JP2003334933A - Method of forming image, image forming program, and judgment medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress occurrence of bleeding or unevenness of ink with respect to an unexpected medium. <P>SOLUTION: Test patterns are set such that at least one of a bleeding condition of the ink in a plurality of adjacent regions having different color hues, and an uneven condition of the ink in a monochrome face can be visually observed. The patterns are arranged on an identical medium by a plurality of different quantities of the ink to form a judgment medium. As an index of the quantity of the ink to be ejected is printed on the identical medium, a user can readily judge the adequate quantity of the ink to be ejected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to an image forming method, and more particularly, to an image forming method, an image forming program and a recording medium which are meaningful when an unexpected recording medium is used in an ink jet printer. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional ink jet printer, a number of recording media (media) to be printed are determined at the time of development, and an image processing table and an image correction processing means are individually provided so as to be optimal for each of the determined media. Was created and implemented.

[0003]

According to the conventional method, since an ink ejection amount of an unexpected arbitrary medium for which an image processing table or an image processing means is not prepared is unknown, an appropriate ink is not used. It was not possible to select the image processing table for the driving amount.

As a result, when an image is formed using an improper image processing table, undesired image formation such as overflow of ink, blurring of characters, or unevenness of a uniform monochromatic surface is performed. There was something.

Therefore, according to the present invention, a method, a program, and a test pattern for forming a test pattern capable of determining a more suitable ink amount even if the recording medium is unexpected, are formed by the image formation. The purpose is to provide a readable medium.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises a step of generating a test pattern for judging a fixing state of a coloring material used for image formation on a recording medium, and a step of generating the test pattern. And a plurality of color materials are formed on the recording medium by using different amounts of the color materials, respectively.

With such a structure, it is possible to provide a judgment medium having a test pattern recorded thereon, which makes it possible to judge a more suitable ink amount. If this judgment medium is used, it can be used to reduce "bleeding" or "unevenness" of ink even if an unexpected recording medium is used.

Here, the color material is ink such as dye ink or pigment ink.

The test pattern is, for example, a test pattern set so that at least one of the "bleeding" state and the "unevenness" state of the ink can be visually observed.

Further, in the test pattern, for example, the pattern for visually observing the "bleeding" state of the ink includes a plurality of areas adjacent to each other and having different hues.

Further, in the test pattern, the pattern for visually observing the "uneven" state of the ink may include a substantially uniform monochromatic surface.

In addition to the test pattern, information on the ink ejection amount may be formed on the recording medium.

In this way, since the ink ejection amount index itself is also printed on the same medium, the user can easily determine the suitable ink ejection amount.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a recording medium on which a test pattern is formed by the above image forming method.

Further, according to the present invention, on a recording medium on which an image is formed by using ink, the "bleeding" state of the ink in a plurality of adjacent areas having different hues or the ink on the uniform monochromatic surface is formed. Provided is an ink ejection amount determination medium characterized in that a test pattern set so that at least one of the "uneven" states can be visually observed is arranged on the same recording medium with a plurality of ink amounts of different amounts. To be done.

Further, if the ink ejection amount is recorded as numerical information, the user can easily find a suitable ejection amount.

Further, according to the present invention, a step of reading out a test pattern for determining a fixing state of a color material used for image formation on a recording medium from a storage device, and different amounts of the color material are used, An image forming program for causing a computer to execute a step of controlling the image forming apparatus to form a plurality of read test patterns on the recording medium is provided.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Of course, the following embodiments provide disclosure for facilitating the implementation by those skilled in the art of the present invention, and are included in the technical scope of the present invention defined by the claims. Partial embodiment only. Therefore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that even embodiments not directly described in the specification of the present application are included in the technical scope of the present invention as long as the technical idea is common.

Although a plurality of embodiments will be described for convenience, those skilled in the art will understand that not only these embodiments are individually realized, but also the invention can be realized by appropriately combining a plurality of embodiments. Easy to understand.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. The image processing apparatus 100 is a personal computer or the like. C
The PU 101 is a central processing unit that integrally controls each unit of the image processing apparatus 100 by executing an operating system, an application program, a Dubai driver, and the like. RAM 102 is a CPU
It is a memory that provides 100 work areas. ROM
Reference numeral 103 denotes a memory that stores a boot program such as BIOS. The HDD 104 is a fixed storage device such as a hard disk drive, and stores image data such as a test pattern image in addition to computer programs such as an application program, an operating system and various driver programs. Communication I
The F105 is an interface for performing data communication with an external device such as USB, IEEE1394, wired LAN or wireless LAN. The display IF 106 is a control unit for controlling display of image information and the like on the display device 109 connected to the outside or inside. The operation unit 107 is an input device such as a pointing device or a key input device. The printer 108 is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium by an inkjet method or a laser beam method. The display device 109 is a liquid crystal display or the like for displaying image data and the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the image processing apparatus 100. Using FIG. 1 and FIG.
The flow of print output will be described. As the printer 108 that prints out, a generally popular inkjet printer or the like can be used. When the output image data is printed out, the application 202
Makes a printout request to the OS 201. For example, the graphics data part is composed of a graphics drawing command, and the image image data part issues a drawing command group showing an output image composed of an image drawing command to the OS 201.

The OS 201 receives the output request of the application and receives the printer driver 20 corresponding to the output printer.
Issue a drawing command group to 8. The printer driver 208 processes the print request and the drawing command group input from the OS 201, creates print data printable by the printer 108, and transfers the print data to the printer 108. If the printer 108 is a raster printer, the printer driver 208
The image correction process is sequentially executed for the drawing commands from 201, and the drawing commands are sequentially rasterized in the RGB 24-bit page memory. After the rasterizing of all the drawing commands, the printer 108 can print the contents of the RGB 24-bit page memory. The data is converted into a data format, for example, CMYK data, and transferred to the printer 108.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, the printer driver 2
The processing performed in 08 will be described. Image correction processing unit 301
Performs image correction processing on the color information included in the drawing command group input from the OS 201. As the image correction processing, for example, RGB color information is converted into a luminance / color difference signal, exposure correction processing is performed on the luminance signal, and the corrected luminance / color difference signal is inversely converted into RGB color information.

The printer correction processing unit 302 first rasterizes the drawing command based on the RGB color information that has undergone the image correction processing, generates a raster image on the RGB 24-bit page memory, and performs color matching processing for performing color reproduction space mapping, CMYK. CMYK data depending on the color reproducibility of the printer is generated for each pixel by performing color separation processing, gamma correction processing, and halftone processing on the pixel, and the printable image data is transferred to the printer 108.

1. Printer Correction Processing FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the internal processing configuration of the printer driver 208. The processing in the printer correction processing unit 302 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed block configuration of the printer correction processing unit 302.
In the following, for simplicity of explanation, a color space that is normally represented in three dimensions is schematically represented in two dimensions (FIG. 5, etc.).

First, the image correction processing unit 301 adjusts the brightness, contrast, color tone, etc. of each of the RGB 8
The bit image data is input to the image signal input unit 401 in the printer correction processing unit 302. The 8-bit RGB image data input to the image signal input unit 401 is
It corresponds to the color reproduced on the display device 109. For example, in the coordinate values of the CIE L * a * b * color system, which is a uniform color space, (L_Monitor, a_Monitor)
The image data represents a color such as or, b_Monitor).

However, as can be seen from FIG. 5, the color reproduction space of the display device 109 and the color reproduction space of the printer 108 do not match in a uniform color space such as the L * a * b * space. . This means that the printer cannot form an image in the area (hatched portion) outside the color reproduction space of the printer shown in FIG. 5 and within the color reproduction space of the display device. More specifically, for the image data represented on the display device 109, the color separation processing unit 403 in the subsequent stage performs RG.
Even if B-CMYK conversion is performed, gradation correction processing is performed by the output γ correction processing unit 404, binarization processing is performed by the halftone processing unit 405, and then output to the image output unit 406. An impossible area, that is, an area (hatched portion) on the color space that cannot be expressed by the printer 108 occurs.

Therefore, on the printer 108 side, a pseudo color (L * a * b * value) is applied to an area (hatched portion) on the color space that can be reproduced by the display device 109 but cannot be reproduced by the printer 108. That is, it is necessary to generate and print a pseudo color different from the color of the display device 109.

Hereinafter, the L * a * b * space is used as the uniform color space, and the cylindrical coordinates H (= atan (b / a)), S (= sq
HS copied to rt (a * 2 + b * 2)), V (= L *)
Considering the V space, a case where color space compression is performed on the entire space will be described. Here, atan (x) is a function for obtaining the arctangent of x. Also, sq
rt (x) is a function for obtaining √x.

2. Color matching processing unit In the color matching processing unit 402 in the printer correction processing unit 302, in the color reproduction space (monitor gamut) of the display device 109, the printer 108 is compressed by compressing an area that cannot be reproduced by the printer 108.
Corresponds to the points in the color reproduction space (printer gamut) of. That is, the RGB 8-bit data processed by the color matching processing unit 402 is converted into R′G′B ′ 8-bit data corresponding to points on the printer color reproduction space.

Specifically, the color matching processing section 40
In 2, the display device 109 R
Conversion from the GB color signal space to the R'G'B 'color signal space of the printer 108 is performed.

Color matching processing section 402 shown in FIG.
, The saturation S (= sqr is maintained while maintaining the lightness L * so that the gamut by the monitor RGB enters the inside of the printer R'G'B 'gamut in the L * a * b * space.
It is compressed by performing processing such as lowering t (a ** a * + b ** b *)). An example of this compression processing is shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually showing gamut compression in the saturation (S) direction on the SV plane. That is, that is, a set of L * a * b * values in the printer gamut corresponding to the monitor RGB values is obtained. When the monitor gamut after compression fits into the printer gamut, for example, the color difference ΔE (= sqrt ((L * ′ − L *) 2+
(A * '-a *) 2+ (b *'-b *) 2)) is minimized so that the monitor (R,
G, B) and printer (R ', G', B ') are determined to determine the printer R'G'B' corresponding to the monitor RGB values.
The value can be calculated. The color matching processing unit 402 can of course be realized by using an LUT (lookup table).

In the present embodiment, since the size of the printer gamut differs depending on the type of recording medium (medium), the matching table section 407 holds a plurality of matching tables as LUTs for each medium.

3. Color Separation Processing Unit Next, the color separation processing unit 4 in the printer correction processing unit 302
The processing in 03 will be described.

In the color separation processing unit 403, the 8-bit signal of each color converted into R'G'B 'for the printer by the color matching processing unit 402 is converted into the 8-bit signal of CMYK corresponding to the ink color of the printer. Convert to a value. As a method of converting the R'G'B 'to CMYK color signals, for example, a method using color masking is known. The color conversion method by this color masking is shown in the following formula.

[0037]

[Equation 1]

[0038]

[Equation 2] By calculating these mathematical expressions, the CMY values can be obtained. There are various methods for determining the K (black) signal value. For example, the rightmost side in the above determinant is replaced with a vector [Dr-K Dg-K Db-K] t obtained by subtracting the K value from each of the vector elements, and each color signal value CMY corresponding to the ink amount is always positive or K is constrained by using the condition that it is 0, and K
The value can be determined. The color separation processing unit 403
Can of course be implemented using a LUT.

In this embodiment, since the proper ink amount varies depending on the type of medium, the color separation table section 408 holds a plurality of color separation tables as LUTs for each medium.

4. Output Gamma Correction Processing Unit Next, the processing in the output gamma correction processing unit 404 in the printer correction processing unit 302 will be described.

In the output gamma correction processing unit 404,
CMYK output by sequentially converting the color signal of the input image by the color matching processing unit 402 and the color separation processing unit 403.
Each 8-bit data is converted to a halftone processing unit 405 in the subsequent stage.
The data can be processed in step (4) and is converted into data, and each C'M'Y'K '8-bit data is output. Halftone processing unit 405
Performs adjustment using a one-dimensional LUT for each ink in order to compensate for the non-linear characteristic with respect to lightness.

In this embodiment, since the non-linear characteristic of lightness varies depending on the type of medium, the gamma correction table unit 4
09 holds a plurality of gamma correction tables as LUTs for each medium.

5. Halftone Processing Unit Next, processing in the halftone processing unit 405 in the printer correction processing unit 302 will be described.

In the halftone processing unit 405, the color signals of the input image are sequentially converted by the color matching processing unit 402, the color separation processing unit 403 and the output gamma correction processing unit 404 and output C'M'Y'K '. Each 8-bit data,
It is converted into 2-bit data of C "M" Y "K" that can be printed by the printer 108.

As the halftone processing method, for example, a Bayer type 16 is applied to an input C'M'Y'K 'image.
A matrix of x16 is applied to each of the matrixes. When the pixel value of the corresponding image is larger than the element of this matrix, it is 1, and when the pixel value is less than the element of the matrix, it is 0.
It is realized by An error diffusion method or the like can be used as another halftone processing method.

