JP2006209427A - Image output controller and image output system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for preventing the toner crack or toner peeling of an image region to be outputted to the neighborhood of the fold of an image printing medium by fold bookbinding concerning a print technology for performing the output of an image to an image printing medium and fold bookbinding to an image printing medium. <P>SOLUTION: This image output controller for transmitting the image data of an image to a printing device for performing the formation of an image to an image printing medium and the fold bookbinding of the image printing medium is provided with an extracting means for extracting the image of a fold side image region to be outputted to the neighborhood of the fold of the image printing medium from the image data, a density adjusting means for performing adjustment to decrease the density of the fold side image region to the data of the fold side image region extracted by the extracting means and a transmitting means for transmitting the image data adjusted by the density adjusting means to the printing device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing technique for outputting an image to an image print medium and folding and binding the image print medium.

  In recent years, with the spread of DTP (Desk Top Publishing) etc., the print orderer edits the image input from the scanner on the computer software on the computer software and outputs the final printed matter directly to the image print medium in full digital The image output system is being automated. Finishers are often connected in order to promote further automation.

  The finisher is a device that is connected to the subsequent stage of the image output device. The finisher is provided with a folding mechanism, and aligns image print media such as paper and fabric conveyed from the image output apparatus as a bundle, and performs folding, tri-folding, Z-folding, or the like by the folding mechanism. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1.)

  By connecting the finisher, the process from image editing to bookbinding can be automated on a series of systems.

JP-A-8-220942

  The image print medium bound by the finisher has a crease and is folded around the crease. The image output on the image print medium is obtained by applying and fixing CMYK color toners. However, the amount of toner used in the area near the fold including the fold of the output image is large. If the density of the region is high, the toner may be broken or peeled off due to folding. In particular, when a spread image straddling a fold is output to an image print medium, this toner cracking or peeling is easily noticeable.

  As described above, when folding and binding using a finisher, it is pointed out that image quality is deteriorated due to toner cracking or toner peeling in the image area near the fold.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and relates to a printing technique for outputting an image to an image print medium and folding and binding the image print medium. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing technique for preventing toner breakage and toner peeling in an output image area.

  In order to solve the above problem, an invention according to claim 1 is an image output control device that transmits image data of the image to a printing device that forms an image on an image print medium and performs bookbinding of the image print medium. An extraction unit that extracts data of a fold side image region that is output in the vicinity of a fold of the image print medium from the image data, and a fold side image for the data of the fold side image region that is extracted by the extraction unit. It is characterized by comprising density adjusting means for adjusting the density of the area and transmitting means for transmitting image data adjusted by the density adjusting means to the printing apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problem, an invention according to claim 2 is an image output control device that transmits image data of the image to a printing device that forms an image on an image print medium and folds the image print medium. And determining means for determining whether or not the image is a spread image based on the image data, and when the determination means determines that the image is a spread image, the image printing is performed from the image data. Extraction means for extracting data of the crease side image area output in the vicinity of the crease of the medium, and density for adjusting the density of the crease side image area with respect to the data of the crease side image area extracted by the extraction means The image processing apparatus includes an adjustment unit and a transmission unit that transmits the image data adjusted by the density adjustment unit to the printing apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problem, an invention according to claim 5 is an image output system for forming an image on an image print medium and folding and binding the image print medium. Extraction means for extracting the data of the fold side image area output in the vicinity of the fold line, and density adjustment means for performing adjustment to reduce the density of the fold side image area with respect to the data of the fold side image area extracted by the extraction means. Output means for outputting the image to the image print medium based on the image data adjusted by the density adjustment means, and folding bookbinding means for performing folding bookbinding on the image print medium output by the output means; It is characterized by providing.

  In order to solve the above problem, an invention according to claim 6 is an image output system for forming an image on an image print medium and folding the image print medium, and based on the image data of the image, A determination unit that determines whether or not the image is a spread image; and a crease side that is output from the image data in the vicinity of the fold of the image print medium when the determination unit determines that the image is a spread image Extraction means for extracting data of the image area, density adjustment means for adjusting the density of the fold side image area extracted from the data of the fold side image area extracted by the extraction means, and adjustment by the density adjustment means Output means for outputting the image to the image print medium based on the image data that has been output, and folding the image print medium output by the output means. It and a center-folding unit performs, characterized.

