JP2006254106A - Copy control device, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a duplication of desired finish without uselessly consuming a recording material even in the case that a region in which duplication is not good for a printer is included in a duplication object image. <P>SOLUTION: If a duplication object draft is set in a composite machine, the composite machine reads out the duplication object draft, and transfers image data for simulation in a low resolution which is made from the obtained image data for printing to a client PC. The client PC displays the simulation image, and discriminates whether there is a region in which a color difference between the printing of a composite machine and the original image is larger than a threshold, and the duplication is not good, or there is not such a region based on the image data for simulation. If there is a region in which duplication is not good, it is clearly shown in the simulation image, and if the setting of a printing condition change is instructed by a user, the simulation image is displayed again according to the printing condition in which the change is set. If the confirmation of the printing condition is instructed, the confirmed printing condition is sent to the composite machine, and makes the machine print on a recording paper under the printing condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copy control apparatus, method, and program, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus that reads an image to be copied and a printing apparatus that prints on a recording material based on input image data of the image to be copied. The present invention relates to a copy control apparatus realized by a computer, a copy control method applicable to the copy control apparatus, and a copy control program for causing the computer to function as the copy control apparatus.

  Since the color copying machine is configured to print (copy) an image to be copied on recording paper using toners of Y, M, C, and K colors, the range in which color reproduction is possible is Y, M, C, K. This is limited to the color reproduction range that can be realized using the toner of the above, and in the image to be copied, for example, an area that is colored in a fluorescent color by using a fluorescent paint, or a gold color by using a dedicated color material If there are areas that are colored in silver, areas that are colored in a specific color due to specially formulated color materials, etc., there is a problem that these areas will not be reproduced in an appropriate color on the copy. is there.

In relation to the above, Patent Document 1 discloses that when a fluorescent color region is extracted from an image signal of a document image, and the fluorescent color in the extracted fluorescent color region is replaced with a corresponding approximate color, an image is formed. A technique is disclosed in which the operator sets a correspondence relationship between the color and the approximate color in advance, retains the set correspondence relationship, and performs replacement from the fluorescent color to the approximate color based on the retained correspondence relationship. ing.
JP-A-9-98302

  According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, the color of the fluorescent color region in the image to be copied is automatically converted to an approximate color that can be reproduced by a copying machine and has a little uncomfortable feeling based on a preset correspondence relationship. Will be. However, if the above-mentioned fluorescent color or other poorly reproduced color areas are present in the copy image, the approximate color that is less uncomfortable when replacing the poorly reproduced color may differ depending on the content of the copy target image. In addition, the approximate color that the user feels appropriate is often different for each user. For this reason, even if the technique of Patent Document 1 is applied, there is a problem that the poor reproduction color in the copy target image is not always converted to an approximate color that the user feels appropriate. In particular, a copying machine is often used by a plurality of users, and when a defective reproduction color is converted into an approximate color based on a certain correspondence as in the technique described in Patent Document 1, a defective reproduction color is copied. There is a high possibility that the color is not converted into an approximate color appropriate for the user who has instructed the color.

  Then, when the reproduction failure color in the copy target image is not reproduced with an appropriate color on the copy, the user adjusts the copy condition (print condition) and instructs the execution of the copy again. There is a problem that the consumption of the recording paper increases unnecessarily because it is necessary to repeat until a copy with a desired finish (a copy in which a poor reproduction color in the image to be copied is reproduced with an appropriate color) is obtained. It was. Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the replacement from the fluorescent color to the approximate color is automatically performed, there is a possibility that the user may not recognize that the region of the poor reproduction color exists in the copy image. In some cases, the user may be distrusted by the performance of the copying machine without understanding the reason why the color of the image to be copied is not properly reproduced on the copy.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned facts, and even when an area to be reproduced in the printing apparatus is included in an image to be copied, a desired finished copy can be made without consuming recording material wastefully. It is an object to obtain a copy control device, a copy control method, and a copy control program capable of obtaining an object.

  In order to achieve the above object, a copy control apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an image reading apparatus that reads an image to be copied and an image data of the input image to be copied within a predetermined color reproduction range. By a computer provided with an input means for inputting information and a display means capable of displaying an image, connected via a communication line to a printing apparatus that performs conversion processing to be stored and prints an image on a recording material under set printing conditions. A copy control device that is realized, wherein image data generated by the image reading device reading a copy target image and received from the image reading device via the communication line is within the predetermined color reproduction range. The conversion result is stored, and the printing result when the printing apparatus prints the copy target image under the print conditions currently set for the copy target image is displayed. A simulation image is generated, and the generated simulation image is displayed on the display means, and each time information for instructing a change in printing conditions for the copy target image is input via the input means, the simulation image The received image data by comparing the image display control means that repeats generation and display on the display means, and the data of the simulation image generated by the image display control means with the image data received from the image reading device. In the copy target image represented by, it is determined whether or not there is a reproduction failure area where a reproduction failure occurs on the simulation image, and if the reproduction failure area exists, the reproduction failure area is displayed on the display means. And a reproducibility notification means that clearly shows on the simulation image It is characterized.

  The copy control device according to the first aspect of the invention is set by performing an image reading device that reads a copy target image and a conversion process that fits the input image data of the copy target image within a predetermined color reproduction range. This is realized by a computer that is connected to a printing apparatus that prints an image on a recording material under a printing condition via a communication line, and that has an input means for inputting information and a display means capable of displaying an image. The image reading apparatus and the printing apparatus may be integrated as a copying machine or a multifunction machine, or may be separate. According to the first aspect of the present invention, image data generated by the image reading device reading the image to be copied is received from the image reading device via the communication line. Further, the image display control means performs a conversion process to fit the image data received from the image reading device within a predetermined color reproduction range, and the printing device copies the image to be copied under the printing conditions currently set. A simulation image representing a printing result when the target image is printed is generated, the generated simulation image is displayed on the display unit, and information for instructing the change of the printing condition for the copy target image is input via the input unit. Each time, the generation of the simulation image and the display on the display means are repeated.

  The reproduction failure notification means according to the first aspect of the invention compares the simulation image data generated by the image display control means with the image data received from the image reading device, thereby reproducing the copy represented by the received image data. It is determined whether or not there is a reproduction failure area in which a reproduction failure has occurred on the simulation image of the target image. If there is a reproduction failure region, the reproduction failure area is displayed on the simulation image displayed on the display means. Explicitly. The reproducibility failure area can be clearly indicated by displaying a predetermined pattern image in the reproducibility failure area on the simulation image, for example, as described in claim 5. As a result, if the printing device prints the image to be copied under the current printing conditions set for the image to be copied, a reproduction failure area that causes a reproduction failure exists in the image to be copied. Also, this can be recognized by the user.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the information for instructing the change of the printing condition for the copy target image via the input means of the copy control apparatus (computer connected to the image reading apparatus and the printing apparatus via a communication line). Each time the information is input, the image display control means repeatedly generates the simulation image and displays it on the display means, so that the user who has recognized that there is a poor reproduction area However, even when instructed to change the printing conditions for the image to be copied via the input means so that the poor reproduction area is reproduced with a desired finish, by referring to and confirming the redisplayed simulation image, It is possible to easily recognize whether or not the printing conditions instructing the change are appropriate (whether or not the poor reproduction area is a printing condition that is reproduced with a desired finish) and is necessary. By instructing the re-changed printing condition depending, printing conditions for the image to be copied, it is possible to reproduce defect region is changed to the appropriate printing conditions reproduced in the desired finish. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, even when an area to be reproduced in the printing apparatus includes an area to be copied, a copy with a desired finish can be obtained without wasting recording material. It becomes possible. In addition, the display means of the computer (copying control device) has a large area and high resolution compared to the display screen provided on the operation panel of the image reading device or printing device, so the amount of information that can be displayed at one time is large. When inputting information for designating printing conditions, complicated operations such as screen switching and scrolling are unnecessary or reduced, so that operability is improved.

