JP2003295710A - Copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a copying device enabling an operator to easily adjust the quality of a copied image. <P>SOLUTION: The copying device is given in advance a function for virtually setting the total number of level values of quality items to be processed and rectangular areas equal to the total number on an original and generating a test copy sheet which is paper on which the copy images of images in respective rectangular areas are formed under a condition that only the level values of the quality items to be processed are different and paper on which a level value presenting character string indicating which condition is applied to the formation of respective copy images is printed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a general copying apparatus is
It is configured so that various copy image qualities can be adjusted (a level relating to copy image quality can be selected).
In addition, recent copying machines (especially color copying machines)
Is a device having a large number of adjustable copy quality types and a large number of selectable levels for each copy quality.

[0003]

In a copying apparatus having many types of adjustable copy image quality and a large number of levels selectable for each copy image quality, it takes a considerable amount of time and cost to adjust the copy image quality. It will be. Because, when adjusting the copy image quality with such a copying machine, the copy image quality is adjusted, the copy is performed, and the operation of looking at the result is repeated until the copy is attempted. This is because the copy image quality cannot be adjusted to be suitable for the original.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a copying apparatus capable of easily adjusting the copy image quality.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the copying apparatus of the present invention comprises an image reading means for reading an image on a document and generating image data representing the image.
In order to cause the print executing means to print on the paper the contents according to the supplied data and the print executing means to generate a copy of the document set in the image reading means, the image reading means is made to generate the image data. A copy generating unit that generates image quality adjusted image data that has undergone image processing for adjusting the image quality of the image data and supplies the image data to the print executing unit; and an image that the copy generating unit applies to the image data. Copy image quality regulation information storage means storing copy quality regulation information that regulates processing contents, and copy image quality that changes the content of the copy image quality regulation information stored in the copy image quality regulation information storage means according to an instruction from the operator. When the prescribed information changing means and the test copy sheet generation are instructed, the image reading means is caused to generate the image data, and based on the image data, the mutual information is changed. Image quality that is data that has been subjected to image processing of the content specified by the copy image condition information for each of a plurality of different copy image condition information and that represents data for one area of the image on the document. A test copy sheet generating means for generating adjusted image data and supplying the generated plurality of image quality adjusted image data to the print executing means.

When the copying apparatus of the present invention having such a structure is used, the operator causes the test copy sheet generating means of the copying apparatus to generate a test copy sheet, and by looking at the test copy sheet, a plurality of operators are provided. When each of the copy image quality condition information is stored in the copy image quality regulation information storage means, the image quality of the copy generated by the copy generation means can be confirmed at the same time. Therefore, if this copying apparatus is used, in the conventional copying apparatus, the copying image quality adjustment work that cannot be completed unless the copying image quality is adjusted and copying is performed and the result is repeated several times, It will be easy to do.

In implementing the copying apparatus of the present invention, as the test copy sheet generating means, a means for generating image quality adjusted image data relating to different areas of the image on the original for each of the plurality of copy image quality condition information is provided. Alternatively, a means for generating image quality adjusted image data for the same area of the image on the document may be used for each of the plurality of pieces of copy image quality condition information.

Further, in implementing the copying apparatus of the present invention, the test copy sheet generating means adjusts the image quality of the same area designated by the operator of the image on the original for each of the plurality of copy image quality condition information. It is also possible to employ a means for generating the finished image data, for causing the image data generating means to generate only the image data concerning the area designated by the operator, and for each of the plurality of copy image quality condition information, A means for generating image quality adjusted image data regarding the area designated by the operator may be adopted.

Further, in realizing the copying apparatus of the present invention, in order to allow the operator to easily understand the correspondence between the contents of the test copy sheet and the copy image quality condition information, the test copy sheet generating means is used. A means for supplying a plurality of generated image quality adjusted image data and data for printing information indicating the content of the image processing applied to each image quality adjusted image data to the print executing means is adopted. It is desirable to keep.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> First, the hardware configuration of a copying apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is an external view of the copying apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the copying apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a copying apparatus 10 according to this embodiment includes a scanner 11 and a printer 13, and a copy operation unit 12 connected to them.
It is a device (system) composed of and.

The scanner 11 used in the copying apparatus 10 is for configuring the copying apparatus 10 (for connecting the copying operation unit 12 and the scanner 11) to a scanner that can be used as a peripheral device of a computer.
A device with an expansion board installed. The printer 13
To configure the copying apparatus 10 to a color laser printer that can be used as a peripheral device of a computer (to connect the copy operation unit 12 and the printer 13)
A device with an expansion board installed.

The copy operation unit 12 includes a scanner 11
The scanner 11 is controlled by controlling the printer 13 and the printer 13.
The printer 13 is a device that causes the printer 13 to generate a copy of the original document set.

As shown in FIG. 1, the copy operation unit 12 has a touch screen 31 (an element in which a transparent contact position sensor 36 is superposed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) 35) and various push buttons on the upper surface thereof. Numeric keypad 3 consisting of switches (numeric keypad, start button 32s, etc.)
It is a device provided with a few LEDs 33 and the like, and as shown in FIG.
1, ROM 22, storage unit 23, communication control circuit 24, image processing circuit 25, LCD control circuit 26, input interface circuit (input I / F) 27, LED drive circuit 28, and the like.

CPU included in the copy operation unit 12
Reference numeral 21 denotes each part of the copying apparatus 10 (copy operation unit 1
2 is a control circuit for integrally controlling each unit in FIG. 2, the scanner 11 and the printer 13). ROM22 is CPU21
It is a non-volatile memory in which a program defining the operation procedure of (1) and data used by the CPU 21 are recorded. The storage unit 23 is a unit used by the CPU 21 (program) to store various kinds of information. Storage unit 23
Is composed of a volatile memory (SDRAM in this device) and a rewritable nonvolatile memory (EEPROM in this device).

The communication control circuit 24 is a circuit used by the CPU 21 to exchange information (command transmission, image data reception, print data transmission) with the scanner 11 or the printer 13. The image processing circuit 25 is a circuit for performing various kinds of image processing on the image data generated by the scanner 11. The image processing circuit 25 can perform six types of image processing on image data, such as density change (adjustment), contrast change, saturation change, hue change, moire removal, and background removal. Has become.

The LCD control circuit 26 is a circuit that causes the touch screen 31 (LCD 35) to display an image (screen) of the content instructed by the CPU 21. The input interface circuit 27 is a circuit that notifies the CPU 21 of the operation content performed by the operator on the ten-key pad 32 or the touch screen 31 (contact position sensor 36).

Next, the operation of the copying apparatus 10 will be described.

The CP in the copy operation unit 12 is shown in FIG.
7 shows a flow chart of the processing performed by U21.

As shown in the figure, when the copying apparatus 10 is activated, the CPU 21 first initializes the copy condition defining information (step S101). Here, the copy condition defining information is information defining the content of the copy process executed in step S108 described later, and the content is changed in accordance with the instruction of the operator in step S104 or step S105 described later. It is the information for which the processing is performed. This copy condition definition information includes information element groups (density level value, contrast level value, saturation level value, hue level value, moire removal strength level value, and background removal strength level value) that define copy image quality, and other than copy quality. The information stored in the storage unit 23 includes an information element group (copy magnification, the number of copies, etc.) that defines the copy condition of.

CPU 2 which has initialized copy condition defining information
1 displays on the touch screen 31 the basic operation screen having the content according to the copy condition defining information (step S).
102). In this step S102, the CPU 21
Displays the basic operation screen 40 as shown in FIG. 4 on the touch screen 31.

After that, the CPU 21 waits (monitors) for an operation (effective at that time) on the touch screen 31 (basic operation screen 40) or the numeric keypad 32 by the operator (step S10).
3) is started.