  The image forming apparatus further includes storage means for storing density restriction information for restricting a total amount of toner per unit area of the fold side image area, and the density adjustment means is configured to extract the data extracted by the extraction means based on the density restriction information. The density may be lowered by adjusting the gradation value data of the pixel group corresponding to the crease-side image area based on the above (corresponding to the inventions of claims 3 and 7).

  Further, the storage unit stores information for specifying a range of a pixel group corresponding to the fold-side image area corresponding to a page number of the image and a folding form of the folding bookbinding, and the extraction unit includes the extraction unit, Obtaining the page number of the image and the folding form of the folding bookbinding, referring to the storage means, extracting the gradation value data of the pixel group corresponding to the fold-side image area, and the density adjustment means The density may be lowered by adjusting the gradation value data of the pixel group corresponding to the crease-side image area extracted by the means (corresponding to the inventions according to claims 4 and 8).

  According to the present invention, depending on the image output technique for forming an image on the image print medium and folding the image print medium, the data of the fold side image area output in the vicinity of the fold of the image print medium is extracted from the image data. Extraction means, density adjustment means for adjusting the density of the fold-side image area with respect to the data of the fold-side image area extracted by the extraction means, and image data adjusted by the density adjustment means to the printing apparatus And transmitting means for transmitting.

  As a result, the toner used in the crease region can be adjusted to an application amount that does not cause the toner to be broken or peeled off even by the crease. Therefore, the toner adheres with good appearance even by the crease, and printing with good appearance becomes possible.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the image output system. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a schematic operation of the image output system. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the image output control apparatus. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the image output control apparatus. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the density adjustment target area table. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image output control apparatus. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining page data in which density adjustment has been performed on the fold-side image region. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an image whose density has been adjusted in the fold-side image area. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the density adjustment operation of the image output control apparatus according to another embodiment.

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, an image output system 1 according to the present embodiment connects a layout terminal 2, an image output control device 3, and an image output device 4 via a network such as a LAN or the Internet. The finisher 5 is connected to the front.

  The image output system 1 creates image data and performs processing to reduce the density of the fold image area output in the vicinity of the fold of the image print medium so that the toner does not peel off due to the fold, thereby outputting the image as a printing apparatus. The apparatus 4 and the finisher 5 output the image data to an image print medium, and the image print medium is folded and bound. The image print medium is, for example, paper or fabric.

  The layout terminal 2 is constituted by a computer on which an application capable of image editing is mounted, for example. Image editing creates image data (hereinafter referred to as “PDL”) described in a page description language such as Postscript. The created PDL is transmitted to the image output control apparatus 3 via the network.

  In the PDL created by the layout terminal 2, character and graphic arrangement information and color information for each page are described in a page description language. Further, folding form information for designating the folding form of the image print medium such as bi-folding, tri-folding, and Z-folding is described.

  The image output control device 3 interprets the page description language, and develops raster image data (hereinafter referred to as “raster data”) from the PDL by expanding the raster image according to the folding form and the output characteristics of the image output device 4. To do.

  When creating the raster data, if the PDL includes folding form information, or if the image output control device 3 is set to fold and print the image print medium to which the raster data has been output, the folding bookbinding outputs the fold line or the vicinity of the fold line. Adjustment is performed to limit the maximum toner total amount of the image area (hereinafter referred to as “fold-side image area”). The maximum total toner amount is a total amount in which the toner does not peel off due to the crease.

  The image output device 4 is output means for outputting raster data to an image print medium. The image output device 4 outputs an image to the image print medium based on the raster data transmitted from the image output control device 3. The image print medium on which the image is output is conveyed to the finisher 5.

  The image output device 4 scans exposure beams of CMYK colors to form a toner image corresponding to the raster data, transfers the toner image to the image print medium, and then fixes the toner image to the image print medium by pressurization and heating. To output the image to the image print medium.

