JP2011007883A - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that when two-pass printing is performed, trouble occurs in the second pass when performing a post-processing setting or the like included in a printing setting in the first pass.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus includes: a means for performing a printing setting including a first printing setting and a second printing setting which is the post-processing setting; a normal printing means for producing printing matter obtained by printing and fixing with a recording agent containing a special recording agent; a second pass printing means for producing printed matter obtained by printing and fixing with a recording agent and producing printed matter obtained by printing and fixing on the printed matter with a special recording agent; and a selecting means for selecting either the normal printing or two-pass printing, based on the result obtained by analyzing image data. When the normal printing is selected by the selecting means, the second printing setting is made for printed matter obtained by printing and fixing with the recording agent containing the special recording agent. If the two-pass printing is selected, the second printing setting is made for printed matter obtained by printing and fixing with the special recording agent.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program that use a special color recording agent that is a special toner.

  In recent years, digital printing technology has been steadily increasing its utility value in the on-demand printing market and the small number of document printing market.

  In particular, full-color printing using electrophotographic technology has an advantage over other printing technologies in terms of productivity, printing cost, and ease of maintenance, and is rapidly expanding its market.

  Among them, in particular, not only full-color printing by electrophotographic printing using the conventional four color toners of C, M, Y, and K, but also a multicolor printing method using special toner as a special color recording agent. It attracts attention.

  As described above, the technology related to full-color printing using electronic technology has entered the field of view of the special printing market with high on-demand and immediateness.

  Examples of the special toner include a transparent toner that can absorb unevenness on the surface of the printed material and achieve high gloss, and a light toner that can suppress roughness of the highlight portion.

  By using such special toner, new added value different from that of normal digital printing can be obtained, and the world of digital printing can be further expanded.

  When printing special toner, the difference from the conventional printing with four color toners is that the total amount of toner used for printing is greatly increased.

  Particularly when applied to electrophotographic color printing, in addition to the conventional C, M, Y, and K toner images, a special toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer body, and it is necessary to further transfer it onto the paper. .

  As the amount of applied toner, which is the amount of toner necessary for printing in each electrophotographic process, increases, the load on each process increases.

  To deal with this problem, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of calculating the applied amount of special toner from the applied amounts of C, M, Y, and K.

However, if the amount of special toner applied is calculated as in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, the amount of special toner applied may become zero.
For example, this is a case where the total loading amount of C, M, Y, and K exceeds the total loading amount that can be satisfactorily fixed on the paper that is permitted by the printing apparatus.

  In such a case, even if the user instructs printing using the special toner, printing using the special toner in accordance with the user instruction cannot be performed, and thus the visual effect of the special toner cannot be obtained.

  To deal with this problem, for example, in Patent Document 2, if it is determined that printing using special toner in accordance with the above-described user instruction cannot be performed by a single fixing, the method for forming the special toner image is changed.

  First, toner other than special toner is printed and fixed, and a sheet is output. Then, special toner is printed on the paper on which the toner is printed, and fixing is performed again. This printing for fixing twice is called two-pass printing.

  As a result, it is possible to print a special toner that is greater than or equal to the special toner amount in consideration of the total loading amount allowed by the printing apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an output product having a visual effect by the special toner desired by the user.

JP 2007-011028 A JP 2008-139589 A

  Patent Document 2 described above describes that printing is performed using a two-pass print output unit. However, when performing 2-pass printing, print settings such as duplex setting, number of copies setting, layout setting, enlargement / reduction setting, shift, stapling, saddle stitching, folding, case binding, punching, binder, etc. Is not considered.

  If the shift, staple, saddle stitch, folding, case binding, punch, binder, etc. included in the print settings are executed during the first pass print output, the print processing set for the second pass will be defective. End up.

  Therefore, at the time of 2-pass print output, it is necessary to distinguish between settings that are executed even in the first pass and settings that are not executed in the first pass, and perform print settings for the first pass and print settings for the second pass.

  Examples of print settings to be performed on image data even in the first pass include double-sided setting, number of copies setting, layout setting, and enlargement / reduction setting.

  Examples of processing that should not be performed on image data in the first pass include post-processing settings such as shift processing, stapling processing, saddle stitch processing, folding, case binding processing, punch processing, and binder processing.

  In this case, at the time of two-pass printing, the user must set print settings separately for the first pass and the second pass, and the setting becomes complicated.

In order to solve the above problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention provides:
Means for performing print settings including a first print setting and a second print setting which is a post-processing setting;
A normal printing means for performing processing on the image data in accordance with the first print setting and generating a printed matter printed and fixed using a recording agent containing a special toner recording agent;
A process is performed on the image data according to the first print setting, a printed material printed and fixed using a recording agent is generated, and the image data is processed on the printed material according to the first print setting. A two-pass printing unit that executes and generates a printed matter that has been printed and fixed using a special recording agent;
Based on the result of analyzing the image data, when the normal printing is selected by the selection unit that selects either the normal printing or the two-pass printing, and the selection unit, the second print setting is When the two-pass printing is selected, the second print setting is printed using the special recording agent. , And is applied to a fixed printed material.

