JP2001334700A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor in which the saving quantity of recording agent can be regulated for each image region. SOLUTION: The image processor comprises a section 13a for separating an image into a plurality of regions based on image data, a saving section 13f for regulating the image data for each region in order to alter consumption of recording agent, a region separation accumulating section 15g for recognizing the number of pixels in each region based on the image data, a recording agent consumption calculating section 15e for recognizing the residual quantity of recording agent at an imaging section 14, a saving information storing section 15h having a plurality of regulation modes indicative of the regulating method of image data for each region at the saving section 13f, and a recordable number of sheets predicting section 15c for predicting the number of times of forming the image using the residual quantity of recording agent for each regulation mode when the image data of a relevant image is regulated by applying each regulation mode based on each regulation mode and the number of pixels in each region of the image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus capable of saving the consumption of a recording material and forming an image in accordance with the remaining amount of the recording material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an average amount of recording material used per unit area of a recording paper is calculated as in a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-187963. In some cases, the number of printable sheets is calculated according to the number.

Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-308450, an image area is divided into a black-and-white area and a color area, and a recording material saving mode is set for each image area. Was.

[0004]

When the amount of the recording agent (toner, ink, etc.) becomes low, "I want to output only the photographic area with high quality" or "I want the photographic area to be coarse (thin). There are many cases where the user wants to output a clear text area only. In other words, while maintaining print quality for a given image area,
In some cases, it is desired to reduce the consumption of the recording material as a whole and to perform printing for a required number of sheets within the range of the amount of the remaining recording material.

[0005] Further, when saving the recording material by reducing the consumption of the recording material, the optimal recording material saving method may be different between the character area and the photographic area.

However, in the technique disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-187963, in order to calculate the number of printable sheets when the saving function is used, it is possible to print under the condition that the entire image is uniformly thinned out. I could only calculate the number. Under such printing conditions in which the entire image is uniformly thinned out, the above-described printing conditions in accordance with the user's request cannot be realized. Furthermore, if it is attempted to set the printing material saving conditions for each image area based on the calculation result, it is not possible to know how much printing material is saved with respect to the average usage amount, so that the number of printable sheets can be calculated correctly. Disappears.

According to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-308450, when an image to be printed includes a black and white photograph or the like, the image is treated in the same manner as a character area. Therefore, the setting as requested by the user could not be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an image processing apparatus capable of adjusting the degree of saving of a recording material for each image area. Further, in this image processing apparatus, by allowing the user to recognize the number of printable sheets according to the degree of saving of the recording material for each image area, the user can minimize the remaining amount of the recording material according to the user's wishes. It is possible to maintain the print quality and secure the number of prints.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention performs processing on image data and performs processing on an image forming section for forming an image using a recording agent. An image processing apparatus for transmitting image data, comprising: an area separating unit configured to separate the image into a plurality of areas having different attributes based on a density change of the image indicated by the image data; To change the consumption,
A data adjusting unit for adjusting image data for each of the regions.

According to the above arrangement, the image is separated into a plurality of regions having different attributes based on the density change (for example, a character region (including a line image region) and a non-character region (a photograph region,
Including the gradation image area). Then, the image data (particularly density information) is adjusted for each area in order to change the recording material consumption.

With this configuration, when the recording material is insufficient, the use conditions of the recording material such as density can be set according to the required image quality for each character area / non-character area. In other words, high quality image quality is maintained by preferentially allocating the recording material to the important region of the character region / non-character region and performing image formation as usual. In addition, the use of the recording material is suppressed for an area that is not regarded as important, or the area is deleted to save consumption of the recording material.

[0012] This makes it possible to use the recording material effectively by balancing the image quality and the number of image formations (the number of prints), to maintain the minimum required image quality, and to secure the required number of image formations. Becomes possible.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is the image processing apparatus described above, further comprising: a mode information storage unit storing a plurality of adjustment modes indicating a method of adjusting image data for each area by the data adjustment unit; It is preferable that the apparatus further comprises a mode designating unit that allows a user to designate an adjustment mode to be applied from among the adjustment modes stored in the mode information storage unit.

In the above configuration, an adjustment method suitable for each area when adjusting image data is set in the mode information storage unit as an adjustment mode. Then, the adjustment mode to be applied can be designated by the mode designation unit. Therefore, the user can make appropriate adjustments to the image data for each area by designating the adjustment mode with the mode designating unit. Therefore, the operability of the image processing device can be improved.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is the image processing apparatus provided with the mode information storage section, further comprising: an area recognition section for recognizing the number of pixels of each area based on image data; A recording agent remaining amount recognizing unit that recognizes the remaining amount of the recording agent included in each of the adjustment modes stored in the mode information storage unit and the number of pixels of each area of the image recognized by the area recognizing unit. When the image data of the image is adjusted by applying each of the adjustment modes, the number of times that the image can be formed by the remaining amount of the recording material recognized by the remaining amount of recording material recognition unit is determined. A prediction unit that predicts each adjustment mode.

According to the above arrangement, the remaining amount of the recording material in the image forming unit is recognized by the remaining amount of recording material recognition unit. Also,
The region recognition unit recognizes the number of pixels in each region of the image based on the image data. Then, based on the number of pixels of each area recognized by the area recognition unit and the adjustment method set for each adjustment mode stored in the mode information storage unit,
The prediction unit predicts the number of times the image can be recorded with the recognized remaining amount of the recording material for each adjustment mode.

With this configuration, it is possible to estimate the consumption amount of the recording material required for printing each area by considering the number of pixels in each area. In addition, by considering each adjustment mode, it is possible to estimate the saving amount of the consumption of the recording material in each area when each adjustment mode is applied. Thus, the number of times that the image can be formed (the number of printable copies) can be predicted for each mode by the prediction unit.

Thus, the user can be notified of the number of printable copies in each adjustment mode. Therefore, in a case where the recording material is insufficient, which adjustment mode is selected and how much the recording material is saved, the remaining recording material can record an image as many times as necessary, or the required image quality can be reduced. When maintained, the user can recognize how many times the image can be formed.

