Image processing device, control method thereof, and program

Abstract

To simplify the generation of image data including a reference image in an image processing device that communicates with a post-processing device.SOLUTION: To solve the above problem, an image processing device of the present invention includes: communication means for communicating with a post-processing device; acquisition means for acquiring first image data; and generation means for generating second image data. The communication means receives, from the post-processing device, information about a reference image recognizable by the post-processing device. The generation means uses the received information about the reference image and the acquired first image data to generate second image data including the reference image recognizable by the post-processing device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a use case where a printed material printed by an image forming device is cut by a cutting machine. There is a technology in which the image forming device prints a reference image such as a registration mark image on the printed material to be cut, and the cutting machine recognizes the position information of the reference image and corrects the cutting position.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a technique for forming an image to which a reference image is added and a set profile in an image forming apparatus.

[0004] Furthermore, in addition to cutting machines that perform cutting, there are various post-processing devices, such as devices that fold printed materials and devices that punch holes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-184715 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] For example, when using a plurality of different post-processing devices, the reference image that can be recognized differs for each device, and therefore the user has to set a reference image for each post-processing device that is used, which is time-consuming.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to simplify the generation of image data including a reference image in an image processing device that communicates with a post-processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the image processing device of the present invention has a communication means for communicating with a post-processing device, an acquisition means for acquiring first image data, and a generation means for generating second image data, wherein the communication means receives information of a reference image recognizable by the post-processing device from the post-processing device, and the generation means uses the received information of the reference image and the acquired first image data to generate second image data including the reference image recognizable by the post-processing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] It is possible to easily generate image data including a reference image in an image processing device that communicates with a post-processing device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 100. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a software configuration of an image forming apparatus 100. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a cutting machine 300. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of a cutting machine 300. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a communication terminal 500. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a software configuration of a communication terminal 500. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of the overall configuration [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows an example of a cut setting information table 800. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus 100. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the print / cut cooperative application 210 displayed when setting up registration marks. [Figure 11] Flowchart showing an example of a register mark setting process [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of processes performed by the print / cut cooperative application 210. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows an example of a register mark information table 1300. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] <Example> Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0012] In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus having a printing function and a scanning function will be described as an example of an image processing apparatus. Note that the image forming apparatus in this embodiment is not limited to an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), and may be, for example, an apparatus without a scanning function. Furthermore, any apparatus capable of implementing this embodiment, such as an apparatus that transmits a print instruction to an image forming apparatus having a printing unit, may be used.

[0013] In addition, although this embodiment uses cutting as an example of post-processing of printed matter, this is not limited to this, and it can also be applied to various post-processing such as folding printed matter or punching holes.

[0014] In this embodiment, the register marks refer to a reference image, and are marks that are placed on a post-processed medium, such as a printed matter, to ensure that the post-processed medium is properly post-processed. Furthermore, the register mark information refers to information on the reference image, and includes image data, ID, control number, size, shape, etc. The ID and control number are concepts for identifying the type of register mark when the cutting machine 300 is capable of processing multiple register marks, and are information that the image forming apparatus 100 or the cutting machine 300 manages in association with the register marks.

[0015] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 100. Note that the image forming apparatus 100 is an example of an image processing apparatus.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 100 is mainly composed of a CPU 111, RAM 102, ROM 103, storage 104, operation unit 112, USB storage 114, RTC 115, scanner 170, input image processing unit 180, output image processing unit 190, and printer 195. The image forming apparatus 100 also includes an operation unit I / F 106, an image bus I / F 105, a network I / F 110, a USB host I / F 113, a device I / F 120, a system bus 107, and an image bus 108. RTC stands for Real Time Clock, and I / F stands for interface.

[0017] The CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM 103, storage 104, image bus I / F 105, operation unit I / F 106, network I / F 110, USB host I / F 113, and RTC 115 are connected and capable of communicating with each other via a system bus 107. The image bus I / F 105, device I / F 120, input image processing unit 180, and output image processing unit 190 are connected and capable of communicating with each other via an image bus 108. These connections allow the components constituting the image forming apparatus 100 to be connected and capable of communicating with each other.

[0018] The CPU 101 starts up an operating system (OS) using a boot program stored in the ROM 103. The CPU 101 executes programs stored in the storage 104 on this OS, thereby performing various processes. The CPU 101 also communicates with various components when executing processes. The RAM 102 provides a working area for the CPU 101 and also provides an image memory area for temporarily storing, for example, image data. The data stored in the RAM 102 is not limited to image data, and the RAM 102 can store various types of data, such as numerical information and language information. The ROM 103 stores control programs executable by the CPU 101. The storage 104 stores various types of information, such as various programs, image data, print data, and various setting information. The storage 104 may be, for example, a flash memory, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or an eMMC (Embedded Multi Media Card).

[0019] The operation unit I / F 106 is an interface that connects the operation unit 112 and the CPU 101 via the system bus 107, and transmits image data received from the CPU 101 to the operation unit 112. The operation unit I / F 106 also receives information input by a user on the operation unit 112 from the operation unit 112 and transmits it to the CPU 101.

[0020] The operation unit 112 is connected to the system bus 107 via the operation unit I / F 106 and can communicate with each unit, and includes a touch panel that is an example of an input unit or display unit and can detect a user's touch operation. The operation unit 112 also displays image data received from the CPU 101 via the operation unit I / F 106 on the touch panel. The operation unit 112 also serves as a receiving unit that receives input from the user and transmits the received information to the CPU 101 via the operation unit I / F 106.

[0021] The detection method for detecting a user's touch operation on the touch panel may be any common detection method, such as a resistive film method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, a capacitive method, etc. Software keys may be displayed on the touch panel, and operation instructions may be input by the user's operation on the touch panel.

[0022] The input unit in the operation unit 112 is not limited to a touch panel, and may be, for example, a hard key. The hard key may be, for example, a keyboard with alphabets and numbers written on it, or a physical button that commands processes such as "Start" or "Reset." Furthermore, for example, a toggle switch, a rocker switch, a push button switch, a rotary switch, a slide switch, a key lock switch, a tactile switch, or the like may also be used.

[0023] Network I / F 110 is an interface for connecting image forming apparatus 100 to a network to enable communication between them, and connects the network and CPU 101 via system bus 107. Note that the network may be a wireless or wired network configured, for example, by the Internet, a WAN, or a LAN. Network I / F 110 may also include a modem or NCU (Network Control Unit), not shown, to connect to a public switched telephone network and send and receive data by fax. Image forming apparatus 100 is externally connected via network I / F 110, allowing it to send and receive various data and signals.

[0024] The USB host I / F 113 is an interface that connects the USB storage 114 and the CPU 101 via the system bus 107, enabling communication between the various components. The USB host I / F 113 is an input / output unit that stores data output by the CPU 101 in the USB storage 114 and inputs data stored in the USB storage 114 to the CPU 101. A plurality of USB devices including the USB storage 114 can be connected to the USB host I / F 113.

