Image forming apparatus and image formation method

Abstract

To form an image of a code so as to facilitate reading even when the code is read from an oblique direction to a front face of the code in forming the image on the basis of printing data including image data regarding the code.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus for forming a main image with a code image attached thereto on the basis of printing data including image data of the code comprises: a setting unit which sets deformation setting information regarding deformation of a code image to be attached to a main image; a code deformation unit which deforms a shape of the code image to be attached to the main image on the basis of the deformation setting information; and a print processing unit which develops the deformed code image to the main image and prints it.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, and can be applied to, for example, an image forming apparatus that processes and outputs a two-dimensional code. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, when image data of a two-dimensional code is input to a conventional image forming device, the image is formed and output on a medium (such as paper) exactly as the image data is, that is, in the shape of a square two-dimensional code.

[0003] For example, the content display system described in Patent Document 1 displays a two-dimensional code near the displayed content, which allows access to information about that content. It also discloses that a user who is interested in that content can read the two-dimensional code with a user terminal to access information about the content. However, since the two-dimensional code is placed in a position that is easy to read with the user terminal, the two-dimensional code can be read without any problems. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-176206 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, for example, there are cases where a printed matter such as a poster with a 2D code is posted at a high position. In such cases, the user cannot read the 2D code from the front, and it may not be read correctly. For example, the user may tilt the user terminal upward to read the 2D code. Even if the 2D code reader has a reading correction function, if the limit is exceeded, the 2D code may not be read.

[0006] Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming device and an image forming method that, when forming an image based on print data including image data related to a code, forms an image of a code so that it is easy to read even when read from an oblique direction relative to the front of the code. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first present disclosure provides an image forming device that forms a main image with a code image attached based on print data including image data of the code, characterized in having (1) a setting unit that sets transformation setting information regarding the transformation of the code image attached to the main image, (2) a code transformation unit that transforms the shape of the code image attached to the main image based on the transformation setting information, and (3) a print processing unit that expands the transformed code image into the main image and prints it.

[0008] The second present disclosure is an image forming method for forming a main image with a code image attached based on print data including image data of the code, characterized in that (1) a setting unit sets transformation setting information regarding the transformation of the code image to be attached to the main image, (2) a code transformation unit transforms the shape of the code image to be attached to the main image based on the transformation setting information, and (3) a print processing unit expands the transformed code image into the main image and prints it. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, since it has the above-mentioned features, it is possible to form an image of a code that is easy to read even when read from an oblique direction relative to the front of the code. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the shape of a two-dimensional code after conversion in an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage form when explaining the operation of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the shape of a two-dimensional code when read by a code reading device in an embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing an image forming method in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a setting screen displayed on an operation display unit according to the embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining shape conversion of a two-dimensional code in an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] (A) Embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] (A-1) Configuration of the embodiment (A-1-1) Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 is a color printer that employs an electrophotographic method and forms a color image on the surface of a medium 10. The image forming apparatus 100 has various components arranged inside a housing formed in a substantially box shape.

[0013] In the following, in FIG. 2, the right end portion is the front of image forming apparatus 100, and when viewed from the front, the positive direction of the Z1 axis is the upward direction, the negative direction of the Z1 axis is the downward direction, the positive direction of the Y1 axis is the rightward direction, the negative direction of the Y1 axis is the leftward direction, the positive direction of the X1 axis is the rearward direction, and the negative direction of the X1 axis is the forward direction.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 100 is connected to a higher-level device such as a computer device, and when it receives a print instruction or print data from the higher-level device, the image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on the surface of the medium 10. Note that the image forming apparatus 100 may also include a display operation unit that receives operation inputs and displays various information, for example.

[0015] In Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment has a media storage tray 20 storing media 10, a pickup roller 31, a conveying roller 32, a media conveying path 30, a conveying roller 33, a write sensor 37, a belt support roller 41, a belt drive roller 42, a belt unit 40, image forming units 50K, 50Y, 50M, 50C, a fixing unit 60, a conveying roller 34, an ejection sensor 38, conveying rollers 35 and 36, and a media accumulation tray 21.