  According to the present invention, regardless of whether the normal printing output or the two-pass printing output is selected as the output method, the setting relating to the first-pass printing and the setting relating to the second-pass printing are set when the two-pass printing is set. Settings can be made without the operator's awareness.

The block diagram which shows the image processing system regarding this invention Figure about MFP Figure about MFP Flow chart for image processing for normal printing using transparent toner Diagram showing how toner is loaded during normal printing Flow chart for image processing of 2-pass printing using transparent toner The figure which shows how to put the toner at the time of 2 pass printing A diagram showing the difference in the amount of applied transparent toner between normal printing and two-pass printing An example of a local PC screen or a screen displayed on the MFP display device The flowchart which shows the outline | summary of Example 1 of this invention. An example of a local PC screen or a screen displayed on the MFP display device Diagram related to finisher connected to MFP An example of a local PC screen or a screen displayed on the MFP display device An example of a local PC screen or a screen displayed on the MFP display device The flowchart which shows the outline | summary of Example 2 of this invention. An example of a local PC screen or a screen displayed on the MFP display device The flowchart which shows the outline | summary of Example 4 of this invention.

  In the following Examples 1 to 4, a transparent recording agent is used as the special recording agent, but other special recording agents may be used. A transparent recording agent is a recording agent that does not have a dye and is used when a transparent image is added on a sheet.

  In the following, transparent toner is used, but transparent ink or the like may be used in addition to this.

  Further, as print settings described in the first to fourth embodiments, the number of copies setting, the layout setting, the stapling process, and the punching process are given as examples. However, the print settings are not limited to these. Generally, all print settings that can be processed by the MFP or printer, such as duplex setting, enlargement / reduction setting, shift processing, saddle stitch processing, folding, bookbinding processing, case binding processing, binder processing, trimmer processing, etc. Applicable.

  In realizing these settings, it goes without saying that the processing algorithm described below is appropriately changed depending on whether the setting is executed in the first pass or the setting executed only in the second pass.

  In general, a process called post-processing is often set to be executed only during the latter second pass printing.

  Also, the setting executed for both the first pass and the second pass is the first print setting, and the setting executed only for the second pass is the second print setting.

  The “user interface” in the text refers to both the monitor of the local PC 102 and the display device 303 of the MFP 101.

Example 1
Example 1 which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated based on drawing.

[Image processing device]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  A multifunction machine (hereinafter referred to as MFP) 101 and a local PC 102 are connected as recording devices to a LAN 103 constructed in the office 10.

The MFP 101 performs image processing on input image data read from a document image.
Then, the result of the image processing is printed.

  Furthermore, the MFP 101 can also print by interpreting a page description language (hereinafter referred to as PDL) transmitted from the local PC 102.

[MFP]
2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating the MFP.
In FIG. 2, an image scanner (image reading unit) 201 reads a document image and performs digital signal processing.

  The printer unit 202 prints an image corresponding to the document image read by the image scanner 201 on a sheet.

  A finisher unit 228 is connected to the printer unit 202, and a sheet printed by the printer unit 202 is post-processed by the finisher unit 228.

  The image scanner 201 includes a mirror surface pressure plate 200, and a document 204 on a document table glass (hereinafter referred to as a platen) 203 is irradiated with a lamp 205 and guided to mirrors 206, 207, and 208.

  The irradiated light forms an image on a three-line solid-state image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 210 by a lens 209. Accordingly, three image signals of red (R) 210-1, green (G) 210-2, and blue (B) 210-3 as full color information are sent to the data processing device 211.

The lamp 205 and the mirror 206 are mechanically moved at a speed v, and the mirrors 207 and 208 are mechanically moved in a direction perpendicular to the electric scanning (main scanning) direction of the line sensor at a speed 1 / 2v. As a result, the entire surface of the document is scanned (sub-scanning). Here, the document 204 is read at a resolution of, for example, 600 dpi (dots / inch) for both main scanning and sub-scanning.
The read image signal is stored in data storage means inside the data processing device 211 for each page of the document.

  In the data processing device 211, the image signal stored therein is electrically processed in units of pixels, and decomposed into magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) components, The data is sent to the printer unit 202. Further, inside the data processing device 211, transparent image data (CL), which is a special toner, is generated in units of pixels and is similarly sent to the printer unit 202.

The sent M, C, Y, BK, 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, similarly to reading, an image is written on the photosensitive drum at a resolution of 600 dpi (dots / inch) in both main scanning and sub-scanning.

  The rotary developing device 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. Then, the five developing units 219 to 223 are in contact with the photosensitive drum 217, and the electrostatic development formed on the photosensitive drum is developed with toner of each color.

