JP2006159914A - Control method of image processor and image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform printing while making good use of image quality enhancement effect by six color mode in relation with page setting when printing is performed while switching a mode employing a set of four colors of toner of Y, M, C, K and a mode employing a set of six colors of toner added with light cyan (LC) and light magenta (LM). <P>SOLUTION: When the page layout out of the setting items of "page layout" is N (N>1) sheets/page (S1303), four color mode print is determined and print specification of job ticket is set at four color mode. Since each page is printed small and identification of the print quality itself is difficult in the observation when a plurality of pages are printed in one page, printing is performed in four color mode even if six color mode is set. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus control method and an image processing apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a control method for an image processing apparatus for controlling a printing mode in a printing apparatus such as a printer, which performs printing by switching a combination of colors of recording materials used such as toner and ink according to an image to be printed, and the image processing apparatus. Is.

  Along with the advancement of electrophotographic and ink jet printing apparatuses, the need for printing results such as images to be printed is also increasing. As a configuration to cope with this, recording materials of three basic colors of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) or basic four colors obtained by adding black (K) to these are red, blue, green, and further There have been proposed printers that perform printing using a recording agent added with special colors such as gold, silver, and fluorescent colors. Also, there is a printing apparatus that performs printing using a recording material in which the colorant concentration is low, for example, light (light) cyan (LC) or light (light) magenta (LM) is added to the above basic color recording material. Is provided.

  A specific form of a printing apparatus with an increased number of types of recording materials is shown in FIGS. Each of the forms shown in these drawings is an electrophotographic printer, and uses toners of six colors C, M, Y, K, LC, and LM as recording materials. The form shown in FIG. 1 is a printer using six image carriers (photoconductors) corresponding to each of the six color toners, and the form shown in FIG. 2 is six developing devices around one photoconductor. Is a printer provided. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-204871, and is a printer using two photoconductors and three developing devices around each.

  The printer shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming unit Sa-Sf having six photoconductors 1a-1f for each recording material and six developing units 41-46 loaded with toners of the respective colors. It is arranged along the transport path. This form can be said to be a form in which the print output rate is relatively high and throughput or productivity is emphasized for printing of six colors.

  On the other hand, the printer shown in FIG. 2 has a structure in which six developing devices 41 to 46 are combined with one photosensitive member 1. Then, by rotating the rotary 4 on which these developing devices 41-46 are mounted, these developing devices are selectively moved to a position facing the photosensitive member 1, and the latent images are successively developed. is there. Accordingly, in this configuration, after the toner image developed as described above for each color is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the six color toner images are transferred in multiple, the six color toners formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 are transferred. The image is transferred to the recording paper. The printing apparatus of this system does not have a high throughput as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but can reduce the size of the apparatus relatively.

  Further, the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 can be said to be a compromise form of the apparatus shown in FIGS. That is, the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 has a first image forming unit Sa including the photosensitive drum 1a and a second image forming unit Sb including the photosensitive drum 1b, and each of the image forming units Sa and Sb includes three developing units. A vessel 41-43 or 44-46 is provided.

  For a printing apparatus using a recording material of six colors, for example, a recording material of a special color or a recording material with a low colorant concentration, for example, two kinds of recording materials added to the basic four-color recording material as described above. There are some which change the number of recording materials to be used according to the image to be printed. For example, printing is performed by switching between a mode in which recording is performed using only recording materials of four basic colors and a mode in which recording is performed using recording materials of all six colors. This is because printing with four colors of recording materials can reduce the amount of recording materials such as toner used and reduce running costs. In particular, as in the configuration shown in FIG. 2, in a configuration in which a rotary equipped with developing devices is rotated and printed in order, the throughput is improved because the number of developing devices used is small.

The type of image used as a reference for setting either the mode using the four color recording agents or the mode using all the six color recording materials is to set the image type as shown in FIG. Is set through the user interface. FIG. 4 shows a user interface by a printer driver of a personal computer. As shown in FIG. 4, in the setting of “printing purpose” in “printing quality”, for example, one of “document / table”, “DTP”, “graphics”, “photograph image”, etc. Can be selected. Then, according to this selection, based on a preset relationship, for example, the 4-color mode or the 6-color mode is determined as follows.
Document / table: 4 colors DTP: 6 colors Graphics: 6 colors Photo image: 6 colors CAD: 4 colors WEB page: 4 colors

  As can be seen from the above relationship, a mode using six color recording materials is determined for an image that requires a relatively high image quality, and a four color recording material mode is determined for an image that does not require that much image quality.

As another example of the criterion for determining the mode, the gradation of an image to be printed may be used. As in the printer driver user interface shown in FIG. 5, by selecting, for example, “panel priority”, “standard”, or “high gradation” from the “gradation” dialog, the mode is as follows. It is determined.
Panel priority: Standard and high gradation settings set on the printer panel Standard: 4 colors High gradation: 6 colors

  In this example as well, as in the example shown in FIG. 4, when printing a high-gradation image that requires a relatively high image quality, a mode that uses recording materials for all six colors is determined.

