JP7533151B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming method and program - Google Patents

Description

This application relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program.

Conventionally, there is known an image forming device that forms an image including a second pattern, such as a frame, character, logo, or pattern, on a recording medium, such as a bank transfer slip, on which a first pattern, such as a frame, character, logo, or pattern, is formed in advance, based on print data including a second pattern, such as character.

A configuration has also been disclosed in which the position is corrected based on the detection results of a reference mark formed in advance on the recording medium, and an image is formed on the recording medium on which a first pattern has been formed in advance (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, if the first pattern formed on the recording medium or the second pattern included in the print data is misaligned from a predetermined position, accurate correction is not possible, and the first pattern and the second pattern may overlap on the recording medium.

The objective of the present invention is to prevent the first pattern and the second pattern from overlapping on the recording medium even if the first pattern formed on the recording medium or the second pattern included in the print data is misaligned from a predetermined position.

An image forming device according to one aspect of the present invention is an image forming device that forms an image including a second pattern on a recording medium on which a first pattern is formed, based on print data including the second pattern, and has a reading unit that reads the first pattern on the recording medium, and a correction unit that corrects the position within the print data of an overlapping pattern of the second pattern that overlaps with the first pattern included in the read data by the reading unit, wherein the reading unit is provided between a supply unit that supplies the recording medium and an image forming position where the image is formed on the recording medium, and reads the first pattern formed on the recording medium as it is transported .

According to the present invention, even if the first pattern formed on the recording medium or the second pattern included in the print data is shifted from a predetermined position, it is possible to prevent the first pattern and the second pattern from overlapping on the recording medium.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration example of a DFE according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram of an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 4 is a block diagram of an example of a functional configuration of a control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a sheet of paper on which a first pattern is formed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of print data including a second pattern. 5A is a diagram showing an example of pattern data included in read data being extracted, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of pattern data being combined with print data. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing overlapping patterns, in which FIG. 1A is a diagram of a first example, and FIG. 1B is a diagram of a second example. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of correction based on the amount of overlap, where FIG. 10A shows the amount of overlap, and FIG. 10B shows the amount of correction. 1A to 1D are diagrams showing examples of position correction of a date character pattern, where (a) is a diagram of a first example before correction, (b) is a diagram of (a) after correction, (c) is a diagram of a second example before correction, and (d) is a diagram of (c) after correction. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing an example of position correction of a price character pattern, in which (a) is a diagram before correction, and (b) is a diagram after correction of (a). 6 is a flowchart of an example of processing by a control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an example of a functional configuration of a control unit according to a second embodiment.

Below, a description of an embodiment of the invention will be given with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

The embodiments shown below are illustrative of an image forming apparatus for embodying the technical concept of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the embodiments shown below. Unless otherwise specified, the shapes of the components described below, their relative positions, parameter values, etc. are intended to be illustrative and not to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the sizes and positional relationships of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation.

The image forming device according to the embodiment is an image forming device that forms an image including a second pattern on a recording medium on which a first pattern has been formed, based on print data including a second pattern. The recording medium is paper, such as a bank transfer slip, on which a standard format for entering specific information has been preprinted. The first pattern is a standard format that includes characters and a frame shape and is printed on paper such as a bank transfer slip. The second pattern is print data such as characters such as date, amount, name, address, check marks, symbols, etc., which are image-formed and printed on the frame shape in the standard format of the bank transfer slip, etc., to be entered within the frame shape.

The date, amount, check mark, etc., formed on the transfer slip paper may be automatically recognized using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) or the like, for example, so that the person who submits the paper can convert the written date, amount, check mark, etc. into electronic data to automate processing. However, if the text overlaps the frame shape of the amount entry column, or the check mark overlaps the frame shape of the check column, it may not be recognized correctly.

In this embodiment, a first pattern on a recording medium is read, and the position of a second pattern included in the print data that overlaps with the first pattern included in the read data is corrected within the print data. This eliminates overlap between the first and second patterns, preventing recognition errors by OCR, etc.

In the following, an embodiment will be described by taking an image forming system equipped with an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment as an example. This image forming system forms images such as characters such as dates and amounts, check marks, etc. on paper such as invoice paper or transfer slip paper as an example of a recording medium. However, the recording medium is not limited to paper, and may be coated paper, cardboard, OHP (Overhead Projector) sheet, plastic film, prepreg, copper foil, etc., as long as it is a medium on which an image can be formed (recorded).

In the following, a standard format including characters and frame shapes is referred to as a first pattern, and a pattern of characters such as dates and amounts, check marks, etc., to be printed as if they were entered into the standard format, is referred to as a second pattern. Note that the terms printing, image formation, and printing in the embodiments are all synonymous.

