Information processing system, computer program product, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides an information processing system, a computer program product, and an image forming apparatus. An information processing system capable of saving a recording material for printing a medium to be cut using a cutting machine. The information processing system includes an image forming apparatus configured to print a print image on a medium, an information processing apparatus, and a cutter. The information processing system includes: a setting unit configured to set a cutting area in which a cutting machine cuts a medium on which the print image is printed; and a print image generation unit configured to generate the print image, which does not include an image other than the cut area, from an input image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, a computer program product including a cutting application, and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an information processing system for cutting a medium to be cut, a computer program product including a cutting application, and an image forming apparatus. Background Art

[0002] Currently, a device called a cutting machine is widely used to cut a medium to be cut such as paper or cloth. In retail stores, schools, etc., there is a usage scenario where an image forming apparatus is used to print an image on the medium to be cut, and then the cutting machine is used to cut the printed medium.

[0003] For example, a conventional technique is known in which a cutting line is given to an image of a print object such as a photograph, character, picture, or pattern to be printed on a medium to be cut (for example, Japanese Patent No. 4534823).

[0004] However, there is a cuttable area in the cutting machine. Therefore, when an image is printed on a medium to be cut using an image forming apparatus, there is a case where the image is printed outside the cuttable area of the medium. In this case, the image outside the cuttable area does not become an image to be cut, so even if the image is printed on the medium, the image will be discarded after cutting, resulting in waste. In addition, when the image to be cut is smaller than the image printed on the medium, most of the image printed on the medium will be discarded after cutting, resulting in waste. Especially when the number of media to be cut is large, or when the image printed on the medium requires a large amount of recording materials such as toner and ink, these wastes will become very large. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of at least one of the above problems, and the present invention provides an information processing system, a computer program product including a cutting application, and an image forming apparatus that can save recording materials for printing a medium to be cut using a cutting machine.

[0006] Accordingly, the present invention provides an information processing system including an image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus, and a cutting machine, the image forming apparatus being configured to print a print image on a medium, the information processing system including: a setting unit configured to set a cutting area in which the cutting machine cuts the medium on which the print image is printed; and a print image generation unit configured to generate the print image that does not include an image outside the cutting area based on an input image.

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention provides a computer program product, the computer program product including a cutting application that causes an information processing apparatus to cooperate with an image forming apparatus configured to print a print image on a medium and a cutting machine. The cutting application includes code for performing the following operations: setting a cutting area in which the cutting machine cuts the medium on which the print image is printed; and generating the print image that does not include an image outside the cutting area based on an input image.

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that is connected to an information processing apparatus and a cutting machine and is configured to print a print image on a medium. The image forming apparatus includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the information processing apparatus, a cutting area in which the cutting machine cuts the medium on which the print image is printed; and a print image generation unit configured to generate the print image that does not include an image outside the cutting area based on an input image.

[0009] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the accompanying drawings). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 is a diagram showing Figure 1 an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus in

[0012] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the OS of the image forming apparatus.

[0013] Figure 4 is a diagram showing Figure 1 an example of the hardware configuration of the cutting machine in

[0014] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the cutting machine.

[0015] Figure 6 is a diagram showing Figure 1 an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus in

[0016] Figure 7 is a diagram showing Figure 6 an example of the software configuration of the cutting application stored in the storage device in

[0017] Figure 8 is an example of a series of processing sequences until the image forming apparatus prints a target to be cut and the cutting machine performs cutting.

[0018] Figure 9 is a variant of a series of processing sequences until an image forming apparatus prints a target to be cut and a cutting machine cuts the target.

[0019] Figures 10A to 10F is a diagram showing examples of an image to be cut, an output object that outputs the untrimmed image to be cut as it is, and an output object when trimming the image to be cut.

[0020] Figure 11A is an example of a flowchart of processing executed by a cutting application when printing an image to be cut.

[0021] Figure 11B is Figure 11A a continuation diagram of

[0022] Figure 12 is an example of a flowchart of processing executed by an image forming apparatus when printing a target to be cut.

[0023] Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of a trimming setting screen.

[0024] Figure 14A is a diagram showing Figure 11A an example of a setting screen displayed in the processing of step S1103 in

[0025] Figure 14B is a diagram showing Figure 11A an example of a preview screen displayed in the processing of step S1104 in

[0026] Figure 14C is a diagram showing Figure 11A an example of a setting screen redisplayed in the processing of step S1106 in DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings showing embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the embodiments. Modifications such as replacing with equivalents or omitting part of the configuration or part of the processing can be made as long as similar effects can be obtained.

[0029] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] In Figure 1 the information processing system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 101, an information processing apparatus 102, and a cutting machine 103, which are communicably connected via a network 100.

[0031] The image forming apparatus 101 receives instructions from the information processing apparatus 102 and prints an image including a target to be cut on a medium to be cut. The cutting machine 103 receives instructions from the information processing apparatus 102 and cuts the printed medium output from the image forming apparatus 101 based on specified cutting information.

[0032] In this embodiment, the information processing apparatus 102 is configured to issue instructions to each of the image forming apparatus 101 and the cutting machine 103, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the image forming apparatus 101 that has received instructions from the information processing apparatus 102 may cooperate with the cutting machine 103 to perform a series of processes from printing to cutting.

[0033] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 101.

[0034] The image forming apparatus 101 includes a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, a storage device 204, an image bus interface (I / F) 205, an operation unit I / F 206, a system bus 207, an image bus 208, a network I / F 210, and an operation unit 212. The image forming apparatus 101 further includes a USB host I / F 213, a USB storage device 214, an RTC 215, a device I / F 220, a scanner 270, a scanner image processing unit 280, a printer image processing unit 290, and a printer 295.

