JP6219125B2 - Image processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and program, and can be applied to, for example, a computer equipped with a printer driver capable of enlarging a print page image.

  Some conventional printers and printer drivers support “page fitting printing processing” for enlarging or reducing an image in accordance with an area to be printed when an image based on print data is printed on printing paper.

  With a conventional printer driver that supports the page fitting printing function, for example, it is possible to print the result of enlarging and reducing the drawing data of a page created by an application by specifying the scale in percentage.

  As a conventional printer driver corresponding to the page fitting printing function, for example, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes a printer driver that can print an image of an appropriate size without being affected by the blank area by enlarging or reducing the image printable area as a reference.

  In the conventional printer driver, enlargement and reduction are performed by enlarging / reducing only the print data while maintaining the page size set and held by the application. Therefore, in the conventional printer driver, if the page size of the original print data is A4, the output print paper size is also output as A4 paper. Note that with the conventional printer driver, the printable range excluding the area defined as the margin is actually defined for the page size by the printer to guarantee the print result, and the page data is only in that area. Drawn. That is, in a computer equipped with a conventional printer driver, the application is not involved in the normal scaling operation, and the page size recognized by the application remains A4. In a conventional printer driver, enlargement / reduction is performed by printing to a size and position adjusted by an enlargement ratio starting from a predetermined reference position. In addition, with the conventional printer driver, the starting point for enlargement is “page upper left reference”, “vertical page top alignment and horizontal center reference”, “vertical and horizontal page center reference”, etc. Although it varies depending on the model, printer language, etc., in most cases, it has a specified specification of the manufacturer (manufacturer of the printer and printer driver). Note that some conventional printer drivers and printers support functions that can switch between the center position and the upper left by a user's setting operation depending on the manufacturer and model.

JP 2001-94769 A

  By the way, in the conventional printer driver corresponding to the page fitting printing process, the reference position for enlarging / reducing is generally fixed. Further, even when the enlargement / reduction reference position can be switched with the conventional printer driver, the user can select from the choices of the reference position as the set value prepared in advance at the time of printing.

  For example, in the conventional printer driver, when the page before the enlargement process is such that the image is located in the full printable area, the image part constituting the page before the enlargement process is deleted (cut or not printed). It is difficult to avoid in principle. In such a case, the conventional printer driver achieves a desired result if the image to be enlarged and the reference position for enlargement coincide with each other. However, the image portion for which user enlargement printing is desired is lost due to enlargement. It is possible that

  In view of the above-described problems, an image processing apparatus (for example, a computer equipped with a printer driver) and an image processing program that can reduce an image deletion area desired by a user when performing image enlargement processing (For example, a printer driver) is desired.

An image processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention uses (1) image data from a drawing file including drawing data of each drawing object of a first page image configured by an image based on one or more drawing objects. (2) an image of each drawing object on the first page image is enlarged based on a predetermined enlargement ratio, and is extracted into a logical drawing area. a drawing object enlargement processing means for developing, (3) the logically drawing area, part or to recognize a distribution area of the whole image data drawing object images, based on the recognized distribution region, second drawing area (4) an image in the second drawing area is enlarged based on the predetermined enlargement ratio with respect to the first page image; Determined as the second page image, and having a data output means for outputting the data of the second page image in a predetermined format.

The image processing program according to the second aspect of the present invention is an image processing program that stores (1) image data from a drawing file that includes drawing data of each drawing object of a first page image composed of images based on one or more drawing objects. Extraction means for extracting image data rendering objects expressed using (2) logical drawing by enlarging the image of each drawing object on the first page image based on a predetermined enlargement ratio a drawing object enlargement processing means for developing in the region, (3) the logical drawing area, part or to recognize a distribution area of the whole image data drawing object images, based on the recognized distribution region, the second (4) an image in the second drawing area for the first page image; Of determining a second page image enlarged on the basis of the enlargement ratio, characterized in that to function as a data output means for outputting the data of the second page image in a predetermined format.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that can reduce an image deletion area desired by a user when performing image enlargement processing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a rendering unit that configures the printer driver according to the first embodiment. It is the block diagram shown about the functional structure of the host computer which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the block diagram shown about the functional structure of the UI display part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing shown about the structural example of the operation screen which the UI display part which concerns on 1st Embodiment displays. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a UI display unit according to the first embodiment. It is the flowchart shown about operation | movement of the rendering part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of image processing of the printer driver according to the first embodiment (No. 1, reference position setting value: “fit to image”, original image position: center). FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an image processing example (No. 2, reference position setting value: “fit to image”, original image position: upper left) of the printer driver according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an image processing example (No. 3, reference position setting value: “upper left reference”, original image position: center) of the printer driver according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of image processing (part 4, reference position setting value: “center reference”, original image position: upper left) of the printer driver according to the first embodiment. It is the block diagram shown about the functional structure of the rendering part which comprises the printer driver which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an image processing example (No. 5, reference position setting value: “Fit to image”, three original images) of the printer driver according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an image processing example (No. 6, reference position setting value: “Fit to image”, four original images) of the printer driver according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing shown about the structural example of the operation screen which the UI display part which comprises the printer driver which concerns on 2nd Embodiment displays. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an image processing example (No. 1, reference position setting value: “3 center images”, three original images) of a printer driver according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an image processing example (No. 2, reference position setting value: “Fit to the center of all images”, four original images) of the printer driver according to the second embodiment. 12 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an operation of a rendering unit included in a printer driver according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an operation of a rendering unit configuring the printer driver according to the second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing shown about the multifunctional device which concerns on the modification of embodiment.

(A) First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an image processing apparatus and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following example, an example in which the image processing apparatus and program of the present invention are applied to a host computer and a printer driver will be described.

(A-1) Configuration of First Embodiment FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration and the like of the host computer 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The host computer 1 performs processing for outputting print data to the printer 2 and printing it. The communication means between the host computer 1 and the printer 2 is not limited, and various interfaces such as USB and LAN can be applied.

  As hardware of the host computer 1, for example, various computers such as a PC, a smartphone, and a workstation can be applied.

  In the host computer 1 shown in FIG. 2, an operating system 20 is installed as middleware, and various applications, drivers, and the like operate on the operating system 20. In the host computer 1, a printer driver 30, a graphics device interface (hereinafter referred to as “GDI”) 40, and a print spooler 50 are incorporated on the operating system 20. In the host computer 1, an application 10 that operates using the operating system 20 is installed. The application 10 is, for example, an application such as a word processor, a spreadsheet, or a Web browser, and can accept print processing of a page (a page on which data based on the application is displayed) according to a user operation. . When the application 10 accepts printing for an arbitrary page from the user, the application 10 performs processing for requesting the printer 2 to perform printing processing via the printer driver 30 and the GDI 40.

  The GDI 40 has a function of processing a drawing call for printing from the application 10. Since GDI 40 can be applied to those operating on various operating systems, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The printer driver 30 provides processing for generating and outputting print data (sending to the printer 2) based on a print command (drawing call) from the application 10, and an operation interface related to the printer 2 for the application 10. . In this embodiment, it is assumed that the printer driver 30 outputs a command string described in PDL (Page Description Language) as print data.