  The transfer drum 224 winds the paper supplied from the paper cassette 225 or the paper cassette 226 around the transfer drum 224, and transfers the image developed on the photosensitive drum onto the paper.

  In this way, after the five toner images of M, C, Y, Bk and clear (transparent) are sequentially transferred, the paper passes through the fixing unit 227, and after the toner is fixed on the paper, the finisher unit 228.

  The finisher unit 228 is provided with a stapler 229. The printed paper is accumulated in the stapler 229 in units of copies, and after staple processing is performed by the stapler 229, the paper is discharged to the output unit 230.

  Further, it is possible to discharge the paper to the output unit 230 without performing the stapling process.

  Further, it is also possible to print the toner again on the paper once printed through the process of printing the toner again on the paper and fixing it without discharging the paper, and then discharging the paper.

In FIG. 3, the MFP 101 has a network I / F 302 for connection to the LAN 103, and a PDL language output from the local PC 102 or another general-purpose PC (not shown) using a driver is stored in the storage device 301. Can be recorded. PDL data output from the local PC 102 via a driver is converted into a record signal that can be recorded by interpreting and processing the language from the LAN 104 via the network I / F 302 by the data processing device 211.
Thereafter, the recording signal is recorded as a recorded image on the recording paper in the MFP 101.

  The storage device 301 has a function of storing data from the image reading unit 201 that is an image scanner and data obtained by rendering PDL data output from the local PC 102 via a driver.

  Further, the storage device 301 has a function of storing print setting information such as information on the number of copies to be printed and information on the presence / absence of staple settings.

  The MFP 101 is operated through a key operation unit (input device 304) provided in the MFP 101. For these operations, the data processing device 211 is subjected to predetermined control by an internal control unit (not shown).

  The MFP 101 includes a display device 303, and can display an operation input state and image data to be processed on the display device 303.

[Normal print output processing]
FIG. 4 shows a flowchart regarding image processing and normal printing processing in the data processing apparatus 211.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an outline of print output when transparent toner is used.

In the MFP 101, a cyan image 501, a magenta image 502, a yellow image 503, a black image 504, and a transparent image 505 are printed in order and printed out.
The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is executed by a CPU (not shown) installed in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  The R, G, and B signals from the local PC 102 and MFP 101 are converted into C, M, Y, and K signals in the color processing in step S401. Conversion to C, M, Y, and K signals is performed by a matrix operation as shown in Expression (1).

  In addition, C, M, Y, and K signals may be transmitted from the local PC 102. At that time, density adjustment and the like are performed in step S401.

  Next, in step S402, the transparent toner component is calculated from the C, M, Y, and K signals.

First, for each pixel, a total toner amount of C, M, Y, and K (hereinafter referred to as a total applied amount) that is a colored toner is obtained.
Here, the total applied amount is the amount of toner when the applied amount corresponding to the total signal amount of the four colors C, M, Y, and K is transferred to each pixel.

  Usually, the total applied amount is expressed as a percentage value where the maximum applied amount of a single color is 100%.

  When the image signal is expressed by an 8-bit integer, since the maximum value of the applied amount of single color is 255, the added value of C, M, Y, and K is multiplied by 100/255 to obtain the total applied amount.

For example, when an 8-bit image signal is applied to each pixel, the applied amount is C = 80, M = 95, Y = 140, K = 110.
Since the total applied amount of the four color toners = C + M + Y + K = 425,
Total loading amount = (C + M + Y + K) × 100/255 = 167% (2)
It becomes.

  Usually, the general upper limit of the total loading amount is about 200 to 280%. The upper limit value is determined by an image forming process or the like. In this embodiment, the total amount after the transparent toner layer is further formed is required to be equal to or lower than the upper limit value.

Here, when the upper limit value of the total loading amount is 240%, it can be considered that the difference between the numerical value of the formula (2) and the upper limit value is the density ratio allowed for the transparent toner layer.
Allowable amount of loading of transparent toner = 240-167 = 73% (3)
It becomes. In this way, the amount of applied special toner such as transparent toner is calculated.

  When the applied amounts of C, M, Y, K, and CL (transparent toner) are determined, in the gamma processing in step S403, the MFP 101 compensates for the current reproducibility fluctuation amount with respect to the target reproducibility. Optimum gamma processing is applied to each color.

  In the image formation in step S404, image formation processing is performed for each color. Image forming processing includes screen processing and error diffusion processing.

  Finally, in step S405, the formed image is printed.

  The above-described printing method for performing toner printing and fixing of an image created with CMYK colored toner and transparent toner at a time is referred to as “normal printing”.

[2-pass print output processing]
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart regarding image processing and two-pass printout processing inside the data processing apparatus 211. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of print output when transparent toner is used.