In the above configuration, the above prediction can be made based on the relationship between the adjustment methods indicated in each adjustment mode. Therefore, in order to predict the number of printable copies in each adjustment mode, image data adjusted based on each adjustment mode does not have to be created. Thereby, the processing of the image data can be simplified.

Further, in the above configuration, the above prediction can be made by obtaining image data by prescanning an image without actually forming an image. Therefore, test printing or the like is not required, so that the processing time can be shortened and the waste of the recording agent can be suppressed.

Alternatively, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is the image processing apparatus provided with the mode information storage section, further comprising: an area recognizing section for recognizing the number of pixels of each area based on image data; A recording material consumption recognition unit that recognizes a consumption amount of the recording material consumed by forming an image in the forming unit; a recording material remaining amount recognition unit that recognizes a remaining amount of the recording material included in the image forming unit; When the image forming unit forms an image, each adjustment mode stored in the mode information storage unit, the number of pixels of each region of the image recognized by the region recognition unit, and the recording material consumption recognition unit Based on the consumption of the recording material consumed to form the image recognized in the above, when the image data of the image is adjusted by applying each of the adjustment modes, the recording material remaining amount recognition unit Recognized remaining amount of recording agent Ri is preferably a number of times capable of further forming the image and a, a prediction unit that predicts for each of the respective adjustment mode.

According to the above configuration, in addition to the above-described adjustment modes and the number of pixels in each area of the image, the image is taken into consideration in consideration of the consumption of the recording material when the image is actually formed. The number of possible formations is predicted for each mode by the prediction unit. That is, the predicting unit estimates the consumption of the recording material in the other adjustment mode from the consumption of the recording material consumed when an image is actually formed in one adjustment mode. The number of possible formations can be predicted.

In this configuration, by actually forming an image, a more accurate prediction can be performed as compared with a case where the consumption of the recording material is estimated from the image data.

Alternatively, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, in the image processing apparatus having the mode information storage unit, further recognizes a consumption amount of a recording agent consumed by forming an image in the image forming unit. A recording material consumption recognizing unit, a recording material remaining amount recognizing unit that recognizes the remaining amount of the recording material included in the image forming unit, an area recognizing unit that recognizes the number of pixels of each area based on image data, When the image forming unit forms an image, storage for cumulatively storing the consumption amount of the recording material recognized by the recording material consumption recognition unit and the number of pixels of each region recognized by the region recognition unit. Unit, based on the recording material consumption and the number of pixels of each region cumulatively stored in the storage unit, based on the average recording material consumption of the recording material per unit area of each region and the number of pixels of each region Is calculated, and this calculation result And based on each adjustment mode stored in the mode information storage unit, when the adjustment of the image data is performed by applying each of the adjustment modes, the recording material recognized by the recording material remaining amount recognition unit. A prediction unit that predicts the average number of times an image can be formed based on the remaining amount for each of the adjustment modes.

According to the above configuration, unlike the case where a certain image is assumed and the number of recordable times of the image is estimated as described above, based on each adjustment mode and the history of the processing performed by the apparatus. The prediction unit predicts the average number of times an image can be formed for each mode. That is, the apparatus recognizes the tendency from the history of images processed up to that point, and predicts the approximate number of recordable times in each adjustment mode for each image size (size, area) to inform the user. Can be. As a result, the user can immediately recognize the approximate number of recordable times at that time, thereby simplifying the operation.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention is the image processing apparatus having the above-described prediction unit, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying a user of information, wherein the image forming unit outputs the same image a plurality of times. When forming the image, it is preferable that the prediction unit performs the prediction of the number of times that the image can be formed a plurality of times, and, when the prediction is changed, notifies the notification via the notification unit.

In the above configuration, when the image is actually recorded a plurality of times in the set adjustment mode, when there is a discrepancy in the prediction, that is, when the initially predicted number of possible formations and the actual image recording are different. When a gap occurs (especially, when the number of possible formations becomes smaller than the number of possible formations initially predicted), the fact is notified. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from being unable to form an image a predetermined number of times by changing the setting to the adjustment mode in which the saving of the recording material is further enhanced. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably form the required number of images.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is the image processing apparatus provided with the above-mentioned prediction section, further comprising: a number setting section in which the number of times of forming an image is set by a user; Among the prediction results, a discriminator for discriminating between a number exceeding the number set in the number setting unit and a number less than the number set in the number setting unit, and a display for displaying a result of the discrimination by the discrimination unit. And a unit.

In the above-described configuration, the adjustment modes in which an image can be formed more than the number of times set by the user can be displayed by, for example, displaying a list. As a result, the adjustment mode in which the user can form an image as many times as desired by the remaining recording material can be displayed, and only the options that are meaningful to the user can be displayed. Further, it is preferable that the display unit further displays a prediction result for each adjustment mode by the prediction unit.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention, in the image processing apparatus having the mode information storage unit, further includes storing the image data in the plurality of adjustment modes so as not to record a predetermined area of the image. Preferably, a delete mode for adjustment is included.

In the above configuration, the adjustment mode includes a deletion mode in which the output of image data for a predetermined area is stopped and the image of the area is not formed. Thus, for example, when the necessary portion is only the character region or only the non-character region, the other portions are deleted without being printed, so that the recording material can be more effectively saved.

[0032]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A color copying machine as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(1) Configuration of Operation Panel FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation panel 2 of the present color copying machine (digital copying machine). The operation panel 2 includes a display section (notification section) 4 for displaying various information of the color copying machine, and an operation switch section 6 for operating the color copying machine.

The display unit 4 displays information such as the number of recordable images and the type of print mode, which will be described later, in addition to the information displayed by a normal color copying machine.