[0035] The CPU 201 starts an operating system (OS) 310 ( Figure 3 ) through a bootstrap program stored in the ROM 203. The CPU 201 executes programs stored in the storage device 204 on the OS 310, thereby performing various processes. The RAM 202 serves as a work area for the CPU 201. The RAM 202 provides a work area and also provides an image storage area for temporarily storing image data. The storage device 204 stores programs and image data.

[0036] The ROM 203, the RAM 202, the storage device 204, the operation unit I / F 206, the network I / F 210, the USB host I / F 213, the RTC 215, and the image bus I / F 205 are connected to the CPU 201 via the system bus 207. The operation unit I / F 206 is an interface with the operation unit 212 having a touch panel and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 212 to the operation unit 212. In addition, the operation unit I / F 206 sends information input by the user in the operation unit 212 to the CPU 201. The network I / F 210 is for communicating with the information processing apparatus 102 and the cutting machine 103 via the network 100 ( Figure 1 ) Figure 2An interface for communicating with (not shown in the figure).

[0037] The USB host I / F 213 is an interface unit for communicating with the USB storage device 214. The USB host I / F 213 is an output unit for storing the data stored in the storage device 204 in the USB storage device 214. In addition, the USB host I / F 213 inputs the data stored in the USB storage device 214 and sends the data to the CPU 201. The USB storage device 214 is a storage device for storing data and can be detached from the USB host I / F 213. A plurality of USB devices including the USB storage device 214 can be connected to the USB host I / F 213.

[0038] The RTC 215 controls the current time. The time information controlled by the RTC 215 is used to record the job input time and the like.

[0039] The image bus I / F 205 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 207 and the image bus 208 for high-speed transmission of image data and converts the data format. Device I / F 220, scanner image processing unit 280, and printer image processing unit 290 are provided on the image bus 208. The scanner 270 and the printer 295 are connected to the device I / F 220, and the device I / F 220 performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of the image data. The scanner image processing unit 280 corrects, processes, and edits the input scanned image data when the scanned image from the scanner 270 is input. The printer image processing unit 290 performs corrections corresponding to the printer 295, resolution conversion, etc. on the image data for print output.

[0040] Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the OS 310 of the image forming apparatus 101.

[0041] As Figure 3 shown, the OS 310 includes a job control unit 331, a UI control unit 332, a storage control unit 333, an NW control unit 334, a print control unit 335, a scan control unit 336, a cutting information processing unit 337, and an image generation unit 338. Each of these modules is a software module implemented by the CPU 201 executing the main program loaded in the RAM 202, and its execution is managed and controlled by the CPU 201.

[0042] The UI control unit 332 displays a screen on the operation unit 212 and receives operations from the user through the operation unit I / F 206. In addition, the UI control unit 332 has a function of notifying another module included in the OS 310 and controlling the screen update of the operation unit 212 in response to a drawing instruction from another module.

[0043] The job control unit 331 is a module that controls job processing such as copying, scanning, and printing in response to job execution instructions from the NW control unit 334 or the UI control unit 332.

[0044] The NW control unit 334 receives communication requests from another module, controls the network I / F 210, and controls communication with external devices. Additionally, after receiving a notification from an external device, the NW control unit 334 notifies the content of the notification to another module. The storage control unit 333 records and manages the setting information and job information recorded in the storage device 204. Each module located at the OS level accesses the storage control unit 333 and refers to and sets the setting values.

[0045] The print control unit 335 controls the printer 295 via the device I / F 220 to perform printing in cooperation with the printer image processing unit 290.

[0046] The scan control unit 336 controls the scanner 270 via the device I / F 220 to perform scanning in cooperation with the scanner image processing unit 280.

[0047] The cutting information processing unit 337 manages information on the cuttable area of the cutting machine 103 and the cutting area on the printed image in cooperation with the information processing device 102 and the cutting machine 103 via the network I / F 210.

[0048] The image generation unit 338 generates an image corresponding to the job in cooperation with the printer image processing unit 290 and the scanner image processing unit 280 in response to an instruction from the job control unit 331.

[0049] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the cutting machine 103.

[0050] The cutting machine 103 includes a controller unit 410, an operation unit 420, a display unit 430, a sensor unit 440, and a cutting unit 450 as main components.

[0051] The controller unit 410 includes a storage unit 413, a network I / F 414, an operation unit I / F 415, a display unit I / F 416, a device I / F 417, and a control unit 418 that are interconnected via a system bus 411.

[0052] The control unit 418 includes a CPU and implements the functions of the cutting machine 103 by executing commands of the control program stored in the storage unit 413.

[0053] The storage unit 413 includes a ROM, a RAM, an HDD, etc., and stores various data such as cutting settings and position information in addition to the control program. The storage unit 413 may also include an external storage device such as a USB memory or an external hard disk.

[0054] The network I / F 414 is an interface for communicating with the information processing device 102 and the image forming device 101 ( Figure 1 ) (not shown in the figure) via the network 100. Figure 4

[0055] The operation unit I / F 415 sends the information input by the user in the operation unit 420 to the control unit 418. The operation unit 420 is an input device including cursor keys and a decision key for receiving the input operation of the user.

[0056] The display unit I / F 416 is an interface with the display unit 430, and outputs the image data to be displayed on the display unit 430 to the display unit 430. The display unit 430 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel for displaying information such as cutting settings to the user.

[0057] The device I / F 417 is an interface with the sensor unit 440 and the cutting unit 450, sends the image data acquired by the sensor unit 440 to the control unit 418, and sends the control information from the control unit 418 to the cutting unit 450. The sensor unit 440 is a device that detects trimming marks on the cutting object medium based on the sensor output and scans the cutting object medium to obtain the scan result as image data. The cutting unit 450 is a device including a cutter for cutting the cutting object medium, a driving roller for moving the cutter, and a conveying mechanism for moving the cutting object medium.

[0058] The operations of the devices in the operation unit 420, the display unit 430, the sensor unit 440, and the cutting unit 450 are controlled by the control signal sent from the control unit 418.

[0059] To implement the cutting process of the cutting machine 103, specifically, the following process is executed. First, in response to the signals received from the operation unit 420, the sensor unit 440, and the network I / F 414, a control signal is sent from the control unit 418 to the cutting unit 450. Next, in response to the control signal from the control unit 418, the cutting unit 450 operates the internal conveying mechanism and the driving roller to move the cutter. Through such control, a predetermined cutting line can be formed on the cutting object medium.

[0060] Figure 5 It is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the cutting machine 103.

[0061] As​Figure 5 As shown in Figure 5 , the software of the cutting machine 103 includes a network control unit 501, a device control unit 502, a storage control unit 503, a UI control unit 504, a cutting condition setting unit 505, and a cutting process execution unit 506 as main modules. These modules are implemented by executing a control program through the control unit 418.

[0062] The network control unit 501 is a module for controlling multiple communication protocols supported by the cutting machine 103 via the network I / F 414.

[0063] The device control unit 502 is a module for controlling the sensor unit 440 and the cutting unit 450 via the device I / F 417.

[0064] The storage control unit 503 is a module for managing and controlling the memory access of the storage unit 413.

[0065] The UI control unit 504 is a module for controlling the operation unit 420 and the display unit 430 via the operation unit I / F 415 and the display unit I / F 416.

[0066] The cutting condition setting unit 505 is a module that receives cutting setting information from at least one of the operation unit I / F 415 and the network I / F 414 and updates and stores data in the storage unit 413.

[0067] The cutting process execution unit 506 is a module that receives a cutting execution signal from the operation unit I / F 415 and the network I / F 414 and controls the cutting unit 450 according to the cutting setting information.

[0068] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the information processing device 102.

[0069] The information processing device 102 includes a controller unit 600, an operation unit 606, and a display unit 609 as main components.

[0070] The controller unit 600 includes a CPU 601, a RAM 602, a ROM 603, a storage device 604, an operation unit I / F 605, a display unit I / F 608, a network I / F 610, and a USB I / F 611 that are interconnected via a system bus 607.

[0071] The CPU 601 reads the control program stored in the ROM 603 or the storage device 604 and controls the functions of the information processing apparatus 102. The RAM 602 is the main memory of the CPU 601 and is used as a temporary storage area for expanding various control programs stored in the ROM 603 and the storage device 604. The ROM 603 stores control programs executable by the CPU 601. The storage device 604 is a storage device such as an SSD or an HDD and stores image data and application programs. The operation unit I / F 605 connects the operation unit 606 and the controller unit 600. The operation unit 606 is a device for detecting inputs from the user and includes a mouse, a keyboard, etc. The display unit I / F 608 connects the display unit 609 and the controller unit 600. The display unit 609 is a device for displaying the processing content of the information processing apparatus 102 so that the user can grasp the processing content, and includes a liquid crystal monitor in this embodiment. The network I / F 610 is an interface for communicating with the image forming apparatus 101 and the cutting machine 103 ( Figure 1 ) (not shown in the figure) via the network 100 ( Figure 6 ). The USB I / F 611 sends data to and receives data from external devices via a USB standard cable. The operation unit 606 can be connected to the information processing apparatus 102 via the USB I / F 611. The system bus 607 mediates data exchange between the units.

[0072] Figure 7 FIG. is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the cutting application 700 (hereinafter simply referred to as the cutting app 700). The cutting application 700 is stored in the storage device 604 of the information processing apparatus 102 and cooperates with the image forming apparatus 101 and the cutting machine 103.

[0073] As Figure 7 shown, the cutting application 700 includes a display processing unit 701, an input processing unit 702, a communication management unit 703, an image processing unit 704, a device registration unit 705, a device management unit 706, a print instruction unit 707, and a cutting instruction unit 708 as main functional units.

[0074] The display processing unit 701 controls the content to be displayed on the display unit 609 when the cutting application 700 is executed. The input processing unit 702 detects an input from the operation unit 606 when the cutting application 700 is executed, and sends data to another functional unit. The communication management unit 703 controls communication with the image forming apparatus 101 and the cutting machine 103 via the network I / F 610. Based on the user operation input from the processing unit 702, the image processing unit 704 generates image data with trimming marks based on an image file and generates print data and cutting data. The device registration unit 705 detects the image forming apparatus 101 and the cutting machine 103, that is, the devices connected via the network I / F 610 and the USB I / F 511, and stores information on the detected devices in the storage device 604. The information on the devices stored here includes the type and communication information of the devices. The device management unit 706 updates or deletes the information on the devices registered by the device registration unit 705. In the present embodiment, the device registration unit 705 and the device management unit 706 are included in the cutting application 700, but these functions can be implemented by cooperating with drive software (not shown) stored in the storage device 604 of the information processing apparatus 102. Based on the user operation input from the input processing unit 702, the print instruction unit 707 sends the print data and the cutting data to the image forming apparatus 101. In this sending, the communication information of the device managed by the device management unit 706 is used. The cutting instruction unit 708 sends the cutting data to the cutting machine 103 based on the user operation input from the input processing unit 702. In this sending, the communication information of the device managed by the device management unit 706 is used.

[0075] Figure 8 is an example of a series of processing sequences until the image forming apparatus 101 prints the image to be cut and the cutting machine 103 performs cutting. In this usage case, trimming of the printed image and generation of the image to be cut are performed by the cutting application 700 according to the trimming settings described later.

[0076] When the cutting application 700 is started by a user operation on the operation unit 606 of the information processing apparatus 102 (step S801), the processing proceeds to step S802.

[0077] In step S802, the device registration unit 705 of the cutting application 700 detects the cutting machine 103 and requests device information including information on the cuttable area from the detected cutting machine 103.

[0078] Thereafter, when the control unit 418 of the cutting machine 103 receives a device information request including the cuttable area (step S803), it sends its own capability information including the cuttable area to the cutting application 700 (step S804). As long as the device information of the cutting machine 103 can be obtained, the cutting application 700 does not need to request the device information from the detected cutting machine 103 as in this embodiment. For example, if the information of the cutting machine 103 is included in the device information already registered in the device management unit 706, the registered device information can be used without making a request in step 802.

[0079] Next, the processes of steps S805 to S816 are performed in the cutting application 700.

[0080] First, the display processing unit 701 displays a preview screen for the user to perform settings such as inserting an image to be cut and specifying the cut area and cutting line. And the input processing unit 702 receives the settings input by the user based on the preview screen (step S805). The input processing unit 702 sends the data of each setting input by the user to the image processing unit 704, etc., and each functional unit to which the data is sent reflects the settings input by the user (step S806).

[0081] Next, when the input processing unit 702 receives a user input of a print instruction for the inserted image to be cut (step S807), the display processing unit 701 displays a print setting screen (not shown) (step S808).

[0082] Thereafter, when the input processing unit 702 receives a user input of print settings such as the selection of the paper to be printed, whether to print a trimming mark image, and the selection of the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus 101 based on the print setting screen (step S809), the process proceeds to step S810.

[0083] In step S810, the input processing unit 702 cooperates with the image processing unit 704 and the print instruction unit 707 to reflect the print settings input by the user to each functional unit.

[0084] Thereafter, when the input processing unit 702 receives a user input of a print execution instruction (step S811), the process proceeds to step S812.

[0085] In step S812, the image processing unit 704 checks whether the image to be printed falls within the cuttable area of the cutting machine 103. If the image does not fall within the cuttable area (No in step S812), the display processing unit 701 displays a warning message (step S813). "Print as is" and "Return to image editing" are displayed as warning messages in a user-selectable manner. In this usage case, the situation where the user selects "Return to image editing" based on the warning message of the operation unit 606 and the user edits the image so that the image falls within the cuttable area will be described. Although not shown in this order, if the image falls within the cuttable area (Yes in step S812) or if the user selects "Print as is" based on the warning message of the operation unit 606, the process directly proceeds to step S816 described later.

[0086] Next, when the image processing unit 704 acquires the trimming settings stored in the storage device 604 (step S814), it generates a trimmed print image based on the acquired trimming settings (step S815). Here, the trimmed print image is an image generated based on the input image data and is an image that does not include the image outside the cutting line set by the user. Alternatively, this image is an image generated based on the input image data and is an image that does not include the image outside the cuttable area of the cutting machine.

[0087] Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S816. The trimming settings are settings related to the printing of the image to be cut, and will be described in detail later with reference to Figure 13 to be described in detail.

[0088] In step S816, the image processing unit 704 generates print data based on the generated print image and sends a print execution instruction together with the print data to the image forming apparatus 101. In the image forming apparatus 101, the CPU 201 analyzes the received print data (step S817), performs image processing, etc. based on the analysis result, and then executes printing (step S818). As a result, the trimmed print image generated in step S815 is printed on the paper selected by the user in step S809, and the obtained printed matter is output from the image forming apparatus 101.

[0089] When the user sets the printed matter obtained in step S818 at a predetermined position (step S819), the cutting machine 103 sends a setting completion notification of the printed matter to be cut to the cutting application 700 (step S819a).

[0090] After receiving the setup completion notification, the cutting instruction unit 708 of the cutting application 700 sends cutting information including cutting data to the cutting machine 103 to issue a cutting instruction (step S820). In this embodiment, a cutting instruction is issued in response to the receipt of the setup completion notification, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in step S819a, a setup completion notification may be displayed on the display unit 430 of the cutting machine 103. In this case, in step S820, when the operation unit 420 receives a cutting instruction from the user, the cutting instruction unit 708 issues a cutting instruction to the cutting machine 103.

[0091] The cutting machine 103 receives the cutting instruction, analyzes the cutting data included in the received cutting instruction (step S821), and performs cutting on the printed matter to be cut (step S822).

[0092] Thus, Figure 8 the processing of the sequence ends.

[0093] Figure 9 is a variant of the sequence of the series of processes until the image forming apparatus 101 prints the image to be cut and the cutting machine 103 performs cutting. In this usage case, the image forming apparatus 101 performs trimming of the printed image and generation of the image to be cut according to the trimming settings described later.

[0094] When the cutting application 700 is activated by a user operation in the information processing apparatus 102, the cutting application 700 performs the processing from step S901 to step S914 to obtain the trimming settings and the print execution instruction from the user, and then the processing proceeds to step S915. It should be noted that the processing in steps S901 to S914 is similar to the processing in steps S801 to S814 in Figure 8 and thus the detailed description of these processes will be omitted.

[0095] In step S915, the image processing unit 704 sends the print execution instruction together with the image to be cut, the cuttable area, and the trimming settings to the image forming apparatus 101 (step S915). In the image forming apparatus 101 that has received the print execution instruction, the CPU 201 analyzes the received image data to be cut, the cuttable area, and the trimming settings (step S916). Thereafter, based on the analysis result in step S916, the CPU 201 generates trimmed print data (step S917), and then performs printing (step S918). As a result, the trimmed print data generated in step S917 is printed on the paper selected by the user in step S909, and the obtained printed matter is output from the image forming apparatus 101.

[0096] Next, the processes of steps S919 to S922 are performed, that is, the obtained printed matter is processed, and Figure 9 the sequence ends. It should be noted that the processes in steps S919 to S922 are similar to the processes in Figure 8 steps S819 to S822, so the detailed description of these processes will be omitted.

[0097] Figures 10A to 10F is a diagram showing examples of an image to be cut, an output object that outputs the untrimmed image to be cut as it is, and an output object when trimming the image to be cut.

[0098] Figure 10A is a diagram showing the image 1001 to be printed selected by the user. In this example, the user uses Figure 10A the cutting line 1002 shown to specify the cutting area.

[0099] Figure 10B is a diagram showing the output object 1003 when the image 1001 is printed and output as it is without trimming. The cuttable area is a rectangular area surrounded by the trimming marker image 1004, which is read by the cutting machine 103 and printed on the output object 1003 for alignment.

[0100] Figure 10C is a diagram showing the output object 1005 in the case where the trimming of the image 1001 is set to "do not print the image outside the cuttable area", and the trimming setting will be described later with reference to Figure 13 Compared with the untrimmed output object 1003, in the output object 1005, the printing of the image outside the cuttable area is omitted, so that the toner consumption can be reduced.

[0101] Figure 10D is a diagram showing the image 1006 to be printed selected by the user. In this example, the user uses Figure 10D the cutting line 1007 shown to specify the cutting area.

[0102] Figure 10E is a diagram showing the output object 1008 when the image 1006 is printed and output as it is without trimming.

[0103] Figure 10F is a diagram showing the output object 1010 in the case where the trimming of the image 1006 is set to "do not print the image outside the cutting line", and the trimming setting will be described later with reference to Figure 13Describe this trimming setting. Compared with the untrimmed output object 1008, printing of the image outside the cutting area specified by the cutting line 1007 is omitted, thereby reducing toner consumption. Even when the trimming setting of the image 1001 is "do not print the image outside the cutting line", printing of the image outside the cutting area specified by the cutting line 1002 is also omitted, and an output object similar to the output object 1010 is obtained. This will be referred to later Figure 13 Describe this trimming setting.

[0104] Figure 11A and Figure 11B Show an example of a flowchart of the processing executed by the cutting application 700 when printing an image to be cut. Here, Figure 11A and Figure 11B are used to describe in more detail Figure 8 The flowchart of the processing performed by the cutting application 700 in the sequence of

[0105] When the operation unit 606 of the information processing device 102 receives a start request for the cutting application 700 from the user (step S1101), the cutting application 700 starts, and the processing proceeds to step S1102.

[0106] In step S1102, the device registration unit 705 of the cutting application 700 detects the cutting machine 103 and requests device information including information on the cuttable area from the detected cutting machine 103. In step S1103, in response to this request, the device registration unit 705 receives the device information including the information on the cuttable area sent from the cutting machine 103 to obtain the information on the cuttable area (first acquisition unit). Figure 14A Show the setting screen 1410 that the display processing unit 701 of the cutting application 700 displays in a pop-up form on the preview screen 1400 when the cutting machine 103 is detected in step S1102 and the device information is obtained from the cutting machine 103 detected in step S1103. On the setting screen 1410, the device name "Cutting Machine A" of the cutting machine 103 is displayed in the display bar 1404, and based on the device information, the paper sizes A4 and A3 that the cutting machine 103 can cut are displayed in a user-selectable manner. Thereafter, when the user selects one of the paper sizes A4 and A3 displayed on the setting screen 1410 and presses the "Reflect" button 1420, the information (paper size) set by the user on the setting screen 1410 is reflected in the information to be sent to the cutting machine 103, the setting screen 1410 closes, and the processing proceeds to the next step S1104. It should be noted that at this time, the user cannot press the "Execute" button 1430.

[0107] Return to Figure 11A, the display processing unit 701 displays a display bar 1413 on the preview screen 1400 for the user to insert an image to be cut, set a cutting area, etc., and the input processing unit 702 receives a user input based on the preview screen 1400 (step S1104: setting unit). The input processing unit 702 sends each data input by the user to the image processing unit 704, etc., and each functional unit to which the data is sent reflects the content of the user input. Figure 14B The preview screen 1400 is shown, which includes a display bar 1413, and the display of the display bar 1413 is updated according to the operation received in step S1104. In Figure 14B , in addition to the display bar 1413, cutting area designation formats 1408 to 1411 (giving unit) and a user-specified cutting area 1414 are also displayed on the preview screen 1400. That is, in the present embodiment, the image to be cut is preview-displayed in the display bar 1413 in advance, and when the user selects the designation format 1411, the user sets the size and position of the cutting area defined by the star-shaped cutting line on the display bar 1413. However, the configuration is not limited thereto, as long as the user sets the shape, size, and position of the cutting area in step S1104. For example, when the user selects the designation format 1408, the user sets the cutting area on the display bar 1413 as the cutting area defined by the handwritten cutting line. In addition, when the user selects the designation format 1409, the user sets the size and position of the cutting area defined by the circular cutting line on the display bar 1413. In addition, when the user selects the designation format 1410, the user sets the size and position of the cutting area defined by the rectangular cutting line on the display bar 1413. In addition, when the user selects the designation format 1412, the contour of the image to be cut is automatically recognized as the cutting line, and the cutting area is set according to the automatic recognition result. In addition, when the user does not set the cutting area, the cuttable area is set as the cutting area.