  Patent Document 1 describes a configuration similar to the configuration described above. In this document, when an image is formed using dark toner and light toner, a mode using only dark toner or light toner (corresponding to the above four-color mode) according to the type of image, dark toner and light toner are used. It is disclosed that a mode using both (corresponding to the 6-color mode) is switched.

JP 2001-318499 A

  However, in a printing apparatus capable of printing by switching between a mode using a set of a predetermined type of recording material and a mode using a set having a larger number of recording materials, the content of the so-called “page setting” is There is a problem that the effects of these modes are not substantially obtained. That is, in relation to the contents of the “page setting” such as the layout of the page to be printed and the magnification of the image to be printed, in particular, printing in a mode in which many types of recording materials are used, such as the above-described six color mode, The mode may not be effective.

  For example, when a plurality of images are printed on one page (one sheet) of the page layout to be printed, or when printing is performed at a reduction ratio, the size of each image is reduced. For this reason, even if printing is performed in a mode in which many types of recording materials are used as in the six-color mode, thereby obtaining a high-quality image, it is difficult to identify such high image quality when observing the printed image. There is. This problem also means that a large amount of recording material is consumed for a printing result that is not necessarily recognized as intended in this way, which leads to a problem of an increase in running cost relative to image quality. .

  Further, regarding printing other than the above page layout, for example, when “draft” stamp printing indicating that the image to be printed is a draft or the like is set, the print image no longer requires high image quality. There are many cases. In this case, performing high-quality printing in a mode that uses many types of recording materials, such as the six-color mode, is printing in a mode that is more than necessary with respect to image quality, and the relative running cost increases as described above. Invite.

  On the other hand, the image to be printed may be estimated to some extent depending on the size of the original and the paper used for printing in the “page setting”, and also how to set the magnification. For example, when the setting of “original size” in “page setting” is “postcard”, it can be assumed that printing with a certain high image quality is desired if the postcard is printed in full color. The same can be said when the magnification is enlarged.

  An object of the present invention is to perform image processing that makes it possible to perform printing that does not waste the effects of using many types of recording materials when printing is performed by switching between different types of recording materials to be used. An apparatus control method and an image processing apparatus are provided.

  Therefore, in the present invention, in the control method of the image processing apparatus, based on the page setting information of the input image, a setting step for setting information relating to a combination of recording materials used when the input image is output on a sheet; and And a processing step of changing information set in the setting step.

  Further, in the image processing apparatus, based on page setting information of the input image, setting means for setting information regarding a combination of recording materials used when the input image is output on a sheet, and information set by the setting means And a processing means for changing.

  According to the above configuration, based on the page setting information of the input image, information related to the combination of recording materials used when the input image is output on the sheet is set, and the set information is changed. For example, when the print image is printed smaller than the original size, the setting information may be changed to print in a mode with a smaller number of recording materials according to the setting contents such as page layout and page reduction and enlargement. it can. As a result, even when printing in a mode with a large number of recording materials, the image quality just printed in that mode cannot be identified when observing the printing results, and as a result, the effect of the mode using many types of recording materials This makes it possible to perform printing suitable for the mode without wasting it.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram mainly showing a configuration of a host computer as a print control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  A host computer 301 shown in the figure executes control processing related to printing of the printer 100, which will be described later with reference to FIGS. In response to this, the printer 100 performs processing which will be described later with reference to FIG. 11, so that the printer 100 performs printing by switching between a mode using 6 color toners and a mode using 4 color toners. .

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 306 denotes a CUP that executes the above-described control processing in accordance with a program stored in a predetermined memory shown below. Reference numeral 307 denotes a ROM that stores a control program such as the processes shown in FIGS. Reference numeral 308 denotes a RAM used as a work area for processing executed by the CPU 306, and temporarily stores a program and image data to be processed. Reference numeral 309 denotes a display control apparatus that performs display control of the display 303 that displays an image to be processed or displays a message related to processing to the user.

  Reference numeral 313 denotes an interface (I / F) for exchanging data and signals between the mouse and keyboard 302 and the computer system 301 for the user to input various manual instructions and the like. Reference numeral 314 denotes an interface (I / F) that exchanges data and the like between the computer system 301 and the color printer 100 via the network 300.

  Reference numeral 310 denotes a hard disk (HD) that can store in advance programs and image data to be transferred to the RAM 308 and the like, and can store processed image data. 315 exchanges data with a transmission device 304 such as a modem or a network card that can transmit various data stored in the computer system to an external device and receive data from the external device. Indicates an interface (I / F) for performing. Reference numeral 311 denotes a CD drive for reading or writing data stored in a CD (CD-R / CD-RW / DVD) which is one of external storage media. Reference numeral 312 denotes an FD drive for reading from the FD and writing to the FD in the same manner as the CD drive 311. If an image editing program or printer information is stored on a CD, FD, DVD or the like, these programs are installed on the HD 310 and transferred to the RAM 308 as necessary. be able to. Reference numeral 316 denotes a sound interface (I / F) for inputting audio data to which the external line input 305 is connected.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the printer 100 shown in FIG. 6 except for an outer case. The printer of this embodiment is an electrophotographic system using a laser beam. Then, a mode using basic four color toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and light magenta (LM) and light cyan (LC) having a low toner density are used. Printing can be performed by switching the mode using the added six color toners.