The operation switch section 6 is provided with various keys for operating the color copying machine. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the operation switch unit 6. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the operation switch unit 6. The operation switch section 6 includes a print number setting key (number setting section) 6a for setting the number of print (recording) sheets, a print mode switching key (mode designating section) 6b for switching a print mode, and a prescan for executing a prescan. Operation switches such as a start key 6c, a copy start key 6d for executing actual printing, and a cursor key 6e for operating a cursor on the display unit 4 (see FIG. 2) are provided.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a state in which the display unit 4 displays the number of recordable images and the print mode that can be set.
Here, as a print mode (adjustment mode), a “normal mode” is set for each of a character area (including a line image area) and a non-character area (including a photograph area and a gradation area).
Each mode of “saving mode” and “deletion mode” is displayed.

Here, the "normal mode" is a print mode in which normal recording (printing) is performed on a read document image. The “saving mode” for non-character areas is
In this mode, the entire image is thinned on average by performing a process of thinning out pixels. The "saving mode" for character areas is similar to non-character areas in that it is processed to make the characters thinner on average, as well as the process of recording only the edges of the characters to make them hollow, or to thin the lines that make up the characters. This is a mode in which processing set in advance is performed from among these. The “delete mode” is a mode in which recording is not performed on an area in which this mode is set. However, if "delete mode" is selected for both the character area and the non-character area, there is no image to be recorded, so that such selection cannot be made.

The setting of the image processing in each of these print modes is made in the mode-specific saving information storage section 15h described later.
(See FIG. 1 described later).

As print modes combining these print modes, there are eight print modes (except when both areas are deleted). The display unit 4 displays 8
In correspondence with each of the print modes, the recordable number of sheets when a document image is recorded in the print mode is displayed.

(2) Image Data Processing Circuit Configuration Next, an image data processing circuit of the present color copying machine will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present color copying machine.

A document image placed on a document table (not shown) is read by an image reading unit including a CCD line image sensor (not shown), an analog / digital converter (not shown), and the like. 12 (document input). In the image reading section 12, document image data (hereinafter, simply referred to as "image data") is formed based on the read document image. This image data is sent to the image processing unit 13.

In the image processing section 13, first, the area separating section 13
In a, a region separation process is performed. In this area separation processing, the original image is distinguished for each of the character area and the non-character area based on the density change of the image data. That is,
An area without a sharp density gradient (rising edge) in the image is determined to be a photographic area, that is, a non-character area, and a rising edge is detected and determined to be a character area.
In addition, repetition of pixels having a periodic density is detected to determine that the area is a halftone dot area, that is, a non-character area. Here, the image is distinguished into a character region and a non-character region, but may be distinguished by other criteria.

The above-described determination results are output from the color correction section 13b to the halftone correction section 13 as area separation data (image data).
In addition to being used to perform image processing suitable for each area in each section of e, it is also sent to an area separation and accumulation processing section 15g described later. The area separation data is data indicating, for each pixel constituting the image, which area the pixel belongs to.

The divided image data includes
The following processing is sequentially performed in each unit. First, the color correction unit 13b performs color correction such as γ correction. Subsequently, black image data for a black region in the image is generated in the black generation unit 13c. Further, the filter unit 13d
In, for example, a filtering process such as edge enhancement is performed on a character region, and a smoothing process or the like is performed on a non-character region. Then, after the halftone correction is performed by the halftone correction unit 13e, the image is output to the image forming unit 14.

The black generator 13c and the filter 13
A saving processing unit (data adjusting unit) 13f is connected to d and the halftone correcting unit 13e. The saving processing unit 13f adjusts the image data in each processing in the black generation unit 13c, the filter unit 13d, and the halftone correction unit 13e, so that the image data in the “saving mode” or the “deletion mode” (particularly, Density information) can be converted. The control by the saving processing unit 13f is performed based on information from a mode-specific saving information storage unit 15h described later.

The image forming section 14 is composed of, for example, a laser beam printer, an ink jet printer, or the like, and forms an image based on image data on a recording paper (recording medium) or the like and outputs the image.

The operations of the image reading section 12, the image processing section 13 and the image forming section 14 are controlled by a control section 15 implemented by a microcomputer or the like. The control unit 15 is connected to the user interface 5 including the display unit 4 and the operation switch unit 6, and a storage unit 19 for storing various data described below.

The control unit 15 includes a mode designation / paper designation unit 1
5a, number-of-sheets condition narrowing-down unit (determination unit) 15b, recordable number prediction unit (prediction unit) 15c, prediction storage unit 15d, recording material consumption calculation unit (recording material consumption recognition unit) 15e, recording material remaining amount calculation unit It has a (recording agent remaining amount recognizing unit) 15f, a region separation and accumulation processing unit (region recognizing unit) 15g, and a mode-specific saving information storage unit (mode information storage unit) 15h.

The mode designation / paper designation section 15a includes a display section 4 as a user interface 5 and an operation switch section 6.
The user can set the print mode and the paper to be used via the cursor key (mode designating unit) 6e (see FIG. 3) of the user, and recognize the setting when the setting is performed.

The recording material consumption calculator 15e calculates the consumption of the recording material (toner, ink, etc.) consumed for forming an image. The calculation method is based on area separation data read by the image reading unit 12, subjected to area separation and the like by the image processing unit 13, and subjected to area separation and accumulation processing in an area separation and accumulation processing unit 15g described below. This is to calculate the amount of the recording agent consumed when forming the image. Further, when an image is actually formed, the consumption of the recording material may be calculated from the amount of the recording material actually consumed by the formation of the image. Further, the average amount of the recording material consumed per unit area calculated based on the history of image formation performed in the past and the area of the image to be formed, the amount of the recording material consumed when forming the image, It may be calculated. Then, the recording material consumption calculation unit 15e adds the calculated consumption of the recording material to the consumption of the recording material consumed up to that point, and stores the sum in the storage unit 19 as the cumulative recording material consumption.

The recording agent remaining amount calculation unit 15f recognizes the remaining amount of the recording agent, and stores the result in the storage unit 19. In order to recognize the remaining amount of the recording agent in the recording agent remaining amount calculation unit 15f, the remaining amount of the recording agent is detected in a recording agent storage unit (toner hopper, ink tank, etc.) (not shown) for storing the recording agent. A sensor may be provided and based on the detection result. It is also possible to recognize the remaining amount of the recording agent based on the initial amount of the recording agent and the total amount of the recording agent consumed from the initial stage to that point. Then, the recording agent remaining amount calculation unit 15f causes the storage unit 19 to store the remaining amount of the recording agent at that time as the remaining amount of the recording agent.

The segmentation and accumulation processing unit 15g, based on the segmentation data read by the image reading unit 12 and subjected to segmentation and the like by the image processing unit 13, generates a character region, a non-character region, and a character region. Each region in the image, such as an edge portion of a character, is distinguished, and the size of each region in the image is recognized. Specifically, for each region in the image, the number of pixels belonging to each region is recognized (region separation cumulative processing). In addition, the area separation and accumulation processing unit 15g
Adds, for each region, the result of the region separation and accumulation process to the result of the region separation and accumulation process for each pixel for which image formation has been performed up to that point, and stores the result in the storage unit 1 as region separation and addition data.
9 is stored. Note that the segmentation and accumulation process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

The mode-specific saving information storage section 15h stores information for setting how to adjust the use of the recording material in each of the print modes when an image is formed. That is, in each print mode, the processing contents defining the processing to be performed on the image data are stored. The mode-specific saving information storage unit 15h stores processing contents (adjustment of image data for each area with respect to image data) corresponding to the print mode set by the user via the user interface 5 in the mode designation / sheet designation unit 15a. Method) to the saving processing unit 13f in the image processing unit 13.
Output to

The contents of this processing are as follows. Among the above-described print modes, the “saving mode” includes a process for thinning out pixels in order to make the entire area lighter on average for the non-character region, and a process for thinning out pixels for the character region. There are a process of making a character, a process of thinning a line constituting the character, and the like. As for the “deletion mode”, a process of setting the densities of all pixels in an area in which this mode is set to 0 can be considered.

The mode-specific saving information storage unit 15h also stores, for each printing mode, the amount (proportion) of the recording material that can be saved when an image is formed in each printing mode.

The recordable sheet number estimating unit 15c includes a recording agent consumption amount for an image to be formed obtained by the recording agent consumption amount calculation unit 15e and a recording agent remaining amount obtained by the recording agent remaining amount calculation unit 15f at that time. The printable number of sheets is predicted for each print mode based on the amount, the recording material saving amount for each print mode stored in the mode-specific saving information storage unit 15h, and the like. Then, the prediction result is stored in the prediction storage unit 15d.

The number-of-sheets condition narrowing-down unit 15b is adapted for each print mode based on the prediction result of the recordable number prediction unit 15c stored in the prediction storage unit 15d and the number of recordings specified by the user via the user interface 5. Then, it is determined for each mode whether or not it is possible to record the set number of recordings.

As described above, the storage unit 19 stores the total amount of the recording material consumed by the recording material consumption calculating unit 15e, the remaining amount of the recording material by the remaining recording material calculating unit 15f, and the region separation by the region separation total processing unit 15g. Various data such as addition data is stored. Note that the recording material consumption total, the area separation addition data, and the like are reset at a predetermined time when replenishment of the recording material is performed.

The image processing unit 13, the control unit 15, the storage unit 19, and the user interface 5 constitute an image processing device.

(3) Accumulation process of segmentation Next, the accumulation process of segmentation in the segmentation accumulation processing unit 15g (see FIG. 1) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the area separation and accumulation processing. In the following,
Image data and area separation data (image data) are composed of pixel data arranged in a matrix with the main scanning direction of the image reading unit 12 (see FIG. 1) as the row direction and the sub-scanning direction as the column direction. The pixel data included in one row is particularly referred to as a “line”.

First, attention is paid to the first line of the area separation data read by the image reading unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 and subjected to the area separation processing by the area separation unit 13a of the image processing unit 13 (hereinafter, this line). Is referred to as a “line of interest”) (step S31).

Then, it is determined whether or not the line of interest is the last line (step S32). If the line of interest is the last line, the process proceeds to step S34; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S33. Step S33
Then, if the above-described region separation processing has not been completed for the line next to the line of interest, the process waits until the processing is completed. This is because information on lines before and after the line of interest is required in steps S37 and S38 to be described later. Then, when it is confirmed that the above-described region separation processing has been completed for the next line, the process proceeds to step S34.

In step S34, attention is paid to the first pixel of the line of interest (hereinafter, the pixel of interest is referred to as "pixel of interest"). Then, in step S35, the type (attribute) of the area to which the target pixel belongs is determined. Examples of the type of region include a character region, a halftone dot region (non-character region), a photograph region (non-character region), and other regions (such as a blank region). To determine the type of this area,
The area separation data of the area separation unit 13a is used.

Then, in step S36, the number of pixels corresponding to each area is counted for each area. That is, the count value of the area to which the pixel of interest belongs is incremented by one. This counting is performed by a counter provided for each area in the area separation and accumulation processing unit 15g (see FIG. 1).

Here, if the pixel of interest belongs to the character area, it is determined whether or not the pixel further belongs to the edge (contour) of the character. For this purpose, it may be determined whether or not there is a pixel belonging to an area other than the character area in the vicinity of the target pixel (pixel adjacent to the target pixel in the row direction or the column direction). Then, if a pixel belonging to an area other than the character area exists, it is determined that the pixel is not a character edge. If not, it is determined that the pixel is not a character edge (step S3).
7). If the pixel of interest is a character edge, the pixel is counted as a character edge in the same manner as the counting of each area (step S38).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, of the pixels (20 pixels) belonging to the character area, the pixels (15 pixels) adjacent to the pixels (80 pixels) belonging to other areas
(Shaded portions in FIG. 5) are the edges of the character. Here, FIG.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an image area. When the “saving mode” is set for the character area, it is possible to set so that only the edge of the character (15 pixels) is recorded in the character area (20 pixels). At this time, the number of pixels for which the recording material is saved is 5.