<Example of Overall Configuration of Image Forming System 100>
First, an example of the configuration of an image forming system 100 including an image forming apparatus 103 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the image forming system 100. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming system 100 includes a client PC (Personal Computer) 101, a DFE (Digital Front End) 102, an image forming apparatus 103, and a management server 104. These are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via the Internet or the like.

The client PC 101 creates a print job that the user wants to print and transmits the print job to the DFE 102 or the management server 104. It is equipped with a display unit that is an LCD display, and input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard.

The DFE 102 receives a print job from the client PC 101 or the management server 104, creates drawing data using a RIP (Raster Image Processor) engine based on the received print job, and transmits the drawing data to the image forming device 103.

The image forming device 103 forms an image on a recording medium based on the drawing data received from the DFE 102.

The management server 104 manages print jobs received from the client PC 101. It also transmits print jobs to the DFE 102 upon request from the DFE 102.

The image forming system 100 may also be communicatively connected to multiple image forming devices and multiple client PCs.

<Hardware configuration example of DFE 102>
Next, the hardware configuration of the DFE 102 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the DFE 102.

As shown in FIG. 2, the DFE 102 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a HDD (Hard Disk)/SSD (Solid State Drive) 204, and an I/F (Interface) 205.

Of these, the CPU 201 uses the RAM 203 as a working area and executes programs stored in the ROM 202 to control the operation of the entire DFE 102.

The HDD/SSD 204 is used as a storage unit and stores preset setting values. The information stored in the HDD/SSD 204 may be read by the CPU 201 and used when executing a program.

I/F 205 is an interface that enables communication between DFE 102, client PC 101, image forming device 103, and management server 104.

<Example of Hardware Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 103>
Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 103 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 103.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming device 103 has a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a HDD/SSD 304, an I/F 305, an image forming unit 306, and a reading unit 307.

Of these, the CPU 301 uses the RAM 303 as a working area and executes the programs stored in the ROM 302 to control the overall operation of the image forming device 103.

HDD/SSD304 is used as a storage unit and stores preset setting values. Information stored in HDD/SSD304 may be read by CPU301 and used when executing a program.

I/F 305 is an interface that enables communication between the image forming device 103, the DEF 102, the client PC 101, and the management server 104.

The image forming unit 306 is a print engine that forms an image on paper. The reading unit 307 is a reading device that reads the image formed on the paper.

<Configuration Example of Image Forming Apparatus 103>
Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 103 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 103. As shown in Fig. 4, the image forming apparatus 103 has tandem electrophotographic photoconductor drums 403K, 403C, 403M, and 403Y, an intermediate transfer belt 402, a secondary transfer roller 404, a paper feed unit 400, a pair of conveying rollers 401, a fixing roller 405, an in-line sensor 406, a reversing path 407, and a conveying path 408. The image forming apparatus 103 also has a control unit 200.

The image forming unit 306 in FIG. 3 includes photoconductor drums 403K, 403C, 403M, and 403Y, an intermediate transfer belt 402, a secondary transfer roller 404, and a fixing roller 405. The reading unit 307 in FIG. 3 also includes an in-line sensor 406.

Image forming device 103 is a so-called tandem type image forming device having a configuration in which photoconductor drums 403Y, 403M, 403C, and 403K (hereinafter collectively referred to as photoconductor drums 403) of each color are arranged along intermediate transfer belt 402, which is an endless moving means. Photoconductor drums 403Y, 403M, 403C, and 403K are arranged in order from the upstream side of the transport direction of intermediate transfer belt 402 along intermediate transfer belt 402, on which an intermediate transfer image is formed to be transferred to paper fed from paper feed section 400 and transported by transport roller pair 401.

The image forming device 103 forms a full-color image by transferring the images of each color developed with toner on the surface of the photoconductor drums 403 of each color in a superimposed manner onto the intermediate transfer belt 402.

At the secondary transfer position 409, which is closest to the paper transport path 408 shown by the dashed line in the figure, the image forming device 103 transfers the full-color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 402 onto the surface of the paper that has been transported along the transport path 408 by using the function of the secondary transfer roller 404.

The image forming device 103 further transports the paper on which the image has been formed, and fixes the image (image formation) using the fixing roller 405. The fixing roller 405 heats and presses the paper onto which the full-color toner image has been transferred, thereby fixing the full-color toner image to the paper. The fixing roller 405 can generate heat using a built-in heater such as a halogen heater to heat the paper.

When performing double-sided printing, the image forming device 103 forms an image on the front side, then transports the paper to the reversal path 407 in the transport path 408, inverts the paper, and transports it again to the position of the secondary transfer roller 404.

The paper feed unit 400 is an example of a feed unit that supplies recording media, and stores multiple sheets of paper stacked on top of each other. The paper feed unit 400 picks up the stacked sheets of paper, starting from the top, with a pickup roller, and supplies them to the pair of conveying rollers 401 using a pair of feed rollers.

The image forming apparatus 103 also has an in-line sensor 406 between the paper feed unit 400 and a secondary transfer position 409. The secondary transfer position 409 is an example of an image forming position where an image is formed on a recording medium.

The in-line sensor 406 is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) line sensor in which pixels are arranged in a one-dimensional array, and the pixels output electrical signals according to the intensity of the received light. The direction in which the pixels are arranged intersects with the paper transport direction. The in-line sensor 406 also includes a pixel array that receives red light (R), a pixel array that receives green light (G), and a pixel array that receives blue light (B).

The in-line sensor 406 uses the pixel array for each color to output an electrical signal according to the light intensity of the reflected light from the image formed on the paper. More specifically, the in-line sensor 406 reads the image of the first pattern contained on the paper before the toner image is transferred at the secondary transfer position 409, and outputs the read data to the control unit 200.

The in-line sensors 406 may each include a light source that irradiates light onto the paper. By irradiating the paper with light from the light source, it is possible to ensure sufficient brightness for reading by the in-line sensors 406. In addition, the in-line sensors 406 may be configured with a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) or a PD (Photo Diode) array, etc., instead of a CCD.

<Example of functional configuration of control unit 200>
Next, the functional configuration of the control unit 200 included in the image forming apparatus 103 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 200. As shown in Fig. 5, the control unit 200 has a print data input unit 211, a read data input unit 212, an extraction unit 213, a synthesis unit 214, an identification unit 215, a correction unit 216, and an output unit 217.

These functions are realized by the CPU 301 in FIG. 3 executing a predetermined program, etc. Note that while FIG. 5 shows only the main components, the control unit 200 may also include other components.

The control unit 200 inputs print data from the DFE 102 via the print data input unit 211, and also inputs read data from the reading unit 307 via the read data input unit 212. The extraction unit 213 extracts pattern data of the first pattern from the read data. The synthesis unit 214 synthesizes the print data and the pattern data.

The identification unit 215 identifies the positions of overlapping patterns, among the second patterns included in the print data, that overlap the first pattern included in the read data, from the synthesis result by the synthesis unit 214. When the first pattern and the second pattern overlap in multiple places and multiple overlapping patterns exist, the identification unit 215 identifies the positions of all the overlapping patterns.

The correction unit 216 detects the amount of overlap of the overlapping pattern with the first pattern. The correction unit 216 moves the overlapping pattern according to the detected amount of overlap, and corrects the position of the overlapping pattern so that it does not overlap with the first pattern. If there are multiple overlapping patterns, the correction unit 216 detects the amount of overlap of all overlapping patterns, and corrects the positions of all overlapping patterns. Note that various types of image processing can be applied to the processing by the identification unit 215 and the correction unit 216.

The control unit 200 outputs the print data after correcting the position of the overlapping pattern to the outside of the control unit 200 via the output unit 217. The image forming device 103 can form an image of the second pattern on paper based on the corrected print data.

<Example of paper on which first pattern is formed>
6 is a diagram showing an example of a paper on which a first pattern is formed. As shown in Fig. 6, paper P includes a first pattern 500, which is a standard format for an "invoice/delivery note." The first pattern 500 also includes a date entry field 501 and an amount entry field 502.

The image forming device 103 can form a text image indicating the date in the date entry field 501 on the paper P, and can form a text image indicating the amount to be charged on the invoice in the amount entry field 502 on the paper P.

<Example of print data including second pattern>
Next, Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of print data including a second pattern. As shown in Fig. 7, print data D includes a second pattern 600 which is a date and an amount of money in numbers. The second pattern 600 is for filling in the first pattern 500 which is the standard format of the "delivery note/invoice" shown in Fig. 6. The second pattern 600 also includes a date character pattern 601 to be filled in the date entry field 501, and an amount character pattern 602 to be filled in the amount entry field 502.

The second pattern 600 is designed to be imaged on paper P, and the positions of numbers and other elements are adjusted to match the positions of each entry field in the first pattern 500. A user of the image forming system 100 can operate a computer or the like to create such print data D and adjust the positions of numbers and other elements in the second pattern 600. However, the second pattern 600 may be created and adjusted by someone other than the user of the image forming system 100, or may be automatically created and adjusted by a computer or the like.

Based on the print data D, the image forming device 103 can form an image of date characters in the date entry field 501 of the paper P, and form an image of amount characters indicating the amount to be charged on the invoice in the amount entry field 502 of the paper P.

<Example of combining pattern data and print data>
8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining the merging of pattern data and print data, in which (a) is a diagram showing an example of pattern data extracted from read data, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of merging of pattern data and print data.

Figure 8 (a) shows pattern data Pd extracted by the extraction unit 213 from the read data (read image) of paper P read by the reading unit 307 (see Figure 3), which is only the data corresponding to the first pattern 500, which is a standard format. The extraction unit 213 can extract the pattern data Pd, for example, by binarizing the read data. Note that the pattern data Pd is for detecting the overlap between the first pattern 500 and the second pattern 600, and the purpose can be achieved even if the characters included in the first pattern 500 are simplified. For this reason, in this embodiment, the characters in the pattern data Pd are displayed as square patterns of the same size as the characters.

Figure 8 (b) shows the result of the pattern data Pd and the print data D of Figure 7 being superimposed and synthesized by the synthesis unit 214. If the second pattern 600 is placed in the correct predetermined position in the print data D and is formed in the correct predetermined position of the first pattern 500 on the paper P, then as shown in Figure 8 (b), the character patterns of the second pattern 600 will be placed in each entry field of the first pattern 500 contained in the pattern data Pd, and the first pattern 500 and the second pattern 600 will not overlap.

However, if there is an error in creating the print data D, the second pattern 600 may be positioned in a position that is shifted from the specified position in the print data D. Furthermore, if the formation position is shifted when forming an image of the first pattern 500 on the paper P, the first pattern 500 may not be formed in the specified position on the paper P.

Furthermore, when the same print data D is image-formed on multiple sheets of the same type of paper P, due to misalignment of the image formation by the image forming device 103, variations in the placement position of the paper P in the paper feed section 400, etc., the image formation position for each sheet of paper P may vary within a range of 0 to ±2 mm, and the first pattern 500 on the paper P may be misaligned from the specified position. In addition, due to misalignment of the cutting position of the paper P, etc., the first pattern 500 on the paper P may also be misaligned from the specified position.

If the first pattern 500 or the second pattern 600 is shifted from the specified position, a duplicate pattern may occur in the second pattern 600 that overlaps with the first pattern 500 included in the pattern data Pd.

<Example of duplication pattern>
9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating examples of overlapping patterns, with (a) being a diagram of a first example and (b) being a diagram of a second example. FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of the date entry column 501 on the sheet P.

In FIG. 9, square pattern 510 is the portion on paper P where the character "year" will be placed, square pattern 511 is the portion on paper P where the character "month" will be placed, and square pattern 512 is the portion on paper P where the character "day" will be placed. In FIG. 9, the characters "year," "month," and "day" are all displayed replaced with square patterns.

The date character pattern 610 showing "2011" corresponds to the square pattern 510 showing the year, and the date character pattern 611 showing "5" corresponds to the square pattern 511 showing the month. The date character pattern 612 showing "8" corresponds to the square pattern 512 showing the day.

In the example of FIG. 9(a), the date character pattern 611 overlaps with the square pattern 511, and the date character pattern 611 corresponds to an overlapping pattern. In this state, when an image is formed on paper P based on the print data D, the "5" corresponding to the date character pattern 611 and the "month" corresponding to the square pattern 511 overlap, and the "5" may not be recognized by OCR or the like.

In the example of FIG. 9(b), on the other hand, the date character pattern 610 overlaps with the square pattern 510, and the date character pattern 610 corresponds to an overlapping pattern. In this state, if an image is formed on paper P based on the print data D, "2011" corresponding to the date character pattern 610 and the "year" corresponding to the square pattern 511 overlap, and "2011" may not be recognized by OCR or the like.

<Example of overlap amount and correction amount>
10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining an example of correction based on the amount of overlap, where (a) is a diagram showing the amount of overlap, and (b) is a diagram showing the amount of correction. Figures 10A and 10B are enlarged views of the portion of Figure 9A where the date character pattern 611 overlaps with the square pattern 511.

The correction unit 216 calculates the direction in which the date character pattern 611 and the square pattern 511 overlap from the center 700 of the date character pattern 611 (FIG. 10(a)). By rotating the calculated direction 180 degrees, the correction unit 216 can obtain the correction direction v, which is the direction in which the date character pattern 611 is moved within the print data D for correction (FIG. 10(b)).

The correction unit 216 also detects the amount of overlap s between the date character pattern 611 and the square pattern 511 by calculating the distance between an end 701 of the date character pattern 611 and an end 702 of the square pattern 511 (FIG. 10(a)). By adding the amount of white space to the amount of overlap s, the correction unit 216 can obtain the amount of correction c, which is the amount by which the date character pattern 611 is moved within the print data D for correction (FIG. 10(b)). Note that the amount of white space means the distance that is not determined to be overlapping when recognized by an OCR or the like. This amount of white space can be set appropriately depending on the recognition performance of the OCR or the like.