  Of course, the application of the present invention is not limited to the above-described combinations of the types of toner used. Instead of the six-color mode, for example, the present invention can also be applied to a mode that uses a set of six or more toners obtained by adding the special colors of green (G) and red (R) to light magenta and light cyan. . Alternatively, the present invention can be applied to a five-color or six-color mode that uses green (G) or red (R) special color toners instead of light magenta and light cyan. As described above, it is apparent from the following description that the present invention can be applied to a combination of toners of basic colors and a combination of more types of toners.

  In FIG. 7, the printer 100 generally includes an operation panel 151, a printer control unit 101, and a printer engine 217 other than these.

  The operation panel 151 includes switches for performing operations related to various processes in the printer 100, an LED display or an LCD display for displaying the status of the printer 100, and the like. The printer control unit 101 is in the form of a substrate on which various circuits described later in FIG. 8 are formed.

  The printer engine 217 is roughly divided into an image in which an electrophotographic image forming unit using a laser beam is arranged for each of Y, M, LM, C, LC, and K along a sheet conveying mechanism and the sheet conveying path. It can be divided into the formation mechanism. In the paper transport mechanism, the recording paper is stored in advance in the paper feed cassette 102. The paper stored in the cassette is urged upward by a spring 103, and the uppermost portion is pressed against the paper supply roller 104. As a result, as the paper feed roller rotates, the paper can be separated one by one and sent to the transport path by the transport rollers 105 and 106. Then, the toner is transported to the transport belt 107 disposed below the image forming mechanism by the transport rollers 105 and 106. Then, the recording sheet sequentially passes through the M, LM, C, LC, Y, and K image image forming units by the conveyance belt 107, and the M, LM, C, LC, Y, and K toner images are multiplexed. Transcribed. The toner image transferred to the recording paper is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing device 108 as the recording paper is conveyed. Thereafter, the recording paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit outside the outer case of the printer 100 by the transport rollers 109 and 150.

  The image forming units for M, LM, C, LC, Y, and K all have the same structure except that the toner used is different. In the following, the configuration of the magenta (M) image forming unit will be described, but the elements corresponding to LM, C, LC, Y, and K are indicated in parentheses in the same manner as the elements described for magenta. . In the magenta image forming unit, the laser driver 110 (120, 130, 140, 150, 160) drives the semiconductor laser element 111 (121, 131, 141, 151, 161) in accordance with the input video signal. As a result, the output of the laser beam 112 (122, 132, 142, 152, 162) output from the semiconductor laser element 111 is turned on / off. The output laser beam 112 is shaken in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 113, and thereby the photosensitive drum 114 (124, 134, 144, 154, 164) is scanned by the laser beam 112, and images such as characters and images are scanned. The electrostatic latent image can be formed. The latent image is developed by a developing unit (toner cartridge) 115 (125, 135, 145, 155, 165) disposed around the photosensitive drum 114 to form a toner image. The formed toner image is transferred to a recording sheet.

  Of course, the image forming mechanism in the printer is not limited to that described above. For example, a mechanism as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 may be used. Here, if the configuration shown in FIG. 3 is used, even an apparatus using toner of five or more colors can be completed with two image forming units.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a control unit in the printer 100.

  The printer 100 images corresponding character patterns, graphics, photographic images (images), etc. on a recording sheet in accordance with a character printing command, various graphics rendering commands, image rendering commands, and color designation commands supplied from the host computer 301. The printing operation for forming the image is performed. The printer control unit 101 analyzes a command supplied from the host computer 201, and changes the color information R, G, B to the color information M according to the 4-color or 6-color mode setting described later with reference to FIG. , C, Y and K or color information M, C, Y, K, LM and LC. Then, a video signal based on the color information is output to the printer engine 217.

  Specifically, the input interface 202 exchanges various types of information with the host computer 301, and the input buffer 203 temporarily stores various types of information input via the input interface 202. The character pattern generator 204 includes attributes such as the width and height of the character, a font information part 222 that stores the address of the character pattern, a character pattern part 223 that stores the character pattern itself, and a control program that reads out the information. Composed. Note that the read control program is stored in the ROM 219 and has a code conversion function for calculating the address of the character pattern corresponding to the code when the character code is input.

  The RAM 205 is used as an arc area for the processing described later with reference to FIG. The RAM 205 also has a font cache area 207 that stores character patterns output from the character pattern generator 204, and a storage area 206 that stores external character fonts sent from the host computer 301, form information, and the current printing environment. Have. Once the information developed into the character pattern is stored in the font cache area 207, it is not necessary to develop the same character pattern again when the same character pattern is required, and the time for obtaining the character pattern is shortened. be able to.

  The CPU 208 executes processing of the entire printer 100 such as processing described later with reference to FIG. 11 according to the control program stored in the ROM 219.

  The intermediate buffer 209 stores an internal data group generated based on data read from the input buffer 203. That is, when reception of data 218 for one page of information to be printed from the host device 301 is completed, the data is converted into simpler intermediate data by the CPU 208 and stored in the intermediate buffer 209. This intermediate data is rendered by the renderer 210 in units of several lines and stored in the band buffer 211 as a print image. The renderer 210 can generate a rendering bitmap image of 8 bits / pixel for each color of RGB in units of several lines and simultaneously generate an attribute bitmap image of 4 bits / pixel. The attribute bitmap image is printed with 3 bits / pixel information indicating whether each pixel is a pixel constituting a character, a figure, or an image, and when only R = G = B, it is printed only with K or mixed with YMCK. It consists of 1 bit / pixel information that indicates whether to do. The band buffer 211 can store an RGB drawing bitmap image and an attribute bitmap image for at least 8 lines. The compression unit 212 reads an image from the band buffer 211 in units of several lines, compresses the image, and stores the compressed image in the page memory 213. Note that the drawing bitmap image and the attribute bitmap image are compressed separately. When the rendering of the intermediate data for one page is completed and the rendered image is stored in the page memory 213, the decompressing unit 214 reads the compressed image from the page memory 213 in units of several lines and decompresses the compressed image. Note that the drawing bitmap image and the attribute bitmap image are read and decompressed separately.

  The color conversion unit 215 performs color conversion on bitmap image data of R, G, and B according to a four-color or six-color mode, which will be described later with reference to FIG. Thereby, the bitmap image data is converted into a bitmap image of 4 bits / pixel for each color for Y, M, C, K4 colors or Y, M, C, K, LM, LC6 colors. More specifically, a bitmap image of 8 bits / pixel for each color of RGB is converted into 10 bits / pixel for each color of Y, M, C, K, LM, and LC. Then, gamma correction is performed on the bitmap image of 10 bits / pixel for each color, and the halftoning process is performed on the bitmap image after the gamma correction, and Y, M, C, K or Y, M, C, K, LM, LC A bitmap image of 4 bits / pixel for each color is obtained. The color conversion unit 215 switches the color conversion method according to the pixel value of the attribute bitmap image. Specifically, a color conversion method based on 1-bit / pixel information indicating whether printing is performed using only K or Y, M, C, K, or mixed printing of Y, M, C, K, LM, and LC. And a bitmap image of 8 bits / pixel for each color is converted to 10 bits / pixel for each color. Next, halftoning processing is switched based on 3 bits / pixel information indicating whether each pixel constitutes a character, a figure, or an image, and a bitmap image of 10 bits / pixel for each color is changed to 4 bits / pixel for each color. Convert.

  Switching in the color conversion unit 215 corresponding to the 4-color mode or the 6-color mode is performed by a switching signal output based on the setting process shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, by switching the circuit configuration such as the LUT to be used, four colors Y, M, C, and K or six colors Y, M, C, K, LM, and LC are used as conversion data as described above. Output bitmap image of.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the color conversion unit 215 for the 4-color mode, and FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the color conversion unit 215 for the 6-color mode.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the color conversion unit 215 in the 4-color mode includes a 3-input 4-output lookup table (LUT) 231 for color conversion, a 1-input 1-output LUT 232 for gamma correction, and halftoning processing. And LUT (HT) 233 for use. As a result, R, G, and B bitmap images are input in units of pixels, and Y, M, C, and K bitmap images are output. These LUTs can be further switched according to the pixel value of the attribute bitmap image. There are two types of LUTs 231 and three types of LUTs 232 and HT233 for each CMYK color.

  On the other hand, the configuration for the 6 color mode of the color conversion unit 215 includes a 3-input 6-output lookup table (LUT) 1231 for color conversion and a 1-input 1-output LUT 1232 for gamma correction as shown in FIG. , And a LUT (HT) 1233 for halftoning processing. Similarly, CMYK and LC and LM bitmap images are output in units of pixels based on the input RGB bitmap images. It is the same that these LUTs can be switched according to the pixel value of the attribute bitmap image.

  Referring to FIG. 8 again, the output interface 216 converts the bitmap image input from the color conversion unit 215 into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the printer engine 217. Specifically, the output interface 216 includes six interfaces for M, C, Y, K, LM, and LC. As a result, a bitmap image is acquired independently from the color conversion unit 215, converted into a video signal, and output as a video signal to the laser drivers 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, and 160 for each color plane. Of course, in the four-color mode, video signals for LM and LC are not output.

  A nonvolatile memory 220 (hereinafter referred to as “Non Volatile RAM”) composed of an EEPROM or the like stores information (panel setting values) set via the operation panel 151 and the like.