  In this processing method, a transparent toner is added on a printed sheet that has undergone a process of fixing cyan, magenta, and yellow toners on the sheet.

  First, from the MFP 101, as shown in FIG. 7A, a cyan image 701, a magenta image 702, a yellow image 703, and a black image 704 are printed in order and printed out.

  Next, the printed output by C, M, Y, and K is set in the paper feed stage of the MFP 101.

  A transparent image 705 is further printed on the set printed output as shown in FIG.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 shows an outline of a means for printing transparent toner, and is executed by a CPU (not shown) installed in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In step S601, it is determined whether the input image signal from the local PC 102 or MFP 101 is an R, G, B signal or a C, M, Y, K signal. If the determination result is a C, M, Y, or K signal, it is converted to an R, G, or B signal in step S602. The conversion method is performed by a matrix operation as shown in Expression (4).

  In step S603, the R, G, and B signals are replaced with a single color of one signal. The conversion method is converted by an arithmetic expression or the like, and the arithmetic expression is not uniform. As a simple example, a method of dividing RGB by 3 may be used. In addition, the C, M, Y, and K signals are converted into R, G, and B signals and replaced with a single color of one signal. However, by using a known method, the C, M, Y, and K signals are directly used. It is also possible to replace with a single color of one signal. Then, the signal converted into one signal is subjected to a transparent toner gamma process optimum for the MFP 101 in step S604. In step S605, an image forming process is performed. In step S606, an image is printed out.

  The above-described printing method in which printing and fixing are performed once and then printing and fixing is performed again for the special toner is hereinafter referred to as “two-pass printing”.

[Difference in the amount of applied transparent toner between normal print output processing and 2-pass print output processing]
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the difference in the amount of applied transparent toner in the printed output between the normal print output process and the two-pass print output process.

  Here, it is assumed that the toner application amount allowable amount of the MFP is 240%. First, during normal print output processing, the applied amounts of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are 200%, and the transparent toner 801 that is a special toner is only 240% (the MFP toner applied amount narrow amount) −200% = 40%. Cannot print.

  On the other hand, during 2-pass print output processing, after cyan, magenta, yellow, and black have already been printed, a transparent printing process is performed on the same print output (including the second fixing) to add transparent toner. To do.

  Therefore, the transparent toner 802, which is a special toner, can print the applied amount of 100%, which is the maximum value for a single color, with respect to the print output of the transparent toner.

[Automatic switching method and print setting method between normal print output processing and 2-pass print output processing]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart relating to an automatic switching method between normal print output processing and two-pass print output processing and a print setting method which is a feature of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen displayed on the user interface.

  The flowchart in FIG. 10 is executed by a CPU (not shown) installed in the MFP 101.

  When the user instructs “normal print output processing” using transparent toner from the MFP 101 or the local PC 102, first, in step S1001, the applied amount of transparent toner is calculated and obtained.

  In step S1002, the applied amount of the transparent toner is compared with an applied amount threshold value set in advance in the MFP 101. The applied amount threshold value is a threshold value of the applied amount of toner per pixel that is sufficient to produce the effect of the transparent toner when the transparent toner is printed.

For example, an appropriate application amount threshold for producing the effect of the transparent toner is an application amount of 50% per pixel.
The comparison in step S1002 is performed on all pixels of the input image or all pixels instructed to be printed with transparent toner. Here, the number of pixels smaller than the applied amount threshold or the proportion of the area occupied by these pixels in the entire image (the input image or the image instructed to be printed with the transparent toner) is stored. That is, the ratio of the image area, which is the area occupied by the pixels determined to have a loading amount smaller than the loading amount threshold, to the entire image is stored.

  In step S <b> 1003, the number of stored pixels or the ratio of the area occupied by these pixels in the entire image is compared with a pixel threshold set in advance in the MFP 101 to determine which is larger.

  The pixel threshold indicates the number of pixels having a mounting amount smaller than the above-described mounting amount threshold (50%) and the threshold with respect to the ratio of the area occupied by the pixel in the entire image.

  For example, a reasonable pixel threshold is 50% of all pixels or 50% of the total image area.

  When the number of pixels that do not exceed the applied amount threshold (50%) exceeds the number of pixels that is the pixel threshold (50% of all pixels), the amount of transparent toner is reduced overall, and the visual effect of the transparent toner is reduced. The glossiness that is is reduced.

Similarly, when the ratio of the number of pixels smaller than the applied amount threshold value (50%) to the entire image is larger than the pixel threshold value (50% of the total image area), the amount of the transparent toner is reduced overall. The glossiness that is a visual effect of the transparent toner is reduced.
That is, if the area ratio occupied by pixels having an application amount smaller than the application amount threshold in all images is large, the visual effect of the transparent toner is diminished.

  In step S1003, as a result of the comparison with the pixel threshold value, if all the images have fewer pixels than the applied amount threshold value, a screen on which the print function can be selected is displayed on the user interface in step S1004. . That is, in this case, since there is no concern about a decrease in gloss, normal print output is used.

