JP2002281310A - Image processing system, image processing server and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system to enable information of maintenance of gradation adjustment by a server. SOLUTION: An image for test print is transferred from a file server 700 to a device controller 840 via a network. A test print is outputted from a printer 830. When an outputted test image is set in a scanner 820, it is read by scanning it. The read test image is fetched in an equipment management server 600 by the device controller 840 via the network. The equipment management server 600 compares a fetched image signal with a predetermined logical value of the test image and performs an arithmetic operation of errors by every kind of density of patterns on the test image. Whether or not the gradation adjustment is required is judged based on errors of the arithmetic operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an image processing system,
More particularly, the present invention relates to an image processing system, an image processing server, and an image processing method that include a scanner and a printer and are connected to a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image processing apparatus including a scanner and a printer, such as a copying machine, the density and gradation of an output image of a printer depend on image processing environment conditions and durability of the apparatus. There is a problem that the sex fluctuates. In order to deal with such a problem, the user periodically or as necessary outputs a predetermined adjustment image pattern with a printer, and reads the output image pattern with a scanner to obtain a density. And control for adjusting the gradation.

On the other hand, a plurality of scanners and printers are LA
In an environment connected to a network such as N, a desired one can be selected from a plurality of printers connected to the network, and an image read from a certain scanner can be output to the selected printer. .

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a single multifunction copying machine including a scanner and a printer.

[0005] The multifunction copying machine 300 mainly has functions such as image input / output. The operation unit 310
It is used by a user to operate the copying machine. A scanner (image scanner) 320 optically reads and inputs a document image recorded on a medium (recording medium) such as paper in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit 310. The printer 330 outputs the read image input from the scanner 320 to a recording medium such as paper. The memory 350 and the hard disk 360 temporarily or permanently store image data and processing programs, respectively.

[0006] The device controller 340 operates the operation unit 3.
The scanner 320 and the printer 3 based on an instruction from the
30, control of input / output of image data between the memory 350 and the hard disk 360. For example, the image data read from the scanner 320 is stored in the memory 350 or the hard disk 360 as necessary, or printed by the printer 330.

In such a multi-function digital copying machine, not only the original image is copied but also the original image can be subjected to various image processing and copied.
For example, various image processing such as a negative / positive reversal process for reversing the black and white of a document, a trimming process for copying only a part of the document, and a reduced layout process for reducing a plurality of documents and combining them on one output sheet. It is possible to do.

[0008] In addition to copying the original, the scanner 320
Transfers the image data read in to the host computer via the LAN (network) or conversely receives the document created and transmitted using application software such as a word processor (word processor) on the host computer, and prints the print 330. It can also be used to output. Alternatively, the apparatus generally has a function of transmitting a document image to a remote fax by using a fax transmission device (not shown).

Next, with reference to a flow chart shown in FIG. 2, a procedure of a conventional printer gradation adjustment by a copying machine alone will be described. In the multifunction copying machine 300, when a gradation adjustment command is selected by the operation unit 310 (step S401), a test pattern stored in advance in the hard disk 360 or the like is output from the printer 330 (step S402). This test pattern is, for example, a 64-tone gray scale patch in the case of a black-and-white printer, and a 64-tone color patch of four colors of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black in the case of a color printer.

Next, the printed image is transferred to the scanner 32.
0 (step S403), and the operation unit 3
10 to specify a scanner command (step S4).
04). Scan the print image (Step S40)
4) An error between a read value of the test printed image and a predetermined theoretical value of the test image is calculated for each density by a CPU or the like in the device controller (step S405). Further, the table memory of the printer gamma LUT (look-up table) of the printer 330 is rewritten so that the calculation error is minimized (step S406).

[0011]

However, in the environment connected by the above-mentioned conventional LAN network, when outputting an image using a plurality of printers, even if the printers have the same mechanism or are of the same type, In some printers, the density and gradation of an output image may differ among a plurality of printers. For this reason, there has been a problem that a plurality of printers must be periodically adjusted in order to maintain the same density and gradation of output images between the printers.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to periodically send a test image pattern for a printer gradation from a server to each printer, and to make each of a plurality of printers The present invention provides an image processing system, an image processing server, and an image processing method that enable the server to notify the maintenance of the gradation adjustment by reading the image output by the server and transferring the image to the server.

[0013]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises an image reading means for optically reading an image and an image reading means for reading the read image on a recording medium. An image processing system comprising: an image output unit for outputting; and an image processing server for controlling the image output unit, wherein the image output unit is stored in the image processing server and transmitted from the image processing server. A predetermined image is output to a recording medium, the image reading means reads the output image on the recording medium and transmits the read image to the image processing server, and the image processing server stores the stored image and the The image output means is controlled based on an image transmitted from the image reading means.

[0014] The invention described in claim 2 is the first invention.
Wherein the image reading means or the image output means is at least two.

[0015] The invention described in claim 3 is based on claim 1.
Or the image processing system according to 2, wherein the image transmitted from the image processing server has a gradual gradation.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is the same as the invention according to claim 3.
Wherein the control of the image output means is performed by notification of gradation adjustment.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing server for controlling image output means for outputting the read image to a recording medium by using an image reading means for optically reading an image. A storage unit for storing a predetermined image, a transmission unit for transmitting the stored image to the image output unit, and a record output by the image output unit in response to the transmission from the image reading unit. It is characterized by comprising receiving means for receiving a read image of an image on a medium, and control means for controlling the image output means based on the stored image and the received read image.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for controlling an image output means for outputting an image read out to a recording medium by using an image reading means for optically reading an image. A processing method, wherein a predetermined image stored in the image processing server is transmitted from the image processing server to the image output unit, and the image output unit stores the transmitted image in a recording medium. The image reading means reads the output image on the recording medium, from the image reading means to the image processing server,
Sending the read read image to the image processing server, the image processing server, based on the stored image and the read image transmitted from the image reading means,
The image output means is controlled.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing program for controlling image output means for using an image reading means for optically reading an image and outputting the read image to a recording medium. In a storage medium, the program causes a computer to transmit a predetermined image stored in a storage unit to the image output unit, and responds to the transmission, which is transmitted from the image reading unit. Receiving the read image of the image output by the image output means, and controlling the image output means based on the stored image and the received read image.

The invention described in claim 8 is the same as the invention described in claim 7.
In the storage medium according to the present invention, as the storage medium, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card storing a computer-readable program, It is characterized by using a ROM.

The invention according to claim 9 is the same as the invention according to claim 7.
Or the storage medium according to 8, wherein the storage medium is:
It is characterized by being detachable from a computer.

Further, the invention according to claim 10 is a computer program for controlling image output means for using an image reading means for optically reading an image and outputting the read image to a recording medium. And causing the computer to transmit a predetermined image stored in a storage unit to the image output unit, and to transmit a record transmitted from the image reading unit and output by the image output unit in response to the transmission. A read image of an image on a medium is received, and the image output unit is controlled based on the stored image and the received read image.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image processing system to which the present invention is applied. In a system to which the present invention is applied, a device management server 600, a file server 700, a personal computer 1000, and multifunction copying machines 800 and 900 are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network).
k) connected.

The device management server 600 manages each device connected to the LAN and manages data such as user management. The file server 700 outputs image adjustment data to the multifunction copying machines 800 and 900 as needed. The device management server 600 and the file server 700 constitute an image processing server of the present invention.

The multifunction copying machine 800 mainly has functions such as image input / output. In the multifunction copying machine 800, an operation unit 810 is used by a user to operate the copying machine. Scanner 8
Reference numeral 20 denotes an input of a document image recorded on a recording medium such as paper in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit 810 or the personal computer 1000, and functions as an image reading unit of the present invention. Printer 8
Reference numeral 30 denotes an image input from the scanner 820 or data from the personal computer 1000 or the file server 700.
The image is output to a recording medium such as paper, and functions as an image output unit of the present invention.

The memory 850 and the hard disk 8
Numeral 60 temporarily or permanently stores the image data and the processing program. Device controller 84
0 denotes a scanner 820, a printer 830, and a memory 850 based on an instruction from the operation unit 810 or the personal computer 1000.
And input / output of image data between the hard disk 860 and the personal computer 1000. For example,
The image data read from the scanner 820 is stored in the memory 85.
0 or the hard disk 860 as necessary,
Output to personal computer 1000 or printer 83
Control such as printing with 0 is performed.

Multifunction copier 900 has the same function as multifunction copier 800,
An operation unit 910, a scanner 920, a printer 930, a device controller 940, a memory 950, and a hard disk 960 are included. A personal computer (personal computer) 1000 is connected as a terminal device, and can output image data to multifunction copying machines 800 and 900.

In such a multi-function digital copying machine, not only the original image is copied but also the original image can be subjected to various image processing and copied.
For example, various image processing such as a negative / positive reversal process for reversing the black and white of a document, a trimming process for copying only a part of the document, and a reduction layout process for reducing a plurality of documents and combining them on one output sheet. It is possible to do.

In addition to copying the original, the scanner 820
Transfers the image data read by the host computer to the host computer via the LAN (network), or conversely receives a document created and transmitted using application software such as a word processor (word processor) on the host computer, and transmits the print 830. It can also be used to output.

Alternatively, it is common to have a function of transmitting a document image to a remote fax by using a fax transmitting device (not shown).

FIG. 4 shows the scanner 820 and the printer 83.
0 is a sectional view. Document feeder 10 of scanner 820
Reference numeral 1 denotes a case where originals are sequentially fed one by one onto the platen glass 102, and after the original reading operation is completed,
2 is for discharging the original. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on, the movement of the scanner unit 104 is started, and the document is exposed and scanned. The reflected light from the original at this time is reflected by the mirrors 105, 106, 107 and the lens 108 as C light.
CD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 109
Led to.

The image of the document scanned in this manner is a CCD image.
Read by 109. The image data output from the CCD 109 is transferred to the printer 830 after a predetermined process. The laser driver 221 of the printer 830 includes a printer gamma LUT (look-up table), which is a table memory for keeping the gradation of the printer constant. Furthermore, laser driver 2
Reference numeral 21 drives the laser emitting unit 201 and causes the laser emitting unit 201 to emit a laser beam corresponding to the image data output from the scanner 820. This laser beam is applied to the photosensitive drum 20
2 and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. A developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202 by a developing device 203.

Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of the laser beam irradiation, a recording sheet is fed from one of the cassettes 204 and 205 and conveyed to the transfer section 206 to record the developer adhered to the photosensitive drum 202. Transfer to paper.
The recording paper on which the developer is loaded is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged
The sorter 220 sorts the recording paper by storing the discharged recording paper in each pin.

When no sorting is set, the sorter 220 stores recording paper at the uppermost pin. When double-sided recording is set, the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed, and the recording paper is guided to the re-feed conveyance path by the flapper 209. If multiple recording is set, the flapper 209 is set so that the recording paper is not conveyed to the discharge roller 208.
To the re-feeding conveyance path 210. Refeeding conveyance path 21
0 is transferred to the transfer unit 20 at the timing described above.
6 is fed.

Next, the procedure of gradation adjustment using the device management server 600 and the file server 700 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S501, the device management server 600 starts a gradation adjustment command every predetermined period. Next, in step S502, the image for test print is transferred from the file server 700 to the device controller 840 via the network. Then, a test print is output from the printer 830 in step S503.

Next, the flow shifts to step S504, where the output test image is set on the scanner 820. In step S505, scanning is performed and the test image is read. Next, the process proceeds to step S506, and the read test image is taken into the device management server 600 via the network by the device controller 840. In step S507, the device management server 600 compares the captured image signal with a predetermined theoretical value of the test image, and calculates an error for each density of the pattern on the test image.

In step S508, it is determined whether gradation adjustment is necessary based on the calculation error. Here, if it is determined that the calculation error is large and the gradation adjustment inside the printer 830 needs to be performed, a maintenance notification is sent to the printer 830 to perform the gradation adjustment. Step S508
If it is determined that the calculation error is small and it is not necessary to perform the gradation adjustment, the process ends without notifying of the gradation adjustment.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various other forms. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the tone adjustment of one printer is performed using the server. However, the tone adjustment of a plurality of printers can be performed simultaneously. In this case, since the test image may use an image file stored in the faisal server, it is not necessary to have test data for each printer. By performing such processing, the device management server can grasp the state of the image quality of each printer, so that the data output from the personal computer 1000 can be output to the optimum printer.

The control of the image output means of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned notification of gradation adjustment, but also includes, for example, displaying a message on a display unit (not shown) of the output means.

According to the present invention, a storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus is provided. Can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, CD-ROM,
A DR, a magnetic tape nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the readout program code. In addition, the OS or the like running on the computer is executed based on the instructions of the program code. Some or all of the processing is performed, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

The present invention is also applicable to a case where the program is delivered from a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a requester via a communication line such as personal computer communication. It goes without saying that you can do it.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention,
An image processing system comprising: an image reading unit that optically reads an image; an image output unit that outputs the read image to a recording medium; and an image processing server that controls the image output unit. Outputting a predetermined image stored in the image processing server and transmitted from the image processing server to a recording medium, the image reading unit reads the image on the recording medium that has been output and transmits the image to the image processing server,
Since the image processing server controls the image output unit based on the stored image and the image transmitted from the image reading unit, the server periodically sends a printer gradation test image pattern to each printer from the server, and By reading the image output by the printer and transferring it to the server, the server can notify of the maintenance of the gradation adjustment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a single multifunction copying machine including a scanner and a printer.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a conventional printer gradation adjustment performed by a copying machine alone.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image processing system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a scanner and a printer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of gradation adjustment using the device management server and the file server according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Multi-function copier 110 Operation unit 120 Scanner 130 Printer 140 Device controller 150 Memory 160 Hard disk 101 Document feeder 102 Platen glass 103 Lamp 104 Scanner unit 105, 106, 107 Mirror 108 Lens 109 CCD image sensor 201 Laser emitting unit 221 Laser Driver 202 Photosensitive drum 203 Developing device 204, 205 Cassette 206 Transfer unit 207 Fixing unit 208 Ejection roller 209 Flapper 210 Refeeding conveyance path 600 Device management server 700 File server 300, 800, 900 Multifunction copier 310, 810, 910 Operation Units 320, 820, 920 Scanners 330, 830, 930 Printers 340, 840, 940 Device controller 350, 850, 950 Memory 360, 860, 960 Hard disk

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 3/12 G06T 1/00 310A 5C077 G06T 1/00 310 5/00 100 5/00 100 H04N 1/00 C H04N 1/00 1/40 101E F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 KK04 KK18 KK25 KK35 2H027 DA09 DB01 DE02 DE07 DE09 EB03 EC03 EC06 EC20 EE08 EE10 EJ08 EJ13 EJ15 ZA07 5B021 AA01 AA05 BB01 BB02 BB02 BB02 A0705 CA12 CA16 CE11 DA17 DB02 DB05 DB09 DC22 DC33 DC36 5C062 AA05 AA35 AB05 AB17 AB22 AB38 AB41 AB53 AC61 AE04 AF00 BA00 5C077 LL12 MM27 PP15 PP47 SS01 SS02 TT02 TT06

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image processing system comprising: image reading means for optically reading an image; image output means for outputting the read image to a recording medium; and an image processing server for controlling the image output means. The image output unit outputs a predetermined image stored in the image processing server and transmitted from the image processing server to a recording medium, and the image reading unit outputs a predetermined image on the output recording medium. Reading an image and transmitting the image to the image processing server, wherein the image processing server controls the image output unit based on the stored image and the image transmitted from the image reading unit; Processing system. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein there are at least two image reading units or image output units. 3. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image transmitted from the image processing server has a gradual gradation. 4. The image processing system according to claim 3, wherein the control of the image output unit is performed by a notification of a gradation adjustment. 5. An image processing server for controlling an image output means for outputting an image read out to a recording medium by using an image reading means for optically reading an image, wherein the image processing server stores a predetermined image. Receiving means for transmitting the stored image to the image output means; receiving a read image of the image on the recording medium output by the image output means in response to the transmission from the image reading means An image processing server, comprising: a receiving unit that performs the processing described above; and a control unit that controls the image output unit based on the stored image and the received read image. 6. An image processing method of an image processing server for controlling an image output unit that outputs an image read out to a recording medium by using an image reading unit that optically reads an image. A predetermined image stored in the image processing server is transmitted from the server to the image output means, the image output means outputs the transmitted image to a recording medium, and the image reading means Reading the output image on the recording medium, transmitting the read read image to the image processing server from the image reading unit to the image processing server, and the image processing server And controlling the image output means based on the read image transmitted from the image reading means. 7. A storage medium storing an image processing program for controlling an image output means for outputting the read image to a recording medium using an image reading means for optically reading an image, wherein the program is Causing a computer to transmit a predetermined image stored in a storage unit to the image output unit, and transmitting an image output from the image output unit in response to the transmission, transmitted from the image reading unit. A storage medium for receiving the read image, and controlling the image output means based on the stored image and the received read image. 8. The storage medium according to claim 7, wherein the storage medium includes a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, and a computer that store a computer-readable program.
A storage medium using a D-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and a ROM. 9. The storage medium according to claim 7, wherein the storage medium is detachable from a computer. 10. A computer program for controlling image output means for using an image reading means for optically reading an image and outputting the read image to a recording medium, comprising: Causing the image output means to transmit the stored predetermined image; and receiving a read image of the image on the recording medium output from the image output means in response to the transmission, transmitted from the image reading means. A computer program for controlling the image output means based on the stored image and the received read image.