  An engine synchronization memory (not shown) is provided between the color conversion unit 215 and the output interface 216. Thereby, Y, M, C, K or Y, M, C, K, LC, LM bitmap images output from the color conversion unit 215 can be held for one page.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the switching process between the 4-color mode and the 6-color mode by the control unit 101 of the printer 100.

  In FIG. 11, in step S1101, first, a job ticket attached to a print job sent from the host computer 301 is analyzed, and the job designation unit is analyzed as to whether printing is performed in the 4-color mode or the 6-color mode. . That is, in the host computer 301, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 12 and subsequent figures, a job designation part of a job ticket is set in accordance with the contents of page settings in printing set via the user interface. Then, a 4-color mode or a 6-color mode is determined according to the setting contents.

  In step S1102, the analysis result in step S1101 is determined. When the four-color mode is designated, the process proceeds to step S1103, and the switching signal shown in FIG. As a result, the mode of the printer 100 is set to the four-color mode, for example, the processing of the processing circuit shown in FIG. 9 is performed. On the other hand, when the 6-color mode is designated, the process proceeds to step S1104, and the processing of the processing circuit shown in FIG. 10 is performed by changing the switching signal shown in FIG. 100 modes are set to 6 color mode.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a “page setting” interface in the user interface by the printer driver in the host computer 301. That is, when printing is set, the user sets the type of image to be printed, such as document / table, DTP, or graphics, as “printing purpose” via the “print quality” user interface shown in FIG. At the same time, the user sets the document size, output paper size, page layout, magnification, stamp, and the like as “page setting” shown in FIG. According to the “page setting”, printing in the four-color mode or the six-color mode is performed as shown in some embodiments below.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the setting process of the 4-color mode designation and the 6-color mode designation by the printer driver of the host computer 301 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. By this setting process, as described above, the contents of the job designation part of the job ticket in the print job sent to the printer 100 are determined. In other words, in the present embodiment, when the page layout is set to print a plurality of images per page in the “page setting”, the contents of the job ticket are set so that printing is performed in the four-color mode. .

In FIG. 13, in step S1301, the setting value for each “print purpose” input by the user via the interface shown in FIG. 4 is checked. In step S1302, it is determined whether the setting for each printing purpose is set to the 4-color mode or the 6-color mode based on the correspondence relationship shown below.
Document / table: 4 colors DTP: 6 colors Graphics: 6 colors Photo image: 6 colors CAD: 4 colors WEB page: 4 colors

  If it is determined in step S1302 that the setting corresponds to the four-color mode, the process proceeds to step S1304. If the setting corresponds to the six-color mode, the process proceeds to step S1303.

  In step S1303, it is determined whether the page layout is one sheet / page or N (N> 1) sheets / page among the setting items of “page layout” shown in FIG. If it is 1 sheet / page, the process proceeds to step S1305, and if it is N (N> 1) sheet / page, the process proceeds to step S1304. In step S1304, it is determined that the printing mode is 4-color mode and the job ticket printing designation is set to the 4-color mode. In step S1305, the printing mode is determined to be 6-color mode printing and the job ticket printing designation is set to the 6-color mode.

  Thus, when printing a plurality of page units in one page, each page is printed small, and it is often difficult to identify the print image quality itself by observation. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the page layout is to print a plurality of page units in one page, control is performed so that printing is performed in the 4-color mode even if the 6-color mode is set. As a result, it is possible to prevent an increase in the amount of recording material consumed for a printing result that is not recognized as intended, and to suppress an increase in running cost relative to image quality.

  In the above example, it is determined based on whether one sheet / page or N (N> 1) sheets / page in step S1303, but for example, it is divided into two sheets / page or N (N> 2) sheets / page. For example, the determination threshold may be varied according to the degree to which the image quality can be identified.

(Embodiment 2)
According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the 4-color mode or the 6-color mode is set according to whether the “magnification” set in the “page setting” interface shown in FIG. It is about.

  That is, in step S1303 shown in FIG. 13, it is determined whether or not the magnification set on the interface is a reduction magnification. If 100%, the process advances to step S1305 to set the 6-color mode. On the other hand, if the reduction magnification is less than 100%, the process proceeds to step S1304, and the four-color mode is set.

  As in the first embodiment, when the reduction ratio is less than 100%, the page is printed small, and it is often difficult to identify the print image quality itself by observing the print result. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the magnification is less than 100%, control is performed so that printing is performed in the four-color mode even when the six-color mode is set.

  In the above example, the determination is made based on whether or not the magnification is less than 100%. However, the threshold value serving as the reference can be determined according to the degree to which the image quality can be identified, for example, less than 50%. It is good also as a standard.

(Embodiment 3)
The third embodiment of the present invention relates to processing for setting a 4-color mode or a 6-color mode according to the content of “stamp” printing set by the “page setting” interface.

  That is, in step S1303 in FIG. 13, it is determined whether or not the type of “stamp” set in the “page setting” interface in FIG. 12 is “draft”. If the stamp type is other than draft, the process advances to step S1305 to set the 6-color mode. On the other hand, if the stamp type is draft, the process advances to step S1304 to set the four-color mode.

  As described above, when the print image no longer requires high image quality, printing with high image quality in a mode that uses many types of recording materials, such as the 6-color mode, can be performed in a mode that is more than necessary for image quality. It is. For this reason, in this embodiment, even when the 6-color mode is already set, unnecessary toner consumption is suppressed by setting the 4-color mode.

  The above example is based on whether the stamp type is a draft. However, in stamp printing, in many cases, a stamp is printed in a superimposed manner on a part of an image to be printed, so that the original image to be printed is recognized to be damaged to some extent. From this point, for example, when stamp printing is set, the four-color mode may be set regardless of the type. Alternatively, the four-color mode may be set when the type of stamp is set so as to mean printing that does not matter the print image quality as much as “draft”.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a setting process for 4-color mode designation and 6-color mode designation by the printer driver of the host computer 301 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the process shown in FIG. 13, the setting process determines the contents of the job designation part of the job ticket in the print job sent to the printer 100.

In step S1401, the setting value for each printing purpose is checked. In step S1402, it is determined whether the setting for each printing purpose is a 4-color mode setting or a 6-color mode setting according to the following correspondence relationship.
Document / table: 4 colors DTP: 6 colors Graphics: 6 colors Photo image: 6 colors CAD: 4 colors WEB page: 4 colors

  The processes in steps S1401 and S1402 are the same as the processes in steps S1301 and S1302 shown in FIG. If it is determined in step S1402 that the setting corresponds to the six-color mode, the process advances to step S1404 to set the six-color mode.

  On the other hand, if the setting corresponds to the four-color mode, the process advances to step S1403 to determine whether the “original size” set in the “page setting” interface in FIG. If it is determined that it is not a postcard, the process advances to step S1405 to determine that the output is four-color as it is, and the job ticket print designation is set to four colors. On the other hand, when it is determined that the size of the document is a postcard, the process proceeds to step S1404, although it is set to 4 colors, it is determined to output 6 colors, and the print designation of the job ticket is set to 6 colors.

  As described above, when printing a postcard-sized document, it is often desired to improve the image quality. Thereby, in particular, it is possible to reliably perform printing suitable for the six-color mode using the setting contents in the page setting.

  In the above example, the postcard size is used. However, the user may determine a specific size to be determined in advance, and may determine whether or not the size is a reference.

(Embodiment 5)
In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the four-color mode and the six-color mode are switched depending on the document size in the fourth embodiment, but according to the setting of “output paper size” in “page setting”. The mode is switched. In this case, when the size of the output paper is a postcard, it is often desired to improve the image quality.

  That is, in step S1403 in FIG. 14, it is determined whether the output paper size set in the “page setting” interface in FIG. 12 is a postcard. If the output paper size is not a postcard, the process advances to step S1405 to set the 4-color mode as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined that the card is a postcard, the process advances to step S1404 to reset the 4-color mode to the 6-color mode.

(Embodiment 6)
The sixth embodiment of the present invention relates to processing for switching between the four-color mode and the six-color mode according to whether or not the setting for performing enlarged printing is performed.

  That is, in step S1403 of FIG. 14, in the “page setting” interface shown in FIG. 12, it is determined whether “magnification” is enlarged, that is, whether the magnification is greater than 100%. If it is not enlarged, the process proceeds to step S1405, and the four-color mode is set as it is. If it is enlarged, the process proceeds to step S1404, and the six-color mode is set.

  In the case of this embodiment as well, as in the fourth and fifth embodiments described above, when the “magnification” setting is enlarged, there is often a demand for higher image quality. To do.

  Note that, similarly to the second embodiment described above, the enlargement ratio threshold is not limited to 100%, and a larger threshold is set according to the degree of image quality due to enlargement and the degree of demand related thereto. It is good also as a standard.

(Embodiment 7)
The seventh embodiment of the present invention relates to a combination of the first to sixth embodiments described above.

  For example, if any one of the above-described determination criteria, which are the above-described various settings in “page setting”, satisfies step S1303 in FIG. 13 or step S1403 in FIG. You may make it set. As another form of combination, for example, the 4-color mode is set only when the page layout is set to N pages / page and draft stamp printing is set in step S1303 of FIG. You may do it. That is, when a plurality of determination criteria in “page setting” are satisfied at the same time, the four-color mode or the six-color mode may be set.

  Further, all the above judgment criteria are referred to, and for example, a priority order such as whether the judgment based on the page layout setting is prioritized or the judgment based on the magnification setting is prioritized is determined in advance. You may make it judge in order.

(Embodiment 8)
The eighth embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for changing the switching process between the four-color mode and the six-color mode in relation to billing that is a charge imposed on printing.

  For example, in a configuration in which the printer driver of the host computer 301 refers to the charging table (cost table) for each of the 4-color mode and the 6-color mode and charges for each job according to this, the 4-color mode is set according to the charging. Switch between 6 color modes. Specifically, when the charge per sheet is different between the 4-color mode and the 6-color mode, the determination shown in the first to third embodiments or the seventh embodiment in step S1303 of FIG. 13 is performed. To. On the other hand, when the charge does not change, the determination in step S1303 may not be performed. As a result, when the 6-color mode is changed to the 4-color mode, the effects described in the respective embodiments are obtained. However, when charging does not change, there is a user who may remain in the 6-color mode. can do.

  The billing table may be input by the user. The accounting table may be held in the printer control unit and uploaded by the printer driver.

(Other embodiments)
In the embodiment described above, a case has been described in which a group of four basic colors Y, M, C, and K and a group of six colors obtained by adding LM and LC are switched to be used. It is clear from the above explanation that the present invention is not limited to such a combination. In other words, the combination of recording materials used for switching is higher in the quality of printing when the other set has more types of recording materials than the one set, and printing is performed using the set with more types. The present invention can be applied to any combination that can perform the above. Examples of such combinations include, for example, six colors using the special colors G and R instead of the above LM and LC, or eight colors using G and R in addition to the above LM and LC. The combination can be used as a combination with more types of recording materials. Of course, the recording material is not limited to toner as in the above-described embodiment, and it is obvious that the present invention can be applied to, for example, a printing apparatus using ink as a recording material.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, as a premise to make a determination according to various settings of “print setting” in step S1303 or step S1403, four color modes or six colors are previously set according to the setting in “print quality” shown in FIG. The case where the mode is set has been described as an example. However, as such premise, it is not necessary to set the 4-color mode or the 6-color mode, and it is only possible to make a determination based on various settings of “print setting” in step S1303 in FIG. 13 or step S1403 in FIG. Color mode Six color modes may be determined.

(Still another embodiment)
The present invention can also be realized by a program code that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment and that realizes the procedures of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 or a storage medium storing the program code. It can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. be able to.

  In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS running on the computer performs an actual process based on the instruction of the program code. Part or all may be performed.

  Further, after the program code is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU or the like may perform part of the actual processing or based on the instruction of the program code. You may do everything.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a printer using six image carriers (photoconductors) corresponding to each of six color toners. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a printer in which six developing devices are provided around one photoconductor. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a printer in which two photoconductors are used and three developing devices are provided around each photoconductor. It is a figure which shows the user interface of "print quality" by the printer driver of a personal computer. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a setting of print details for printing purpose of the “print quality” in the user interface of the printer driver. FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing a configuration of a host computer as a print control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the printer 100 shown in FIG. 6 except the case of the exterior. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a control unit in the printer 100. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the color conversion part 215 for 4 color modes. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a color conversion unit 215 for six color modes. 4 is a flowchart illustrating switching processing between a 4-color mode and a 6-color mode by the control unit 101 of the printer 100. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a “page setting” interface in a user interface by a printer driver in a host computer 301. 4 is a flowchart showing a setting process of 4-color mode designation and 6-color mode designation by the printer driver of the host computer 301 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a setting process of 4-color mode designation and 6-color mode designation by a printer driver of the host computer 301 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Printer 101 Printer control unit 102 Paper feed cassette 103 Spring for lifting paper 104, 105 Paper feed roller 106, 109, 150 Paper transport roller 107 Paper transport belt 108 Fixing device 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160 Laser Driver 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 161 Semiconductor laser emitting device 112, 122, 132, 142, 152, 162 Laser beam 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, 163 Rotating polygon mirror 114, 124, 134, 144, 154, 164 Electrostatic drum 115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 Toner cartridge 151 Operation panel 301 Host computer 306 CPU
307 ROM
308 RAM
309 Display control 303 Display 208 CPU
210 Renderer 211 Band buffer in which final output image is generated 212 Compression unit 213 Page memory 214 Decompression unit 215 Color conversion unit 216 Output interface unit to printing mechanism unit 217 Printer engine

Claims (26)