  If the printing conditions for the copy target image are changed, the position, range, and area of the poor reproduction area in the copy target image may change. Each time the information for instructing the change is input via the input unit, the presence / absence of a poor reproduction area is determined, and if there is a bad reproduction area, the reproduction failure area is clearly indicated on the simulation image. be able to. In this case, the user can recognize how the position, range, and area of the reproduction failure region have changed according to the print condition change instruction input by the user. In addition, when the printing conditions for the image to be copied are changed, the finish (color and brightness) of the poor reproduction area changes, and this change is also reflected in the simulation image. (For example, a pattern image such as hatching that can be confirmed from the background (reproduction failure area) is displayed or reproduced over the reproduction failure area.) It is desirable to display a line indicating the outer edge of the defective area on the simulation image. In this case, the user can recognize how the finish of the poor reproduction area has changed according to the print condition change instruction input by the user.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, as described in the second aspect, when the information for instructing the determination of the printing condition for the image to be copied is input via the input means, the determined printing condition is transmitted to the communication line. It is preferable to further provide a print control means for sending the image to be copied under the determined printing conditions by transmitting to the printing apparatus via the printer. As a result, even if an area that is poorly reproduced in the printing apparatus is included in the copy target image, the printing condition for the copy target image is determined based on the simulation image displayed on the display unit of the copy control apparatus. After the user confirms that the printing conditions are suitable printing conditions that achieve a desired finish, the copy target image is automatically printed according to the printing conditions. The user does not need to instruct the user to send or print the image to be copied by the printing apparatus, and the user can obtain a copy with a desired finish (a copy with a reproduction failure area reproduced with an appropriate finish). The burden can be further reduced.

  In the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2, as the reproduction failure area, for example, as described in claim 3, the color difference (at least one of hue difference and saturation difference) between the copy target image and the simulation image. Alternatively, an area in which the brightness difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value can be applied, and the reproduction failure notification means can be configured to determine the area as a reproduction failure area.

  In addition, the printing apparatus performs another image processing (first image processing) such as shading correction or color space conversion on the input image data of the image to be copied before performing conversion processing to fit within the predetermined color reproduction range. ) Is often configured. In this case, the image display control means performs image processing equivalent to the first image processing (second image processing) on the image data received from the image reading device, and then fits within a predetermined color reproduction range. A simulation image is generated by performing a conversion process. When the conversion process is performed on the image data after the second image process is performed as described above and a simulation image is generated, an image display is performed. Even if the data of the simulation image generated by the control means is simply compared with the image data received from the image reading apparatus, there arises a problem that the poor reproduction region cannot be accurately determined due to the influence of the second image processing. Further, the color space of the simulation image data and the image data received from the image reading apparatus may be different.

  Considering this, in the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the printing apparatus performs a conversion process after performing the first image processing on the input image data of the image to be copied, and the image display control means When the image data received from the image reading device is subjected to the second image processing equivalent to the first image processing and then the conversion processing is performed to generate the simulation image, the reproduction failure notification means includes, for example, claim 4, the third image processing opposite to the second image processing is performed on the image data that has undergone the conversion processing by the image display control means, and the image data that has undergone the third image processing is read. It is preferable that the image data received from the apparatus is compared with the image data to determine whether or not there is a poor reproduction area. Thereby, it is possible to accurately determine the reproduction failure region without being affected by the second image processing.

  In the invention described in claim 1 or 2, as described in claim 6, for example, the image data received from the image reading device is image data having a lower resolution than the image data used for printing by the printing device. The image display control unit generates and displays a simulation image based on the low-resolution image data received from the image reading device, and the printing device is based on the image data of the copy target image obtained directly from the image reading device. It is preferable that the image to be copied is printed. In the invention described in claim 6, since the printing apparatus receives image data having a lower resolution than the image data used for printing and uses it for generating and displaying a simulation image, the printing apparatus uses the image data itself used for printing. In comparison, the time required for receiving image data from the image reading device and generating / displaying a simulation image (and determining a reproduction failure region) can be shortened, the waiting time of the user can be shortened, and the image reading device And the copy control apparatus can also be reduced.

  Further, in the invention described in claim 2, the print control means is set when the print condition is set via the operation panel of the printing apparatus, as described in claim 7, for example. After editing the file with the same format as the job definition file sent and received inside the printing device to transmit the printing conditions, the edited file is sent to the printing device, and the copy of the image to be copied is confirmed. It is preferable that the printing is performed under printing conditions. This eliminates the need to provide a new processing unit in the printing device that interprets the printing conditions received from the copy control device, and allows the specification by processing the printing conditions received from the copy control device in the same way as an existing job definition file. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the complicated configuration of the printing apparatus in order to apply the present invention.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a copy control method that is set by performing an image reading device that reads a copy target image and a conversion process that fits the input image data of the copy target image within a predetermined color reproduction range. A copy control method realized by a computer that is connected to a printing apparatus that prints an image on a recording material under a printing condition via a communication line and that includes an input means for inputting information and a display means capable of displaying an image. The image reading device performs conversion processing that is generated when the image to be copied is read and is received from the image reading device via the communication line to be within the predetermined color reproduction range, and A simulation image representing a print result when the printing apparatus prints the copy target image under the print conditions currently set for the copy target image Generating and displaying the generated simulation image on the display unit, and generating and displaying the simulation image each time information for instructing to change the printing condition for the image to be copied is input via the input unit. Repeating the display on the means, and comparing the generated simulation image data with the image data received from the image reading device, the reproduction failure on the simulation image of the copy target image represented by the received image data It is characterized by determining whether or not there is a reproduction failure region where the occurrence of the failure occurs, and if the reproduction failure region exists, the reproduction failure region is clearly indicated on the simulation image displayed on the display means. Therefore, as in the first aspect of the present invention, the area that is inferior in reproduction in the printing apparatus is the image to be copied. If included in, it becomes possible to obtain a copy of the desired finished without wasting recording material.

  Further, in the invention described in claim 8, as described in claim 9, for example, when the information for instructing the determination of the printing condition for the image to be copied is input via the input means, the determined printing condition is transmitted to the communication line. It is preferable that the image to be copied is printed under a determined printing condition by transmitting to the printing apparatus via the. Accordingly, similarly to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to further reduce the burden on the user for obtaining a copy with a desired finish (a copy with a reproduction failure area reproduced with an appropriate finish).

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a copy control program for reading an image to be copied, and a printing set by performing a conversion process for storing the input image data of the copy target image within a predetermined color reproduction range. The image reading apparatus reads an image to be copied on a computer that is connected to a printing apparatus that prints on a recording material under a condition via a communication line, and that includes an input means for inputting information and a display means capable of displaying an image. The image data generated in this way and received from the image reading device via the communication line are subjected to conversion processing that falls within the predetermined color reproduction range, and the printing conditions currently set for the copy target image And generating a simulation image representing a printing result when the printing apparatus prints the image to be copied, and the generated simulation image is Image display control that repeatedly displays the simulation image and displays it on the display unit each time information is displayed via the input unit and displayed on the display unit. And the simulation image data generated by the image display control means is compared with the image data received from the image reading device, so that on the simulation image among the copy target images represented by the received image data. It is determined whether or not there is a reproduction failure area where a reproduction failure has occurred, and when the reproduction failure area exists, a reproduction failure notification that clearly indicates the reproduction failure area on the simulation image displayed on the display means It functions as a means.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a copy control program connected to the image reading apparatus and the printing apparatus via a communication line, and a computer having the input means and the display means.
Since it is a program for causing the image display control means and the reproduction failure notification means to function, the computer executes the copy control program according to the invention described in claim 10, so that the computer claims claim 1. In the same manner as in the first aspect of the invention, the recording material is wastefully consumed even if the image to be reproduced includes a region that is poorly reproduced in the printing apparatus. It becomes possible to obtain a copy with a desired finish without any problem.