  The finisher 5 is a bookbinding unit that performs folding and bookbinding on the image print medium. The finisher 5 performs two-fold bookbinding, three-fold bookbinding, Z-fold bookbinding, and the like on the image print medium on which the image is output.

  As the folding and binding operation of the finisher 5, for example, first, the image print medium is transported to a predetermined position by a plurality of rollers and stopped in a state where both sides are sandwiched by the rollers. By rotating both rollers sandwiched in this state so as to be wound inside, a curved portion is formed at a desired position of the image print medium. Further, the rollers on both sides are rotated so as to be wound inside, and the curved portion is engaged with the nip portion waiting on the curved portion side of the image print medium, thereby forming a fold at a desired position of the image print medium.

  As shown in FIG. 2, such an image output system 1 first creates a PDL in which layout information of a plurality of pages of characters and figures, color information, and folding form information is described in the layout terminal 2 (S101).

  The image output control device 3 to which the created PDL is transmitted from the layout terminal 2 interprets the PDL, matches the output form of the fold form and the image output device 4, and limits the maximum total toner amount in the fold side image area. Expand the adjusted raster image to create raster data. (S102).

  The created raster data is transmitted to the image output device 4, and the image output device 4 outputs an image corresponding to the raster data to the image print medium (S103). The image print medium on which the image is output is conveyed to the finisher 5 and folded and bound by the finisher 5 (S104).

  The image print medium subjected to the folding bookbinding is ejected from the finisher 5 and the printing process based on the PDL transmitted from the layout terminal 2 is completed.

  The creation of raster data of the image output control device 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image output control device 3 includes a CPU 3a, a RAM 3b, an HDD 3c, a monitor 3d such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an input device 3e such as a keyboard or a mouse or a touch panel, and a modem. It is a computer comprised by the communication means 3f which is transmission means, such as.

  The HDD 3c stores an image output program 6 that analyzes PDL and develops raster data. The image output control device 3 executes the image output program 6 to display the display screen on the monitor 3d as appropriate while the CPU 3a performs the operation and temporarily stores the operation result in the RAM 3b, and the input from the input device 3e. Each function is exhibited by communicating with the layout terminal 2 and the image output device 4 by the communication means 3f.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image output control device 3 includes RIP means 32, density adjustment means 33, composition means 34, and halftone processing means 35 that are configured by the CPU 3 a as functions. The image output control device 3 includes image data storage means 31, a density adjustment target area table 33a, and density limit rate information storage means 33b configured by the RAM 3b or the HDD 3c.

  The image data storage means 31 includes raster data for each page after PDL and RIP processing (hereinafter referred to as “page data”) transmitted from the layout terminal 2, and raster data for each page after synthesis processing (hereinafter referred to as “sheet data”). ").

  The RIP unit 32 reads the PDL from the image data storage unit 31, interprets the page description language, performs RIP processing, and expands the page data. The RIP process develops bitmap data, that is, raster data, which is a collection of points based on arrangement information and color information of characters and figures described in PDL. The raster data is developed for each page, and the raster data after the RIP process is stored in the image data storage means as page data.

  The density adjustment unit 33 reads the page data, and converts the gradation value data of the pixel corresponding to the fold side image area into a gradation value corresponding to the amount of toner that does not peel off the toner by folding. The density adjustment unit 33 stores the range information of the fold side image area in a table in advance. This table is stored in a density adjustment target area table 33a configured by the RAM 3b or the HDD 3c. In addition, information on the density limiting rate by which the gradation value of the pixel is multiplied is stored in advance. The density limiting rate is stored in the density limiting rate storage means 33b constituted by the RAM 3b or the HDD 3c.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the density adjustment target area table 33a corresponds to folding forms such as bi-folding, tri-folding, Z-folding, right binding, and left binding, even numbers of page numbers, and output image size. Storage means for storing position information of the image area. The range information is defined by the coordinate range of the pixel group corresponding to the fold side image region.

  The density restriction rate is density restriction information that restricts the total amount of toner per unit area that can be used when outputting the fold-side image area. The upper limit of the total amount of toner is the extent to which the toner in the image area on the crease side is not peeled even by folding. The amount of toner that can be applied for all colors is expressed as a percentage, and the numerical value corresponding to the total amount of toner for all colors that does not peel off the toner is the density limiting rate.