[0108] Return Figure 11A , subsequently, when the user presses the "Cut and Print" tab 1402 on the preview screen 1400 and the input processing unit 702 receives an instruction to print the image to be cut (step S1105), the process proceeds to step S1106.

[0109] In step S1106, the device registration unit 705 detects the image forming apparatus 101, and the display processing unit 701 redisplay the setting screen 1410 in a pop-up format on the display bar 1413 of the preview screen 1400. Figure 14C The setting screen 1410 redisplayed by the display processing unit 701 of the cutting application 700 when the image forming apparatus 101 is detected in step S1106 is shown. On the redisplayed setting screen 1410, the device name "Printer B" of the detected image forming apparatus 101 is displayed in the display bar 1405.

[0110] Return to Figure 11A , Next, the input processing unit 702 receives various print settings from the user on the setting screen 1410 redisplayed in step S1106 (step S1107). On Figure 14C the setting screen 1410 shown, the paper to be printed (A4 in this example) is selected as one of the print settings. In addition, although not shown on Figure 14C the setting screen 1410 shown, in step S1107, settings such as whether to print trimming mark images and the paper feed trays of the image forming apparatus 101 can be received. When the reception of various print settings is completed in step S1107, the user can press the "Execute" button 1430.

[0111] Return to Figure 11A , Next, when the input processing unit 702 receives a print execution instruction input by the user by pressing the "Execute" button 1430 on the setting screen 1410 (step S1108), the process proceeds to step S1109.

[0112] In step S1109, the image processing unit 704 determines whether the image to be printed falls within the cuttable area of the cutter 103. If the image does not fall within the cuttable area (No in step S1109), the display processing unit 701 displays a warning message (step S1110: warning notification unit). Here, "Return to Image Editing" and "Continue to Print as Is" are displayed as warning messages in a manner selectable by the user. If the user selects "Return to Image Editing" in the warning message (Yes in step S1122), the process returns to step S1104. On the other hand, if the user selects "Continue to Print as Is" in the warning message (No in step S1122), the image processing unit 704 proceeds with the processing of step S1111 and subsequent steps.

[0113] First, in step S1111, the trimming settings stored in advance in the storage device 604 are acquired (second acquisition unit), which will be described later with reference to Figure 13 this trimming setting. In this embodiment, the case where the trimming settings are stored in advance in the storage device 604 will be described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the trimming settings cannot be acquired from the storage device 604 in step S1111, the cutting application 700 can display a trimming setting screen 1301( Figure 13 ) to allow the user to select trimming settings.

[0114] Next, in step S1112, it is determined whether the obtained trimming setting is "not perform trimming printing" or "perform trimming printing". When the obtained trimming setting is "not perform trimming printing" (No in step S1112), an untrimmed print image is generated (step S1121), and the process proceeds to step S1117. On the other hand, when the obtained trimming setting is "perform trimming printing" (Yes in step S1112), the process proceeds to step S1113.

[0115] In step S1113, it is determined whether in the obtained trimming setting, the trimming boundary (cutting area) is defined by a cuttable area or a cutting line. In the case where the trimming boundary is defined by a cuttable area (Yes in step S1113), a print image trimmed along the cuttable area is generated (step S1118: print image generation unit), and the process proceeds to step S1117. On the other hand, in the case where the trimming boundary is defined by a cutting line (No in step S1113), the process proceeds to step S1114.

[0116] In step S1114, it is determined whether there is a margin setting in the obtained trimming setting. In the case where there is no margin setting (No in step S1114), the process proceeds to step S1115. On the other hand, in the case where there is a margin setting (Yes in step S1114), the set margin is given to the inside of the cutting line to generate a print image (step S1119: print image generation unit), and the process proceeds to step S1117. By generating a print image that gives a margin to the inside of the cutting line in this way, a space for rework can be left for the user in the case where the cutting machine 103 cannot cut along the cutting line.

[0117] In step S1115, it is determined whether there is a protrusion setting in the obtained trimming setting. In the case where there is no protrusion setting (No in step S1115), a print image trimmed with the cutting line is generated (step S1116), and the process proceeds to step S1117. On the other hand, in the case where there is a protrusion setting (Yes in step S1115), a fixed amount of protrusion of the image is given to the outside of the cutting line to generate a print image (step S1120: print image generation unit), and the process proceeds to step S1117. By generating a print image that gives a protrusion of the image to the outside of the cutting line in this way, a space for rework can be left for the user in the case where the cutting machine 103 cannot cut the image along the cutting line. In the present embodiment, in the case where there is no margin setting in the obtained trimming setting, it is determined whether there is a protrusion setting, but the determination order can be reversed, or perhaps only one setting can be set.

[0118] In step S1117, after the generation of the print image is completed (steps S1116, S1118, S1119, S1120, and S1121), print data is generated based on the generated print image, and a print execution instruction is sent to the image forming apparatus 101 together with the print data (step S1117). Thereafter, this process ends.

[0119] Figure 12 FIG. is an example of a flowchart of a process executed by the image forming apparatus 101 when printing a target to be cut. Here, Figure 12 is for more detailed description of the process of using the OS 310 executed by the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 101 in the order of Figure 9 This flowchart. It should be noted that after the process of Figure 11A ends, the process does not enter step S1111, but starts after the image processing unit 704 of the cutting application 700 sends a print execution instruction together with the image to be cut, the cuttable area, and the trimming setting to the image forming apparatus 101.

[0120] When the CPU 201 receives the print execution instruction, the image to be cut, the cuttable area, and the trimming setting from the cutting application 700 together (step S1201: acquisition unit), the CPU 201 performs the processes of step S1202 and subsequent steps. The CPU 201 collaborates with the job control unit 331 and the cutting information processing unit 337 to execute the processes of step S1202 and subsequent steps. In the present embodiment, the case where the trimming setting is sent together with the print execution instruction will be described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in the case where the trimming setting is not sent together with the print execution instruction received in step S1201, a trimming setting screen 1301 ( Figure 13 ) may be displayed on the image forming apparatus 101 to allow the user to select the trimming setting.

[0121] First, in step S1202, the trimming setting received together with the print execution instruction in step S1201 is analyzed (step S1202).

[0122] Next, in step S1203, based on the analysis result of step S1202, it is determined whether the trimming setting is "not perform trimming printing" or "perform trimming printing". In the case where the obtained trimming setting is "not perform trimming printing" (No in step S1203), a printing image without trimming is generated (step S1221), and the process proceeds to step S1212. Here, the image generation unit 338 collaborates with the printer image processing unit 290 and the cutting information processing unit 337 to generate print image data. On the other hand, in the case where the obtained trimming setting is "perform trimming printing" (Yes in step S1203), the process proceeds to step S1204.

[0123] Next, in step S1204, based on the analysis result of step S1202, it is determined whether the trimming boundary (cutting area) is defined by the cuttable area or by the cutting line. In the case where the trimming boundary is defined by the cuttable area (Yes in step S1204), a printing image trimmed along the cuttable area is generated (step S1208: print image generation unit), and the process proceeds to step S1212. On the other hand, in the case where the trimming boundary is defined by the cutting line (No in step S1204), the process proceeds to step S1205.

[0124] In step S1205, based on the analysis result of step S1202, it is determined whether there is a margin setting. In the case where there is no margin setting (No in step S1205), the process proceeds to step S1206, and it is determined whether there is a protrusion setting. On the other hand, in the case where there is a margin setting (Yes in step S1205), the set margin is given to the inside of the cutting line to generate a printing image (step S1209: print image generation unit), and the process proceeds to step S1212. By generating a printing image that gives the margin to the inside of the cutting line in this way, space for rework can be left for the user in the case where the cutting machine 103 cannot cut along the cutting line. In the present embodiment, in the case where there is no margin setting in the obtained trimming setting, it is determined whether there is a protrusion setting, but the determination order may be reversed, or only one setting may be set.

[0125] In step S1206, it is determined whether there is a protrusion setting in the obtained trimming setting. In the case where there is no protrusion setting (being "No" in step S1206), a printed image trimmed with a cutting line is generated (step S1207), and the process proceeds to step S1212. On the other hand, in the case where there is a protrusion setting (being "Yes" in step S1206), a protrusion amount set for the cutting line is given to generate a printed image (step S1210: printed image generation unit), and the process proceeds to step S1212. By generating a printed image in which the protrusion amount is given outside the cutting line in this way, room for rework can be left for the user in the case where the cutting machine 103 cannot cut along the cutting line.

[0126] In step S1212, after the generation of the printed image is completed (steps S1207, S1208, S1209, S1210, and S1221), print data is generated based on the generated printed image, and the print data is sent to the printer 295 via the device I / F 220 for printing. After that, this process ends.

[0127] Figure 13 FIG. is a diagram showing the trimming setting screen 1301. The trimming setting using the trimming setting screen 1301 is Figure 11A and Figure 11B performed in advance before the processing of, and is stored in the storage device 604. As described above, the trimming setting screen 1301 is displayed by at least one of the cutting application 700 and the image forming apparatus 101.

[0128] On the trimming setting screen 1301, various menus 1302 to 1307 for setting the trimming of the image to be cut are displayed in a manner selectable by the user.

[0129] In the case where the user selects the menu 1302 for setting "do not perform trimming printing" as the trimming setting, the other menus are grayed out.

[0130] In the case where the user selects the menu 1303 for setting "perform trimming printing" as the trimming setting, the user sets the trimming boundary using one of the menus 1304 and 1305. Specifically, in the case where the user selects the menu 1304 for setting "do not print the image outside the cuttable area" as the trimming setting, the trimming boundary is set to the cuttable area. In addition, in the case where the user selects the menu 1305 for setting "do not print the image outside the cutting line" as the trimming setting, the trimming boundary is set to the cutting line.

