JP2006080858A - Image forming system, image forming method, content providing system and content providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system, an image forming method, a content providing system and content providing method which can guarantee output in quality (color reproduction) intended by a content provider for a content output product. <P>SOLUTION: The content is accepted by an accepting unit 38 and is output from a printer unit 22. The content output product is read by a scanner unit 24, and color information of a designated area is measured by a designated area measuring unit 54. The color of a predetermined area of the transmitted content is compared with the color measured by the unit 54. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming method, a content providing system, and a content providing method that provide content using an image forming apparatus installed in a convenience store or the like.

  A content service is provided in which a content provider stores various contents such as idle pictures and cooking recipes in a content server, pays for these contents, downloads them from the content server, and prints them. Content printing is set in a store such as a convenience store, and is performed on a network-connected image forming apparatus such as a color multifunction peripheral capable of copying / scanning / printing, and the price is a conkit attached to the color multifunction peripheral. Payment is made from a so-called billing device, and a content output is obtained.

  In the image forming apparatus, the color reproduction state changes every day. Various methods (calibration) for adjusting the color reproduction have been proposed. For example, a method is known in which a built-in test pattern is printed and read by a scanning unit of a color multifunction peripheral to correct it (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-2222013

However, it is difficult for a color multifunction peripheral set up in a store such as a convenience store to frequently perform calibration work due to the labor and ability of the store clerk or the cost of outputting a single print for correction. The output color management is not so much.
Therefore, the color reproduction of the output product when the content is printed may be deviated from the intention of the creator of the content, and it has not been confirmed whether or not there is a deviation. That is, there is a problem in that both the content provider and the content purchaser receive the service without confirming the quality of the output product.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system, an image forming method, a content providing system, and a content providing method capable of assuring output with quality (color reproduction) intended by a content provider for a content output product. There is.

  The first feature of the present invention is that a receiving unit that receives content to which color information is attached, a printing unit that prints the content received by the receiving unit and outputs a content output product, and reads an image. The image forming system includes a scanner unit and a comparing unit that compares the color information of the content received by the receiving unit and the color information of the content output product read by the scanner unit. Therefore, since the color information attached to the content can be compared with the color information actually output, it is possible to output with the color reproduction intended by the content provider.

  Preferably, the content color information received by the receiving unit is target color range information, and the comparison unit determines whether the color of the content output product is included in the color range. The required accuracy of color reproduction differs depending on the type of content and the object. For example, high accuracy is required for color reproduction of a face or the like, and a target color range can be set corresponding to the required accuracy.

  Preferably, the content received by the receiving unit further includes specific information for specifying the content, and the printing unit outputs the specific information together with a content output. Therefore, since the content output includes specific information for specifying the content, when the content output is read by the scanner unit, the read content output can be specified, and an error occurs in the target to be compared. Can be prevented.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes display means for displaying a comparison result of the comparison means. By displaying the comparison result by the display means, the color reproduction state can be easily confirmed.

  Preferably, a correction unit that corrects the output of the printing unit according to the comparison result of the comparison unit is provided. For example, in a xerographic image forming apparatus, the correction unit reads an electrostatic patch formed on a photoconductor, and controls a developing bias, an exposure amount, a toner supply amount, and the like so that the image quality becomes a target value. Implement control.

  Preferably, a billing unit is further provided, and the usage fee is adjusted according to the comparison result of the comparison unit. For example, if the target quality cannot be obtained even if the output of the printing means is corrected by the correcting means, the printing fee is refunded to the content purchaser.

  Preferably, color adjustment time determination means for determining the color adjustment time according to the comparison result of the comparison means is provided. An execution plan for color adjustment can be created based on the determination result of the color adjustment time determination means.

  More preferably, when the color adjustment time determination means determines that the color adjustment time is reached, display means for displaying the fact is displayed. Thereby, the color adjustment time can be easily confirmed.

  The second feature of the present invention is that it receives content with color information attached, prints the received content, outputs a content output, reads the output content output, and receives it. In the image forming method, the color information of the read content is compared with the read color information. Therefore, it is possible to compare the color information intended by the content provider at the predetermined position of the content with the actual color information printed out.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content providing system comprising: a content server storing content; a printing unit that prints content and outputs a content output; and a scanner unit that reads an image. Color information is attached to the content transmitted from the content server, and the content providing system includes a comparison unit that compares the color information of the content with the color information of the content output product read by the scanner unit.

  Preferably, the color information is target color range information, and the comparison unit determines whether or not the color of the content output product read by the scanner unit is included in the color range.

  Preferably, the content from the content server further includes specific information for specifying the content, and the printing unit outputs the specific information together with a content output.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes display means for displaying a comparison result of the comparison means.

  Preferably, a correction unit that corrects the output of the printing unit according to the comparison result of the comparison unit is provided.

  Preferably, a billing unit is further provided, and billing is adjusted according to the comparison result of the comparison unit.

  A fourth feature of the present invention is that content having predetermined color information embedded in a predetermined position is transmitted, the transmitted content is printed and a content output is output, and the printed content output is The content providing method compares the read color information of the predetermined position with the predetermined color information embedded in the predetermined position.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to output a content output product with quality (color reproduction) intended by the content provider.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 shows an outline of a content providing system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The content providing system 10 includes an image forming system 12. The image forming system 12 includes, for example, a color multifunction device 14 that is an image forming device, and a charging device 16 called a coin kit or the like is connected to the color multifunction device 14. The image forming system 12 is installed in many stores 18 such as convenience stores. In this store 18, an unspecified number of people pay the fee and use the color multifunction device 14.

  The color multifunction device 14 includes a display unit 20 that is a control panel, a printer unit 22, and a scanner unit 24. The display unit 20 is a touch panel, for example, and serves as both display and input. The printer unit 22 includes, for example, a color xerography engine, and outputs an image scanned by the scanner unit 24 or an image transmitted via a communication unit to a sheet. The color multifunction device 14 can be connected to a digital camera and can output an image photographed by the digital camera. In addition, the color multifunction peripheral 14 installed in each store is connected to a management server 28 via a communication line 26 such as the Internet. The management server 28 grasps and manages the usage status (billing status), failure status, or calibration execution status to be described later of each color MFP 12. Further, each color multifunction device 14 is connected to the content server 30 via a communication line 26 such as the Internet, and can output a content output from the content server 30 and output it.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the content server 30 stores various contents created by the content provider. For example, pictures of idols, landscapes and vehicles. Further, the content provider is not one or one company, but there are a plurality of providers that provide various contents. The standard for the output quality of content differs depending on the content provider and the type of content. Therefore, a content specification is attached to each content stored in the content server 30 together with content code data (specific information) for specifying the content.

The contents are displayed as a list, for example, in the form of thumbnails on the display unit 20 of the color multifunction peripheral 14. The customer selects the purchased content, pays the billing device 16 and instructs the output of the selected content. The color multifunction device 14 downloads the designated content from the content server 30 and outputs it from the printer unit 22.
It should be noted that the content data may be held by the color multi-function peripheral 14 instead of being downloaded from the content server 30.

  In FIG. 2, the hardware configuration of the image processing unit of the color multifunction device 14 is shown. The color multifunction device 14 inputs R, G, B (dRGB: device dependent RGB) signals read by the scanner unit 24 to the input tone correction unit 32 to perform tone correction, and the pre-stage color conversion unit 34 performs L correction. Convert to *, a *, b * signals. L *, a *, and b * are device-independent color systems defined by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE). The L *, a *, and b * signals converted by the preceding color conversion unit 34 are converted into Y, M, C, and K signals by the subsequent color conversion unit 36, and based on the Y, M, C, and K signals. Then, the printer unit 22 outputs an image on a sheet.

  On the other hand, the content transmitted from the content server 30 described above is received by the receiving unit 38. As shown in FIG. 3, the data transmitted from the content 30 includes content code data 40 specifying the content in the header portion, area data 42 indicating a predetermined position for measuring the content, content specification data 44 at the predetermined position, and the like. And content data 46 following the header portion. The content received by the receiving unit 38 is processed by the control unit 48, and if the content data is RGB, it is sent to the preceding color conversion unit 34. The previous color conversion unit 34 converts the content data into L *, a *, b * signals. After being converted, it is converted into Y, M, C, and K signals by the post-stage color conversion unit 36, and based on the Y, M, C, and K signals, the printer unit 22 outputs the content image on the paper.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the content output product 50 output from the printer unit 22, the spec from the content spec data 44 is set at a position based on the area data 42 described above. The area and spec are set, for example, as a target color reproduction range of average values of L *, a *, and b * within a radius xx centered on coordinates (x, y). Since the content provider manages the quality of the content output 50, the specifications can be set in a plurality of areas for each content. For example, a face portion is an important management target in an idle photo or the like, and a color that is a characteristic of a product or the like is an important management target in a product photo or the like. The objects to be managed in this way vary depending on the content, and the content provider can set the output range specification by itself. A content recognition code 52 is printed around the content output 50 based on the content code data 40 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the designated area measuring unit 54 is for causing the scanner unit 24 to read the content output product 50 output from the printer unit 22 and measuring the color of the designated area. In other words, the designated area measurement unit 54 receives the measurement area data from the control unit 48, extracts the L *, a *, and b * signals of the designated area based on the measurement area data, and sends them to the control unit 48 as color measurement data. Output. As shown in FIG. 6, the color measurement data is, for example, L *, a *, b * average values of the designated area. The code analyzing unit 56 reads the content recognition code 50 attached to the content output 50 and outputs the content recognition code 50 to the control unit 40 as content code data. Further, the control unit 40 controls the charging device 16.

FIG. 7 shows a control flow when the content providing service is implemented.
First, in step 10 (S10), the output content is read by the scanner unit 24, and color measurement of the designated area is performed by the designated area measurement unit 54. In the next step 12 (S 12), the code analysis unit 56 analyzes the content code included in the content output product. In the next step 14 (S14), it is determined whether or not the content code received by the receiving unit 38 matches the content code analyzed by the code analyzing unit 56. If it is determined that they do not match, the process proceeds to step 16 (S16), the fact that the read content is different is displayed on the display unit 20, the content number and the like are displayed, and a rescan is requested. As shown in screen 1 of FIG. 8, for example, “printed content No. XXXXXXX The printed content is different from the read content. After confirming the content number in the lower left, read the content again. Please go. "Is displayed. When the process of step 16 is completed, the process returns to step 10.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 14 that the contents match, the process proceeds to step 18 (S18), and it is determined whether the content measurement value is within the range of the content specification. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the measured value of the content output product measured in each area is compared with the color reproduction allowable specification in each area, and it is determined whether or not the content measured value is within the range of the content specification. If it is determined in step 18 that the content is within the range, the process proceeds to step 20 (S20), and the display unit 20 displays that the content satisfies the quality. That is, as shown in the screen 2 in FIG. 8, for example, “printed content is proper reproduction” is displayed. When the process of step 20 is completed, the process returns to step 10. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 20 that it is out of the range, the process proceeds to step 22 (S22), and it is determined whether or not the separation between the content measurement value and the spec is within the re-setup possible range. If it is determined in step 22 that it is within the possible range, the process proceeds to step 24 (S24), where automatic setup of the printer unit 22 (for example, automatic adjustment of density or the like) is performed, and the content is output again. At this time, as shown in the screen 3 of FIG. 8, for example, “The printed content has deviated from proper reproduction. Please wait for a while as the content will be re-output after machine adjustment. Please hand over the currently printed content to the staff. ” When the process of step 24 is completed, the process returns to step 10.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 22 that the content is out of the possible range, the process proceeds to step 26 to display on the display unit 20 that the content does not satisfy the quality, and the billing device 16 is controlled to return the price. . That is, as shown in the screen 4 of FIG. 8, for example, “Sorry, I am sorry. Even if the machine is adjusted, the content cannot be output properly. The content fee will be returned.”

In FIG. 10, a second embodiment of the present invention is shown.
In the second embodiment, the determination subject is different from the first embodiment described above. That is, in the first embodiment, the color reproduction accuracy determination is performed in the color multifunction peripheral 14, but in the second embodiment, the color information at a predetermined position measured by the scanner unit 24 and The content code read by the scanner unit 24 is sent to the content server 30 and the content server 30 determines the accuracy of color reproduction.

11 to 14, a third embodiment of the present invention is shown.
In the third embodiment, the same hardware as that in the first or second embodiment is used, and the software structure is different. In the third embodiment, in step 30 (S30), the output content is read by the scanner unit 24, and color measurement of the designated area is performed by the designated area measurement unit 54 (see FIG. 2). In the next step 32 (S32), the content code included in the content output product is analyzed by the code analysis unit 56 (see FIG. 2). In the next step 34 (S34), it is determined whether or not the content code received by the receiving unit 38 matches the content code analyzed by the code analyzing unit 56 (see FIG. 2). If it is determined that they do not match, the process proceeds to step 36 (S36), the fact that the read content is different is displayed on the display unit 20, the content number and the like are displayed, and a rescan is requested. When the process of step 36 is completed, the process returns to step 30. Up to this point, the process is the same as in the first embodiment.

  In the next step 38 (S38), the content specification and the content measurement value are compared, and the time when the maintenance is required is predicted according to the value of (measurement value−the center value of the specification). That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the number of sheets that can be output until maintenance with respect to (measured value−center value of the specification) is calculated. In the next step 40 (S40), the predicted maintenance required time is displayed on the display unit 20 of the color multifunction peripheral 14, or is notified to the management server 28, the content server 30 or the like for centralized management.

FIG. 13 shows a specific method for performing calibration as maintenance.
First, in step 50 (S50), it is determined whether a predetermined number of prints or a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous calibration. If it is determined in step 50 that the predetermined number of prints or the predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous calibration, the process proceeds to step 62 (S62), and the predetermined number of prints or the predetermined time has elapsed since the previous calibration. If so, the process proceeds to step 52 (S52). In step 52, a display for prompting the execution of calibration is performed on the display unit 20. That is, as shown in screen 5 of FIG. 14, for example, “Calibration (image quality adjustment) is scheduled to be performed. If the customer calibrates, XX yen will be serviced from the copy / print fee.” Is displayed. Displayed on the unit 20.

  When the process of step 52 is completed, the process proceeds to the next step 54 (S44) to determine whether or not the customer has selected to perform calibration. That is, as shown in the screen 6 of FIG. 14, the display unit 20 includes, for example, “Do you want to execute calibration (image quality adjustment)?” And an execution selection button 58 and an execution non-selection button 60. When the implementation selection button 58 is selected by the customer, it is determined that the implementation is selected. On the other hand, when the implementation non-selection button 60 is selected, it is determined that the implementation is not selected. If it is determined in step 54 that the operation is to be performed, the process proceeds to step 56 (S56). If it is determined that the process is not to be performed, the process proceeds to step 62.

  In step 56, the calibration procedure is sequentially shown on the display unit 20, and the calibration is performed according to the customer procedure. That is, as shown in the screen 7 of FIG. 5, first, for example, “Calibration is performed. Press the test print button and set the printed print on the copy glass according to the instructions. ”And a test print button 62 appear. When the customer presses the test print button 62, a reference document having a large number of color patches is printed by the printer unit 22. Then, on the display unit 20, for example, “set the printed glass on the copy glass so that the printed surface of the printed print is down or the X mark on the print is in the back left. Read button 64 appears with the message "Please press". When the customer presses the reading button 64, the reference document is read by the scanner unit 24. When the reference document is read, correction information is created by comparing the color information of the read reference document with the color information of the original reference document, and the profile information is rewritten based on the correction information. For this reason, the result of the calibration is reflected in the next printing. If it is determined in the next step 58 (S58) that the calibration has been completed normally, the display unit 20 displays, for example, “Calibration (image quality adjustment) has been completed. Please make a refund of XX yen at the time of liquidation. ”Is displayed.

  If it is determined in step 58 that the calibration has been completed normally, the process proceeds to step 60 (S20), the counter is reset, and the number of prints or time for which calibration has been performed is returned to the initial value. If it is determined in step 58 that the calibration has not ended normally, the process returns to step 56 and the calibration is performed again.

  In step 62, copying / printing is performed according to the customer's own request. That is, as shown in the screen 8 of FIG. 14, the display unit 20 displays, for example, “Press the button to perform the desired work.”, A copy button 66, a print button 68, a content output button 70, A digital camera print button (digital camera print button) 72 and the like are displayed, and when the print button 68, content output button 70, and digital camera print button 72 are pressed, a predetermined print operation is performed. In the next step 64 (S64), it is determined whether or not copying / printing is completed. If it is completed, a fee is calculated. That is, as shown in the screen 9 in FIG. 14, a continuation button 74 and an end button 76 appear on the display unit 20 with, for example, “Do you want to continue copying / printing work?” Either 74 or the end button 76 is selected.

  In the next step 66 (S66), it is determined whether or not the customer has calibrated. If it is determined in step 66 that calibration has been performed, the process proceeds to step 68 (S68), and charging processing is performed so that a predetermined amount is refunded. That is, as shown in a screen 610 in FIG. 14, for example, “Please press the checkout button of the billing device. The customer has performed calibration (image quality adjustment) work. "The XX yen will be refunded from the price" is displayed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 56 that the customer has not performed the calibration, the process proceeds to step 70 (S70), and as shown in the screen 11 of FIG. Only “.” Is displayed, and normal settlement processing is performed.

  As described above, the present invention can be used in a content providing system that uses a convenience store or the like that needs to guarantee color reproduction.

It is a block diagram which shows the content provision system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image processing unit of a color multifunction peripheral used in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a data figure which shows the content transmission data in embodiment of this invention. 1 shows a content providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) shows a state in which content is downloaded, and (b) is a configuration diagram showing a state in which a content output is read by a scanner unit. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the measurement part of the content output thing in embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of the color multifunction peripheral used in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the screen transition in embodiment of this invention. In embodiment of this invention, it is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the comparison with an allowable value and a measured value. It is a block diagram which shows the content provision system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the maintenance plan process of the color compound machine in the 3rd of this invention. It is a list | wrist for planning the maintenance used for the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a maintenance execution process of a color multifunction peripheral used in a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the screen transition in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Content provision system 12 Image forming system 14 Color compound machine 20 Display part 22 Printer part 24 Scanner part 30 Content server 34 Pre-stage color conversion part 36 Subsequent color conversion part 38 Reception part 40 Content code 44 Content specification 48 Control part 50 Content output matter 54 Designated area measurement unit 56 Code analysis unit

Claims (16)

  Accepting means for accepting content with color information, printing means for printing the content accepted by the accepting means and outputting a content output, scanner means for reading an image, and content accepted by the accepting means An image forming system comprising: comparing means for comparing the color information of the content and the color information of the content output product read by the scanner means.   The image according to claim 1, wherein the color information of the content received by the receiving unit is target color range information, and the comparison unit determines whether the color of the content output product is included in the color range. Forming system.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the content received by the receiving unit further includes specific information for specifying the content, and the printing unit outputs the specific information together with a content output product.   4. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying a comparison result of the comparison means.   5. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a correcting unit that corrects an output of the printing unit in accordance with a comparison result of the comparing unit.   6. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a charging unit, wherein the usage fee is adjusted according to a comparison result of the comparison unit.   The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a color adjustment time determination unit that determines a color adjustment time according to a comparison result of the comparison unit.   The image forming system according to claim 7, further comprising a display unit configured to display a color adjustment time when it is determined that the color adjustment time is determined as a result of the color adjustment time determination unit.   The content with the color information is received, the received content is printed and the content output is output, the output content output is read, the received content color information, the read color information, An image forming method for comparing.   In a content providing system having a content server in which content is stored, a printing unit that prints content and outputs a content output product, and a scanner unit that reads an image, the content transmitted from the content server includes color information. A content providing system comprising a comparing unit that compares the color information of the content and the color information of the content output product read by the scanner unit.   The color information transmitted from the content server is target color range information, and the comparison unit determines whether or not the color of the content output product read by the scanner unit is included in the color range. Item 11. The content providing system according to Item 10.   The content providing system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the content from the content server further includes specific information for specifying the content, and the printing unit outputs the specific information together with a content output.   The content providing system according to claim 10, further comprising display means for displaying a comparison result of the comparison means.   14. The content providing system according to claim 10, further comprising a correcting unit that corrects an output of the printing unit in accordance with a comparison result of the comparing unit.   15. The content providing system according to claim 10, further comprising a billing unit, wherein billing is adjusted according to a comparison result of the comparison unit.   The content to which the color information is attached is transmitted, the transmitted content is printed to output a content output, the printed content output is read, the transmitted color information, and the read color information How to provide content to compare.

Images