  An example of the screen shown in S1004 is FIG. On the displayed screen, a copy number setting control box 901, a stapling check box 902, and an execution button 903 are arranged. The user sets the number of copies (for example, 5 copies) in the copy number setting control box 901 and sets the presence / absence of staples in the check box 902 for staples. (For example, there is stapling.) Then, the execution button 903 is pressed. In step S1005, it is determined whether printing for the number of copies (for example, 5 copies) has been completed. If printing has not been completed, normal print output processing (4 colors + transparent toner printing) is executed in step S1006. Next, in step S1007, it is determined whether or not the staple setting is present. If the staple setting is present, the staple processing is performed for each copy using the stapler 229 in step S1008. In step S1009, a paper discharge process is performed, and the process returns to step S1005. If printing for the number of copies (for example, 5 copies) is completed in step S1005, the print job is completed.

If the result of comparison with the pixel threshold value in step S1003 is that there are a large number of pixels having an applied amount smaller than the applied amount threshold value in all images, a screen for selecting a print output method is displayed on the user interface in step S1010. To do. That is, in this case, since there is a concern about a decrease in glossiness, two-pass print output may be used.
Therefore, this pixel threshold is a selection criterion for the output method.

In S1001 to S1003, image analysis is performed, and an output method is selected using the result.
An example of the screen shown in S1010 is FIG. On the displayed screen, 1107 warns that the visual effect of the transparent toner is small. Further, the user can select an output method according to the screen and instruct a subsequent print output method. Further, the user can instruct the number of copies by setting the number of copies in the number of copies setting control box 1105. In addition, by setting a check box 1106 for setting the presence / absence of stapling, stapling can be set.

  Here, the number of copies (5 copies) is set in the user copy number setting control box 1105, and the staple check box 1106 is set to be stapled. Thereafter, the button 1101 is pressed. When the button 1103 is pressed, normal printing is selected in step S1011. At this time, the process branches to step S1005, and the designated number of copies (five copies) is stapled by the processing from step S1005 to step S1009, and the printing is completed. When the user presses the button 1104, the print instruction is canceled in step S1011 and the process ends without printing.

  After the user sets the number of copies (for example, 5 copies) in the copy number setting control box 1105 and sets the staple check box 1106 to be stapled, the user presses the button 1102 and presses the button 1103. At this time, 2-pass printing is selected in step S1011. When 2-pass printing is selected, first, in step S1012, the number of copies set by the user and the information on the presence or absence of stapling are stored in the storage device 301. In step S1013, it is determined whether printing for the number of copies (for example, 5 copies) has been completed. If printing has not been completed, in step S1014, the MFP 101 performs printing with four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and the process returns to step S1013. At this time, the staple setting is always ignored and only the staple process is performed. If printing for the number of copies (for example, 5 copies) is completed in step S1013, the process advances to step S1015 to select a paper feed method for the second pass. Specifically, it is determined whether or not automatic paper feeding is performed. If automatic paper feed is selected in step S1015, the printed output that has been fixed and printed in four colors is not automatically discharged to the paper discharge mechanism of the MFP 101, but is automatically set again in the paper feed stage. The As a method of automatically setting the paper feed stage, for example, there is a method of setting the paper again in the paper feed stage without reversing the paper in the reversal pass used at the time of duplex printing.

  On the other hand, if manual is selected in step S1015, the printed output that has been printed in four colors is discharged to the discharge mechanism of the MFP 101. In step S1016, the user outputs the printed output. Set in the paper feed stage of the MFP 101. Here, a guide may be displayed on the UI screen so that the user can set the printed output in the correct direction in the paper feed stage.

  In step S1017, information on the number of copies and the presence / absence of staples stored in the storage device 301 in step S1012 is read. In step S1018, it is determined whether printing for the number of copies read (for example, 5 copies) has been completed. If not completed, printing is performed by transferring and fixing only the transparent image on the printed material after printing in four colors in step S1019. Thereafter, the staple presence / absence information read in step S1017 is determined in step S1020. If it is determined that the staple is present, the stapler 229 performs stapling in units of copies in step S1021. In step S1022, the paper is discharged, and the process returns to step S1018. If it is determined in step S1018 that the number of copies (for example, five copies) has been completed, the print job is completed.

  According to the first embodiment, regardless of whether normal printing or two-pass printing is selected as the output method, the operator is not aware of the settings related to the first pass printing and the settings related to the second pass printing in advance. Settings can be made. Therefore, even when an output method using two-pass printing is selected, it is possible to execute the print setting performed by the operator without any trouble.

  Specifically, it is possible to control so that the staple setting that causes a problem in the second pass printing when executed during the first pass printing is not executed during the first pass printing but only during the second pass printing. it can.