Based on the page setting information of the input image, a setting step for setting information on a combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet;
And a processing step of changing the information set in the setting step. The processing step includes
A determination step for determining whether to change the information set in the setting step based on page setting information different from the page setting information;
The method of controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information set in the setting step is changed when it is determined that the change is made in the determination step. The processing step includes
The method according to claim 2, wherein the information set in the setting step is not changed when it is determined not to be changed in the determination step. The determination step includes
A charge determination step for determining whether or not the charge is different depending on a combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet;
4. The image according to claim 2, further comprising: a determination determination step that determines that the information set in the setting step is not changed when it is determined that the charging is not different in the charging determination step. 5. A method for controlling a processing apparatus.   5. The different page setting information is setting information of at least one of page layout setting, enlargement / reduction ratio setting, stamp setting, document size setting, and output paper size setting. A control method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The possible combinations of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet include a combination with a large number of recording materials and a combination with a small number of recording materials,
The number of combinations of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet is information indicating that the number of combinations is large, and the number of page setting information of the input image is greater than a first number greater than or equal to one. If the setting information to output the input image of the number of pages to a sheet of one page is included,
4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the determination step determines that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet is changed to the small combination. The possible combinations of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet include a combination with a large number of recording materials and a combination with a small number of recording materials,
It is information that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet is the large number of combinations, and the input image page setting information is a magnification smaller than a first magnification smaller than 1. If the setting information for outputting the input image on the sheet is included in
4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the determination step determines that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet is changed to the small combination. The possible combinations of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet include a combination with a large number of recording materials and a combination with a small number of recording materials,
The combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on the sheet is information that the combination is many, and the setting information that is superimposed on the input image and output on the sheet includes setting information. If it is included as page setting information for the input image,
4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the determination step determines that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet is changed to the small combination. The possible combinations of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet include a combination with a large number of recording materials and a combination with a small number of recording materials,
It is information that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on the sheet is the many combinations, and the first type stamp is superimposed on the input image and output on the sheet. If the setting information to be included is included as page setting information of the input image,
4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the determination step determines that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet is changed to the small combination. The possible combinations of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet include a combination with a large number of recording materials and a combination with a small number of recording materials,
The information that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on the sheet is the small combination, and the setting information in which the size of the input image is the first size is the input image. Is included as page setup information for
The control method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determination step determines that the combination of recording materials used when the input image is output on a sheet is changed to the many combinations. The possible combinations of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet include a combination with a large number of recording materials and a combination with a small number of recording materials,
Setting information in which the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet is the small combination, and the size of the sheet for outputting the input image is the first size. Is included as page setting information for the input image,
The control method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determination step determines that the combination of recording materials used when the input image is output on a sheet is changed to the many combinations. The possible combinations of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet include combinations with a large number of recording materials and combinations with a small number of recording materials,
It is information that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on the sheet is the small combination, and the input image is placed on the sheet at a magnification greater than a first magnification greater than 1. When the setting information to be output is included as page setting information of the input image,
The control method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determination step determines that the combination of recording materials used when the input image is output on a sheet is changed to the many combinations. Based on page setting information of the input image, setting means for setting information relating to a combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet;
An image processing apparatus comprising: processing means for changing information set by the setting means. The processing means includes
Determining means for determining whether to change the information set by the setting means based on page setting information different from the page setting information;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the information set by the setting unit is changed when it is determined that the setting is changed by the determination unit. The processing means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein when the determination unit determines not to change, the information set by the setting unit is not changed. The determination means includes
Charging determination means for determining whether charging differs depending on a combination of recording materials used when the input image is output on a sheet;
16. The image according to claim 14, further comprising: a determination determining unit that determines that the information set by the setting unit is not changed when it is determined that the charging is not different by the charging determination unit. Processing equipment.   16. The different page setting information is setting information of at least one of page layout setting, enlargement / reduction ratio setting, stamp setting, document size setting, and output paper size setting. Image processing apparatus. The possible combinations of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet include a combination with a large number of recording materials and a combination with a small number of recording materials,
The number of combinations of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet is information indicating that the number of combinations is large, and the number of page setting information of the input image is greater than a first number greater than or equal to one. If the setting information to output the input image of the number of pages to a sheet of one page is included,
16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the determination unit determines that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet is changed to the small combination. The possible combinations of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet include a combination with a large number of recording materials and a combination with a small number of recording materials,
It is information that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet is the large number of combinations, and the input image page setting information is a magnification smaller than a first magnification smaller than 1. If the setting information for outputting the input image on the sheet is included in
16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the determination unit determines that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet is changed to the small combination. The possible combinations of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet include a combination with a large number of recording materials and a combination with a small number of recording materials,
The combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on the sheet is information that the combination is many, and the setting information that is superimposed on the input image and output on the sheet includes setting information. If it is included as page setting information for the input image,
16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the determination unit determines that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet is changed to the small combination. The possible combinations of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet include a combination with a large number of recording materials and a combination with a small number of recording materials,
It is information that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on the sheet is the many combinations, and the first type stamp is superimposed on the input image and output on the sheet. If the setting information to be included is included as page setting information of the input image,
16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the determination unit determines that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet is changed to the small combination. The possible combinations of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet include a combination with a large number of recording materials and a combination with a small number of recording materials,
The information that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on the sheet is the small combination, and the setting information in which the size of the input image is the first size is the input image. Is included as page setup information for
16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the determination unit determines that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet is changed to the many combinations. The possible combinations of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet include a combination with a large number of recording materials and a combination with a small number of recording materials,
Setting information in which the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet is the small combination, and the size of the sheet for outputting the input image is the first size. Is included as page setting information for the input image,
16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the determination unit determines that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet is changed to the many combinations. The possible combinations of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet include combinations with a large number of recording materials and combinations with a small number of recording materials,
It is information that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on the sheet is the small combination, and the input image is placed on the sheet at a magnification greater than a first magnification greater than 1. When the setting information to be output is included as page setting information of the input image,
16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the determination unit determines that the combination of recording materials used when outputting the input image on a sheet is changed to the many combinations.   A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12. A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 25.

Images