JP2007047667A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce an amount of special toner consumed in an image forming apparatus using the special toner other than Y, M, C, and K. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes a means for setting toner consumption so as to restrict it, and a means for printing not only in the N number of colors but also in the M number of colors (M>N). In the image forming apparatus, image data in the N number of colors is converted to image data in the M number of colors, and a histogram relating to the image data in the M number of colors is formed. A comparison with a threshold based on an amount of use of toner is made. If a result is equal to or above the predetermined threshold, image data is converted into an image in the M number of colors and the image is output. If a result is equal to or below the predetermined threshold, the image data is output in an image in the N number of colors. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more specifically, in a printing apparatus such as a multifunction machine, in addition to commonly used color toners (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner), another specific color toner (light cyan) is used to improve image quality. , Line magenta, etc.) for image processing for generating print data of these color recording materials.

  Conventionally, a multifunction peripheral can be connected to an external device such as a computer via a network, and is known to have a printer, a scanner, a FAX, and a copy function.

  When copying is performed by a copy function of a conventional MFP, copying is executed by reading an image of a document with a scanner unit and outputting an image with a printer unit based on the read data.

For example, in the case of monochrome or color copying, in order to improve the image quality, as the color recording material, in addition to Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black toner), the density of those colors is An image forming apparatus having a light color component toner (light cyan, line magenta) has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-49191 A

  In the conventional technology, for example, a composite having a printer unit having a specific color toner (light cyan, line magenta, etc.) in addition to Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black toner). When performing color copying on a machine, even when it is not necessary to use specific color toners (light cyan, line magenta), such toners have been used at the time of printing. For this reason, the consumption amount of toner of a specific color cannot be minimized.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce consumption of special toner in an image forming apparatus having special toner other than YMCK.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, means for setting a toner consumption limit, and means for printing not only N colors but also M colors (M> N), , Image data for each of the N colors is converted to M color image data and output, a histogram relating to the M color image data is created, compared with a threshold based on toner usage, When the threshold value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the image is converted into an M color image and output.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce consumption of special toner in an image forming apparatus having special toner other than YMCK.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for mounting the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The Controller Unit is a controller for inputting / outputting image information and device information by connecting to a scanner 110 as an image input device and a printer 111 as an image output device, and connecting to a LAN or a public line (WAN). .

  A CPU 101 is a controller that controls the entire system. A RAM 102 is a system work memory for the CPU 101 to operate, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM 103 is a boot ROM and stores a system boot program. An HDD 104 is a hard disk drive that stores system software and image data. An operation unit I / F 105 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 106 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 106 to the operation unit 106. Also, it serves to transmit information input by the user of the system from the operation unit 106 to the CPU 101. A network 107 is connected to a LAN and inputs / outputs information. A Modem 109 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs image information. The image processing unit 108 is for performing various types of image processing such as binarization, resolution conversion, and rotation on the image.

  An overview of the image forming apparatus is shown in FIG. A scanner unit 201 serving as an image input device illuminates an image on paper as a document, and scans a CCD line sensor, thereby converting the image into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray 203 of the original feeder 202, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 204, the controller CPU 101 gives an instruction to the scanner 201, and one original paper is supplied from the tray 203 of the original feeder 202. Feeds one by one and reads the original image. The printer unit 205, which is an image output device, is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array. There is an ink jet method for printing an image directly on paper, but any method may be used. Activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the controller CPU 101. The printer unit 205 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has a paper cassette 206 corresponding thereto. A paper discharge tray 207 is a paper discharge tray that receives the printed paper.

  The configuration of the operation unit 204 is shown in FIG. The LCD display unit 301 has a touch panel sheet 302 affixed on the LCD, displays a system operation screen and soft keys, and transmits position information to the controller CPU 101 when the displayed keys are pressed. A start key 303 is used when starting a document image reading operation. There is a green and red two-color LED 304 in the center of the start key 303, and indicates whether or not the start key 303 can be used depending on the color. A stop key 305 functions to stop an operation in progress. The ID key 306 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. A reset key 307 is used when initializing settings from the operation unit. A user mode key 308 is a mode key for performing various settings related to the multifunction peripheral such as density adjustment, paper stage setting, and system setting.

FIG. 4 shows a screen when the copy tab 401 is pressed on the operation unit 106.
Reference numeral 401 denotes whether or not copying is possible, and the number of copies set at the same time is also displayed. Reference numeral 402 denotes a button for trying to output a part of the set item as an output result. Reference numeral 403 denotes a slider capable of nine levels of density adjustment. Reference numeral 404 denotes a type for selecting a document type, which can select text / photo / map, text, photographic paper photo, and printed photo. Reference numeral 405 denotes an application mode button which can set a reduced layout (a function for reducing and printing a plurality of originals on one sheet), a color balance (YMCK color fine adjustment), and the like. Reference numeral 406 denotes a button for performing settings relating to various finishings, and shift sort, staple sort, and group sort can be set. Reference numeral 407 denotes a button for performing settings relating to duplex reading and duplex printing.

FIG. 5 is a software configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus.
Reference numeral 501 denotes a UI control unit that controls the display operation unit, an instruction from the UI control unit 501, a copy application unit 502 that executes a copy operation, a transmission operation, a scan from a box screen, and a print, a transmission application unit 514, and a BOX application. Part 516. There is also a PDL application unit 513 that receives PDL print data from the network application 515 and inputs a PDL print job.

  Reference numeral 503 denotes a common interface portion for absorbing the device-dependent portion of the device control portion, and reference numeral 504 denotes a job manager that organizes job information received from the common interface portion 503 and transmits the job information to a lower layer document processing portion.

  The document processing unit scan scan 505 and print manager 509 for a local copy, scan job 505 and file store manager 510 for a remote copy transmission job or transmission job, and file read for a remote copy reception job. A manager 506 and a print manager 509, and a PDL manager 507 and a print manager 509 for PDL printing such as LIPS and PostScript.

  An image processing request to the image manager 511 that performs synchronization between the document managers and performs various image processing is performed via the sync manager 508. The image manager 511 performs image processing and image file storage during scanning and printing.

Next, a copy software process according to the first embodiment will be described.
A copy setting is transmitted from the UI control unit 501 together with a copy instruction to the copy application unit 502 according to a user instruction. The copy application unit 502 transmits information from the UI control unit 501 to the job manager 504 that performs device control via the common interface 503. The job manager 504 transmits job information to the scan manager 505 and the print manager 509.

  The scan manager 505 issues a scan request to the scanner 110 via a device I / F (not shown) (the device I / F is a serial I / F that connects the Controller Unit and the scanner 110 and the Controller Unit and the printer 111). At the same time, an image processing request for scanning is issued to the image manager 511 via the sync manager 508.

  The image manager 511 performs scanner image processing settings in accordance with an instruction from the scan manager 505. When the setting is completed, a scan preparation completion is notified via the sync manager 508. Thereafter, the scan manager 505 instructs the scanner 110 to scan. The completion of the scan image transfer is transmitted to the image manager 511 by an interrupt signal from hardware (not shown).

  Upon receiving the scan completion from the image manager 511, the sync manager 508 notifies the scan manager 505 and the print manager 509 of the completion of the scan. At the same time, the sync manager 508 instructs the image manager 511 to file the compressed image stored in the RAM 102 into the HDD 104.

  The image manager 511 stores the image (including the character / photo determination signal) on the memory in the HDD 104 according to the instruction. A color determination / monochrome determination result, a background skip level for performing background skip, a scanned image, and a color space RGB as an image input source are also stored in an SRAM (not shown) as accompanying information of the image.

  Further, when the storage in the HDD 104 is completed and the scan completion from the scanner 110 is received, the scan manager 505 is notified of the completion of file formation via the sync manager 508. The scan manager 505 returns an end notification to the job manager 504, and the job manager 504 returns it to the copy application unit 502 via the common interface 503.

  The print manager 509 issues a print request to the printer 111 via the device I / F when an image is stored in the memory. At the same time, a print image processing request is sent to the sync manager 508.

  Upon receiving a request from the print manager 509, the sync manager 508 requests the image manager 511 for image processing settings. The image manager 511 performs printer image processing settings according to the accompanying information of the image, and notifies the print manager 509 of the completion of print preparation via the sync manager 508.

  The print manager 509 issues a print instruction to the printer. The completion of print image transfer is transmitted to the image manager 511 by an interrupt signal from hardware (not shown). Upon receiving the print completion from the image manager 511, the sync manager 508 notifies the print manager 509 of the print completion.

  In response to the completion of paper discharge from the printer unit, the print manager 509 returns an end notification to the job manager 504, and the job manager 504 returns it to the copy application unit 502 via the common interface 503. The copy application unit 502 notifies the UI control unit 501 of the end of the job when scanning and printing are completed.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed description of printer image processing.
Reference numeral 601 skips the background color of the image data and removes the background fog. For example, background removal is performed by a 3 × 8 matrix operation or a one-dimensional LUT.

  Reference numeral 602 denotes a monochrome generation unit that converts color image data, for example, RGB data, to Gray single color when color image data is converted into monochrome data and printed as a single color. For example, it is composed of a 1 × 3 matrix operation that multiplies RGB by an arbitrary constant to obtain a Gray signal.

  An output color conversion 603 is a color conversion unit that performs color correction in accordance with the characteristics of the printer unit that outputs image data. For example, it consists of processing by direct mapping. (Y, M, C, K, M ′ (highlight magenta), C ′ (highlight cyan)) signal is corrected. When the toner color of the printer 111 is Y, M, C, K, R (red), and G (green) or the like, when the color is different from the above color, (Y, M, C) signal is corrected.

  A filter processing unit 604 arbitrarily corrects the spatial frequency of the image data, and includes, for example, a process of performing a 9 × 9 matrix operation.

  Reference numeral 605 denotes a process for performing gamma correction in accordance with the characteristics of the output printer unit, and a look-up that takes into account the color characteristics of the toner for the (Y, M, C, K, M ′, C ′) signal. Consists of tables.

  A halftone correction unit 606 is a processing unit that performs arbitrary halftone processing in accordance with the number of gradations of the output printer unit, and is an intermediate unit that performs arbitrary screen processing such as binarization and binarization and error diffusion processing. Key processing unit. Each process can be switched by a character / photo determination signal (not shown).

  The inter-drum delay memory 607 sets the printing timing of (Y, M, C, K, M ′, C ′) in a color printer having drums of each color (Y, M, C, K, M ′, C ′). This is a memory for superimposing (Y, M, C, K, M ′, C ′) images by shifting between the drums. (Y, M, C, K, M ', C') In a color printer having 6 drums for each color, it can be delayed to align the image.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram when the pull-down menu 408 in FIG. 4 is pressed.

  Any color such as black and white, color (Y, M, C, K), and six colors (Y, M, C, K, M ′, C ′) can be selected.

  FIG. 8 shows a screen when the user mode key 308 is pressed from the operation unit 106.

  Reference numerals 801 and 802 denote buttons for selecting whether or not to save the toner. Reference numeral 803 denotes a slider for adjusting the consumption amount of specific color toners (M ′, C ′) other than (Y, M, C, K).

  When the user wants to reduce the toner consumption of the specific color toner (light cyan, line magenta), the toner consumption can be suppressed by performing the above setting. When the toner restriction setting is performed, printer image processing at the time of printing such as copying is changed.

  Next, print image processing when the toner saving mode is selected in step 801 of FIG. 8 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 10 shows a histogram comparison for each color.

  In the output color conversion 603 in FIG. 6, conversion from RGB to six colors (Y, M, C, K, M ′, C ′) is performed (S901).

  A histogram is calculated from pixel values for each of the six colors (Y, M, C, K, M ′, C ′) (S902, see FIG. 10).

  It is determined from the histogram whether or not an arbitrary threshold value obtained from the value set by the slider in FIG. 8 is exceeded. The pixel distributions set by the threshold are compared, and it is determined which part is more distributed (S903).

  In S903, if the arbitrary threshold value is exceeded, the process proceeds to the next filtering process, and if the arbitrary threshold value is not exceeded, the process proceeds to S904.

  If the threshold value is not exceeded, the output conversion is performed again, and the conversion from RGB to four colors (Y, M, C, K) is performed again.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates a copy UI of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating image processing of a printer of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating color mode selection of a copy UI of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram of toner saving mode setting of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of output conversion when a toner save mode is selected in the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a histogram comparison chart for each color of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

101 CPU
102 RAM
103 ROM
104 HDD
105 Operation unit I / F
106 Operation unit 107 NETWORK
108 Image processor 109 MODEM
110 Scanner 111 Printer

Claims (1)

  In an image forming apparatus comprising a means for setting a toner consumption limit and a means for printing not only N colors but also M colors (M> N), image data for each of the N colors is converted into an M color image. Convert to data and output, create a histogram for M-color image data, compare with a threshold based on toner usage, and if it is above a predetermined threshold, convert it to an M-color image and output it. If so, an image forming apparatus that outputs an N-color image.