JP2003008809A - Image processing system, managing method for image processing system, image processor, and information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system, etc., which can obtain an output image with proper characteristics, without making the load of its adjustment operation increased. SOLUTION: A scanner 112 transfers image data obtained, by reading a test image outputted by a printer 113 to an equipment managing server 130, which controls the adjustments of output characteristics of the printer 113, according to the transferred image data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to image input characteristics,
Further, the present invention relates to an image processing system capable of adjusting output characteristics, an image processing system management method, an image processing apparatus, and an information processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A digital copying machine having a scanner function, a printer function, a copying function and a network function is known. A digital copying machine usually has a hardware configuration in which a scanner unit for realizing a scanner function and a printer unit for realizing a printer function are connected by a control unit called a controller. Further, the controller can realize the above-mentioned network function and can communicate with other image forming apparatuses, PCs, servers, and the like on the network.

In a digital copying machine, there is a problem that the density and gradation of the output image of the printer fluctuate depending on the durability of the apparatus and the installed environmental conditions. Conventionally, in order to deal with this problem, for example, a predetermined adjustment image pattern is output by a printer unit of a digital copying machine, and the output image pattern is read by a scanner, so that the density and gradation can be improved. There is an adjusting method to adjust. This adjustment method is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-75067,
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-59643 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-
No. 69307 is disclosed.

On the other hand, there has been proposed an image processing system which makes it possible to form an image through a network by connecting a plurality of digital copying machines to a network such as a LAN by utilizing the network function of the digital copying machine. . In this image processing system, for example, image processing in which an image read by a certain scanner is output from another printer is possible.

[0005]

However, each of the digital copying machines constituting the above-mentioned image processing system is installed in a place under different environmental conditions, and the performance and trial period of each digital copying machine are different. Due to the differences, the durability may be different, resulting in each digital copier having different output characteristics. Therefore, in order to obtain an output result having a good gradation characteristic, a service person or an operator needs to grasp the output characteristic of each machine or periodically adjust a plurality of digital copying machines collectively. is there.
Therefore, for example, as the number of devices constituting the system increases or as the adjustment cycle is shortened, the load in the adjustment work increases.

Further, in the copying process, not only the characteristics of the printer but also the input characteristics of the scanner having different characteristics for each device should be considered. Therefore, regarding the scanner as well, in order to obtain a reading result having a good gradation characteristic, it is necessary to grasp the input characteristic for each machine and periodically adjust a plurality of digital copying machines collectively. In other words, similarly to the case of the printer, the scanner also has a problem of increasing the load in the adjustment work.

The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the image data obtained by the reading device reading the test image output by the image forming device is transferred to the management device and managed. In the image processing apparatus, an image processing apparatus capable of obtaining an output image having favorable characteristics without increasing the load in the adjustment work by controlling the adjustment of the output characteristics of the image forming apparatus based on the transferred image data. An object of the present invention is to provide a system, an image processing system management method, an image processing apparatus, and an information processing apparatus.

Further, the image data obtained by the reading device reading a predetermined test image is transferred to the management device, and the management device controls the adjustment of the input characteristic of the reading device based on the transferred image data. By doing so, an image processing system, an image processing system management method, an image processing device, which makes it possible to obtain an input image with good characteristics without increasing the load in adjustment work,
Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing system of the present invention includes a reading means for reading an image, an image forming means for forming and outputting an input image, and a communication medium. An image processing system including a management unit that manages the image forming unit, the output control unit controlling the image output by the image forming unit, and the test image output by the reading unit by the image forming unit. And a transfer unit that transfers the image data obtained by reading to the management unit, and the management unit adjusts the output characteristic of the image forming unit based on the image data transferred by the transfer unit. It is characterized by controlling.

Further, the image processing system of the present invention is an image processing system including a reading means for reading an image and a managing means for managing the reading means via a communication medium. And a transfer means for transferring the image data obtained by the reading means reading a predetermined test image to the management means. The management means transfers the image data by the transfer means. It is characterized in that the adjustment of the input characteristic of the reading means is controlled based on the obtained image data.