(Example 2)
In the first embodiment, the print settings are the number of copies specification and the staple setting, but in the second embodiment, an example in which the print settings are the layout setting and the punch setting is shown.

  Since the block diagram showing the image processing apparatus in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The MFP in the second embodiment is basically the same as that in the second embodiment, but the finisher portion 228 in FIG. 2 is changed.

In FIG. 12, reference numerals 200 to 227 are the same as those described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 12, reference numeral 1201 denotes a finisher portion connected to 227 (corresponding to the finisher portion 228 in FIG. 2). A punch processing unit 1202 punches the printing paper supplied from 227 one by one, and discharges it to a paper discharge unit 1203. The punch processing unit 1202 can cope with various types of punch holes such as 2-hole, 3-hole, and 4-hole by exchanging a cutter portion for punching. In addition, it is possible to eject the paper to 1203 without punching.

  FIG. 15 shows a flowchart relating to a print setting method that is a feature of the present invention during normal print output processing and two-pass print output processing. FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show examples of screens displayed on the user interface.

  The flowchart of FIG. 15 is executed by a CPU (not shown) installed in the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment.

  Since the processing from step S1501 to step S1503 is the same as the processing from step S1001 to step S1003 of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  As a result of the comparison with the pixel threshold value in step S1503, if the ratio of pixels having a smaller applied amount than the applied amount threshold value to the entire image (input image or image instructed to be printed with transparent toner) is small, step S1504 is performed. Proceed. In step S1504, a screen on which print settings can be selected is displayed on the user interface.

  An example of the screen shown in S1504 is FIG. On the displayed screen, a layout selection radio button 1301, a punching check box 1302, and an execution button 1303 are arranged.

  The user selects a layout from “1 page / sheet”, “2 pages / sheet”, and “4 pages / sheet” with a layout setting selection radio button 1301. For example, a setting of “2 pages / sheet” is selected. Further, the presence / absence of punch is set by a check box 1302 for punch presence / absence. For example, the punch is set. Then, the execution button 1303 is pressed. In step S1505, it is determined whether there is a layout setting (“1 page / sheet” or other). If there is layout setting (other than “1 page / sheet” is selected), in step S1506, layout processing is performed so that the output image is laid out as set. The layout process is a function of rotating and reducing image data for a plurality of pages and re-editing the image for one page by a known method.

  In step S1507, normal print output processing (4 colors + transparent toner print) is executed. In step S1508, it is determined whether there is a punch. If there is a punch, punching is performed for each printing paper using the punch processing unit 1202 in step S1509, and printing is completed.

As a result of the comparison with the pixel threshold value in step S1503, if there are many pixels having an application amount smaller than the application amount threshold value in all images, a screen for selecting a print output method is displayed on the user interface in step S1510.
Therefore, this pixel threshold is a selection criterion for the output method.

  An example of the screen shown in S1510 is FIG. On the displayed screen, 1407 warns that the visual effect of the transparent toner is small. Further, the user can select an output method according to the screen and instruct a subsequent print output method. Furthermore, the user can select a layout setting with a layout selection radio button 1405. Also, by checking a check box 1406 for setting the presence / absence of punch, punch can be set.

  The user selects “2 pages / sheet” with the layout selection radio button 1405, and sets the punch check box 1406 with punch. Thereafter, a button 1401 is pressed, and a button 1403 is pressed. In this case, normal printing is selected in step S1511, and the process branches to step S1505. Then, through the processing from step S1505 to step S1509, layout processing and punching processing are performed so that the output image is laid out as set, and printing is completed. When the user presses the button 1404, the print instruction is canceled in step S1511, and the process ends without printing.

  The user selects “2 pages / sheet” using the layout selection radio button 1405, sets the punch check box 1406 to “with punch”, and then presses the button 1402. When the button 1403 is pressed, 2-pass printing is selected in step S1511. When two-pass printing is selected, first, in step S1512, the layout setting selected by the user and information on the presence / absence of punching are stored in the storage device 301. In step S1513, it is determined whether there is a layout setting (“1 page / sheet” or other). If there is layout setting (other than “1 page / sheet” is selected), in step S1514, layout processing is performed so that the output image is laid out as set. The layout process is a known method, and is a function for re-editing image data for one page by rotating and reducing the image data for a plurality of pages. In step S1515, the MFP 101 performs printing with four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. At this time, the punch setting is always ignored. In step S1516, it is determined whether automatic paper feeding is to be performed. If automatic paper feeding is selected in step S1516, the printed output that has been fixed and printed in four colors is automatically set again in the paper feed stage without being discharged to the paper discharge mechanism of the MFP 101. The As a method of automatically setting the paper feed stage, for example, there is a method of setting the paper again in the paper feed stage without reversing the paper in the reversal pass used at the time of duplex printing.