The thus obtained 2-bit data of C "M" Y "K" which can be printed by the printer is sent to the printer 108 and an image is formed on the medium.

6. Tables prepared for different media are stored in the matching table unit 407, the color separation table unit 408, and the gamma correction table unit 409, respectively. A table is prepared in the matching table unit 407 for each size and shape of the color reproduction space (gamut) of the medium. In addition, a table is prepared in the color separation table unit 408 for each ink ejection amount of the medium. Then, a table is prepared in the gamma correction table unit 409 for each characteristic of the medium.

A table corresponding to the type of medium designated at the time of printing is selected from the plurality of tables.

7. Addition of Corresponding Media A process for newly adding a corresponding media in the above-described image forming system will be described with reference to FIG.

Step S701: A test pattern for determining the fixing state of the color material used for image formation on the recording medium is generated, and a plurality of test patterns are recorded on the recording medium by using different amounts of the color material. Let it form. Specifically, the image data of the ink ejection amount determination test pattern (FIG. 8) is image-formed on the medium to be added. For example, the image data of the test pattern stored in the HDD 104 is read, the read image data is image-processed by the printer driver 208, and the test pattern is image-formed by the printer 108 in which the target medium is set.

Step S702: A medium on which an ink ejection amount determination test pattern is formed is visually inspected to determine an appropriate ink ejection amount of the additional medium. It should be noted that the medium is set and read in an image reading device (not shown), and the read test pattern and the preset “bleeding” are set.
The CPU 101 may determine the suitable ink ejection amount by comparing the image data regarding the state.

Step S703: The color separation table selection unit 410 inputs the ink ejection amount determined in step S702, for example, from the operation unit 107. If the color separation table corresponding to the input ink ejection amount is present in the color separation table unit 408, the process proceeds to step S704, and if not, the process proceeds to step S705. Specifically, the RAM 102 is a database that associates the identification information of each table with the ink ejection amount of each table.
Or a table that is stored in the HDD 104 and that matches the input ink ejection amount is a color separation table selection unit 41.
0 may be extracted by the search process.

Step S704: The color separation table selected by the color separation table selection unit 410 is newly added as the color separation table of the additional medium.
Register at 8.

Step S705: Table creating section 411
Selects two color separation tables before and after the ink ejection amount determined in step S702, and interpolates the two color separation tables to generate a color separation table for the corresponding ink ejection amount. The color separation table is newly registered in the color separation table unit 408 as a color separation table.

Step S706: Gamut determination unit 412
Determines the size of the color reproduction space (printer gamut) of the additional medium in the color separation table newly registered in step S704 or step S705.

Step S707: The matching table selection unit 413 selects the matching table corresponding to the size of the color reproduction space of the additional medium determined in Step S706 from the matching table unit 407 and newly sets it as the matching table of the additional medium. Is registered in the matching table unit 407.

By the above steps, the work of adding a new compatible medium is performed.

8. Ink ejection amount judgment test pattern The ink ejection amount judgment test pattern consists of a combination of thin lines such as a monochromatic surface, background and characters, and is adjusted to a predetermined ink ejection amount under a specific gamma correction table. Image data. This image data is printed out by inputting it to the output gamma correction processing unit 404 in which a specific gamma correction table is set.

The monochromatic surface of the test pattern can be used to determine the ink absorption limit of the media. For example,
When the amount of ejected ink exceeds the absorption limit of the medium, a uniform monochromatic surface becomes “uneven”. Therefore, if this “unevenness” exists on the monochromatic surface, it can be determined that the amount of ejected ink is too large. By using the background of the test pattern and thin lines such as characters, it is possible to determine the "bleeding" state of the ink. For example, if a thin line is blurred, it means that the ink is bleeding. The combination of the background color and the character color is a secondary color such as RGB, or 3 with K added.
The next color may be used and they may be arranged adjacent to each other. As a result, the "bleeding" at the boundary between adjacent colors is visually confirmed and determined.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a medium having a test pattern image-formed on its surface. In this example, various implantation amounts (150%, 175%, 20
0%, 225%, 250%) are also image-formed. As described above, since a plurality of test patterns having different ejection amounts are formed on one medium, it is possible to easily visually determine the proper ink ejection amount of the medium.

(Other Embodiments) In the above embodiments, the case where ink is used as a color material has been described as an example, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be similarly applied to other color materials such as toner.

A storage medium recording a program code of software for realizing each function of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is stored in the storage medium. Needless to say, the object of the present invention can be achieved by reading and executing the program code. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM,
CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, RO
M or the like can be used.

Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer, and the OS and the like running on the computer actually perform processing based on the instructions of the program code. The function of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing a part or all of the above.

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

In the present invention, the program is distributed from a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment to a requester through a communication line such as personal computer communication. It goes without saying that it can also be applied to.

According to the present invention, it is possible to determine the ink ejection amount of an unexpected arbitrary medium for which a dedicated image processing table or a dedicated image processing device is not prepared, It is possible to select an image processing table that provides an appropriate ink ejection amount. As a result, it is possible to reduce problems such as ink overflow, character bleeding, and uniform unevenness of a single color surface. Therefore, the user will be able to enjoy a more satisfactory print result than ever before.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming system according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the image processing apparatus 100.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an internal processing configuration of a printer driver 208.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detailed block configuration of a printer correction processing unit 302.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a difference between a color reproduction space of a printer and a color reproduction space of a display device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the gamut compression in the saturation (S) direction by S.
It is a figure which shows notionally in a V plane.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for newly adding a compatible medium.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an exemplary ink ejection amount determination test pattern.

[Explanation of symbols]

401 ... Image signal input section 402 ... Color matching processing unit 403 ... Color separation processing unit 404 ... Output gamma correction processing unit 405 ... Halftone processing unit 406 ... Image signal output unit 407 ... Matching table section 408 ... Color separation table section 409 ... Output gamma correction table section 410 ... Color separation table selection section 411 ... Color separation table creation unit 412 ... Gamut determination unit 413 ... Matching table selection section

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Kazuhiro Saito             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation F-term (reference) 2C056 EA05 EA06 EA09 EB27 EB41                       EC75

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A step of generating a test pattern for determining a fixing state of a color material used for image formation on a recording medium, and a plurality of the test patterns are recorded by using different amounts of the color material. And a step of forming the image on a medium. 2. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the color material is ink. 3. The image formation according to claim 2, wherein the test pattern is a test pattern set so that at least one of a “bleeding” state and an “unevenness” state of ink can be visually observed. Method. 4. The image formation according to claim 3, wherein, in the test pattern, the pattern for visually observing the “bleeding” state of the ink includes a plurality of areas adjacent to each other and having different hues. Method. 5. The image forming method according to claim 3, wherein in the test pattern, the pattern for visually observing the “unevenness” state of the ink includes a substantially uniform monochromatic surface. 6. The image forming method according to claim 1, further comprising forming information about an ink ejection amount on the recording medium together with the test pattern. 7. A recording medium on which a test pattern is formed by the image forming method according to claim 1. Description: 8. A "blurring" state of ink in a plurality of adjacent regions having different hues or an "unevenness" of ink on a uniform monochromatic surface on a recording medium on which an image is formed using ink.
An ink ejection amount determination medium, wherein a test pattern set so that at least one of the states can be visually observed is arranged on the same recording medium with a plurality of ink amounts of different amounts. 9. A step of reading a test pattern for determining a fixing state of a color material used for image formation on a recording medium from a storage device, and the read test pattern with different amounts of the color material. An image forming program for causing a computer to execute a step of controlling the image forming apparatus to form a plurality of the above on the recording medium. 10. The image forming program according to claim 9, wherein the color material is ink. 11. The image formation according to claim 10, wherein the test pattern is a test pattern set so that at least one of a “bleeding” state and an “unevenness” state of ink can be visually observed. program. 12. The image formation according to claim 11, wherein in the test pattern, the pattern for visually observing the “bleeding” state of the ink includes a plurality of regions adjacent to each other and having different hues. program. 13. The image forming program according to claim 11, wherein in the test pattern, the pattern for visually observing the “unevenness” state of the ink includes a substantially uniform monochromatic surface. 14. The image according to claim 9, further comprising a step of forming, on the recording medium, information on an ink ejection amount together with the test pattern. Formation program. 15. A computer-readable recording medium on which the image forming program according to claim 9 is recorded. 16. A generating means for generating a test pattern for determining a fixing state of a color material used for image formation on a recording medium, and a plurality of the test patterns, wherein different amounts of the color material are used for the test pattern. An image forming control apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls to form the image on a recording medium.