Further, the management method of the image processing system of the present invention includes an image reading apparatus for reading an image, an image forming apparatus for forming an image of an input image and outputting the image, and a management apparatus for managing the image forming apparatus. A management method of a processing system, wherein the reading device transfers image data obtained by reading a test image output by the image forming device to the management device; A control step of controlling the adjustment of the output characteristic of the image forming apparatus based on the image data transferred in the transfer step.

An image processing system management method according to the present invention is a method for managing an image processing system including a reading device for reading an image and a management device for managing the reading device via a communication medium. A transfer step of transferring image data obtained by the reading device reading a predetermined test image to the management device, and an input characteristic of the reading device based on the image data transferred by the transfer process in the management device. And a control step of controlling the adjustment of.

Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention has a reading means for reading an image and an image forming means for forming an image of an input image and outputting the image, and a communication medium is provided to a management device for managing the image forming means. An image processing apparatus connected via an output control unit for controlling image output by the image forming unit, and image data obtained by reading the test image output by the image forming unit by the reading unit. To the management device, and the output control means is responsive to control information based on the obtained image data, which is instructed by the management device, to output characteristics of the image forming means. It is characterized by adjusting.

Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention is an image processing apparatus which has a reading unit for reading an image and is connected to a management unit for managing the reading unit via a communication medium. The image data obtained by reading the predetermined test image by the reading unit, and the transfer unit for transferring the image data to the management device. The input characteristic of the reading unit is adjusted according to control information based on the obtained image data, which is instructed by a management device.

Further, the information processing apparatus of the present invention is connected to a reading apparatus for reading an image and an image forming apparatus for forming and outputting an input image through a communication medium, and information processing for managing the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus that receives image data obtained by reading a test image output by the image forming apparatus from the reading apparatus, and the image forming apparatus based on the image data received by the receiving section. And control means for controlling the adjustment of the output characteristic of.

The information processing apparatus of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that is connected to a reading device for reading an image via a communication medium and manages the reading device, and is obtained by reading a predetermined test image. The image forming apparatus further comprises: a receiving unit that receives the image data from the reading device; and a control unit that controls the adjustment of the input characteristic of the reading device based on the image data received by the receiving unit.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing system to which the present invention can be applied in this embodiment. The image processing system of FIG. 1 includes a digital copier 110 and 120, a device management server 130.
It is composed of a file server 40 and a personal computer 150.

The device management server 130 is a server that manages the above-mentioned devices connected by a LAN network and manages data such as user management. The file server 140 uses the digital copying machines 110 and 120 as needed.
The image adjustment data is output to. The digital copying machines 110 and 120 mainly have functions such as image input / output.

Next, the internal structure of the digital copying machine 110 will be described. Reference numeral 111 denotes an operation unit for a user to operate,
Reference numeral 112 denotes an image scanner for inputting a document image recorded on a document such as paper according to an instruction from the operation unit 111 or the personal computer 150. 113 is the scanner 1
It is a printer that outputs an image input from 12 or data from the personal computer 150 or the file server 140 to a medium such as paper. A memory 115 and a hard disk 116 temporarily or permanently store image data and processing programs, respectively.

Reference numeral 114 denotes a device controller, which controls image data input / output between the scanner 112, printer 113, memory 115, hard disk 116, or personal computer 150 based on instructions from the operation unit 111 or personal computer 150. . For example, scanner 1
The twelve image data is stored in the memory 115 or the hard disk 116 as needed, output to the personal computer 150, or printed by the printer 113.

The device controller 114 can always send and receive device information, image data and the like to and from the device management server 130 and the file server 140 via the LAN. Then, the device management server 13
0 and the scanner 112 and the printer 1 based on the instruction by
13 controls can be performed.

Reference numeral 120 denotes a digital copying machine, which has the same function as the digital copying machine 110. Similarly, 12
1 is an operation unit, 122 is a scanner, 123 is a printer, 1
24 is a device controller, 125 is a memory, 126
Is a hard disk.

Reference numeral 150 denotes a personal computer connected as a terminal device, which transfers image data to the digital copying machines 110 and 12.
Can be output to 0.

In a digital copying machine such as the digital copying machines 110 and 120, not only the original image is copied, but also the original image can be subjected to various image processing for copying. For example, various processing such as negative / positive reversal processing for reversing black and white of an original, trimming processing for copying only a part of the original, reduced layout processing for reducing a plurality of originals and combining them on one output sheet, etc. Is possible. These processes are mainly controlled by the device controllers 114 and 124, and can be instructed by the operator from the operation units 111 and 121 on the apparatus or on the personal computer.

Further, the device controllers 114 and 1
Since 24 is provided with a network function, image data read by the scanner 112 other than the copy of the original is LA-formatted.
It is also possible to transfer to a host computer via N (network), or conversely, to print out a document created by a word processor or the like on the host computer at 113. Further, it may be provided with a function of transmitting a document image to a remote fax by using a fax transmission device (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the scanner section 112 and the printer section 113. The document feeding device 23l of the scanner unit 112 sequentially feeds the documents one by one onto the platen glass 232, and discharges the document on the platen glass 232 after the reading operation of the document is completed. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 232, the lamp 233 is turned on and the scanner unit 234 is started to move to expose and scan the document. The reflected light from the document at this time is reflected by the mirrors 235, 236, 237 and the lens 238.
CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 2
You are led to 39. The image of the original scanned in this way is C
Read by CD239. The image data output from the CCD 239 is input to the scanner image processing unit 240.

The scanner image processing unit 240 performs scanner image processing such as shading correction and scanner gradation adjustment. Here, the scanner gradation adjustment is a process for adjusting the fluctuation of the reading gradation characteristics caused by the voltage fluctuation during reading, the deterioration of the CCD 239, the dirt of the shading plate for shading correction, and the like. Specifically, the scanner image processing unit 240 is provided with a scanner gamma LUT (lookup table) which is a table memory. Then, the image data input using the scanner gamma LUT is adjusted and output.

The image data output from the scanner image processing unit 240 is the device controller 114 (not shown).
Is input to the printer unit 11 and subjected to predetermined processing, the printer unit 11
3 is output.

Laser driver 22l of printer section 113
Includes a printer gamma LUT (look-up table) which is a table memory for keeping the gradation of the printer constant. Further, the laser driver 221 drives the laser emission unit 20l to emit laser light according to the image data output from the scanner unit 112.
The light is emitted at 0 l. This laser light is applied to the photosensitive drum 202, and a latent image corresponding to the laser light is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. The developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202 by the developing device 203. Then, at the timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation, the cassette 2
The recording paper is fed from either 04 or the cassette 205 and conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred onto the recording paper. The recording paper on which the developer is placed 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 by a discharge roller 208, and a sorter 220 stores the discharged recording paper in each pin to sort the recording paper. Note that the sorter 220 stores the recording paper on the uppermost pin when the sorting is not set. 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 flapper 209 guides the recording paper to the re-feeding conveyance path. If multiplex recording is set, eject the recording paper
The flapper 209 guides the paper to the re-feeding conveyance path so that the paper is not conveyed to 08. The recording sheet guided to the sheet re-feeding conveyance path is fed to the transfer unit 206 at the timing described above.

Next, the printer gradation adjustment will be described. First, with reference to the flow of FIG. 3, the conventional printer gradation adjustment by the copying machine alone will be described.
Note that the flow of FIG. 3 is controlled and executed by the device controller 114, excluding the work performed by the operator such as S303.

In the digital copying machine 110, first, when a gradation adjustment command is selected by the operation unit 111 in step S301, a test image previously stored in the hard disk 116 or the like is printed in the printer 11 in step S302.
Output from 3. This test image is, for example, a grayscale patch of 64 gradations in the case of a monochrome printer,
For color printers, yellow, cyan, magenta,
It is composed of color patches of 64 gradations of four black colors.

Next, the operator sets the image printed in step S303 on the platen of the scanner 112,
In step S304, the scan command is specified by the operation unit 111. In step S304, the print image is scanned, and in step S305, the CPU or the like in the device controller calculates the error between the read value of the test image and the predetermined theoretical value of the test image for each density. Further, in step S306, the memory of the printer gamma LUT (look-up table) in the printer 113 is rewritten so that the calculation error is minimized.

