JP4069708B2 - Print data generation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating print data for printing electronic data on a surface of a recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a technique for printing on the surface of a recording medium for electronic data has been used. For example, a technique for printing on the surface of a CD (Compact Disk) is used. In this case, the print data generation device generates print data corresponding to the shape of the printable area on the CD disk.
[0003]
The printable area is usually an annular area. This is because there is a rotary shaft insertion hole inside the printable area, and the outer periphery is limited to the radius of the disk. The annular printable area is specified by the user inputting an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The image that the user desires to print is cut out and printed according to the printable area specified by the inner diameter and the outer diameter.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in recent years, the shape of the printable area on the CD has been varied in order to improve the design and functionality. Various shapes such as a business card shape, a star shape, and a heart shape are being used for the shape of the CD itself. In these cases, the printable area desired by the user is complicated, and printing cannot be performed easily.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a technique for easily printing electronic data in a printable area having various shapes on the surface of a recording medium.
[0006]
[Means for solving the problems and their functions and effects]
In order to solve at least a part of the above problems, the following configuration is applied in the present invention.
The print data generation apparatus of the present invention includes:
A print data generation device that generates print data for printing on the surface of a recording medium of electronic data,
An image input unit for inputting image data representing an image to be printed;
A printable area input unit for inputting specific data for specifying a printable area allowed to be printed on the recording medium;
A print data generation unit that generates the print data from the image data so as to print the image within the printable area;
The gist of the printable area is a plurality of separated element areas.
[0007]
By doing in this way, the printing with respect to various printable area | regions is easily realizable.
[0008]
Note that various media such as a CD, an MD (Mini Disk; registered trademark), a DVD (Disital Video Disk), a memory card, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, and an IC card can be applied as a recording medium for electronic data. it can. The print data may be data in a format that can be directly handled by the printing apparatus, or data in a format that cannot be handled directly by the printing apparatus. The print data may be in a page description language such as PDF (Portable Document Format) or PostScript format, or may be an image file in GIF (Graphic Interchange Format) format or JPEG (Joint Photographic Group) format. May be. Further, specific data may be created by a user, may be created by a CD producer, or may be created by a manufacturer of a print data generation apparatus. May be.
[0009]
In the print data generation apparatus of the present invention,
The specific data may include element region data for individually specifying the plurality of element regions.
[0010]
In this way, specific data for specifying a desired printable area can be easily configured.
[0011]
In the print data generation apparatus of the present invention,
The specific data is
Outermost region specifying data for specifying an outermost region including the plurality of element regions; and
Non-printing area specifying data for specifying a non-printing area that is not included in the printable area within the outermost area may be included.
[0012]
In this way, specific data for specifying a desired printable area can be easily configured.
[0013]
Note that the method for specifying the printable area is not limited to the above two methods. For example, some element regions may be specified individually, and the remaining element regions may be specified using non-printable regions.
[0014]
In the print data generation apparatus of the present invention,
The plurality of element regions may be annular regions that do not overlap each other.
[0015]
As the annular region, an annular region, a polygonal annular, or other various shapes can be applied.
[0016]
In the print data generation apparatus of the present invention,
Each annular region is an annular region;
Each of the annular regions may be specified by the inner and outer diameters of concentric circles.
[0017]
In the print data generation apparatus of the present invention,
An inspection unit for inspecting whether or not there is an overlap between the element regions may be provided.
[0018]
By doing so, it is possible to avoid problems with the print data generation device such as generation of illegal print data.
[0019]
In addition, after detecting duplication, various measures can be taken. For example, warnings with overlapping element areas may be displayed. Further, the shape of any one of the element regions may be changed so as to avoid duplication.
[0020]
In the print data generation apparatus of the present invention,
The print data generation unit
The print data may be generated by extracting a portion overlapping with each element region from the image arranged over the plurality of element regions.
[0021]
In this way, a desired image can be printed in a printable area without distortion.
[0022]
In the print data generation apparatus of the present invention,
The print data generation unit
A dividing unit that divides an image arranged over the plurality of element regions into the number of the element regions;
An image matching unit that deforms each divided image and matches each element region may be provided.
[0023]
By doing so, the original image can be printed without omission. Therefore, for example, when a character is included in the original image, even if the character is arranged in a portion other than the element region, the character can be printed in any element region. The division is desirably performed so that the divided images are continuous.
[0024]
Note that a part of the original image may be excluded from the print target in the element area. However, it is desirable that the important part in the original input image is not excluded from the print target. For example, the central portion of the original image may be configured not to remove the print target.
[0025]
There are various cases in which the image conforming unit deforms the image to conform to the element region. For example, the image matching unit may enlarge or reduce the image, or may cut off the outer peripheral part or the like.
[0026]
The second print data generation apparatus of the present invention is
A print data generation device that generates print data for printing on the surface of a recording medium of electronic data,
An image input unit for inputting image data representing an image to be printed;
A printable area input unit for inputting specific data for specifying a printable area allowed to be printed on the recording medium;
In the printable area, a non-print area input unit for inputting data for specifying a non-print area where printing should be prohibited;
The gist of the present invention is to include a print data generation unit that generates the print data from the image data so as to print the image in an area excluding the non-print area in the printable area.
[0027]
In this way, it is possible to realize printing for various printable areas. The non-printing area may be an annular area or other annular area. According to the second print data generation device, the printable area does not need to be separated into a plurality of element areas. For example, a non-printable area may be defined with a hole in a single printable area.
[0028]
The present invention can be configured in various modes such as a print data generation method in addition to a mode as a print data generation device. Moreover, you may comprise them as the computer program itself which implement | achieves them with a computer, or the signal which can be equated with this. Furthermore, you may comprise as a recording medium which recorded these computer programs.
[0029]
Here, the storage medium may be a flexible disk, CD-ROM, magneto-optical disk, IC card, ROM cartridge, punch card, printed matter on which a code such as a bar code is printed, an internal storage device of a computer (memory such as RAM or ROM). ) And various types of computer-readable media such as external storage devices.
[0030]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. First embodiment; print data generation system:
B. Second embodiment: Image division:
C. Variation:
[0031]
A. First embodiment; print data generation system:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration of the printing system 100s. The printing system 100s includes a personal computer 100 and a printing apparatus 110. The printing apparatus 110 receives print data from the personal computer 100 and prints on the CD surface. The personal computer 100 processes the input image and generates print data for printing in a predetermined printable area on the CD. In this embodiment, the description will be made on the assumption that printing is performed on the surface of a CD. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. Various cases are included in the case of printing electronic data on the surface of a recording medium.
[0032]
FIG. 1 also shows the functional block configuration of the personal computer 100. The personal computer 100 includes a print data generation program, and the illustrated functional blocks are configured as software as functions realized by the print data generation program. However, each functional block may be configured in hardware.
[0033]
The image input unit 101 inputs image data of an input image to be printed. Input may be performed from a recording medium such as a flexible disk, or may be performed via a network (not shown).
[0034]
The area input unit 102 inputs element area data. The element area data is data for specifying a certain element area on the CD surface. A plurality of element area data are combined to specify one printable area. The personal computer 100 generates print data for printing on the printable area specified by the element area data group.
[0035]
The setting storage unit 103 stores basic print area data indicating the basic print area. This is an annular region identified by the inner and outer diameters on the CD surface. The user can use the basic print area as a default printable area.
[0036]
The inspection unit 104 inspects whether there is any contradiction among the plurality of element region data input by the region input unit 102. Specifically, it is checked whether or not there is an overlap between the element areas specified by each element area data. Various inspections performed by the inspection unit 104 can be used. For example, it may be verified that the printable area specified by the element area data group is included in the basic print area.
[0037]
The processing unit 105 processes the input image input by the image input unit 101 according to the element region data input by the region input unit 102. Specifically, the input image is cut out in the shape of the printable area specified by the element area data group. Thereby, a print image to be actually printed is specified. The print image is an image corresponding to the shape of the designated printable area.
[0038]
The print data generation unit 106 corresponds to a function as a printer driver. The print data generation unit 106 generates print data based on a print image specified by the processing unit 105 and sends the print data to the printing apparatus 110 to perform actual printing.
[0039]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the element region data. FIG. 2 shows a case where the annular element regions 1 and 2 are respectively designated by the element region data 1 and 2 input by the region input unit 102.
[0040]
The element area data 1 and 2 are each composed of a set of an inner diameter and an outer diameter from the center 200c of the CD disk. In FIG. 2, the element areas 1 and 2 designated by the element area data 1 and 2 are shown by hatching. The printable area specified by the processing unit 105 is a double annular area composed of the entire element areas 1 and 2.
[0041]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing print data generation processing. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an input image. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a printable area. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a print image. Hereinafter, the print data generation process illustrated in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0042]
In step Sa1, the image input unit 101 inputs image data. FIG. 4 shows a rectangular input image 250 with coordinates.
[0043]
In step Sa2, the region input unit 102 inputs a plurality of element region data. FIG. 5 shows a printable area 260 (illustrated by hatching) composed of the entire element areas 1 and 2.
[0044]
In step Sa3, the inspection unit 104 inspects the element region data group. In step Sa4, the inspection result is confirmed. If there is an overlap between the element regions, the process returns to step Sa2 to re-input the element region data, and if there is no overlap, the processing from step Sa5 is performed.
[0045]
In step Sa5, the processing unit 105 processes the image. First, the processing unit 105 cuts out an input image for each designated element region. FIG. 6 shows element images 271 and 272 cut out from the input image 250 in accordance with the element regions 1 and 2 of FIG. The processing unit 105 identifies the print image 270 configured from the element images 271 and 272.
[0046]
In step Sa6, the print data generation unit 106 generates print data for printing the print image specified by the processing unit 105. The generated print data is sent to the printing apparatus 110 and actual printing is performed.
[0047]
According to the printing system described above, printing on various printable areas can be easily realized.
[0048]
In FIG. 2, recording of values of the inner diameter of the element area data 1 and the outer diameter of the element area data 2 may be omitted, and the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the basic printing area may be used.
[0049]
B. Second embodiment: Image division:
Next, as a modification of the first embodiment, a case where image division is performed in the processing process of step Sa5 in FIG. 3 will be described.
[0050]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing for performing image division. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing element regions. This is the same as FIG. 5 in the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an extraction region. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing image fitting. Hereinafter, the processing of FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0051]
In step Sb1, preparation of a dividing line and an extraction region is performed based on the element region data input in step Sa2 of FIG. FIG. 9 shows the dividing line 300 and the extraction areas 1 and 2 prepared according to the element areas 1 and 2 shown in FIG.
[0052]
In step Sb2, the extracted image is divided and extracted from the image data for each extraction region. In this embodiment, the extracted image is divided and extracted according to the extraction areas 1 and 2 that are continuous across the dividing line 300, and the cutout is performed according to the separated element areas 1 and 2 (see FIG. 5). This is different from the case of the first embodiment. In other words, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that an image is extracted from a region 350 that is not included in any of the element regions 1 and 2.
[0053]
In step Sb3, a process of generating an element image by applying the extracted image extracted according to the extraction areas 1 and 2 to the element areas 1 and 2 is performed. In FIG. 10, the same hatching as that of the extraction areas 1 and 2 in FIG. The image extracted from the extraction region 1 is applied to the element region 1 as it is, but the image extracted from the extraction region 2 is applied to the element region 2 after being subjected to correction such as enlargement.
[0054]
Next, specific examples of the processing shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 to 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIGS. 11 to 13, a part on the CD surface is shown.
[0055]
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an input image 400 including the characters “Tokyo”. The character “K” is completely included in the element area 1. The character “east” includes a part included in the element area 2 and a part not included in any of the element areas 1 and 2.
[0056]
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the extracted images 1 and 2 extracted according to the extraction regions 1 and 2 shown in FIG. In accordance with the extraction regions 1 and 2, the extracted images 1 and 2 are divided and extracted across the dividing line 300. The extracted images 1 and 2 are in contact with the dividing line 300, and the contents of the images are continuous. In the case of FIG. 12, the extracted image 1 completely includes the characters “K”, and the extracted image 2 completely includes the characters “East”. This is because the area between the characters “East” and “Kyo” is included in either of the extraction areas 1 and 2.
[0057]
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the element images 1 and 2 when the extracted images 1 and 2 shown in FIG.
[0058]
According to the printing system described above, it is possible to print an image of a portion sandwiched between two separated element regions. By printing all the characters “Tokyo” in the input image, it is possible to prevent information from being lost.
[0059]
In the present embodiment, the case where there is a deletion area 360 that is included in the element area 2 and is not included in any extraction area has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this case. The deletion area 360 may be included in the extraction area 2. In the present embodiment, the extraction area 1 is the same area as the element area 1, but the present invention is not limited to this case. The extraction area 2 may be the same area as the element area 2, or the corresponding element area and the extraction area may all be different.
[0060]
C. Variation:
Hereinafter, various modified examples will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of non-printing area data. FIG. 14 shows a case where a printable area is specified using non-print area data. The basic print area data is stored in advance in the setting storage unit 103. The area input unit 102 inputs non-print area data. Each data includes a set of inner and outer diameters on a CD disk-shaped concentric circle, and specifies an annular region. The basic print area data specifies the basic print area 370, and the non-print area data specifies the non-print area 371. The processing unit 105 identifies a double annular area obtained by removing the non-printing area 371 from the basic printing area 370 as a printable area.
[0061]
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a rectangular non-printing area. The non-printing area data in FIG. 15 specifies a rectangular non-printing area from the coordinates of the upper left corner of the rectangle and the horizontal and vertical side lengths of the rectangle.
[0062]
The shape of the non-printing area is not limited to the case shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, and various shapes can be used. The non-printing region may have an annular shape or a non-annular shape. 14 and 15 illustrate the case where only one non-printing area is used, but a plurality of separated non-printing areas may be used. 14 and 15 show the case where the basic print area data is used, the present invention is not limited to this case. Further, the printable area may be specified by using the element area data and the non-print area data together.
[0063]
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an annular element region. In FIG. 16, element region 1 has a triangular inner periphery 500 and a rectangular outer periphery 501, and element region 2 is an annular element region having a pentagonal inner periphery 510 and a rectangular outer periphery 511. Note that the printable area in FIG. 16 may be specified using an annular non-printing area.
[0064]
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a non-annular element region. In FIG. 17, a printable area constituted by the separated element areas 1 and 2 is specified. Element region 1 and element region 2 are non-annular regions. Note that the printable area in FIG. 17 can be specified by the non-printing area.
[0065]
The printing system according to the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. However, the above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a system configuration of a printing system 100s.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of element region data.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating print data generation processing.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an input image.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a printable area.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a print image.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing process for dividing an image.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an element region.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an extraction region.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing image fitting.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an input image including characters “Tokyo”.
12 is an explanatory diagram showing extracted images 1 and 2 extracted in accordance with the extraction areas 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 9;
13 is an explanatory diagram showing element images 1 and 2 when the extracted images 1 and 2 shown in FIG.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a data configuration of non-printing area data.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a data configuration of non-printing area data for specifying a rectangular non-printing area.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an annular element region.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing element regions that are not circular.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Personal computer 110 ... Printing apparatus 101 ... Image input part 102 ... Area input part 103 ... Setting storage part 104 ... Inspection part 105 ... Processing part 106 ... Print data generation part 100 ... Center of CD disk 250 ... Input image 260 ... Printing Possible area 270 ... Print image 271, 272 ... Element image 300 ... Dividing line 350 ... Area 400 not included in any of element areas 1 and 2 ... Input image 360 ... Delete area 370 ... Basic print area 371 ... Non-print area 500, 510 ... Inner circumference 501, 511 ... Outer circumference

Claims (10)

A print data generation device that generates print data for printing on the surface of a recording medium of electronic data,
An image input unit for inputting image data representing an image to be printed;
A printable area input unit configured to input specific data for specifying a printable area that is composed of a plurality of separated element areas and is allowed to print on the recording medium;
The printable area, so as to print the image, a print data generating unit that generates the print data from the image data,
A division unit configured to divide an image arranged over the plurality of element regions in accordance with the number of the element regions to generate a plurality of divided images, and the image is arranged within each element region of the plurality of divided images; First, a divided image extending from one element region and an intermediate region formed between other element regions adjacent to the one element region is specified as a specific divided image, and the specific divided image is included in the corresponding element region A dividing unit for setting the extraction region ,
The divided image and the specific divided image are extracted in accordance with the set extraction area, the specific divided image is reduced and adapted to the corresponding element area, and each divided image other than the specific divided image is converted to each element. A print data generation unit including an image adaptation unit adapted to an area ;
Print data generation device. The print data generation device according to claim 1,
The print data generation apparatus includes the specific data including element region data for individually specifying the plurality of element regions. The print data generation device according to claim 1,
The specific data is
Outermost region specifying data for specifying an outermost region including the plurality of element regions; and
Print data generating apparatus including a non-print area specifying data for specifying a non-print area not included in the printable area inside the outermost region. The print data generation device according to claim 1,
The print data generation device, wherein the plurality of element regions are annular regions that do not overlap each other. The print data generation device according to claim 4,
Each annular region is an annular region;
The area of each annular shape, the print data generating device specified by the inner and outer diameters of the concentric circles. The print data generation device according to claim 1,
A print data generation apparatus including an inspection unit that inspects whether or not there is an overlap between the element regions. The print data generation device according to claim 1,
The print data generation unit
A print data generation device that generates the print data by extracting a portion that overlaps each element region from the image arranged over the plurality of element regions. A print data generation method for generating print data for printing on the surface of a recording medium of electronic data,
Inputting image data representing an image to be printed;
A step of inputting specific data for specifying a printable area that is composed of a plurality of separated element areas and is allowed to be printed on the recording medium;
In the printable area, so as to print the image, and generating the print data from the image data,
Dividing the image arranged over the plurality of element regions according to the number of the element regions to generate a plurality of divided images;
Among the plurality of divided images, the not fit in each element region, as a specific divided image divided images across the intermediate region formed between the other elements area adjacent to the one element region as one of element regions Identifying process;
Setting an extraction region so that the specific divided image is included in a corresponding element region ;
Extracting the divided image and the specific divided image according to the set extraction region;
Reducing the specific divided image to fit the corresponding element region, and adapting each divided image other than the specific divided image to each element region;
A print data generation method comprising: A computer program for causing a computer to generate print data for printing on the surface of a recording medium of electronic data,
A function for inputting image data representing an image to be printed;
It is composed of a plurality of element regions separated, a printable area in which printing is permitted to the recording medium, and a function of inputting specifying data for specifying a printable area composed of a plurality of element regions separated ,
In the printable area, so as to print the image, a function of generating the print data from the image data,
A function of dividing an image arranged over the plurality of element regions according to the number of the element regions to generate a plurality of divided images;
Of the plurality of divided images, a divided image that does not fit in each element region and spans one element region and an intermediate region formed between other element regions adjacent to the one element region is defined as a specific divided image. The function to identify,
A function of setting an extraction region so that the specific divided image is included in a corresponding element region ;
A function of extracting the divided image and the specific divided image according to the set extraction region;
A function of reducing the specific divided image to match the corresponding element region, and adapting the divided images other than the specific divided image to the element regions;
A computer program for causing the computer to realize the above. Computer readable recording medium recording a computer program according to claim 9.

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