  The density adjustment unit 33 acquires and interprets the folding form information described in the PDL from the image data storage unit, and further acquires even and odd numbers of the page number from the page number of the page data that is the density adjustment target. . From the obtained folding form information and page number, the range information of the image area output in the vicinity of the fold of the corresponding image print medium is obtained.

  Then, the density adjustment unit 33 extracts the gradation value data of the pixels in the fold side image region corresponding to the range information from the data of each pixel included in the page data stored in the image data storage unit 31. , Converted to a value multiplied by the density limit rate. That is, the density adjusting unit 33 becomes an extracting unit and a density adjusting unit.

  The synthesizing unit 34 performs imposition processing on the page data and creates paper surface data. The imposition process is performed by acquiring the folding form information from the PDL or by acquiring the folding form information created using the input device and interpreting the acquired folding form information. When the folding form information is interpreted, a combination of page data arranged on the same sheet when it is folded and bound by the finisher 5 is determined, and the page data is synthesized for each combination to create the sheet data.

  The halftone dot processing means 35 converts the pixel group constituting the paper page data into a halftone dot or halftone line for each predetermined pixel group, and creates paper page data constituted by the halftone dot or halftone line.

  The operation of the image output control device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the image output program is executed, the description of PDL is sequentially read from the image data storage means 31, and RIP processing is performed by the RIP means 32. The page data bitmapped for each page is converted into image data. It is expanded in the storage means 31 (S201).

  When the page data is expanded, the density adjusting unit 33 searches whether or not the folding form information is included in the description of the PDL, or the folding form information is obtained by using the input device 3e of the image output control device 3. It is searched whether or not it exists (S202).

  When the fold form information exists (S202, Yes), the density adjustment unit 33 interprets the fold form information, refers to the density adjustment target area table 33a, and refers to the gradation value of the pixel group that becomes the fold side image area. Are extracted (S203).

  When the gradation value data of the pixel group that becomes the fold side image area is extracted, the density adjusting unit 33 acquires the density limiting rate from the density limiting rate storing unit 33b, and multiplies the extracted gradation value by the density limiting rate. The density of the fold side image area is adjusted (S204).

  When the adjustment is completed, the synthesizing unit 34 determines the combination of page data arranged on the same sheet with reference to the folding form information, and synthesizes each combination to create the sheet data (S205).

  The page data is subjected to halftone dot processing by the halftone dot processing means 35 (S206). The halftone dot paper data is transmitted to the image output device 4 and output to the image print medium, and the finisher 5 performs folding binding.

  The page data created by the image output control device 3 of the present embodiment and the image output to the image print medium will be described with reference to FIGS.

  For example, FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show page data of the second and third pages of A4 size when right-bound bi-fold binding is performed by interpreting the folding form information of PDL.

  In FIG. 7A, when the RIP unit 32 interprets the PDL and expands the page data of the second page, the density adjusting unit 33 acquires the folding form information from the PDL or is set in the image output apparatus 3. Acquire fold form information. Then, the folding form information is interpreted to recognize that right-binding bi-fold binding is performed, and to recognize that the page data whose density is to be adjusted is output in the A4 size on the second page. This page number is recognized by adjusting the density sequentially after the RIP processing in order from the youngest page number.

  The density adjustment unit 33 searches the density adjustment target area 33a shown in FIG. 5 using information on the right binding, folding in half, A4 size output, and page data of the second page as a search key, and the fold side image for density adjustment. The range of the area is acquired that the boundary of the left end side of the fold side image area at the right side of the image is coordinates (X3, Y3)-(X4, Y4). Further, the density limiting rate is acquired from the density limiting rate storage means 33b.

  The density adjusting unit 33 sequentially reads out the gradation value data of the pixels corresponding to the acquired fold side image area from the image data storage unit 31 and converts the data to a value multiplied by the density limiting rate. By this processing, as shown in FIG. 7A, the gradation value of the fold side image area including the crease is uniformly reduced.

  In FIG. 7B, when the RIP unit 32 interprets the PDL and expands the page data of the third page, the density adjusting unit 33 acquires the folding form information, right-binding, bi-fold binding, A4 The density adjustment target area 33a shown in FIG. 5 is searched using the information on the size output and the third page as a search key. As a result of this search, the boundary of the right end side of the fold side image area on the left side of the range of the fold side image area whose density is to be adjusted is acquired as coordinates (X1, Y1)-(X2, Y2). Further, the density limiting rate is acquired from the density limiting rate storage means 33b.

  The density adjusting unit 33 sequentially reads out the gradation value data of the pixels corresponding to the acquired fold side image area from the image data storage unit 31 and converts them into a value multiplied by the density limiting rate. As shown in FIG. 7B, the gradation value of the fold side image area including the fold is uniformly reduced.

  In FIG. 8, the density adjustment unit 33 performs density adjustment to lower the density of the fold-side image area with respect to the page data developed by the RIP process by the RIP unit 32, and the composition unit 34 arranges the page data pairs arranged on the same sheet. Is generated on the image print medium by the image output device 4. In particular, a case where a spread image is output is shown. As shown in FIG. 8, the density of the fold side image area output near the fold of the spread image is low, and even if the book is folded at the fold, the toner does not easily peel off.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the data of the fold side image area output in the vicinity of the fold line of the image print medium is extracted from the image data, and the density of the fold side image area is compared with the extracted data of the fold side image area. The adjustment to decrease is done. Therefore, the toner is not broken or peeled off even by the crease, and printing with good appearance is possible.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the configuration and overall operation of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted with the aid of FIGS. 1 to 5 and FIGS. 7 and 8.

  In the first embodiment, the fold side image area is uniformly set in the page data and the density adjustment is performed. As for the spread image, a fold side image region is generated in a plurality of page data constituting the spread image. However, for a single page image, the image may not be output near the fold.

  In the present embodiment, the density adjustment unit 33 refers to the PDL to determine whether or not the page data that is the density adjustment target corresponds to a part of the spread image, and a part of the spread image. If the image corresponds to the above, the fold image area is extracted and density adjustment is performed.

  That is, in S203 shown in FIG. 6, as shown in FIG. 9, the density adjustment unit 33 reads the PDL and reads the page number or the page number described in the description area from which the page data that is the density adjustment target is expanded. The image size is acquired (S301).

  When the acquired page number is a plurality of page numbers, or when the acquired image size corresponds to the spread image size (Yes in S302), the density adjustment unit 33 displays the page data that is the target of density adjustment as a spread image. It is judged that it corresponds to a part of.

  On the other hand, when the acquired page number is a single page number, or when the acquired image size corresponds to one page (No in S302), the density adjusting unit 33 is the page data that is the target of density adjustment. Is determined to correspond to an image for one page.

  When it is determined that the page data that is the density adjustment target corresponds to a part of the spread image (Yes in S302), S204 shown in FIG. 6 is performed. That is, the gradation value data of the pixels in the fold-side image area of the page data that is the density adjustment target is acquired, and the density adjustment is performed by multiplying the acquired data by the density restriction rate.

  If it is determined that the page data that is the density adjustment target corresponds to an image for one page (S302, No), the process proceeds to S205 without performing S204 shown in FIG. That is, the density adjustment is not performed on the page data that is the density adjustment target.

  According to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress deterioration of image quality without performing density adjustment for an image for one page having no fold side image area.

  As described above, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the image output control device 3 is provided with the function as described above by executing the image output program 6 stored in the HDD or ROM. Such an image output program 6 is a storage medium readable by the image output control device 3, for example, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk (CD-ROM / DVD-RAM / DVD-ROM / MO, etc.), a magnetic storage medium (hard disk). / Floppy (registered trademark) disk / ZIP or the like). In the present embodiment, the image output control device 3 is provided with the above-described function by executing the image output program 6, but may be provided with the above-described function by including a dedicated circuit.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image output system according to an embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows schematic operation | movement of an image output system. It is a block diagram of the image output control apparatus concerning this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the image output control apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure explaining a density adjustment object area table. It is a flowchart figure explaining operation | movement of the image output control apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the page data by which density adjustment was made to the fold side image area. It is a figure explaining the image by which density adjustment was made to the fold side image area. It is a flowchart explaining the density adjustment operation of the image output control apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image output system 2 Layout terminal 3 Image output control apparatus 3a CPU
3b RAM
3c HDD
3d monitor 3e input device 3f communication means 31 image data storage means 32 RIP means 33 density adjustment means 33a density adjustment target area table 33b density limit rate storage means 34 combining means 35 halftone dot processing means 4 image output device 5 finisher 6 image output program