When it is detected that an operation different from the depression of the "color tone correction" button 41 on the basic operation screen 40 and the depression of the start button 32s included in the ten-key portion 32 is performed (steps S103 and S10).
4: Other), the CPU 21 performs the processing of the content corresponding to the performed operation in step S105.

In all of the processes performed by the CPU 21 in step S105, the value of a certain information element in the copy condition defining information is changed in accordance with the instruction of the operator, and the basic operation screen 40 in which the change is reflected is displayed. This is a process of displaying on the touch screen 31.

For example, when the numerical key included in the ten-key unit 32 is pressed, the CPU 21 causes the step S105.
, The number of copies in the copy condition definition information is changed to one corresponding to the pressed numeric key, and the basic operation screen 40 showing the changed number of copies (“1” in FIG. 4) is touched. Processing for displaying on the screen 31 is performed.

If the "reduce" button (the button internally indicated as "reduce") on the basic operation screen 40 is pressed, the CPU 21 firstly proceeds to step S105.
The operator is made to specify the reduction ratio by executing the processing including the display of another screen. After that, the CPU 21 changes the reduction ratio in the copy condition defining information to the one specified by the operator, and performs a process of displaying the basic operation screen 40 showing the changed reduction ratio on the touch screen 31. , Step S105 ends.

When the CPU 21 detects that an operation different from the pressing of the "color tone correction" button 41 and the pressing of the start button 32s is performed, after performing such processing in step S105, the processing returns to step S103. Again, it waits for the operation of the touch screen 31 or the numeric keypad 32 to be performed by the operator.

When it is detected that the "color tone correction" button 41 has been pressed (step S103, step S104; color tone correction), the CPU 21 starts the color tone correction process (step S106).

This color tone correction processing is also processing in which the copy condition defining information is changed (that is, processing executed before the start button 32s is pressed), similar to the processing executed in step S105. Before describing the details of the color tone correction process, the operation of the CPU 21 when the start button 32s is pressed will be described.

When it is detected that the start button 32s is pressed (steps S103 and S104;
(Start), the CPU 21 displays a copy execution screen for notifying the operator that the copy is being executed on the touch screen 31 (step S107), and then the contents according to the copy condition defining information at that time. The copy process of is executed (step S108). The specific procedure of the copy process executed by the CPU 21 in step S108 differs depending on the number of copies, the copy magnification in the copy condition defining information, whether the document is set on the ADF of the scanner 11 or the document table. There is. However,
In any case, the basic procedure of copy processing is to obtain image data representing an image on a document from the scanner 11 and copy the image data at that time by using the image processing circuit 25. Image processing of the content defined by the information element group that defines the copy image quality in the condition defining information is performed, and the printer 13 is caused to perform printing based on the image data subjected to the image processing.

After the copy processing is completed, the CPU 21
Returns to step S102 and returns to the basic operation screen 4 again.
0 is displayed on the touch screen 31.

The details of the color tone correction processing executed by the CPU 21 will be described below in detail.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of the color tone correction processing. As shown in the figure, the CPU 21 that has started the color tone correction process
First, the adjustment item selection screen is displayed on the touch screen 31 (step S201). In this step S201, the adjustment item selection screen 50 as shown in FIG. 6, that is, the adjustment item selection screen 50 including the six adjustment item buttons 51 and the “return” button 52 is the touch screen 31.
Displayed above.

After that, the CPU 21 starts a process (step S202) of waiting (monitoring) for pressing any button on the adjustment item selection screen 50. Although not shown in this flowchart, the CPU 21 also monitors the pressing of the start button 32s in step S202, and if the start button 32s is pressed,
The processing from step S107 (FIG. 3) is started.

When it is detected that any of the adjustment item buttons 51 is pressed (step S202, step S202)
203; adjustment item), the CPU 21 causes an image quality adjustment screen for an image quality item (hereinafter referred to as a processing target image quality item) associated with the pressed adjustment item button 51, for example, the image quality adjustment shown in FIG. The screen 60 is displayed on the touch screen 31 (step S204).

