JP2010008683A - Image forming apparatus and information processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem: a part which can not be printed with transparent toner arises if a part printed by a certain image forming apparatus is wider than a printing area with the transparent toner to be printed by another image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: a means for inputting image data; a means for holding equipment information of the image forming apparatus; a means for selecting a second image forming apparatus; a means for acquiring the equipment information of the second image forming apparatus; a job setting means for setting image forming processing by the image forming apparatus; a job control means for controlling image forming processing by the image forming apparatus; and a job information transmitting means for transmitting setting or the execution result of the image forming processing to the second image forming apparatus. The job control in the image forming apparatus is performed according to the equipment information of a second image processing device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image again on paper on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus.

In recent years, not only full-color printing by electrophotographic printing using four color toners of C, M, Y, and K, but also multicolor printing methods using special toners have attracted attention. For example, a transparent toner image can be further formed on a normal electrophotographic printed paper surface, and coding can be performed on the entire paper surface or partially. (See Patent Document 1)
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-55085

  As a printing method for giving gloss to the printing surface with transparent toner, there is a method of printing with five color toners using a single image forming apparatus capable of printing with transparent toner in addition to normal color printing. . In addition, there are some which give glossiness by printing only transparent toner with an image forming apparatus capable of printing with transparent toner on a printed matter printed using a normal image forming apparatus.

  In addition, the transparent toner can be printed on the entire printing surface by printing the transparent toner to give gloss overall, printing the transparent toner only on a part of the printing surface, or a specific pattern transparent Some print with toner.

  In the printing with the transparent toner, when the transparent toner is printed on the entire surface of the printed material, it is necessary to print the transparent toner on the already printed portion on the paper surface. However, in general, different image forming apparatuses have different maximum areas that can be printed on printing paper. For this reason, when the printed part is wider than the printable area of the transparent toner, there is a problem that a part where the transparent toner is not printed is generated and the glossiness is different.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:
Means for inputting image data, means for holding device information of the image forming apparatus, means for selecting the second image forming apparatus, means for acquiring the device information of the second image forming apparatus, and image forming apparatus Job setting means for setting image forming processing by the image forming apparatus, job control means for controlling image forming processing by the image forming apparatus, and job information transmitting means for transmitting setting and execution results of the image forming processing to the second image forming apparatus. And job control in the image forming apparatus is performed based on device information of the second image processing apparatus.

  According to the proposed image forming apparatus, by combining the two image forming apparatuses, the normal print area and the area where the transparent toner is printed can be matched even when a glossy printed matter is created. It becomes possible.

  Next, details of the present invention will be described in accordance with the description of the embodiments.

  Examples according to the present invention will be described below.

  An overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a reader unit (image input device) 200 optically reads a document image and converts it into image data. The reader unit 200 includes a scanner unit 210 having a function for reading a document and a document feeding unit 250 having a function for transporting a document sheet.

  A printer unit (image output device) 300 conveys recording paper, prints image data as a visible image thereon, and discharges the recording paper outside the device. The printer unit 300 includes a paper feed unit 320 having a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes, and a marking unit 310 having a function of transferring and fixing image data onto the recording paper. In addition, it has a paper discharge unit 370 that has a function of sorting, stapling and printing the printed recording paper.

  A control device 110 is electrically connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300.

  The control device 110 provides a function of reading the image data of the original by controlling the reader unit 200 and a function of outputting the image data to a recording sheet by controlling the printer unit 300. Further, the control device 110 can read data stored in the CD-ROM from the CD-ROM drive 160.

  An operation unit 150 is connected to the control device 110 and is configured by a liquid crystal touch panel, and provides a user I / F for operating the device.

  FIG. 2 shows an overview of the entire apparatus including the configuration of FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 200 denotes a reader unit that reads a document and performs digital signal processing. Reference numeral 300 denotes a printer unit that prints out an image corresponding to the original image read by the reader 201 on a sheet in full color.

  In the reader unit 200, reference numeral 201 denotes a specular pressure plate, and a document 204 on a document table glass (hereinafter referred to as platen glass) 203 is irradiated with a lamp 205. The light irradiated on the document is reflected, guided to mirrors 206, 207, and 208, and an image is formed on a three-line individual image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 210 by a lens 209. As a result, three image signals of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) as full color information are sent to the reader image processing unit 211. 205 and 206 are speeds v, and 207 and 208 are speeds of 1/2 v and mechanically move in the direction perpendicular to the electrical scanning (main scanning) direction of the line sensor, thereby scanning the entire surface of the document (sub scanning). ) Here, the document 204 is read at a resolution of 600 dpi (dots / inch) for both main scanning and sub-scanning. The read image signal is stored in the data storage unit 211 in units of one page of the document.