<Example of position correction for overlapping patterns>
Next, the position correction of the overlapping pattern by the correction unit 216 will be described. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the position correction of the date character pattern, where (a) is a diagram showing a first example before correction, and (b) is a diagram showing the corrected version of (a). Fig. 11(c) is a diagram showing a second example before correction, and Fig. 11(d) is a diagram showing the corrected version of Fig. 11(c). Figs. 11(a) and (c) are shown to facilitate comparison with the corrected version, and Fig. 11(a) is the same as Fig. 9(a), and Fig. 11(c) is the same as Fig. 9(b).

By correcting the position of the date character pattern 611, the date character pattern 621 does not overlap the square pattern 511 in FIG. 11(b). Also, by correcting the position of not only the overlapping characters of the date character pattern 610 but also the date character pattern 610 consisting of overlapping patterns as a whole, the date character pattern 620 does not overlap the square pattern 510 in FIG. 11(d).

In this way, the correction unit 216 can correct the position in units of overlapping patterns only, such as the date character pattern 611 in FIG. 11(a), and correct the position of the overlapping pattern in the print data D. The correction unit 216 can also correct the position in units of multiple patterns including overlapping patterns, such as the date character pattern 610 in FIG. 11(c), and correct the position of the overlapping pattern in the print data D.

In addition to performing corrections in units of overlapping patterns only, in units of multiple patterns including overlapping patterns, and in units of pattern rows, the correction unit 216 can also perform corrections in units of pattern strings consisting of multiple patterns including overlapping patterns, and can also perform corrections in units of the entire print data.

Next, FIG. 12 shows an example of position correction of the amount character pattern. FIG. 12(a) shows the state before correction, and FIG. 12(b) shows the state after correction of FIG. 12(a).

In the example of FIG. 12, the slip P1 includes a first pattern 800, which is a standard format for a transfer slip. The first pattern 800 includes amount text entry fields 810 to 814 and a check field 815. The amount text entry fields 810 to 814 and the check field 815 are each an example of a frame shape.

Amount text entry field 810 is a rectangular frame in which the "ten thousand" digit is entered, amount text entry field 811 is a rectangular frame in which the "thousand" digit is entered, and amount text entry field 812 is a rectangular frame in which the "hundred" digit is entered. Amount text entry field 813 is a rectangular frame in which the "tens" digit is entered, and amount text entry field 814 is a rectangular frame in which the "one" digit is entered.

In FIG. 12(a), the frame graphic of the amount character entry field 810 overlaps with amount character pattern 910, and the frame graphic of the amount character entry field 814 overlaps with amount character pattern 914. Additionally, the frame graphic of check field 815 overlaps with check mark 915. These correspond to overlapping patterns. Amount character patterns 911, 912, and 913 do not overlap with amount character entry fields 811, 812, and 813, respectively. Therefore, in this example, there are three overlapping patterns.

In FIG. 12(b), the positions of the amount character patterns 910 and 914 have been corrected so that they do not overlap with the frame figures of the amount character entry fields 810 and 814. The position of the check mark 915 has also been corrected so that it does not overlap with the frame figure of the check field 815. Note that the positions of the amount character entry fields 810 and 814, and the check field 815, have not changed.

<Processing example by control unit 200>
Next, the process by the control unit 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the process by the control unit 200. Fig. 13 shows the process starting from the timing when the control unit 200 inputs print data from the DFE 102. The following description will also appropriately refer to the functional configuration of Fig. 5.

First, in step S131, the control unit 200 inputs read data from the reading unit 307 via the read data input unit 212.

Next, in step S132, the control unit 200 determines whether the first pattern is present in the read data.

If it is determined in step S132 that the first pattern does not exist (step S132, No), the control unit 200 ends the process. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S132 that the first pattern exists (step S132, Yes), in step S133, the extraction unit 213 extracts pattern data of the first pattern from the read data.

Next, in step S134, the synthesis unit 214 synthesizes the print data and the pattern data.

Next, in step S135, the identification unit 215 identifies the positions of overlapping patterns, among the second patterns included in the print data, that overlap the first pattern included in the read data, from the synthesis result by the synthesis unit 214. If the first pattern and the second pattern overlap in multiple places and multiple overlapping patterns exist, the identification unit 215 identifies the positions of all of the overlapping patterns.

Next, in step S136, the correction unit 216 selects the overlapping pattern to be corrected from among the identified overlapping patterns.

Next, in step S137, the correction unit 216 determines whether the selected overlapping pattern can be corrected.

If it is determined in step S137 that correction is not possible (step S137, No), the control unit 200 ends the process. On the other hand, if it is determined that correction is possible (step S137, Yes), in step S138, the correction unit 216 detects the amount of overlap of the overlapping pattern with the first pattern.

Next, in step S139, the correction unit 216 moves the overlapping pattern according to the detected amount of overlap, and corrects the position of the overlapping pattern so that it does not overlap the first pattern.

Next, in step S140, the control unit 200 determines whether or not all overlapping patterns have been corrected. This determination may be made by the correction unit 216 or the identification unit 215.

If it is determined in step S140 that all overlapping patterns have been corrected (step S140, Yes), the control unit 200 ends the process. On the other hand, if it is determined that all overlapping patterns have not been corrected (step S140, No), the process returns to step S136, where the correction unit 216 selects, from among the identified overlapping patterns, an overlapping pattern that has not yet been corrected. The control unit 200 then performs the processes from step S137 onwards again.

In this way, the control unit 200 can identify the overlapping pattern and correct its position so that it does not overlap with the first pattern. The control unit 200 outputs the print data after correcting the position of the overlapping pattern to the outside of the control unit 200 via the output unit 217, and the image forming device 103 can form an image of the second pattern on paper based on the corrected print data.

<Functions and Effects of Image Forming Apparatus 103>
Next, the effects of the image forming apparatus 103 will be described.

Image forming devices are known that form an image including a second pattern, such as a frame, character, logo, or pattern, on a recording medium, such as a bank transfer slip, on which a first pattern, such as a frame, character, logo, or pattern, is formed in advance, based on print data that includes a second pattern, such as character.

A configuration is also disclosed in which the position is corrected based on the detection results of a reference mark formed in advance on the recording medium, and an image is formed on the recording medium on which the first pattern has been formed in advance.

However, in conventional configurations, correction is performed based on the position of the reference mark, so if the first pattern formed on the recording medium or the second pattern included in the print data is misaligned from the position of the reference mark, accurate correction cannot be performed and the first pattern and second pattern may overlap on the recording medium. Such overlap may cause a recognition error when the image on the recording medium is recognized by OCR or the like.

In this embodiment, the first pattern is read from the paper P (recording medium) on which the first pattern is formed, and the position of the overlapping pattern of the second pattern that overlaps the first pattern included in the data read by the reading unit 307 within the print data D is corrected.

Since the correction is performed based on the first pattern included in the read data, without using a reference mark formed on the paper P, it is possible to prevent the first pattern and the second pattern from overlapping even if the first pattern formed on the paper P or the second pattern included in the print data is misaligned from a specified position. In addition, by preventing the first pattern and the second pattern from overlapping, it is possible to prevent recognition errors when recognizing the image formed on the paper P using an OCR or the like.

Note that the positional deviation of the reading by the reading unit 307 is small compared to the positional deviation of the image formation by the image forming device 103. Therefore, it is possible to correct the position of the overlapping pattern based on the first pattern included in the data read by the reading unit 307.

In addition, in this embodiment, the in-line sensor 406 included in the reading unit 307 is provided between the paper feed unit 400 (supply unit) that supplies the paper P and the secondary transfer position 409 (image forming position) that forms an image on the paper P, and reads the first pattern formed on the transported paper P. As a result, before an image is formed on the paper P based on the print data D, it is possible to identify an overlapping pattern among the second patterns that overlaps with the first pattern previously formed on the paper P, and correct the position of the overlapping pattern in the print data D.

In addition, in this embodiment, the correction unit 216 corrects the position of the overlapping pattern in the print data only when the first pattern is formed on the paper P. This makes it possible to omit unnecessary processing when the first pattern is not formed on the paper P.

In addition, in this embodiment, the correction unit 216 corrects the position of the overlapping pattern in the print data according to the amount of overlap between the first pattern and the second pattern contained in the read data. This makes it possible to prevent the first pattern and the second pattern from overlapping with a minimum of correction processing.

In addition, in this embodiment, the correction unit 216 corrects the position of the overlapping pattern in the print data at least in units of only the overlapping pattern, multiple patterns including the overlapping pattern, a pattern row or pattern column consisting of multiple patterns including the overlapping pattern, or the entire print data. This increases the variation in the correction process and ensures that the position of the overlapping pattern is corrected so that it does not overlap the first pattern.

In addition, in this embodiment, the position of the overlapping pattern in the print data that overlaps with the frame shape of the form included in the read data is corrected. This makes it possible to prevent recognition errors of the form by OCR, etc.

[Second embodiment]
Next, an image forming apparatus 103a according to a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, composite data obtained by combining a first pattern included in the read data with print data is displayed on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus 103a or a display of the client PC 101. This allows correction according to the judgment of a user who visually recognizes the composite data.

<Example of functional configuration of control unit 200a>
14 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a control unit 200a included in the image forming apparatus 103a. As shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 200a includes a display control unit 218 and an operation receiving unit 219.

The display control unit 218 displays the composite data, which is generated by the composition unit 214 combining the first pattern included in the read data with the print data, on the operation panel of the image forming device 103a or on the display of the client PC 101. This composite data is, for example, the composite data of the pattern data and the print data shown in FIG. 8(b). By visually checking the composite data, the user of the image forming system 100 can determine whether or not to correct the overlapping pattern.

The operation reception unit 219 receives an operation performed by the user according to the result of the determination of whether or not to correct the overlapping pattern. The control unit 200a can correct the overlapping pattern according to the operation received by the operation reception unit 219.

<Functions and Effects of Image Forming Apparatus 103a>
As described above, in this embodiment, the composite data obtained by combining the first pattern included in the read data with the print data is displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 103a or the display of the client PC 101. This allows correction according to the judgment of the user who visually checks the composite data, and makes it possible to correct overlapping patterns in accordance with the user's wishes. Note that other effects are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, the paper P on which the first pattern is printed is read in advance by the reading unit, and master data is created that determines the image formation area or the area on the recording medium where an image should not be formed based on the frame lines, etc., included in the first pattern, or master data that determines the image formation area or the area on the recording medium where an image should not be formed from the image data that is the basis of the first pattern, and is stored in the HDD/SSD 204 (see Figure 2) of the DFE 102, etc.

During image formation, the position and arrangement of characters or images, etc. are determined from the image data of the second pattern based on the master data acquired by referring to the HDD/SSD 204, etc., and the position is adjusted so that the characters or images, etc. are included in the image formation area or do not overlap with frame lines, etc., and then the image of the second pattern is formed on the recording medium.

For example, the first pattern included in the read data previously read by the reading unit 307 or the first pattern generated from the image data that is the source of the first pattern is stored in the HDD/SSD 204 of the DFE 102, etc.

The position of the overlapping pattern of the second pattern included in the image data that overlaps with the first pattern selected from the file name of the image data, etc., is corrected within the image data.

In this way, even if the first pattern formed on the paper P or the second pattern included in the print data is misaligned from the specified position, the first pattern and the second pattern can be prevented from overlapping. In addition, by preventing the first pattern and the second pattern from overlapping, recognition errors can be prevented when the image formed on the paper P is recognized by an OCR or the like.

The reading unit that pre-reads the paper P on which the first pattern is printed may be the reading unit 307 of the image forming device 103, or may be a reading unit of another device.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

In the above-described embodiment, the image forming device 103 includes the control unit 200, and the image forming device 103a includes the control unit 200a, but the present invention is not limited to this. The DFE 102 may be configured to include some or all of the functions of the control unit 200 or 200a. Alternatively, an external device may be configured to include some or all of the functions of the control unit 200 or 200a. The external device may be, for example, a cloud server.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an image forming system equipped with an electrophotographic image forming device has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to image forming systems equipped with other types of image forming devices, such as inkjet type.

In addition, all ordinal numbers, quantities, and other numbers used in the description of the embodiments are provided as examples to specifically explain the technology of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the exemplified numbers. In addition, the connections between the components are provided as examples to specifically explain the technology of the present invention, and the connections that realize the functions of the present invention are not limited to these.

The division of blocks in the functional block diagram is just one example, and multiple blocks may be realized as one block, one block may be divided into multiple blocks, and/or some functions may be transferred to other blocks. Furthermore, the functions of multiple blocks having similar functions may be processed in parallel or in a time-shared manner by a single piece of hardware or software.

The embodiment also includes an image forming method. For example, the image forming method is an image forming method for forming an image including a second pattern on a recording medium on which a first pattern has been formed, based on print data including the second pattern, and includes a step of reading the first pattern on the recording medium, and a step of correcting the position within the print data of an overlapping pattern of the second pattern that overlaps with the first pattern included in the read data in the reading step. Such an image forming method can provide the same effect as the image forming device described above.

The embodiment also includes a program. For example, the program is a program that runs on an image forming device that forms an image including a second pattern on a recording medium on which a first pattern is formed, based on print data including the second pattern, and causes a computer to execute a process of reading the first pattern on the recording medium and correcting the position within the print data of an overlapping pattern of the second pattern that overlaps with the first pattern included in the read data. Such a program can provide the same effect as the image forming device described above.

Furthermore, each function of the embodiments described above can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), DSP (digital signal processor), FPGA (field programmable gate array), and conventional circuit modules designed to execute each function described above.