The image quality adjustment screen 60 shown in FIG. 7 has an adjustment item button 51 (hereinafter referred to as "saturation adjustment"), which is internally indicated as "saturation adjustment" on the adjustment item selection screen 50 (FIG. 6). Button 51) is pressed, the CPU 21
Is what is displayed. The level value display graphic 67 provided on the image quality adjustment screen 60 becomes a graphic representing the currently set level value depending on the display position of the graphic 67a, as schematically shown in FIG. There is. Also,
Although illustration is omitted, when the adjustment item button 51 different from the “saturation adjustment” button 51 is pressed, the CPU 21 causes the image quality adjustment screen 60 and the title shown in FIG. 7 (in FIG. 7,
Only "Adjust saturation") is different, or the title and the level value display graphic 67 are different (the level value range that can be expressed is not -3 to 3) Image quality adjustment screen 6 (with display graphic 67)
Display 0.

The CPU 21, which has displayed such an image quality adjustment screen 60 on the touch screen 31 in step S204 (FIG. 5), presses any button on the image quality adjustment screen 60 in step S205. To wait.
Then, when the CPU 21 detects that the “test copy” button 64 has been pressed (step S205, step S206; test copy), the test copy execution screen 70 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the touch screen 3
1 is displayed (step S208), the test copy sheet generation process (step S209) is started.

CPU 2 during test copy sheet generation processing
Before describing the operation procedure of No. 1, the outline of the test copy sheet generation process will be described with reference to FIG.

As schematically shown in FIG. 10, in the test copy sheet generation process, the image quality item to be processed (image quality item selected by the operator on the adjustment item selection screen 50;
In the figure, the same number of rectangular areas as the total number of level values of “saturation” are virtually set, and the copy image of the image in each rectangular area is formed under the condition that only the level values related to the image quality item to be processed are different. This is a process for generating a specified sheet (hereinafter referred to as a test copy sheet). The test copy sheet generation process is also a process for generating a test copy sheet on which a level value presentation character string indicating under what condition each copy image is formed is printed.

The operation procedure of the CPU 21 during the test copy sheet generation processing will be described below with reference to FIG. During the test copy sheet generation process, the CPU 21
Performs the process of periodically changing the content of the test copy in-progress screen 70 (FIG. 9) to the one showing the current progress of the test copy sheet generation process. The flow chart shown in FIG. The display of steps regarding is omitted.

As shown in the figure, the CPU 21, which has started the test copy sheet generation process, first grasps the document size and the lower limit value, upper limit value and total number of level values relating to the image quality item to be processed (step S301). ). The document size is the width (length of the scanner 11 in the main scanning direction) and height (length of the scanner 11 in the sub scanning direction) of the document.

Next, the CPU 21 determines the read image size prescribed value (width prescribed value and height prescribed value) and each level based on the grasped original size and total number of level values and the level value presentation area height given in advance. The reading start position specified value for the value is obtained (step S302). Here, the level value presentation area height is a level value presentation character string (see FIG. 10).
Is data indicating the height of an area to be secured on a sheet for printing (data for designating an interval between copy images). The read image size specified value and the read start position specified value are the size of the image read by the scanner 11,
This is data that defines the position, and these specified values are used during the process of step S304 described below.

Specifically, in step S302, the CPU 21 writes the width of the document as W, the height of the document as H, the total number of level values as N, and the level value presentation area height as d. As specified value and height specified value, W, respectively
(H / N-d) is stored, and n (n = 1 to 1)
A process of storing (d + (n−1) · (H / N−d)) is performed as the reading start position prescribed value for the (N) th level value.

Thereafter, the CPU 21 stores the lower limit value of the level value regarding the processing target item grasped in step S301 as the processing target level value (step S30).
3).

Next, the CPU 21 issues a command to the scanner 11 to read an image of a size specified by the read image size specified value from the position specified by the read start position specified value for the processing target level value. It is transmitted (step S304). Then, with respect to the image data transmitted to the copy operation unit 12 by the scanner 11 which receives the command, the level value related to the image quality item to be processed is set as the processing target level value, and the level values related to other image quality items are copied. Image processing is performed with the level value in the condition defining information to generate image quality adjusted image data (step S305).

Next, the CPU 21 generates a level value presentation character string by combining the name of the image quality item to be processed and the current level value to be processed, and the level value presentation character string and the image quality adjusted image data are Data for printing on the paper in this order is supplied to the printer 13 (step S306).

After that, the CPU 21 performs the process of increasing the processing target level value by "1" (step S307), and then the processing target level value exceeds the upper limit value of the level value regarding the processing target item grasped in step S301. It is determined whether or not (step S308).

Then, the CPU 21 determines that the level value to be processed is less than or equal to the upper limit value (step S308; NO).
If the processing target level value exceeds the upper limit value, the processing from step S304 is executed again (step S
308; YES), a command for causing the printer 13 to print the content according to the data supplied up to that point (step S309),
The test copy sheet generation process ends.

Returning to FIG. 5, the CPU 2 at the time of color tone correction processing
1 (CPU 21 after completion of test copy sheet generation processing)
The operation of will be described.

C for which the test copy sheet generation processing has been completed
The PU 21 executes the processing from step S204 again. That is, the CPU 21 at step S204
The image quality adjustment screen 60 for the image quality item to be processed is displayed on the touch screen 31 (the screen on the touch screen 31 is returned to the one displayed when the “test copy” button 65 is pressed), and in step S205. It waits for the button on the image quality adjustment screen 60 to be pressed.

When it is detected that the "-" button 61 has been pressed (steps S205 and S20).
6; level value change), and the CPU 21 performs step S207.
In the image quality adjustment screen 60, the level value display graphic 67 obtained by moving the display position of the graphic 67a leftward by one level value is displayed.
Is displayed. Next, the CPU 21 returns to step S205 and waits again for the button on the image quality adjustment screen 60 to be pressed.

When the CPU 21 detects that the "+" button 62 has been pressed (step S206; level value change), the display position of the figure 67a in the image quality adjustment screen 60 is determined in step S207. When the pressing of the "standard" button 66 is detected (step S206; level value change), the processing for displaying the level value display graphic 67 that is moved by one level value to the right is performed, and step S207 is performed. At, the processing for displaying the level value display graphic 67 in which the graphic 67a is located in the center is performed in the image quality adjustment screen 60.

When the "OK" button 66 is pressed (step S206; OK / cancel, step S21)
0; YES), the CPU 21 rewrites the level value relating to the image quality item to be processed in the copy condition defining information with the level value set by the operator (the level value indicated by the current level value display graphic 67) (step). S21
1). Then, the CPU 21 returns to step S201 and sets the adjustment item selection screen 50 again on the touch screen 31.
Display on top.

When the "cancel" button 67 is pressed (step S206; decision / cancel, step S210; NO), the CPU 21 proceeds to step S
The process of step S201 is started without performing the process of 211.

Then, when the "return" button 52 on the adjustment item selection screen 50 is pressed (step S203; return), the CPU 21 terminates the color tone adjustment processing, and FIG.
In step S102, the basic operation screen 40 is displayed on the touch screen 31.

As is apparent from the above description of the operation, the copying apparatus 10 allows the operator to carry out the copying work in the procedure as schematically shown in FIG.

That is, the operator who wants to make a copy after adjusting the image quality presses the “color tone correction” button 41 on the basic operation screen 40 displayed on the touch screen 31. As a result, the adjustment item selection screen 50 is displayed on the touch screen 31, so that the operator
After setting the original on 1, the adjustment item selection screen 50
Adjustment item button 5 for the image quality item you want to adjust above
1 is pressed, and as a result, the "test copy" button 6 on the image quality adjustment screen 60 displayed on the touch screen 31
Press 4.

By this operation, the test copy sheet generation process is started, and the copying apparatus 10 is brought into a state in which the test copy execution screen 70 is displayed on the touch screen 31. After a few seconds, a test copy sheet as shown in the figure is generated, and the image quality adjustment screen 60 is displayed again on the touch screen 31.
The operator looks at the generated test copy sheet to determine which level value is most suitable for the current document. Then, the operator uses the "-" button 61 or the level value display graphic 67 on the image quality adjustment screen 60 so that the level value display graphic 67 shows the level value determined to be the most suitable.
Press the “+” button 62 several times (in some cases,
Press the "standard" button 63 once).

After that, the operator presses the "OK" button 65. By this operation, the level value regarding the image quality item to be processed in the copy condition defining information is rewritten, so that the adjustment regarding the image quality item to be processed is completed.

As described above, the copying apparatus 10 of this embodiment
By using, the conventional copy apparatus can easily perform the adjustment work of the copy image quality, which must be repeated several times by adjusting the copy image quality and performing the copy, and then seeing the result. Become.

<Second Embodiment> A copying apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the copying apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment described above so as to perform different operations when a test copy sheet is generated. is there. Therefore, in the following,
The same reference numerals as those used in the description of the copying apparatus 10 of the first embodiment are used, and the copying apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment is used.
The operation of the above will be described focusing on the part different from the copying apparatus 10 of the first embodiment.

In the copying apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment, a test copy sheet as schematically shown in FIG. 13, that is, a copy image of an image in the same rectangular area on the original is
This is an apparatus for generating a test copy sheet formed in a plurality of locations under the condition that only the level values relating to the image quality item to be processed (“saturation” in the figure) are different.

Further, the copying apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment
0 is a device that allows the operator to specify which part of the original image to generate the test copy sheet.

Specifically, the copy operation unit 12 used in the copy apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment has the same overall operation procedure as the copy apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.
This is the same as the copy operation unit 12 used in, but when the "test copy" button 65 is pressed, the CPU 21 is a unit that performs the processing whose procedure is shown in FIG. In other words, the copy operation unit 12 according to the second embodiment is
The unit is configured so that the color tone correction process is performed in the procedure corresponding to steps S208 and S209 in FIG. 5 by incorporating the flowchart of FIG.

That is, when the "test copy" button 65 is pressed, the CPU 21 in the copy operation unit 12 according to the second embodiment first sets the lower limit and the upper limit of the document size and the level value relating to the image quality item to be processed. The value and the total number N are grasped (step S401). Then CP
U21 is the total number N of document sizes and level values that have been grasped.
Based on the level value presentation area height given in advance, the read image size specified value (width specified value and height specified value)
And the N reading start position defining values for the first to Nth image reading areas are obtained (step S402).

The processing performed in these steps is step S301, except that each reading start position stipulated value is obtained not in the level value but in a form associated with the image reading area.
And the processing performed in S302.

Next, the CPU 21 displays the image reading area selection screen for allowing the operator to select one image reading area from the N image reading areas by the touch screen 31.
It is displayed above (step S403). This step S4
In 03, the CPU 21 displays on the touch screen 31 an image reading area selection screen having contents corresponding to the orientation of the document and the N value (total number of levels of image items to be processed).

Specifically, when the document is oriented vertically (the short side of the document is parallel to the main scanning direction of the scanner 11), the CPU 21 causes the CPU 21 of FIG.
The image reading area selection screen 80 as shown in (A), that is, the image reading area figure 82 includes N (“7” in the figure) image reading area figures 82, and one image reading area figure 82. Image reading area selection screen 80 in which a vertically long graphic 81 is drawn in a display form (hereinafter, referred to as selected form) indicating that the display form is selected.
Is displayed. When the original is oriented vertically, the CPU 21 causes the image reading area selection screen 8 in which a horizontally long graphic 81 is drawn, as shown in FIG.
Display 0.

After displaying the image reading area selection screen 80 on the touch screen 31, the CPU 21 waits for an operation on the touch screen 31 or the numeric keypad 32 (step S404).

When the CPU 21 detects that the "cancel" button 86 has been pressed (step S
In 404 and step S405: Cancel), the process of this figure is ended, and the adjustment item selection screen 50 is displayed on the touch screen 31 (the process corresponding to the process from step S201 of FIG. 5 is started).

When it is detected that the numerical key of "1" to "N" is pressed (steps S404 and S40)
5: Numerical key), the CPU 21 sets the image reading area selection screen 80 in a state in which only the display mode of the read image area graphic 82 corresponding to the pressed numerical key is in the selected mode (step). S406) is performed. And
The CPU 21 returns to step S404 and waits again for an operation on the touch screen 31 or the numeric keypad 32.

When it is detected that the "OK" button 85 has been pressed (steps S404 and S405: OK), the CPU 21 causes the read image area selected by the operator (the read image displayed in the selected form). The read start position prescribed value for the read image area (corresponding to the area graphic 82) is selected to be used in the test copy sheet generation processing (step S407). And C
The PU 21 displays the test copy execution screen on the touch screen 31 (step S408), and then starts the test copy sheet generation process (step S409).

As shown in FIG. 16, the CPU 21 that has started the test copy sheet generation processing sets an image of a size defined by the read image size specified value (obtained in step S402) to the read start position specified value ( Step S407
The command instructing to read from the position defined by (selected in step 1) is transmitted to the scanner 11 (step S501). Then, the scanner 11 which receives the command stores the image data transmitted to the copy operation unit 12 in the storage unit 23 (step S5).
02).

Thereafter, the CPU 21 stores the lower limit value of the level value regarding the processing target item grasped in step S401 as the processing target level value (step S50).
3).

Next, for the image data stored in the storage unit 23, the CPU 21 sets the level value related to the image quality item to be processed as the processing target level value, and the level values related to other image quality items in the copy condition defining information. By performing image processing with the level value, image quality adjusted image data is generated (step S504).

Next, the CPU 21 generates a level value presentation character string by combining the name of the image quality item to be processed and the current level value to be processed, and the level value presentation character string and the image quality adjusted image data are Data for printing on the paper in this order is supplied to the printer 13 (step S505).

After that, the CPU 21 performs the process of increasing the processing target level value by "1" (step S506), and then the processing target level value exceeds the upper limit value of the level value regarding the processing target item grasped in step S501. It is determined whether or not (step S507). And CPU
If the processing target level value is less than or equal to the upper limit value (step S507; NO), the process 21 again executes the processing from step S504.

Then, the CPU 21 determines that the level value to be processed exceeds the upper limit value (step S507; YES).
To the printer 13 (step S508), and the test copy sheet generation process is completed.

As described above, the copying apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment also has the function of generating a test copy sheet. Therefore, even if the present copying apparatus 10 is used, in the conventional copying apparatus, the adjustment operation of the copy image quality is not completed unless the operation of adjusting the copy image quality to perform the copy and viewing the result is repeated several times. But,
It will be easy to do.

Further, the copying apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment.
Is a device for generating a test copy sheet based on an image of a part of a document, and is also a device for allowing an operator to specify which part of the document image to generate a test copy sheet. Therefore, the copying apparatus 10
By using, even when the original has a small number of portions where an image is actually formed (drawn), the adjustment work of the copy image quality can be performed without any problem.

<Modification> Each copying apparatus 10 described above
Can make various modifications. For example, in the copy operation unit 12 according to the first embodiment, as a test copy sheet generating process, a process of causing the scanner 11 to generate one page of image data and cutting out image data of a required size from the image data It may be modified so that Although the same modification can be applied to the copy operation unit 12 according to the second embodiment, when such modification is performed, the time required to generate the test copy sheet becomes long. It is desirable that the copy operation unit 12 according to the second embodiment is not subjected to such a modification because it causes unnecessary (at least causes the scanner 11 to perform unnecessary reading).

