extracted by the search unit, forms on the recording medium a first image generated by combining the guide lines and the pattern image extracted by the search unit using image data formed on the front side of the packaging medium and image data formed on the back side of the packaging medium by an image generating unit ;
an image generating means for generating the first image when the size of the recording medium input by the recording medium size receiving means is smaller than the size of the packaging medium extracted by the search unit, generating a plurality of divided images by dividing the first image into a plurality of parts based on the connection pattern extracted by the search unit, and generating a plurality of second images by combining a blank space as an overlap with the plurality of divided images based on the connection pattern;
An image forming apparatus comprising: when the size of the extracted packaging medium is larger than the size of the recording medium input by the recording medium size receiving means, the search unit extracts from the database the connection pattern that has a size equal to or larger than the size of the packaging medium and is the smallest size;
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image generating means generates a plurality of divided images by dividing the first image into a plurality of parts based on the extracted connection pattern , and generates a plurality of second images by combining the margins as the overlap with the plurality of divided images based on the connection pattern . The image generating means generates, in response to the received input, an image including an initial position indicating a position where the packaging object is to be placed on the packaging medium when it is packaged, a folding line indicating a folding when the packaging object is packaged, a cutting line indicating a position where an excess portion of the packaging medium is to be cut, and numbers and characters indicating symbols indicating individual positions of the plurality of second images in the first image.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. In the image forming unit, in printing the first image and the plurality of second images generated by the image generating means, at least one of an overlap line, an initial position, a folding line, a cutting line, a number, and a character indicating an orientation can be printed using a recording material whose color disappears when heated.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 .

Images