  The print spooler 50 holds data indicating the contents of a print command from the application 10 (hereinafter referred to as “spool file f” or “drawing file”) and supplies the data to the printer driver 30. Although the data format of the spool file f (spool journal file) is not limited, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the format is an EMF (Enhanced Metafile) format. Note that the EMF format includes DEVMODEf1, which is a structure including parameters relating to printing conditions such as a printing enlargement ratio. As a specific configuration of DEVMODEf1, the same structure as various EMF format files can be applied. Further, the spool file f includes one or a plurality of instructions (hereinafter referred to as “drawing record” or “drawing data”) for drawing (printing) the drawing object. As a drawing object, an object (hereinafter referred to as “image data drawing”) for drawing an image based on pixel value data for each pixel (pixel, dot) (hereinafter, this set of pixel value data is referred to as “pixel data”). It is also referred to as “object”) and can be divided into general drawing objects other than the drawing object of image data. Examples of the general drawing object include drawing objects such as lines, figures, and character data expressed by one or more parameter values (vector data).

  Next, the internal configuration of the printer driver 30 will be described. The printer driver 30 includes a print processor 60, a user interface (hereinafter referred to as “UI”) display unit 70, and a rendering unit 80.

  The UI display unit 70 is activated in response to a request from the application 10, and performs a process of returning information related to printing conditions related to the printer 2 (hereinafter referred to as “print setting information”) to the application 10. A user interface (operation screen) function is provided. In this embodiment, the UI display unit 70 is activated by a display call of an operation screen (hereinafter referred to as a “print setting screen”) for the purpose of changing print setting information from the application 10, and is specified by the application 10. Based on the contents, print setting information (for example, a paper size corresponding to the type of the designated printing paper) is obtained, and the application 10 is responded. Details of the UI display unit 70 will be described later.

  The print processor 60 has a relay function for appropriately calling each drawing function of the printer driver 30 in accordance with the drawing record included in the spool file f supplied from the print spooler 50.

  The rendering unit 80 generates and transmits a printer command (for example, a command according to PDL) to be supplied to the printer 2 on the basis of calling a drawing function from the print processor 60 (drawing function call based on a drawing record). To do.

  Next, the internal configuration of the rendering unit 80 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rendering unit 80 of this embodiment functionally includes a drawing record analysis unit 81, an image analysis processing unit 82, an image enlargement processing unit 83, an offset value calculation processing unit 84, a command generation unit 85, a sheet A size search processing unit 86 and a general object enlargement processing unit 87 are included.

  The drawing record analysis unit 81 analyzes the type of drawing object for each drawing record (drawing command) supplied. The drawing record analysis unit 81 holds the analysis result (type for each drawing record) as the record type d11.

  The image analysis processing unit 82 analyzes a drawing record whose type is image data, and includes an image format discrimination processing unit 821, a drawing position size analysis unit 822, and an image pixel extraction processing unit 823.

  The image format discrimination processing unit 821 determines the image format of the image data related to the drawing record.

  The drawing position size analysis unit 822 determines the drawing position (drawing position on the printable area) and size of the image data related to the drawing record. Then, the image enlargement processing unit 83 holds data of the size (number of pixels, number of dots) for each image data determined by the drawing position size analysis unit 822 as the original image size d12. In addition, the image enlargement processing unit 83 holds the position information of the image data determined by the drawing position size analysis unit 822 as the original image drawing position d14.

  The image pixel extraction processing unit 823 extracts the pixel value (pixel data) of each dot (pixel) constituting the image data (image data before the enlargement process) related to the drawing record, and holds it as the original image pixel data d13. To do.

  The rendering unit 80 holds a part or all of parameters constituting the DEVMODE structure included in the spool file f as DEVMODEd30. Specifically, the rendering unit 80 acquires each parameter constituting the DEVMODEd 30 from the DEVMODE structure of the spool file f supplied from the print spooler 50. The DEVMODEd 30 includes at least a sheet ID d 31 (for example, an item “dmPaperSiz” in the DEVMODE structure), an enlargement ratio d 32 (for example, an item “dmScale” in the DEVMODE structure), and a reference position setting value d 33 (for example, a printer manufacturer). And the like, the DEVMODE structure is extended to define a new item defined). The reference position setting value d33 is a parameter for designating a method for setting a position to be a reference to be enlarged when the print page enlargement process is performed, and details thereof will be described later.

  Further, the rendering unit 80 holds a page size (size of printable area) corresponding to each paper (each paper ID) as a paper size table T1.

  The paper size search processing unit 86 searches and acquires the page size information corresponding to the paper ID d31 of DEVMODEd30 from the paper size table T1, and holds it as the page size d40. The page size d40 (paper size table T1) includes, for example, the physical dimensions (vertical and horizontal dimensions) of the paper corresponding to the paper ID d31 and the dimensions of the printable area (vertical and horizontal dimensions) in the printer 2. Direction dimension).

  The image enlargement processing unit 83 calculates a size proportional to the enlargement ratio d32 from the original image size d12 for each drawing record (drawing record of image data), and holds it as an enlarged image size d15. The image enlargement processing unit 83 enlarges the image of the original image pixel data d13 so that the image size d15 is the same as the image size d15 after enlargement for each drawing record (image data drawing record). However, the pixel data d18 is stored as enlarged pixel data d18. Further, the image enlargement processing unit 83 sets the drawing position after the enlargement process (the drawing position of the enlarged pixel data d18) based on the original image drawing position d14 and the enlargement ratio d32 for each drawing record (drawing record of the image data). Obtained and held as the post-enlargement drawing position d17. The image enlargement processing unit 83 enlarges the printable area before the enlargement process on a logical area (hereinafter, also referred to as “logical page area after the enlargement process”) on the assumption that the printable area has been enlarged by the enlargement ratio d32. A position relative to the original image drawing position d14 on the printable area before processing is obtained as an enlarged drawing position d17 and developed.

  The offset value calculation processing unit 84 calculates an offset value to be added to the drawing position from the page size d40 and the enlarged image size d15, and holds it as the offset value d16. Details of the processing of the offset value calculation processing unit 84 will be described later.

  The general object enlargement processing unit 87 performs an enlargement process based on the enlargement ratio d32 for each parameter constituting the drawing record of the general drawing object, and holds it as a post-enlargement parameter d19. The enlargement process for the general drawing object performed by the general object enlargement processing unit 87 includes parameter change for enlarging the size (dimension) of the image based on the general drawing object, and a position on the logical page area after the enlargement process. Parameter change accompanying determination (position relative to the original image drawing position d14 on the printable area before enlargement processing) is included. In other words, the general object enlargement processing unit 87 performs a process of enlarging the general drawing object before the enlargement process and expanding it on the logical page area after the enlargement process.