Also, as the test copy sheet, one in which the level value presentation character string is not printed is generated,
Each copying apparatus 10 may be modified. Further, each copy apparatus 10 is configured to generate a test copy sheet on which copy images are formed (test copy sheet in which copy images are arranged in a matrix) for each of all combinations of level values related to two image quality items. May be modified.

Although each copying apparatus 10 is a combination of three apparatuses, the copying apparatus 10 described above is used.
It goes without saying that a dedicated copy machine may be configured based on the technology used in.

[0085]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the copying apparatus which can easily perform the adjustment work of the copy image quality.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a copying apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a copying apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the overall operation procedure of the CPU in the copy operation unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a basic operation screen displayed on the touch screen of the copy operation unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a color tone correction process executed by a CPU in the copy operation unit.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an adjustment item selection screen displayed on the touch screen during color tone correction processing.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an image quality adjustment screen displayed on the touch screen during color tone correction processing.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a level value display graphic included in the image quality adjustment screen.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a test copy executing screen displayed on the touch screen when the “test copy” button is pressed.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a test copy sheet generation process executed in the color tone correction process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a test copy sheet generation process.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a procedure of using the copying apparatus 10.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a test copy sheet generation process executed by the copying apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of processing executed by the CPU in the copy operation unit that constitutes the copy apparatus according to the second embodiment when the “test copy” button is pressed.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a reading area number selection screen displayed on the touch screen of the copying apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a test copy sheet generation process executed by the copy apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Copy device 11 scanner 12 Copy operation unit 13 Printer 21 CPU 22 ROM 23 Memory 24 Communication control circuit 25 Image processing circuit 26 LCD control circuit 27 Input interface circuit 28 LED drive circuit 31 touch screen 32 Numeric keypad 33 LEDs 35 Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) 36 Contact position sensor 40 Basic operation screen 50 Adjustment item selection screen 60 Image quality adjustment screen 70 Test copy execution screen 80 Image reading area setting screen

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image reading unit that reads an image on a document and generates image data representing the image, a print executing unit that prints a content according to the supplied data on a sheet, and the image reading unit. In order to cause the print executing means to generate a copy of the document set on the sheet, the image reading means is caused to generate image data, and the image data is subjected to image processing for adjusting the image quality. Copy generation means for generating completed image data and supplying it to the print execution means, and copy image quality regulation information storage for storing copy image quality regulation information that regulates the content of image processing performed by the copy generation means on the image data. And a copy image quality definition information for changing the content of the copy image quality definition information stored in the copy image quality definition information storage unit according to an instruction from an operator. When the changing means and the generation of the test copy sheet are instructed, the image reading means is caused to generate image data, and based on the image data, the copy image condition information for each of a plurality of different copy image quality condition information. Image-quality-adjusted image data, which is data that has been subjected to image processing with the content specified in Section 1 and is data that represents an image of one area of the image on the document, and the generated plurality of image-quality-adjusted images And a test copy sheet generating means for supplying data to the print executing means. 2. The test copy sheet generating means generates image quality adjusted image data for different areas of the image on the original for each of the plurality of copy image quality condition information. The described copying machine. 3. The test copy sheet generating means generates image quality adjusted image data for the same area of an image on the original for each of the plurality of copy image quality condition information. Copy device. 4. The test copy sheet generating means generates, for each of the plurality of pieces of copy image quality condition information, image quality adjusted image data for the same area of the image on the original document designated by the operator. The copying apparatus according to claim 3, which is characterized in that 5. The copying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the test copy sheet generating means causes the image data generating means to generate only image data regarding the area designated by the operator. 6. The data for causing the test copy sheet generating means to print a plurality of generated image quality adjusted image data and information indicating contents of image processing performed on each image quality adjusted image data. 6. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: