JP2018016004A - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

Printing is performed so that the purpose of each additional image can be achieved when image information including a first additional image is obtained and a second additional image is to be added.
An input unit to which image information of an image including a first additional image is input; a function of analyzing the image information to acquire arrangement information of the first additional image; and processing the image information to generate an image A control unit having a function of controlling formation, and when the setting is made to add the second additional image to the image, the control unit acquires the arrangement information of the second additional image, and The arrangement of the second additional image is determined based on the comparison between the arrangement information of the one additional image and the arrangement information of the second additional image.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a program capable of adding a second additional image to an image including the first additional image.

In the image forming apparatus, an image is formed on a sheet based on image data. When the sheet is cut, a cutting mark such as a registration mark is printed as an additional image on a margin part outside the image area of the sheet as a mark. There is a case.
In the image forming apparatus, an image can be formed on both sides of the paper by providing a double-sided printing mechanism. The double-sided printing mechanism is usually a mechanism that reverses and conveys a sheet of paper on which an image is formed on one side and conveys it upstream in the conveying direction of the image forming unit. By the way, when performing double-sided printing, the paper may move on a different conveyance path from that of normal single-sided printing only, and image displacement may occur between the front surface and the back surface. Further, on the front and back surfaces, there is a case where the size of the image changes due to the expansion and contraction of the paper depending on the temperature rise or the presence or absence of humidification. For this reason, an image forming apparatus has been proposed in which front / back adjustment for adjusting the position of the front / back image and the front / back magnification is possible.
In front / back adjustment, an image position adjustment mark (for example, a cross patch registration mark) is printed on the front and back sides of the paper, and the image is detected by an in-line detection unit to perform image formation adjustment.

In the printer controller of the image forming apparatus, when an image transmitted from the outside is converted into an image for printing, an image composition process for synthesizing image data of a register mark with image data is performed.
Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for printing a registration mark without using a printer controller.

JP 2011-011367 A

However, in Patent Document 1, registration mark formation is performed on the image forming apparatus (printer engine) side, and it is not assumed that an image on which registration marks are formed is acquired by a printer controller. For this reason, when acquiring image information via a printer controller, the types of printer controllers to be connected are limited.
On the other hand, the registration marks may be used for different purposes such as a cutting mark and a front / back adjustment mark as described above, and an additional image that can achieve each purpose may be printed. However, if the image information in which the registration marks are formed is acquired through the printer controller and the registration marks are formed for other purposes, the registration marks may cause problems and the purpose of each registration mark may not be sufficiently achieved. There is.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and when the image information including the first additional image is obtained and the second additional image is to be added, the purpose of each additional image is achieved. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a program that can perform printing.

That is, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the first form is an input unit for inputting image information of an image including the first additional image;
A function of analyzing the image information and obtaining the arrangement information of the first additional image; and a control unit having a function of processing the image information to control image formation;
When the setting is made to add the second additional image to the image, the control unit acquires the arrangement information of the second additional image, and obtains the arrangement information of the first additional image and the second An image forming apparatus that determines the arrangement of the second additional image based on a comparison with the arrangement information of the additional image.

  In another aspect of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the control unit determines that the second additional image can be substituted by the first additional image by comparing the arrangement information, Control is performed to print the first additional image and not print the second additional image.

  In the image forming apparatus according to another aspect, in the aspect of the invention, the control unit determines that the second additional image cannot be substituted with the first additional image by comparing the arrangement information, and When it is determined that the first additional image and the second additional image do not overlap on the transfer medium, control is performed to print both the first additional image and the second additional image. And

  In another aspect of the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the control unit determines that the second additional image cannot be substituted by the first additional image by comparing the arrangement information, and When it is determined that the first additional image and the second additional image overlap on the transfer medium, the first additional image is printed, and the first additional image is printed based on the arrangement information of the first additional image. The second additional image is controlled to be printed at a position that does not overlap the first additional image.

  In another aspect of the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the control unit determines that the second additional image cannot be substituted by the first additional image by comparing the arrangement information, and When it is determined that the first additional image and the second additional image overlap on the transfer medium, the first additional image is printed, and the color of the second additional image is changed and printed. Control is performed.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the color changed in the second additional image is different from the color of the first additional image.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus, in the aspect of the invention, the control unit determines that the second additional image cannot be substituted for the first additional image by comparing the arrangement information, and the first When it is determined that the first additional image and the second additional image overlap on the transfer medium, the first additional image is printed on the transfer medium, and the shape of the second additional image is changed. And controlling to print on the transfer medium.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the shape changed in the second additional image is different from the shape of the first additional image.

  In the image forming apparatus according to another aspect, in the aspect of the invention, the control unit determines that the second additional image cannot be substituted by the first additional image by comparing the arrangement information, and the first When it is determined that one additional image and the second additional image overlap on the transfer medium, the first additional image is printed and the second additional image is based on the arrangement information of the first additional image. The additional image is controlled by shifting the position of the additional image.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the control unit may be configured to read the image by identifying the second additional image from the first additional image. The arrangement of the additional image is changed.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the change of the second additional image changes at least one of the position, shape and color of the second additional image. Features.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the first additional image and the second additional image are register marks.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit configures each register mark position and register mark to determine whether the second additional image can be substituted for the first additional image. The determination is made based on a determination criterion including the thickness of the line and the angle at which the plurality of lines intersect.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, when the control unit changes at least one of the position, shape, and color of the second additional image, the second additional image is displayed. It is characterized by notifying an inspection unit that reads and inspects an image.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit includes an image control CPU that controls the entire image forming apparatus. The image control CPU analyzes the image information, and The additional image placement information is acquired, and the image information is processed to control image formation.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the control unit includes an image control CPU that controls the entire image forming apparatus and an input unit control unit provided in the input unit. The control unit analyzes the image information, acquires the arrangement information of the first additional image, and the image control CPU processes the image information to control image formation.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit analyzes the first additional image based on tag information included in the image information.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit analyzes the first additional image based on image data of the image information.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the image information is transmitted to the input unit from a printer controller that converts a job created in a page description language into image data. Features.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes the printer controller.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the first additional image is included in the image information and received by the printer controller.

  In another form of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the first additional image is included in the image information in the printer controller.

Of the image forming system according to the present invention, the first form is an input unit for inputting image information of an image including a first additional image, and the transfer medium for the first additional image by analyzing the image information. A control unit that obtains the arrangement information on the upper side, processes the image information, and controls image formation;
When the setting is made to add the second additional image to the image, the control unit acquires the arrangement information of the second additional image, and obtains the arrangement information of the first additional image and the second The arrangement of the second additional image is determined based on the comparison of the arrangement information of the additional images.

Among the programs of the present invention, the first form is a program executed by a control unit that performs control by an input unit to which image information is input, and receives image information of an image including a first additional image. Analyzing the image information to obtain arrangement information of the first additional image on the transfer medium;
In the case of setting to add the second additional image to the image, the arrangement information of the second additional image is acquired, and the arrangement information of the first additional image and the arrangement information of the second additional image are compared. And determining the arrangement of the second additional image based on the above.

  Another form of program is a program executed by a control unit that processes image information and controls image formation, and receives image information of an image including a first additional image and analyzes the image information. Then, in the case of setting to add the arrangement information of the first additional image on the transfer medium and the setting to add the second additional image to the image, the arrangement information of the second additional image is acquired, Determining the arrangement of the second additional image based on a comparison of the arrangement information of the first additional image and the arrangement information of the second additional image.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the first additional image added to the input image information and the second additional image added to the additional image are arranged without affecting each other. Thus, the purpose of the additional image can be achieved.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an embodiment of an image forming apparatus and an image forming system according to the present invention. Similarly, it is a figure which shows a control block. It is a figure which shows the control block of other embodiment. It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart which shows the printing processing procedure of one Embodiment of this invention. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the remainder of a flowchart. It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart which shows the printing processing procedure of other embodiment of this invention. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the remainder of a flowchart. It is a figure which shows the example of the arrangement | positioning state of a 1st additional image, the arrangement | positioning state of a 1st additional image, and the state which printed the additional image on the paper. It is a figure which shows the other example of the arrangement | positioning state of a 1st additional image, the arrangement | positioning state of a 1st additional image, and the state which printed the additional image on the paper. It is a figure which shows the further another example of the arrangement | positioning state of a 1st additional image, the arrangement | positioning state of a 1st additional image, and the state which printed the additional image on the paper.

Embodiments of an image forming apparatus and an image forming system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic structure of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a large-capacity paper feeding device 40 having a large-capacity paper feeding stage from the upstream side, an apparatus main body 10, a reading device 20, and a post-processing device 30 along the paper conveyance direction. Each device is connected in series in the paper transport direction. The large-capacity paper feeding device 40 can feed paper to the apparatus main body 10. The reading device 20 corresponds to the inspection unit of the present invention.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that an image forming apparatus is configured by these apparatuses. In the present invention, the configuration of the image forming apparatus is not limited to this, and the image forming apparatus may be configured by the apparatus main body 10 and the reading apparatus 20, or the image forming is performed only by the apparatus main body 10. It is also possible to configure the apparatus and include the reading device 20, the post-processing device 30, the large-capacity paper feeding device 40, and the like outside the image forming apparatus and configure the image forming system together with the image forming apparatus.

First, the apparatus main body 10 will be described.
An automatic document feeder (ADF) 14 is provided on the upper side of the apparatus body 10. A document fed by an automatic document feeder (ADF) 14 can be read by a scanner unit. The document can also be read on a platen glass (not shown).

  An operation unit 140 is further arranged on the upper side of the apparatus main body 10. The operation unit 140 includes a touch panel type LCD 141, and information can be displayed and an operation can be received by the LCD 141. The operation unit may be configured with a mouse, a tablet, or the like, and may be configured separately from the display unit. The LCD 141 may be movable.

  On the lower side of the apparatus main body 10, a main body paper feeding unit 12 is disposed. The main body paper feed unit 12 has a plurality of main body paper feed stages for storing and feeding paper. Further, the large-capacity paper feeding device 40 attached to the apparatus main body 10 has a plurality of large-capacity paper feed stages, stores paper, and supplies the paper to the apparatus main body 10. The paper corresponds to the transfer medium of the present invention. The transfer medium is not limited to paper, and may be cloth or plastic.

A transport path 13 is provided inside the apparatus main body 10. The conveyance path 13 conveys a sheet fed from the main body sheet feeding unit 12 or the large-capacity sheet feeding device 40 and is connected to the conveyance path 23 of the reading device 20.
An image forming unit 11 is provided in the middle of the conveyance path 13 of the apparatus main body 10. The image forming unit 11 has a photoconductor 11a for each color (cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K)). It has a charger, LD, and developer. Further, the image forming unit 11 includes an intermediate transfer belt 11b to which an image on the photoreceptor 11a is transferred, and a secondary transfer unit 11c that transfers the image on the intermediate transfer belt 11b to a sheet.

A fixing device 11d is arranged in the conveyance path 13 on the downstream side of the secondary transfer portion 11c.
The image forming unit 11 includes the above-described photoreceptor 11a, a charger (not shown), an LD, a developing unit, an intermediate transfer belt 11b, a secondary transfer unit 11c, a fixing unit 11d, and the like. The image forming unit may form a single color image. The image forming unit may print only a single color.

  The conveyance path 13 has a reverse conveyance path 13a branched from the straight side on the downstream side of the fixing device 11d. A downstream transport path 13c branches off from the reverse transport path 13a, and a retreat transport path 13b branches off on the downstream side. The reverse conveyance path 13 a joins the conveyance path 13 on the upstream side of the image forming unit 11 on the downstream side after the retreat conveyance path 13 b branches.

When only the face surface switching is performed, the sheet conveyed to the reverse conveyance path 13a is once sent to the retreat conveyance path 13b, and then reversely traveled to the downstream conveyance path 13c. The downstream conveyance path 13c merges with the conveyance path 13 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction, and the sheet sent to the downstream conveyance path 13c is conveyed downstream through the conveyance path 13 in a state where the face surface is switched. Is done.
When the paper is reversed and circulated to the image forming unit 11, the paper is once sent from the reverse conveyance path 13 a to the retreat conveyance path 13 b and then reversely fed to the reverse conveyance path 13 a on the downstream side. Then, the image is merged with the conveyance path 13 to form an image on the back side of the sheet.

  The main body control unit 100 of the apparatus main body 10 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 and includes a CPU, a program executed by the CPU, a storage unit serving as a parameter and a work area, and the like.

The reading device 20 is connected to the downstream side of the apparatus main body 10, and the downstream side of the conveyance path 13 of the apparatus main body 10 is connected to the conveyance path 23 of the reading apparatus 20.
The large-capacity paper feeding device 40, the main body paper feeding unit 12, the transport path 13, the image forming unit 11, and the like constitute a printing unit 250 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3).

  An image reading unit 24 that reads an image on one side of the sheet is provided in the middle of the conveyance path 23. The image reading unit 24 reads an image on the face surface of the sheet conveyed through the conveyance path 23 and transmits the reading result to the main body control unit 100. The image reading unit 24 may be a line sensor or a colorimeter that reads an image at a point.

  The conveyance path 23 has a reverse conveyance path 23 a branched from the straight side on the downstream side of the image reading unit 24. The retreat conveyance path 23b is branched in the middle of the reverse conveyance path 23a. The reverse conveyance path 23 a joins the conveyance path 23 on the upstream side of the image reading unit 24 on the downstream side after the retreat conveyance path 23 b branches.

The paper transported through the transport path 23 is transported to the reverse transport path 23a when the face surface is switched after passing through the image reading unit 24.
When only the face surface is switched, the sheet conveyed to the reversal conveyance path 23a is once sent to the retreat conveyance path 23b, and then reversely travels along the retreat conveyance path 23b and returns to the conveyance path 23 to the downstream side. Sent.

When performing both-side reading, the sheet is sent to the retreat conveyance path 23b and then returned to the reversal conveyance path 23a, and is conveyed in the forward direction on the reverse conveyance path 23a with the face surface switched. It is conveyed downstream through the path 23. On this sheet, an image printed on the surface opposite to the previously read surface is read by the image reading unit 24.
Note that when only one-sided image reading is performed and the face surface is not switched, the transport path 23 is transported straight without being sent to the reverse transport path 23a.
Further, the image reading unit 24 may be configured to be able to read the front and back images at a time without reversing the paper.

The post-processing device 30 is connected to the downstream side of the reading device 20, and the downstream side of the transport path 23 provided in the reading device 20 is connected to the transport path 33 of the post-processing device 30.
The transport path 33 is branched and connected to the first paper discharge section 31 and the second paper discharge section 32, and a post-processing section 34 is provided in the middle of the transport path 33 leading to the second paper discharge section 32. . The post-processing unit 34 executes predetermined post-processing. Examples of post-processing include appropriate processing such as stapling, punching, and booklet processing. Paper that is not subjected to post-processing is discharged to the first paper discharge unit 31.
The paper sent through the transport path 23 is sent to the transport path 33 of the post-processing device 30 and discharged to the first paper discharge unit 31 without performing post-processing, or a predetermined post-processing is performed by the post-processing unit 34. The paper is discharged to the second paper discharge unit 32. The post-processing unit 34 may perform a plurality of post-processing.

Although the above embodiment has been described on the assumption that color image formation is performed, the image forming apparatus may include a single color image forming unit.

An external device 2 is connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via a network 3. The external device 2 can be configured by a PC or the like, and when the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a printer, it can send raster image information from the external device 2 or send image information in a page description language. .
The image forming apparatus 1 may be connected to a management apparatus that manages the image forming apparatus 1 via a network or the like.

Next, control blocks of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body control unit 100 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 1.
The main body control unit 100 includes a main body control CPU 110 and a system memory 111.
The main body control CPU 110 corresponds to the control CPU of the present invention.
The system memory 111 reads the program and operation parameters of the present invention executed by the main body control CPU 110, arrangement information such as register mark position, shape, color, line thickness, and line angle, its analysis method, and register marks. The correction method and the like at the time of storage are stored in a nonvolatile manner. In addition, the system memory 111 includes a RAM and can be used as a work area.

The program may be stored in a movable storage unit and distributed and used. Further, the main body control CPU 100 stores the HDD 120 and stores various data such as image information, setting data, and the like, and can appropriately store the data.
In addition, a memory control IC 130 is controllably connected to the main body control unit 100, and a local memory 131 is connected to the memory control IC 130. The local memory 131 is composed of a RAM or the like, and stores image information data input from an input interface 140 described later in a readable manner.

  An input interface 140 is connected to the memory control unit 130, and image information acquired through the input interface is sent to the memory control IC 130. The input interface 140 corresponds to the input unit of the present invention.

Further, a printer control unit 200 is connected to the main body control unit 100 in a controllable manner.
The printer control unit 200 includes an image processing unit 210 and a registration mark forming unit 220, and includes an image composition unit 230 that combines image data that has undergone image processing and a registration mark image formed by the registration mark formation unit 220. . An image adjustment unit 240 is provided on the output side of the image composition unit 230. A print unit 250 is provided on the output side of the image adjustment unit 240. The printer engine is configured as described above.

Note that a printer controller 300 outside the printer engine is connected to the input interface 140, and image information transmitted from the outside in the printer controller 300 is transmitted to the input interface 140.
Further, a reading device 20 including an inspection unit is provided on the downstream side of the printing unit 250, and the inspection result of the reading device 20 is output to the printer engine side.

  In the print controller 300, image information is input to the print controller 300 from the outside such as the external device 2. The image in the image information can include a registration mark. In this embodiment, the registration mark is a cutting registration mark which is formed at a cutting margin and printed to indicate a cutting position. Note that the registration mark that is the first additional image is not limited to cutting, and is not limited to the registration mark, and may be used to indicate additional information, and may be a code or A text or the like may be displayed.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
Image information is input to the print controller 300 from outside such as the external device 2. The image in the image information can include a registration mark. This registration mark corresponds to the first additional image in the present invention.

In this embodiment, registration marks are set to be printed when an image is printed on paper. In this embodiment, a correction registration mark is used to adjust the magnification for front and back printing adjustment. This registration mark corresponds to the second additional image of the present invention.
Note that the registration marks that are the second additional images are not limited to correction, and are not limited to registration marks, but may be those used to indicate additional information. A text or the like may be displayed.

The print controller 300 can receive a raster image, but functions as a RIP (Raster Image Processor) controller that converts image information described in page description terms into a raster image. The registration marks may be added to the print controller 300 according to the information included in the image information in addition to being transmitted in the image.
The register mark information may be provided only as data included in the image, and the register mark information (location information such as position and shape) may be included in the tag information and the image information.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is described as including the printer controller 300. However, the image forming apparatus 1 does not include the printer controller, and the printer controller is provided outside the image forming apparatus 1. Also good.

In the printer controller 300, RIP processing is performed, and an intermediate file is generated as raster data. Image information is input to the input interface 140 from the printer controller (step s1, process 1). The process number is indicated by a circled number in FIG.
Image information is transferred from the input interface 140 to the memory control IC 130 (step s2, process 2). The memory control IC 130 temporarily stores the local memory 131 image information (step s3, process 3).

Next, the image is transferred from the local memory 131 to the main body control CPU 110 via the memory control IC 130 (step s4, process 4). The main body control CPU 110 transfers the image to the HDD 120 and temporarily stores it (step s5, process 5).
Next, the main body control CPU 110 converts the image data stored in the HDD 120 into a bitmap (step s6), and stores the bitmapped image data in the system memory 111 (step s7, process 6). By storing in the system memory, address information for each pixel can be obtained.

The main body control CPU 110 performs parallel processing (step s8, step s12).
In step s8, in parallel with the registration mark analysis, image data is transferred from the system memory 111 to the memory control IC 130 via the main body control CPU 110 (step s8, process 7). The memory control IC 130 temporarily stores the image information in the local memory 131 (step s9, process 8).
The memory control IC 130 reads the image information from the local memory 131 via the memory control IC 130 and transfers it to the image processing unit 210 (step s10, process 9).
The image processing unit 210 performs image processing such as frequency conversion, color adjustment, density adjustment, and screen processing on the image data and transfers the image data to the image composition unit 230 (step s11, processing 10).

On the other hand, in step s12, the image data stored in the system memory 111 is read and analyzed by the main body control CPU 110 to obtain arrangement information, and the result is transferred to the registration mark determination unit (process 7A).
The analysis can be performed by obtaining address information and image presence information for each pixel in memory storage and analyzing the registration mark shape / position together with the paper size information.
The analysis may be to evaluate the image data itself, or may be to evaluate using tag information regarding the registration marks. The analysis is performed on the basis of obtaining arrangement information such as the position, shape, line thickness, and crossing angle of a plurality of lines. The analysis process can be executed by a program executed by the main body control CPU 110.

  The registration mark determination unit performs a determination process (process 8A, steps s13 to s16). The determination process is executed by a program executed by the main body control CPU 110. Note that the main body control CPU 110 knows the arrangement information of the correction marks, and uses the arrangement information of the correction marks for this determination process.

In the determination process, first, based on the arrangement information of both the registration marks, it is determined whether the registration marks that are the first additional image can be substituted for the correction registration marks that are the second additional image (step s13). In the determination, a reference can be set based on the purpose of use of the registration marks as the second additional image (for the purpose of correcting the image forming apparatus). In this embodiment, the registration mark of the second additional image is used for adjusting the magnification of the front and back by confirming the point, so that it is necessary to confirm the coordinates after confirming the point. The registration mark determination unit determines whether or not the registration mark, which is the first additional image, can be substituted from the position, shape, line thickness, intersection angle of a plurality of lines, and the like.
In the determination, a criterion for determining whether or not it can be used is set in advance. For example,
• Consider the allowable range when the position of the registration mark is different, the allowable range of line length and thickness, and the angle when multiple lines intersect.

As a result of the substitution determination, when it is determined that substitution is possible (step s14, Yes), the registration mark forming unit 220 is instructed not to form a correction registration mark (step s15, process 9A).
On the other hand, if it is determined as a result of the substitution determination that the substitution cannot be performed (No in step s14), whether or not the registration mark in the image data (cutting registration mark) and the correction registration mark overlap based on the comparison of the arrangement information of both registration marks. Determination is made (step s16).

When the registration mark in the image data (cutting registration mark) and the correction registration mark do not overlap (Yes in step s16), the registration mark forming unit 220 is instructed to form the correction registration mark (step s17, processing 9A), and the registration mark forming unit 220 is instructed. Thus, a registration mark for correction is formed (step s19, process 9A).
On the other hand, when the registration mark in the image data (cutting registration mark) and the correction registration mark overlap (No in step s16), the registration mark forming unit 220 is instructed to adjust the position of the correction registration mark to form the registration mark (step s18). Process 9A).

The register mark forming unit 220 includes a register mark information storage RAM, a register mark forming position setting register, position adjustment, a register mark forming circuit, and the like.
The RAM can store the image data of the register marks for correction. The register can store the image data address of the correction register mark, the address of the corrected image data, and the like. In the position adjustment, processing is performed so as to form a cutting register mark at the instructed position. At that time, the register mark for correction whose position is corrected using the image data of the RAM or the register is stored in the RAM, and the address of the register is registered.
After instructing the registration mark formation in step s17 or s18, the registration mark forming unit forms a correction registration mark (step s19, processing 9A), and transfers the registration mark image to the image composition unit 230 (processing 10A).

After step s15 or step s19, the image composition unit 230 synthesizes the correction register mark with the image data in the image area as necessary, and transfers it to the image quality adjustment unit 240 (step s20, process 11).
The image adjustment unit 240 adjusts the image writing position and front / back magnification and transfers the image to the printing unit 250 (step s21, process 12).
The printing unit 250 prints out the paper and outputs the printed paper to the reading device 20 (step s22, process 22). At this time, if the arrangement information of the correction registration marks (in this embodiment, the arrangement position) has been changed, this is notified to the reading device 20.
In the inspection unit included in the reading device 20, when the arrangement of the correction registration marks is changed, the image reading unit 24 reads the image of the correction registration mark and reads the image in accordance with the change. The image is read and inspected, and inspection information is output to the printer engine (step s23, process 13), and the process is terminated.
It should be noted that the printer engine can calculate the front / back magnification by receiving the inspection result and feed it back to the image adjustment unit 240. Based on the feedback information, the parameters adjusted by the image adjustment unit 240 are updated.

  When the user forms a registration mark for cutting and when correcting the image forming apparatus while forming an image, the correction registration mark is formed in the cutting area. When there is no cutting area, no correction registration mark is formed. Further, when the image forming apparatus is not corrected during image formation, no correction register mark is formed. A correction registration mark is formed to perform position adjustment and front / back magnification adjustment while forming an image, but this is not necessary in a mode in which the above-described adjustment is not performed.

  In the form of FIG. 2, the main body control unit 100 has been described as performing analysis of an additional image. However, the additional image may be analyzed when image information is input. This embodiment will be described based on the block diagram of FIG. The same components as those in the second block diagram are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.

The image forming apparatus 1 </ b> A includes a main body control unit 100 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 1.
The main body control unit 100 includes a main body control CPU 110 and a system memory 111.
The system memory 111 reads the program and operation parameters of the present invention executed by the main body control CPU 110, arrangement information such as registration mark position, shape, color, line thickness, and line angle, its analysis method, and registration marks. The correction method and the like at the time of storage are stored in a nonvolatile manner. In addition, the system memory 111 includes a RAM and can be used as a work area.

The main body control CPU 100 stores the HDD 120 and stores various data such as image information, setting data, and the like, and can appropriately store the data.
A memory control IC 130 is controllably connected to the main body control unit 100, and a local memory 131 is connected to the memory control IC 130.

An input interface 150 is connected to the memory control IC 130. Further, an internal memory 151 for temporarily storing image data is connected to the input interface 150, and a registration mark determination unit 152 is connected to the internal memory 151.
The registration mark determination unit 152 includes a CPU and a program that runs on the CPU, and performs determination processing on the image information stored in the memory 151.
The registration mark determination unit 152 holds information such as an analysis method such as a registration mark position, shape, color, line thickness, and line angle, and stores correction mark arrangement information.
In the determination process, the image information is analyzed, and it is determined whether or not the correction registration mark can be substituted by the cutting registration mark included in the image information.
The input interface 150, the internal memory 151, and the registration mark determination unit 152 correspond to the input unit of the present invention.

A printer control unit 200 is connected to the main body control unit 100 in a controllable manner.
The printer control unit includes an image processing unit 210 and a registration mark forming unit 220, and includes an image composition unit 230 that combines image data that has undergone image processing and a registration mark formed by the registration mark formation unit 220. An image adjustment unit 240 is provided on the output side of the image composition unit 230. A print unit 250 is provided on the output side of the image adjustment unit 240. The printer engine is configured as described above.

  A printer controller 300 outside the printer engine is connected to the input interface 150, and image information transmitted from the outside in the printer controller 300 is transmitted to the input interface 150.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1A will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
Image information is input to the print controller 300 from outside such as the external device 2.
In the printer controller 300, RIP processing is performed, and an intermediate file is generated as raster data. Image information is input to the input interface 150 from the printer controller (step s30, process 20). The process number is indicated by a circled number in FIG.

In the input interface 150, the image data is bitmap-converted by the installed bitmap conversion function and stored in the internal memory 151 (step s31, process 21).
Next, the input interface 150 performs parallel processing (step s32, step s36).

In step s32, image information is transferred from the internal memory 151 to the memory control IC 130 (process 22).
The memory control IC 130 temporarily stores the local memory 131 image information (step s33, process 23).
The image is transferred from the local memory 131 to the image processing unit 210 via the memory control IC 130 (step s34, process 24).
The image processing unit 210 performs image processing such as frequency conversion, color adjustment, density adjustment, and screen processing on the image and transfers the image to the image composition unit 230 (step s35, processing 25).

On the other hand, in the input unit, the image data input from the printer controller 300 to the image forming apparatus 1 </ b> A is received by the input interface 150. The data is converted into bitmap data by the bitmap conversion function installed in the input interface 150 and stored in the internal memory 151 of the input interface 150. By storing in the memory, address information for each pixel can be obtained. With respect to the image data stored in the internal memory, the registration mark information in the image data is analyzed by the registration mark analysis unit installed in the input interface 150, and the analysis result is transferred to the registration mark determination unit 152 (step s36, process 22A). The registration mark determination unit 152 compares the registration mark information in the image data with the correction registration mark, and determines whether the registration mark in the image data can be used as a correction registration mark (step s37, processing 23A).
In the registration mark determination process, since the registration mark of the second additional image is used for image position adjustment, it is determined whether or not it is possible to confirm the coordinates with the point determined by the registration mark for cutting. The registration mark determination unit 152 determines whether or not the registration mark, which is the first additional image, can be substituted from the registration mark position, shape, line thickness, crossing angle of a plurality of lines, and the like.
In the determination, a criterion for determining whether or not it can be used is set in advance. For example,
• Consider the allowable range when the position of the registration mark is different, the allowable range of line length and thickness, and the angle when multiple lines intersect.

  In the case of a configuration having a bitmap data conversion function, a register mark analysis function, and a register mark determination function in the input unit, it is not necessary to perform processing via the main body control CPU, so that the burden on the CPU can be reduced.

As a result of the substitution determination, when it is determined that substitution is possible (step s38, Yes), the registration mark forming unit 220 is instructed not to form a correction registration mark (step s39, process 24A).
On the other hand, when it is determined as a result of the substitution determination that the substitution cannot be performed (No in step s38), it is determined whether the registration marks in the image data (cutting registration marks) and the correction registration marks do not overlap by comparing the arrangement information of both registration marks. (Step s40).

When the registration mark in the image data (cutting registration mark) and the correction registration mark do not overlap (Yes in step s40), the registration mark forming unit is instructed to form the correction registration mark (step s41, processing 24A), and the registration mark forming unit 220 A correction registration mark is formed (step s43).
On the other hand, when the registration mark in the image data (cutting registration mark) and the correction registration mark overlap (No in step 40), the registration mark forming unit 220 is instructed to adjust the position of the correction registration mark to form the registration mark (step). s42, processing 24A), a registration mark for correction is formed in the registration mark forming unit 220 (step s43).

The registration mark forming unit 220 has a configuration or function of RAM, register, position adjustment, and registration mark formation. The RAM can store the image data of the register marks for correction. The register can store the image data address of the correction register mark, the address of the corrected image data, and the like. In the position adjustment, the position of the correction registration mark is changed so as not to overlap the cutting registration mark based on the position and shape of the cutting registration mark.
After the registration mark forming unit 220 forms the correction registration mark, the registration mark image is transferred to the image composition unit 230 (process 25A).

After step s35 or step s43, the image composition unit 230 synthesizes a registration mark for correction with the image data of the image area as necessary, and transfers it to the image quality adjustment unit 240 (step s44, process 26).
The image adjustment unit 240 adjusts the image writing position and front / back magnification and transfers the image to the printing unit 250 (step s45, process 27).
The print unit 250 prints out the paper and outputs the printed paper to the inspection unit included in the reading device 20 (step s46, process 28).
At this time, if the arrangement information of the correction registration marks (in this embodiment, the arrangement position) has been changed, this is notified to the reading device 20.
In the inspection unit included in the reading device 20, when the arrangement of the correction registration marks is changed, the image reading unit 24 reads the image of the correction registration mark and reads the image in accordance with the change. The image is read and inspected, the inspection information is output to the printer engine (step s47, process 29), and the process is terminated.
In the printer engine, the front / back magnification can be calculated based on the inspection result and fed back to the image adjustment unit 240. Based on the feedback information, the parameters adjusted by the image adjustment unit 240 are updated.

As in the above-described embodiment, when the user forms a cutting register mark and when correcting the image forming apparatus while forming an image, the correcting register mark is formed in the cutting area. When there is no cutting area, no correction registration mark is formed.
Further, when the image forming apparatus is not corrected during image formation, no correction register mark is formed. A correction registration mark is formed to perform position adjustment and front / back magnification adjustment while forming an image, but this is not necessary in a mode in which the above-described adjustment is not performed.

Whether or not the additional image can be substituted and the overlapping of the additional images will be described with reference to FIGS.
The upper right diagram in FIG. 8 shows a margin P1 including a cutting margin around the image area P0 of the paper P, in which cutting marks T1 indicating the cutting positions are formed at the four corners that are the boundaries of the cutting margin. Show. Information about the image is included in the image information input to the input unit.
The cutting registration marks are included in the controller input image (with registration marks).
The registration mark position and shape depend on the controller and user. A register mark is formed in a cutting area (outside the image area) that is not necessary for cutting.

In the upper left diagram of FIG. 8, correction register marks T2 for adjusting the magnification are formed at the four corners of the margin P1 of the paper P.
The lower diagram of FIG. 8 shows a state in which the cutting registration mark is output as a correction registration mark on the paper.
The image of the cutting registration mark T1 indicates that a specific position can be read and determined, and it can be used as a correction registration mark.
The correction registration mark is used in a mode for correcting during image formation, and corresponds to execution of correction during image formation by forming registration marks outside an image area that is not necessary for cutting.

In the upper right diagram of FIG. 9, cutting marks T10 indicating the positions of the trimming are formed at the four corners serving as the margin of the trimming margin, and the upper left diagram of FIG. 9 illustrates the margin P1 of the paper P. The correction registration marks T20 for image position adjustment are formed at the four corners of the image.
The lower part of FIG. 9 shows a state in which the cutting registration mark T10 and the correction registration mark T20 are respectively printed on the paper. The cutting registration mark T10 is difficult to detect a specific position by reading an image, and cannot be used as a correction registration mark for position adjustment. Further, when the cutting registration mark T10 and the correction registration mark T20 are printed on the paper, they do not overlap with each other, and the purpose can be achieved by the respective registration marks.

In the upper right diagram of FIG. 10, cutting marks T11 indicating the positions of the trimming are formed at the four corners that are the boundaries of the trimming margin in the margin P1 including the trimming margin, and the upper left diagram of FIG. The correction registration marks T21 for image position adjustment are formed at the four corners of the image.
In this embodiment, the cutting registration mark T10 cannot be used as a correction registration mark, and it is determined that when the registration marks are printed on a sheet, they overlap each other.
In the lower part of FIG. 10, the correction registration mark T <b> 11 is formed on the sheet as it is, so that it overlaps the cutting registration mark T <b> 21. In this embodiment, in this case, the correction registration mark T21 is shifted to a position that does not overlap with the cutting registration mark T11 to form the correction registration mark T22. Thereby, both the cutting register mark T11 and the correcting register mark T22 can achieve the object.
In this example, the registration mark position is adjusted based on the analyzed registration mark information so that the correction registration mark positions do not overlap. It is desirable to adjust the position in the sub-scanning direction, but only the position adjustment in the main scanning direction may be used.

In the above-described embodiment, when it is necessary to change the arrangement information of the second additional image, there is presented one that changes the arrangement position so that the second additional image does not overlap the first additional image. However, according to the present invention, the change of the arrangement information is not limited to this, and it is sufficient if the first additional image and the second additional image can be identified when the additional image is read. .
For example, by changing the color of the second additional image, it is possible to facilitate identification from the first additional image. In particular, identification is facilitated by changing the color of the second additional image so as to be different from the color of the first additional image. At this time, the position of the registration mark for cutting and the registration mark for correction may not be overlapped.
In addition, by changing the shape of the second additional image, it is possible to facilitate identification from the first additional image. In particular, when the shape of the first additional image is the same as the shape of the second additional image, the shape of the second additional image is changed so that the shape of the second additional image is different from the shape of the first additional image. By changing, identification becomes easy. Note that both the color and the shape may be changed. Further, the position of the registration mark for cutting and the registration mark for correction may not be overlapped.

  According to this embodiment, the image forming apparatus can be corrected in parallel with image formation without affecting the register marks generated by the printer controller. When there is a register mark that can be substituted by an input from the printer controller, it is not necessary to form an extra register mark, and it is possible to suppress the formation of a register mark that is not intended by the user although it is a margin.

  In this embodiment, the registration mark position and shape can be analyzed with respect to the printer controller input image data formed as a registration mark. Therefore, any printer controller can be used regardless of the type of printer controller. It becomes.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus is described as having the program of the present invention. However, the program of the present invention is executed by a management device that manages the image forming apparatus, a control unit of a remote device, or the like. The operation may be performed.

  While the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the content of the above embodiment, and appropriate modifications to the present embodiment are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 1A Image forming apparatus 2 External apparatus 3 LAN
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Apparatus main body 11 Image formation part 20 Reading apparatus 24 Image reading part 100 Main body control part 110 Main body control CPU
140 input interface 150 input interface 210 image processing unit 220 registration mark forming unit 230 image composition unit 250 printing unit

Claims (25)

An input unit for inputting image information of an image including the first additional image;
A function of analyzing the image information and obtaining the arrangement information of the first additional image; and a control unit having a function of processing the image information to control image formation;
When the setting is made to add the second additional image to the image, the control unit acquires the arrangement information of the second additional image, and obtains the arrangement information of the first additional image and the second An image forming apparatus that determines the arrangement of the second additional image based on a comparison with the arrangement information of the additional image.   When the control unit determines that the second additional image can be substituted for the first additional image by comparing the arrangement information, the control unit prints the first additional image and the second additional image. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed not to print the image.   The control unit determines that the second additional image cannot be substituted by the first additional image by comparing the arrangement information, and the first additional image and the second additional image are transferred. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the images do not overlap on the medium, control is performed to print both the first additional image and the second additional image.   The control unit determines that the second additional image cannot be substituted by the first additional image by comparing the arrangement information, and the first additional image and the second additional image are transferred to the transfer medium. If it is determined that they overlap, the first additional image is printed, and the second additional image is positioned so as not to overlap the first additional image based on the arrangement information of the first additional image. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein printing is controlled.   The control unit determines that the second additional image cannot be substituted by the first additional image by comparing the arrangement information, and the first additional image and the second additional image are transferred to the transfer medium. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when it is determined that the images overlap, the first additional image is printed, and control is performed to change the color of the second additional image and print. .   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the color changed in the second additional image is different from the color of the first additional image.   The control unit determines that the second additional image cannot be substituted for the first additional image by comparing the arrangement information, and the first additional image and the second additional image are on the transfer medium. In the case where it is determined that they overlap each other, the first additional image is printed on the transfer medium, and the shape of the second additional image is changed and printed on the transfer medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the shape changed in the second additional image is different from the shape of the first additional image.   The control unit determines that the second additional image cannot be substituted by the first additional image by comparing the arrangement information, and the first additional image and the second additional image are on the transfer medium. When it is determined that they overlap each other, the first additional image is printed, and the second additional image is shifted and printed based on the arrangement information of the first additional image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.   The control unit changes the arrangement of the second additional image so that the second additional image is identified from the first additional image and the image is read. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the change of the second additional image is to change at least one of a position, a shape, and a color of the second additional image.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first additional image and the second additional image are registration marks.   The control unit determines whether the second additional image can be substituted for the first additional image based on a determination criterion including a position of each registration mark, a thickness of a line constituting the registration mark, and an angle at which a plurality of lines intersect. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the determination is made based on the determination.   14. The control unit according to claim 5, wherein when the arrangement of the second additional image is changed, the control unit notifies the inspection unit that reads the second additional image and inspects the image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The control unit includes a control CPU that controls the entire image forming apparatus, and the control CPU analyzes the image information to acquire the arrangement information of the first additional image and processes the image information to obtain an image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein formation control is performed.   The control unit includes an image control CPU that controls the entire image forming apparatus and an input unit control unit provided in the input unit. The input unit control unit analyzes the image information and performs the first addition. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image arrangement information is acquired, and image formation is controlled by the image control CPU by processing the image information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit analyzes the first additional image based on tag information included in the image information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit analyzes the first additional image based on image data of the image information.   19. The image information according to claim 1, wherein the image information is transmitted to the input unit from a printer controller that converts a job created in a page description language into image data. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising the printer controller.   21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the first additional image is included in the image information and received by the printer controller.   21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the first additional image is included in the image information in the printer controller. An input unit for inputting image information of an image including the first additional image;
A controller that analyzes the image information, obtains arrangement information of the first additional image on the transfer medium, processes the image information, and controls image formation;
When the setting is made to add the second additional image to the image, the control unit acquires the arrangement information of the second additional image, and obtains the arrangement information of the first additional image and the second And determining the arrangement of the second additional image on the basis of the comparison of the arrangement information of the additional images. A program executed by a control unit that controls an input unit to which image information is input,
Receiving image information of an image including a first additional image, analyzing the image information, and obtaining arrangement information of the first additional image on a transfer medium;
In the case of setting to add the second additional image to the image, the arrangement information of the second additional image is acquired, and the arrangement information of the first additional image and the arrangement information of the second additional image are compared. And determining the arrangement of the second additional image based on the program. A program executed by a control unit that processes image information and controls image formation,
Receiving image information of an image including a first additional image, analyzing the image information, and obtaining arrangement information of the first additional image on a transfer medium;
In the case of setting to add the second additional image to the image, the arrangement information of the second additional image is acquired, and the arrangement information of the first additional image and the arrangement information of the second additional image are compared. And determining the arrangement of the second additional image based on the program.

Images