[0025] The USB storage 114 is an example of an external storage device that stores data, and is detachable from the USB host I / F 113. Examples of external storage devices include a USB memory, a flash memory, an HDD, and an SSD.

[0026] The RTC 115 keeps track of the current time and transmits the time information to the CPU 101. The time information controlled by the RTC 115 is used to record the time when a job is submitted, for example. The RTC 115 also has a power source, such as a battery, separate from the image forming apparatus 100, and can keep track of the time even when there is no power supply to the image forming apparatus 100. Note that the control performed by the RTC 115 may be replaced by, for example, the CPU 101.

[0027] The image bus I / F 105 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 107 and the image bus 108 to enable communication between the various components and converts data formats, enabling high-speed transfer of image data.

[0028] The device I / F 120 is an interface that connects the scanner 170 and the printer 195 with each processing unit via the image bus 108, enabling them to communicate with each other, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. The device I / F 120 receives image data from the scanner 170 and transmits the data to the CPU 101 via the aforementioned path. Furthermore, the device I / F 120 receives image data from the CPU 101 via the aforementioned path and transmits the received data to the printer 195.

[0029] The scanner 170 reads an original document and generates image data such as binary data based on the image of the read original document. The image data generated by the scanner 170 is transmitted to an external device such as an information processing device, saved in an external recording device such as the USB storage 114, or recorded on a recording medium, for example.

[0030] Printer 195 receives print image data from CPU 101 and prints an image on a print medium (medium to be post-processed) fed from a cassette (not shown). The operation of printer 195 is to print on a print medium such as paper or an OHP sheet.

[0031] The input image processing unit 180 is an example of a generating unit, and performs various image processing such as correction, processing, and editing on image data input from the outside via the scanner 170 or the network I / F 110, for example.

[0032] The output image processing unit 190 is an example of a generating unit, and performs various image processing such as correction and resolution conversion according to a printing device such as the printer 195 that performs printing, on image data that is sent (output) to the outside via, for example, the printer 195 or the network I / F 110. The various image processing is, for example, processing for generating print image data and preview images.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the software configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG.

[0034] Each unit is a software module that is realized when the CPU 101 executes a main program loaded in the RAM 102. The execution of each module of the main program, which will be described later, is managed and controlled by an OS (Operating System) 200.

[0035] The OS 200 is mainly composed of the following modules: a print / cut cooperative application 210, a job control unit 231, a UI control unit 232, a storage control unit 233, and a network control unit 234. The print / cut cooperative application 210 is one of the modules that runs on the OS 200, and controls applications that run in cooperation with the cutting machine 300. The number of modules included in the image forming apparatus 100 is arbitrary.

[0036] The job control unit 231 controls the other modules and comprehensively controls the execution of each job, such as copying and printing, that occurs in the image forming apparatus 100. When the job control unit 231 receives a job execution instruction from the UI control unit 232, it determines the type of the job and issues an instruction to execute each job process, such as copying, scanning, or printing.

[0037] The UI control unit 232 performs processing related to the operation unit I / F 106 and operation unit 112. The UI control unit 232 notifies other modules of operations performed by the user on the operation unit 112 as needed, and displays a screen on the operation unit 112 in response to instructions from the other modules. The UI control unit 232 also performs editing of drawing data to be displayed on the operation unit 112, etc.

[0038] The storage control unit 233 records and manages setting information and job information recorded in the storage 104. The storage control unit 233 refers to and saves various types of data in response to instructions from other modules. Specifically, the storage control unit 233 reads data from, and writes data to, the RAM 102 and the storage 104, for example. Each module located in the OS hierarchy accesses the storage control unit 233 to refer to and set setting values.

[0039] The network control unit 234 performs communication processing with devices connected to the network via the network I / F 110. The network control unit 234 controls the network I / F 110 to perform the following operations. When the network control unit 234 receives control commands or data from devices on the network via the network I / F 110, it notifies the other modules of this information. Furthermore, the network control unit 234 transmits control commands or data to devices on the network via the network I / F 110 in response to instructions from the other modules.

[0040] The storage control unit 233 records and manages setting information and job information recorded in the storage 104. The storage control unit 233 refers to and saves various types of data in response to instructions from other modules. Specifically, the storage control unit 233 reads data from, and writes data to, the RAM 102 and the storage 104, for example. Each module located in the OS hierarchy accesses the storage control unit 233 to refer to and set setting values.

[0041] The print-cut cooperative application 210 is mainly composed of an overall control unit 220 , a cutting setting information generation unit 221 , a register mark setting generation unit 223 , a cutting machine control unit 222 , and an image generation unit 224 .

[0042] The overall control unit 220 of the print / cut cooperative application 210 determines the content of the user operation when it receives a notification from the UI control unit 232 that a user operation has been performed. Depending on the determined content of the user operation, the overall control unit 220 issues instructions to the cutting setting information generation unit 221, the cutting machine control unit 222, and the register mark setting generation unit 223.

[0043] If it is determined that the user's operation is print setting information, the overall control unit 220 requests the cutting setting information generation unit 221 to generate cutting setting information. If it is determined that the user's operation is a cutting instruction to the cutting machine 300, the overall control unit 220 requests the cutting machine control unit 222 to communicate with the cutting machine 300. If it is determined that the user's operation is register mark setting, the overall control unit 220 requests the register mark setting generation unit 223 to generate register mark settings.

[0044] The cut setting information generation unit 221 holds a cut setting information table 800 in which print settings correspond to cut settings, as shown in Fig. 8. When the overall control unit 220 requests the generation of cut setting information, the cut setting information generation unit 221 generates cut setting information from the setting table and transmits the generated cut setting information to the overall control unit 220. The cut setting information table 800 is stored in, for example, the storage 104.

[0045] The cutting machine control unit 222 communicates with external devices on the network, such as cutting machines, via the network control unit 234. When the cutting machine control unit 222 is requested by the overall control unit 220 to communicate with the cutting machine 300, it requests capability information from the cutting machine 300. Furthermore, the cutting machine control unit 222 acquires a response containing capability information from the cutting machine 300. The cutting machine control unit 222 also notifies the cutting machine 300 of cutting setting information and a cutting start instruction via the network control unit 234.

[0046] The register mark setting generation unit 223 generates register mark settings that match the capability response of the cutting machine 300. In other words, it sets register marks that can be recognized by the cutting machine 300. When the register mark setting generation unit 223 is requested by the overall control unit 220 to generate register mark settings, it requests the image generation unit 224 to generate an image in which register marks have been added to the image to be printed.