  The scanned image signal input to the reader image processing unit 211 is subjected to predetermined processing and is output to the control device 110. The image signal input to the control device 110 is electrically processed in units of pixels, and is decomposed into magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) components, and a transparent toner signal (CL ) Together with the printer unit 202. The sent M, C, Y, K, and CL image signals are sent to the laser driver 212. The laser driver 212 modulates and drives the semiconductor laser 213 according to the transmitted image signal. The laser beam scans on the photosensitive drum 217 via the polygon mirror 214, the f-θ lens 215, and the mirror 216. Here, as with reading, both main scanning and sub-scanning are written at a resolution of 600 dpi (dots / inch).

  A rotary developer 218 includes a magenta developing unit 219, a cyan developing unit 220, a yellow developing unit 221, a black developing unit 222, and a clear (transparent) developing unit 223. In addition, the five developing units alternately come into contact with the photosensitive drum 217, and electrostatic development formed on the photosensitive drum is developed with toners (coloring materials) of the respective colors.

  Reference numeral 224 denotes a transfer drum, on which a sheet supplied from the sheet cassette 225 or 226 is wound around the transfer drum 224, and an image developed on the photosensitive drum is transferred to the sheet.

  In this way, after the color materials of M, C, Y, K, and transparent are sequentially transferred, an image can be formed on the paper, and the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming process is the fixing unit 227. And is discharged after the toner is fixed.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the reader image processing unit 211 shown in FIG.

  In the reader image processing unit 211, the document on the platen glass 203 is read by the CCD 210 and converted into an electrical signal. When the CCD 210 is a color sensor, an RGB color filter may be mounted in-line in the order of RGB on a one-line CCD. Alternatively, a 3-line CCD may be used in which R filters, G filters, and B filters are arranged for each CCD, or the filters may be on-chip or the filters may be configured separately from the CCD.

  The electrical signal (analog image signal) output from the CCD 210 is input to the reader image processing unit 211. After that, clamp & Amp. & S / H & A / D section 1301 samples and holds (S / H). Then, the dark level of the analog image signal is clamped to the reference potential, amplified to a predetermined amount (the above processing order is not necessarily the order of notation), A / D converted, and converted into, for example, an RGB 8-bit digital signal Is done.

  And clamp & Amp. The RGB signal output from the & S / H & A / D unit 1301 is subjected to shading correction and black correction by the shading unit 1302 and then output to the control device 110.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of control device 110 shown in FIG.

  In the figure, reference numeral 111 denotes a main controller, which is mainly composed of a CPU 112, a bus controller 113, and various I / F controller circuits.

  The CPU 112 and the bus controller 113 control the entire operation of the control device 110, and the CPU 112 operates based on a program read from the ROM 114 via the ROM I / F 115.

  The operation of interpreting PDL (page description language) code data received from the information device and developing it into image data and attribute data is also described in this program and processed by software. The bus controller 113 controls data transfer input / output from each I / F, and controls arbitration processing and DMA data transfer on the bus.

  A DRAM 116 is connected to the main controller 111 by a DRAM I / F 117 and is used as a work area for the CPU 112 to operate and an area for storing image data and attribute data.

  Reference numeral 118 denotes a codec, which compresses image data and attribute data stored in the DRAM 116 using a method such as MH / MR / MMR / JBIG / JPEG, and reversely compresses and stores the code data stored in the image data and attribute data. To do. An SRAM 119 is used as a temporary work area for the Codec 118. The Codec 118 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 120, and data transfer to and from the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and is DMA-transferred.

  A graphic processor 135 performs image rotation, image scaling, color space conversion, and binarization on the image data stored in the DRAM 116. Reference numeral 136 denotes an SRAM, which is used as a temporary work area for the graphic processor 135. The graphic processor 135 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 137, and data transfer to and from the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and DMA transferred.

  Reference numeral 121 denotes a network controller, which is connected to the main controller 111 via an I / F 123 and connected to an external network via a connector 122. The network is generally Ethernet (registered trademark).

  A general-purpose high-speed bus 125 connects an expansion connector 124 for connecting an expansion board and an I / O control unit 126. A general-purpose high-speed bus is a PCI bus.

  An I / O control unit 126 includes two channels of an asynchronous serial communication controller 127 for transmitting and receiving control commands to and from the CPUs of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300. The I / O bus 128 scans the scanner I / O. The F circuit 140 and the printer I / F circuit 145 are connected.

  Reference numeral 132 denotes a panel I / F, which is connected to the LCD controller 131 and has an I / F for displaying on a liquid crystal screen on the operation unit 150 and a key input I / F 130 for inputting hard keys and touch panel keys. Consists of The operation unit 150 includes a liquid crystal display unit, a touch panel input device attached on the liquid crystal display unit, and a plurality of hard keys. A signal input from the touch panel or hard key is transmitted to the CPU 112 via the panel I / F 132 described above, and the liquid crystal display unit displays image data sent from the panel I / F 132. The liquid crystal display unit displays function display, image data, and the like in the operation of the image processing apparatus.

  Reference numeral 133 denotes a real time clock module for updating / saving the date and time managed in the device, and is backed up by a backup battery 134.

  Reference numeral 161 denotes an E-IDE interface for connecting an external storage device. In this embodiment, the hard disk drive 160 is connected via this I / F, and an operation for storing image data in the hard disk 162 and an operation for reading image data from the hard disk 162 are performed.

  Reference numerals 142 and 147 denote connectors, which are connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, respectively, and are composed of synchronized step-synchronous serial I / Fs 143 and 148 and video I / Fs 144 and 149.

  A scanner I / F 140 is connected to the reader unit 200 via a connector 142. The scanner bus 141 is connected to the main controller 111 and has a function of performing a predetermined process on the image received from the reader unit 200. Further, it has a function of outputting a control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the reader unit 200 to the scanner bus 141. Data transfer from the scanner bus 141 to the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113.

  A printer I / F 145 is connected to the printer unit 300 via a connector 147. Further, it is connected to the main controller 111 via the printer bus 146. The image data output from the main controller 111 is subjected to predetermined processing and output to the printer unit 300. Further, it has a function of outputting a control signal generated based on a video control signal sent from the printer unit 300 to the printer bus 146. The transfer of the image data developed on the DRAM 116 to the printer unit is controlled by the bus controller 113 and is DMA-transferred to the printer unit 300 via the printer bus 146 and the video I / F 149.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a portion responsible for image processing of the scanner I / F 140 shown in FIG. 11, and the same components as those in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in the figure, when the CCD 218 is a three-line CCD in the connection & MTF correction unit 1501 for the image signal sent from the reader unit 200 via the connector 142, the connection process differs in the reading position between the lines. Therefore, the delay amount for each line is adjusted according to the reading speed, the signal timing is corrected so that the reading positions of the three lines are the same, and MTF correction changes the reading MTF depending on the reading speed. Correct. The digital signal whose reading position timing is corrected is corrected by the input masking unit 1502 for the spectral characteristics of the CCD 210 and the spectral characteristics of the lamp 212 and the mirrors 214, 215 and 216. The output of the input masking unit 1502 is sent to an ACS count unit (auto color select count unit) 1503 and the main controller 111.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the ACS count unit 1503 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of ACS count unit 1503 shown in FIG.

  Auto color select (hereinafter, ACS) determines whether a document is color or monochrome. In other words, color determination is performed based on how many pixels are equal to or greater than a threshold value for which the saturation for each pixel is obtained.

  However, even for a black and white original, due to the influence of MTF and the like, when viewed microscopically, there are a large number of color pixels around the edge, and it is difficult to simply perform ACS determination on a pixel basis. Although various methods are provided for this ACS method, the present embodiment is not limited to a specific ACS method, and will be described using a very general method.

  As described above, even in a black and white image, there are many color pixels when viewed microscopically. Therefore, whether or not the pixel is really a color pixel is determined based on information on surrounding color pixels with respect to the target pixel. There is a need. A filter 1601 shown in FIG. 13 is a filter for that purpose, and has a FIFO structure in order to refer to surrounding pixels with respect to the target pixel.

  Reference numeral 1602 denotes an area detection circuit, which creates an area signal 1605 to which ACS is applied based on the values set in the registers 1607 to 1610 set from the main controller 111 and the video control signal 1612 sent from the reader unit 200. Circuit.

  A color determination unit 1603 refers to a peripheral pixel in the memory in the filter 1601 with respect to the target pixel on the basis of the area signal 1605 to which ACS is applied, determines whether the target pixel is a color pixel or a monochrome pixel, and a color determination signal 1606 is generated.

  A counter 1604 counts the number of color determination signals 1606 output from the color determination unit 1603.

  Hereinafter, the ACS operation will be described.

  First, the main controller 111 determines an area to be subjected to ACS with respect to the reading range, and sets it in the registers 1607 to 1610 (in the present embodiment, the range is determined independently for the document). Further, the main controller 111 compares the value of the counter 1604 that counts the number of color determination signals 1606 in the area to be subjected to ACS with a predetermined threshold value, and determines whether the document is color or monochrome.

  In the registers 1607 to 1610, the position at which the color determination unit 1603 starts the determination and the position at which the determination ends in each of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are based on the video control signal 1612 sent from the reader unit 200. To set. In this embodiment, each size is set to be about 10 mm smaller than the actual document size.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 14, a detailed description will be given of a portion responsible for image processing of the printer I / F 145.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a portion responsible for image processing of the printer I / F 145 shown in FIG. 11, and the same components as those in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in the figure, image data and attribute data are sent from the main controller 111 via the printer bus 146 through different paths.

  The image data is converted by the color conversion unit 1702 into C, M, Y, and K, which are color spaces for print output, in units of pixels. When image data is sent from the main controller in C, M, Y, K, color conversion by the color conversion unit 1702 is not performed. Reference numeral 1703 denotes a γ correction unit that adjusts the density of image data. A filter unit 1704 performs smoothing or edge processing on the image data whose density has been adjusted by the γ correction unit 1703.

  The image data that has undergone these processes is sent to the printer unit 300.

  On the other hand, the attribute data is input to the attribute data input unit 1705. The attribute data input unit 1705 analyzes the position at which the transparent toner is superimposed according to the transparent toner superimposed position information in the attribute data. A transparent toner signal generator 1706 generates a transparent toner signal for a position where the transparent toner is superimposed based on the analysis result of the attribute data input unit 1705. Reference numeral 1710 denotes a γ correction unit that adjusts the density of the transparent toner signal. A filter unit 1711 performs smoothing or edge processing on the transparent toner signal whose density has been adjusted by the γ correction unit 1710.

  The transparent toner signal that has undergone these processes is sent to the printer unit 300.

  Hereinafter, the graphics processor 135 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the graphic processor 135 shown in FIG. 11, and the same components as those in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in the figure, the graphics processor 135 is a module that performs image rotation, image scaling, color space conversion, and binarization processing, an image rotation unit 801, an image scaling unit 802, a color space conversion unit 802, and an image binary. A conversion unit 805. The color space conversion unit 803 includes an LUT (lookup table) 804.

  The SRAM 136 is used as a temporary work area for each module of the graphic processor 135. It is assumed that a work area is statically assigned to each module in advance so that the work areas of the SRAM 136 used by each module do not overlap.

  The graphic processor 135 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 137, and data transfer to and from the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and is DMA transferred.

  Further, the bus controller 113 performs control for setting a mode or the like for each module of the graphic processor 135 and timing control for transferring image data to each module.

<Overall system configuration>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 3, an image forming apparatus 301 is an image forming apparatus that supports printing with transparent toner. The image forming apparatuses 302 and 303 are image forming apparatuses that perform normal color printing using four color toners of C, M, Y, and K. These image forming apparatuses have a function of performing a printing process in cooperation with the image forming apparatus 301 that supports transparent toner printing.

  The information processing apparatus 304 transmits the document data to be printed, setting information, and the like as a print job to these image forming apparatuses, and executes print processing.

  The above image forming apparatus and information processing apparatus are connected via a network 305 such as Ethernet (registered trademark). Various data such as document data and print jobs, processing instructions, and the like are transferred over this network.

<Printing area of image forming apparatus>
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an image printing area in transparent toner printing.

  In this transparent toner printing, a printed matter printed by a normal image forming apparatus is printed again with the transparent toner on the entire printing surface by an image forming apparatus that supports transparent toner printing. Hereinafter, the printing process using the transparent toner is referred to as two-pass transparent toner printing, printing with a normal image forming apparatus is printing in the first pass, and transparent toner printing with an image forming apparatus compatible with transparent toner printing is performed in the second pass. Write as print.

  In FIG. 9, a pattern 901 shows the case where the original image print area in the first pass and the transparent toner printable area in the second pass are the same. A pattern 902 shows a case where the transparent toner printable area in the second pass is smaller than the print area in the first pass. A pattern 903 shows a case where the original image printing area in the first pass is smaller than the transparent toner printable area in the second pass.

  Reference numerals 904 to 909 denote paper sizes on which printing is performed, and they are all the same size. Reference numerals 910 to 912 denote print areas of a document image printed in the first pass. Reference numerals 913 to 915 denote printable areas of the transparent toner in the second pass.

  In the pattern 901, the area sizes and positions of 910 and 913 are the same. Therefore, in the second pass transparent toner printing, when printing is performed on the entire printable area, the print area using the transparent toner matches the print area of the original image of the first pass as in 916.

  In the pattern 902, the area size of 914 is smaller than 911. Accordingly, even when printing is performed on the entire printable area in the second pass transparent toner printing, the print range using the transparent toner covers only a part of the print area of the original image of the first pass as 917. For this reason, the portion 918 exists as a portion where the original image is printed by the first pass printing but is not printed with the transparent toner.

  In the pattern 903, the area size of 915 is larger than 912. Accordingly, when printing is performed on the entire printable area in the second pass transparent toner printing, an area wider than the area where the original image is printed in the first pass printing shown in 919 is covered. For this reason, the portion 920 does not print the original image by printing in the first pass, but exists as a portion to be printed with the transparent toner.

<Configuration of print processing control>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a part related to control of transparent toner printing in the control device of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 4, an image forming apparatus 401 is an image forming apparatus that performs normal color printing. The image forming apparatus 402 is an image forming apparatus that supports transparent toner printing, and uses the printed matter printed by the image forming apparatus 401 as printing paper, and again performs printing with transparent toner on the entire printing surface.

  The operation units 403 and 410 are user interfaces for operating the image forming apparatuses 401 and 402, respectively. The user performs print setting and processing.

  The device information holding units 404 and 411 hold the corresponding printing paper size and the corresponding printing paper type in each image forming apparatus. In addition, information regarding functions and capabilities of the image forming apparatus, such as printable areas for each print paper size, accessory configuration such as a finisher, and whether or not various functions are supported, is stored.

  The device information acquisition unit 405 communicates with other image forming apparatuses via a network and acquires device information of the other image forming apparatuses.

  The device information transmission unit 412 communicates with other image forming apparatuses via a network to transmit device information.

  The job execution device selection unit 406 selects and determines an image forming apparatus that performs the second pass transparent toner printing in the two pass transparent toner printing from the information input from the operation unit.

  The job setting generation unit 407 creates setting information for the first pass printing process. For example, setting information is created based on information input from the operation unit 403. Further, based on own device information obtained from the device information holding unit 404 and device information of the image forming apparatus that performs the second pass printing selected by the job execution device selection unit 406 acquired from the device information acquisition unit 405. Create setting information.

  The job control unit 409 controls the image forming apparatus according to the print job setting information created by the job setting generation unit 407 and executes print processing. The job information transmission unit 408 transmits the print job information to the image forming apparatus that performs the second pass printing.

  The job information acquisition unit 413 receives the first-pass print job information from the image forming apparatus that performs the first-pass printing.

  The job setting generation unit 414 generates setting information for the second pass transparent toner printing process performed by the image forming apparatus 402. For example, in addition to the information input from the operation unit 410, the setting information is generated based on the own device information obtained from the device information holding unit 412 and the first-pass print job information acquired from the job information acquisition unit 413.

  The job control unit 415 controls the image forming apparatus according to the print job setting information created by the job setting generation unit 414, and executes transparent toner printing processing.

<Operation of 2-pass clear toner printing>
5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the operation of the control device of the image forming apparatus in the 2-pass transparent toner printing. FIG. 5 shows the operation in the first pass, and FIG. 6 shows the operation in the second pass printing. Each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is performed by the CPU of the image forming apparatus that performs the first pass printing executing a program stored in the ROM of the image forming apparatus. Each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is performed by the CPU of the image forming apparatus performing the second pass printing executing a program stored in the ROM of the image forming apparatus.

  The first pass printing process in the 2-pass transparent toner printing shown in FIG. 5 is started when the 2-pass clear toner printing mode is selected from the operation unit in S501. In step S502, an image forming apparatus that performs the second pass transparent toner printing is selected by an input from the operation unit. In step S503, device information of the image forming apparatus selected in step S502 is acquired. In step S504, the first pass printing is set based on the input from the operation unit and the own device information, and the device information of the second pass image forming apparatus acquired in step S503. In S505, if the setting content input from the operation unit in S504 is processing that should not be executed in the first pass printing of 2-pass transparent toner printing such as stapling processing or bookbinding processing, setting is impossible. Is notified to the operation unit (S506), and the setting process is performed again. If there is no problem in the setting, in S507, the print image layout setting is made on the print surface according to the setting contents, and it is checked whether there is any problem. As a result, when the area of the image printed in the first pass falls within the printable area in the image forming apparatus that performs the transparent toner printing in the second pass (S508), it corresponds to the pattern 901 or the pattern 903 in FIG. . In this case, as the printing process of the first pass, since the print areas are consistent (S509), printing is executed in S514. After the printing process, in step S515, job information such as setting information for the first-pass printing process and a print area for the first pass is transmitted to the image forming apparatus that performs the second-pass printing.

  In S508, the case where the area of the print image in the first pass is larger than the printable area of the image forming apparatus that performs the transparent toner printing in the second pass corresponds to the case of the pattern 902 in FIG. In this case, since the print areas are inconsistent in the first pass and the second pass (S510), a process for adjusting the print image of the first pass is selected in S511, and the selected image adjustment process is executed. If the reduction process is selected, a process of reducing the print image of the first pass is performed so that the entire print image of the first pass matches the printable area of the second pass in S512. If the trimming process is selected in S511, only the portion that matches the printable area in the second pass is selected / extracted from the print image in the first pass in S513, and is set as the print image in the first pass. In S512 or S513, printing is executed in S514 using a print image that matches the print area of the second pass. After the printing process, in step S515, job information such as setting information for the first-pass printing process and a print area for the first pass is transmitted to the image forming apparatus that performs the second-pass printing.

  The second-pass printing process in the two-pass transparent toner printing shown in FIG. 6 is started when the second-pass transparent toner printing process in the two-pass transparent toner printing mode is selected from the operation unit in S601. In step S <b> 602, job information such as print settings for the first pass printing and a print area for the first pass is acquired from the image forming apparatus that has executed the first pass printing process. In step S <b> 603, the second-pass clear toner full-color printing is set based on the input from the operation unit, the self-device information, the setting in the first-pass printing acquired in step S <b> 602 and the job information. In step S604, if the setting content input from the operation unit in step S603 is processing that should not be executed in the second-pass transparent toner printing in the second-pass transparent toner printing, the operation unit is notified that setting is impossible. (S605) and the setting process is performed again. If there is no problem with the setting, in step S606, the print image layout is set on the print surface in accordance with the setting contents, and it is checked whether there is a problem. As a result, when the print area printed in the first pass is not smaller than the printable area of the transparent toner full-surface print in the second pass (S607), the pattern shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. In this case, the print area printed in the first pass is equal to the printable area in the second pass (S608). For this reason, in the second-pass clear toner full-face printing, the clear toner printing is set to the entire printable area of the image forming apparatus that prints the second pass (S609). According to the above print settings, the transparent toner printing of the second pass is performed in S614, and the transparent toner printing is performed on the front surface of the image printed in the first pass.

  In S607, if the print area printed in the first pass is smaller than the printable area of the second pass transparent toner full-face print, it corresponds to the pattern 903 in FIG. 9 and the print area printed in the first pass and two passes. The printable areas of the eyes do not match (S610). For this reason, as an area for performing transparent toner printing, it is selected and set whether printing is performed in accordance with the printing area printed in the first pass or printing is performed over the entire maximum area printable in the second pass ( S611). When printing on the entire surface is selected, in step S612, setting is performed so that transparent toner printing is performed on the entire surface of the maximum printable area of the image forming apparatus that performs the second pass printing. When the transparent toner printing adapted to the print area of the first pass is selected, in S613, the print area printed in the first pass is set as the print area of the transparent toner print of the second pass. Using the print settings including the print area set in S612 or S613, the entire transparent toner printing is performed in S614.

  In the second embodiment, an embodiment in which print image data and print setting information are sent from an information processing apparatus to an image forming apparatus to perform two-pass transparent toner printing will be described.

  Since the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus, the overall configuration of the system, and the printing area of the image forming apparatus are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

<Configuration of print processing control>
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a portion related to control of transparent toner printing in the control apparatus and information processing apparatus of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 7, an image forming apparatus 702 is an image forming apparatus that performs normal color printing. The image forming apparatus 703 is an image forming apparatus that supports transparent toner printing, and uses the printed matter printed by the image forming apparatus 702 as printing paper, and again performs printing with transparent toner on the entire printing surface.

  The information processing apparatus 701 performs various settings for printing in the image forming apparatus, transmits the print data to the image forming apparatuses 702 and 703 together with the original data to be printed, and causes the image forming apparatus to execute printing.

  The operation unit 704 of the information processing device 701 includes a display, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and accepts an input from the user to the information processing device. The job execution device selection unit 705 selects, from the information input from the operation unit, an image forming apparatus that performs printing of a first-pass original image and printing of a second-pass transparent toner in 2-pass transparent toner printing. decide. A device information acquisition unit 706 communicates with the image forming apparatus via a network to acquire device information of the image forming apparatus.

  The job setting generation unit 707 generates setting information for the second pass printing process performed by the image forming apparatus 703. For example, the information input from the operation unit 704 and the devices of the image forming apparatuses that perform the first pass printing and the second pass printing selected by the job execution device selection unit 705 acquired from the device information acquisition unit 706. Setting information is generated based on the information.

  The job data generation unit 708 combines the setting information generated by the job setting generation unit 707 and the document data, and generates job data for the image forming apparatuses 702 and 703, respectively.

  The data transmission unit 709 transmits the job data generated by the job data generation unit 708 to the image forming apparatuses 702 and 703 via the network.

  The device information holding units 711 and 716 hold printable areas in the image forming apparatuses 702 and 703, corresponding print sheet types, corresponding print sheet types, and print sheet sizes. In addition, information regarding functions and capabilities of the image forming apparatus, such as the configuration of accessories such as finishers and the presence / absence of various functions, is stored.

  The device information transmission units 710 and 715 communicate with the information processing apparatus 701 via the network, and transmit their own device information held by the device information holding units 711 and 716.

  The data receiving units 712 and 717 receive job data transmitted from the information processing device 701.

  Job setting extraction units 713 and 718 take out job setting information such as print settings from the job data received by the data receiving units 712 and 717, and pass the information to the job control unit.

  The job control units 714 and 719 respectively execute a first-pass original image printing process and a second-pass transparent toner printing process according to the given job setting information.

<Operation of 2-pass clear toner printing>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing job data setting / generation / transmission operations in the information processing apparatus in 2-pass transparent toner printing when job data is transmitted from the information processing apparatus.