Returning to FIG. 4, after performing each of the above-mentioned counting, it is determined whether or not the target pixel is the last pixel (final pixel) of the target line (step S39). If the target pixel is not the last pixel of the target line, the process from step S35 is performed with the next pixel as the target pixel (step S43).

If the target pixel is the last pixel of the target line, it is determined whether or not the target line is the last line (final line) of the segmented data (step S40). If the target line is not the last line, the next line is set as the target line (step S44).
The processing after step S32 is performed. If the line of interest is the last line, the process proceeds to step S41.

In step S41, the count values in steps S36 and S38 are converted to calculate segmentation total data representing the size (area, number of pixels) of each region constituting the image. Then, step S4
2, the storage unit 1 stores the area-separated cumulative data for each area.
9 (see FIG. 1).

The area separation total data obtained as described above, the processing contents for each print mode stored in the mode-specific saving information storage section 15h, and the recording material remaining amount calculation section 15f
Based on the remaining amount of recording agent at that time determined in
The above-described recordable number prediction unit 15c predicts the number of recordable images.

Next, a description will be given of first to fourth embodiments of the overall processing at the time of image formation in this color copying machine.

[Embodiment 1] A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 6 and 10. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the image forming process according to the first embodiment. Note that the broken lines in the flowchart of FIG. 6 indicate the flow of data (the same applies to FIGS. 7 to 9).

The image data read by the image reading unit 12 (Step S11) and input to the image processing unit 13 are subjected to processing up to area separation according to normal image processing (Step S12). Then, an area separation process is performed in the area separation unit 13a (step S13). The image data subjected to the area separation processing is supplied to the color correction unit 13.
b, sequentially sent to the black generation unit 13c, the filter unit 13d, and the halftone correction unit 13e, and subjected to image processing after the above-described area separation (step S14).

If the user has set the "saving mode" or the "deletion mode" in any area by switching the print mode, the mode designation / paper designation unit 15a in the control unit 15 sets the setting. Are aware of
Based on this setting, mode-specific saving information corresponding to the set print mode is sent from the mode-specific saving information storage unit 15h to the saving processing unit 13f. Then, the black generation unit 13
c, the filter unit 13d, and the halftone correction unit 13e
The image data is converted (adjusted) according to the set print mode.

The image data subjected to the image processing in step S 14 is sent to the image forming section 14. And
The image forming section 14 forms (prints) an image based on the image data (step S19). In step S19, after the image formation is completed, the remaining amount of the printing material is calculated by the printing material remaining amount calculation unit 15f, and the printing material actually consumed in the image formation is calculated by the printing material consumption amount calculation unit 15e. Find consumption.

After step S13, the following steps are executed in parallel with the above steps. Here, when the area separation processing is performed on the image data in step S13, the area separation data is generated, and the area separation data is sent to the area separation total processing unit 15g.

When the segmentation data is sent to the segmentation accumulation processing section 15g, the segmentation accumulation process (step S15) described in the above (3) is performed. As a result, the above-described region separation total data for each region is calculated.

In step S16, based on the area-separated total data calculated in step S15 and the mode-specific saving information of each printing mode stored in the mode-specific saving information storage unit 15h, each area has its own size. The printing material consumption calculator 15e calculates the consumption of the printing material consumed to form the image when the print mode is set. Further, based on the calculated recording material consumption, the ratio of the recording material consumption in each printing mode is calculated by the recording material consumption calculation unit 1.
5e.

The calculation result in step S16 is sent to the recordable number prediction unit 15c. In the recordable number predicting unit 15c, the recording material consumption actually consumed in the image formation obtained by the recording material consumption calculating unit 15e in step S19 and the recording material consumption calculating unit 15e calculates in step S16. The printable number of sheets for each print mode is predicted based on the ratio of the recording material consumption amount in each print mode and the remaining amount of the recording material obtained by the recording material remaining amount calculation unit 15f in step S19 (step S17). . This prediction result is displayed on the display unit 4 for each saving mode (step S18).

Here, printing was actually performed only in one print mode. However, since the ratio of the recording material consumption in each printing mode is calculated by the recording material consumption calculating unit 15e in step S16, the recording material consumption in each printing mode in which printing is not actually performed is based on this. The amount can be estimated.

The reason is as follows. The consumption of the recording agent can be predicted for each area. For example,
In the case of a character area, the entire area is recorded at a substantially constant density (for example, the maximum density). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, if the pixel ratio of the edge portion in the character region to the other central portion is known,
It is possible to obtain the ratio of the remaining pixels when thinning or whitening is performed, and it is possible to estimate the recording material consumption in each print mode.

In a non-character area, for example, even when each pixel expresses a multi-valued density, the density of each pixel is reduced at a fixed rate or the pixels are uniformly changed in each print mode. When processing such as thinning is performed, since the density distribution of the original image and the density distribution of the processed image match, the recording material can be saved at a fixed ratio for each print mode regardless of the density distribution, The recording material consumption amount in each print mode can be estimated. In some cases, more accurate estimation can be performed by considering the density of each pixel.

The prediction result displayed on the display unit 4 is, for example, as shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a display on the display unit 4. In this display, the print mode for the photograph area (non-character area) is displayed in the horizontal direction, and the print mode for the character area is displayed in the vertical direction. In each area, there are three modes: a “normal mode” in which recording is not performed without saving the recording material, a “saving mode” in which recording is performed while saving the recording material, and a “delete mode” in which the area is not recorded. Is provided. Then, the number of printable sheets when each mode is selected to form the image is displayed by a numeral.