[0047] When the image generation unit 224 receives a request from the register mark setting generation unit 223 to generate an image to which register marks have been added, the image generation unit 224 adds register marks according to the user input information to the image to be printed, generates an image including the register marks, and sends it to the register mark setting generation unit 223. The register mark setting generation unit 223 sends the received image including the register marks to the overall control unit 220.

[0048] The overall control unit 220 displays the returned image including the printer's marks on the operation unit 112 via the UI control unit 232. When a user instructs to execute printing, the overall control unit 220 instructs the job control unit 231 to print the image including the printer's marks.

[0049] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the cutting machine 300. The cutting machine 300 is an example of a post-processing device.

[0050] The cutting machine 300 is mainly composed of a controller unit 310, an operation unit 320, a display unit 330, a sensor unit 340, and a cutting unit 350.

[0051] The controller unit 310 is composed of a CPU 312, a storage unit 313, a network I / F 314, an operation unit I / F 315, a display unit I / F 316, a device I / F 317, and a control unit 318. The units of the controller unit 310 are connected to each other via a system bus 311 and can communicate with each other. The operation unit 320, the display unit 330, the sensor unit 340, and the disconnection unit 350 are connected to the units of the controller unit 310 via the operation unit I / F 315, the display unit I / F 316, and the device I / F 317, respectively.

[0052] The CPU 312 obtains and executes the control program stored in the storage unit 313 to realize the functions of the cutting machine 300. The CPU 312 also communicates with each unit when executing processing.

[0053] The storage unit 313 includes a main storage device such as a ROM, a RAM, and a HDD, and stores various information such as control programs, cutting settings, position information, etc. The storage unit 313 may further include an external storage device such as a USB memory or an external hard disk.

[0054] The network I / F 314 is an interface for connecting the cutting machine 300 to a network to enable communication with external devices, and connects the CPU 312 to an external PC, image forming device, or the like via the system bus 311 .

[0055] The operation unit I / F 315 is an interface that connects the operation unit 320 and each part of the controller unit 310 via the system bus 107. The operation unit I / F 315 also receives information input by the user from the operation unit 320 and transmits the information to the CPU 312 via the system bus 311.

[0056] The operation unit 320 is connected to the system bus 311 via the operation unit I / F 315, can communicate with each unit, and has an input device for accepting user input. The input device is, for example, an input device equipped with a mouse, a keyboard with alphabets and numbers, cursor keys, an enter key, and other hard keys. The operation unit 320 also transmits information accepted from the user via the operation unit I / F 315 to the CPU 312.

[0057] The display unit I / F 316 is an interface that connects the display unit 330 and each component of the controller unit 310 via the system bus 107. The display unit I / F 316 also transmits information received from the CPU 312 to the display unit 330.

[0058] The display unit 330 is connected to the system bus 311 via the display unit I / F 316, can communicate with each unit, and has a display device such as a liquid crystal panel for displaying information such as cutting settings to the user. The display unit 330 also displays information received from the CPU 312 via the display unit I / F 316 on the display device.

[0059] The cutting machine 300 may use a device, such as a touch panel, that has the functions of the operation unit 320 and the display unit 330. The detection method for detecting a user's touch operation on the touch panel may be any common detection method, such as a resistive film method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, or a capacitance method. Also, software keys, for example, may be displayed on the touch panel, and operation instructions may be input by the user's operation on the touch panel.

[0060] The device I / F 317 is an interface that connects the sensor unit 340 and the disconnection unit 350 with each unit of the controller unit 310 via the system bus 107, and transmits information acquired by the sensor unit 340 to the CPU 312 and the control unit 318. The device I / F 317 also transmits a signal received from the control unit 318 to the disconnection unit 350.

[0061] The sensor unit 340 is connected to the system bus 311 via the device I / F 317 and is capable of communicating with each unit, and is a device for detecting register marks on the medium to be cut and scanning the medium to be cut and acquiring image data.

[0062] The cutting unit 350 is connected to the system bus 311 via the device I / F 317 and can communicate with each unit. The cutting unit 350 is a device equipped with a cutter for cutting the medium to be cut, a drive roller for moving the cutter, and a conveying mechanism for moving the medium to be cut.

[0063] The operation of each of the operation section 320 , the display section 330 , the sensor section 340 , and the cutting section 350 is controlled by a control signal transmitted from the control section 318 of the controller unit 310 .

[0064] When cutting is performed by the cutting machine 300, the CPU 312 receives information from the operation unit 320, the sensor unit 340, and the network I / F 314 via the respective I / Fs and the system bus 311, and transmits this information to the control unit 318. The control unit 318 transmits a control signal to the cutting unit 350 via the device I / F 317 in response to the received signal, and the cutting unit 350 operates the transport mechanism and drive roller in response to the received control signal to move the cutter and form a cut line on the medium to be cut.

[0065] The post-processing device is not limited to a cutting machine, and if the post-processing device is a punching machine, the cutting unit 350 may be a punch unit, a drill unit, etc. Furthermore, if the post-processing device is a folder, the cutting unit 350 may be a guide unit, a blade unit, etc. In this way, the post-processing device may be configured to perform the post-processing desired by the user.

[0066] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the cutting machine 300. Each unit is a software module realized by the CPU 101 executing a control program loaded in the RAM of the storage unit 313. The software of the cutting machine 300 is mainly composed of the following modules: a network control unit 401, a device control unit 402, a storage control unit 403, a UI control unit 404, a cutting condition setting unit 405, and a cutting process execution unit 406.

[0067] The network control unit 401 is a module for controlling multiple communication protocols supported by post-processing devices such as the cutting machine 300. The network control unit 401 performs communication processing with devices connected to the network via the network I / F 314. When the network control unit 401 receives control commands or data from devices on the network via the network I / F 314, it notifies the other modules of this information. In addition, the network control unit 401 transmits control commands or data to devices on the network via the network I / F 314 in response to instructions from the other modules.

[0068] The device control unit 402 is a module for controlling the sensor unit 340 and the disconnection unit 350. The device control unit 402 communicates with the sensor unit and the disconnection unit 350 via the device I / F 317.

[0069] The storage control unit 403 is a module for accessing the memory unit 313 and managing the recording of information. The storage control unit 403 refers to and saves various types of data in response to instructions from other modules. Specifically, the storage control unit 403 reads data from, and writes data to, the RAM, ROM, and HDD in the memory unit 313, for example.

[0070] The UI control unit 404 is a module for controlling the operation unit 320 and the display unit 330 via the operation unit I / F 315 and the display unit I / F 316. The UI control unit 404 notifies other modules of operations performed by the user on the operation unit 320 as necessary, and displays screens on the display unit 330 in response to instructions from the other modules. The UI control unit 404 also performs editing of drawing data to be displayed on the display unit 330.

[0071] The cutting condition setting unit 405 is a module that receives cutting setting information from the operation unit I / F 315 or the network I / F 314 and transmits instructions to the storage control unit 430 for updating and saving data.

[0072] The cut process execution unit 406 is a module for receiving a cut execution signal from the operation unit I / F 315 or the network I / F 314 and controlling the cutter 350 in accordance with the cut setting information.

[0073] The post-processing device is not limited to a cutting machine, but may be, as mentioned above, a punching machine, a folding machine, etc. In this way, the post-processing device may have any software configuration that can realize the post-processing that the user desires to perform.

[0074] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of communication terminal 500. Communication terminal 500 is an example of an information processing device.

[0075] The communication terminal 500 is mainly composed of a CPU 501, a RAM 502, a ROM 503, a storage 504, an operation unit I / F 505, an operation unit 506, a display unit I / F 508, a display unit 509, a network I / F 510, and a USB I / F 511. Furthermore, these units are connected via a system bus 507 and are capable of communicating with each other.

[0076] The CPU 501 reads and executes a control program stored in the ROM 503 or storage 504 to control the communication terminal 500. The CPU 501 also communicates with each unit when executing processing. The RAM 502 is the main memory of the CPU 501, and is used as a temporary storage area for expanding the various control programs stored in the ROM 503 and storage 504. The ROM 503 stores control programs executable by the CPU 501. The storage 504 is a storage device such as an SSD or HDD, and stores various data such as image data and various programs such as application programs.

[0077] The operation unit I / F 505 is an interface that connects the operation unit 506 and the CPU 501 via the system bus 507, and transmits image data received from the CPU 501 to the operation unit 506. The operation unit I / F 505 also receives information input by the user on the operation unit 506 from the operation unit 506 and transmits it to the CPU 501.

[0078] The operation unit 506 is connected to the system bus 507 via the operation unit I / F 505, can communicate with each unit, and has an input device for accepting user input. The input device is, for example, an input device equipped with a mouse, a keyboard with alphabets and numbers, cursor keys, an enter key, and other hard keys. The operation unit 506 also transmits information accepted from the user via the operation unit I / F 505 to the CPU 501.

[0079] Display unit I / F 508 is an interface that connects display unit 509 and CPU 501 via system bus 507, and transmits information received from CPU 501 to display unit 509. Display unit 509 is a device that displays the processing contents of communication terminal 500 so that the user can understand them, and is assumed to be, for example, an LCD monitor.

[0080] The operation unit 506 and the display unit 509 do not necessarily have to be included in the communication terminal 500, and each unit may be an external device that performs the same functions as in this embodiment. The communication terminal 500 may use a device having the functions of the operation unit 506 and the display unit 509, such as a touch panel. The detection method for detecting a user's touch operation on the touch panel may be any common detection method, such as a resistive film method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, or a capacitive method. Furthermore, software keys, for example, may be displayed on the touch panel, and operation instructions may be input by a user's operation on the touch panel.

[0081] The network I / F 510 is an interface for connecting the communication terminal 500 to a network to communicate with an external device, and connects the CPU 501 to, for example, an external image forming device via the system bus 507 .

[0082] The USB I / F 511 is an interface that connects the CPU 501 and an external device connected via a USB-standard cable via the system bus 507, enabling communication between the various components. The USB I / F 511 is an input / output unit that transmits data output by the CPU 501 to an external device connected to the USB I / F 511, and inputs data stored in an external device to the CPU 101 via the USB I / F 511. A plurality of USB devices can be connected to the USB I / F 511.

[0083] The operation unit 506 and the display unit 509 may be connected via a USB I / F 511 to communicate with each unit.

[0084] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the communication terminal 500. Each unit is a software module that is realized by the CPU 501 executing a control program loaded in the RAM 502. Each software module is stored in the storage 504 of the communication terminal 500 and shows the configuration of application software that cooperates with an image forming device and a cutting machine.

[0085] The software of the communication terminal 500 mainly comprises a display processing unit 601, an input processing unit 602, a communication management unit 603, an image processing unit 604, a device registration unit 605, a device management unit 606, a print instruction unit 607, and a cutting instruction unit.

[0086] A display processing unit 601 controls the content to be displayed on the display unit 509 when an application is executed.

[0087] The input processing unit 602 detects input from the operation unit 506 by the user while an application is running, and transmits the input data to other modules.

[0088] The communication management unit 603 controls communication with the image forming apparatus 100 and the cutting machine 300 via a network connected to the network I / F 510 .

[0089] The image processing unit 604 generates print image data including printer marks and sets printer mark information based on the user input sent from the input processing unit 602 .

[0090] The device registration unit 605 detects devices such as the image forming apparatus 100 and the cutting machine 300 connected via a network connected to the network I / F 510 or via the USB I / F 511, and transmits information about each detected device to the storage 504. The storage 504 then stores the transmitted information about each device in the storage 504. The device information includes the device type and communication information such as a communication protocol.

[0091] The device management unit 606 updates and deletes information about devices registered by the device registration unit 605. In this embodiment, the device registration unit 605 and the device management unit 606 are included in the application software, but these functions may also be realized by linking with driver software stored in the storage 504 of the communication terminal 500.

[0092] The print instruction unit 607 transmits print image data to the image forming apparatus 100 based on the user input transmitted from the input processing unit 602. When transmitting the print image data, the print instruction unit 607 uses communication information of the device managed by the device management unit 606.

[0093] The cutting instruction unit 608 transmits cutting data to the cutting machine 300 based on the user input transmitted from the input processing unit 602. When transmitting the cutting data, the cutting instruction unit 608 uses communication information of the device managed by the device management unit 606.

[0094] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration. The system of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus 100, a cutting machine 300, and a communication terminal 500, and the number of these is arbitrary. The image forming apparatus 100, the cutting machine 300, and the communication terminal 500 belong to the same network 701. The cutting machine 300 and the communication terminal 500 may belong to the same network or to different networks. When the cutting machine 300 and the communication terminal 500 belong to different networks, the image forming apparatus 100 has multiple network I / Fs 110. In this embodiment, an example consisting of two devices, the image forming apparatus 100 and the cutting machine 300, will be described. In a modified example, an example consisting of a total of three devices, the image forming apparatus 100, the cutting machine 300, and the communication terminal 500 will be described.

[0095] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a cut setting information table 800. The cut setting information table 800 is stored, for example, in the storage 104 of the image forming apparatus 100. Note that the storage location is not limited to the storage 104, and may be any location that the CPU 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 can access and obtain the contents of.

[0096] The cutting setting information table 800 shows cutting pressure, cutting speed, and number of cutting revolutions as examples of cutting setting information. Cutting pressure is the force with which the cutting edge of the cutter is pressed against the medium to be cut when the cutting machine 300 cuts the medium. Cutting speed is the speed at which the cutting edge of the cutter moves when the cutting machine 300 cuts the medium. The number of cutting revolutions is the number of times the same cutting instruction line is cut, and can be set to a value of 1 or more depending on the characteristics of the medium to be cut.

[0097] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the image forming apparatus 100 generates cutting setting information using print setting information, particularly paper type information, set when printing is performed by the image forming apparatus 100.

[0098] For example, as shown in the cutting setting information table 800, when the paper type set at the time of printing on the image forming apparatus 100 is "plain paper," the image forming apparatus 100 generates cutting setting information with a cutting force of 1.0 N, a cutting speed of 200 mm / s, and one cutting revolution. Similarly, when the paper type is set to "thick paper," the image forming apparatus 100 generates cutting setting information with a cutting force of 1.5 N, a cutting speed of 200 mm / s, and two cutting revolutions.

[0099] The cutting setting information generated by the image forming apparatus 100 is sent to the cutting machine 300 at a timing before the cutting instruction is sent, and the cutting by the cutting machine 300 is performed based on the sent cutting setting information table 800.

[0100] 9 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus 100. Each of the operation screens A to G is generated by the UI control unit 232 and displayed on the operation unit 112, and is realized by the UI control unit 232 executing a program. Note that the UI control unit 232 generates a screen and displays it on the operation unit 112 from the timing when the image forming apparatus 100 is powered on, and thereafter transitions the screen based on the control of each program and input by the user.

[0101] Home screen 900 is an example of a home screen displayed on image forming apparatus 100. Home screen 900 includes multiple icons 901 to 903. Note that the number of icons displayed may be one. When the user selects an icon, CPU 101 starts an application corresponding to the selected icon. For example, when CPU 101 accepts that the user has selected icon 903, it starts print-cut cooperative application 210. When print-cut cooperative application 210 is started, UI control unit 232 displays application home screen 910 on operation unit 112. As a result, the screen displayed on operation unit 112 transitions from home screen 900 to application home screen 910.

[0102] The application home screen 910 is a screen on which the CPU 101 accepts each process performed by the print / cut cooperative application 210 in response to a user selection. The application home screen 910 includes a cutting machine connection setting field 911, a storage connection setting field 912, a print start field 913, and an OK button 914. The user can configure the cutting machine connection by selecting the cutting machine connection setting field 911 and pressing the OK button 914. The user can also configure authentication information for connecting to online storage by selecting the storage connection setting field 912 and pressing the OK button 914. The user can also configure the authentication information for connecting to online storage by selecting the print start field 913 and pressing the OK button 914. The user can transition the screen displayed on the operation unit 112 to a storage selection screen 920 by selecting the print start field 913 and pressing the OK button 914. When the user selects the print start field 913 and presses the OK button 914, the UI control unit 232 displays the storage selection screen 920 on the operation unit 112. As a result, the screen displayed on the operation unit 112 changes from the application home screen 910 to a storage selection screen 920 .

[0103] The storage selection screen 920 is a screen on which the CPU 101 receives, by user selection, the destination from which print file data is to be acquired from among the storages set in the storage connection settings. The user can specify the destination from which the file is to be acquired by selecting a file from lists 921 to 923 on the screen and pressing an OK button 924. When the user selects a file from the list and presses the OK button 924, the UI control unit 232 causes a file selection screen 930 to be displayed on the operation unit 112. As a result, the screen displayed on the operation unit 112 changes from the storage selection screen 920 to the file selection screen 930.

[0104] The file selection screen 930 is a screen on which the CPU 101 provides a file preview to the user and accepts a file selection by the user. The file selection screen 930 displays printable files among the files saved in the storage selected by the user on the storage selection screen 920. When a preview button 934 is pressed with one of the printable files 931 to 933 displayed on the file selection screen 930 selected, a preview image of the selected file is displayed on the screen. When a confirm button 935 is pressed with one of the printable files 931 to 933 selected, the screen displayed on the operation unit 112 transitions to a print setting screen 940. Note that the image data of the file selected by the user on the file selection screen 930 is an example of first image data.

[0105] On the print setting screen 940, in addition to information such as a paper size setting 941 and a paper type setting 942, it is possible to set a cutting area setting 943 for generating information to be sent to the cutting machine 300, and a register mark setting 944. Pressing the register mark setting 944 transitions the screen from the print setting screen 940 to a register mark setting screen 1001. After inputting each setting on the print setting screen 940, pressing a start print button 945 starts printing of the file selected by the user on the file selection screen 930. When printing is completed, the screen displayed on the operation unit 112 transitions from the print setting screen 940 to a cutting preparation screen 950. Note that the screen displayed when the register mark setting 944 is pressed may be screen 1005 instead of screen 1001.

[0106] The cutting preparation screen 950 is a screen that notifies the user that printing has been completed, and is a screen on which the CPU 101 accepts the execution of cutting processing. When the user presses the cut start button 951, cutting setting information and cut command information for cutting the cutting area are sent from the image forming apparatus 100 to the cutting machine 300. This enables the user to control the cutting machine 300 to execute cutting processing of the printed material. When the image forming apparatus 100 has sent all the cut command information to the cutting machine 300, the screen displayed on the operation unit 112 transitions from the cutting preparation screen 950 to a cutting completion screen 960.

[0107] The cutting end screen 960 is a screen that notifies the user that the transmission of the cut command information has been completed. If the user wishes to continue using the print-cut cooperative application 210, the user can transition from the cutting end screen 960 to the file selection screen 930 by pressing a Yes button 961, and start the print process again by selecting a file. Note that the screen transitioned to after pressing the Yes button 961 is not limited to the file selection screen 930, and the screen may transition to, for example, the application home screen 910 or the storage selection screen 920, and start the print process. On the other hand, if the user presses a No button 962, the cutting end screen 960 transitions to the home screen 900, and the print-cut cooperative application 210 is terminated.

[0108] 10 shows an example of a screen of the print / cut cooperative application 210 that is displayed when setting up the printer's marks. A screen 1001 and a screen 1005 are displayed on the operation unit 112 of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0109] A screen 1001 is a screen that is displayed before the printer's marks are added.

[0110] A preview image is displayed in a display frame 1002, and a rendered version of the image file selected on the file selection screen 930 is displayed.

[0111] Button 1003 is an add printer's marks button. When the user presses button 1003, image generation unit 224 of image forming apparatus 100 generates a preview image in which printer's marks are added to the image of the image file selected on file selection screen 930. Note that pressing button 1003 is an example of a first instruction, and image data of the preview image is an example of second image data. When generation of the preview image is complete, UI control unit 232 causes screen 1005 to be displayed on operation unit 112. As a result, the screen displayed on operation unit 112 transitions from screen 1001 to screen 1005.

[0112] The image data that is the source of the applied registration marks may be stored within the image forming device 100, for example, in the print-cut collaborative application 210, or may be stored outside the image forming device 100, for example, in the cutting machine 300.

[0113] For example, if image data that is the basis for the register marks to be added to the cutting machine 300 is stored, the image forming apparatus 100 may acquire the corresponding register marks from the cutting machine 300 and store them in the storage 104. In this case, it is not essential that the image data that is the basis for the register marks to be added be stored in the storage 104, and the image data may be temporarily expanded in, for example, the RAM 102.

[0114] A button 1004 is a confirmation button. When the user presses the button 1004, the printer's mark setting generation unit 223 sets the printer's mark addition setting to OFF, and the UI control unit 232 causes the operation unit 112 to display the print setting screen 940.

[0115] A screen 1005 is displayed after the printer's marks have been added.

[0116] A preview image is displayed in a display frame 1006, and a rendered version of the image of the image file selected on the file selection screen 930 with registration marks added is displayed.

[0117] Button 1007 is a register mark release button, and when the user presses button 1007, the UI control unit 232 causes screen 1001 to be displayed on the operation unit 112. That is, the screen displayed on the operation unit 112 transitions from screen 1005, in which a preview image with register marks added in a display frame 1006, to screen 1001, in which a preview image before register marks were added in a display frame 1002. That is, this indicates that a preview image with register marks added will not be generated. Note that pressing button 1007 is an example of a second instruction.

[0118] When the user presses button 1008, the image forming apparatus 100 stores the preview image displayed in the display frame 1006, i.e., the print image data with the printer's marks added, in RAM 102 and sets the printer's marks addition setting to ON. When the printer's marks addition setting is complete, the UI control unit 232 causes the operation unit 112 to display the print setting screen 940.

[0119] In this embodiment, screen 1001, which displays the preview image before the printer's marks are added, and screen 1005, which displays the preview image after the printer's marks are added, are different, but these preview images may be displayed on the same screen. In that case, for example, the preview image before the printer's marks are added may be displayed on the left side of the screen, and the preview image after the printer's marks are added may be displayed on the right side of the screen. It is not necessary to divide the screen into left and right halves, and the preview images may be displayed side by side, for example, vertically, depending on the size and ratio of the screen and the size and ratio of the original.

[0120] Furthermore, buttons 1004 and 1008 may be a "no register marks" button and a "with register marks" button, respectively, with the "no register marks" button located near the preview image before register marks are added and the "without register marks" button located near the preview image after register marks are added. In this case, CPU 101 may set the register mark addition setting to OFF when the "no register marks" button is pressed, and may set the register mark addition setting to ON when the "with register marks" button is pressed. Once the settings are complete, UI control unit 232 may be configured to display print setting screen 940 on operation unit 112.

[0121] It should be noted that displaying a preview image is not essential, and the screens 1001 and 1005 may simply be screens for setting ON or OFF of the register mark setting.

[0122] Note that the image forming apparatus 100 may display a preview image with register marks that can be recognized by the cutting machine 300 without receiving an instruction from the user.

[0123] Note that if there is a plurality of register mark information recognizable by the cutting machine 300 and the image forming apparatus 100 receives a plurality of such register mark information, the user may be allowed to select from a plurality of candidates the register mark to be used in generating the preview image (print image data). The CPU 101 accepts the user's selection from the operation unit 112. In this case, the UI control unit 232 displays options on the operation unit 112 (not shown) to allow the user to select from the plurality of candidates. Note that the plurality of candidates may be simultaneously displayed on the screen displayed on the operation unit 112 to allow the user to select, or the candidates may be displayed one by one in order, and the user may be asked each time whether to select one of the displayed candidates. Also, if there is a plurality of register mark information recognizable by the cutting machine 300 and the image forming apparatus 100 receives a plurality of such register mark information, the image forming apparatus 100 may be allowed to determine the register mark to be used.

[0124] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the printer's mark setting process. This process is initiated when printer's mark setting 944 on the print setting screen 940 displayed on the operation unit 112 is pressed, and is executed by each module of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0125] In S1101, the UI control unit 232 detects that the user has pressed the register mark setting 944 on the operation unit 112.

[0126] In S1102, the image generation unit 224 generates a preview image from the image file selected by the user on the file selection screen 930. The UI control unit 232 displays a screen 1001 for setting up the addition of crop marks on the operation unit 112, and displays the generated preview image in a display frame 1002.

[0127] In S1103, the UI control unit 232 waits until the user operates the operation unit 112, and if the user operates, determines whether the operation is a press of the button 1003 for adding a printer's mark. If it is determined that the user operation is a press of the button 1003, the process proceeds to S1104, and if it is determined that the button 1003 is not a press, the process proceeds to S1107.

[0128] In S1104, based on the fact that the button 1003 was pressed by the user in S1103, the register mark setting generation unit 223 changes the register mark addition setting to ON.

[0129] In S1105, the image generating unit 224 generates a preview image with printer's marks added.

[0130] In S1106, the UI control unit 232 displays the preview image generated by the image generation unit 224 in the display frame 1006 and the button 1007 in place of the button 1003, and displays the screen 1005 on the operation unit 112.

[0131] In S1107, the UI control unit 232 determines whether the operation performed by the user in S1103 was the pressing of the button 1007 for canceling the register marks. If it is determined that the operation performed by the user was the pressing of the button 1007, the process proceeds to S1108, and if it is determined that the operation performed by the user was not the pressing of the button 1007, the process proceeds to S1111.

[0132] In S1108, based on the fact that the button 1007 was pressed by the user in S1107, the register mark setting generation unit 223 changes the register mark addition setting to OFF.

[0133] In S1109, the image generating unit 224 generates a preview image before the printer's marks are added.

[0134] In S1110, the UI control unit 232 displays the preview image generated by the image generation unit 224 in the display frame 1002 and the button 1003 in place of the button 1007, and displays the screen 1001 on the operation unit 112.

[0135] In S1111, the UI control unit 232 determines whether the operation performed by the user in S1103 was pressing the button 1004 or the button 1008. If it is determined that the operation performed by the user was pressing the button 1004 or the button 1008, the process proceeds to S1112, and if it is determined that the operation performed by the user was not pressing the button 1004 or the button 1008, the process returns to S1103 and waits until an operation is performed by the user.

[0136] In S1112, based on the fact that the user operation determined in S1111 was the pressing of button 1004 or button 1008, the overall control unit 220 stores the register mark addition setting as a cutting setting in RAM 102 as follows. The location where the register mark addition setting is stored may be, for example, an HDD or SSD, or any storage medium that can be referenced by the image forming apparatus 100. If the user operation was the pressing of button 1004, the overall control unit 220 stores the register mark addition setting OFF in RAM 102, and if the user operation was the pressing of button 1008, the overall control unit 220 stores the register mark addition setting ON.

[0137] In S1113, the overall control unit 220 determines whether the printer's mark addition setting stored in the RAM 102 in S1112 is ON or OFF. If it is determined that the printer's mark addition setting stored in the RAM 102 is ON, the process proceeds to S1114; if it is determined that the printer's mark addition setting is OFF, the process ends and the UI control unit 232 displays the print setting screen 940 on the operation unit 112.

[0138] In S1114, based on the determination in S1113 that the printer's mark setting stored in RAM 102 is ON, the image generation unit 224 generates print image data with printer's marks added and stores the print image data in RAM 102. The location where the print image data is stored may be, for example, an HDD or SSD, or any storage medium that can be referenced by the image forming apparatus 100.

[0139] When the above steps are completed, the UI control unit 232 displays the print setting screen 940 on the operation unit 112 and ends this process.

[0140] Note that the printer's mark setting stored in the RAM 102 may be deleted after S1114, that is, after the generation of the print image data, is completed.

[0141] As noted above, if the screen 1005 is displayed instead of the screen 1001 when the register mark setting 944 is pressed, the order of steps S1103 to S1106 and S1107 to S1110 will be reversed.

[0142] The setting for adding register marks is not limited to ON or OFF, but may be, for example, "YES" or "NO," "yes" or "no," "do" or "do not do," etc.

[0143] In this embodiment, cutting and cutting settings are described as examples of post-processing, but in the case of post-processing that involves punching holes, the settings may be stored as punch settings or the like.

[0144] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence in which each process is performed by the print-cut cooperative application 210. That is, it shows the interactions between the user, the image forming apparatus 100, and the cutting machine 300 until the user operates the print-cut cooperative application from the operation unit 112 of the image forming apparatus 100 and the process is executed.

[0145] In S1201, when the icon 903 on the home screen 900 displayed on the operation unit 112 of the image forming apparatus 100 is pressed by the user, the image forming apparatus 100 detects this.

[0146] In step S1202, upon detecting that the user has pressed the icon 903, the CPU 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 launches the print / cut cooperative application 210. Subsequently, the UI control unit 232 of the image forming apparatus 100 displays an application home screen 910 on the operation unit 112. This allows the user to use the print / cut cooperative application 210 and to issue instructions for various settings and various processes. From here, a description will be given of what happens after the user selects the print start field 913 on the application home screen 910 and presses the OK button 914, selects the list 921 on the storage selection screen 920 and presses the OK button 924, and the file selection screen 930 is displayed on the operation unit 112.

[0147] In S1203, when the user selects one of files 931 to 933 to be printed that can be selected on file selection screen 930, image forming apparatus 100 displays print setting screen 940. Note that the user may select multiple files here. In this case, preview images of multiple files may be displayed on screens 1001 and 1005, and the user's settings for adding printer's marks may be accepted collectively for the multiple files. Alternatively, after multiple files are selected, a preview image may be displayed for each file, and once the printer's mark settings for one file are completed, a preview image for the next file may be displayed, and the user's settings for adding printer's marks may be accepted for each file.

[0148] In S1204, the user performs the above-described register mark setting 944 on the operation unit 112. The following describes the interaction when the user sets the register mark setting 944 to ON.

[0149] In S1205, the image forming apparatus 100 requests the cutting machine 300 to transmit to the image forming apparatus 100 register mark information that can be recognized by the cutting machine 300.

[0150] In S1206, the cutting machine 300, which has received the request from the image forming apparatus 100 in S1205, transmits to the image forming apparatus 100 the register mark information that can be recognized by the cutting machine 300.

[0151] In S1207, when the image forming apparatus 100 receives the register mark information that can be recognized by the cutting machine 300, it generates print image data in which the register marks corresponding to the register mark information are added to the image of the image file selected by the user, and stores the print image data in RAM 102.

[0152] In 1208, when the print execution button 946 is pressed by the user, the image forming apparatus 100 detects this.

[0153] In S1209, based on the user pressing the print execution button 946 in S1208, the image forming apparatus 100 prints the image data (print image data) to which the printer's marks generated in S1207 have been added. After this, the user places the printed matter printed by the image forming apparatus 100 on the cutting machine 300, but a detailed description of the placement will be omitted. From here on, the description will continue assuming that the cutting machine 300 is in a state where it can perform cutting processing.

[0154] In S1210, when the cut start button 951 is pressed by the user, the image forming apparatus 100 detects this.

[0155] In S1211, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits cutting process execution instruction information and register mark information to the cutting machine 300. The cutting process execution instruction is an instruction that includes an instruction to start execution as well as an instruction for the cutting position. The register mark information here particularly refers to information such as the type of register mark applied, the medium size, and the margin size. In the transmission process performed in S1211, it is not essential to transmit the register mark information.

[0156] In S1212, the cutting machine 300 performs position correction based on the register mark information transmitted by the image forming apparatus 100 in S1211, and executes cutting processing.

[0157] In S1213, the cutting machine 300 transmits the results of the cutting process to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0158] The cut position instruction included in the cut processing execution instruction sent from image forming apparatus 100 to cutting machine 300 in S1211 is an instruction issued by the user to obtain a desired post-processed printout. When the user selects a file to be printed in S1203, image forming apparatus 100 generates a preview image from the selected image file (S1102). At this time, CPU 101 recognizes the edges of the image in the image file and displays a preview screen (not shown) on operation unit 112 as a candidate cut position. If the displayed cut position is the position desired by the user, that position is determined as the cut position. If the displayed cut position is not the position desired by the user, CPU 101 re-recognizes the edges of the image in the image file selected by the user and displays a preview screen (not shown) on operation unit 112 as a candidate cut position. If the displayed cut position is not the position desired by the user, the user may be able to specify a cut position using operation unit 112. In this case, CPU 101 accepts this request and determines the position specified by the user as the cut position. An edge refers to, for example, the edge of a figure, but other types of lines such as a boundary where a color changes, a boundary between patterns, or a solid or dotted line may also be recognized as an edge.

[0159] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a register mark information table 1300. The contents of the register mark information tables 1300 and 1310 are part of the register mark information, and the register mark information exchanged between the image forming apparatus 100 and the cutting machine 300 includes the information in the register mark information tables 1300 and 1310.

[0160] Columns 1301 and 1311 indicate the type of shape that will be the endpoint of the register mark area. The shape is not limited to a square or a hook, but may be any shape that the cutting machine can recognize and that can perform the cutting process correctly. For example, multiple register marks may be added on the same surface, so a shape must be set for each register mark. For this reason, in the example of the register mark information table 1300, register mark shapes are set at the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right, respectively. Note that only one register mark may be added on the same surface. The cutting machine 300 identifies the endpoints of the register mark area on the paper by recognizing the specified shape on the paper with the sensor unit 340, and can correct the cutting position by, for example, setting the position of the upper left corner of the paper as the origin. The origin position for position correction is not limited to the four corners, such as the upper left. It may be any position that allows for the correct cutting process, such as the center of the short side or a position parallel to the long side by a distance equivalent to one-third of the long side.

[0161] Columns 1302 and 1312 indicate the size of the post-processed medium, such as a printed matter. In the example of FIG. 13, the size is expressed using two elements, height and width, but this is not limited to this. If the printed matter is not rectangular, more detailed lengths may be included in addition to height and width. Furthermore, in addition to length, information about the post-processed medium, such as thickness and hardness, may also be included.

[0162] Columns 1303 and 1313 indicate the margin size on the print image data. In FIG. 13, top, bottom, right, and left indicate the distance from the top, bottom, right, and left sides, respectively. The area excluding these margins is the register mark area. Note that the register mark area may also be specified by a method other than the margins. The register mark area may also be specified using the length, area, angle, and radius of the long and short sides of the register mark area, as well as the representative point of the register mark area.

[0163] The cutting machine 300 can correct the scale of the cutting process by using the distance based on the register mark information and the ratio of height to width actually recognized by the sensor unit 340.

[0164] The information contained in the register mark information table 1300 does not have to be all of the register mark graphics, the size of the post-processed medium, and the size of the margins, and may include other information.

[0165] As described above, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 generates print image data with printer's marks added to the image data and transmits the printer's mark information to the cutting machine 300. This allows for easy cutting position correction using the printer's marks in the cutting machine.

[0166] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is configured to receive register mark information recognizable by the cutting machine 300 from the cutting machine 300, but it may also be configured to receive image data of the register marks in addition to the register mark information. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 may also be configured to store the post-processing device and the register mark information recognizable by the post-processing device. In this case, the image forming apparatus 100 receives information capable of identifying the post-processing device, such as the model number, ID, production number, serial number, and manufacturer, from the post-processing device, and the image forming apparatus 100 determines the register mark information recognizable by the post-processing device.

[0167] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is configured to perform printing, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be configured to further include a printing device (not shown). In this case, at least the image forming apparatus 100 and the printing device are set in a state where they can communicate with each other, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits print image data generated by the printing apparatus to the printing device, and the printing device prints the print image data received from the image forming apparatus 100. The printing device is an example of an external device that communicates with the image forming apparatus 100.

[0168] The image forming apparatus 100 may be configured to analyze an image file selected by a user on the file selection screen 930. Specifically, the CPU 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 analyzes whether or not the image file selected by the user contains register marks (reference images) recognizable by the cutting machine 300 that will perform the cutting process. The CPU 101 may also analyze whether or not the image data of the image file selected by the user contains image data corresponding to register marks recognizable by the cutting machine 300 that will perform the cutting process. If the file already contains register marks recognizable by the cutting machine 300, the register mark addition setting process shown in FIG. 11 is not necessary. Therefore, for example, the register mark addition setting 944 on the print setting screen 940 may initially display "Register Mark Addition Setting: OFF," indicating that the register mark addition setting is set to OFF.

[0169] <Modification> In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a total of three devices are used, including the image forming apparatus 100, the cutting machine 300, and the communication terminal 500. In the first embodiment, the user sets the registration marks and gives instructions to execute various processes using the image forming apparatus 100, but in this embodiment, the user sets and gives instructions using the communication terminal 500. Even with this configuration, the user can perform the same operations and give instructions as in the first embodiment.

[0170] 7, the communication terminal 500 belongs to the same network 701 as the image forming apparatus 100, and they are capable of communicating with each other. The image forming apparatus 100 and the communication terminal 500 send and receive information to each other, and the screens and information that the image forming apparatus 100 displayed on the operation unit 112 in the first embodiment are displayed on the display unit 509 of the communication terminal 500. Similarly, user operations received from the operation unit 112 of the image forming apparatus 100 are received from the operation unit 506 and display unit 509 of the communication terminal 500.

[0171] <Other embodiments> The present invention can be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium. One or more processors in the computer of the system or device then read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0172] 100 Image forming device 300 Cutting Machine 500 communication terminals 900 Home Screen 910 App Home Screen 920 Storage selection screen 930 File selection screen 940 Print Settings Screen

Claims

1. a communication means for communicating with the post-processing device; an acquisition means for acquiring first image data; generating means for generating second image data; and the communication means receives information about a reference image that can be recognized by the post-processing device from the post-processing device; The generating means generates second image data including the reference image recognizable by the post-processing device, using the received information on the reference image and the acquired first image data.

1. An image processing device comprising:

2. 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the generating means generates the second image data when a first instruction is given by the user, and does not generate the second image data when a second instruction is given by the user.

3. having a reception means, The image processing device described in claim 1, characterized in that when information on multiple reference images is received by the communication means, a reference image to be used in generating the second image data is selected from the multiple reference images corresponding to the information on the multiple reference images, and the reception means receives the user's selection.

4. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the generating means generates the second image data including the selected reference image based on the selection accepted by the accepting means.

5. A printing means is provided, 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing means prints the second image data generated by the generating means on a printing medium.

6. 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the communication means includes a printing means for communicating with an external device and transmitting the second image data generated by the generation means to the external device, thereby causing the external device to print the second image data on a printing medium.

7. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the external device is a printing device.

8. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference image is a register mark for executing post-processing.

9. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information of the reference image is information corresponding to the reference image and includes one or more of image data, ID, control number, size, and shape.

10. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing device is a cutting machine that performs a cutting process on the print medium.

11. the communication unit receives information identifying the post-processing device from the post-processing device, The image processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the generation means generates the second image data including the reference image recognizable by the post-processing device based on the identification of the post-processing device by the information received by the communication means.

12. The image processing device according to claim 11, further comprising a storage means for storing information identifying the post-processing device in association with the reference image recognizable by the post-processing device, and for identifying the post-processing device from the information received by the communication means based on the reference image stored by the storage means.

13. The image processing device according to claim 12, characterized in that the information identifying the post-processing device is information corresponding to the post-processing device and includes one or more of a model number, an ID, a manufacturing number, a serial number, and a manufacturer.

14. the generating means does not generate the second image data when the acquired first image data includes data of the reference image that can be recognized by the post-processing device, 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the generating means is capable of generating the second image data when the acquired first image data does not include data of the reference image that can be recognized by the post-processing device.

15. a communication step for communicating with the post-processing device; an acquisition step of acquiring first image data; a generating step of generating second image data; and the communication step includes receiving, from the post-processing device, information about a reference image that can be recognized by the post-processing device; The generating step generates second image data including the reference image recognizable by the post-processing device, using the received information about the reference image and the acquired first image data. An image processing method comprising:

16. a communication step for communicating with the post-processing device; an acquisition step of acquiring first image data; a generating step of generating second image data; and the communication step includes receiving, from the post-processing device, information about a reference image that can be recognized by the post-processing device; The generating step generates second image data including the reference image recognizable by the post-processing device, using the received information about the reference image and the acquired first image data.

2. A program for causing an image processing device to execute an image processing method comprising:

Images