JP2022012729A - Cut line control device, image forming system, cut line control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cut line control device for generating a cut line in which a good finish can be obtained after cutting.
SOLUTION: A control unit for generating a cut line for cutting out a recording material, a data acquisition unit for acquiring print data, and a cut line in the recording material based on information of an image object included in the acquired print data. A cut line control device including a cut line generation unit to be generated and a tie position determination unit for determining the position of the tie portion to be formed on the cut line based on the information of the image object is configured.
[Selection diagram] FIG. 7

Description

The present invention relates to a cut line control device for controlling the generation of cut lines of a recording material, an image forming system, a cut line control method, and a program.

After forming an image or the like on the recording material, a cut portion is formed around the image by using a cutting device or the like in order to cut out the formed image portion. This cut portion is formed on a recording material according to data for a cut line (cut line path) generated in a cutting device such as a PC or a control device of an image forming device. The cutline path is generated using, for example, an image editing application such as Illustrator®. To create the data for the cut line, it is necessary to create it in a data format suitable for the cutting device to be used (binary value for cutting plotter, gray scale for laser cutting, etc.). For these, it is necessary to use dedicated software, and high technology is required to create data for cut lines.

On the other hand, when generating a cut line, the area surrounded by the cut line to be cut out (cutout area) and the other part (mounting paper) are not completely separated, and a plurality of short uncut parts (tie parts) are not completely separated. (See, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
For example, when inspecting the alignment of a printed image and a cut line using an automatic inspection device, it is efficient to convey the cut-out object without separating it from the mount. In the case of paper craft, etc., it is necessary to leave the outer frame part (mounting paper) on which the assembly number, etc., which is not written on the cut out paper craft body (object), is written.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H11-198467 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-149162

As described in Patent Document 1 described above, a tie portion may be formed anywhere with respect to the cutout region for inspection, packaging, or the like. When assembling the cut out object by removing it from the mount like paper craft, it is safe and easy without using scissors or a cutter. However, if there is a tie part in the small part, the object in the cutout area is likely to break or tear when it is removed. Also, if there is a tie part near important content (face, characters, one-point design, etc.), image chipping will be noticeable if unintentional peeling or tearing occurs during removal. For this reason, a beautiful finish cannot be obtained, resulting in an unsatisfactory model. Therefore, it is required to control the formation position of the tie portion to generate a cut line so that a good finish can be obtained for the object after clipping.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a cut line control device, an image forming system, a cut line control method, and a program for generating a cut line in which a good finish is obtained after cutting.

The cut line control device of the present invention is a device that controls the generation of a cut line for cutting out a recording material on which an image is formed based on print data, and is a control unit that generates a cut line for cutting out the recording material. Be prepared. The control unit is based on the data acquisition unit that acquires print data, the cut line generation unit that generates a cut line in the recording material based on the information of the image object included in the acquired print data, and the information of the image object. It has a tie position determining portion that determines the position of the tie portion formed on the cut line.

Further, the image forming system of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material based on print data, and a cut line control device that controls the generation of a cut line for cutting out the recording material on which an image is formed. , A cutting device for cutting the recording material according to the cut line generated by the cut line control device. The cut line control device includes a control unit that generates a cut line. The control unit is based on the data acquisition unit that acquires print data, the cut line generation unit that generates a cut line in the recording material based on the information of the image object included in the acquired print data, and the information of the image object. It has a tie position determining portion that determines the position of the tie portion formed on the cut line.

Further, the cut line control method of the present invention is a method for generating a cut line for cutting out a recording material on which an image is formed based on print data. The print data is acquired, a cut line in the recording material is generated based on the information of the image object included in the acquired print data, and the position of the tie portion to be formed on the cut line is determined based on the information of the image object. do.

Further, the program of the present invention includes a procedure for acquiring print data, a procedure for generating a cut line for cutting out an image-formed recording material based on the information of an image object included in the acquired print data, and an image. Have the computer perform a procedure to determine the position of the tie to form on the cutline based on the information in the object.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cut line control device, an image forming system, a cut line control method, and a program for generating a cut line in which a good finish is obtained after clipping.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of an image formation system. It is a figure which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus in an image forming system. It is a figure which shows the structure of the cutting apparatus in an image formation system. It is a figure which shows the structure of the PC in an image formation system. It is a figure which shows the structure which concerns the control of the cut line generation in a control part. It is a figure which shows the structure of the cut line generation part. It is a flowchart of cut line generation in a cut line data generation part. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting of the print data which a data acquisition part acquires. It is a figure which shows the example of the cut line setting in the print data setting. It is a figure which shows the length and the spacing of the tie part in the cut line setting. It is a figure which shows the example of setting the formation condition of a tie part. It is a flowchart of the process which determines the number of ties. It is a flowchart of the process which determines the length of a tie part. It is a flowchart of the process of changing the formation position of a tie part. It is a flowchart of the process of generating a cut line. It is a flowchart of the center of gravity determination process of an image object. It is a figure which shows the setting of the coordinates (x, y) with respect to an image object. It is the figure which divided the image object by the division number N = 4. It is the figure which divided the image object by the division number N = 5. It is a figure which obtained the center of gravity of the triangle created in the area of an image object. It is a figure which shows the line segment which connects the centroids of a triangle, and the intersection of a line segment. It is a flowchart of the determination process of the fine part of an image object. It is a figure which shows the example of the image object corresponding to the processing of the flowchart of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the image object corresponding to the processing of the flowchart of FIG. It is a figure which shows the form example of the determination process of the fine part with respect to an image object. It is a figure explaining the generation of a cut line, and the specific example of the prohibited area of a tie part. It is a figure explaining the generation of a cut line, and the specific example of the prohibited area of a tie part. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control part.

Hereinafter, examples of embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

<1. Embodiment of image formation system>
[Configuration of image formation system]
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an image forming system as a schematic configuration diagram of the image forming system of the present embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming system. In the image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 1, a PC (personal computer) 10, an image forming apparatus (MFP: Multifunction Peripheral) 20, and a disconnecting device 30 can communicate with each other via a network 2 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). It is connected to the. The network 2 may be wired or wireless. For example, there is an example in which the PC 10 is connected to the image forming device 20 and the cutting device 30 via a wireless LAN, and the image forming device 20 is connected to the cutting device 30 via a wired LAN.

In the image forming system 1, for example, a print job is input to a PC 10 connected to a network, and various types of printing are performed according to the job. The PC 10 includes an application for creating a print document and a printer driver for generating a print job. The PC 10 is an example of a processing device. A device other than the PC 10 can be applied as long as it is a device capable of accepting print jobs, accepting operations by users, notifying users of various information, and performing various processes for print jobs.

In this example, the configuration in which the cut line control device for controlling the generation of the cut line of the recording material is built in the image forming apparatus 20 will be described, but the cut line control device may be, for example, a PC 10. It may be configured to be built in the cutting device 30. Further, the cut line control device may be included in the image forming system as a device independent of the PC 10, the image forming apparatus 20, and the cutting apparatus 30.

(Configuration of image forming apparatus)
Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 20 in the image forming system 1 is shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 2 includes a display unit 21, an operation unit 22, an image forming unit 23, a network connection unit 24, a material supply unit 25, and a control unit 40.

The display unit 21 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display panel and an LED. The operation unit 22 includes a touch panel and a group of operation keys. The display unit 21 and the operation unit 22 are configured such that a display device such as a liquid crystal display device and a position indicating device of a touch panel such as an optical type or a capacitance type are overlapped with each other, and the operation screen is displayed on the display device. Specify the position indicated by the user on the operation screen.

The image forming unit 23 is composed of a photoconductor, a fixing device, and the like, and forms an image by printing an image on a recording material. The network connection unit 24 is configured by a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like, and communicates via the network 2 (FIG. 1). The material supply unit 25 includes a paper feed tray, a toner bottle, staples, glue, moisturizing water, and the like.

The control unit 40 collectively controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 20 according to various control programs. The control unit 40 accepts a predetermined condition setting for the print job input to the image forming apparatus 20, and causes the image forming unit 23 to execute printing on the recording material. Further, the control unit 40 causes the display unit 21 to display a screen based on the data stored in advance, receives an instruction from the operation unit 22, and executes the process based on the operation content.
Further, the control unit 40 controls the generation of cut line data for cutting out the recording material on which the image is formed based on the print data. The control of the generation of this cut line data will be described later.

(Configuration of cutting device)
Next, the configuration of the cutting device 30 in the image forming system 1 is shown in FIG. The cutting device 30 shown in FIG. 3 includes a display unit 31, an operation unit 32, a network connection unit 33, a material supply unit 34, a cut unit 35, and a control unit 36.

The display unit 31, the operation unit 32, the network connection unit 33, and the material supply unit 34 have the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 20 described above.
The cut portion 35 is composed of a cutter blade, a laser cutter, and the like. The cut unit 35 cuts at least a part of the recording material according to the cut line data generated by the control unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 20.
The control unit 36 controls each unit of the cutting device 30 in an integrated manner according to various control programs. Further, the cutting device 30 does not have to include the control unit 36, and the cutting device 30 may be controlled by the control unit 40 of the image forming device 20.

(PC configuration)
Next, the configuration of the PC 10 in the image forming system 1 is shown in FIG. The PC 10 shown in FIG. 4 includes a display unit 11, an operation unit 12, a network connection unit 13, and a control unit 14. Since a general PC configuration can be applied to the PC 10, the description thereof will be omitted. The control unit 14 of the PC 10 has an application for creating a print document, a printer driver for generating a print job, a web browser, and the like.

[Structure of control unit of image forming apparatus]
Next, FIG. 5 shows a configuration related to control of cut line generation in the control unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 20. The control unit 40 shown in FIG. 5 includes a data acquisition unit 41, a rasterization unit 42, and a cut line data generation unit 50.

The data acquisition unit 41 acquires the print data of the print job from the PC 10 or the like, and acquires the information of the image object.
The rasterization unit 42 converts the image object in the acquired print data into raster format data that can be printed by the print engine.
The cut line data generation unit 50 generates a cut line for cutting out the image object from other parts based on the information of the image object included in the print data.

[Structure of cutting data generator]
Next, the configuration of the cut line data generation unit 50 is shown in FIG. The cut line data generation unit 50 shown in FIG. 6 includes an outline generation unit 51, a shape determination unit 52, a center of gravity determination unit 53, a content determination unit 54, a tie position provisional determination unit 55, a tie position main determination unit 56, and a cut line. A generation unit 57 is provided. In this example, the control unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 20 includes the cut line data generation unit 50, but the cut line data generation unit 50 may be configured to be included in the PC 10 as an application, for example. .. Further, the cut line data generation unit 50 may be configured to be included in the control unit 36 of the cutting device 30.

The outline generation unit 51 generates an outline of an image object. For example, an outline of an image object is generated by converting the outline of the image into an object composed of paths. In addition, an offset instructed by the user is provided on the outer shape of the image object to generate an outline of the image object.

The shape determination unit 52 determines the shape of the image object based on the information of the image object. For example, it is determined whether the area or shape of the image object or the minute part of the image object prohibits the formation of the tie portion.
The center of gravity determination unit 53 determines the center of gravity of the image object based on the information of the image object.
The content determination unit 54 determines whether or not the content area forms a cut line and whether or not the content area forms a tie portion, based on the information of the image object. For example, the content determination unit 54 determines whether the formation position of the cut line and the tie portion is a content area set in advance to prohibit the formation of the cut line and the tie portion. As the content area for which the formation of the cut line and the formation of the tie portion is prohibited, it is determined whether or not the content area is a character content area. Further, based on the color information of the image object, it is determined whether or not the content area has a color for which the formation of a cut line or the formation of a tie portion is prohibited.

The tie position temporary determination unit 55 determines the temporary position of the tie portion on the cut line based on the information of the image object. The tie position main determination unit 56 determines the formation position of the tie portion on the cut line after determining the content area. The formation position of the tie portion is determined by the tie position final determination unit 56 changing the position provisionally determined by the tie position provisional determination unit 55 and making the final determination. That is, the tie position provisional determination unit 55 and the tie position main determination unit 56 function as a tie position determination unit for determining the formation position of the tie portion.
The cut line generation unit 57 generates data of the cutting position (cut line) of the recording material based on the generated outline and the determined position of the tie portion.

[Flowchart of cutting data generation]
Next, FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of cut line generation in the cut line data generation unit 50. Further, FIGS. 8 to 11 show an example of the print data used when generating the cut line, the cut line setting, the shape of the tie portion, and the setting of the tie portion.

The outline generation unit 51 of the cut line data generation unit 50 converts the image data (vector data) of the print data acquired by the data acquisition unit 41 into an object composed of paths to create an outline (step S101). This will generate an outline that shows the outline of the image object.

FIG. 8 shows an example of setting the print data acquired by the data acquisition unit 41. As shown in FIG. 8, as print data, file formats (PDF, PS, EPS, Tif, Bitmap, etc.), print settings (print surface, paper size, paper type, etc.), and cut line settings (presence / absence of ties, etc.) (Prohibited area, etc.) is set.

Further, in the print data setting shown in FIG. 8, an example of the cut line setting is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, as the cut line setting, the amount of refilling (mm), which is the offset amount from the outer shape of the image object to the cut line, the presence or absence of the tie portion, the length of the tie portion, the spacing between the tie portions, and the prohibited area. The basis weight and type are set as the setting (fine part, vicinity of characters, designated color) and paper information (form of recording material). In this description, the outline of the image object is called an outline, but when the offset amount is set, the area where the offset amount is formed is also included in the image object, so the image object with the offset amount added. The outer part is called an outline.

FIG. 10 shows the length and spacing of the tie portions in the cut line setting shown in FIG. 9. In FIG. 10, a cut line 60 represented by a solid line and 11 tie portions 61 provided on the cut line 60 are formed. FIG. 10 shows the length 62 of the tie portion 61 in the direction parallel to the cut line 60 and the spacing 63 of the adjacent tie portions 61 as the tie portions arranged on the cut line 60. The length 62 and the interval 63 of the tie portion 61 are adjusted according to the aspect such as the basis weight and type of the recording material. Further, the spacing 63 of the tie portions 61 is adjusted by the number of tie portions to be formed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the rasterization unit 42 converts (rasterizes) the image object into raster format data (step S102). Since the outline cannot be formed with the rasterized data, the rasterization of the image object is performed after the outline is formed.

Next, the content determination unit 54 determines whether or not the image object is the target of cut line generation (step S103). Then, the center of gravity determination unit 53 of the cut line data generation unit 50 performs the center of gravity determination process of the image object for the image object to be cut line generation (step S104). For example, the center of gravity determination unit 53 obtains the center of gravity by taking arbitrary three points in the image object, and recursively obtains the center of gravity of all the plurality of triangles in the object to obtain the center of gravity of the entire object.

Next, the tie position provisional determination unit 55 radially draws a line segment equally divided by the number of tie formations set as a formation condition of the tie portion from the center of gravity of the image object, and sets the intersection of this line segment and the outline. It is tentatively determined as the formation position of the tie portion (step S105). As a result, the conditions for forming the tie portion as shown in FIG. 11 are set. In the example of the formation condition of the tie portion shown in FIG. 11, the number of tie portions formed, the length of the tie portion, and the coordinates of each tie portion (1 to 4) to be formed are set. Then, the formation position of the tie portion is tentatively determined at these coordinates.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the shape determination unit 52 determines whether the tentatively determined position of the tie portion is a fine portion for which formation of the tie portion is prohibited (step S106). The details of the determination of the fine portion will be described with reference to FIG. The shape determination unit 52 determines the shape of the image object at the tentatively determined formation position of the tie portion. As a result, the shape determination unit 52 determines whether or not the provisionally determined position of the tie portion is a fine portion that prohibits the formation of the tie portion.

When the position of the tentatively determined tie portion is not a fine portion (NO in step S106), the content determination unit 54 determines that the position of the tentatively determined tie portion is the content area where the formation of the tie portion is prohibited (prohibited content). Region) (step S107).

When the tentatively determined position of the tie portion is a fine portion (YES in step S106), or when the formation of the tie portion is a prohibited content area (YES in step S107), the tie position main determination portion 56 is the tie portion. The formation position is changed (step S108).
When the formation of the tie portion is not the prohibited content area (NO in step S107), the tie position main determination unit 56 finally determines the provisionally determined tie portion formation position as the tie portion formation position (step S109). ..
By the process of changing the formation position of the tie portion and the final determination, the coordinates of the tie portions (1 to 4) to be formed under the formation conditions of the tie portion shown in FIG. 11 are updated to new coordinates.

Next, the cut line generation unit 57 generates a cut line for the image object that is the target of the cut line generation after the processing of step S108 or step S109 (step S110). The cut line generation unit 57 generates cut line data based on the outline generated by the outline generation unit 51, the set offset amount, and the formation position of the tie portion determined by the tie position main determination unit 56. After the cut line is generated, the processing according to this flowchart is terminated.
The cut line data generated by the cut line generation unit 57 is registered in the print job and transmitted to the cutting device 30. Then, the cutting device 30 cuts the recording material along the generated cut line data, and forms a cut portion and a tie portion on the recording material.

[Flow chart for tentative determination of tie formation position]
Next, the number of tie portions (number of ties) and the length of forming the tie portions (tie length) in the provisional determination of the formation position of the tie portion in step S105 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 will be described. do.

(Determining the number of ties)
FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a process for determining the number of tie portions (the number of ties).
First, the outline generation unit 51 outlines the image object (step S201). This process is the same as the process of step S101 shown in FIG. 7 above.

Next, the shape determination unit 52 calculates the area of the cutout region (step S202). The crop area is the area of the image object to which the set offset amount is added. The shape determination unit 52 calculates the area of the cutout area by calculating the area of the area in the outline of the image object to which the offset amount is added.

Next, the tie position provisional determination unit 55 provisionally determines the number of tie portions to be formed from the calculated area of the cutout region (step S203). As for the number of tie parts, predetermined calculation parameters and data tables are stored in the storage unit in advance so that the larger the area, the larger the number of tie parts. The tie position tentative determination unit 55 tentatively determines the number of tie portions to be formed according to these.

Next, the shape determination unit 52 calculates the number of vertices in the cutout region (step S204).
Next, the tie position provisional determination unit 55 determines whether or not the number of vertices exceeds the threshold value, using the number of tie portions formed based on the above area as a threshold value (step S205).

When the number of vertices is larger than the threshold value (YES in step S205), the tie position provisional determination unit 55 multiplies the temporary number of tie portions by the adjustment coefficient A to calculate the number of tie portions formed (step S206).
When the number of vertices is equal to or less than the threshold value (NO in step S205), the tie position provisional determination unit 55 multiplies the temporary number of tie portions by the adjustment coefficient B to calculate the number of tie portions formed (step S207).
After calculating the number of tie portions formed, the process according to this flowchart is terminated.

The adjustment coefficient A and the adjustment coefficient B may be variable parameters calculated each time from the information of the recording material, or may be fixed parameters based on the knowledge obtained by data collection. These adjustment coefficients may be acquired each time from the cloud, or predetermined calculation parameters and data tables may be stored in the storage unit in advance. The adjustment coefficient A is a value of 1 or more, and the adjustment coefficient B is a value of less than 1. When there are many vertices, it is preferable to increase the number of tie portions because the recording material is likely to be caught in the transport path during transport such as inspection. On the other hand, when the number of vertices is small, the number of tie portions can be reduced.

(Tie length determined)
FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of a process for determining the length (tie length) of the tie portion.
First, the data acquisition unit 41 acquires the cut line setting (FIG. 9) of the print data, and acquires the basis weight of the recording material from the paper information (form of the recording material) (step S301). Further, the type of recording material (paper type) is acquired from the paper information (form of recording material) (step S302).
Next, the tie position provisional determination unit 55 calculates the length of the tie portion by multiplying the provisional length of the predetermined tie portion by the adjustment coefficient C (step S303). After calculating the length of the tie portion, the process according to this flowchart is terminated.

A predetermined temporary length (initial value) is set in advance for the length of the tie portion. Then, the adjustment coefficient C is read out based on the form such as the basis weight and type of the recording material, and multiplied by a predetermined temporary length (initial value). The adjustment coefficient C may be a variable parameter calculated each time from the information of the recording material, or may be a fixed parameter based on the knowledge obtained by data collection. These adjustment coefficients may be acquired each time from the cloud, or predetermined calculation parameters and data tables may be stored in the storage unit in advance.
The adjustment coefficient C is small when the basis weight of the recording material is large, and large when the basis weight is small. Further, the adjustment coefficient C may be, for example, larger in the case of coated paper having no thickness and smaller in the case of thick uncoated paper, even if the basis weight is the same. The length of the tie portion is preferably adjusted within a range of 1 mm or less with respect to the initial value.

[Flowchart of process for changing the formation position of the tie portion]
Next, the process of changing the formation position of the tie portion in step S108 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 will be described. FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of the process of changing the formation position of the tie portion.

First, the tie position main determination unit 56 moves the tie portion from the tentatively determined tie portion formation position (step S105 in FIG. 4) in a predetermined direction on the outline of the image object by a predetermined distance, and temporarily determines the tie portion. The formation position is updated (step S401).
Next, the tie position main determination unit 56 determines whether or not the temporarily formed position of the updated tie portion is within the prohibited area (FIG. 9) (step S402). When the temporary formation position of the updated tie portion is within the prohibited area (YES in step S402), the process returns to the update of the temporary formation position of the tie portion in step S401.

When the temporary formation position of the updated tie portion is not within the prohibited area (NO in step S402), the tie position main determination unit 56 determines the temporary formation position of the updated tie portion as the formation position of the tie portion. (Step S403)

For the prohibited area in step S402 described above, for example, according to the cut line setting (FIG. 9), a fine portion is obtained in step S106 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, and further, a content area for which formation of a tie portion is prohibited is obtained in step S107. .. Then, the tie position main determination unit 56 determines the fine portion and the content region for which the formation of the tie portion is prohibited as the prohibited region.

[Flowchart for determining the cut line generation target]
Next, the process of determining whether or not the image object is the target for generating the cut line in step S103 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 will be described. FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of the process of generating a cut line.

First, the content determination unit 54 determines whether or not the outline of the image object is a color that is not the target for generating a cut line (step S501).
When the outline is a color other than the target (YES in step S501), the content determination unit 54 sets information that "cut data is not generated" for the image object (step S502).
When the outline is not a non-target color (NO in step S501), the content determination unit 54 sets the information "generate cut data" for the image object (step S503).

Next, after the processing of step S502 or step S503, has the content determination unit 54 set the above-mentioned "do not generate cut data" or "generate cut data" information for all the image objects? It is determined whether or not (step S504). When the above information is not set for all the image objects (NO in step S504), the process proceeds to the determination of the cut data of the next image object (step S505).
When the above information is set for all the image objects (YES in step S504), the process according to this flowchart ends.

In the cut line setting shown in FIG. 9, when a color that is not a target for generating a cut line is set for the image object, the cut line is generated according to the color information of the image object. For example, the content determination unit 54 refers to the value of the table in which the color to be excluded from the generation target of the cut line is specified, and compares it with the outline color of the image object. Then, it is determined whether or not the color is the target color for generating the cut line, and the cut line is generated only for the image object having the target color information.

By performing the above processing, the cut line generation unit 57 adjusts the position, number, and length of the tie portion only for the image object of the color designated as the cut line generation target. Generate line data. The method of color designation is, for example, fixed color name designation as a parameter of the image forming apparatus 20 such as gray or black, (C, M, Y, K) = (10,10,10,10) or (R). , G, B) = (20,20,20) can be specified by a user input value, and a special color name such as "PANTONECoolGray4C" can be specified.

[Flow chart for determining the center of gravity]
Next, the determination of the center of gravity of the image object in step S104 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 will be described. FIG. 16 shows a flowchart of the center of gravity determination process of the image object. Further, FIGS. 17 to 21 show examples of image objects corresponding to the processing of the flowchart.

First, the center of gravity determination unit 53 obtains the minimum X1, the maximum X2, the minimum Y1, and the maximum Y2 with respect to the coordinates (x, y) of the area of the image object (step S601). FIG. 17 shows the setting of the coordinates (x, y) for the image object. As shown in FIG. 17, xy coordinates are arranged with respect to the image object 70. Then, the minimum value of the x-axis of the image object 70 is set to [X1], and the maximum value is set to [X2]. Further, the minimum value of the y-axis of the image object 70 is set to [Y1], and the maximum value is set to [Y2].

Next, the center of gravity determination unit 53 divides the x-axis and the y-axis into N pieces at the coordinates set in the image object, and obtains the coordinates P (n) of the intersections of the divided division lines (step S602). FIG. 17 shows an example of N = 3. At the coordinate P (n), the number of n is (N + 1) ² . Therefore, in FIG. 17, P (1) to P (16) are obtained as the coordinates P (n). Note that n is an arbitrary number, and the xy coordinates of P (n) may be represented by P (x _n , y _n ). For example, P (1) may be represented by P (x ₁ , y ₁ ). can.

Next, the center of gravity determination unit 53 determines whether or not the determination has been completed for whether or not the image object is arranged in the area of the image object for all the obtained coordinates P (n) (step S603).

When there is a coordinate P (n) for which the determination of whether or not it is within the area of the image object has not been completed (NO in step S603), the center of gravity determination unit 53 determines the area of the image object with respect to the arbitrary coordinate P (n). It is determined whether or not it is arranged in (step S604).
When the arbitrary coordinates P (n) are arranged in the area of the image object (YES in step S604), the center of gravity determination unit 53 sets the arbitrary coordinates P (n) to the coordinates P'(m) in the image object. Is set (step S605). In the image object 70 shown in FIG. 17, P'(1) to P'(4) are shown as P'(m). Further, m is an arbitrary number, and the xy coordinates of P'( _m ) are represented by P'(x _m , ym).
When the arbitrary coordinate P (n) is not arranged in the area of the image object (NO in step S604), or after the processing of step S605, the center of gravity determination unit 53 determines the next intersection division coordinate P (n). Proceed to the determination (step S606), and return to the determination in step S603.

Next, when the determination of whether or not the image object is within the region for all the coordinates P (n) is completed (YES in step S603), the center of gravity determination unit 53 determines the coordinates P'(x) in all the image objects. It is determined whether or not the triangle has been created for _m ( _m , ym) (step S607).

When there is a coordinate P'(x _m , _ym ) for which a triangle has not been created (NO in step S607), the center of gravity determination unit 53 has the coordinate P'(x _m , _ym ) and the coordinate P'(x _{m + 1} ,. The coordinates P'' (x _q , y _q ) of another vertex when creating an equilateral triangle having y _{m + 1} ) as the vertex are obtained (step S608). In the image object 70 shown in FIG. 17, the coordinate P'(3) corresponds to the coordinate P'(x _m , _ym ), and the coordinate P'(4) corresponds to the coordinate P'(x _{m + 1} , ym _{+ 1} ). .. Then, the coordinates of the vertices forming an equilateral triangle together with the coordinates P (3) and the coordinates P (4) are P'' (q). Note that q is an arbitrary number, and the xy coordinates of P'' (q) are represented by P'(x _q , y _q ).

Next, the center of gravity determination unit 53 determines whether or not the coordinates P''(x _q , y _q ) are arranged in the area of the image object (step S609).
When the coordinates P'' (x _q , y _q ) are arranged in the area of the image object (YES in step S609), the center of gravity determination unit 53 adds +1 to the number of triangles created in the image object (YES). Step S610).

When the coordinates P'' (x _q , y _q ) are not arranged in the area of the image object (NO in step S609), or after the processing of step S610, the center of gravity determination unit 53 determines the next equilateral triangle. The determination proceeds (step S611), and the determination returns to the determination in step S607.

Next, when triangles have been created for the coordinates P'(x _m , _ym ) in all the image objects (YES in step S607), the center of gravity determination unit 53 has four or more in the area of the image object. It is determined whether or not the triangle of is created (step S612).

When four or more triangles are created in the area of the image object (YES in step S612), the center of gravity determination unit 53 determines whether or not there is a triangle with a different division axis in the area of the image object (step). S613).

If four or more triangles are not created in the area of the image object (NO in step S612), or if there are no triangles with different division axes (NO in step S613), the number of divisions N is +1. (Step S614).
The processes of steps S602 to S614 are repeated until the number of triangles formed in the area of the image object is four or more and the triangles having different division axes are formed.

The above processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 shows how the area of the image object 70 is divided by the number of divisions N = 3. As shown in FIG. 17, under the condition of the number of divisions N = 3, the number of triangles created in the area of the image object 70 is one. Therefore, under the condition of the number of divisions N = 3 shown in FIG. 17, since the number of triangles created in the area of the image object 70 is less than 4, the process of adding +1 to the number of divisions N is performed.

FIG. 18 shows a state in which the image object 70 is divided under the condition (n = 1 to 25) of the number of divisions N = 4, which is +1 to the number of divisions N in FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, there are three coordinates P'(m) in the area of the image object 70. Then, together with the coordinates P ″ (m), two coordinates P ″ (q) of the vertices that create an equilateral triangle are arranged in the area of the image object 70. Therefore, under the condition of the number of divisions N = 4 shown in FIG. 18, two equilateral triangles are created in the area of the image object 70. That is, under the condition of the number of divisions N = 4 shown in FIG. 18, since the number of triangles created in the area of the image object 70 is less than 4, the process of adding +1 to the number of divisions N is performed.

FIG. 19 shows a state in which the image object 70 is divided under the condition (n = 1 to 36) of the number of divisions N = 5, which is +1 to the number of divisions N in FIG. As shown in FIG. 19, there are six coordinates P'(m) in the area of the image object 70. Then, together with the coordinates P ″ (m), four coordinates P ″ (q) of the vertices that create an equilateral triangle are arranged in the area of the image object 70. Therefore, under the condition of the number of divisions N = 5 shown in FIG. 19, four equilateral triangles are created in the area of the image object 70. That is, under the condition of the number of divisions N = 5 shown in FIG. 19, the number of triangles created in the area of the picture is 4 or more, which corresponds to YES in step S612. Therefore, the process proceeds to the next process, that is, whether or not there is a triangle with a different division axis.

In the image object 70 shown in FIG. 19, one triangle having the coordinates P'(m) (1) and P'(2) on the division axis of Y = Ya is formed on the Y axis. Further, on the Y axis, three triangles having the coordinates P'(3) to P'(6) on the division axis of Y = Yb as vertices are formed. Therefore, under the condition of the number of divisions N = 5 shown in FIG. 19, a triangle having coordinates P'(1) and P'(2) as vertices and coordinates P'(3) to P'(6) as vertices are used. The triangle is a triangle with a different division axis. That is, under the condition of the number of divisions N = 5 shown in FIG. 19, it is determined that there is a triangle with a different division axis in the area of the image object 70.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, when there is a triangle with a different division axis in the area of the image object (YES in step S613), the center of gravity determination unit 53 determines the center of gravity of each triangle created in the area of the image object. (Step S615).
Next, the center of gravity determination unit 53 obtains a plurality of line segments connecting the center of gravity of each triangle, further obtains the intersection of these line segments, and sets the intersection of the line segments to the center of gravity of the image object (step S616). After setting the center of gravity of the image object, the process according to this flowchart ends.

FIG. 20 shows how the center of gravity of each triangle created in the area of the image object 70 is obtained. FIG. 20 shows the center of gravity 71 obtained for each triangle. Further, FIG. 21 shows a line segment 72 connecting the centroids 71 of each triangle and an intersection 73 of the line segments 72.
As shown in FIG. 21, since the triangles having different division axes exist in the area of the image object 70, the number of line segments connecting the centers of gravity of the triangles is two or more. Therefore, the intersection 73 of the line segment 72 is generated. The center of gravity determination unit 53 ends the center of gravity determination process by setting the intersection 73 as the center of gravity of the image object 70.

In the above description, the intersection P (n) of the dividing lines that are the vertices of the equilateral triangle is obtained at the points that are continuous in the X-axis direction, but it may be obtained in the Y-axis direction. Further, the coordinates P''(q) for creating an equilateral triangle together with the intersection P'(m) of the dividing lines arranged in the area of the image object are obtained in the downward direction of the intersection P'(m). , P''(q) may be obtained in the upward direction of the intersection P'(m). Further, P ″ (q) may be obtained in a variable direction so as to be obtained in a direction close to the median value obtained from the upper and lower ends of the area of the image object.

[Flow chart for determining fine parts]
(Judgment of fine parts)
Next, the determination of the fine portion of the image object at the tie portion forming position in step S106 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 will be described. FIG. 22 shows a flowchart of the determination process of the fine portion of the image object. Further, FIGS. 23 and 24 show examples of image objects corresponding to the processing of the flowchart.

First, the shape determination unit 52 creates xy coordinates obtained by dividing the image object into thickness parameters in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, and obtains the coordinates P (n) at the intersections of the dividing lines (step S701). FIG. 23 shows the coordinates P (n) of the dividing line and the intersection of the image object. As shown in FIG. 23, xy coordinates are arranged with respect to the image object 70. Then, the image object 70 is divided in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction by the thickness parameter 74, respectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 23, in the xy coordinates, all the intersections of the division line in the x-axis direction and the division line in the y-axis direction divided by the thickness parameter 74 are shown by the coordinates P (n). Note that n is an arbitrary number, and the xy coordinates of P (n) are represented by P (x _n , y _n ).

Next, the shape determination unit 52 obtains the coordinates P'(m) of the intersections arranged in the area of the image object 70 from the coordinates P (n) of the intersections in the xy coordinates (step S702). Further, from the coordinates P'(m), the coordinates P''(q) of the intersections arranged one inside from the outermost shell portion are obtained (step S703).
FIG. 23 shows the coordinates P'(m) and the coordinates P''(q) in the image object. In FIG. 23, the coordinates P'(m) are indicated by circles (white and black), and the coordinates P'' (q) are indicated by black circles. The coordinates P'(m) are the coordinates of the intersections (including the intersections that intersect the outlines) arranged inside the outline of the image object 70. Here, the outermost shell portion is the intersection closest to the outline of the image object 70. Then, the intersections arranged one inside in the direction of the center of the image object from the intersections of the outermost shells are shown as coordinates P''(q).

Next, the shape determination unit 52 obtains a circle having a radius = (thickness parameter × 3/2) centered on the coordinates P'' (q) at the intersection one inside from the outermost shell portion, and within this circle. The cut line included in the above is set as a region where the tie portion can be formed (step S704). After this process, the process according to this flowchart ends.

FIG. 24 shows a circle with coordinates P ″ (q) and radius = (thickness parameter × 3/2) in the image object. FIG. 24 shows a circle 75 having a radius = (thickness parameter × 3/2) centered on the coordinates P ″ (q) for all the intersection coordinates P ″ (q). The range of these plurality of circles 75 is set to be not a fine part in the image object. Then, a region outside the range of the circle 75 is set as a fine portion in the image object. Therefore, a tie portion can be formed on the cut line within the region of the circle 75.

That is, if the temporary formation position of the tie portion is outside the region of the circle 75 in the outline of the image object (here, synonymous with the cut line), the shape determination unit 52 determines that it is a fine portion of the image object. Further, if the temporary formation position of the tie portion is within the region of the circle 75, the shape determination unit 52 determines that the tie portion is not a fine portion of the image object.

(Modified example of judgment of fine part)
FIG. 25 shows a form example of the above-mentioned fine portion determination processing for another image object.
First, the xy coordinates are arranged with respect to the image object 70. Then, the image object 70 is divided in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction by the thickness parameter 74, respectively, and the coordinates P (n) of all the intersections of the division line in the axial direction and the division line in the y-axis direction are obtained.
Next, from the coordinates P (n) of the intersections in the xy coordinates, the coordinates P'(m) of the intersections arranged in the area of the image object 70 and the coordinates P'(m) of the intersections and the outermost shell portion are arranged one inside. Find the coordinates P'' (q) of the intersection. In FIG. 25, there are 14 coordinates P'(m) and one coordinate P'' (q).
Further, as shown in FIG. 25, a circle 75 having a radius = (thickness parameter × 3/2) centered on the coordinates P ″ (q) is obtained. Then, it is set that the range of the circle 75 is not the fine part in the image object, and the outside of the range of the circle 75 is set as the fine part in the image object.
As a result, the shape determination unit 52 can determine whether or not the temporary formation position of the tie portion is arranged in the fine portion of the image object.

The above method is an example of a method for determining a fine portion of an image object. Therefore, if the fine part of the image object can be determined, various other algorithms can be applied.
Further, in the above method, the thickness parameter is set to an arbitrary value so that at least one coordinate P'' (q) is obtained in the area of the image object.

(Specific example of prohibited area in Thailand)
Next, specific examples of the cut line generation target area and the prohibited area of the tie portion in the recording material on which the image object is printed will be described. Examples of image objects are shown in FIGS. 26 and 27.

In the example shown in FIG. 26, as the image objects, the first image object 80 having the assembly explanation numbers (numbers in the circle) of 1 to 4, the tree type second image object 81, and the tree type (including the trunk and the pot) are used. A third image object 82, a pot-shaped fourth image object 83, a star-shaped fifth image object 84, and a square dragonfly 85 indicating an image forming range are formed. Here, the first image object 80 and the square dragonfly 85 indicating the explanatory numbers are formed of (black and white data), and the second image object 81, the third image object 82, the fourth image object 83, and the fifth image object other than these are formed. A case where the image object 84 is formed of color data will be described.
Further, a case where a fine portion, a character neighborhood, and a designated color are set as a prohibited area in the cut line setting (see FIG. 9) will be described.

The first image object 80 indicating the assembly description number is a content area for which the formation of a cut line is prohibited. For example, if "cut data is not generated if it is not created with color data", in the content determination unit 54 (FIG. 6), the first image object 80 having an explanatory number formed of black and white data is cut data. Is not recognized as an image object to generate. Similarly, the square register mark 85 formed of black and white data is not recognized by the content determination unit 54 as an image object for which cut data should be generated.
On the other hand, the second image object 81, the third image object 82, the fourth image object 83, and the fifth image object 84 formed of color data are image objects for which cut data should be generated in the content determination unit 54. Is recognized as.

Further, the star-shaped portion at the upper part of the second image object 81 corresponds to a fine portion. Therefore, the shape determination unit 52 (FIG. 6) determines that it is a fine portion that prohibits the formation of the tie portion. When the formation position of the tie portion is tentatively determined in this fine portion, the tie position main determination portion 56 performs a process of changing the formation position of the tie portion, and sets the tie portion at a position other than the fine portion.

Similarly, the tip portion and the trunk portion of the tree of the third image object 82 correspond to the fine portion. The lower part of the fifth image object 84 corresponds to the fine part. Therefore, the shape determination unit 52 determines that these portions are fine portions that prohibit the formation of the tie portion, and the tie position main determination unit 56 changes the formation position of the tie portion.

Further, the vicinity of the text marked "Corp." In the fourth image object 83 corresponds to the vicinity of the character, which is a content area (prohibited area) for which the formation of the tie portion is prohibited. Therefore, the content determination unit 54 determines that the content region is prohibited from forming the tie portion, and the tie position main determination unit 56 changes the formation position of the tie portion.

As described above, in the outline of the second image object 81, the third image object 82, the fourth image object 83, and the fifth image object 84, it is possible to generate a cut line in which a tie portion is formed in addition to the prohibited area. ..

Next, another specific example of the image object is shown in FIG. 27. Also in the image object shown in FIG. 27, a case where a fine portion, a character neighborhood, and a designated color are set as prohibited areas in the cut line setting (see FIG. 9) will be described.

In the image shown in FIG. 27, the image object 95 is not a cut line generation target because it corresponds to a character portion. On the other hand, the image object 90 is a cut line generation target. Then, in the image object 90, the region 91 is a fine portion. Therefore, when the formation position of the tie portion is tentatively determined for this fine portion, the tie position main determination portion 56 performs a process of changing the formation position of the tie portion and sets the tie portion at a position other than the fine portion. ..

Further, for the region 92, the region 93, and the region 94 that are not fine portions, the content determination unit 54 determines whether or not the formation of the tie portion is prohibited. For example, the color information of the image object 95 is acquired in each region, and based on the acquired color information, it is determined whether the region 92, the region 93, and the region 94 without the content determination unit 54 are prohibited regions of the tie portion.

In the color information of the image object 95, when the tie portion is formed in the dark color portion, when the cutout area is removed from the mount, the trace of cutting the tie portion remains on the image object side (cutout area side). .. Therefore, when the tie portion is formed in contact with the dark color portion of the image object, the tie portion remaining on the image object side is conspicuous. Therefore, it is preferable to prohibit the formation of a tie portion in the dark color portion in the image object.

In the example shown in FIG. 27, the region 92 and the region 94 are dark-colored portions. Therefore, based on the color information of the image object 95, the content determination unit 54 determines that the content area is prohibited from forming the tie portion. When the formation position of the tie portion is tentatively determined in the dark-colored regions 92 and 94, the tie position main determination portion 56 changes the formation position of the tie portion to other than the fine portion. Set the tie part at the position.

On the other hand, in the light-colored portion such as the region 93 in the image object, the uncolored portion due to the fluffing of the recording material generated when the tie portion is cut is not conspicuous. Therefore, the region 93 can form a tie portion.
As described above, in the outline of the image object 90, it is possible to generate a cut line in which a tie portion is formed in addition to the prohibited area.

In the above-mentioned determination of the formation position of the tie portion, if there are a plurality of image objects to be cut in the document, the thickness parameter may be set for each image object, or the entire page can be set. Alternatively, it may be set uniformly for the entire document.

[Control unit configuration]
Next, the configuration of the control unit 14 of the PC 10, the control unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 20, and the control unit 36 of the cutting apparatus 30 will be described. In the following description, the control unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 20 will be described as an example, but the control unit 14 of the PC 10 and the control unit 36 of the cutting apparatus 30 may have the same configuration.

As shown in FIG. 28, the control unit 40 is composed of a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, a non-volatile storage 134, and a network I / F (interface) 135. The control unit 40 is used as an example of a computer that controls the operation of each unit in the image forming apparatus 20.

The CPU 131 is an example of a control unit, and a program code of software that realizes each function according to the present embodiment is read from a ROM 132 (an example of a recording medium) and executed. Instead of the CPU 131, another arithmetic unit such as an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) may be used as the arithmetic unit.
The ROM 132 is used as an example of a non-volatile memory, and stores programs, data, and the like necessary for the CPU 131 to operate.
The RAM 133 is used as an example of a volatile memory, and temporarily stores information (data) necessary for each process performed by the CPU 131.

The non-volatile storage 134 is an example of a recording material, and is a storage unit for storing a program for the CPU 131 to control each unit, a program such as an OS, data, and the like. As the non-volatile storage 134, for example, an HDD, SSD (Solid State Drive), optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card and the like are used.

The network I / F 135 is composed of, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, or the like, establishes a connection with a device of a communication partner via a network 2 such as a LAN, and executes transmission / reception of various data.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the configuration of the present invention.

1 image formation system, 2 networks, 10 PCs, 11,21,31 display units, 12, 22, 32 operation units, 13, 24, 33 network connection units, 14, 36, 40 control units, 20 image formation devices, 23. Image forming unit, 25, 34 material supply unit, 30 cutting device, 35 cut unit, 41 data acquisition unit, 42 rasterization unit, 50 cut line data generation unit, 51 outline generation unit, 52 shape determination unit, 53 center of gravity determination unit, 54 Content Judgment Unit, 55 Tie Position Temporary Determination Unit, 56 Tie Position Final Determination Unit, 57 Cut Line Generation Unit, 60 Cut Line, 61 Tie Division, 62 Tie Division Length, 63 Tie Division Spacing, 70, 90, 95 image object, 71 center of gravity, 72 line segment, 73 intersection, 74 thickness parameter, 75 yen, 80 1st image object, 81 2nd image object, 82 3rd image object, 83 4th image object, 84 5th image Object, 85 square dragonfly, 91,92,93,94 area, 131 CPU, 132 ROM, 133 RAM, 134 non-volatile storage, 135 network I / F

Claims (11)

It is a cut line control device that controls the generation of a cut line for cutting out an image-formed recording material based on print data.
A control unit that generates the cut line is provided.
The control unit
The data acquisition unit that acquires print data and
A cut line generation unit that generates the cut line in the recording material based on the information of the image object included in the acquired print data.
A cut line control device including a tie position determining unit that determines the position of a tie portion formed on the cut line based on the information of the image object. The cut line control device according to claim 1, wherein the tie position determining unit prohibits the formation of the tie portion in a predetermined region of the cut line based on the information of the image object. The cut line control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tie position determining unit determines the position of the tie portion according to the thickness of the image object on the cut line. The cut line control device according to claim 3, wherein the tie position determining unit prohibits the formation of the tie portion with respect to a portion where the thickness of the image object is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The cut line control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tie position determining unit determines the position of the tie portion formed on the cut line based on the color information of the image object on the cut line. The cut line control device according to claim 5, wherein the tie position determining unit prohibits the formation of the tie portion in a region where the image object has predetermined color information. 6. Cut line control device. The cut line control device according to claim 7, wherein the tie position determining unit determines the length of the tie portion according to the basis weight of the recording material. An image forming device that forms an image on a recording material based on print data,
A cut line control device that controls the generation of a cut line for cutting out the recording material on which the image is formed, and
A cutting device for cutting the recording material according to the cut line generated by the cut line control device is provided.
The cut line control device includes a control unit that generates the cut line.
The control unit
The data acquisition unit that acquires print data and
A cut line generation unit that generates the cut line in the recording material based on the information of the image object included in the acquired print data.
An image forming system including a tie position determining portion that determines the position of a tie portion formed on the cut line based on the information of the image object. It is a method of generating a cut line for cutting out a recording material on which an image is formed based on print data.
Acquire the print data and
Based on the information of the image object included in the acquired print data, the cut line in the recording material is generated.
A cut line control method for determining the position of a tie portion formed on the cut line based on the information of the image object. The procedure for acquiring print data and
A procedure for generating a cut line for cutting out an image-formed recording material based on the information of the image object included in the acquired print data, and
A program for causing a computer to perform a procedure for determining the position of a tie portion formed on the cut line based on the information of the image object.

Images