  On the other hand, if manual is selected in step S1516, the printed output that has been printed in four colors is discharged to the discharge mechanism of the MFP 101. In step S <b> 1517, the user sets the printed output in the paper feed stage of the MFP 101.

  Here, a guide may be displayed on the UI screen so that the user can set the printed output in the correct direction in the paper feed stage.

  In step S1518, the layout setting information saved in the storage device 301 in step S1512 and the punch presence / absence information are read.

  It is determined whether or not the layout setting information read in step S1519 has a layout setting (“1 page / sheet” or other). If there is layout setting (other than “1 page / sheet” is selected), in step S1520, layout processing is performed so that the output image is laid out as set. The layout process is a known method, and is a function for re-editing image data for one page by rotating and reducing the image data for a plurality of pages. In step S1521, printing is performed by transferring and fixing only the transparent image on the printed material after printing in four colors. In step S1522, the punch presence / absence information read in step S1519 is determined. If it is determined that there is a punch, the punch processing unit 1202 performs punching for each printing paper in step S1523, and printing is completed.

  According to the second embodiment, regardless of whether normal printing or two-pass printing is selected as the output method, the operator is not aware of the settings related to the first pass printing and the settings related to the second pass printing in advance. Settings can be made. Therefore, even when an output method using two-pass printing is selected, it is possible to execute the print setting performed by the operator without any trouble. Specifically, it is possible to perform control so that punch setting that causes a problem when printing the second pass when executed during the first pass printing is not executed during the first pass, but only during the second pass. .

(Example 3)
In the first and second embodiments, the image analysis is performed to determine whether the normal printing or the two-pass printing is performed in the ratio of pixels in which the applied amount is less than the threshold in the entire image. You may decide.

  In this case, in the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 and 15 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the processes of steps S1001 to S1009 and steps S1501 to S1509 are omitted, respectively. And a process will be started from step S1010 and step S1510, respectively. In this case, the warning messages 1107 and 1407 are not displayed on the user interfaces shown in FIGS.

  According to the third embodiment, by receiving an instruction from the user, it is possible to determine the printing method of normal printing output or two-pass printing output, and it is necessary to determine the printing method from the applied amount of transparent toner. The processing time required can be shortened.

Example 4
In the first to third embodiments, the user interface in the MFP main body is used, and the print output method and the print setting are separated on the MFP main body side.
The fourth embodiment discloses a method for instructing an output method and print settings on the printer driver side using a user interface on the printer driver on the local PC 102.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the fourth embodiment.

  This flowchart is executed as a printer driver program activated by a CPU (not shown) on the local PC 102 according to the present invention.

  The printer driver program activated on the local PC 102 can print images created by various applications such as a word processor, design, browser, DTP, and presentation creation on the local PC 102.

In step S <b> 1701, the printer driver displays a screen on which the print output method and print settings can be selected on the user interface on the local PC 102.
An example of the screen shown in step S1701 is FIG.

  On the displayed screen, a copy number setting control box 1601, a stapling check box 1602, a print output method selection radio button 1603, and a print execution button 1604 are arranged.

  The user sets the number of copies (for example, 5 copies) in the copy number designation control box 1601. Also, the presence / absence of staples is set by a check box 1602 for staples. (For example, there is stapling) Then, the print output method selection radio button 1603 is used to specify the print output method, and the execution button 1604 is pressed.

  If it is determined in step S1702 that the print output method is normal printing, it is determined in step S1703 whether or not the print data for the number of copies (for example, 5 copies) has been sent to the MFP 101.

  If the sending has not been completed, normal print output processing (4 colors + transparent toner print) is set in step S1704 and the staple setting set in step S1701 (for example, with staple setting) is instructed. The print data is sent to the MFP 101, and the process returns to step S1703.

  If print data for the number of copies (for example, 5 copies) is sent to the MFP 101 in step S1703, the print job on the printer driver side is completed.

  Upon receiving these print data, the MFP 101 executes normal print output processing in which stapling is performed for the designated number of copies.

  If 2-pass printing is selected in step S1702, the number of copies set by the user and the information on the presence or absence of stapling are stored in a storage device (not shown) on the local PC 102 in step S1705.

  In step S1706, it is determined whether transfer of print data for the number of copies (for example, 5 copies) to the MFP 101 has been completed.

  If not completed, in step S1707, print data instructed to print in four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black is sent to the MFP 101, and the process returns to step S1706.

At this time, the MFP 101 is always instructed to “no stapling”.
If the print data transfer for the number of copies (for example, 5 copies) is completed in step S706, the process proceeds to step S1708, and it is determined whether or not automatic paper feeding is performed.

  If automatic paper feeding is selected in step S1708, the printed output that has been fixed and printed in four colors is automatically set to the paper feed stage again without being discharged to the paper discharge mechanism of the MFP 101.

  As a method of automatically setting the paper feed stage, for example, there is a method of setting the paper again in the paper feed stage without reversing the paper in a reversal pass used in duplex printing.

On the other hand, if manual is selected in step S1708, the printed output that has been printed in four colors is discharged to the discharge mechanism of the MFP 101. In step S708, the driver is instructed to instruct the user to set the printed output in the paper feed stage of the MFP 101 on the driver UI.
The user sets the print output in the paper feed stage of the MFP 101 and cancels the driver's sleep state.

  In step S1710, information on the number of copies and the presence / absence of staples stored in a storage device (not shown) on the local PC 102 in step S1705 is read. It is determined whether transfer of print data for the number of copies (for example, 5 copies) read in step S1711 has been completed. If not completed, in step S1711, special toner printing and print data transfer for fixing are performed in order to generate a transparent image on the printed material after printing in four colors. At this time, according to the staple presence / absence information read in step S1710, a staple processing instruction is issued to the MFP 101, and the process returns to step S1711.

  If it is determined in step S1711 that the number of copies (for example, five copies) has been completed, the transfer of the print data is completed. The MFP 101 receives this print data and executes print processing for the designated number of print copies with the designated staple setting.

According to the fourth embodiment, regardless of whether normal printing or two-pass printing is selected as the output method, the operator is conscious of the settings related to the first pass printing and the settings related to the second pass printing from the printer driver in advance. Settings can be made without
Therefore, even when an output method using two-pass printing is selected, it is possible to execute the print setting performed by the operator without any trouble.

(Other embodiments of the present invention)
A processing method for recording the program for operating the configuration of the above-described embodiment so as to realize the function of the above-described embodiment on a recording medium, reading the program stored on the recording medium as a code, and executing the program on the computer is also described above. It is included in the category of the embodiment. In addition to the recording medium storing the above program, the program itself is included in the above embodiment.

  As such a recording medium, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and a ROM can be used.

  In addition, the processing is not limited to a single program recorded on the above-described recording medium, but operates on the OS in cooperation with other software and expansion board functions to execute the operations of the above-described embodiments. This is also included in the category of the embodiment described above.

Claims (9)

Means for performing print settings including a first print setting and a second print setting which is a post-processing setting;
A normal printing unit that executes processing on the image data in accordance with the first print setting, and generates a printed matter that is printed and fixed using a recording agent including a special recording agent;
A process is performed on the image data according to the first print setting, a printed material printed and fixed using a recording agent is generated, and the image data is further processed on the printed material according to the first print setting. A two-pass printing means that generates a printed matter by printing and fixing using a special recording agent,
When the result of analyzing the image data is used and the normal printing is selected by the selection means for selecting either the normal printing or the two-pass printing, and the selection means, the second print setting is When the two-pass printing is selected, the second print setting is printed using the special recording agent. An image processing apparatus that is applied to a fixed printed material.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first print setting is any one of duplex setting, number of copies setting, layout setting, and enlargement / reduction setting.   The second print setting as the post-processing setting is any one of shift processing, stapling processing, saddle stitch processing, folding, bookbinding processing, case binding processing, punch processing, and binder processing. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the special recording agent is a transparent toner. Performing print settings including a first print setting and a second print setting that is a post-processing setting;
A normal printing step of performing processing on the image data in accordance with the first print setting, and generating a printed matter that is printed and fixed using a recording agent including a special recording agent;
A process is performed on the image data according to the first print setting, a printed material printed and fixed using a recording agent is generated, and the image data is further processed on the printed material according to the first print setting. A two-pass printing step in which a printed material is generated by printing and fixing using a special recording agent,
When the result of analyzing the image data is used to select one of the normal printing or the two-pass printing, and the normal printing is selected in the selection step, the second print setting is When the two-pass printing is selected, the second print setting is printed using the special recording agent. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus, wherein the method is applied to a fixed printed material.   6. The method of controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first print setting is any one of duplex setting, number of copies setting, layout setting, and enlargement / reduction setting.   The second print setting as the post-processing setting is any one of shift processing, stapling processing, saddle stitch processing, folding, bookbinding processing, case binding processing, punch processing, and binder processing. The method for controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 5.   8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the special recording agent is a transparent toner. Performing a print setting including a second print setting which is a first print setting and a post-processing setting on a computer;
A normal printing step of performing processing on the image data in accordance with the first print setting, and generating a printed matter that is printed and fixed using a recording agent including a special recording agent;
A process is performed on the image data according to the first print setting, a printed material printed and fixed using a recording agent is generated, and the image data is further processed on the printed material according to the first print setting. A two-pass printing step in which a printed material is generated by printing and fixing using a special recording agent,
And execute
When the result of analyzing the image data is used to select one of the normal printing or the two-pass printing, and the normal printing is selected in the selection step, the second print setting is When the two-pass printing is selected, the second print setting is printed using the special recording agent. A program characterized by being applied to a fixed printed material.