  Further, in the invention described in claim 10, for example, as described in claim 11, the computer determines when the information for instructing the determination of the printing condition for the copy target image is input through the input unit. It is preferable that the print condition is also transmitted to the printing apparatus via a communication line so as to function as print control means for printing the copy target image under the determined print condition. As a result, similar to the inventions of claims 2 and 9, the burden on the user for obtaining a copy with a desired finish (a copy with a reproduction failure area reproduced with an appropriate finish) is further reduced. Can do.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the image data of the copy target image received from the image reading device is subjected to the conversion process that falls within the predetermined color reproduction range, and the printing conditions currently set for the copy target image are set. When the printing apparatus performs printing, a simulation image representing a printing result is generated, and the generated simulation image is displayed on the display unit, and each time a change in printing conditions for the copy target image is instructed, the simulation image is displayed. Generation and display on the display means, and by comparing the data of the simulation image with the image data received from the image reading apparatus, there is no reproduction failure on the simulation image among the copy target images represented by the received image data. The presence / absence of a reproducible defective area is determined, and if the reproducible defective area exists, the reproduction is Since the good area is clearly indicated on the simulation image, even if the image to be reproduced is included in the image to be copied in the image to be copied, a copy of the desired finish without wasting recording material. Can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a copying system 10 according to the present embodiment. The copying system 10 includes a multifunction machine 12 having a function as a copying machine and a function as a printer (may also have a function as a facsimile machine) and a personal computer (PC). It is composed of a plurality of client PCs 50 connected via a communication line (LAN) 48 such as a registered trademark. The multifunction machine 12 corresponds to the image reading apparatus according to the present invention (specifically, the image reading apparatus according to claim 6) and the printing apparatus according to the present invention (specifically, the printing apparatus according to claims 4 and 5). is doing. Each client PC 50 corresponds to the computer according to the present invention and functions as a copy control apparatus according to the present invention, which will be described in detail later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the multifunction machine 12, three transport rollers 14A to 14C are disposed slightly below the center of the machine body, and an endless transfer belt 16 is wound around the transport rollers 14A to 14C. ing. Further, four transport rollers 18A to 18D are arranged below the transfer belt 16, and an endless transport belt 20 is wound around the transport rollers 18A to 18D. The transfer belt 16 and the conveyance belt 20 are rotationally driven by a rotational driving unit (not shown). Above the transfer belt 16, an image forming unit 22A for forming a K (black) image, an image forming unit 22B for forming a Y (yellow) image, an image forming unit 22C for forming an M (magenta) image, and C ( Cyan) Image forming portions 22D for image formation are arranged in order along the moving direction of the transfer belt 16 (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2). The image forming units 22 </ b> A to 22 </ b> D have the same configuration and each include a photosensitive drum 24.

  The photosensitive drums 24 are arranged so that the axis thereof is orthogonal to the moving direction of the transfer belt 16, and a charger 26 for charging the photosensitive drums 24 is charged around each photosensitive drum 24. A light beam scanning device 28 that forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the photosensitive drum 24 with a laser beam, and a toner of a predetermined color is supplied to a portion on the photosensitive drum 24 where the electrostatic latent image is formed. A developing device 30 for developing the electrostatic latent image and forming a toner image on the photosensitive drum 24 and a cleaning device 32 for removing the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 24 are disposed. The toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 24 of the image forming units 22 </ b> A to 22 </ b> D are respectively transferred onto the belt surface of the transfer belt 16.

  Further, the conveying belt 20 positioned below the transfer belt 16 is disposed so that the outer peripheral surface thereof is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 16, and in synchronization with the rotational driving of the transfer belt 16, an arrow in FIG. It is rotationally driven to move in the B direction. On the other hand, a large number of sheet-like recording papers 34 are stored in a paper feed tray (not shown). The recording paper 34 pulled out from the paper feed tray is placed on the upper surface of the transport belt 20, transported toward a position where the transfer belt 16 and the transport belt 20 are in contact, and is sandwiched between the transfer belt 16 and the transport belt 20. As a result, the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 16 is transferred. The toner image is fixed on the recording paper 34 onto which the toner image is transferred by a fixing device (not shown). As a result, a color image is formed on the recording paper 34.

  Further, the multifunction machine 12 decomposes the light reflected from the document into R, G, B by a color line CCD sensor, performs photoelectric conversion, and performs A / D conversion to display R, G, B of the document. An image reading device 36 that generates and outputs image data is provided. The image reading device 36 is connected to a control unit 38 that controls the overall operation of the multifunction machine 12 and communicates with the client PC 50. The control unit 38 is connected to a storage unit 40 composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like, and R, G, B image data input from the image reading device 36 is temporarily stored in the storage unit 40. The storage unit 40 stores in advance a copy program and a print program for the control unit 38 to perform a copy process and a print process (both will be described later). These programs are read from the storage unit 40 and executed at a predetermined timing.

  The control unit 38 is connected to the light beam scanning device 28 of the image forming units 22A to 22D via the image processing unit 42, and R, G, and R of the image to be printed are transmitted from the control unit 38 to the image processing unit 42. B image data is output. As shown in FIG. 3, the image processing unit 42 includes a shading correction unit 42A, an input color correction unit 42B, a background detection unit 42C, a background removal unit 42D, and an output color correction unit 42E. The shading correction unit 42A, for the image data input from the image reading device 36 via the control unit 38, the light amount unevenness of the reading light source of the image reading device 36 and the sensitivity of each photoelectric conversion cell of the color line CCD sensor. Shading correction is performed to correct the pixel-to-pixel variation caused by the variation. The input color correction unit 42B performs color correction on the image data that has undergone the shading correction and converts the image data into image data in the L * a * b * color space, and the background detection unit 42C is output from the input color correction unit 42B. The background area in the image represented by the image data is detected based on the L * a * b * image data, and the background removal unit 42D detects the L * value, the a * value, and the background area detected by the background detection unit 42C. The background area is removed by subtracting the b * value (representing the density and color of the recording material on which the document is printed) from the data of all the pixels of the L * a * b * image data. Each of the image processes performed by the shading correction unit 42A, the input color correction unit 42B, the background detection unit 42C, and the background removal unit 42D corresponds to the first image processing according to claim 4.

