WRAPPING SUPPORT APPARATUS, COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM, WRAPPING MATERIAL, AND WRAPPING SUPPORT METHOD

Abstract

A wrapping support apparatus includes an object information acquiring unit, a wrapping method acquiring unit, a rear surface drawing information generating unit, and a printing unit. The object information acquiring unit acquires identification information of a wrapping target object which identifies a shape and a size of a wrapping target object to be wrapped. The wrapping method acquiring unit acquires a wrapping method for wrapping the wrapping target object. The rear surface drawing information generating unit generates rear surface drawing information for drawing fold lines at which a wrapping material is folded to wrap the wrapping target object on the basis of the identification information of the wrapping target object and the wrapping method. The fold lines are printed on the rear surface of the wrapping material. The printing unit prints the fold lines on the rear surface of the wrapping material in accordance with the rear surface drawing information.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-203324 filed Sep. 16, 2011.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a wrapping support apparatus, a computer readable medium, a wrapping material, and a wrapping support method.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a wrapping support apparatus including an object information acquiring unit, a wrapping method acquiring unit, a rear surface drawing information generating unit, and a printing unit. The object information acquiring unit acquires identification information of a wrapping target object which identifies a shape and a size of a wrapping target object to be wrapped. The wrapping method acquiring unit acquires a wrapping method for wrapping the wrapping target object. The rear surface drawing information generating unit generates rear surface drawing information for drawing fold lines at which a wrapping material is folded to wrap the wrapping target object on the basis of the identification information of the wrapping target object and the wrapping method. The fold lines are printed on the rear surface of the wrapping material. The printing unit prints the fold lines on the rear surface of the wrapping material in accordance with the rear surface drawing information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus as an exemplary embodiment of a wrapping support apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus of the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of an application selection screen displayed on an operation panel in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of a shape selection screen displayed on the operation panel in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating an example of a first shape reading screen displayed on the operation panel in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3D is a diagram illustrating an example of a second shape reading screen displayed on the operation panel in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3E is a diagram illustrating an example of a wrapping method selection screen displayed on the operation panel in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3F is a diagram illustrating an example of a wrapping sheet selection screen displayed on the operation panel in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3G is a diagram illustrating an example of a print screen displayed on the operation panel in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3H is a diagram illustrating an example of a termination screen displayed on the operation panel in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of instruction lines printed on the rear surface of a wrapping sheet in a case where central wrapping is selected in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a measurement list set in a measurement list table in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a wrapping method list set in a wrapping method list table in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of shape image data set in a shape image data table in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a coordinate conversion list set in a coordinate conversion list table in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of an instruction line list set in an instruction line list table in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a polygon list set in a polygon list table in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of wrapping method image data set in a wrapping method image data table in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a sheet list set in a sheet list table in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of completion image data set in a completion image data table in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of sheet image data set in a sheet image data table in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a sheet coordinate list set in a sheet coordinate list table in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a wrapping sheet printing process of the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a coordinate conversion list table in the case where central wrapping is selected in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a coordinate conversion formula used in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between article identification information, coefficients (coordinate conversion matrix) included in a record of a coordinate conversion list, and output coordinates in a case where square wrapping is selected in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of an output coordinate list set in an output coordinate list table in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output coordinate list generated in a case where central wrapping is selected in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a polygon list table in a case where central wrapping is selected in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of an instruction line list table in a case where central wrapping is selected in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 24A is a diagram illustrating a reference object wrapped with a wrapping sheet printed with a design image in a reference size in the present exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 24B is a diagram illustrating an article wrapped with a wrapping sheet printed with a design image in a reference size in the present exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 24C is a diagram illustrating an article wrapped with a wrapping sheet printed with an image-converted design image in the present exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus as an exemplary embodiment of a wrapping support apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The image forming apparatus of the present exemplary embodiment is realized by a multifunction machine equipped with various functions, such as a scanning function and a printing function, and has a computer 13 built therein. FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration in which an operation panel 1, an image input terminal (IIT) 2, an image output terminal (IOT) 3, a hard disk drive (HDD) 4, a network controller 5, a user interface (UI) controller 6, an IIT controller 7, an IOT controller 8, a read only memory (ROM) 9, a random access memory (RAM) 10, and a central processing unit (CPU) 11 are connected by an address and data bus 12.

The operation panel 1 is a form of a touch panel user interface (UI). The operation panel 1 functions as an input unit that receives an input by a user via a user interface component, a virtual keyboard, or the like displayed on the operation panel 1, and transmits the input to the UI controller 6, and also functions as a display that displays data of characters, figures, and images output from the UI controller 6. The UI controller 6 thus performs an input and output control using the operation panel 1. The IIT 2 reads the image of a surface of an object set thereon on the basis of an instruction from the IIT controller 7, and outputs the image to the IIT controller 7. The IIT 2 includes a scanner, for example. The IIT controller 7 thus controls the operation of the IIT 2. The IOT 3 prints image data transmitted from the TOT controller 8 on a wrapping material on the basis of an instruction from the IOT controller 8. The IOT 3 includes a printer, for example. The IOT controller 8 thus controls the operation of the IOT 3. As described in detail later, the HDD 4 is an auxiliary memory that stores data required for the operation of a wrapping support application and data required for the operations of the controllers. The network controller 5 performs data communication with another device via a network 14. The ROM 9 is a nonvolatile memory that stores the wrapping support application, which provides a characteristic process in the present exemplary embodiment, software for controlling the operations of the controllers, and data required for the operations of the controllers. The RAM 10 is a volatile memory that temporarily stores data required for the operation of the wrapping support application and data required for the operations of the controllers. The CPU 11 performs an overall control of the image forming apparatus, including the control of the operations of the controllers. The image forming apparatus used in the present exemplary embodiment may be realized by a related-art hardware configuration.

FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus of the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates a measurement processing unit 21, a wrapping method selection processing unit 22, a wrapping sheet selection processing unit 23, a vertex coordinate calculating unit 24, an instruction line drawing unit 25, a wrapping sheet surface drawing unit 26, a print controller 27, a wrapping support controller 28, and an information memory 29. Constituent elements unnecessary for the description of the present exemplary embodiment are not illustrated in the drawing. The measurement processing unit 21 functions as an object information acquiring unit that acquires identification information of a wrapping target object which identifies a shape and a size of a wrapping target object to be wrapped. Herein, the wrapping target object refers to an article to be wrapped by a wrapping material. In the present exemplary embodiment, an article, such as a commercial item, will be described as an example of the wrapping target object. The measurement processing unit 21, therefore, acquires identification information of an article which identifies a shape and a size of an article. The wrapping method selection processing unit 22 functions as a wrapping method acquiring unit that acquires a wrapping method for wrapping the wrapping target object. In the present exemplary embodiment, a user is asked to select the wrapping method. The wrapping sheet selection processing unit 23 functions as a wrapping material information acquiring unit that acquires identification information of the wrapping material. In the present exemplary embodiment, description will be made of, as an example, a case where a wrapping sheet made of a paper material is used as the wrapping material. The wrapping material, however, is not required to be limited to the paper material, and may be any printable material. In the present exemplary embodiment, a user is asked to select the wrapping sheet. As the wrapping material of the present exemplary embodiment, a sheet having an appropriate size for wrapping the article is selected from sheets of predetermined sizes, which are white on both surfaces and set in the image forming apparatus. Then, a design image is printed on the front surface of the sheet. Thereby, the wrapping sheet selected by the user is formed.

The vertex coordinate calculating unit 24 of the present exemplary embodiment obtains the vertices of fold lines of the wrapping sheet by calculation. Further, the instruction line drawing unit 25 generates, as instruction information, a cutoff line representing a position at which an unnecessary portion for wrapping the wrapping target object is to be cut off. The instruction line drawing unit 25 functions as a rear surface drawing information generating unit that generates rear surface drawing information for drawing fold lines at which a wrapping material is folded to wrap the wrapping target object on the basis of the identification information of the wrapping target object and the wrapping method, the fold lines being printed on the rear surface of the wrapping material.

The wrapping sheet surface drawing unit 26 functions as a determining unit that determines at least one of a print position and a size of an image to be printed on the front surface of the wrapping material so as to print the image at a position not overlapping, on a coordinate plane, with the fold lines printed on the rear surface of the wrapping material. The wrapping sheet surface drawing unit 26 further functions as a front surface drawing information generating unit that generates front surface drawing information for drawing the image to be printed on the front surface of the wrapping material with the print position or size determined by the determining unit. In the present exemplary embodiment, the wrapping sheet surface drawing unit 26 is provided as the determining unit and the front surface drawing information generating unit in consideration that the wrapping sheet surface drawing unit 26 adjusts the print position or size of the image to be printed on the front surface of the wrapping sheet. The determining unit and the front surface drawing information generating unit, however, may be configured as separate units.

The print controller 27 functions as a printing unit that prints the fold lines on the rear surface of the wrapping material in accordance with the rear surface drawing information. The print controller 27 further performs a control of causing the image to be printed on the wrapping material with reference to the front surface drawing information generated by the wrapping sheet surface drawing unit 26.

In the present exemplary embodiment, “drawing” refers to generation of the drawing information (the front surface drawing information and the rear surface drawing information) required to perform the printing on the sheet, and “printing” refers to actual printing on the sheet performed by the IOT 3 in accordance with the drawing information.

The wrapping support controller 28 operates in conjunction with the above-described constituent elements, and performs an overall control of the process of printing the fold lines and so forth on the wrapping sheet. The information memory 29 previously stores various types of data required to perform the printing on the wrapping sheet. The information memory 29 further holds data generated in the course of printing on the wrapping sheet.

The constituent elements 21 to 28 of the wrapping support apparatus are realized by a cooperative operation of the computer 13 forming the wrapping support apparatus and a wrapping support program that operates in the CPU 11 installed in the computer 13. Further, the information memory 29 is realized by the ROM 9 and the RAM 10. Alternatively, the information memory 29 may be realized by the HDD 4, or by a memory accessible via the network 14.

The program used in the present exemplary embodiment may be provided as stored in a computer-readable recording medium, such as a compact disc (CD)-ROM and a digital versatile disc (DVD)-ROM, let alone by a communication unit. The program provided by the communication unit or the recording medium is installed in the computer 13, and the CPU 11 of the computer 13 sequentially executes installation programs. Thereby, the respective processes are realized.

Subsequently, operations of the present exemplary embodiment will be described. With reference to the screen display examples illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3H, an overall process flow will be first described in terms of user actions.

A user desiring to acquire a wrapping sheet for wrapping an article operates the operation panel 1 of the image forming apparatus installed with the wrapping support application characteristic of the present exemplary embodiment. In accordance with the operation, the UI controller 6 displays on the operation panel 1 the application selection screen illustrated in FIG. 3A. If the user selects the wrapping support application from the screen, an instruction to activate the wrapping support application is issued.

Upon activation of the application, the shape selection screen illustrated in FIG. 3B is first displayed on the operation panel 1. The shape selection screen displays images allowing identification of article shapes possible to be wrapped in the present exemplary embodiment. The user selects from the images an image having a shape similar or close to the shape of the article by, for example, pressing the image. It is assumed herein that cuboid has been selected.

If the user specifies the shape of the article by performing the above-described selecting operation, the first shape reading screen illustrated in FIG. 3C, which is for assisting the user in performing an operation of causing the shape to be read, is then displayed on the operation panel 1. In accordance with an instruction displayed on the screen, the user places the article on a reading unit of the IIT 2, specifically on a document reading table of the scanner, such that the front surface of the article faces the user, and presses a read button (not illustrated) of the image forming apparatus. The wrapping support application analyses the image obtained by the operation, and thereby acquires the horizontal and vertical dimensions (width and depth) of the article.

Upon pressing of the read button, the second shape reading screen illustrated in FIG. 3D is then displayed on the operation panel 1. In accordance with an instruction displayed on the screen, the user places the article on the document reading table of the scanner such that the bottom surface of the article faces the user, and presses the read button of the image forming apparatus. The wrapping support application analyses the image obtained by the operation, and thereby acquires the width (or depth) and height of the article. Accordingly, the dimensions (width, height, and depth) of the cuboidal article are acquired.

Herein, cuboid has been selected as the shape of the article, and thus the first shape reading screen and the second shape reading screen are displayed on the operation panel 1 to measure the dimensions of the article. If another shape were selected by the user, one or plural shape reading screens for measuring the dimensions of the article having the another shape would be displayed on the operation panel 1.

Upon completion of the measurements of the article in the above-described manner, the wrapping method selection screen illustrated in FIG. 3E is then displayed on the operation panel 1. The wrapping method selection screen displays images allowing identification of wrapping methods suitable for the selected article shape. The user selects from the images an image corresponding to a desired wrapping method by, for example, pressing the image. It is assumed herein that central wrapping has been selected.