  The command generation unit 85 performs enlargement processing of the drawing object of image data (offset value d16, enlarged image size d15 and original image pixel data d13), and data after enlargement processing of the general drawing object (parameter after enlargement processing). Based on d19), printer command data for printing each drawing object constituting the page after the enlargement process is generated and transmitted to the printer 2.

  Next, the internal configuration of the UI display unit 70 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The UI display unit 70 includes a UI display initialization unit 71, a UI dialog display unit 72, an option / setting value conversion processing unit 73, and a paper size search processing unit 74.

  The UI display unit 70 holds a DEVMODEd 50 and a paper size table T1 as data areas (structures) for storing various setting values related to printing using the printer 2. DEVMODEd50 holds at least set values of sheet IDd51, enlargement ratio d52, and reference position setting value d53. Note that each setting value of DEVMODEd 50 held by the UI display unit 70 may be set as an initial value of a setting value held on the application 10 side (setting value set in DEVMODEf1). In this embodiment, the items of the setting values constituting the DEVMODE 70 held by the application 10, the DEVMODEd 50 held by the UI display unit 70, and the DEVMODEd 30 held by the rendering unit 80 are the same. Further, it is assumed that the content of the paper size table T1 held by the UI display unit 70 is the same as that of the rendering unit 80.

  The UI display initialization unit 71 displays the display state of a dialog (operation screen) and the initial state of options based on each setting value (setting value set in DEVMODEf1) notified from the application 10 at the same time when the application 10 calls. To decide. Each setting value of DEVMODEf1 held on the application 10 side is not limited. For example, a predetermined initial value or a value after change based on an operation in the application 10 is set.

  The UI dialog display unit 72 performs a process of displaying each initialized setting value and presenting a dialog (operation screen) for accepting an operation of changing each setting value to the user.

  The option / setting value conversion processing unit 73 performs processing for reflecting each setting value received in the dialog (operation screen) of the UI dialog display unit 72 on the DEVMODEd 50.

  Next, an example of a dialog (operation screen) in which the UI display unit 70 accepts a change in setting value from the user will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows a dialog when the UI display unit 70 accepts a setting value change of DEVMODEd50 (reference position setting value d53). Here, the reference position setting value d53 will be described assuming that any one of “upper left reference”, “center reference”, and “fit to image” can be selected. FIG. 4 shows a screen when the operating system 20 of the host computer 1 is a Windows (registered trademark) OS. Further, in the reference position setting value d53 of DEVMODEd50, “1” is set as a setting value corresponding to “upper left reference”, “2” is set as a setting value corresponding to “center reference”, and “set to image” is “ 3 ”is set. This definition is the same for other DEVMODEs (structures).

  The trigger that the UI dialog display unit 72 displays a dialog for accepting a change in the set value of the reference position set value d53 is not limited. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the UI dialog display unit 72 displays a dialog as shown in FIG. 4A as the “print option” tab of the properties of the printer driver related to the printer 2. And Then, the UI dialog display unit 72 pops up the dialog shown in FIG. 4B when the button B101 displayed as “reference position” on the “print option” tab is pressed. The dialog in FIG. 4B is a dialog that accepts a change in the set value of the reference position set value d53, and lists reference position options (in FIG. 4B, “upper left reference”, “center reference”, or “image”). Radio buttons that can select one of the options are arranged. In the dialog shown in FIG. 4B, the setting value change of the reference position setting value d53 can be accepted by pressing any one of the radio buttons and the OK button. Hereinafter, a dialog for accepting the change of the reference position set value d53 as shown in FIG. 4B is referred to as a “reference position set value change dialog”.

  Then, the option / set value conversion processing unit 73 sets the reference position set value d53 of DEVMODEd50 in accordance with the input content (selection content of the radio button) of the dialog shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the image enlargement processing unit 83 and the general object enlargement processing unit 87 function as a drawing object enlargement processing unit. In the first embodiment, the offset value calculation processing unit 84 functions as a drawing area determination unit. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the command generation unit 85 functions as a data output unit.

(A-2) Operation of the First Embodiment Next, the operation of the host computer 1 (printer driver 30) of the first embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

(A-2-1) Reference Position Setting Value Change Acceptance Processing First, processing when the UI display unit 70 of the printer driver 30 accepts reference position setting value change acceptance will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, a dialog (print reference tab change dialog in FIG. 4A) of the print setting (print option tab) of the printer driver 30 related to the printer 2 is called and displayed by the user via the application 10. Suppose (S101). Note that a procedure for calling a print setting (print option tab) dialog via the application 10 can be applied to processing based on various operating systems (for example, Windows OS) and application specifications, and thus description thereof is omitted. .

  Then, it is assumed that the user has performed an operation (clicking button B101 in FIG. 4A) to start changing the reference position setting value from the print setting dialog (S102).

  Next, the UI display initialization unit 71 performs an initialization process for setting the display state in the initial state of the reference position setting value change dialog (S103). For example, the UI display initialization unit 71 may acquire the initial value of the reference position setting value from the application 10 (DEVMODEf1), or may acquire the initial value of the reference position setting value set in advance. It may be.

  Then, the UI display unit 70 displays a reference position setting value change dialog in which the initial value acquired by the UI display initialization unit 71 is set (the radio button that is initially selected is set to the initial value) (S104). ).

  After that, when the user performs an operation of selecting a reference position set value in the reference position set value change dialog (clicking one of the radio buttons on the screen of FIG. 4B and then clicking the OK button) (S105). The option / setting value conversion processing unit 73 converts the selected reference position setting value into a value (any one of 1 to 3 in this embodiment) that can be set in DEVMODEd50 (reference position setting value d53) (S106). , DEVMODEd50 (reference position set value d53) is updated. Further, the UI display unit 70 supplies the updated DEVMODEd 50 to the application 10. Thereby, the application 10 can reflect / update the set value of the updated DEVMODEd50 in the DEVMODEf1 held by the application 10 (S107).

  Here, in the UI display unit 70, only the change of the reference position set value d53 in the DEVMODEd 50 will be described, but the sheet ID d51 and the enlargement ratio d52 can be set similarly.

(A-2-2) Print Processing Next, print processing (print data transmission processing to the printer 2) by the printer driver 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 6, the spool file f is reserved in the print spooler 50 based on the processing of the application 10 and the GDI 40, and the print control based on the spool file f is sent from the print spooler 50 to the rendering unit 60 via the print processor 60. The operation when a process (print control process for the printer 2) is commanded is shown. Further, as a premise of the processing in the flowchart of FIG. 6, in the rendering unit 80, the paper size search processing unit 86 extracts DEVMODEf1 (paper ID, enlargement ratio, reference position setting value) of the spool file f and holds it as DEVMODEd30. It shall be. Here, as a premise of the flowchart of FIG. 6, a setting value (“fit to image” = 3) indicating that image reference enlargement processing is performed is set as the reference position setting value d33 of DEVMODEd 30 in the rendering unit 80. It shall be. Regarding the operation of the printer driver 30 when a value other than the set value (“fit to image” = 3) indicating that the image reference enlargement process is performed is set as the reference position setting value d33 or when the reduction process is performed. Since the same processing as that of various printer drivers can be applied, detailed description is omitted.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 6, it is assumed that a series of drawing records constituting the spool file f is started to be supplied to the rendering unit 80 and one drawing record is acquired (S201).

  When the rendering unit 80 (drawing record analysis unit 81) acquires the drawing record constituting the spool file f, the rendering unit 80 first confirms and holds the record type d11 of the drawing record (S202), and is a drawing record of image data. In this case, the operation starts from step S203 described later, and in the case of a general drawing object other than image data, the operation starts from step S209 described later.

  When the acquired drawing record is a drawing record of image data, the rendering unit 80 (image analysis processing unit 82) acquires the original image size d12, the original image pixel data d13, and the original image drawing position d14 of the drawing record. (S203 to S205).

  Then, the rendering unit 80 (image analysis processing unit 82) checks whether or not the original image size d12 of the image data is the maximum among the image data acquired so far (S206). Holds (updates) the original image size d12 of the image data as the maximum image size d15 (S207).

  Then, the rendering unit 80 (image enlargement processing unit 83) performs enlargement processing based on the enlargement rate d32 on the original image pixel data d13 of the image data, and holds it as enlarged pixel data d18. The rendering unit 80 (image enlargement processing unit 83) obtains and holds the enlarged image size d16 and the enlarged drawing position d17 based on the original image size d12, the original image drawing position d14, and the enlargement ratio d32. S208).

  On the other hand, if the acquired drawing record is of a type other than image data in step S202 described above, the rendering unit 80 (general object enlargement processing unit 87) acquires the parameters (vectorized data) of the drawing record. (S209), the object of the drawing record is changed to the parameter subjected to the enlargement process based on the enlargement ratio d32 and held as the post-enlargement parameter d19 (S210).

  When the enlargement process in step S208 or S210 is completed, the rendering unit 80 checks whether the enlargement process for all the drawing records constituting the spool file f has been completed (S211). If completed, the operation starts from step S212 to be described later. If an unprocessed drawing record remains, the process returns to the above-described step S201, and the process proceeds to the next drawing record.

  When it is confirmed in step S211 described above that the enlargement process for all the drawing records constituting the spool file f has been completed, the rendering unit 80 (offset value calculation processing unit 84) holds the drawing record held at the maximum image size d15. An offset value d20 is obtained and obtained such that the center point of the object (image data object) related to the center point of the printable area after the enlargement process is matched (S212). When there are a plurality of drawing objects of image data having the maximum size, the rendering unit 80 (offset value calculation processing unit 84) may select any one of these image data (for example, arbitrary image data). It is also possible to select the image data arranged at the upper left, and use it for calculating the offset value.

  Then, the rendering unit 80 (command generation unit 85), based on the data acquired by the image enlargement processing unit 83 by the enlargement processing, outputs printer command data for printing each drawing object constituting the page after the enlargement processing. Further, the calculated offset value is added to each generated command (S213) and sent to the printer 2 (S214).

  Next, specific image processing when the printer driver 30 operates according to the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 5 and the like will be described.

  Here, first, as a reference position setting value, a print control process based on the spool file f in which the setting value (“Fit to image” = 3) indicating that the image reference enlargement process is performed is set in DEVMODEf1 is performed by the printer driver 30 ( The results of the image processing performed in the rendering unit 80) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7A and FIG. 8A show the contents of the page before the enlargement process. FIGS. 7B and 8B show page configurations (printing results) after enlarging the pages shown in FIGS. 7A and 8A, respectively.

  In the pages before enlargement processing in FIGS. 7A and 8A, the printable area A11 is set on the printing paper having the shape of the physical page area A12. The printable area A11 is a printable area before the enlargement process, and is also referred to as a “first drawing area” hereinafter. In the printable area A11, a page image before the enlargement process (an image based on a drawing object before the enlargement process, hereinafter also referred to as “first page image”) is drawn. 7A and FIG. 8A, a page before enlargement processing (in the printable area A11) is provided with a star shape at the upper left, a circle at the upper right, a triangle at the lower left, and a square shape at the lower right. The image G10 is arranged. Note that the image G10 is not a general drawing object but an image based on a drawing object of image data.

  It is assumed that the page after the enlargement process shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B includes a physical page area A22 and a printable area A21. In this embodiment, the physical page area A22 and the printable area A21 are described as having the same size (printing paper) as before the enlargement process, but different sizes may be designated. . The printable area A21 is a printable area after the enlargement process, and is hereinafter also referred to as a “second drawing area”. In the printable area A21, a page image after the enlargement process (an image based on the drawing object after the enlargement process, hereinafter also referred to as “second page image”) is drawn.

  Further, in the pages after the enlargement process in FIGS. 7B and 8B, the image G10 (original image pixel) is included in the logical page area A23 after the enlargement process (hereinafter also referred to as “logical drawing area”). An image G20 (image of the enlarged pixel data d18) obtained by enlarging the image of the data d13) to a size proportional to the enlargement ratio d32 is arranged at a position based on the enlarged drawing position d17. Note that the image G20 is larger than the printable area A21. In the pages after the enlargement process in FIGS. 7B and 8B, the printable area A21 (physical page area A22) is arranged in the logical page area A23 after the enlargement process at a position based on the offset value d20. Has been. That is, in the pages after the enlargement process in FIGS. 7B and 8B, the image of the printable area A21 in the logical page area G23 after the enlargement process is printed on the printing paper.

  In FIG. 7A, the image G10 before the enlargement process is arranged in the center of the printable area A11. In FIG. 7B, the image G10 before the enlargement process is displayed at the upper left corner of the printable area A11. It is arranged according to the position.

  In the example of FIGS. 7 and 8, the drawing objects arranged are only the images G10 and G20. Therefore, the paper size search processing unit 86 determines that the image G10 is the maximum size image data. Accordingly, in the examples of FIGS. 7 and 8, positions P1 and P2 that are the center points of the image G20 are set as positions related to the offset value d20, respectively. That is, in the examples of FIGS. 7B and 8B, the positions P1 and P2 (the center point of the image G20) are set as the center points of the printable area A21, and therefore the position of the image G20 is different. However, the printable area A21 is set so that the area to be deleted without being printed is minimized. The center point of the image may be, for example, the coordinates of the middle point in the horizontal direction (X direction) and the middle point in the vertical direction (Y direction) of the image area.

  That is, when enlargement processing is performed by the image reference enlargement processing method, the command generation unit 85 calculates the offset value d20 so that the center point of the printable area A21 is the position of the center point of the image of the maximum size. Thus, processing to be added to each command is performed. As a result, the page after enlargement processing (the page printed by the printer 2) configured by the command output from the command generation unit 85 is an image in the printable area A21.

  For example, it is assumed that the reference position setting value of DEVMODEf1 is (1) “upper left reference” and the enlargement process is performed at the same enlargement ratio for the page in FIG. In this case, the printable area A21 after the enlargement process is set in the upper left part of the logical page area A23 after the enlargement process, and the result after the enlargement process by the printer driver 30 (rendering unit 80) is shown in FIG. The printing result is almost the same as that in 8 (b). On the other hand, when the reference position setting value of DEVMODEf1 is (1) “upper left reference” and the enlargement process is performed at the same enlargement ratio for the page of FIG. 7A, the enlargement process by the printer driver 30 (rendering unit 80). The subsequent print result is as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 9, since the reference position setting value is (1) “upper left reference”, the printer driver 30 (rendering unit 80) always makes the printable area A21 the upper left of the logical page area A23 after the enlargement process. Therefore, the area that is removed from the printable area A21 in the image G20 is larger than that in the example of FIG.

  Next, as an example, a case is assumed where the reference position setting value of DEVMODEf1 is (2) “center reference” and the enlargement process is performed at the same enlargement ratio for the page in FIG. In this case, the printable area A21 after the enlargement process is set at the central portion of the logical page area A23 after the enlargement process, and the result after the enlargement process by the printer driver 30 (rendering unit 80) is shown in FIG. The printing result is almost the same as that in 8 (b). However, when the reference position setting value of DEVMODEf1 is (2) “center reference” and the enlargement process is performed at the same enlargement ratio for the page of FIG. 8A, after the enlargement process by the printer driver 30 (rendering unit 80). The printing result is as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 10, since the reference position setting value is (2) “center reference”, the printer driver 30 (rendering unit 80) places the printable area A21 in the center of the logical page area A23 after the enlargement process. Because of the setting, the area that is removed from the printable area A21 in the image G20 is larger than that in the example of FIG.

(A-3) Effects of First Embodiment According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

  In the printer driver 30 installed in the host computer 1 of the first embodiment, a printable area after enlargement processing is determined based on a distribution area of drawing objects of image data as a method for enlargement processing of a page to be printed. By corresponding to the enlargement processing (image reference enlargement processing), unlike the case of enlargement processing with the setting of (2) “center reference” or (1) “upper left reference”, the drawing object of image data (reference for offset value calculation) Regardless of the position of the image), the area of the drawing object of the image data that is removed from the printable area A21 can be made minimum and constant.

  In particular, among the drawing objects included in the printed matter, the image data drawing object is useful for enlargement printing. Therefore, the image data drawing object having the largest size on the page before the enlargement processing is obtained by the above-described image reference enlargement processing. By adjusting the printable area A21 so as to be displayed most efficiently, it is possible to greatly contribute to user convenience.

(B) Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a second embodiment of an image processing apparatus and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following example, an example in which the image processing apparatus and program of the present invention are applied to a host computer and a printer driver will be described.

(B-1) Configuration of the Second Embodiment In the printer driver 30 of the first embodiment, paying attention to the drawing object of a single image data having the maximum size in the logical page area after the enlargement process, Set an offset value (printable area (printable area) after enlargement processing). However, in the printer driver 30 according to the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, when a plurality of image data drawing objects are arranged in the print data before the enlargement process, the image data drawing object Of these, there may be a case where the area beyond the printable area cannot be minimized.

  FIG. 12A and FIG. 13A show examples of pages before enlargement processing. FIGS. 12B and 13B show print results (pages after the enlargement process) when the enlargement process is performed for the pages of FIGS. 12A and 13A, respectively. In the pages shown in FIGS. 12A and 13A, a printable area A11 is set in the printing paper having the shape of the physical page area A12.

  First, the example of FIG. 12 will be described. In the page before the enlargement process in FIG. 12A, in the printable area A11, G31 with a triangular graphic image, G32 with a circular graphic image, and a star-shaped graphic image. An image G33 marked with is arranged. Note that the images G31, G32, and G33 have different sizes, and the images G31, G32, and G33 are arranged in order from the largest size. The images G31, G32, and G33 are all images based on a drawing object of image data.

  Therefore, in the printer driver 30 of the first embodiment, the reference position setting value of DEVMODEf1 is set to (3) “Fit to image”, and enlargement processing (image reference enlargement processing) is performed on the print data as shown in FIG. In this case, the page after the enlargement process is as shown in FIG. In FIG. 12B, images G41, G42, and G43 obtained by enlarging the images G31, G32, and G33, respectively, are arranged inside the logical page area A23 after the enlargement processing. In this case, in the printer driver 30 of the first embodiment, in the logical page area A23 after the enlargement process, the center point (position P3) of the drawing object of the image G41 having the maximum size is the printable area after the enlargement process. It is set to be the center point of A21 (physical page area A22). Accordingly, in the printing result shown in FIG. 12B, the maximum size of the image G41 has the smallest region that protrudes from the printable region A11, but the other images G42 and G43 have a large amount of protrusion. End up.

  Next, the example of FIG. 13 will be described. In the print result of FIG. 13A, in the printable area A11, G51 with a star-shaped graphic image, G52 with a triangular graphic image, and a circular graphic image are added. An image G53 and an image G54 with a square graphic image are arranged. The images G51 to G54 are images based on the image data drawing object, and the image sizes before the enlargement process are the same. For example, in the case where the application 10 is originally held as a single image, but has been subjected to divided print processing for the convenience of the application 10 (for example, when an upper limit of the image size that can be output is determined), The contents of the page before the enlargement process are divided into a plurality of images as shown in FIG.

  Therefore, the printer driver 30 of the first embodiment sets the reference position setting value of DEVMODEf1 to (3) “Fit to image”, and enlarges the print data as shown in FIG. 13A (image reference enlargement process). For example, the page after the enlargement process is as shown in FIG. In FIG. 13B, images G61 to G64 obtained by enlarging the images G51 to G54 are arranged in the logical page area A23 after the enlargement processing. In this case, in the printer driver 30 of the first embodiment, since there are a plurality of images of the same size in the logical page area A23 after the enlargement process, the image G61 is selected as an offset value calculation target as an arbitrary image. Shall. Therefore, in this case, in the printer driver 30 of the first embodiment, the position P4 that is the center point of the image G61 is set to be the center point of the printable area A21 in the logical page area A23 after the enlargement process. The Accordingly, in the page after the enlargement process shown in FIG. 13B, the image G61 that is the offset value calculation target (target target) has the smallest area that protrudes from the printable area A21 (there is no area that protrudes). However, the other images G62 to G64 are greatly protruded.

  As described above, in the printer driver 30 according to the first embodiment, when an enlargement process is performed on a plurality of drawing objects of image data, an area that extends beyond the printable area becomes large even if the image reference enlargement process is performed (minimum). May not be). For this reason, the printer driver 30 according to the first embodiment is effective when only one image data exists in the page before the enlargement process or when the image data to be enlarged has the maximum size. There are a plurality of images existing in the page, or when data existing as a single image is divided into a plurality of images for the convenience of processing of the application 10 (for example, in the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 13). As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, there may be a case where the area protruding from the printable area becomes larger (not minimized).

  Therefore, in the printer driver 30A installed in the host computer 1A according to the second embodiment, when a plurality of images (image data drawing objects) are arranged on the page before the enlargement process, the plurality of images are included. It is assumed that it also supports enlargement processing (hereinafter referred to as “multiple image reference enlargement processing”) that calculates an offset value with the center point of the region as a reference position (setting of a printable region after enlargement processing). To do.