  In addition, since the multifunction machine 12 forms a color image by superimposing Y, M, C, and K toners, a color reproducible range (color reproduction range) is limited. For this reason, the output color correction unit 42E is based on the color reproduction range of the multifunction machine 12 (corresponding to the predetermined color reproduction range according to the present invention: an example of the color reproduction range on the a * b * color coordinate plane is shown in FIG. 8). The background removal is performed in accordance with a conversion condition set in advance so that a pixel of a color that is out of color (see also the poor reproduction color shown in FIG. 8) is converted into a color that falls within the color reproduction range of the multifunction device 12. A color conversion process for converting the processed L * a * b * image data is performed (see also “color conversion in normal document mode” shown in FIG. 8). This color conversion process corresponds to the conversion process performed by the printing apparatus according to the present invention. As described above, the color region (pixel) out of the color reproduction range of the multifunction machine 12 includes, for example, a region colored in a fluorescent color by a fluorescent paint in a document to be copied or a dedicated color material. Thus, there are pixels corresponding to areas that are colored in gold or silver, and areas that are colored in a specific color by a specially prepared color material. The output color correction unit 42E converts the L * a * b * image data that has undergone the above-described color conversion processing into image data in the Y, M, C, and K color spaces. However, this processing is not included when Y, M, C, K color space conversion is performed in the above color conversion processing. Further, binarization processing (also referred to as screen processing) by error diffusion method or dither method is performed on the image data in the Y, M, C, K color space, and then the binary image of each color of Y, M, C, K The data is output to the light beam scanning device 28 of the corresponding image forming unit among the image forming units 22A to 22D.

  Although not shown, the image processing unit 42 is provided with a plurality of DSPs (digital signal processors) for performing arbitrary image processing instructed to execute in addition to the above-described processing units. Yes. Each DSP includes a DSP main body and a storage unit. The storage area of the storage unit includes a program area for storing an image processing program executed by the DSP main body, and an image when image processing is executed by the DSP main body. It is divided into data areas for storing data.

  The multifunction machine 12 uses a copy function (printing condition) for copying a document image on a recording sheet 34 as a density, color, document mode, magnification, negative / positive reversal, one image of a plurality of pages. The printing condition items such as N-up to be printed on the recording paper 34 can be set, and the setting of these printing condition items can be performed from, for example, a small LCD connected to the control unit 38 and provided with a touch panel. The operation panel 44 provided with an input unit including a display unit and a keyboard such as a numeric keypad is operated by a user. The operation panel 44 corresponds to the operation panel described in claim 7. When the user operates the operation panel 44 to instruct setting (adjustment or selection) of one or more of the above-described printing condition items, the control unit 38 is based on an instruction from the user. A job definition file in a fixed format is generated, and the generated job definition file is output to the image processing unit 42, thereby transmitting the settings of the items instructed to be set by the user to the image processing unit 42.

  When the image processing unit 42 receives the job definition file from the control unit 38, the image processing unit 42 recognizes the print condition item instructed to be set (adjusted or selected) by referring to the content of the received job definition file, and recognizes the recognized print condition. The processing parameter in any of the processing units (shading correction unit 42A, input color correction unit 42B, background detection unit 42C, background removal unit 42D, output color correction unit 42E) that performs standard image processing is set as an item. If it can be accommodated by adjustment (for example, when adjustment of density or hue, or setting of document mode is instructed), processing parameters in any of the processing units are changed (for example, color by the output color correction unit 42E). The conversion conditions in the conversion process are changed and set according to the document mode), and it is necessary to perform image processing corresponding to the setting of the recognized print condition item in the DSP. Some case (for example, magnification adjustment and a negative-positive conversion, if the execution of the N-up has been selected) loads and executes the corresponding image processing program to the DSP of the storage unit. As a result, the copying process for copying the image of the document onto the recording paper 34 is executed under the copying conditions (printing conditions) designated by the user.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the client PC 50 is configured such that a CPU 50A, a ROM 50B, a RAM 50C, and an input / output port 50D are connected to each other via a bus 50E including a data bus, a control bus, an address bus, and the like. The input / output port 50D includes a display 52, a keyboard 54, a mouse 56, a hard disk drive (HDD) 58, and a CD-ROM drive for reading information from a CD-ROM as various input / output devices. 60, and a communication control device 62 that controls communication with an external device connected via the communication line 48 are connected to each other. The display 52 corresponds to the display means according to the present invention, and the keyboard 54 and the mouse 56 correspond to the input means according to the present invention. A copy simulation program for performing a copy simulation process to be described later is installed in the HDD 18 of the client PC 50. The client PC 50 functions as a copy control apparatus according to the present invention by the CPU 50A executing the copy simulation program. . The copy simulation program corresponds to the copy control program according to claim 10.

  Next, as an operation of the present embodiment, first, when a user sets a document to be copied in the image reading device 36 and operates the operation panel 44 of the multifunction machine 12 to instruct copying of the document to be copied. The copying process realized by executing the copying program in the control unit 38 of the multifunction machine 12 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the copying system 10 according to this embodiment, before printing an image of a document to be copied on the recording paper 34, the copying that enables the print image on the recording paper 34 to be displayed on the display 52 of the client PC 50 as a simulation image. A simulation function is provided. In step 100, a message for inquiring whether or not the above-described copying simulation function can be used is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 44, thereby inquiring the user whether or not copying using the copying simulation function is performed. When the above message is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 44, the user operates the operation panel 44 to input information indicating whether or not the copy simulation function can be used. In the next step 102, it is determined whether or not the use of the copy simulation function is selected based on the information input by the user.

  If the user selects not to use the copy simulation function, the determination in step 102 is denied and the process proceeds to step 104 to perform normal copy processing. That is, the document to be copied set in the image reading device 36 is read by the image reading device 36, and the image data input from the image reading device 36 along with this reading is stored in the storage unit 40, and the image data is stored. Then, the job is registered in the copy job spool for registering a copy job waiting for execution. Further, when a copy condition (print condition) is specified by operating the operation panel 44 by the user (when setting is instructed for one or more specific items of each print condition item), A job definition file is generated based on an instruction from the user, and the generated job definition file is also registered in the copy job spool together with the image data. The copy job registered in the copy job spool is executed by print processing described later, and the image represented by the image data corresponding to the copy job is copied (printed) onto the recording paper 34.

  On the other hand, if the use of the copy simulation function is selected, the determination in step 102 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 106, where the operation panel 44 displays a user ID input screen provided with an input field for inputting a user ID. And requesting the user to input a user ID. In the next step 108, it is determined whether or not a user ID has been input, and step 108 is repeated until the determination is affirmed. In the copying system 10 according to the present embodiment, each user who uses the copying system 10 is assigned with a user ID in advance, and when the user ID input screen is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 44, the user performs an operation. The input unit of the panel 44 is operated to input its own user ID. When the user ID is input, the determination in step 108 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 110, and the user information table stored in the storage unit 40 is searched using the input user ID as a key.

  In the user information table, as shown in Table 1 as an example, for a user who has used the copy simulation function in the past, the user ID and the address of the transfer destination of the simulation image data (specific identification that the user normally uses) Are registered in association with the client PC 50 in correspondence with the address of a specific folder provided by the user for the purpose of receiving image data for simulation.

  In step 112, it is determined whether or not the corresponding information is extracted from the user information table by the search in step 110. If the determination is affirmative (if the user corresponding to the input user ID has used the copy simulation function in the past), the process proceeds to step 120 without performing any processing, but the determination is negative When the user corresponding to the input user ID uses the copy simulation function for the first time, the process proceeds to step 114, and a message requesting input of the address of the simulation image data transfer destination is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 44. To request the user to input the forwarding address. In the next step 116, it is determined whether or not a data transfer destination address has been input, and step 116 is repeated until the determination is affirmed. When the data transfer destination address is input by operating the input unit of the operation panel 44 by the user, the determination in step 116 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 118, and the input data transfer destination address is changed to the destination. Is registered in the user information table in association with the user ID input in the.

  In the next step 120, after displaying a message notifying that the preparation for processing is completed on the display unit of the operation panel 44, it is determined whether or not an instruction to start processing (start reading of the copy target document) is given. Step 120 is repeated until is affirmed. When the user who recognizes that the preparation for processing is completed based on the message displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 44 operates the input unit of the operation panel 44 to instruct the start of processing, the determination in step 120 is affirmed. In step 122, first, a job number is set for the process (copy job) instructed to start. This job number is information for identifying an individual copy job, and is numbered and set so as not to overlap with the job number of an existing copy job that has not been processed.

  In the next step 124, a reading process for reading the copy target document set in the image reading device 36 is performed by the image reading device 36, and image data (image for printing) representing an image of the copy target document obtained by the reading process is performed. Data) is registered in the storage unit 40 in association with the job number set in step 122. In the above-described reading process, an image of a copy target document is read at a relatively high resolution that can be reproduced with sufficient image quality on the recording paper 34 in a printing process described later. When the reading process is completed, the process proceeds to step 126, and simulation image data obtained by reducing the resolution of the printing image data is generated from the printing image data obtained by the reading process. Note that the resolution of the simulation image data is set to a relatively low resolution that can be used to confirm whether the density, hue, and the like are appropriate when displayed as an image on the display 52 of the client PC 50. For example, the image for printing A resolution of about 600 dpi can be applied as data and a simulation image data of about 100 dpi can be applied.

  When the simulation image data is generated, in the next step 128, first, the job number set in step 122 is added to the generated simulation image data, and the simulation image data to which the job number is added is input to the user previously input. The data is transferred to the data transfer destination address associated with the ID and registered in the user information table. In step 130, a message notifying the end of the transfer of the simulation image data is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 44, thereby completing the transfer of the simulation image data to the data transfer destination address set by the user. Is notified to the user, and the copying process is terminated.

  When using the copy simulation function, the user needs to wait in front of the multifunction machine 12 until the above-described series of processing is completed, and input information as necessary. Once the data transfer destination address is registered, the user ID is the only information to be entered by the user. Therefore, the series of processes described above is actually completed in a very short time. It can be avoided that the operation rate of the multifunction machine 12 decreases with the execution. Since the simulation image data is image data obtained by reducing the resolution of the printing image data, the transfer of the simulation image data from the multifunction machine 12 to the client PC 50 is completed in a short time, and the multifunction machine 12 and the client PC 50 It is also possible to avoid a significant increase in traffic on the communication line 48 between the two. The image data for simulation corresponds to “low-resolution image data” described in claim 6.

  Next, in order to display a simulation image using the copy simulation function in each client PC 50, the user has accessed specific simulation image data stored in a folder for receiving simulation image data. With reference to FIG. 6, a copy simulation process realized by executing the copy simulation program by the CPU 50A of the client PC 50 will be described.

  This copy simulation process is a process to which the copy control method according to the present invention is applied. First, in step 150, the accessed simulation image data is read from the simulation image data receiving folder, and the read simulation image data is read out. Is converted according to the number of pixels of the display 52, thereby generating image data for displaying an original image (an image before print processing including various image processing). In the next step 152, image processing corresponding to the standard printing conditions (printing conditions when the user does not instruct setting for each printing condition item) (images of the multifunction machine 12) is applied to the read simulation image data. Image processing equivalent to the shading correction unit 42A, the input color correction unit 42B, the background detection unit 42C, the background removal unit 42D, and the output color correction unit 42E of the processing unit 42 (shading correction processing, color) By performing correction processing, color space conversion processing for converting to L * a * b * color space, background detection processing, background removal processing, and color conversion processing in this order, the same image (copying) as the accessed simulation image data A stain representing a print image when the MFP 12 performs printing under standard print conditions using print image data representing the image of the target document). Generating image data of the translation image. Among the above image processes, the shading correction process, the color correction process, the color space conversion process, the background detection process, and the background removal process correspond to the second image process according to claim 4, This corresponds to the conversion processing performed by the image display control means according to the present invention.

  As described above, the output color correction unit 42E performs a color conversion process for converting a pixel having a color that is out of the color reproduction range of the multifunction machine 12 into a color that falls within the color reproduction range of the multifunction machine 12. Then, the image data in the L * a * b * color space that has undergone color conversion processing is converted into image data in the Y, M, C, and K color spaces, and further binarization processing (screen processing) is performed. In step 152, after performing the color conversion process similar to that of the output color correction unit 42E, the image data in the L * a * b * color space that has undergone the color conversion process is displayed in R, G, The image data is converted into B color space image data, and the image data is output as image data of a simulation image. When the image data that has undergone the color conversion process is in the Y, M, C, K color space, the image data in the Y, M, C, K color space that has undergone the color conversion process is displayed on the display 52. The image data is converted into R, G, B color space image data, and this image data is output as image data of a simulation image.

  In the next step 154, the simulation image data obtained through the image processing in step 152 (specifically, the L * a * b * image data subjected to the color conversion processing similar to that of the output color correction unit 42E) is performed. Image processing reverse to each image processing in 152 (L * value, a * value, and b * value of the background area detected in the background detection processing in step 152 are added to the data of all pixels of the L * a * b * image data. Background color superimposition processing, reverse color space conversion processing for converting L * a * b * image data to RGB color space, and conversion conditions used in the color correction processing in step 152 and the input / output relationship is reversed. The image data is inversely converted using a reverse color correction process that reversely converts the image data, and a conversion condition in which the relationship between the conversion condition used in the shading correction process in step 152 and the input / output is reverse. By performing the shading correction process) in order, performs reverse conversion to the image data of the RGB color space. If the image data that has undergone the color conversion processing is a Y, M, C, K color space, the data of the simulation image obtained through each image processing in step 152 (specifically, the same color as the output color correction unit 42E). For the Y, M, C, K image data that has undergone the conversion process, the image processing (Y, M, C, K image data opposite to the image processing in step 152 is converted into the L * a * b * color space. Reverse color space conversion processing, background superimposition processing for adding the L * value, a * value, and b * value of the background region detected in the background detection processing in step 152 to the data of all pixels of the L * a * b * image data, Reverse color space conversion processing for converting L * a * b * image data into RGB color space, and reverse image data using conversion conditions in which the conversion conditions used in the color correction processing in step 152 and the input / output relationship are reversed Inverse color correction processing to be converted, in step 152 Inverse conversion to image data in the RGB color space is performed in order by performing inverse shading correction processing (inverse conversion of image data using conversion conditions in which the relationship between the conversion conditions used in the shading correction process and the input / output is reversed). Do. This inverse conversion process corresponds to the third image processing described in claim 4.

  In step 156, the RGB image data obtained by the inverse transformation in step 154 is compared with the image data of the original image (image data generated in step 150), and the color difference is calculated for each individual pixel. In step 158, on the image represented by the RGB image data obtained by the inverse transformation, a predetermined area consisting of pixels whose color difference from the original image is equal to or greater than a threshold th (an area that can be easily visually confirmed on the printed image) or more. It is determined whether or not there is a region (reproduction failure region). If this determination is negative, the image of the corresponding document to be copied may be printed by the multifunction device 12 using the printing image data under the currently set printing conditions (in this case, the standard printing conditions). Since it can be determined that there is no region in which the color (hue or saturation) is significantly different from the original image to be copied, the process proceeds to step 162 without performing any processing.

  On the other hand, on the original to be copied, for example, an area that is fluorescently colored by fluorescent paint, an area that is colored gold or silver by a dedicated color material, or a specific color that is colored by a specially prepared color material. If these areas are present, the colors of these areas cannot be properly reproduced with YMCK toner, so these areas are judged to be poor reproduction areas, and the determination in step 158 is affirmed. In this case, when the multifunction device 12 prints the corresponding copy target document image under the currently set printing conditions, the reproduction failure area in the copy image has the original copy target document image and color (hue and color). In the next step 160, the user is notified that there is an improper reproduction area because it can be determined that the user is not satisfied with the finished copy image. In order to achieve this, the data of the simulation image is set so that a predetermined pattern image (for example, hatching configured by arranging a plurality of lines with a constant angle at a constant interval) is added (superimposed) to a poor reproduction region in the simulation image. After editing, the process proceeds to step 162.

  In step 162, a simulation screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed as an example using the image data of the original image generated in step 150 and the image data of the simulation image generated in step 152 (or further edited in step 160). 52 is displayed. In this simulation screen, an area for displaying the original image is provided on the left side of the screen, and an area for displaying the simulation image is provided on the right side of the screen. The corresponding image is displayed. In FIG. 7, as an example of the simulation image, the fluorescent color region in the original image is determined to be a poor reproduction region, and an image in which hatching is superimposed on the poor reproduction region in the simulation image by the processing in step 160 described above. Is shown. Further, in the central portion of the simulation screen, the user can operate the keyboard 54 and mouse 56 of the client PC 50 to set each printing condition item that can be set when the original is copied by the multifunction machine 12. A printing condition setting area is provided. In the example shown in FIG. 7, for each of the items of density, hue, and document mode, one of a plurality of displayed options is selected, or the upward arrow symbol “▲” on the displayed slide bar is used as a bar. The user can set printing conditions by sliding along the screen. The simulation screen is also provided with a button 70 for instructing redisplay of the print image and a button 72 for instructing confirmation of the printing conditions.

  In the next step 164, it is determined whether or not a redisplay of the simulation image is instructed based on whether or not the user selects the button 70. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 170, and it is determined whether or not an instruction to confirm the printing condition is issued based on whether or not the button 72 is selected by the user. If this determination is also negative, the process returns to step 164, and steps 164 and 170 are repeated until either determination is positive.

  On the other hand, when the simulation screen is displayed on the display 52, the user refers to the simulation image displayed in the screen, and whether or not the print image represented by the displayed simulation image matches the desired copy result. Test. Here, if the simulation image is different from the desired copy result, the user can copy the simulation image as desired among the print condition items while performing comparison with the displayed original image as necessary. The print condition item to be changed and set to match the result is determined, the change to the determined print condition item is determined, and the keyboard 54 and mouse 56 are operated based on the determination result to set the print condition. An instruction to change the print condition is given via the area. Then, in order to confirm whether or not the printing condition after the change setting is appropriate, the mouse 56 is operated and the button 70 is selected to instruct redisplay of the simulation image.

  For example, when hatching is overlaid on a partial area in the simulation image displayed in the simulation screen and is clearly indicated as a poor reproduction area, the user has set the explicit reproduction failure area at present. Under printing conditions, it is possible to recognize before printing that the area is very likely not to be reproduced with a desired finish on a copy. Then, refer to the color of the specified poor reproduction area on the original image, and change and set which printing condition item to reproduce the defective reproduction area with the desired finish on the copy. Based on the estimation result, the keyboard 54 and the mouse 56 are operated to instruct the print condition change setting.

  Specifically, in the normal document mode provided in the multifunction machine 12, for example, a * b is applied to a pixel whose color is out of the color reproduction range as a conversion condition of the color conversion process in the output color correction unit 42E. * The color position on the color coordinate plane moves to the coordinate position corresponding to the intersection of the line connecting the color position and the origin (L * axis) and the line forming the outer edge of the color reproduction range (the hue is The conversion conditions (see “Color conversion in normal document mode” shown in FIG. 8) shown in FIG. 8 are used, so that the color conversion process is performed under the above conversion conditions. After the conversion of a color that is out of the color reproduction range, the finish of the poor reproduction area does not always match the finish desired by the user and the shape of the outer edge of the color reproduction range is not circular. The color difference from the color (a * b * distance on the color coordinate plane) is relatively large Kunar (degree of decrease of the saturation is relatively large) that is, there is a possibility that it is determined to be inappropriate finish by the user.

  On the other hand, in the ink jet mode provided in the multifunction machine 12 as one of the document modes, as a conversion condition of the color conversion process in the output color correction unit 42E, a * b is applied to a pixel having a color out of the color reproduction range. * Conversion conditions for converting colors so that the color position on the color coordinate plane moves to the coordinate position where the distance from the color position is the smallest among the coordinate positions on the line forming the outer edge of the color reproduction range ( 8 (see “Color Conversion in Inkjet Mode”) shown in FIG. 8, the color difference from the converted color out of the color reproduction range is smaller than in the normal document mode ( As the hue changes, the degree of decrease in saturation is reduced), so that the finish of the color reproduction range may sensuously approach the finish desired by the user. In addition, as described above, the color difference becomes smaller, so that the color difference becomes less than the threshold th and may be excluded from the reproduction failure region. For this reason, when it is determined that the area corresponding to the specified poor reproduction area in the displayed original image is a color that may approach the desired finish by changing the document mode, the user An instruction to change the original mode (for example, change to the ink jet mode), which is one of the printing conditions, is given.

  Further, since the gold color cannot be reproduced with the YMCK toner, for example, when an area colored in gold by a dedicated color material exists in the original to be copied, the color of the area is also out of the color reproduction range of the multifunction machine 12. By deviating, it is clearly indicated as a poor reproduction area on the simulation image. However, the desired reproduction color of gold on the copy varies depending on the user, and may vary depending on the content of the original to be copied (in some cases, it may be determined that reproduction in yellow is desirable). For example, if it is determined that it is desirable to reproduce in ocher, it may be determined that it is desirable to reproduce in orange). For this reason, when the original image area corresponding to the specified reproducible defective area is gold, the user sets the printing condition 1 so that the gold area is reproduced in a desired color on the copy. Instructing to change the color tone.

  When the user instructs to redisplay the simulation image after instructing the change setting of the print condition as described above, the determination in step 164 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 166 to set the print condition setting area on the simulation screen. The currently set printing conditions (the latest printing conditions changed and set by the user) are captured. In the next step 168, the image data of the simulation image is regenerated by executing the image processing corresponding to the printing condition acquired in step 166 for the simulation image data read in the previous step 150. . When the process of step 168 is performed, the process returns to step 154, and it is determined whether or not there is a poor reproduction region in the simulation image regenerated in step 168, and if there is a poor reproduction region, the poor reproduction region in the simulation image. After performing processing (steps 154 to 160) for superimposing and displaying a predetermined pattern image such as hatching, the simulation screen is displayed again in step 162. As a result, the simulation image displayed in the simulation screen is switched to the regenerated simulation image.

  Steps 154 to 168 described above are repeated each time the printing conditions are changed and set by the user and the redisplay of the simulation image is instructed. The user changes the setting by referring to the redisplayed simulation image. While confirming how the print image changes depending on the printing conditions (especially when the poor reproduction area is clearly shown in the initially displayed simulation image, It is possible to change the printing conditions while checking the presence / absence / position / size change, so that the optimum printing conditions for obtaining the desired copy result (appropriate for reproducing the original defective reproduction area with the desired finish) Easy printing conditions). Of the above-mentioned steps 150 to 168, steps 154 to 160 are the reproduction failure notification means according to the present invention (more specifically, the reproduction failure notification means according to claims 3 to 5), and the other steps are the present. This corresponds to the image display control means according to the invention (specifically, the image display control means described in claims 4 and 5).