If the user specifies the wrapping method of the article by performing the above-described selecting operation, the wrapping sheet selection screen illustrated in FIG. 3F is then displayed on the operation panel 1. The wrapping sheet selection screen displays images allowing identification of wrapping sheets possible to be used to wrap the article in the selected wrapping method. The present example displays images allowing visualization of cuboidal articles wrapped with the respective wrapping sheets. Herein, a so-called design of the wrapping sheet is selected. The user selects from the displayed images an image corresponding to a desired wrapping sheet by, for example, pressing the image.

If the user inputs the shape and size of the article and selects the wrapping method of the article and the wrapping sheet in the above-described manner, the process of printing the wrapping sheet is started by the wrapping support application. During the execution of the process by the wrapping support application, the print screen illustrated in FIG. 3G is displayed on the operation panel 1. The user waits during the display of the print screen, i.e., until the printing of the wrapping sheet is completed. Upon completion of the printing of the wrapping sheet, the termination screen illustrated in FIG. 3H is then displayed on the operation panel 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of instruction lines printed on the rear surface of the wrapping sheet by the above-described process. An instruction line includes a fold instruction line and a cutoff line. The fold instruction line refers to a line indicating a fold line of the wrapping sheet and the folding direction at the fold line (mountain fold or valley fold). The mountain fold and the valley fold are not necessarily required to be expressed by different types of lines in terms of indicating fold lines. In the present exemplary embodiment, however, the mountain fold and the valley fold are expressed by different types of lines to indicate the respective folding directions. Further, the folding directions, which are distinguished by an attribute of the line type in the present exemplary embodiment, may be distinguished by a different attribute, such as the color or thickness of the line, for example, or by letters “mountain fold” and “valley fold” attached to the fold lines.

The sheets of plural sizes are previously prepared, and a sheet having the most suitable size is selected as the wrapping sheet. The wrapping sheet, however, may be too large or have an unnecessary portion for wrapping the article to be wrapped in the specified wrapping method. In such a case, it is desirable to cut off the portion. The cutoff line refers to a line representing the position at which the wrapping sheet is to be cut off. In the present example, central wrapping has been selected as the wrapping method. As illustrated in FIG. 4, therefore, the instruction lines are printed to allow an article having a width W, a height H, and a depth D to be wrapped in central wrapping. FIG. 4 illustrates a wrapping sheet having the upper side and the right side thereof in the drawing already cut off along cutoff lines.

The display screens illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3H are examples of display contents, and the display contents are not limited thereto. For example, in FIGS. 3B, 3E, and 3F, images are displayed for easy visualization for the user. The shapes and so forth, however, may be presented in textual information. Further, although the dimensions of the article are measured by the use of the IIT 2, the measurement method is not limited thereto. For example, the user may be asked to input the dimensions in numerical values.

In the above-described manner, the present exemplary embodiment prints the wrapping sheet suitable for wrapping the article of the user in the wrapping method and wrapping sheet desired by the user. Respective data tables stored in the information memory 29 will now be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a measurement list set in a measurement list table in the present exemplary embodiment. The measurement list table is set with information relating to article shapes and written with information identifying the respective sizes of articles obtained by measurements. Shape identifier (ID) is set with an identifier identifying the corresponding shape. Each shape ID is associated with shape name, number of measurements, measurements 1 to n, number of wrapping methods, wrapping method options 1 to 3, and shape image ID. The shape name is set with a name in textual information allowing identification of an article shape possible to be handled in the present exemplary embodiment. Further, the number of measurements to be taken to recognize the size of the corresponding shape (number of measurements) is presented. The measurements 1 to n are set with signs indicating the parts to be measured. For example, it is understood that a cuboidal article has three parts to be measured, which correspond to width w, height h, and depth d. Any of the items of the measurements 1 to n set with no data is set as “na” indicating that the item is not used as data. The same applies to the other data tables described later. Further, the number of wrapping methods selectable as the wrapping method for the corresponding shape (number of wrapping methods) and wrapping method IDs identifying the selectable wrapping methods are set. For example, it is understood that three options corresponding to wrapping method IDs of 2, 1, and 0 are prepared as the method of wrapping a cuboidal article. The shape image ID is set with an identifier identifying an image representing the corresponding shape.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a wrapping method list set in a wrapping method list table in the present exemplary embodiment. The wrapping method list table is previously set with information relating to the article wrapping methods available in the present exemplary embodiment. Wrapping method ID is set with an identifier identifying the corresponding wrapping method. Each wrapping method ID is associated with wrapping method name, coordinate conversion list, instruction line list, polygon list, and wrapping method image ID. The wrapping method name is set with a name in textual information allowing identification of a method capable of wrapping an article in the present exemplary embodiment. In the present exemplary embodiment, each of the wrapping methods is previously set with a coordinate conversion list, an instruction line list, and a polygon list, each of which is set with an identifier corresponding to the wrapping method. The respective tables of the coordinate conversion list, the instruction line list, and the polygon list will be described later. The wrapping method image ID is set with an identifier identifying an image representing the corresponding wrapping method.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of shape image data set in a shape image data table in the present exemplary embodiment. The shape image data table is previously set with image information for identifying the article shapes handled in the present exemplary embodiment. Shape image ID is set with an identifier identifying image data representing the corresponding shape. Each shape image ID is associated with shape name and image. The shape name is set with a name in textual information allowing identification of an article shape in the present exemplary embodiment. The image is set with image data for allowing visual recognition of the article shape. The image may be set with, in place of the image data, information identifying a storage destination storing the image data.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a coordinate conversion list set in a coordinate conversion list table in the present exemplary embodiment (coordinate conversion list table k wherein k ranges from 1 to s). In the coordinate conversion list table, coefficients for use in coordinate conversion of reference points represented by coordinate values are previously set for each of the wrapping methods. Each coordinate conversion list is set with reference point IDs identifying the reference points. Each of the reference point IDs is set with one or plural coefficients for use in coordinate conversion. The reference points and the coefficients will be described in detail later. Further, the final record set with a reference point ID of −1 in the coordinate conversion list table is a terminator record indicating that effective record data is set in the records from the initial record to the immediately preceding record. The same applies to the other data tables.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of an instruction line list set in an instruction line list table in the present exemplary embodiment (instruction line list table k wherein k ranges from 1 to s). In the instruction line list table, information relating to the instruction lines to be printed on the rear surface of the wrapping sheet is previously set for each of the wrapping methods. Instruction line ID is set with an identifier identifying the corresponding instruction line. Each instruction line ID is associated with type, start point vertex ID, and end point vertex ID. The type is set with one of mountain fold m, valley fold v, and cutoff line c as the type of the instruction line. The start point vertex ID and the end point vertex ID are set with vertex IDs identifying the respective positions of the opposite ends of the instruction line. Either one of the vertices corresponding to the opposite ends may be set as the start point or the end point. In FIG. 4, a sign starting with “p,” such as p00, corresponds to the vertex ID.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a polygon list set in a polygon list table in the present exemplary embodiment (polygon list table k wherein k ranges from 1 to s). As illustrated in FIG. 4, with the instruction lines drawn on the wrapping sheet, a polygon enclosed by vertices p00, p01, p11, and p10, for example, is formed. In the polygon list table, information for identifying the shape, size, and location of each polygon thus formed on the wrapping sheet is set for each of the wrapping methods. Polygon ID is set with an identifier identifying the corresponding polygon. Each polygon ID is associated with number of vertices and vertex coordinate IDs 1 to q. The number of vertices is set with the number of vertices included in the corresponding polygon. The vertex coordinate IDs 1 to q are set with vertex IDs identifying the respective positions of the vertices included in the polygon. As described in detail later, upon determination of the wrapping method, the polygon list table to be used is determined from plural polygon list tables. Thereby, the number of polygons formed on the wrapping sheet is also determined. The coordinate values specifying the respective sizes of the polygons are determined after the identification of the size of the article.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of wrapping method image data set in a wrapping method image data table in the present exemplary embodiment. The wrapping method image data table is previously set with image information for identifying the wrapping methods available in the present exemplary embodiment. Wrapping method image ID is set with an identifier identifying image data representing the corresponding wrapping method. Each wrapping method image ID is associated with wrapping method name and image. The wrapping method name is set with a name in textual information allowing identification of an article wrapping method in the present exemplary embodiment. The image is set with image data for allowing visual recognition of the article wrapping method. The image may be set with, in place of the image data, information identifying a storage destination storing the image data.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a sheet list set in a sheet list table in the present exemplary embodiment. In the sheet list table, information relating to wrapping sheets is previously set for each of the wrapping methods. Each sheet list is set with sheet IDs identifying the sheets. Each of the sheet IDs is associated with wrapping method ID, drawing type, number of measurements, measurements 1 to n, completion image ID, and sheet image ID. The wrapping method ID is set with a wrapping method ID of a wrapping method capable of wrapping an article with the use of the corresponding sheet.

In the present exemplary embodiment, one or plural wrapping target objects having one or plural reference sizes (hereinafter occasionally referred to as “reference objects”) are assumed, and sheets each having the most suitable size for wrapping the corresponding reference object are previously prepared. The respective sizes of the sheets are identifiable from the coordinate values in the sheet coordinate list table illustrated in FIG. 15. As described above, the sheets each having the most suitable size are stored in a tray of the image forming apparatus as the sheets of predetermined sizes white on both surfaces. In the present exemplary embodiment, rectangular sheets are assumed. The sheets, however, are not required to be limited thereto. The number of measurements is set with the number of measurements required to identify the size of the wrapped reference object. Each of the measurements 1 to n is set with the corresponding measurement value. For example, a sheet set with a sheet ID of 0 corresponds to a wrapping method ID of 1, i.e., the sheet is for use in central wrapping. If an article is wrapped with the sheet, the size of the wrapped article (hereinafter occasionally referred to as “completed object”) is identified by measurements of three parts of the article. With reference to measurements 1 to 3, it is understood that the three parts correspond to width w, height h, and depth d. Each of the width w, height h, and depth d is set with a specific numerical value. The completion image ID is set with a completion image ID identifying image data allowing visual identification of the image of an article wrapped with the wrapping sheet printed with a design image, i.e., the image of the completed object, which is managed in the completion image data table illustrated in FIG. 13. The sheet image ID is set with a sheet image ID identifying image data allowing visual identification of the design image to be printed on the sheet, which is managed in the sheet image data table illustrated in FIG. 14. It may be said that a sheet image corresponds to image data of an opened wrapping sheet for wrapping an article, and that a completion image corresponds to image data of the article wrapped in the wrapping sheet. The drawing type is set as either one of “fixed” and “variable.” Herein, “fixed” indicates that the design image is drawn on the sheet exactly as the sheet image identified by the sheet image ID, independently of, for example, the size of the article, and “variable” indicates that the design image is changed in location or size in accordance with the size of the article.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of completion image data set in a completion image data table in the present exemplary embodiment. The completion image data table is previously set with image information for identifying articles wrapped with the wrapping sheets obtained by the execution of the process of the present exemplary embodiment, i.e., completed objects. Completion image ID is set with an identifier identifying image data representing the corresponding completed object. Each completion image ID is associated with completed object name and image. The completed object name is set with a name in textual information allowing identification of a completed object in the present exemplary embodiment. The image is set with image data for allowing visual recognition of the article in the wrapped state, i.e., the state of the completed object. The image may be set with, in place of the image data, information identifying a storage destination storing the image data.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of sheet image data set in a sheet image data table in the present exemplary embodiment. The sheet image data table is previously set with image information for identifying design images possible to be drawn on the front surface of the wrapping sheet. Sheet image ID is set with an identifier identifying image data representing the corresponding sheet image. Each sheet image ID is associated with image name and image. The image name is set with a name in textual information allowing identification of a design image possible to be drawn on the sheet in the present exemplary embodiment. The image is set with image data for allowing visual recognition of the image possible to be drawn on the sheet. The image may be set with, in place of the image data, information identifying a storage destination storing the image data.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a sheet coordinate list set in a sheet coordinate list table in the present exemplary embodiment. If a reference object managed in the sheet list table is wrapped with a wrapping sheet, fold lines are naturally formed on the wrapping sheet. In the sheet coordinate list table, information for identifying the end points (referred to as “vertices” in the present exemplary embodiment) of the fold lines formed in the wrapping of the reference object managed in the sheet list table is previously set for each of the sheets and each of the wrapping methods. Vertex ID is set with an identifier identifying a vertex formed when an article is wrapped with the corresponding wrapping sheet in the corresponding wrapping method. Each vertex ID is associated with coordinate information identifying the coordinate position of the vertex. That is, the sheet coordinate list table is set with the coordinate information of the vertices formed when the reference object is wrapped with the wrapping sheet. Meanwhile, an output coordinate list table is set with the coordinate information of the vertices formed when the article requested by the user is wrapped.

In the example of the wrapping sheet illustrated in FIG. 4, the present exemplary embodiment forms a two-dimensional coordinate system having the origin at an arbitrary point on the wrapping sheet, e.g., a vertex p00 at the lower-left corner of the sheet. Thereby, the respective positions of the vertices formed on the wrapping sheet are identifiable by the coordinate values.

The respective types of data described above are stored in the information memory 29, and thereby are previously prepared. Further, data is registered in the measurement list table in the course of the process. Further, the output coordinate list is generated and stored in the information memory 29 in the course of the process.

Subsequently, the process of printing the wrapping sheet in the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 16 in terms of the image forming apparatus, particularly the wrapping support application.

As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, the wrapping support application is activated when selected by the user from the application selection screen illustrated in FIG. 3A, and thereby the process starts. The application selection screen illustrated in FIG. 3A is stored in the ROM 9 as display screen data prepared by the image forming apparatus. Further, the image data of the respective screens illustrated in FIGS. 3B to 3H, which are displayed on the operation panel 1 after the activation of the wrapping support application, is previously stored in the ROM 9 as display screen data prepared by the wrapping support application.

Upon activation of the wrapping support application, the wrapping support controller 28 invokes the measurement processing unit 21. The measurement processing unit 21 acquires, in the following procedure, article identification information identifying the shape and size of the article (Step S110). That is, the measurement processing unit 21 extracts from the information memory 29 the shape selection screen illustrated in FIG. 3B, and displays the shape selection screen on the operation panel 1. Alternatively, the measurement processing unit 21 may generate the shape selection screen whenever displaying the shape selection screen. That is, the measurement processing unit 21 may read the respective names of the shapes registered in the measurement list illustrated in FIG. 5, and retrieve the shape image data illustrated in FIG. 7 on the basis of the shape image IDs associated with the shapes, to thereby read the corresponding shape images. Then, the measurement processing unit 21 may read from the information memory 29 screen image data forming a template of the shape selection screen, incorporate the read shape names and shape image data into the screen image data to generate the shape selection screen illustrated in FIG. 3B, and display the shape selection screen on the operation panel 1.

If one of the shapes is selected by the user from the shape selection screen displayed on the operation panel 1, the measurement processing unit 21 receives the selected shape. The measurement processing unit 21 is aware of the position of each pair of the shape image data and the shape name incorporated in the shape selection screen. For example, therefore, the measurement processing unit 21 may identify the selected shape by detecting the selecting operation performed by the user on the shape selection screen displayed on the operation panel 1.

The measurement processing unit 21 then reads from the information memory 29 one or plural shape reading screens corresponding to the shape selected by the user, and sequentially displays the shape reading screens on the operation panel 1. If the shape is cuboid, the measurement processing unit 21 sequentially displays the shape reading screens illustrated in FIGS. 3C and 3D for measuring the dimensions of the shape. How to measure the dimensions of the article having the selected shape is previously determined. The measurement method is displayed on the shape reading screens. In accordance with instructions displayed on the screens, the user places the article on the document reading table of the IIT 2.

Upon acquisition of the read image of the article in accordance with the operation by the user, the measurement processing unit 21 analyzes the acquired read image, to thereby measure the dimensions. According to the measurement list, it is understood that the number of measurements of the cuboidal shape is three, and that it is necessary to measure the width w, height h, and depth d set in the measurements 1 to 3. The measurement processing unit 21, therefore, performs image analysis to thereby obtain the width w, height h, and depth d set in the measurements 1 to 3.

Having thus acquired the article identification information identifying the shape and size of the article, the measurement processing unit 21 transmits the article identification information to the wrapping support controller 28. Having acquired the article identification information, the wrapping support controller 28 detects the completion of the processing by the measurement processing unit 21, and writes and stores the acquired measurement results in the corresponding items of the measurement list, specifically, the corresponding items of the measurements 1 to n of the selected shape. The wrapping support controller 28 then invokes the wrapping method selection processing unit 22 by using the shape of the article as an argument. Specifically, the wrapping support controller 28 extracts, as an augment, the shape ID from the measurement list table on the basis of the article identification information, and transmits the shape ID to the wrapping method selection processing unit 22.

The wrapping method selection processing unit 22 acquires, in the following procedure, wrapping method identification information identifying the wrapping method (Step S120). That is, the wrapping method selection processing unit 22 refers to the measurement list table on the basis of the transmitted shape ID, to thereby identify the wrapping methods associated with the corresponding shape. For example, in the case of a cuboidal shape, the wrapping method selection processing unit 22 refers to the number of wrapping methods associated with the shape ID received from the wrapping support controller 28, and thereby recognizes that there are three wrapping methods suitable for the shape. The wrapping method selection processing unit 22 then reads from wrapping method options 1 to 3 the wrapping method IDs identifying the wrapping methods. In the case of a cuboidal shape, the wrapping method selection processing unit 22 reads the wrapping method IDs of 2, 1, and 0 from the wrapping method options 1 to 3. The wrapping method selection processing unit 22 reads, from the wrapping method list table illustrated in FIG. 6, the wrapping method image IDs corresponding to the read wrapping method IDs, and reads, from the wrapping method image data table illustrated in FIG. 11, the wrapping method names and the wrapping method image data corresponding to the read wrapping method image IDs. The wrapping method selection processing unit 22 then reads from the information memory 29 screen image data forming a template of the wrapping method selection screen, incorporates the read wrapping method names and wrapping method image data into the screen image data to generate the wrapping method selection screen illustrated in FIG. 3E, and displays the wrapping method selection screen on the operation panel 1.

If one of the wrapping methods is selected by the user from the wrapping method selection screen displayed on the operation panel 1, the wrapping method selection processing unit 22 identifies the selected wrapping method. The identification process may basically be performed in a similar manner as in the measurement processing unit 21. That is, the wrapping method selection processing unit 22 may identify the selected wrapping method by detecting the selecting operation performed by the user on the wrapping method selection screen displayed on the operation panel 1.

Upon acquisition of the wrapping method identification information identifying the wrapping method selected by the user, the wrapping method selection processing unit 22 transmits to the wrapping support controller 28 the wrapping method identification information, specifically the wrapping method ID of the selected wrapping method. Having acquired the wrapping method identification information, the wrapping support controller 28 detects the completion of the processing by the wrapping method selection processing unit 22, and transmits to the wrapping sheet selection processing unit 23 the wrapping method ID of the wrapping method selected by the user and the reference to the sheet list table (information of the destination storing the sheet list).

The wrapping sheet selection processing unit 23 acquires, in the following procedure, wrapping sheet identification information identifying the wrapping sheet (Step S130). That is, the wrapping sheet selection processing unit 23 extracts, from the sheet list table illustrated in FIG. 12 identified from the information of the destination storing the sheet list, records set with the transmitted wrapping method ID. For example, if the user has selected central wrapping (wrapping method ID of 1), records corresponding to sheet IDs of 0, 1, and 2 are extracted. With reference to the completion image IDs of the extracted records, the wrapping sheet selection processing unit 23 reads, from the completion image data table illustrated in FIG. 13, the corresponding completion image names and completion images. The wrapping sheet selection processing unit 23 then reads from the information memory 29 screen image data forming a template of the wrapping sheet selection screen, incorporates the read wrapping sheet names and wrapping sheet image data into the screen image data to generate the wrapping sheet selection screen illustrated in FIG. 3F, and displays the wrapping sheet selection screen on the operation panel 1.

If one of the wrapping sheets is selected by the user from the wrapping sheet selection screen displayed on the operation panel 1, the wrapping sheet selection processing unit 23 identifies the selected wrapping sheet. The identification process may basically be performed in a similar manner as in the measurement processing unit 21. That is, the wrapping sheet selection processing unit 23 may identify the selected wrapping sheet by detecting the selecting operation performed by the user on the wrapping sheet selection screen displayed on the operation panel 1.

Upon acquisition of the sheet ID as the wrapping sheet identification information identifying the wrapping sheet in accordance with the selecting operation by the user, the wrapping sheet selection processing unit 23 transmits the sheet ID to the wrapping support controller 28. Having acquired the sheet ID, the wrapping support controller 28 detects the completion of the processing by the wrapping sheet selection processing unit 23, and displays on the operation panel 1 the print screen illustrated in FIG. 3G, to thereby ask the user to wait until the printing of the wrapping sheet is completed.

With the above-described selecting operations by the user, the shape ID, the wrapping method ID, and the sheet ID are identified. In parallel with the display of the print screen on the operation panel 1, the reference to the record identified from the shape ID included in the measurement list (information of the destination storing the record of the measurement list), the reference to the coordinate conversion list included in the record identified from the wrapping method ID (information of the destination storing the coordinate conversion list), and the reference to the record identified from the sheet ID included in the sheet list (information of the destination storing the record of the sheet list) are transmitted to the vertex coordinate calculating unit 24.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the article having the shape specified by the user is wrapped with the wrapping sheet selected by the user in the wrapping method selected by the user. One of the characteristics of the present exemplary embodiment lies in that the instruction lines indicating, for example, fold lines to be folded in the wrapping process are printed on the rear surface of the wrapping sheet. The vertex coordinate calculating unit 24 generates the output coordinate list as a type of instruction information, to thereby specify the respective drawing positions of the instruction lines to be printed on the rear surface of the wrapping sheet (Step S140). The step is performed in the following procedure. Prior to the description of the procedure, the coordinate conversion list illustrated in FIG. 8 will be described in detail.

The coordinate conversion list is set for each of the wrapping methods, as described above. FIG. 8 illustrates an example of the coordinate conversion list. FIG. 17 particularly illustrates an example of the coordinate conversion list table in the case where the wrapping method illustrated in FIG. 4 is central wrapping. Herein, a vertex, such as p11 located at the intersection point of plural fold instruction lines, or an end point, such as p02 located at the intersection point of a sheet periphery or a cutoff line and a fold instruction line, forms an end point of a fold line. In the present exemplary embodiment, points that may form end points of fold lines are collectively referred to as “vertices.” The vertices are represented by coordinate values. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, a coordinate system is formed which has the origin at a vertex p00 at the lower-left corner of the sheet.

If the shape of the article and the wrapping method are identified, it is possible to identify the number of vertices, regardless of the size of the article. For example, it is assumed that a cuboidal article having a width of 30, a height of 40, and a depth of 50 and a cuboidal article having a width of 15, a height of 52, and a depth of 33 have the same number of vertices, if the wrapping method is the same. In other words, the articles may have different coordinate values in some of the vertices, depending on the size of the articles, but have the same number of vertices, as long as the shape and the wrapping method are the same.

That is, if the shape and the wrapping method are determined, the number of vertices is determined as n. Thus, the coordinate values of the vertices may be determined in accordance with the size of the article. Therefore, a reference size is previously determined in the coordinate conversion list. In the case of a cuboid, for example, reference width, height, and depth are previously determined. For example, each of the width, height, and depth is previously determined as 50. An article having the reference size is referred to as the “reference object,” as described above. Further, the vertices of the reference object are particularly referred to as “reference points.” The present exemplary embodiment performs coordinate conversion on the coordinate values of the reference points of the reference object in accordance with the size of the article to be wrapped, to thereby obtain the vertex coordinates of the article to be wrapped. Therefore, the coordinate conversion list is set with coefficients for calculating the coordinate values of the vertices of the article through the coordinate conversion. FIG. 18 illustrates a calculation formula using the coefficients. Further, FIG. 19 illustrates the relationship between the coefficients (coordinate conversion matrix) included in a record of the coordinate conversion list, the article identification information (width W, height H, and depth D), and the output coordinates (X, Y) in the case of square wrapping. Herein, wx represents a coefficient for converting the X-coordinate value of the width, wy represents a coefficient for converting the Y-coordinate value of the width, hx represents a coefficient for converting the X-coordinate value of the height, hy represents a coefficient for converting the Y-coordinate value of the height, dx represents a coefficient for converting the X-coordinate value of the depth, and dy represents a coefficient for converting the Y-coordinate value of the depth.

For example, it is now assumed that the width, height, and depth of an article to be wrapped are 40, 55, and 55, respectively, as a result of measurements of the article. In this case, the respective vertices of the article corresponding to the width, height, and depth are greater in value than the corresponding vertices of the reference object by 0.8 times, 1.1 times, and 1.0 times, respectively. That is, in the calculation formula illustrated in FIG. 18, if the coordinate values of the respective reference points of the reference object corresponding to the width, height, and depth are increased by 0.8 times, 1.1 times, and 1.0 times, respectively, the vertex coordinates of the article to be wrapped are obtained. The coordinate conversion list is set with the coefficients wx, hx, dx, wy, hy, and dy used to thus convert the coordinates of the reference points of the reference object into the coordinates of the vertices of the article to be wrapped by the use of the calculation formula illustrated as an example in FIG. 18.

Therefore, the vertex coordinate calculating unit 24 substitutes, in the calculation formula illustrated in FIG. 18, the measurement values in the measurements 1 to n of the measurement list corresponding to the number specified by the number of measurements, and the coefficients corresponding to reference point IDs of 1 to n obtained from the coordinate conversion list. Thereby, the vertex coordinate calculating unit 24 calculates the coordinate values of the vertices 1 to n of the article to be wrapped, and integrates the calculated coordinate values to generate the output coordinate list. FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a data configuration of an output coordinate list registered in an output coordinate list table. While the sheet coordinate list illustrated in FIG. 15 represents the vertex coordinate values of the reference object, the output coordinate list illustrated in FIG. 20 represents the vertex coordinate values of the article to be wrapped.

In the above-described manner, the vertex coordinate calculating unit 24 calculates the vertex coordinates of the article to be wrapped, and generates the output coordinate list. FIG. 21 illustrates an output coordinate list generated in the case of central wrapping illustrated in FIG. 4 for an article having a width of 100 mm, a height of 50 mm, and a depth of 80 mm. The coordinate values of the vertices (vertex IDs of p00, p01, p02, corresponding to the reference points (reference point IDs of 0, 1, 2, are thus determined by calculation.

If the coordinate values of the vertices are obtained, the respective shapes and sizes of the polygons managed in the polygon list table illustrated in FIG. 10 are determined. FIG. 22 illustrates an example of a polygon list table generated for the wrapping sheet to be wrapped in central wrapping illustrated in FIG. 4.

The vertex coordinate calculating unit 24 notifies the wrapping support controller 28 of the completion of the above-described process by, for example, transmitting the output coordinate list to the wrapping support controller 28. Upon completion of the processing by the vertex coordinate calculating unit 24, the wrapping support controller 28 invokes the instruction line drawing unit 25 by transmitting thereto the destinations storing necessary information for the processing, such as the respective references to the output coordinate list table, the polygon list table, and the instruction line list table (storage destination information).

Then, the instruction line drawing unit 25 draws the instruction lines with reference to the output coordinate list (Step S150). The coordinate values of the vertices are recognizable from the output coordinate list. In this step, therefore, the instruction line drawing unit 25 may sequentially connect, with straight lines, the start point vertex IDs and the end point vertex IDs corresponding to the instruction line IDs set in the instruction line list table illustrated in FIG. 9. Further, the instruction line drawing unit 25 may refer to the type of the instruction line list table and thereby draw the instruction lines to indicate the type of each of the instruction lines, i.e., mountain fold, valley fold, or cutoff line. For instance, according to the example of the instruction line list illustrated in FIG. 9, as to a record of the instruction line list corresponding to an instruction line ID of 0, the instruction line between a vertex corresponding to a vertex ID of 0 and a vertex corresponding to a vertex ID of 1 corresponds to mountain fold m. Therefore, the instruction line is drawn with a dash-dotted line indicating mountain fold m. The example of the instruction line list illustrated in FIG. 9 indicates that the instruction line drawing unit 25 draws the m number of instruction lines. The instruction line drawing unit 25 thus refers to the output coordinate list and the instruction line list as the instruction information, and generates rear surface drawing information to be printed on the rear surface of the sheet, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 4. FIG. 23 illustrates an example of an instruction line list table corresponding to the wrapping sheet to be wrapped in central wrapping illustrated in FIG. 4.

Upon completion of the above-described process, the instruction line drawing unit 25 notifies the wrapping support controller 28 of the completion of the process by, for example, transmitting the rear surface drawing information to the wrapping support controller 28. Upon completion of the processing by the instruction line drawing unit 25, the wrapping support controller 28 invokes the wrapping sheet surface drawing unit 26 by transmitting thereto the destinations storing necessary information for the processing, such as the respective references to the output coordinate list table and the polygon list table (storage destination information).

The wrapping sheet surface drawing unit 26 performs drawing in the following procedure by determining the size or location of the design image to be printed on the front surface of the sheet (Step S160).

Information relating to the sheet most suitable for wrapping the reference object having a size specified by the measurements 1 to n is registered in the sheet list table. The design image identified by the sheet image ID is printed on the sheet, and thereby wrapping as in the wrapping of the completed object identified by the completion image ID is realized. The sheet size most suitable for wrapping the reference object managed by the sheet list will be referred to as “reference size.”

Meanwhile, the sheet size required to wrap the article to be wrapped is identified from the output coordinate list obtained at Step S140. That is, the sheet periphery is identifiable from the coordinate values of the vertices included in the output coordinate list, and thus the necessary sheet size is recognized. The sheet size required to wrap the article to be wrapped will be referred to as “necessary size.” The print controller 27 selects, from the sheets possible, to be output from the IOT 3, a sheet having a size closest to the necessary size as the sheet to be used to wrap the article. When drawing on the wrapping sheet surface, the wrapping sheet surface drawing unit 26 refers to the information relating to the sheet of the sheet list selected by the user at Step S130.

The vertex coordinates for use in wrapping the article are registered in the output coordinate list. Meanwhile, the vertex coordinates for use in wrapping the reference object with the selected sheet are registered in the sheet coordinate list. The wrapping method is the same. It is therefore assumed that the number of vertices set in the output coordinate list and the number of vertices set in the sheet coordinate list are the same. The sheet image identified from the sheet image ID included in the selected record is generated in the size of the image to be drawn on the sheet of the reference size for wrapping the reference object. The wrapping sheet surface drawing unit 26, therefore, associates the vertices of the sheet coordinate list with the corresponding vertices of the output coordinate list, and draws the sheet image on the sheet in accordance with the association. If the necessary size and the reference size match each other, the sheet image may be drawn on the sheet in the original size. However, if the necessary size is smaller than the reference size, as in a case where a cutoff line is drawn on the sheet, the sheet image is mapped on the sheet in a reduced size. For example, if the necessary size is a width of 50 cm, a height of 50 cm, and a depth of 45 cm, an image for wrapping a reference object having a width, height, and depth all set to 50 cm is mapped on the sheet, with the size of the image reduced by 10% only in the depth direction. A sheet having a size closest to the necessary size has been selected. The reduction ratio, therefore, is not assumed to be a large value.

If the scale ratio is the same between the vertical and horizontal directions, there is no problem. A substantial difference in scale ratio between the vertical and horizontal directions, however, may result in a substantial change in aspect ratio. That is, there arises, for example, a phenomenon in which a circular design image appears as an elliptical image due to a substantial reduction in size only in one direction. If the design image is a geometric pattern, such a phenomenon may be relatively unnoticeable. If the design image is the face image of a famous character, however, the face would be squashed. In some cases, therefore, such image printing is desired to be avoided. In such a case where the difference in reduction ratio between the vertical and horizontal directions is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the drawing type of the sheet list may be set as “fixed” to prevent a reduction in size of the design image.

Further, even if the necessary size and the reference size are substantially the same, the ratio between width, height, and depth may be substantially different. In this case, there arises, for example, a possibility that the face image illustrated in FIG. 14, which is supposed to be printed only on the upper surface of the wrapped object (FIG. 24A), might overlap with a fold line (FIG. 24B). That is, there arises a possibility of the image being printed over two surfaces.

The design image is printed on the front surface of the wrapping sheet, and the instruction lines indicating fold lines and so forth are printed on the rear surface of the wrapping sheet. Strictly, therefore, the design image and the instruction lines would not be printed in an overlapping manner. Herein, “overlapping” means overlapping on a coordinate plane. If the design image is drawn at a position drawn with a fold instruction line, the design image would be located at a position extending over two surfaces of the article when the article is actually wrapped.

In the present exemplary embodiment, therefore, the polygon list is generated, and the design image is mapped for each polygon. Thereby, the image is prevented from being printed over plural surfaces, as in an example illustrated in FIG. 24C. That is, it may be said that the image to be printed on the front surface of the wrapping sheet is printed at a position not overlapping with the instruction lines printed on the rear surface of the wrapping material.

For example, when an article having a reference size of 10×10×30 is wrapped in wrapping called “train” illustrated as an example in FIG. 13, the sheet image is positioned such that the image of the front side of a train is printed on the front surface of the article, and that the images of doors and windows of the train are printed on the side surfaces of the article. If these images are mapped for the respective polygons in the above-described manner, a phenomenon such as a door image extending over and being printed on the front side of the train does not occur.

Further, the design image may simply be reduced in size to prevent the design image from being printed over two surfaces. In the above-described manner, the wrapping sheet surface drawing unit 26 of the present exemplary embodiment draws the design image by adjusting at least one of the print position and the size of the image such that the image to be printed on the front surface of the wrapping sheet is printed at a position not overlapping with the instruction lines printed on the rear surface of the wrapping sheet.

The wrapping sheet surface drawing unit 26 specifies the drawing position of the design image to be printed on the front surface of the sheet, and the wrapping support controller 28 issues a print instruction by transmitting to the print controller 27 the drawing positions of the instruction lines specified by the instruction line drawing unit 25 and the drawing position of the design image specified by the wrapping sheet surface drawing unit 26. In accordance with the print instruction, the print controller 27 prints the design image on the front surface of the specified sheet, and prints the instruction lines on the rear surface of the sheet (Step S170).

In the above-described manner, the present exemplary embodiment prints the wrapping sheet for wrapping the article in the wrapping method selected by the user. The instruction lines representing the positions to be folded are printed on the rear surface of the wrapping sheet on the basis of the rear surface drawing information generated on the basis of the output coordinate list calculated by the vertex coordinate calculating unit 24 on the basis of the shape and size of the wrapping target object to be wrapped and the selected wrapping method of the wrapping target object. If the printed instruction lines include a cutoff line, therefore, the user may cut the wrapping sheet by following the cutoff line, and wrap the article by folding the wrapping sheet along fold lines in the instructed directions, i.e., mountain fold or valley fold.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A wrapping support apparatus comprising:

an object information acquiring unit that acquires identification information of a wrapping target object which identifies a shape and a size of a wrapping target object to be wrapped;

a wrapping method acquiring unit that acquires a wrapping method for wrapping the wrapping target object;

a rear surface drawing information generating unit that generates rear surface drawing information for drawing fold lines at which a wrapping material is folded to wrap the wrapping target object on the basis of the identification information of the wrapping target object and the wrapping method, the fold lines being printed on the rear surface of the wrapping material; and

a printing unit that prints the fold lines on the rear surface of the wrapping material in accordance with the rear surface drawing information.

2. The wrapping support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a wrapping material information acquiring unit that acquires identification information of the wrapping material;

a determining unit that determines at least one of a print position and a size of an image to be printed on the front surface of the wrapping material so as to print the image at a position not overlapping, on a coordinate plane, with the fold lines printed on the rear surface of the wrapping material; and

a front surface drawing information generating unit that generates front surface drawing information for drawing the image to be printed on the front surface of the wrapping material with the print position or size determined by the determining unit,

wherein the printing unit prints the image on the front surface of the wrapping material in accordance with the front surface drawing information.

3. The wrapping support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rear surface drawing information generating unit generates a cutoff line representing a position at which an unnecessary portion for wrapping the wrapping target object is to be cut off, and

wherein the printing unit prints the cutoff line on the rear surface of the wrapping material.

4. A computer readable medium storing a program causing a computer to execute a process for supporting wrapping, the process comprising:

acquiring identification information of a wrapping target object which identifies a shape and a size of a wrapping target object to be wrapped;

acquiring a wrapping method for wrapping the wrapping target object;

generating rear surface drawing information for drawing fold lines at which a wrapping material is folded to wrap the wrapping target object on the basis of the identification information of the wrapping target object and the wrapping method, the fold lines being printed on the rear surface of the wrapping material; and

printing the fold lines on the rear surface of the wrapping material in accordance with the rear surface drawing information.

5. A wrapping material on which fold lines representing positions at which the wrapping material is folded to wrap a wrapping target object are printed, wherein the fold lines are generated on the basis of a shape and a size of the wrapping target object to be wrapped and a wrapping method of the wrapping target object.

6. A wrapping support method comprising:

acquiring identification information of a wrapping target object which identifies a shape and a size of a wrapping target object to be wrapped;

acquiring a wrapping method for wrapping the wrapping target object;

generating rear surface drawing information for drawing fold lines at which a wrapping material is folded to wrap the wrapping target object on the basis of the identification information of the wrapping target object and the wrapping method, the fold lines being printed on the rear surface of the wrapping material; and

printing the fold lines on the rear surface of the wrapping material in accordance with the rear surface drawing information.