Claims (8)

An image output control device that transmits image data of an image to a printing device that forms an image on an image print medium and performs bookbinding of the image print medium,
Extraction means for extracting data of a fold side image region output in the vicinity of the fold of the image print medium from the image data;
Density adjusting means for performing adjustment to reduce the density of the fold side image area with respect to the data of the fold side image area extracted by the extracting means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the image data adjusted by the density adjusting means to the printing apparatus;
Providing
An image output control device characterized by the above. An image output control device that transmits image data of an image to a printing device that forms an image on an image print medium and performs bookbinding of the image print medium,
Determination means for determining whether the image is a spread image based on the image data;
An extracting unit that extracts data of a fold side image area that is output in the vicinity of a fold of the image print medium from the image data when the determining unit determines that the image is a spread image;
Density adjusting means for performing adjustment to reduce the density of the fold side image area with respect to the data of the fold side image area extracted by the extracting means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the image data adjusted by the density adjusting means to the printing apparatus;
Providing
An image output control device characterized by the above. Storage means for storing density limit information for limiting the total amount of toner per unit area of the fold side image area;
The density adjusting means includes
Reducing the density by adjusting gradation value data of a pixel group corresponding to the fold-side image area based on the data extracted by the extraction unit based on the density restriction information;
The image output control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Storage means for storing information for specifying the range of the pixel group corresponding to the fold side image area corresponding to the page number of the image and the folding form of the folding bookbinding;
The extraction means includes
Obtaining the page number of the image and the folding form of the folding bookbinding, extracting the gradation value data of the pixel group corresponding to the fold side image area with reference to the storage means,
The density adjusting means includes
Reducing the density by adjusting gradation value data of a pixel group corresponding to the fold-side image region extracted by the extraction unit;
The image output control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: An image output system for forming an image on an image print medium and folding and binding the image print medium,
Extraction means for extracting data of a fold side image region output in the vicinity of the fold of the image print medium from the image data;
Density adjusting means for performing adjustment to reduce the density of the fold side image area with respect to the data of the fold side image area extracted by the extracting means;
Output means for outputting the image to the image print medium based on the image data adjusted by the density adjustment means;
Folding bookbinding means for folding and binding the image print medium output by the output means;
Providing
An image output system characterized by An image output system for forming an image on an image print medium and folding and binding the image print medium,
Determining means for determining whether the image is a spread image based on the image data of the image;
An extracting unit that extracts data of a fold side image area that is output in the vicinity of a fold of the image print medium from the image data when the determining unit determines that the image is a spread image;
Density adjusting means for performing adjustment to reduce the density of the fold side image area with respect to the data of the fold side image area extracted by the extracting means;
Output means for outputting the image to the image print medium based on the image data adjusted by the density adjustment means;
Folding bookbinding means for folding and binding the image print medium output by the output means;
Providing
An image output system characterized by Storage means for storing density limit information for limiting the total amount of toner per unit area of the fold side image area;
The density adjusting means includes
Reducing the density by adjusting gradation value data of a pixel group corresponding to the fold-side image area based on the data extracted by the extraction unit based on the density restriction information;
The image output system according to claim 5 or 6. Storage means for storing information for specifying the range of the pixel group corresponding to the fold side image area corresponding to the page number of the image and the folding form of the folding bookbinding;
The extraction means includes
Obtaining the page number of the image and the folding form of the folding bookbinding, extracting the gradation value data of the pixel group corresponding to the fold side image area with reference to the storage means,
The density adjusting means includes
Reducing the density by adjusting gradation value data of a pixel group corresponding to the fold-side image region extracted by the extraction unit;
The image output system according to claim 5 or 6.