  When the print image represented by the simulation image matches the desired copy result, the user operates the mouse 56 and selects the button 72 to instruct the confirmation of the current print condition. As a result, the determination at step 170 is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 172, where the latest printing condition currently set (the printing condition for which confirmation is instructed) is fetched. In the next step 174, the printing conditions captured in step 172 are edited into printing condition information having the same format as the job definition file input from the control unit 38 of the multifunction machine 12 to the image processing unit 42. In step 176, the job number added to the simulation image data read in step 150 and the information indicating that the destination is the multifunction machine 12 are added to the printing condition information generated in step 174. A print instruction is sent to the multifunction machine 12. Steps 170 to 176 described above correspond to the print control means according to claims 2, 9 and 11 (specifically, the print control means according to claim 7).

  Next, print processing realized by the control unit 38 of the multifunction machine 12 executing a print program will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This printing process is always executed by the control unit 38. In step 180, it is determined whether there is a copy job waiting for printing by determining whether a copy job is registered in the copy job spool. If the determination in step 180 is negative, the process proceeds to step 184 to determine whether there is a print job other than a copy job.

  In the multifunction machine 12 according to the present embodiment, a print job spool for registering a print instruction other than a copy job as a print job is provided separately from the copy job spool. The print job spool includes a client PC 50. Print instruction received via the communication line 48 from the client (in this print instruction, the client PC 50 is instructed to print application data created using an application program executed on the client PC 50. A print instruction including the print data of the application data to be printed transmitted from the printer, and a print condition information transmitted from the client PC 50 through the above-described copy simulation process instructed to copy using the simulation function. Include bets instruction) is registered as a print job waiting for printing. The registration of the print job to the print job spool is performed by an interrupt process that is executed when an interrupt is applied each time a print instruction is received from the client PC 50. Therefore, the determination in step 184 is realized by determining whether or not a print job is registered in the print job spool.

  If the determination in step 184 is also negative, the process returns to step 180, and steps 180 and 184 are repeated until either determination is positive. When the user instructs to copy the original (copying without using the copy simulation function) and a new copy job is registered in the copy job spool, the determination in step 180 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 182 to copy. Information (image data) of a copy job to be executed is extracted from the job spool, and the extracted image data is output to the image processing unit 42. As a result, the image processing unit 42 performs image processing on the input image data according to the copy conditions (printing conditions) designated by the user, and the image of the document to be copied is designated by the user. The copy is made on the recording paper 34 in accordance with the copying conditions (printing conditions).

  On the other hand, if a new print instruction is received from the client PC 50 and this print instruction is registered in the print job spool as a print job, the determination in step 184 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 186, where the print job spool is set. The information of the print job to be executed is taken out from. In the next step 188, based on whether or not the information of the print job to be executed extracted from the print job spool is the print condition information, the print job to be executed is a print job corresponding to copying using the copy simulation function. Judge whether or not. When the print data of the application data to be printed is included in the information of the print job to be executed, the determination in step 188 is denied and the process proceeds to step 190 and is included in the information of the extracted print job. By outputting the print data to the image processing unit 42, the image represented by the print data is printed on the recording paper 34.

  If the information of the print job to be executed is the print condition information, it can be determined that the print job to be executed is a print job corresponding to copying using the copy simulation function, so the determination in step 188 is affirmed. In step 192, the job number is extracted from the printing condition information. In the next step 194, the print image data (print image data corresponding to the print job to be executed) associated with the job number extracted in step 192 and registered in the storage unit 40 is searched. The image data for printing extracted by the above is read from the storage unit 40. In step 196, the printing condition information is output to the image processing unit 42 (the printing condition information can be output to the image processing unit 42 as it is because it has the same format as the job definition file). Conditions are set in the image processing unit 42. In step 198, the printing image data read from the storage unit 40 in step 194 is output to the image processing unit.

  As a result, the image processing unit 42 performs image processing corresponding to the printing conditions set by the user via the client PC 50 by the above-described copying simulation processing on the input printing image data. The image represented by the image data (the image of the document to be copied) is printed (copied) on the recording paper 34 in accordance with the printing conditions set by the user via the client PC 50. Therefore, even when a reproduction failure area exists in the image of the original to be copied, printing is performed in accordance with the printing conditions set by the user via the client PC 50, so that the reproduction failure area is displayed to the user on the copy. Reproduced with the desired finish.

  In this way, in copying using the copy simulation function, the user can set the printing conditions while checking the copy result by referring to the simulation image displayed on the display 52 of the client PC 50, and the desired copy. The print conditions for which the result is confirmed to be obtained are notified from the client PC 50 to the multi-function peripheral 12, and the multi-function peripheral 12 performs printing on the recording paper 34 under the notified print conditions. 34 can be prevented from being wasted, and it is not necessary for the user to operate the operation panel 44 of the multifunction machine 12 to set the printing conditions. This improves the operability and allows the user to set the printing conditions. The burden can be reduced. In addition, the operating rate of the multifunction machine 12 can be improved.

  In the above description, an example in which a reproduction failure region is clearly indicated by superimposing and displaying a predetermined pattern image such as hatching on the simulation image on the simulation image is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 10, a line indicating the outer edge of the poor reproduction region may be displayed superimposed on the simulation image, and the defective reproduction region may be clearly indicated by blinking the line. In this case, compared with the case where hatching is displayed, the finish of the reproduction failure area on the simulation image can be confirmed more easily.

  In the above description, an area (pixel) in which the color difference (distance on the color coordinate plane) from the original image (image of the copy target document) is greater than or equal to the threshold th is determined as a poor reproduction area. The difference in brightness is not less than the threshold value, the hue difference (for example, the angle difference around the brightness axis L *) is not less than the threshold value, or the saturation difference (for example, the difference in the distance to the origin on the color coordinate plane) is the threshold value. The above region (pixel) may be determined as a reproduction failure. Further, a physical quantity (color difference, brightness difference, hue difference, saturation difference) and a threshold value used for determination of a poor reproduction region may be configured to be arbitrarily set by the user.

  In the print processing shown in FIG. 9, when execution of the copy job (step 182) or execution of the print job (step 190 or step 198) is completed, it is first determined whether or not there is a copy job (step 180). If there is a copy job, it will be executed, so the copy job will be executed with priority over the print job, but this is not a limitation, and execution of the print job has priority over execution of the copy job. It is also possible to classify print jobs into print jobs corresponding to copying using the copy simulation function and other print jobs, and execute print jobs corresponding to copying using the copy simulation function. You may make it give priority over execution of other print jobs.

  In the above description, in copying using the copy simulation function, the original to be copied is read only once, and simulation image data having a lower resolution than the print image data obtained by the reading is used as the print image. The mode of generating data by reducing the resolution has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image reading apparatus performs reading at low resolution (preliminary reading) to obtain simulation image data. Alternatively, reading at high resolution (main reading) for obtaining image data for printing may be sequentially performed.

  Further, in the above description, in the copying using the copying simulation function, when the multifunction machine 12 (image reading device 36) completes the reading of the copy original document and generates the simulation image data, the generated simulation image data is sent to the client PC 50. Although an example of transfer has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the generated simulation image data is held on the multifunction device 12 side, and the user has requested transfer to the multifunction device 12 via the client PC 50. As an opportunity, the simulation image data may be transferred from the multifunction machine 12 to the client PC 50.

  In the above description, a copy simulation program for performing a copy simulation process on the client PC 50 has been described as an example of being installed in the client PC 50 in advance. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the copy simulation function is used. The multifunction machine 12 (the image reading apparatus or the printing apparatus according to the present invention) may distribute the copying simulation program to the user who performs copying (the client PC 50 that is normally used). As a timing for distributing the copy simulation program, for example, as described above, it is desirable that the user requests the transfer of the simulation image data to the multifunction device 12 via the client PC 50. Is displayed on the display 52 of the client PC 50, and if it is not installed, a copy simulation program is distributed based on a request from the user and installed on the client PC 50. The MFP 12 automatically checks whether the copy simulation program is installed in the client PC 50 and is installed. If you do not have to distribute a copy simulation program, it may be made to be installed on the client PC50. Further, in a mode in which the multifunction machine 12 automatically checks whether the copy simulation program is installed in the client PC 50, the version of the installed copy simulation program is also checked at the same time, and the installed version is not the latest. In this case, the latest version of the copy simulation program may be distributed and installed.

  Further, the example in which the image reading apparatus and the printing apparatus according to the present invention are integrated as the multifunction machine 12 has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image reading apparatus and the printing apparatus are separate. May be. In this case, in copying using the copy simulation function, the transfer of the printing image data from the image reading apparatus to the printing apparatus may be performed immediately after the image reading apparatus completes reading of the copy target document. It may be performed by requesting transfer of image data for printing from the printing apparatus to the image reading apparatus when the printing apparatus is instructed to perform printing corresponding to the copying.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying system according to an embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a multifunction machine. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of an image process part. It is a schematic block diagram of a client PC. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of a copy process executed by the multifunction machine. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the copy simulation process performed with client PC. It is an image figure which shows an example of a simulation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a difference in color conversion for each original mode with respect to a poor reproduction color. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of print processing executed by the multifunction machine. It is an image figure which shows the other example of the demonstrating method of a poor reproduction area.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Copy system 12 MFP 22A-22D Image formation part 36 Image reader 38 Control part 42 Image processing part 42A Shading correction part 42B Input color correction part 42C Background detection part 42D Background removal part 42E Output color correction part 44 Operation panel 50 Client PC
52 Display 54 Keyboard 56 Mouse

Claims (11)

Image reading apparatus that reads an image to be copied, and printing apparatus that prints an image on a recording material under a set printing condition by performing a conversion process on the input image data of the image to be copied within a predetermined color reproduction range And a copy control apparatus realized by a computer provided with an input means for inputting information and a display means capable of displaying an image.
The image data generated by the image reading device reading the copy target image is subjected to a conversion process to be received within the predetermined color reproduction range for the image data received from the image reading device via the communication line, and the copy target image Generating a simulation image representing a printing result when the printing apparatus prints the image to be copied under the currently set printing conditions, and displaying the generated simulation image on the display unit, and Image display control means for repeating generation of the simulation image and display on the display means each time information for instructing a change in printing conditions for the image to be copied is input via the input means;
By comparing the simulation image data generated by the image display control means with the image data received from the image reading device, a reproduction failure occurs on the simulation image among the copy target images represented by the received image data. Reproducibility notifying means for determining whether or not there is a reproducible defective area, and when the reproducible defective area exists, clearly showing the reproducible area on the simulation image displayed on the display means;
A copy control device characterized by comprising:   When information for instructing confirmation of printing conditions for the copy target image is input via the input unit, the determined printing conditions are transmitted to the printing apparatus via a communication line, thereby printing the copy target image. The copy control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a print control unit that performs printing under the determined printing conditions.   3. The reproduction failure notification unit determines an area where a color difference or brightness difference between the copy target image and the simulation image is a predetermined value or more as the reproduction failure area. The copy control device described. The printing apparatus performs the conversion process after performing the first image processing on the image data of the input image to be copied,
The image display control means generates the simulation image by performing the conversion process after performing the second image process equivalent to the first image process on the image data received from the image reading device,
The reproduction failure notification unit performs a third image process opposite to the second image process on the image data that has undergone the conversion process by the image display control unit, and an image that has undergone the third image process. 3. The copy control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the presence or absence of the defective reproduction area is determined by comparing the data with image data received from the image reading apparatus.   When the reproduction failure notification means determines that the reproduction failure area exists, the reproduction failure notification means displays a predetermined pattern image in the reproduction failure area on the simulation image displayed on the display means. 3. The copy control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the region is specified. The image data received from the image reading device is image data having a lower resolution than the image data used for printing by the printing device,
The image display control means generates and displays the simulation image based on low-resolution image data received from the image reading device,
3. The copy control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus prints the copy target image based on image data of the copy target image directly acquired from the image reading apparatus.   The print control means is a job definition file sent and received inside the printing apparatus to transmit the set printing condition when the printing condition is set via the operation panel of the printing apparatus. 3. The file according to claim 2, wherein the image to be copied is printed under the determined printing condition by transmitting the edited file to the printing apparatus after editing the file into the same format as the file. Copy control device. Image reading apparatus that reads an image to be copied, and printing apparatus that prints an image on a recording material under a set printing condition by performing a conversion process on the input image data of the image to be copied within a predetermined color reproduction range And a copy control method realized by a computer provided with an input means for inputting information and a display means capable of displaying an image.
The image data generated by the image reading device reading the copy target image is subjected to a conversion process to be received within the predetermined color reproduction range for the image data received from the image reading device via the communication line, and the copy target image Generating a simulation image representing a printing result when the printing apparatus prints the image to be copied under the currently set printing conditions, and displaying the generated simulation image on the display unit, and Each time the information for instructing the change of the printing condition for the image to be copied is input via the input unit, the generation of the simulation image and the display on the display unit are repeated,
By comparing the data of the generated simulation image with the image data received from the image reading device, a reproduction failure region where a reproduction failure has occurred on the simulation image among the copy target images represented by the received image data. A copy control method characterized in that presence / absence is determined and, if the reproduction failure area exists, the reproduction failure area is clearly indicated on a simulation image displayed on the display means.   When information for instructing confirmation of printing conditions for the copy target image is input via the input unit, the determined printing conditions are transmitted to the printing apparatus via a communication line, thereby printing the copy target image. 9. The copy control method according to claim 8, wherein the printing is performed under the determined printing condition. An image reading apparatus that reads an image to be copied, and a printing apparatus and a communication line that perform a conversion process that fits image data of the input image to be copied within a predetermined color reproduction range and prints on a recording material under set printing conditions. A computer having an input means for inputting information and a display means capable of displaying an image,
The image data generated by the image reading device reading the copy target image is subjected to a conversion process to be received within the predetermined color reproduction range for the image data received from the image reading device via the communication line, and the copy target image Generating a simulation image representing a printing result when the printing apparatus prints the image to be copied under the currently set printing conditions, and displaying the generated simulation image on the display unit, and Image display control means for repeating generation of the simulation image and display on the display means each time information for instructing to change the printing conditions for the image to be copied is input via the input means;
And, by comparing the data of the simulation image generated by the image display control means with the image data received from the image reading device, the reproduction failure on the simulation image among the copy target images represented by the received image data. As a reproduction failure notification means for determining whether or not there is a reproduction failure area in which there is a defect and when the reproduction failure region exists, the reproduction failure area is clearly indicated on the simulation image displayed on the display means. Copy control program to function. The computer,
When information for instructing confirmation of printing conditions for the copy target image is input via the input unit, the determined printing conditions are transmitted to the printing apparatus via a communication line, thereby printing the copy target image. The copy control program according to claim 10, wherein the copy control program is also made to function as a print control unit that performs the operation under the determined printing condition.