  The detailed configuration of the host computer 1A of the second embodiment will be described below.

  Since the entire configuration of the host computer 1A of the second embodiment can also be described with reference to FIG. 2 described above, detailed description thereof is omitted. The host computer 1A according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the printer driver 30 is replaced with the printer driver 30A. The printer driver 30A is different from the first embodiment in that the rendering unit 80 is replaced with the rendering unit 80A. The rendering unit 80A is different from the first embodiment in that an image position comparison processing unit 88 is added.

  In the rendering unit 80A of the second embodiment, in addition to the same image reference enlargement processing as the first embodiment (processing when the reference position setting value of DEVMODEf1 is “3” (match to image)), the above-described processing is performed. The multi-image reference enlargement process is also supported.

  Also, it is assumed that a setting value “4” (matching the center of all images) indicating the multiple image reference enlargement process can be set as the reference position setting value constituting DEVMODEf1 of the second embodiment.

  Therefore, in the UI display unit 70 of the second embodiment, instead of the operation screen of FIG. 4 described above as an operation screen (reference position setting value change dialog) for receiving the setting value of the reference position setting value, FIG. The operation screen is applied. In the reference position setting value change dialog shown in FIG. 14, “Align to the center of all images” can be selected as the reference position setting value as the setting value indicating the multiple image reference enlargement process. In the UI display unit 70 of the second embodiment, when “Align to the center of all images” indicating the multiple image reference enlargement process is selected on the operation screen of FIG. 14, the reference position setting value d53 of the DEVMODEd 50 is set to “4”. ”To the application 10.

  In the rendering unit 80A of the second embodiment, when the reference position setting value of DEVMODEf1 is “4” (match to the center of all the images), the image position comparison processing unit 88 functions, and before the enlargement process is performed. In the printable range of the page, the coordinates of the edges in the vertical and horizontal directions of the area including all the images are held as an image leftmost position X1, an image rightmost position X2, an image uppermost position Y1, and an image lowermost position Y2. In the following, it is assumed that the image leftmost position X1 and the image rightmost position X2 are each indicated by coordinates in the horizontal direction (X direction) (the number of dots counted from the left end of the printable area). Further, the image uppermost end position Y1 and the image lowermost end position Y2 are each indicated by coordinates in the vertical direction (Y direction) (the number of dots counted from the upper end of the printable area).

  Then, in the rendering unit 80A of the second embodiment, when the reference position setting value of DEVMODEf1 is “4” (match to the center of all images), the offset value calculation processing unit 84 sets the image leftmost position X1, A region including all images after enlargement processing (images based on drawing objects of image data) in the logical page region after enlargement processing using the image rightmost end position X2, the image uppermost end position Y1, and the image lowermost end position Y2. Is obtained as a reference point for calculating the offset position (reference point of the printable area).

  For example, when the standard position setting value of EVMODEf1 is set to “4” (match to the center of all images) and the multiple image reference enlargement process is performed with the same enlargement ratio for the same page as in FIG. An example of the result will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15A and FIG. 16A respectively show the pages before enlargement processing similar to those in FIGS. 12A and 13A described above. FIG. 15B and FIG. 16B show pages obtained by enlarging the pages before the enlarging process shown in FIGS. 15A and 16A by the multi-image reference enlarging process, respectively.

  In the page of FIG. 12A, the position of the center point of the region including all the images G31 to G33 is indicated as P5. Assuming that the coordinate in the X direction of the position P5 is X3 and the coordinate in the Y direction is Y3, X3 and Y3 can be obtained by the following equations (1) and (2).

X3 = (X2-X1) / 2 (1)
Y3 = (Y2-Y1) / 2 (2)
The offset value calculation processing unit 84 uses X3 and Y3 as the center point (reference position for calculating the offset value) of the area including all the images G41 to G43 in the logical page area A23 after the enlargement process. , Position P6 can be obtained. Assuming that the coordinate in the X direction of the position P6 is X4 and the coordinate in the Y direction is Y4, X4 and Y4 can be obtained as in the following equations (3) and (4). In Expressions (3) and (4), k represents the enlargement ratio d32. Here, the enlargement ratios in the X direction and the Y direction are represented as a common k, but different enlargement ratios may be used in the X direction and the Y direction.

X4 = X3 * k (3)
Y4 = Y3 * k (4)
In the rendering unit 80A (offset value calculation processing unit 84) of the second embodiment, when the reference position setting value of DEVMODEf1 is “4” (match to the center of all images), all images ( The center point of the area including the image of the drawing object based on the image data is obtained, and the offset value is obtained so that the center point becomes the center point of the printable area A21 on the logical page area A23.

(B-2) Operation of Second Embodiment Next, the operation of the host computer 1A (printer driver 30A) of the second embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described. In the following, the operation of the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

(B-2-1) Reference Position Set Value Change Acceptance Processing Regarding the processing when the UI display unit 70 of the printer driver 30A accepts the change of the reference position set value d53 constituting the DEVMODEd 50, the operation screen (reference position The setting value change dialog is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the content shown in FIG. 14 is the same as that of the first embodiment except that “align to the center of all images” (4) indicating multi-image reference enlargement processing can also be selected. Detailed description is omitted.

(B-2-2) Print Processing Next, print processing (print data transmission processing to the printer 2) by the printer driver 30A will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the flowchart of FIG. 17, the same step numbers (symbols) are assigned to the same processes as those of the first embodiment (FIG. 5 described above). In the flowcharts of FIGS. 17 and 18, as a premise, the reference position setting value d33 of DEVMODEd30 in the rendering unit 80A is a setting value indicating that the multiple image reference enlargement process is performed ((4) “Match to center of all images”). This is different from the first embodiment in that it is set to. Note that when the reference position setting value d33 is set to a value other than the setting value ((4) “Align to the center of all images”) indicating that the multiple image reference enlargement process is performed, or when the reduction process is performed Since is the same as in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  When the rendering unit 80A (drawing record analysis unit 81) obtains the drawing record constituting the spool file f, first, the rendering unit 80A confirms and holds the record type d11 of the drawing record (S202), and is a drawing record of image data. In this case, the operation starts from step S203, which will be described later, and in the case of a general drawing object other than image data, the operation starts from step S209 described later.

  When the acquired drawing record is a drawing record of image data, the rendering unit 80A (image analysis processing unit 82) acquires the original image size d12, the original image pixel data d13, and the original image drawing position d14 of the drawing record. (S203 to S205).

  Further, the rendering unit 80A (image position comparison processing unit 88) obtains the positions of the left and right and upper and lower edges in the printable area before the enlargement processing of the acquired image data based on the original image drawing position d14 and the like. A process of updating the left end position X1, the image rightmost end position X2, the image uppermost end position Y1, and the image lowermost end position Y2 is performed (S301).

  The update process in step S301 can be realized by, for example, the flowchart in FIG.

  When the rendering unit 80A (the image position comparison processing unit 88) obtains the positions (coordinates) of the left, right, and upper and lower edges in the printable area before the image enlargement process based on the acquired image data, the rendering unit 80A (the image position comparison processing unit 88) sets these positions as the image maximum. As compared with the left end position X1, the image rightmost end position X2, the image uppermost end position Y1, and the image lowermost end position Y2, the update is performed when the end position of the image is located on the end side. In the following, the horizontal coordinate (X direction) of the left end in the printable area before the enlargement processing of the image acquired by the rendering unit 80A (image position comparison processing unit 88) is x1, and the horizontal direction (X The coordinate of (direction) is represented as x2, the coordinate of the upper end in the vertical direction (Y direction) is represented as y1, and the coordinate of the lower end in the vertical direction (Y direction) is represented as y2.

  First, the rendering unit 80A (image position comparison processing unit 88) determines whether or not the left end position x1 of the acquired image is located on the left side of the image leftmost end position X1 (that is, whether x1 <X1). Only when x1 <X1, X1 = x1 is updated (S401, S402).

  Also, the rendering unit 80A (image position comparison processing unit 88) determines whether or not the right end position x2 of the acquired image is located on the right side of the image rightmost end position X2 (that is, x2> X2). Only when x2> X2, X2 is updated as x2 (S403, S404).

  In addition, the rendering unit 80A (image position comparison processing unit 88) determines whether the upper end position y1 of the acquired image is positioned above the uppermost end position Y1 of the image (that is, whether y1 <Y1). Only when y1 <Y1, Y1 = y1 is updated (S405, S406).

  Further, the rendering unit 80A (image position comparison processing unit 88) determines whether or not the lower end position y2 of the acquired image is located below the lowermost image position Y2 (that is, y2> Y2). Only when y2> Y2, Y2 = y2 is updated (S407, S408).

  On the other hand, if the acquired drawing record is of a type other than image data in step S202 described above, the rendering unit 80A (general object enlargement processing unit 87) acquires the parameters (vectorized data) of the drawing record. (S209), a command for enlarging the object of the drawing record based on the enlargement ratio d32 is generated (S210).

  When the enlargement process in step S301 or S210 is completed, the rendering unit 80A confirms whether the enlargement process for all the drawing records constituting the spool file f has been completed (S211), and the processing for all the drawing records is completed. If completed, the operation starts from step S302, which will be described later. If an unprocessed drawing record remains, the process returns to the above-described step S201, and the process proceeds to the next drawing record.

  When it is confirmed in step S211 described above that the enlargement processing of all the drawing records constituting the spool file f has been completed, the rendering unit 80A (offset value calculation processing unit 84) is held by the image position comparison processing unit 88. Based on the coordinates (image leftmost position X1, image rightmost position X2, image uppermost position Y1, image lowest end position Y2), the center point of the area including all images in the logical page area after the enlargement process is enlarged. An offset value d20 that matches the center point of the printable area of the subsequent page is calculated and acquired (S302).

  Then, the rendering unit 80A (command generation unit 85) generates printer command data for printing each drawing object constituting the page after the enlargement processing based on the data obtained by the enlargement processing by the image enlargement processing unit 83. Further, the calculated offset value is added to each generated command (S213) and sent to the printer 2 (S214).

(B-3) Effects of the Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, the following effects can be achieved as compared with the first embodiment.

  In the rendering unit 80A of the second embodiment, by responding to the multiple image reference enlargement process, even when the enlargement process is performed for a page including a plurality of images as shown in FIGS. In A23, the center points P6 and P8 of the area including all the images after the enlargement process can be obtained as reference points for calculating the offset position. As shown in FIG. 15B and FIG. 16B, when a multiple image reference enlargement process is applied to perform enlargement processing on a page including a plurality of images, those images are displayed in FIG. If dense as shown in FIG. 13 (a), compared with the case of performing the image reference enlargement process of the first embodiment (FIGS. 12 (b) and 13 (b)), the printing after the enlargement process is performed. The area of the image that protrudes from the possible area A21 can be reduced.

(C) Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may include modified embodiments as exemplified below.

(C-1) In the image reference enlargement process and the multiple image reference enlargement process performed by the printer driver 30 (30A) of the first and second embodiments, an image (a drawing object based on image data) in the page before the enlargement process. Pay attention to the above, and set the printable area in the page after the enlargement process.

  Therefore, in the image reference enlargement process and the multiple image reference enlargement process performed by the printer driver 30 (30A) according to the first and second embodiments, the images to be processed are shown in FIGS. 7A, 8A, and 15. As shown in (a) and FIG. 16 (a), there is an effect (an effect of reducing the area that extends beyond the printable area after the enlargement process and is deleted) when enlarging the page including the margin and the image. This is because when the page before the enlargement process is only an image and there is no margin, the amount of the printable area after the enlargement process that protrudes from the printable area after the enlargement process does not change.

  In the image reference enlargement process and the multiple image reference enlargement process performed by the printer driver 30 (30A) according to the first and second embodiments, the images to be processed are as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 15, and 16. In addition, it is effective when all the images after enlargement processing (drawing objects based on image data) do not fit in the printable region after enlargement processing (the effect of reducing the region that is removed from the printable region after enlargement processing) ). This is because when all the images after the enlargement process fit within the printable area, it is most efficient to designate the printable area after the enlargement process as the position.

  Therefore, even when the printer driver 30 (30A) of the first and second embodiments is set to DEVMODE (reference position setting value) so as to perform image reference enlargement processing and multiple image reference enlargement processing, As in the case of “when all the pages before the enlargement processing are filled with images” and “when all the images after the enlargement processing fit in the printable area after the enlargement processing”, The same enlargement process as the conventional one may be performed without performing the process and the multiple image reference enlargement process).

(C-2) In each of the above embodiments, the example in which the image processing apparatus and the program of the present invention are applied to a printer driver and a host computer (a host computer to which a printer is connected) mounted with the printer driver has been described. Alternatively, the image processing program (printer driver) of the present invention may be installed in the printer itself to accept print processing from the host computer. In this case, the printer is an apparatus that realizes an embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention. Similarly, the image processing apparatus of the present invention may be applied to an image forming apparatus other than a printer (for example, a device that performs image enlargement processing including a multifunction peripheral (MFP), a FAX, a scanner, and the like).

  In each of the above embodiments, an example in which the image processing apparatus and the program of the present invention are applied to enlargement processing of a print page has been described, but means for outputting a page after enlargement processing is not limited to printing. For example, the page after the enlargement process may be mainly displayed on the display.

(C-3) In the printer driver 30 (30A) of the first and second embodiments, when the image reference enlargement process and the multiple image reference enlargement process are performed, the page before the enlargement process is composed of an image and a margin. Although the effect was demonstrated in some cases, it is not limited to this. For example, in a multi-function peripheral (MFP) equipped with an image scanner and a printing device, an image printed on an original paper is scanned, an enlargement ratio is specified for the scanned image, and an enlargement process is performed (the same size as the original paper). The same effect can be obtained by applying the enlargement process (for example, the image reference enlargement process) in the image processing apparatus and program of the present invention when printing the enlarged scan image on the printing paper. An example in which the present invention is applied to a multifunction machine will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 19A shows a state in which a photograph M1 (for example, an L size photograph) is placed on the placement glass 111 of the image scanner 110 in the multifunction machine 100. In addition, the mounting surface of the mounting glass 111 has a shape of A4 size printing paper. When the MFP 100 scans with the document size scanned by the image scanner 110 designated as A4, as shown in FIG. 19B, the scanned image G100 is composed of a margin G101 and an image image G102 of the photograph M1. The At this time, the MFP 100 recognizes the image image G102 as a drawing object of the image data by image processing on the scanned image G100 (for example, EMF similar to that in the first embodiment). It is assumed that a format drawing file) has been acquired, and enlargement processing (for example, image reference enlargement processing) has been performed. In the multi-function device 100, as drawing file generation means for generating an EMF format drawing file based on the scanned scanned image, applications used in various existing scanners can be applied, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  When an A4 size printing paper and an enlargement ratio are specified for the multifunction peripheral 100, a page based on the scan image G100 (a page image drawn by the drawing file generated by the drawing file generation unit described above) is used. The same enlargement process (for example, the image reference enlargement process of the first embodiment) as in the above embodiments can be performed. In the multi-function device 100, when a page based on the scan image G100 is enlarged at a specified enlargement ratio and printed on the A4 size print paper M2, the print image on the print paper M2 is as shown in FIG. become. In FIG. 19E, the center point of the image G201 after the enlargement process and the center point of the A4 size printing paper M2 (the center of the printable area) are matched by the image reference enlargement process.

  As shown in FIG. 19C, when the photograph M1 is placed in a posture that is not parallel to the edge of the placement glass 111 of the image scanner 110, the scanned image G300 is shown in FIG. ), The margin G301 and the image image G302 of the photograph M1 in a posture that is not parallel to the edge of the scan image G300 (the same posture as in FIG. 19C). When a scan image G300 as shown in FIG. 19D is obtained in the multifunction peripheral 100, the rotation angle of the image image G302 (an angle formed with the edge of the scan image G300) based on the coordinates of the edge of the image G302 and the like. ) Is detected, and a scan image G100 similar to that shown in FIG. 19B can be obtained. Then, the multifunction peripheral 100 can obtain the same print image G200 as that shown in FIG. 19E by performing the same enlargement process (for example, the image reference enlargement process) on the acquired scan image G100.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Host computer, 10 ... Application, 20 ... Operating system, 30 ... Printer driver, 60 ... Print processor, 70 ... UI display part, 71 ... UI display initialization part, 72 ... UI dialog display part, 73 ... Options and setting Value conversion processing unit, 74 ... paper size search processing unit, 80 ... rendering unit, 81 ... drawing record analysis unit, 82 ... image analysis processing unit, 821 ... image format discrimination processing unit, 822 ... image position size analysis unit, 823 ... Image pixel extraction processing unit, 83 ... Image enlargement processing unit, 84 ... Offset value calculation processing unit, 85 ... Command generation unit, 86 ... Paper size search processing unit, 87 ... General object enlargement processing unit, 40 ... GDI, 50 ... Printing Spooler, 2 ... Printer.

Claims (10)

Extracting means for extracting an image data drawing object expressed using image data from a drawing file including drawing data of each drawing object of the first page image constituted by images based on one or a plurality of drawing objects;
Drawing object enlargement processing means for expanding an image of each drawing object on the first page image based on a predetermined enlargement ratio and expanding the image in a logical drawing area;
A drawing area determining means for recognizing a distribution area of an image of a part or all of the image data drawing object in the logical drawing area and performing a process of determining a position of the second drawing area based on the recognized distribution area When,
An image in the second drawing area is determined as a second page image enlarged based on the predetermined enlargement ratio with respect to the first page image, and data of the second page image is determined in a predetermined format. An image processing apparatus comprising: data output means for outputting.   The drawing area determining unit is configured to include a part or all of the image data drawing objects only when the images of all the image data drawing objects cannot be included in the second drawing area in the logical drawing area. A first drawing area position determination process for recognizing an image distribution area and determining the position of the second drawing area based on the recognized distribution area is performed. Otherwise, all image data drawing objects The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a second drawing area position determination process is performed to determine the second drawing area so that an image of the first image is included.   The drawing area determining means determines the position of the second drawing area so that the center point of the image data drawing object having the widest area in the logical drawing area becomes the center point of the second drawing area. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: is set.   The drawing area determining means is arranged such that a center point of an area in which images of all image data drawing objects are included in the logical drawing area is a center point of the second drawing area. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a position of the drawing area is set. Scanning means for scanning a document sheet on which one or a plurality of images are formed and acquiring a scanned image;
Drawing file generating means for recognizing an image data drawing object from the scanned image acquired by the scanning means and generating a drawing file;
The extraction means extracts an image data drawing object from the drawing file generated by the drawing file generation means,
5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that prints the second page image related to the data output by the data output unit on a printing paper and outputs the second page image. . Computer
Extracting means for extracting an image data drawing object expressed using image data from a drawing file including drawing data of each drawing object of the first page image constituted by images based on one or a plurality of drawing objects;
Drawing object enlargement processing means for expanding an image of each drawing object on the first page image based on a predetermined enlargement ratio and expanding the image in a logical drawing area;
A drawing area determining means for recognizing a distribution area of an image of a part or all of the image data drawing object in the logical drawing area and performing a process of determining a position of the second drawing area based on the recognized distribution area When,
An image in the second drawing area is determined as a second page image enlarged based on the predetermined enlargement ratio with respect to the first page image, and data of the second page image is determined in a predetermined format. An image processing program which functions as data output means for outputting. The drawing area determining unit is configured to include a part or all of the image data drawing objects only when the images of all the image data drawing objects cannot be included in the second drawing area in the logical drawing area. A first drawing area position determination process for recognizing an image distribution area and determining the position of the second drawing area based on the recognized distribution area is performed. Otherwise, all image data drawing objects The image processing program according to claim 6, wherein a second drawing area position determination process for determining the second drawing area so as to include an image of the second image is performed. The drawing area determining means determines the position of the second drawing area so that the center point of the image data drawing object having the widest area in the logical drawing area becomes the center point of the second drawing area. The image processing program according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The drawing area determining means is arranged such that a center point of an area in which images of all image data drawing objects are included in the logical drawing area is a center point of the second drawing area. 8. The image processing program according to claim 6, wherein the position of the drawing area is set. Scanning means for scanning a document sheet on which one or more images are formed and obtaining a scanned image;
The further function by the scanning means by the obtained scanned image drawing file generation means for generating a recognizing and description file image data drawing object,
The extraction means extracts an image data drawing object from the drawing file generated by the drawing file generation means,
The computer,
Image according to any one of claims 6-9, characterized in that the said second page image data output means according to the output data, thereby printing on the printing paper to further function as a means for outputting Processing program .

Images