  The job generation process in the two-pass transparent toner printing starts from acquiring the respective device information from the image forming apparatus connected to the network in S801 and S802. In step S803, the print mode selected by the user is set by an input from the operation unit. If the print mode is not the two-pass transparent toner print mode in S804, the print process is an existing print process, so that the normal print setting is executed in S805, and the print job generation process for the normal image forming apparatus is executed in S806. The created print job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus in step S828, and the print job creation / transmission process ends.

  If the two-pass transparent toner printing mode is selected as the print mode in S804, an image forming apparatus that performs color printing of a normal document image in the first pass by an input from the operation unit in S807, and two-pass in S808. An image forming apparatus that performs transparent toner printing of the eyes is selected.

  In step S809, first, print setting is performed when the original image of the first pass is color-printed. Printing is set from the input from the operation unit and the device information of the first-pass image forming apparatus acquired in step S801. In S810, if the setting content input from the operation unit in S809 is processing that should not be executed in the first pass printing of 2-pass transparent toner printing such as stapling processing or bookbinding processing, setting is impossible. Is notified to the operation unit (S811), and the setting process is performed again.

  Subsequently, in S812, the print setting for the second pass transparent toner full surface printing is performed. Printing is set from the input from the operation unit and the device information of the image forming apparatus in the second pass acquired in S802. In step S813, if the setting content input from the operation unit in step S812 is a process that should not be executed in the second-pass transparent toner printing in the second-pass transparent toner printing, the operation unit is notified that setting is impossible. (S814), the setting process is performed again.

  If there is no problem in the settings for both the first and second pass print settings, in step S815, the print image layout is set on the print surface in accordance with the setting contents, and a check is made for any problems.

  In S816, if the area of the print image in the first pass is larger than the printable area of the image forming apparatus that performs the transparent toner printing in the second pass, it corresponds to the pattern 902 in FIG. 9 and is printed in the first pass and the second pass. The areas do not match. Therefore, in S817, a process for adjusting the print image of the first pass is selected, and the selected image adjustment process is set as a print setting. If the reduction process is selected, a setting is made to reduce the print image of the first pass so that the entire print image of the first pass matches the printable area of the second pass in S818. If the trimming process is selected in S817, in S819, only the portion that matches the printable area in the second pass is selected and extracted from the first pass print image. As a result of setting the image adjustment processing in S818 or S819, the image printing area in the first pass matches the printable area in the second pass (S820), so the second pass printing in S821 is the entire printable area. The print setting is performed as transparent toner printing. From the print settings described above, the first and second pass print jobs are generated in S827, and the print job data is transmitted to each image forming apparatus that performs the first and second pass prints in S828.

  In S816, if the area of the print image in the first pass is less than or equal to the printable area of the image forming apparatus that performs the transparent toner printing in the second pass, the area of the print image in the first pass is the second pass in S822. It is determined whether it is smaller than the printable area of the transparent toner printing. If the print area of the original image of the first pass is not smaller than the printable area of the second pass in S822, it corresponds to the pattern 901 in FIG. 9, and the print area of the original image of the first pass and the transparent toner print of the second pass Are equal to each other (S820). For this reason, adjustment processing for the original image in the first pass is not set, and transparent toner printing is set for the entire printable area in the second pass. From the print settings described above, the first and second pass print jobs are generated in S827, and the print job data is transmitted to each image forming apparatus that performs the first and second pass prints in S828.

  In step S816, the first pass print image area is less than the printable area of the image forming apparatus that performs the second pass transparent toner printing, and the first pass print image area can be printed with the second pass transparent toner printing. If it is smaller than the region, it corresponds to 903 in FIG. In this case, the print area of the original image of the first pass is smaller than the printable area of the transparent toner printing of the second pass, and the print area of the first pass does not match the printable area of the second pass. Therefore, it is selected whether to perform printing in accordance with the printing area of the original image of the first pass, or to print over the entire maximum area that can be printed in the second pass, as the area for performing transparent toner printing (S824). If printing on the entire surface is selected, in step S825, the transparent toner printing is set to be performed on the entire surface of the maximum printable area of the image forming apparatus that performs the second pass printing. When the transparent toner printing adapted to the printing area of the first pass is selected, in S826, the same area as the printing area of the original image of the first pass is set as the printing area of the transparent toner printing of the second pass. Hereinafter, the job generation process and the print job data transmission process are the same as in other cases, and the print job generation / transmission process ends when the job data is transmitted.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the means for inputting image data, the means for holding device information of the image forming apparatus, the means for selecting the second image forming apparatus, and the second Means for acquiring device information of the image forming apparatus. Also, a job setting unit for setting an image forming process by the image forming apparatus, a job control unit for controlling the image forming process by the image forming apparatus, and a result of setting and executing the image forming process are transmitted to the second image forming apparatus. Job information transmission means for performing the job information transmission. Then, job control in the image forming apparatus is performed based on device information of the second image processing apparatus.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, a unit that holds the device information of the image forming device, a unit that transmits the device information to the first image forming device, and a job of an image forming process of the first image forming device Job information acquisition means for acquiring information is included. In addition, the image forming apparatus includes job setting means for setting image forming processing by the image forming apparatus and job control means for controlling image forming processing by the image forming apparatus. Then, job control in the image forming apparatus is performed based on job information of the first image processing apparatus.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, means for selecting the first image forming apparatus, means for selecting the second image forming apparatus, and device information of the first image forming apparatus are acquired. Means. Also, means for acquiring device information of the second image forming apparatus, job setting means for setting image forming processing by the first image forming apparatus, and job setting for setting image forming processing by the second image forming apparatus Means. Then, job data generation means for generating image data input to the first image forming apparatus and image forming process settings, and job data generation for generating image data input to the second image forming apparatus and image forming process settings Means. In addition, the image forming apparatus includes a data transmission unit that transmits job data to the first image forming apparatus and a data transmission unit that transmits job data to the second image forming apparatus. The job setting input to the image forming apparatus is changed according to the device information of the first and second image forming apparatuses.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sectional view of the whole device to which the present invention is applied. The block diagram which shows the structure of the whole system of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a control device of the image forming apparatus. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device shown in FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an information processing apparatus and a control apparatus for the image forming apparatus. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. The figure for demonstrating the difference of the printing area of the 2nd pass of the 1st pass. The block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the reader image processing part shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the scanner I / F illustrated in FIG. 11. The block diagram which shows the structure of the ACS count part shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the printer I / F illustrated in FIG. 11. The block diagram which shows the structure of GraphicProcessor shown in FIG.

Claims (19)

  Means for inputting image data, means for holding device information of the image forming apparatus, means for selecting the second image forming apparatus, means for acquiring the device information of the second image forming apparatus, and image forming apparatus Job setting means for setting image forming processing by the image forming apparatus, job control means for controlling image forming processing by the image forming apparatus, and job information transmitting means for transmitting the setting and execution results of the image forming processing to the second image forming apparatus And an image forming apparatus that performs job control in the image forming apparatus based on device information of the second image processing apparatus.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that performs printing by superimposing on a sheet on which image data is printed using a predetermined color material.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device information of the second image forming apparatus is information indicating a range in which an image can be formed on a sheet.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job control is to reduce the image data and print it on a sheet based on device information of the second image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job control is to take out a part of image data and print it on a sheet based on information of the second image forming apparatus.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job setting unit is configured not to prevent a setting to prevent overlapping printing on a sheet printed by the second image forming apparatus.   Means for holding device information of the image forming apparatus; means for transmitting device information to the first image forming apparatus; job information acquiring means for acquiring job information of image forming processing of the first image forming apparatus; Job setting means for setting image forming processing by the forming apparatus and job control means for controlling image forming processing by the image forming apparatus, and performing job control in the image forming apparatus based on job information of the first image processing apparatus An image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to superimpose and print on a sheet on which image data is printed using a predetermined color material.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the job information of the first image forming apparatus is information indicating a range in which an image is formed on a sheet.   8. The job control according to claim 7, wherein the overlapping printing range is limited to a range where the image is formed by the first image forming apparatus according to job information of the first image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   8. The job control according to claim 7, wherein, regardless of job information of the first image forming apparatus, the overlapping print range is set as a whole so that an image can be formed by the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   Means for selecting the first image forming apparatus; means for selecting the second image forming apparatus; means for acquiring the device information of the first image forming apparatus; and device information of the second image forming apparatus. Means for setting image forming processing by the first image forming apparatus, job setting means for setting image forming processing by the second image forming apparatus, and an image input to the first image forming apparatus Job data generating means for generating data and image forming process settings, job data generating means for generating image data and image forming process settings to be input to the second image forming apparatus, and jobs in the first image forming apparatus A data transmission unit that transmits data and a data transmission unit that transmits job data to the second image forming apparatus. The information processing apparatus characterized by changing the job settings.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the device information of the first image forming apparatus is information indicating a range in which an image can be formed on a sheet.   13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the device information of the second image forming apparatus is information indicating a printable range superimposed on a printed sheet.   The job setting means is configured to set the image data to be printed on the first image forming apparatus to be reduced and printed on paper according to the device information of the second image forming apparatus. Item 13. The information processing device according to Item 12.   The job setting means is configured to set the printing on the first image forming apparatus to take out a part of the image data and print it on a sheet based on information of the second image forming apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12.   The job setting means is configured to set, based on the device information of the first image forming apparatus, to limit a range to be superimposed and printed to a range where an image is formed by the first image forming apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12.   The job setting means is configured to set the overlapped print range as a whole that can be formed by the second image forming apparatus regardless of the device information of the first image forming apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12.   The job setting unit is configured to prevent the first image forming apparatus from being set to prevent superimposed printing on paper printed by the second image forming apparatus. 12. The information processing apparatus according to 12.

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