100 Image forming system 101 Client PC
102 DFE
103 Image forming apparatus 104 Management server 200 Control unit 211 Print data input unit 212 Read data input unit 213 Extraction unit 214 Synthesis unit 215 Identification unit 216 Correction unit 217 Output unit 218 Display control unit 219 Operation reception unit 307 Reading unit 406 Inline sensor 500 First pattern 501 Date entry field 502 Amount entry field 600 Second pattern 601 Date character pattern 602 Amount character pattern 610 Date character pattern (an example of an overlapping pattern)
611 Date character pattern (an example of a duplicated pattern)
810-814 Amount text entry column (example of frame shape)
815 Check box (an example of a frame shape)
910 Amount character pattern (an example of a duplication pattern)
914 Amount character pattern (an example of a duplication pattern)
915 Check mark (an example of a duplicate pattern)
P Paper (an example of a recording medium)
P1: Form paper D; Print data Pd; Pattern data s; Overlap amount c; Correction amount

JP 2006-051647 A

Claims (10)

1. An image forming apparatus that forms an image including a second pattern on a recording medium on which a first pattern is formed, based on print data including a second pattern,
a reading unit that reads the first pattern on the recording medium;
a correction unit that corrects a position of an overlapping pattern of the second pattern that overlaps with the first pattern included in the data read by the reading unit, within the print data ;
The reading unit is provided between a supply unit that supplies the recording medium and an image forming position that forms the image on the recording medium, and reads the first pattern formed on the recording medium being conveyed.
Image forming device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the correction section corrects the position of the overlapping pattern in the print data only when the first pattern is formed on the recording medium. 1. An image forming apparatus that forms an image including a second pattern on a recording medium on which a first pattern is formed, based on print data including a second pattern,
a reading unit that reads the first pattern on the recording medium;
a correction unit that corrects a position of an overlapping pattern of the second pattern that overlaps with the first pattern included in the data read by the reading unit, within the print data;
The correction unit corrects a position of the overlapping pattern in the print data according to an amount of overlap between the first pattern and the second pattern included in the read data.
Image forming device. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit corrects the position of the overlapping pattern within the printing data in at least one unit of only the overlapping pattern, multiple patterns including the overlapping pattern, a pattern row or pattern column consisting of multiple patterns including the overlapping pattern, or the entire printing data. 1. An image forming apparatus that forms an image including a second pattern on a recording medium on which a first pattern is formed, based on print data including a second pattern,
a reading unit that reads the first pattern on the recording medium;
a correction unit that corrects a position of an overlapping pattern of the second pattern that overlaps with the first pattern included in the data read by the reading unit, within the print data;
The image forming device further has a display control unit that displays composite data obtained by combining the first pattern included in the read data and the print data . the first pattern is a frame shape formed on a form,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the correction section corrects a position, within the print data, of the overlapping pattern that overlaps with the frame graphic included in the read data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the second pattern is print data including a character or a symbol to be printed on the frame figure formed on the form paper, which is the first pattern. 1. An image forming apparatus that forms an image including a second pattern on a recording medium on which a first pattern is formed, based on print data including a second pattern,
a reading unit that reads the first pattern on the recording medium;
a correction unit that corrects a position of an overlapping pattern of the second pattern that overlaps with the first pattern included in the data read by the reading unit, within the print data;
The correction unit is
when read data obtained by reading the first pattern by the reading unit includes a rectangular pattern in which a character included in the first pattern is displayed as a rectangular pattern having the same size as the character, correcting a position of the overlapping pattern so that the overlapping pattern does not overlap the rectangular pattern;
When the read data includes a frame figure formed on a form, the position of the overlapping pattern is corrected so that the overlapping pattern is contained within the frame figure.
Image forming device. 1. An image forming method for forming an image including a second pattern on a recording medium on which a first pattern is formed, based on print data including a second pattern, the image forming method comprising:
reading the first pattern on the recording medium by a reading unit ;
correcting , by a correction unit , a position of an overlapping pattern of the second pattern that overlaps with the first pattern included in the read data in the reading step, in the print data ;
The reading unit is provided between a supply unit that supplies the recording medium and an image forming position that forms the image on the recording medium, and reads the first pattern formed on the recording medium being conveyed.
Imaging method. A program that operates on an image forming apparatus that forms an image including a second pattern on a recording medium on which a first pattern is formed, based on print data including a second pattern, the program comprising:
reading the first pattern on the recording medium by a reading unit ;
a correction unit corrects a position of an overlapping pattern of the second pattern that overlaps with the first pattern included in the read data, within the print data;
The reading unit is provided between a supply unit that supplies the recording medium and an image forming position that forms the image on the recording medium, and reads the first pattern formed on the recording medium being conveyed.
A program that causes a computer to carry out processing.

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