[0016] The pickup roller 31 picks up the media 10 stored in the media storage tray 20 one by one, and sends the media 10 to the media transport path 30.

[0017] Transport rollers 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 transport medium 10 along medium transport path 30 in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG.

[0018] The writing sensor 37 detects the leading edge of the medium 10 being conveyed in order to detect the start position of image formation in each of the image forming units 50K, 50Y, 50M, and 50C.

[0019] The discharge sensor 38 detects the leading edge of the medium 10 being transported.

[0020] Belt unit 40 is an endless belt that is supported by belt support roller 41, belt drive roller 42, and transfer rollers of image forming units 50K, 50Y, 50M, and 50C. Belt unit 40 transports medium 10 along medium transport path 30 while each of image forming units 50K, 50Y, 50M, and 50C transfers a toner image onto medium 10.

[0021] The belt drive roller 42 is rotated by a motor (not shown) to drive the belt unit 40 .

[0022] The belt support roller 41 is a driven roller, and rotates together with the belt unit 40 .

[0023] The image forming units 50K, 50Y, 50M, and 50C correspond to the colors black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), respectively, and each includes a toner cartridge, a photosensitive drum, an LED head, a transfer roller, etc. In each of the image forming units 50K, 50Y, 50M, and 50C, a toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum is transferred onto the medium 10 transported by the belt unit 40. The medium 10 with the toner image transferred thereto is transported to the fixing unit 60 by the belt unit 40.

[0024] The fixing unit 60 applies heat and pressure to the medium 10 onto which the toner image has been transferred, thereby fixing the toner image to the medium 10. The medium 10 after the fixing process is transported to the medium accumulation tray 21 via the medium transport path 30.

[0025] The medium collecting tray 21 is for collecting the medium 10 transported through the medium transport path 30 .

[0026] (A-1-2) Control system FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.

[0027] In FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 100 has an operation display unit 101, a receiving unit 102, a control unit 103, and a storage unit 104 as a control system.

[0028] The operation and display unit 101 is an operator panel that is operated by a user and displays various information to the user.

[0029] The receiving unit 102 receives print data from an information processing device 105 connected via a line (for example, a network or USB connection), and provides the print data to the control unit 103.

[0030] In this embodiment, it is assumed that a code is added to the design to be printed, and that image data relating to the code is included in the print data.

[0031] Here, the code is a display format that has information according to a predetermined rule, and can be, for example, a one-dimensional code such as a barcode, or a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark), etc. In this embodiment, a case where the code is a two-dimensional code is illustrated.

[0032] The storage unit 14 stores processing programs (eg, image forming programs, image processing programs, etc.) executed by the CPU, data necessary for processing, print data, and the like.

[0033] The control unit 13 is responsible for various functions in the image forming apparatus 100. The control unit 13 can be, for example, a device having a CPU, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, etc., and various functions of the image forming apparatus 100 are realized by the CPU executing a processing program.

[0034] The control unit 13 includes a setting unit 1031 , an editing unit 1032 , a processing unit 1033 as a code transformation unit, a developing unit 1034 , and a printing unit 1035 .

[0035] The combined functions of the editing unit 1032, the developing unit 1034, and the printing unit 1035 are also referred to as a printing processing unit.

[0036] The setting unit 1031 extracts various setting values ​​from settings instructed by the user via the operation display unit 101 and commands included in the print data, and holds and manages the various setting values.

[0037] The editing unit 1032 analyzes the print commands contained in the received print data and creates an intermediate code. When a specific print command is recognized, the editing unit 1032 requests the processing unit 1033 to process the code (e.g., a two-dimensional code) and / or image corresponding to the specific command.

[0038] When the processing unit 1033 receives a request from the editing unit 1032 to process a barcode and / or an image, it obtains setting values ​​from the setting unit 1031, processes the barcode and / or the image according to the setting values, and creates the processed image.

[0039] The development unit 1034 performs rendering in accordance with the intermediate code created by the editing unit 1032, and creates page information that can be printed by the printing unit 1035.

[0040] The printing section 1035 performs printing in accordance with the page information created by the expansion section 1034 .

[0041] (A-2) Operation of the embodiment Next, image processing in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0042] For example, the following example assumes that two-dimensional codes are used to manage products stored in a warehouse, but the code can be used in a wide range of applications other than product management in a warehouse.

[0043] Fig. 4 is a diagram for illustrating an example of a usage form when explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the shape of a two-dimensional code when read by a code reader.

[0044] As shown in the example of Figure 4, a printed matter with a two-dimensional code 4 (4-1, 4-2) is attached to a box 3 (3-1, 3-2), the box 3 is placed on a shelf 2 in a warehouse, and the two-dimensional code 4 on the box 3 is read by a code reading device 1 (1-1, 1-2) for product management.

[0045] The code reading device 1 may be mounted on a smartphone or the like, or on an unmanned vehicle such as a robot. Also, it may be operated by a human (including remote control), or may be automatically operated according to a transport scenario (operation scenario) that moves the unmanned vehicle.

[0046] In this example, when the code reader 1 reads the two-dimensional code 4-1 on the box 3-1 placed on the top of the shelf 2, the code reader 1 is tilted from bottom to top to photograph the two-dimensional code. When the two-dimensional code 4 is photographed from the front, it can be read as a roughly square shape as shown in Fig. 5(A), but when the two-dimensional code 4-1 is photographed from below as in this example, it becomes a trapezoidal two-dimensional code 4-1 with the top base longer than the bottom base as shown in Fig. 5(B), and it may not be possible to read it.

[0047] Similarly, when the code reading device 1 reads the two-dimensional code 4-2 on a box 3-2 placed at the bottom of the shelf 2, the image is captured at a tilt from top to bottom relative to the two-dimensional code 4-2, which may result in the two-dimensional code 4-2 being a trapezoid with the bottom base longer than the top base, as shown in Figure 5(C), and may not be readable.

[0048] In this way, the two-dimensional code 4 is read in a distorted form by the code reader 1. Although the accuracy of the reading correction function of the code reader 1 has improved, in situations where the two-dimensional code 4 is used, the reading correction function may not work, and the two-dimensional code 4 may not be read.

[0049] Therefore, an image forming apparatus that can make the two-dimensional code 4 easier to read even when the two-dimensional code 4 cannot be read from the front will be described.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an image forming method in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.

[0051] [S101] First, the user operates the operation display unit 101 to set the two-dimensional code transformation function (S101). The contents set on the operation display unit 101 are stored by the setting unit 1031.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a setting screen displayed on the operation display unit 101 according to the embodiment.

[0053] 7, a setting screen 50 has an item setting section 51, a reading distance setting section 52, a reading angle setting section 53, a correction shape setting section 54, and a correction execution button 55.

[0054] The item setting section 51 is a section for setting whether to enable or disable the 2D code transformation function. For example, there are items such as "enable for 2D codes", "enable for images", and "insert auxiliary message", and the 2D code transformation function is enabled by selecting "enable for 2D codes" or "enable for images".

[0055] The reading distance setting unit 52 is a unit that sets the distance between the two-dimensional code 4 and the code reading device 1 when reading the two-dimensional code 4, and the reading angle setting unit 53 is a unit that sets the angle (such as elevation angle) at which the code reading device 1 is tilted relative to the horizontal direction, and each numerical value is set via the operation display unit 101.

[0056] An explanation will be given with reference to Figures 4 and 7. For example, in Figure 4, the reading distance L is the linear distance between the code reading device 1 and the two-dimensional code 4, and the example in Figure 7 shows an example where it is set to "200 cm". The reading angle (i.e., the elevation angle) θ is the angle at which the code reading device 1 is tilted relative to a horizontal line, and Figure 7 shows an example where it is set to "30 degrees". The values ​​of the reading distance L and the reading angle θ vary depending on the usage form, but the user can determine each value taking into account the position of the printed material on which the two-dimensional code 4 is applied.

[0057] The corrected shape setting section 54 is a section for selecting and setting the shape of the two-dimensional code to be printed on the printed matter. In the corrected shape setting section 54, one square 541 and four trapezoids 542 to 545 are each a selectable button, and are the shapes to be printed on the printed matter.

[0058] For example, square 541 is the shape of two-dimensional code 4 when viewed from the front. Trapezoid 542 is the shape printed on the printed material when the printed material is in a high position and the code reader 1 is tilted from below relative to the front of two-dimensional code 4 to capture the image. Trapezoid 543 is the shape printed on the printed material when the code reader 1 is tilted from the left side relative to the front of two-dimensional code 4 to capture the image. Trapezoid 544 is the shape printed on the printed material when the printed material is in a low position and the code reader 1 is tilted from above relative to the front of two-dimensional code 4 to capture the image. Trapezoid 545 is the shape printed on the printed material when the code reader 1 is tilted from the right side relative to the front of two-dimensional code 4 to capture the image.

[0059] It is possible to select multiple buttons from the five buttons, the square 541 and the four trapezoids 542 to 545. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, three types of shapes, the square 541, the trapezoids 544, and 545, are selected. In this case, the selected number of two-dimensional codes 4 are printed on the printed matter. By printing multiple two-dimensional codes 4 on the printed matter in this manner, the two-dimensional code 4 can be easily read even from various angles relative to the front of the two-dimensional code 4.

[0060] Also, FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which the correction shape setting unit 54 prints five types of shapes, namely, a square 541 and trapezoids 542 to 545, but the number of shapes is not limited to this, and it may be possible to set nine types including diagonal shapes, or it may be possible to set a greater number of shapes.

[0061] The correction execution button 55 is used to determine the setting items of the selected two-dimensional code transformation function.

[0062] [S102] The information processing device 105 transmits to the image forming device 100 print data including a command for drawing a two-dimensional code using a PCL5C command.

[0063] In the image forming apparatus 100, the editing unit 1032 starts processing of the print data, and when the editing unit 1032 recognizes a command for drawing a barcode by a PCL5C command (S102), the editing unit 1032 requests the processing unit 1033 to process the command.

[0064] [S103] The processing unit 1033 temporarily generates an image of a two-dimensional code corresponding to the command. Furthermore, the processing unit 1033 performs coordinate transformation (e.g., two-dimensional affine transformation) according to the settings set in the two-dimensional code transformation function, and further processes the temporarily generated image (S103).

[0065] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the shape conversion of a two-dimensional code in the embodiment.

[0066] Here, it is assumed that box 3-2 is placed at the bottom of shelf 2, and code reader 1 is tilted downward to read 2D code 4-2. In other words, the example shows a case in which the printed material is at a low position, and the code reader 1 is tilted from above in front of 2D code 4 to capture the image.

[0067] For ease of explanation, the horizontal angle φ=0 in Fig. 8(A) is used to explain the coordinate conversion process of the two-dimensional code in the two-dimensional coordinate space, but the coordinate conversion process can be applied to a three-dimensional coordinate space with a similar purpose. Also, the two-dimensional code transformation process by the processing unit 1033 is not limited to this.

[0068] In Figure 8 (B), the reading distance L is the distance between the position of the code reading device 1 and the position of the two-dimensional code 4, and here it is the distance value based on the position (position coordinates) of the camera position and the midpoint (position coordinates) of the two-dimensional code 4.

[0069] Each of the four vertices (P1, P2, P3, P4) of a square reference shape 61 as seen from the camera position is coordinate transformed using the reading distance L to generate a trapezoidal first shape 62 with vertices (P10, P20, P30, P40).

[0070] At this time, the length of the side of P3-P4 is made the same as the length of the side of P20-P10. The reason for this is that in this example, the two-dimensional code after conversion becomes a trapezoid, but by making one side of the two-dimensional code the same as one side of the original square, it is made easier to read by the code reading device 1. In other words, if the size of the two-dimensional code is reduced or enlarged when converting it into a trapezoid, it may become difficult for the code reading device 1 to read it. However, if the length of one side of the converted trapezoid is made the same as the length of one side of the original square in this way, it can be read as usual.

[0071] Next, each of the four vertices (P10, P20, P30, P40) of the first shape 62 is coordinate-converted to generate a trapezoidal second shape 63 with vertices (P11, P21, P31, P41). For example, the second shape 63 is made to be line-symmetrical with the first shape 62. This allows the length of the side from P31 to P41 to be the same as the length of the side from P20 to P20.

[0072] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the shape of a two-dimensional code after conversion in an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the two-dimensional code after processing (conversion) becomes a trapezoid whose upper base is longer than its lower base, as shown in Fig. 1(B), and the length of the lower base is the same as the length of one side of the square two-dimensional code before processing.

[0073] The processing unit 1033 provides the image of the processed two-dimensional code to the editing unit 1032 as in the above example.

[0074] [S104, S105] The editing unit 1032 creates an intermediate code of an image that draws the processed image acquired from the processing unit 1033 at the drawing position of the barcode before conversion. Then, the expansion unit 1034 renders the intermediate code created by the editing unit 1032 and creates page information (S104). Then, the printing unit 1035 performs printing.

[0075] (A-3) Effects of the embodiment As described above, according to this embodiment, even if the 2D code is read from an angled direction relative to the front of the 2D code, it is possible to print a 2D barcode that can be read by a device that analyzes images and reads 2D barcodes, such as a smartphone, even from a somewhat angled direction.

[0076] (B) Other embodiments Although various modified embodiments have been mentioned in the above-described embodiment, the present disclosure can also be applied to the following modified embodiments.

[0077] (B-1) In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure is a printer, but it can also be applied as an application such as a printer driver. In other words, if it is configured to process two-dimensional codes and images according to user settings and to convert the processed state into drawing commands for print data, it can also be configured as an application on a host PC such as a printer driver. Even in this case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0078] (B-2) Although an example of transforming the shape of a two-dimensional code has been described in the above embodiment, other methods may be used.

[0079] For example, consider the case where a poster with a two-dimensional code image printed on it is placed in a high position, and a user aims a smartphone with code reading functionality at the information to read the two-dimensional code.

[0080] In this example, it is desirable to determine the shape of the two-dimensional code to be printed on the poster based on the relationship between the position of the poster and the position of the user.

[0081] Therefore, the degree to which the shape of the read 2D code is distorted can be measured based on the relationship between the poster's position and the user's position (called the reference position here), and the shape of the 2D code to be printed on the poster can be determined based on the measurement results.

[0082] For example, a method of measuring distortion using a test pattern poster for testing can be applied. (1) Prepare a test pattern poster with a grid or identification marks on reference coordinates. (2) A test pattern poster is attached to a wall or the like, and an identification mark is photographed from a reference position serving as the user's position. (3) The captured image is read and compared with the previously stored reference coordinate positions to obtain the distortion rate of each base coordinate. Coordinates between each reference coordinate are obtained by linear interpolation or the like. (4) On a plane including the reference position and the position of the test pattern poster, a straight line is drawn connecting the position coordinates (observation point) of the reference position and the position coordinates of the test pattern poster. Then, a virtual vertical plane is provided that is perpendicular to the straight line on the plane, and a virtual 2D code is placed on the virtual vertical plane. (5) Draw imaginary lines from the observation point of the reference position, passing through each dot of the virtual 2D code, and intersecting on the test pattern poster, and calculate the coordinates on the test pattern poster that correspond to each dot of the 2D code.

[0083] As a result, on the test pattern poster, the dots of the close 2D code are transformed into smaller dots and the dots of the distant 2D code are transformed into larger trapezoids.

[0084] The trapezoidally converted two-dimensional code may not be actually printed, but may be simulated in a virtual space using VR (Virtual Reality) technology or the like.

[0085] For example, by fitting it into a three-dimensional XYZ coordinate space, the distance from the reference position coordinates (the observation point where the photograph is taken) to the poster display location, the angle (elevation angle, horizontal angle), and the inclination of the poster display location (the angle with respect to a line from the observation point. Ideally, it would be equivalent to (4) above, with the center of the two-dimensional code on a perpendicular plane with respect to the line from the observation point) can be calculated, as well as the coordinate range of the poster.

[0086] In this case, the two-dimensional code can be arbitrarily rotated according to the distance and angle and placed on the poster, but other methods are also possible. For example, if the two-dimensional code has one side (side in the x1 direction) and another side (side in the y1 direction) among the four sides, and the poster display location is set to one side (side in the x2 direction) and another side (side in the y2 direction), the corresponding pair of sides, for example the y1 side and the y2 side, can be made parallel and then the coordinates can be found to place the poster. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 100: image forming device, 101: operation display unit, 102: receiving unit, 103: control unit, 104: memory unit, 105: information processing device, 13: control unit, 1031: setting unit, 1032: editing unit, 1033: processing unit, 1034: development unit, 1035: printing unit, 14: memory unit, 50: setting screen, 51: item setting unit, 52: reading distance setting unit, 53: reading angle setting unit, 54: correction shape setting unit, 55: correction execution button, 61: reference shape, 62: first shape, 63: second shape, 541: square, 542, 543, 544, 545: trapezoid, 1: code reading device, 2: shelf, 3 (3-1, 3-2): box, 4 (4-1, 4-2): two-dimensional code, 10: medium, 20: medium storage tray, 21: medium accumulation tray, 30: medium transport path, 31: pickup roller, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36: transport rollers, 37: write sensor, 38: discharge sensor, 40: belt unit, 41: belt support roller, 42: belt drive roller, 50C, 50K, 50M, 50Y: image forming units, 60: fixing unit.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus for forming a main image having a code image added thereto based on print data including image data of the code, a setting unit that sets transformation setting information regarding a transformation of the code image added to the main image; a code transformation unit that transforms a shape of the code image to be added to the main image based on the transformation setting information; a print processing unit that develops the transformed code image into the main image and prints it; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. the transformation setting information includes, for the code image in the main image, a reading angle from a reading position and a reading distance between the code image and the reading position; The code deformation unit deforms the shape of the code image based on the reading angle and the reading distance.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

3. the reading angle includes an elevation angle and a horizontal angle of the code image in the main image with respect to a front direction, The code transformation unit transforms the code image into a first shape based on the reading angle including an elevation angle and a horizontal angle and the reading distance, and transforms the first shape into a second shape to be added to the main image, and sets the second shape as the transformed code image.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein one of the four sides of the second shape has the same length as a side of the square code image.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the transformation setting information includes an execution section for executing the transformation of the code image.

6. the deformation setting information includes information indicating deformation patterns corresponding to a plurality of reading angles, The code transformation unit transforms the code into one or more selected transformation patterns.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

7. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the transformation setting information includes information indicating a shape pattern of the code information that is not transformed.

8. 1. An image forming method for forming a main image having a code image added thereto based on print data including image data of a code, comprising: a setting unit sets transformation setting information regarding a transformation of the code image to be added to the main image; a code transformation unit that transforms a shape of the code image to be added to the main image based on the transformation setting information; A print processing unit develops the transformed code image into the main image and prints it.

1. An image forming method comprising:

Images