[0131] In addition, when the user selects Menu 1305, the user can also set a margin amount or a protrusion amount relative to the cutting line. Specifically, when the user selects Menu 1306 for setting "giving a margin inside the cutting line" as a trimming setting, a margin width input by the numerical value input unit 1306a in Menu 1306 is set inside the cutting line ( Figure 13 is 5 mm in the example). As Figure 13 shown, for example, a margin width of 5 mm is set here. In addition, when the user selects Menu 1307 for setting "printing a fixed amount of an image outside the cutting line (protrusion printing)" as a trimming setting, a protrusion amount input by the numerical value input unit 1307a in Menu 1307 is set outside the cutting line. As Figure 13 shown, for example, a protrusion amount of 5 mm is set here.

[0132] Other Embodiments

[0133] Embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by a system or apparatus including a computer that reads and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more fully referred to as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium") to perform one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments, and / or includes one or more circuits (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by a method of, for example, the computer of the system or apparatus reading and executing the computer-executable instructions from the storage medium to perform one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments, and / or controlling the one or more circuits to perform one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU)), and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read and execute the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a memory of a distributed computing system, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), or a Blu-ray disc (BD) TM ), a flash memory device, and a memory card, among others.

[0134] Embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by the following method, that is, software (including a computer program product of computer programs / instructions) that executes the functions of the above embodiments is provided to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer (central processing unit (CPU), microprocessing unit (MPU)) of the system or device reads and executes the computer programs / instructions.

[0135] Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the appended claims is given the broadest interpretation so as to cover all such variations as well as equivalent structures and functions.

[0136] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-010797, filed on January 29, 2024, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. An information processing system, comprising: An image forming apparatus, a cutting machine, and an information processing apparatus, the image forming apparatus being configured to print a print image on a medium, the information processing system including: A setting unit configured to set a cutting area for the cutting machine to cut the medium on which the print image is printed; and A print image generation unit configured to generate the print image that does not include an image outside the cutting area based on an input image.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, the information processing system further including: A first acquisition unit configured to acquire a cuttable area of the cutting machine; And A warning notification unit configured to notify a warning when the cutting area does not fall within the cuttable area.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, the information processing system further including: A second acquisition unit configured to acquire settings related to printing of the input image, wherein the setting unit sets the cutting area based on the settings acquired by the second acquisition unit.

4. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein, When the setting acquired by the second acquisition unit is a setting not to print an image outside the cuttable area, the setting unit sets the cuttable area as the cutting area.

5. The information processing system according to claim 3, the information processing system further including: A giving unit configured to give a cutting line to an image to be cut according to a user operation, wherein when the setting acquired by the second acquisition unit is a setting not to print an image outside the cutting line, the setting unit sets the inside of the cutting line as the cutting area.

6. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein, When the inside of the cutting line is set as the cutting area, the setting unit sets a margin of the inside of the cutting line according to a user operation.

7. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein, When the outside of the cutting line is set as the cutting area, the setting unit gives a fixed amount of image protrusion to the outside of the cutting line according to a user operation.

8. A computer program product including a cutting application that causes an information processing apparatus to cooperate with a cutting machine and an image forming apparatus configured to print a print image on a medium, the cutting application including code for performing the following operations: Setting a cutting area for the cutting machine to cut the medium on which the print image is printed; and Generating the print image that does not include an image outside the cutting area based on an input image.

9. The computer program product according to claim 8, wherein, The cutting application further includes code for performing the following operations: Acquiring a cuttable area of the cutting machine; and Notifying a warning when the cutting area does not fall within the cuttable area.

10. The computer program product according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, The cutting application further includes code for performing the following operations: Acquiring settings related to printing of the input image; and Based on the acquired settings, setting the cutting area by the setting.

11. The computer program product according to claim 10, wherein, The cutting application further includes code for performing the following operations: When the acquired setting is a setting not to print an image outside the cuttable area, setting the cuttable area as the cutting area by the setting.

12. The computer program product according to claim 10, wherein, The cutting application further includes code for performing the following operations: Giving a cutting line to an image to be cut according to a user operation; and In the case where the acquired setting is a setting not to print an image outside the cutting line, the inside of the cutting line is set as the cutting area by the setting.

13. The computer program product according to claim 12, wherein, The cutting application further includes code for performing the following operation: In the case where the inside of the cutting line is set as the cutting area by the setting, a margin of the inside of the cutting line is set according to a user operation.

14. The computer program product according to claim 12, wherein, The cutting application further includes code for performing the following operation: In the case where the outside of the cutting line is set as the cutting area by the setting, a fixed amount of image protrusion is given to the outside of the cutting line according to a user operation.

15. An image forming apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus and a cutting machine, and configured to print a printed image on a medium, the image forming apparatus including: An acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the information processing apparatus, a cutting area in which the cutting machine cuts a medium printed with the printed image; And A printed image generation unit configured to generate the printed image that does not include an image outside the cutting area according to an input image.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, the image forming apparatus further including: A second acquisition unit configured to acquire a setting related to printing of the input image, wherein A setting unit sets the cutting area based on the setting acquired by the second acquisition unit.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein In the case where the setting acquired by the second acquisition unit is a setting not to print an image outside a cuttable area, the setting unit sets the cuttable area as the cutting area.

18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, the image forming apparatus further including: A giving unit configured to give a cutting line to an image to be cut according to a user operation, wherein In the case where the setting acquired by the second acquisition unit is a setting not to print an image outside the cutting line, the setting unit sets the inside of the cutting line as the cutting area.

19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein In the case where the inside of the cutting line is set as the cutting area, the setting unit sets a margin of the inside of the cutting line according to a user operation.

20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein In the case where the inside of the cutting line is set as the cutting area, the setting unit gives a fixed amount of image protrusion to the outside of the cutting line according to a user operation.

Images