In the case of this display, saving the photograph area rather than the character area has a greater saving effect. On this screen, the cursor (broken line in FIG. 10) is moved to a desired print mode using the cursor key 6e (see FIG. 3), and the copy start key 6d (see FIG. 3) is pressed. Printing is performed.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. FIG.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an image forming process according to the second embodiment. Steps that perform the same processing as the steps described with reference to FIG. 6 in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 6, and description thereof is omitted.

In the case of the present embodiment, the actual image formation is not performed, but the process of only predicting and displaying the recordable number of the read original images is performed. In this embodiment, steps S11 to S13 are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Then, step S13
As the subsequent processing, step S14 and step S19 in the first embodiment are not performed, and step S15
And only step S18 is performed.

That is, in this embodiment, when the user presses the pre-scan start key 6c (see FIG. 3), the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed up to the area separation processing in step S13. The image data after the region separation processing is not sent to the image processing blocks (the color correction unit 13b, the black generation unit 13c, the filter unit 13d, and the halftone correction unit 13e), and only the region separation cumulative data is used. Send to processing unit 15g. Then, in step S15, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed to calculate area separation data when each print mode is set for each area of the prescanned image.

Then, in step S16 ', based on the area separation data calculated in step S15 and the mode-specific saving information of each printing mode stored in the mode-specific saving information storage section 15h, the respective printing modes are set. Is calculated. In step S16 ′ of the present embodiment, the recording material consumption calculating unit 15e
When actually forming a prescanned document image in each print mode based on the result of the region separation and accumulation processing, the recording material consumption amount for each print mode is predicted.

Then, the number of printable sheets is predicted from the printing material consumption amount calculated for each print mode and the remaining amount of printing material stored in the storage unit 19 (step S17). A display similar to that shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 4 (step S18).

Also, as in the case of the first embodiment,
When the cursor is moved to a desired mode using the cursor key 6e shown in FIG. 3 and the copy start key 6d is pressed, printing is performed in the set print mode.

Third Embodiment A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and based on FIG. FIG.
11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an image forming process according to the third embodiment. Steps in the first or second embodiment that perform processing equivalent to the steps described with reference to FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 6 or FIG. Is omitted.

In the case of the present embodiment, instead of using the immediately preceding input image or the segmentation data obtained by the pre-scan, the average value of the segmentation addition data stored in the storage unit 19 is calculated by the segmentation accumulation processing unit (predictor). Part) 15g or the like (step S20). Specifically, the ratio of each area is obtained from the accumulated value of the area of each area stored in the storage unit 19. Then, from the ratio and the cumulative value of the recording material consumption stored in the storage unit 19, the average recording material consumption per unit area in each region is obtained.
Based on the ratio of each area, the average printing material consumption per unit area in each area, and the mode-specific saving information, the printing material consumption in each printing mode is calculated (step S16 '). ).

Then, the number of printable sheets is predicted based on the printing material consumption calculated for each print mode in step S16 'and the remaining amount of printing material stored in the storage unit 19 (step S17). A display similar to that of FIG. 10 in the first embodiment is displayed on the display unit 4 (step S
18).

Also, as in the case of the first embodiment,
When the cursor is moved to a desired mode using the cursor key 6e shown in FIG. 3 and the copy start key 6d is pressed, printing is performed in the set print mode.

[Embodiment 4] A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 9, FIG. 11 and FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the image forming process according to the fourth embodiment. The first
Steps that perform the same processing as the steps described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 6 to 8, and description thereof is omitted.

In the case of the present embodiment, the number of prints set by the user with the number-of-prints setting key 6a (see FIG. 3) of the operation switch unit 6 is determined by using the immediately preceding input image or the area separation data obtained by the prescan. The print modes that can be printed with the remaining recording agent are narrowed down. The display unit 4 displays the number of printable sheets only for the print mode that can be specified.
Is displayed as shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing another example of the display on the display unit 4.

In this embodiment, the processing of steps S11 to S13 is performed in the same manner as in the first or second embodiment. After that, the data is not sent to the image processing blocks (the color correction unit 13b, the black generation unit 13c, the filter unit 13d, and the halftone correction unit 13e) after the region separation, but is sent only to the region separation cumulative processing unit 15g. Then, the region separation and accumulation processing unit 15
In g, the segmentation accumulation processing (step S15) described in (3) above is performed. Then, step S1
In step 5, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed to calculate area separation data when each print mode is set for each area of the prescanned image.

Then, in step S16 ', based on the area separation data calculated in step S15 and the mode-specific saving information of each printing mode stored in the mode-specific saving information storage unit 15h, each printing mode is set. Is calculated.

In step S21, based on the recording material consumption amount calculated in step S16 ', the remaining amount of the recording material stored in the storage unit 19, and the number of prints set by the user, the number condition narrowing unit 15b performs the operation. A print mode capable of printing the set number of prints is narrowed down. Then, in step S22, step S21
Is displayed on the display unit 4 (see FIG. 2).

The display of the narrowed-down result is shown in FIG.
It is as shown in. The set number (in FIG. 11,
(500 sheets) cannot be printed, that is, in a print mode in which the number of printable sheets is smaller than the set number of print sheets, the number of printable sheets is not displayed. Further, the cursor (broken line in FIG. 11) cannot be moved in such a print mode, and the user cannot set such a print mode.

Therefore, the user can select a print mode in which the number of printable sheets is displayed, that is, a print mode in which the set number of sheets can be printed, and perform actual printing. In FIG. 11, the printable number is not displayed for the print mode in which the set number (500 sheets) cannot be printed, but it is clearly indicated that the set number cannot be printed (for example, reverse display or half-brightness). (Display etc.) The number of printable sheets may be displayed.

It is preferable to appropriately predict the number of printable sheets during actual printing. If it is detected that the actual amount of the recording material consumed is higher than the predicted amount of the recording material consumption calculated based on the area separation total data, the printing is stopped by stopping the printing. This may be notified to the user on the display unit 4 (see FIG. 2) or the like, the print modes that can be set are narrowed down again, and the user may be notified to select the print mode again.

FIG. 12 shows that 200 out of the set number of 500 sheets
This shows a case where it is detected that the actual amount of the recording material consumed is higher than the predicted amount of the recording material consumed at the time when the sheet is printed. In this display, the number of printable sheets is updated, and the print mode that can be set again is narrowed down. As a result, the print mode of the photograph area: normal mode and the character area: delete mode cannot be newly set. Has become.

Here, the case where printing is stopped when 200 sheets have been printed has been described, but even when several sheets (one or two sheets) have been printed, a more accurate consumption of the recording material is recognized. Therefore, printing may be stopped at that time.

Each process described in the present embodiment is also applicable to the above-described first to third embodiments.

[0106]

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, based on a change in density of an image represented by image data, an area separating section for separating the image into a plurality of areas having different attributes, and an image forming apparatus. In order to change the consumption of the recording agent when
And a data adjusting unit that adjusts image data for each area.

According to the above arrangement, an image is separated into a plurality of areas having different attributes based on a change in density. Then, the image data is adjusted for each area in order to change the recording material consumption.

With this configuration, when the recording material is insufficient, the use conditions of the recording material such as the density can be set for each area according to the required image quality.
In other words, the recording material is preferentially allocated to the region regarded as important in each region, and the image quality is maintained at high quality. In addition, the consumption of the recording material is reduced by suppressing the use of the recording material in an area that is not regarded as important. Thereby, the recording agent is effectively used while balancing the image quality and the number of times of image formation.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is the image processing apparatus described above, further comprising: a mode information storage section storing a plurality of adjustment modes indicating a method of adjusting image data for each area by the data adjustment section; A mode designating unit that allows a user to designate an adjustment mode to be applied from the adjustment modes;
It is preferable to have.

In the above configuration, an adjustment method suitable for each area when adjusting image data is set in the mode information storage unit as an adjustment mode. Then, the adjustment mode to be applied can be designated by the mode designation unit. Therefore, the operability of the image processing device can be improved.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is the image processing apparatus provided with the mode information storage section described above, further comprising an area recognition section for recognizing the number of pixels of each area based on image data, and an image forming section. A recording agent remaining amount recognizing unit for recognizing the remaining amount of the recording agent and, based on each adjustment mode and the number of pixels in each area, recording when the image data of the image is adjusted by applying each adjustment mode. A prediction unit that predicts, for each adjustment mode, the number of times the image can be formed based on the remaining amount of the agent.

With this configuration, it is possible to estimate the consumption amount of the recording material required for printing each area by considering the number of pixels in each area. In addition, by considering each adjustment mode, it is possible to estimate the saving amount of the consumption of the recording material in each area when each adjustment mode is applied. Thus, the number of times the image can be formed can be predicted for each mode by the prediction unit.

Alternatively, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is the image processing apparatus provided with the mode information storage section, further comprising: an area recognition section for recognizing the number of pixels of each area based on the image data; A recording material consumption recognizing unit that recognizes a consumption amount of the recording material consumed by the formation of the image,
A recording agent remaining amount recognizing unit that recognizes the remaining amount of the recording agent included in the image forming unit; and, when the image forming unit forms an image, each adjustment mode, the number of pixels in each area of the image, and When the image data of the image is adjusted by applying each of the adjustment modes based on the consumed amount of the recording material, the amount of the recording material recognized by the recording material remaining amount recognition unit is used to adjust the image. And a prediction unit that predicts the number of times that can be further formed for each adjustment mode.

In the above configuration, the predicting unit estimates the amount of printing material consumed in another adjustment mode from the amount of printing material consumed when an image is actually formed in one adjustment mode. The number of times the image can be formed in the adjustment mode can be predicted. Therefore, more accurate prediction can be performed as compared with the case where the consumption amount of the recording material is estimated from the image data.

Alternatively, according to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus having the above-mentioned mode information storage unit, further comprising a recording unit for recognizing an amount of the recording material consumed by forming an image in the image forming unit. An agent recognizing unit, a recording agent remaining amount recognizing unit for recognizing the remaining amount of the recording agent included in the image forming unit, an area recognizing unit for recognizing the number of pixels of each area based on the image data, and an image forming unit. When an image is formed, a storage unit that accumulatively stores the consumption of the recording material and the number of pixels in each area, and a storage unit that cumulatively stores the consumption of the recording material and the number of pixels in each area. The average recording material consumption amount of the recording material per unit area of the region and the ratio of the number of pixels in each region are calculated, and based on this calculation result and each adjustment mode, each adjustment mode is applied to adjust the image data. The remaining amount of recording agent A prediction unit for predicting an average number of times an image can be formed for each adjustment mode by the remaining amount of recognized recording agent in parts, preferably includes a.

In the above configuration, the tendency can be recognized from the history of images processed by the apparatus up to that point, and the approximate number of recordable times in each adjustment mode can be predicted to inform the user. As a result, the user can immediately recognize the approximate number of recordable times at that time, thereby simplifying the operation.

The image processing apparatus of the present invention is the image processing apparatus having the above-described prediction unit, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying a user of information, wherein the image forming unit forms the same image a plurality of times. In this case, it is preferable that the prediction unit performs the prediction of the number of times that the image can be formed a plurality of times and, when a change occurs in the prediction, notifies the notification via the notification unit.

In the above-described configuration, when an image is actually recorded a plurality of times in the set adjustment mode, if there is a difference between the initially predicted number of formsable times and the actual image recording, the fact is described. Notify. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from being unable to form an image a predetermined number of times by changing the setting to the adjustment mode in which the saving of the recording material is further enhanced. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably form the required number of images.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is the image processing apparatus provided with the above-mentioned prediction unit, further comprising: a number setting unit in which the number of times of forming an image is set by a user; Among the results, it is preferable to include a discriminating unit for discriminating between a result exceeding the number set in the number setting unit and a result less than the number, and a display unit for displaying a discrimination result by the discriminating unit. .

In the above configuration, the adjustment mode in which the user can form the desired number of images with the remaining recording material can be displayed, and only the options that are meaningful to the user can be displayed. it can. Further, it is preferable that the display unit further displays a prediction result of each adjustment mode by the prediction unit.

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is the image processing apparatus having the mode information storage unit, wherein the image data is adjusted so that a predetermined area of the image is not recorded in a plurality of adjustment modes. It is preferable to include a deletion mode for this.

In the above configuration, the adjustment mode includes the deletion mode in which no image of the area is formed. This allows
A more effective saving of the recording agent is enabled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a color copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation panel of the color copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation switch unit of the operation panel in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of an area separation and accumulation process in the color copying machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an image area.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an image forming process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an image forming process according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an image forming process according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an image forming process according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a display on a display unit of the operation panel in FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing another example of the display on the display unit of the operation panel in FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing still another example of the display on the display unit of the operation panel in FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 4 Display Unit (Notification Unit) 5 User Interface 6a Print Number Setting Key (Count Setting Unit) 6b Print Mode Switching Key (Mode Designation Unit) 6e Cursor Key (Mode Designation Unit) 12 Image Reading Unit 13 Image Processing Unit 13a Area Separation Unit 13f Saving processing unit (data adjusting unit) 14 Image forming unit 15 Control unit 15b Number condition narrowing down unit (discriminating unit) 15c Recordable number predicting unit (predicting unit) 15e Recording material consumption calculating unit (Recording material consumption recognizing unit) 15f Recording agent remaining amount calculating unit (Recording agent remaining amount recognizing unit) 15g Area separation and accumulation processing unit (Area recognizing unit, prediction unit) 15h Mode-by-mode saving information storage unit 19 Storage unit

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) H04N 1/23 B41J 3/04 101Z 5C074 1/40 H04N 1/40 F 5C077 F term (reference) 2C056 EA25 EA29 EB50 EC26 EC79 EC80 2C061 AP04 AQ05 AQ06 AR01 HH13 HJ06 HK18 HK23 HM03 HM07 HN02 HN15 2C362 CB37 CB62 CB63 CB80 DA43 EA02 2H030 AD07 AD11 AD16 BB38 5C062 AA02 AA05 AB20 AB22 AB23 MP04 AC07 MP4 CB17 CB12 MP13 CB12 MP08 PP21 PP27 PP28 PP43 PP46 PP47 PP48 PP49 PQ08 PQ12 PQ17 PQ18 RR18 SS05 SS07

Claims (8)

[Claims] An image processing apparatus for processing image data and sending the processed image data to an image forming unit for forming an image using a recording agent, based on a density change of the image indicated by the image data. An area separating unit that separates the image into a plurality of areas having different attributes; and a data adjusting unit that adjusts image data for each of the areas so as to change a consumption amount of a recording agent when forming the image. An image processing apparatus, comprising: 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a mode information storage unit storing a plurality of adjustment modes indicating a method of adjusting image data for each area by the data adjustment unit; An image processing apparatus, comprising: a mode designation unit that allows a user to designate an adjustment mode to be applied from among the adjustment modes stored in the unit. 3. An image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: an area recognizing unit for recognizing the number of pixels of each of the areas based on image data; A medicine remaining amount recognition unit, and each adjustment mode stored in the mode information storage unit;
And when the image data of the image is adjusted by applying each of the adjustment modes based on the number of pixels of each area of the image recognized by the area recognition unit, An image processing apparatus comprising: a prediction unit that predicts the number of times that the image can be formed based on the remaining amount of the recording material to be performed for each of the adjustment modes. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an area recognizing unit that recognizes the number of pixels of each of the areas based on image data, and a recording material consumed by the image forming unit to form an image. A recording material consumption recognizing unit for recognizing a consumption amount of the recording material, a recording material remaining amount recognizing unit for recognizing a remaining amount of the recording material included in the image forming unit, and the mode when the image forming unit forms an image. Each adjustment mode stored in the information storage unit, the number of pixels of each region of the image recognized by the region recognition unit, and the recording consumed by the formation of the image recognized by the recording material consumption recognition unit When the image data of the image is adjusted by applying each of the adjustment modes based on the consumption amount of the agent, the image is further processed based on the remaining amount of the recording agent recognized by the recording agent remaining amount recognition unit. The number of times that An image processing apparatus comprising: a prediction unit that performs prediction for each node mode. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: a recording material consumption recognizing unit that recognizes a consumption amount of the recording material consumed by forming the image in the image forming unit; A recording agent remaining amount recognizing unit that recognizes the remaining amount of the recording agent, an area recognizing unit that recognizes the number of pixels in each of the areas based on image data, A storage unit for cumulatively storing the consumption amount of the recording agent recognized by the agent consumption amount recognition unit and the number of pixels of each area recognized by the region recognition unit; Based on the recording material consumption and the number of pixels in each region, calculate the average recording material consumption per unit area of each region and the ratio of the number of pixels in each region, and calculate the calculation result and the mode information storage. For each adjustment mode stored in the unit When the adjustment mode is applied to adjust the image data, the average number of times that an image can be formed based on the remaining amount of the recording material recognized by the remaining amount of recording material recognition unit is determined by An image processing apparatus comprising: a prediction unit that performs prediction for each adjustment mode. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a notifying unit that notifies a user of information, wherein the image forming unit forms the same image a plurality of times. In this case, the prediction unit performs a plurality of predictions of the number of times that the image can be formed, and, when a change occurs in the prediction, notifies the change via the notification unit. Processing equipment. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the number of times of forming an image is set by a user, a number setting unit, and a prediction result for each adjustment mode by the prediction unit. Of which
A discriminating unit for discriminating between a number exceeding the number set in the number setting unit and a number less than the number set in the number setting unit; and An image processing apparatus comprising: 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of adjustment modes are for adjusting image data so as not to record a predetermined area of the image. An image processing apparatus comprising a deletion mode.