The printer gamma LUT obtained from the test image, the theoretical value, and their relationship in the printer tone adjustment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

The read value of the image in step S305 corresponds one-to-one to the input data value to the printer 113 when the printer 113 outputs the test image in step S302, that is, the theoretical value of the test image. There is. In the present embodiment, the read value of the image is the density value obtained by converting the read brightness data into the brightness density.

This relationship will be described with reference to FIG.
At this time, the horizontal axis of FIG. 4A is the input data value (theoretical value of the test image), and the vertical axis is the actual output density (image read value) of the printer 113.

The relationship between the input data value and the output density represents the density characteristic of the printer 113. Therefore, the relationship between the input data value and the output density is ideally a linear relationship as indicated by 400. For example, the gradation value of the output density obtained by reading the density patch whose gradation value of the input data shown in FIG. 4 is 16 is 16, and similarly, the gradation value of the output density corresponding to the input data value of 32 is The value should be 32.

However, the density characteristics of the printer 113 are 401, 402, 4 depending on the environment and the frequency of use.
It does not have a linear characteristic like 03. For example, even if the input data value 32 is input to the printer 113, the output density may be 25. This is the "error from the theoretical test value" above.

In the present embodiment, this characteristic is adjusted by setting the printer gamma LUT (look-up table) shown in FIG. 4B in the laser driver 211.

In FIG. 4B, the horizontal axis is the input data to the laser driver 221 including the printer gamma LUT, and the vertical axis is the output data from the laser driver 211. A curve 411 is for adjusting the characteristic curve 401, and the characteristic curve 401 and the curve 411 are symmetrical with respect to the linear broken line 400 as an axis. Similarly 4
A curve 12 is for adjusting the characteristic curve 412, and a curve 403 is for adjusting the characteristic curve 413. The printer gamma LUT has these curves 4
The values of 11, 412, and 413 are tabulated. By using these printer gamma LUTs,
The above calculation error can be reduced. That is, the linearity of the output density of the printer 113 can be adjusted.

In this embodiment, the printer gamma LUT is generated based on the relationship between the density data value obtained from the test image and the linear line. An example of this test image is shown in FIG.
Shown in. FIG. 5 shows an example of a printing paper on which a test image including a gradation pattern 501 composed of N density patches is printed on the paper 500. As shown in FIG. 5, the test image is generally composed of a gradation pattern formed by a plurality of toner patches. The patch indicated by 502 is a gradation representing the maximum density, the density becomes lighter as the patches 503 and 504 become, and becomes the minimum density at the Nth patch 505. Paper 500 on which patches with N gradations are printed
By reading the test image from, it is possible to obtain luminance data for N gradations.

As described above, a table relating to density data can be generated from this test image,
The present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to generate a table relating to luminance data. Further, in this embodiment, N =
However, the number of patches is not limited to this, and for example, N = 16 is set, 64 values are obtained by performing interpolation processing or the like from the obtained data, and a table may be generated. .

Next, the printer gradation adjustment by the server, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S601, the management server 130
Starts the printer gradation adjustment command every predetermined period. Next, in step S602, the file server 1
An image for a test image is transferred from 40 to the device controller 114 via the network. Then, in step S603, the device controller 1 receiving this
14 controls the printer 113 to output a test image.

Next, the operator sets the test image printed in step S604 on the scanner. Then, in step S605, scanning is performed by the scanner 112 in response to the reading start instruction from the operator, and the test image is read. Then, in step S606, the device controller 114 transfers the captured test image to the management server 130 via the network, and the device management server 130 receiving the test image captures the test image.

In step S607, the management server compares the captured image signal with the theoretical value of a predetermined test image, and performs the same calculation as that described with reference to FIG. To do. If the calculation error is small in step S608 and there is no need to adjust the printer gradation, the process ends without performing the printer gradation adjustment. If it is determined in step S608 that the calculation error is large in the printer 113, an instruction to rewrite the memory of the printer gamma LUT (look-up table) in the printer 113 so that the calculation error is minimized in step S609, and a rewriting operation are performed. Table for transfer to the device controller 114. The device controller rewrites the printer gamma LUT according to this instruction and the table.

Further, if the device controller 114 determines in step S610 that the calculation error is too large to be adjusted by only rewriting the memory, it indicates in step S611 that a service call is necessary.
11 and the like are displayed with an error, and the management server 130 is notified.

The above is the gradation adjustment using the management server 130. Regarding the details of the error adjustment and the test image, etc.
It is assumed that this is the same as the conventional one described with reference to FIGS. However, not limited to this, for example, a plurality of tables for rewriting are prepared in advance in the management server 130, and one of the tables is selected and transferred to the device controller 114 depending on the characteristics of the captured test image. You may do it.

In the image processing system of this embodiment, not only the printer but also the scanner gradation adjustment is possible. Next, the scanner gradation adjustment by this server will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S701, the management server 13
0 starts a scanner gradation adjustment command every predetermined period. Next, in step S702, the operator sets a predetermined test image on the scanner. This test image is, for example, red in the case of a color scanner,
It is composed of color patches of blue and green.

In step S703, the test image is read by scanning with the scanner 112 according to the operation input by the operator. Then, in step S704, the test image captured by the device controller 114 is transferred to the management server 130 via the network, and the management server 130 receiving the test image captures the test image.
In step S705, the captured image signal is compared with a theoretical value of a predetermined test image, and calculation is performed for each luminance.

If the calculation error is small in step S706 and there is no need to perform scanner gradation adjustment, the process ends without performing scanner gradation adjustment. Also,
If it is determined in step S706 that the calculation error inside the scanner 112 is large, the scanner 112 is determined in step S707.
An instruction to rewrite the memory of the scanner gamma LUT (look-up table) in the unit so that the calculation error is minimized.
And a table for rewriting is transferred to the device controller 114. The device controller rewrites the scanner gamma LUT according to this instruction and the table.

Further, if it is determined in step S708 that the arithmetic error is too large to be adjusted by only rewriting the memory, an error message indicating that a service call is required is displayed on the operation unit or the like in step S709, and the management server 130 is displayed. Notify me.

The scanner gradation adjustment using the management server 130 has been described above. Regarding the error adjustment and the test image, the conventional printer gradation adjustment described with reference to FIGS. Should be applied to the luminance data instead of the density data.

As described above, in the present embodiment, first, in the image processing system including the digital copying machine having the scanner and the printer, and the management server managing the digital copying machine, the case where the gradation adjustment of the printer is managed. explained.

In this system, first, the scanner reads the test image output by the printer, and the device controller transfers the obtained image data to the management server via the network. Then, the management server transfers the printer gamma LUT to the digital copying machine based on the transferred image data. Further, in the digital copying machine, the tone adjustment of the printer is performed based on the transferred printer gamma LUT.

As a result, it is possible to obtain an output image with good characteristics without increasing the load of adjustment work performed by a service person or a user.

Further, in this management server, an error between the density characteristic of the image data transferred from the device controller and a predetermined theoretical value of the density characteristic of the test image should be calculated and adjusted based on the error. I decided to judge whether or not. As a result, when the error is small, the printer gamma LUT can be prevented from being transferred, so that wasteful data transfer is eliminated and the load on the network can be reduced.

When the printer gamma LUT transferred to the digital copying machine cannot adjust the tone of the printer, the fact that the adjustment cannot be performed is displayed on the operation unit and the management server is notified. As a result, error recovery in gradation adjustment can be promptly performed, and error information can be collectively stored and managed in the server.

Further, a file server is provided on the network separately from the management server, the file server transfers the test image to the digital copying machine, and the digital copying machine outputs the test image. As a result, the test image can be managed at one place, and each digital copying machine does not need to store the test image, so that the number of storage means can be reduced. In addition, a common test image can be easily used in the entire system, and output characteristics can be compared between devices.

Further, using the same image processing system,
The case of managing the gradation adjustment of the scanner has also been described.

In this system, first, the scanner reads a predetermined test image, and the device controller transfers the obtained image data to the management server via the network. Then, the management server transfers the scanner gamma LUT to the digital copying machine based on the transferred image data. Further, in the digital copying machine, the gradation adjustment of the scanner is performed based on the transferred scanner gamma LUT.

As a result, it is possible to obtain an input image with good characteristics without increasing the load of the adjustment work performed by the service person or the user.

In the above management server, the error between the brightness characteristic of the image data transferred from the device controller and the predetermined theoretical value of the brightness characteristic of the test image is calculated, and the error is adjusted based on the error. Whether or not to judge. As a result, since the scanner gamma LUT can be prevented from being transferred when the error is small, unnecessary data transfer can be eliminated, and the load on the network can be reduced.

When the scanner gamma LUT transferred to the digital copying machine cannot adjust the gradation of the scanner, the fact that adjustment is impossible is displayed on the operation unit and the management server is notified. did. As a result, error recovery in gradation adjustment can be promptly performed, and error information can be collectively stored and managed in the server.

(Other Embodiments) In the above embodiment, only one scanner and printer gradation adjustment was performed by the server, but it is also possible to perform gradation adjustments for multiple scanners and printers at the same time. In this case, since an image file stored in the file server may be used as the print test image, it is not necessary to have a test image for each printer, and the cost can be reduced by reducing the memory.

Further, since the management server can grasp the image quality state of each printer, it becomes possible to output the data output from the personal computer 150 to the optimum printer. Alternatively, by grasping the scanner and printer that cannot be adjusted, even if the scanner cannot be used, it is possible to operate and output only the adjusted print.

Further, in the above embodiment, the color test image scanner is set for the adjustment of the scanner gradation, but a method not using this test image may be considered. In this case, inside the scanner body, the platen glass 1
A method of always arranging the test image on the outside of 02 and reading the test image portion at the time of adjustment can be considered. This allows
It is possible to save the operator the trouble of testing.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the adjustment was not possible, the error display of the service call was displayed. However, by specifying the error unit, it is also possible to display the unit replacement prompt. This makes it possible to easily recover from an error.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention, the reading device transfers the image data obtained by reading the test image output by the image forming device to the management device, and the management device stores the image data. By controlling the adjustment of the output characteristics of the image forming apparatus based on the transferred image data, it is possible to obtain an output image with good characteristics without increasing the load in the adjustment work.

Further, the image data obtained by the reading device reading a predetermined test image is transferred to the management device, and the management device controls the adjustment of the input characteristic of the reading device based on the transferred image data. By doing so, it is possible to obtain an input image with good characteristics without increasing the load in the adjustment work.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a scanner unit 112 and a printer unit 113.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining conventional printer gradation adjustment by a single copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a diagram (characteristic curve) for explaining printer gradation adjustment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram (gradation pattern) for explaining printer gradation adjustment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining printer tone adjustment by the server.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining scanner gradation adjustment by the server.

[Explanation of symbols]

110 digital copier 111 Operation unit 112 scanner 113 printer 114 device controller 115 memory 116 hard disk 120 digital copier 130 Device management server 140 file server 150 computers 221 laser driver 240 Scanner Image Processing Unit

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06F 3/12 G06F 3/12 AK G06T 5/00 100 G06T 5/00 100 F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 AQ06 AR01 KK12 KK18 KK25 KK32 2H027 DA09 DE02 DE07 EA02 EB01 EC03 EC06 EC07 EC19 EJ15 ZA07 5B021 AA19 BB02 NN23 QQ04 5B057 AA11 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB08 CB12 AC56 AB42 AB18 AB42 AB18 AB42 A09 AB42 AB18 AB22 A04 AB18 A42 A09 A42 A43 AB18 A42 A43 A18 A42 A43 AB18 A22 A43 A18 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A3

Claims (42)

[Claims] 1. An image processing system comprising: a reading unit that reads an image; an image forming unit that forms and outputs an input image; and a managing unit that manages the image forming unit via a communication medium, Output control means for controlling the image output by the image forming means, and transfer means for transferring the image data obtained by the reading means reading the test image output by the image forming means to the management means. An image processing system, wherein the management unit controls the adjustment of the output characteristic of the image forming unit based on the image data transferred by the transfer unit. 2. The management means transfers an adjustment table for adjusting the output characteristic of the image forming means to the output control means based on the transferred image data. The image processing system according to item 1. 3. The image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the output control unit adjusts the output characteristic of the image forming unit based on the transferred adjustment table. 4. The managing means includes a judging means for judging whether to adjust an output characteristic of the image forming means based on a characteristic of the transferred image data, and the managing means comprises the judging means. The image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the adjustment table is transferred when it is determined that the adjustment is to be performed by. 5. The determination means calculates an error between the density characteristic of the transferred image data and a predetermined theoretical value of the density characteristic of the test image, and whether or not to adjust based on the error. The image processing system according to claim 4, wherein 6. The output control means, when the output characteristic of the image forming means cannot be adjusted by the adjustment table transferred by the management means, notifies that the adjustment is impossible. The image processing system described. 7. The image processing system according to claim 6, wherein the output control unit visually displays the fact that the adjustment is impossible and notifies the management unit. 8. The management unit transfers the test image to the output control unit, and the output control unit controls to output the transferred test image. The image processing system described. 9. The image according to claim 1, wherein the image reading unit and the image forming unit are digital copying machines connected to the management unit via a network. Processing system. 10. The management means is a management server that controls the adjustment of the output characteristic via a network, and a file server that stores a test image to be transferred to the output control means. Item 9. The image processing system according to Item 9. 11. An image processing system including a reading unit for reading an image and a management unit for managing the reading unit via a communication medium, the input control unit controlling an image input by the image reading unit, And a transfer unit that transfers image data obtained by the reading unit reading a predetermined test image to the management unit, wherein the management unit is based on the image data transferred by the transfer unit. An image processing system characterized by controlling adjustment of an input characteristic of a reading means. 12. The management means transfers an adjustment table for adjusting an input characteristic of the reading means to the input control means, based on the transferred image data. 11. The image processing system according to item 11. 13. The image processing system according to claim 12, wherein the input control unit adjusts an input characteristic of the reading unit based on the transferred adjustment table. 14. The managing means includes a judging means for judging whether or not to adjust an input characteristic of the reading means on the basis of the characteristic of the transferred image data, and the managing means is constituted by the judging means. The image processing system according to claim 12, wherein when the adjustment is determined, the adjustment table is transferred. 15. The determination means calculates an error between the brightness characteristic of the transferred image data and a predetermined theoretical value of the brightness characteristic of the test image, and whether or not to adjust based on the error. The image processing system according to claim 14, wherein 16. The input control means according to claim 15, wherein when the adjustment table transferred by the management means cannot adjust the input characteristic of the reading means, the input control means notifies that the adjustment is impossible. Image processing system. 17. The image processing system according to claim 16, wherein the input control unit visually displays the fact that the adjustment is impossible and notifies the management unit. 18. The image processing system according to claim 11, wherein the image reading unit is a digital copying machine connected to the management unit via a network. 19. The image processing system according to claim 18, wherein the management unit is a management server that controls the adjustment of the input characteristic via a network. 20. A management method for an image processing system, comprising: a reading device that reads an image; an image forming device that forms and outputs an input image; and a management device that manages the image forming device. The device, the transfer step of transferring the image data obtained by reading the test image output by the image forming apparatus to the management device, in the management device, based on the image data transferred by the transfer step, A control step of controlling adjustment of output characteristics of the image forming apparatus. 21. The control step transfers, to the image forming apparatus, an adjustment table for adjusting output characteristics of the image forming apparatus based on the transferred image data. Item 21. The management method according to Item 20. 22. The management method according to claim 21, further comprising an adjusting step of adjusting output characteristics of the image forming apparatus based on the transferred adjustment table. 23. The control step includes a determination step of determining whether to adjust an output characteristic of the image forming apparatus based on a characteristic of the transferred image data, and the control step includes the determination step. 22. The management method according to claim 21, wherein the adjustment table is transferred when it is determined that the adjustment is to be performed by. 24. The determining step calculates an error between the density characteristic of the transferred image data and a predetermined theoretical value of the density characteristic of the test image, and whether or not to adjust based on the error. The management method according to claim 23, characterized in that 25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising a notification step of notifying that adjustment is not possible when the output characteristics of the image forming apparatus cannot be adjusted using the adjustment table transferred by the control step. Management method. 26. The management method according to claim 25, wherein in the notification step, the fact that the adjustment is not possible is displayed on a predetermined display device and the management device is notified. 27. The test image is transferred from the management apparatus to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is controlled to output the transferred test image. Management method. 28. The image reading device and the image forming device are digital copying machines connected to the management device via a network.
The image processing system according to any one of 0 to 27. 29. The management device is a management server that controls the adjustment of the output characteristics via a network, and a file server that stores a test image to be transferred to the image forming device. Item 28. The management method according to Item 28. 30. A management method of an image processing system, comprising: a reading device for reading an image; and a management device for managing the reading device via a communication medium, wherein the reading device reads a predetermined test image. A transfer step of transferring the obtained image data to the management device; and a control step of controlling the adjustment of the input characteristic of the reading device in the management device based on the image data transferred by the transfer step. A management method characterized by that. 31. The control step transfers an adjustment table for adjusting an input characteristic of the reading device to the reading device based on the transferred image data. Management method described in. 32. The management method according to claim 31, further comprising an adjusting step of adjusting an input characteristic of the reading device based on the transferred adjustment table. 33. The control step includes a determination step of determining whether to adjust an input characteristic of the reading device based on a characteristic of the transferred image data, and the control step is performed by the determination step. The management method according to claim 31, wherein the adjustment table is transferred when it is determined that the adjustment is performed. 34. The determining step calculates an error between the brightness characteristic of the transferred image data and a predetermined theoretical value of the brightness characteristic of the test image, and whether or not to adjust based on the error. 34. The management method according to claim 33, wherein 35. The notifying step according to claim 34, further comprising a notifying step of notifying that adjustment is not possible when the input characteristic of the reading means cannot be adjusted by the adjustment table transferred by the management means. Management method. 36. The management method according to claim 35, wherein in the notifying step, the fact that the adjustment is impossible is displayed on a predetermined display device, and the management device is notified. 37. The management method according to claim 30, wherein the image reading device is a digital copying machine connected to the management device via a network. 38. The management method according to claim 37, wherein the management device is a management server that controls adjustment of the input characteristic via a network. 39. An image processing apparatus having a reading unit for reading an image and an image forming unit for forming an image of an input image and outputting the image, and being connected to a management device for managing the image forming unit via a communication medium. And an output control unit that controls image output by the image forming unit, and image data obtained by the reading unit reading the test image output by the image forming unit is transferred to the management device. A transfer unit, the output control unit is instructed by the management device,
An image processing apparatus, wherein output characteristics of the image forming unit are adjusted according to control information based on the obtained image data. 40. An image processing apparatus having a reading unit for reading an image and connected to a management device for managing the reading unit via a communication medium, the input control controlling an image input by the image reading unit. And a transfer unit that transfers image data obtained by the reading unit reading a predetermined test image to the management device, the input control unit being instructed by the management device,
An image processing apparatus, which adjusts an input characteristic of the reading unit according to control information based on the obtained image data. 41. An information processing apparatus, which is connected to a reading device for reading an image and an image forming apparatus for forming and outputting an input image via a communication medium and managing the image forming apparatus, wherein Image data obtained by reading a test image output by the apparatus is received by the reading apparatus, and the adjustment of output characteristics of the image forming apparatus is controlled based on the image data received by the receiving section. Control means,
An information processing device comprising: 42. An information processing device, which is connected to a reading device for reading an image through a communication medium and manages the reading device, wherein image data obtained by reading a predetermined test image is read by the reading device. Receiving means for receiving from, and control means for controlling the adjustment of the input characteristics of the reading device based on the image data received by the receiving means,
An information processing device comprising: