JP2007260959A - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of changing an attribute of an image output by a user by using an information processor even when a printer driver does not have an attribute changing function such as a color adjusting function, and an image forming system. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming system comprises a Web server 17 for transmitting attribute input information for inputting attribute information to be displayed on a Web browser 9 provided to an information processor 1 and receiving the attribute information, an image data reception section 57 for receiving image data, and a printing section 71 that controls an attribute of image data received by the image data reception section 57 based on the attribute information received by the Web server 17 and forms an image on a prescribed recording medium according to the image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system.

  Conventionally, when image information is printed on a recording medium such as paper using an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer and an image forming apparatus such as a printer, the user installs a printer driver corresponding to the image forming apparatus in the information processing apparatus. I was installing. When the user changes an attribute such as color adjustment of an image printed on paper, an attribute change function such as a color adjustment function provided in the printer driver is used. Attribute changes such as color adjustment were performed. As a system including such a printer driver, there is an invention disclosed in Patent Document 1.

JP-A-9-216386

  However, in the above system, it is necessary to provide an attribute change function such as a color adjustment function in the printer driver installed in the information processing apparatus. For example, if the printer driver does not have such a function, the user Attribute changes such as color adjustment cannot be performed, the image forming apparatus cannot print an image desired by the user, and the image forming apparatus cannot output a high-quality image. It was.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and even when the printer driver does not have an attribute changing function such as color adjustment, the attribute of the image output by the user using the information processing apparatus is determined. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that can be changed.

  Therefore, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a transmission unit that transmits attribute input information for inputting attribute information that can be displayed on an information browsing unit provided in the information processing apparatus, and the attribute input transmitted by the transmission unit. The receiving means for receiving attribute information returned according to the information, the image data receiving means for receiving the image data generated in the information processing apparatus, and the attribute of the image data received by the image data receiving means. Adjusting means for adjusting based on the attribute information received by the receiving means; and image forming means for forming an image based on the image data whose attributes are adjusted by the adjusting means on a predetermined recording medium. It is characterized by.

  According to this configuration, the attribute information input by the user using the information browsing unit can be reflected in the image data when the image data received by the image data receiving unit is formed on the recording medium. Even if the processing device does not have a function for adjusting attribute information, the attribute of the image data can be adjusted.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus, it is possible to change the attribute of the image output by the user using the information processing apparatus even when the printer driver does not have an attribute changing function such as color adjustment. Become.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In the image forming system according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied, a user changes an attribute of an image printed by the image forming apparatus by using an information browsing function such as a browser provided in the information processing apparatus. An image forming system capable of In the image forming apparatus, the attribute information transmitted from the information processing apparatus via the browser is stored. Then, at the time of printing, the image forming apparatus adjusts the image data transmitted to the image forming apparatus via the printer driver based on the stored attribute information, and then prints the image data on a recording medium such as paper. Further, in the present embodiment, detailed description will be given using attribute information regarding the density of an image printed by the image forming apparatus as attribute information.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system includes an information processing apparatus 1 that generates image data by a user, and an image forming apparatus 3 that prints a developer image based on the image data input from the information processing apparatus 1. The information processing apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 3 are connected to each other using a LAN (Local Area Network) 5.

  The information processing apparatus 1 is a terminal used by the user to generate image data. The image forming apparatus 3 transmits the image data generated by the user to the image forming apparatus 3 through the network 5. Such an information processing apparatus 1 includes an image data transmission unit 7 that transmits image data generated by the user to the image forming apparatus 3, and a Web browser 9 as information browsing means that displays predetermined information to the user. , A monitor 11, a printer driver 13, a display information receiving unit that transmits and receives, for example, HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) language describing a Web page, and a Web page transmitting and receiving unit 15 as an input information transmitting unit.

  The image data transmission unit 7 sends the image data to the image forming apparatus 3 in order to print the image data generated by an application such as drawing software or text creation software by the image forming apparatus 3 under the instruction of the printer driver 13. Send.

  The web browser 9 is an application for browsing web pages described in, for example, an HTML language. Such a Web browser 9 displays the Web page transmitted from the image forming apparatus 3 on the monitor 11, thereby presenting the content described on the Web page to the user. Information input to the Web browser 9 by the user is supplied to the Web page transmission / reception unit 15 to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 3.

  The printer driver 13 converts the image data generated by the user into, for example, Tiff (Tagged Image File Format) format data so that the image forming apparatus 3 can recognize the image data generated by the user. The converted image data is supplied to the image data transmission unit 7. Specifically, the printer driver 13 is a general-purpose printer driver that can be used without the user being aware of the difference between apparatuses and has a minimum necessary function for setting the image forming apparatus. An example of such a printer driver 13 is a printer driver such as BMLinks (registered trademark).

  The web page transmission / reception unit 15 transmits / receives a web page to / from the image forming apparatus 3 and transmits / receives information input to the web page. Specifically, the Web page transmission / reception unit 15 receives HTML language information describing the Web page transmitted from the image forming apparatus 3, and supplies the received information to the Web browser 9. In addition, when the Web page transmission / reception unit 15 is supplied with, for example, URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information input by the user using the Web browser 9, the Web page transmission / reception unit 15 transmits the received URL information to the image forming apparatus 3.

  In such an information processing apparatus 1, when a user inputs URL information to the Web browser 9, the URL information is supplied to the Web page transmission / reception unit 15. Then, the web page transmission / reception unit 15 requests the image forming apparatus 3 for information corresponding to the URL information using the web browser 9 based on the URL information supplied from the web browser 9.

  In response to a request from the information processing apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 3 generates an HTML language Web page of an image to be displayed on the Web browser 9, and transmits this to the information processing apparatus 1. Further, when the image forming apparatus 3 receives image data from the information processing apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 3 prints an image based on the image data on a sheet. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 3 receives a request from the information processing apparatus 1, transmits a Web page as attribute input information in response to the received request, and a Web server 17 as a receiving unit. And a color adjustment setting screen forming unit 19 that generates a Web page to be transmitted to the information processing apparatus 1.

  The Web server 17 transmits an HTML language Web page in response to a request from the Web browser 9. The web page transmitted from the web server 17 to the web browser 9 is generated in the color adjustment setting screen forming unit 19 here.

  The color adjustment setting screen forming unit 19 generates a Web page to be transmitted to the information processing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, such a color adjustment setting screen forming unit 19 includes a sample image data storage unit 21 for storing sample image data, and an HTML format based on the sample image data stored in the sample image data storage unit 21. Color adjustment was performed in the pre-adjustment image generation unit 23 for creating the image data, the image adjustment unit 25 for performing color adjustment of the image of the sample image data stored in the sample image data storage unit 21, and the image adjustment unit 25. After-adjustment image generation unit 27 for generating HTML format data based on the sample image data, a color adjustment selection box creation unit 29 for generating HTML data for a selection box described later, and HTML data for setting buttons described later And a set value transmission unit 31 for generating When the web page generated in the color adjustment setting screen forming unit 19 is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 1, the web page is displayed on the monitor 11 as a color adjustment setting screen as shown in FIG. The

  For example, an address bar 35, a selection box 37, a setting button 39, and a preview display area 41 are displayed on the monitor 11 as the color adjustment setting screen 33.

  In the address bar 35, URL information “http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/BMLinks/print/setting” is displayed. “Xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx” indicates the IP address of the Web server 17, and “BMLinks / print / setting” indicates the storage location of the color adjustment screen.

  The selection box 37 is a combo box that displays a list in which color adjustment setting items are described. The selection box 37 includes a list box 43 in which each item is described and a pull-down button 45. When the user selects the pull-down button 45 while referring to the monitor 11, the list box 43 displays “contrast emphasis”, “brightness emphasis”, “monitor 9500K”, and “color matching” as shown in FIG. Four items “OFF” are displayed.

  In the preview display area 41, a sample image 47 stored in the sample image data storage unit 21 and a sample image 49 that has been subjected to color adjustment in the image adjustment unit 25 are displayed. Although details will be described later, on such a color adjustment setting screen 33, the user selects a color adjustment setting item using the list box 43 while referring to the color adjustment setting screen 33 displayed on the monitor 11, and a setting button. When 39 is selected, the web page transmission / reception unit 15 transmits URL information including setting parameter information corresponding to the item selected by the user to the image forming apparatus 3.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 3 obtains setting parameters as first identification information acquisition means and second identification information acquisition means for acquiring setting parameter information from URL information including setting parameter information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1. Information processing apparatus 1 based on TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) information included in information transmitted from information processing apparatus 1, setting parameter storage section 53 that stores setting parameter information acquired by setting parameter acquisition section 51 An IP address acquisition unit 55 that acquires the IP address of the image data, an image data reception unit 57 that receives image data, an image data storage unit 59 that stores print data received by the image data reception unit 57, and a color adjustment command. Stored in the color adjustment command storage unit 61 and the color adjustment command storage unit 61. Based on the color adjustment command, the image data editing unit 63 that edits the image data stored in the image data storage unit 59, the IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit 55, and the setting parameter information acquired by the setting parameter acquisition unit 51 A setting parameter table storage unit 65 as a storage unit that stores the setting parameter table as a setting parameter table, a setting parameter table reference unit 67 as a comparison unit that references the setting parameter table stored in the setting parameter table storage unit 65, A setting parameter table description unit 69 that rewrites the setting parameter table stored in the setting parameter table storage unit 65, an adjustment unit that prints image data edited by the image data editing unit 63, and a printing unit as an image forming unit 71 And a storage unit 73 composed of a nonvolatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

  The setting parameter acquisition unit 51 acquires the setting parameter information included in the URL information, and stores the acquired setting parameter information in the setting parameter storage unit 53. Specifically, when the user selects a color adjustment setting item referring to the color adjustment setting screen 33 and selects the setting button 39, the web page transmission / reception unit 15 sets the setting parameter information corresponding to the selected item. Is included in the URL information and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 3. The URL information including the setting parameter information is represented, for example, as “http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/BMLinks/print/setting?smt=n” (n = −1 to 3). The character string “smt = n” indicates the setting parameter value “smt” selected by the user. When such URL information is transmitted to the Web server 17, the setting parameter acquisition unit 51 refers to the character string corresponding to the setting parameter information from the URL information, acquires the setting parameter value smt, and sets the setting parameter value smt. Is stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53.

  The IP address acquisition unit 55 acquires the IP address of the information processing apparatus 1 that transmitted the URL information from the TCP information included in the transmitted URL information. The setting parameter table storage unit 65 stores setting parameter tables B and C as shown in FIG. The setting parameter tables B and C store the IP address of the information processing apparatus 1 and color adjustment setting items in association with each other. For example, when URL information “http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/BMLinks/print/setting?smt=1” is transmitted from the information processing apparatus assigned the IP address “123.45.67.90”, the IP address The address acquisition unit 55 acquires the IP address of the information processing apparatus, and the setting parameter acquisition unit 51 acquires the setting parameter value “smt = 1” from the URL information and sets the setting parameter value “smt = 1” as the setting parameter. Store in the storage unit 53. Then, the setting parameter table description unit 69 refers to the correspondence table A, and shows the color adjustment setting item “contrast emphasis” corresponding to the setting parameter value “smt = 1” in the setting parameter table B and the setting parameter table C. Similarly, the IP address acquisition unit 55 adds the IP address “123.45.67.90” in association with the IP address. If the IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit 55 already exists on the setting parameter table, the setting parameter table description unit 69 performs a color adjustment setting item corresponding to the IP address by the same process. Overwrite.

  The color adjustment command storage unit 61 stores color adjustment commands. This color adjustment command is information generated by the image data editing unit 63. The color adjustment command is information including an instruction for performing color adjustment to the printing unit 71, and is configured by a text string including information on the color adjustment setting items stored in the setting parameter table.

  The image data editing unit 63 edits the image data stored in the image data storage unit 59 based on a predetermined gamma curve, and supplies the edited image data to the printing unit 71. Further, the image data editing unit 63 generates a color adjustment command based on the setting parameter value smt acquired by the setting parameter acquisition unit 51, and stores this in the color adjustment command storage unit 61. Specifically, the image data editing unit 63 first reads out the image data 75 from the image data storage unit 59 and adds a header 77 to the read image data 75 as shown in FIGS. Print data 79a is generated. The header 77 includes information related to image data such as information on PDL (Print Discription Language) language constituting the image data. Thereafter, the image data editing unit 63 reads the color adjustment command 81 stored in the color adjustment command storage unit 61, adds this to the print data 79a, generates print data 79b, and the print data 79b is printed in the print unit 71. To supply.

  The printing unit 71 prints an image on a sheet based on the print data 79b to which the color adjustment command 81 is added. At this time, the printing unit 71 refers to the color adjustment command 81 included in the print data 79b and performs color adjustment of the image data 75. Color adjustment by the printing unit 71 is performed by adjusting the densities of, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black constituting the image data 75 according to a gamma curve as shown in FIG. Here, the gamma curve is a curve indicating the density relationship between the density of each color constituting the image data 75 and the image of each color printed on the paper by the image forming apparatus 3. Such a gamma curve is determined in advance corresponding to each color and each item, and is stored in the printing unit 71. The graph indicating the gamma curve is formed by taking the image density D_in of the image data on the horizontal axis and the image density D_out of the image printed on the paper on the vertical axis. For example, when the color adjustment setting item is “contrast importance”, the image density D_out indicated by the gamma curves corresponding to cyan and black is lower than the image density D_in. On the other hand, the image density D_out indicated by the gamma curve corresponding to magenta m and yellow at this time is substantially the same as the image density D_in. When the color adjustment setting item is “emphasis on vividness”, the image density D_out in the vicinity of 50% cyan and black image density is lower than the image density D_in, and the image density D_out in the magenta image density of 70% or more is the image density. A value higher than D_in is shown. At this time, the relationship between the yellow image density D_out and the image density D_in shows a value that does not change much. When the color adjustment setting item is “monitor 9300K”, the image density D_out near 50% of the cyan image density is lower than the image density D_in, and the relationship between the magenta and yellow image densities D_out and the image density D_in does not change much. The black image density D_out is generally lower than the image density D_in. When the color adjustment setting item is “color matching off”, the image density D_out of each color shows a lower value than the image density D_in as a whole. Needless to say, the relationship between the image density D_out and the image density D_in is not limited to the above example, and may have other relationships.

  The storage unit 73 is a work area that the image data editing unit 63 uses to generate the print data 79b. Specifically, the storage unit 73 is divided into at least four areas of area A1, area A2, area A3, and area A4. The area A1 stores the color adjustment command 81, the area A2 stores the image data 75, the area A3 stores the header 77, and the area A4 stores the color stored in the areas A1, A2, and A3. An adjustment command 81, image data 75, and a header 77 are stored.

  Next, a detailed description will be given of a method for printing image data with the density adjusted in this way.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the image forming apparatus 3 feeds the paper P accumulated on the stacker 83 to a predetermined medium transport path by the paper feed roller 87. Then, the paper P is further fed out downstream of the medium conveyance path by the paper feed roller 87 and the registration roller 89. Developing devices 91C, 91M, 91Y, and 91K that develop developer images of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black developers, respectively, are provided downstream of the sheet feeding roller 87 and the registration roller 89 in the medium conveyance path. Yes. In addition, transfer rollers 93C, 93M, 93Y, and 93K are provided on the medium conveyance path corresponding to the developing devices 91C, 91M, 91Y, and 91K. The developing devices 91C, 91M, 91Y, and 91K and the transfer rollers 93C, 93M, 93Y, and 93K develop the developer image at the timing when the paper P is transported by the transport device 95, and the developed developer image. Is transferred onto the paper P. The paper P is further transported by a transport device 95 to a fixing device 97 provided in the downstream direction of the medium transport path. When the paper P reaches the fixing device 97, the paper P is nipped and conveyed by the fixing roller 99 whose surface is heated and the pressure roller 101 that rotates by being pressed against the fixing roller 99. In this way, the fixing device 97 fixes the developer image transferred onto the paper P onto the paper P, and discharges the paper P to the outside of the image forming apparatus 3.

  Hereinafter, the operations of the information processing apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 3 having the above-described configurations will be described in detail.

  First, the operation of the information processing apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 3 when the user tries to print image data will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When a series of operations starts, the information processing apparatus 1 requests HTML format data of the color adjustment setting screen 33 from the Web server 17 in step S1. This request is made by inputting the URL information of the Web server 17 into the address bar 35 of the Web browser 9.

  Next, in step S <b> 2, the image forming apparatus 3 generates a color adjustment setting screen 33 using the color adjustment setting screen forming unit 19. Specifically, the color adjustment setting screen forming unit 19 uses the HTML image data of the sample image data stored in the sample image data storage unit 21 using the pre-adjustment image generation unit 23 under the instruction of the Web server 17. The color adjustment selection box creation unit 29 is used to generate HTML format data of the selection box 37, the setting value transmission unit 31 is used to generate HTML format data of the setting button 39, and these HTML formats are generated. Are combined to generate HTML format data for the color adjustment setting screen 33.

  Next, in step S <b> 3, the image forming apparatus 3 transmits the data in the HTML format of the color adjustment setting screen 33 generated by the color adjustment setting screen forming unit 19 to the information processing apparatus 1 using the Web server 17.

  Next, in step S <b> 4, the information processing apparatus 1 receives the HTML format data of the color adjustment setting screen 33 using the web page transmission / reception unit 15, and sends the color adjustment setting screen 33 to the monitor 11 via the web browser 9. indicate. Then, the user refers to the list box 43 of the color adjustment setting screen 33 displayed on the monitor 11 and selects one of “contrast emphasis”, “brightness emphasis”, “monitor 9500K”, or “color matching off”. Select an item. At this time, a sample image 47 before color adjustment is displayed in the preview display area 41.

  When any item is selected by the user and the setting button 39 is selected, in step S5, the Web page transmitting / receiving unit 15 includes setting parameter information corresponding to the selected item in the URL information, and the image forming apparatus. 3 to send.

  Next, in step S <b> 6, the image forming apparatus 3 creates HTML data for reply. The HTML data for reply is data including data obtained by adjusting the color density of the sample image data stored in the sample image storage unit 21 according to the gamma curve based on the setting parameter value smt. The HTML data for reply is generated by the color adjustment setting screen forming unit 19. Specifically, the color adjustment setting screen forming unit 19 performs color adjustment of the sample image data stored in the sample image data storage unit 21 using the image adjustment unit 25, and performs color adjustment using the adjusted image generation unit 27. The adjusted sample image data is generated.

  Next, in step S <b> 7, the image forming apparatus 3 uses the Web server 17 to send reply HTML data to the information processing apparatus 1.

  Next, the information processing apparatus 1 uses the Web page transmission / reception unit 15 to receive HTML data for reply. In step S <b> 8, the information processing apparatus 1 displays the color-adjusted sample image data included in the received HTML format data as the color-adjusted sample image 49 in the preview display area 41.

  When the user refers to the sample image 47 and the sample image 49 displayed in the preview display area 41 and issues a command to print the image data created by the user, the information processing apparatus 1 in step S9 The image data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 3 using the driver 13.

  Next, the image forming apparatus 3 receives the image data in the image data receiving unit 57, prints an image based on the image data on the paper P in step S10, and ends the series of processes.

  In this way, prior to the printing process by the image forming apparatus 3, the user stores the setting parameter information in the image forming apparatus 3 using the browser of the information processing apparatus 1. When printing is performed, the color density of the image data can be adjusted based on the setting parameter information stored in advance in the image forming apparatus 3, so that the printer driver included in the information processing apparatus 1 has a color adjustment setting function. Even if the image forming apparatus 3 does not have the color adjustment, the image forming apparatus 3 can perform color adjustment.

  Next, a method for determining the setting parameter value smt by the Web browser 9 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When a series of processing starts, in step S21, the Web browser 9 determines whether or not the user has selected the setting button 39. If the Web browser 9 determines that the user has not selected the setting button 39, the Web browser 9 repeats this determination until the setting button 39 is selected. If the web browser 9 determines that the setting button 39 has been selected, the web browser 9 executes the process of step S22.

  Next, in step S <b> 22, the Web browser 9 determines whether or not the item displayed in the selection box 37 when the setting button 39 is selected is “color matching off”. If the web browser 9 determines that the item displayed in the selection box 37 is “color matching off”, the web browser 9 sets the setting parameter value smt as the value 0 in step S23, A set parameter value “smt = 0” is added to the URL information, and a series of processing ends. On the other hand, when the Web browser 9 determines that the item displayed in the selection box 37 is not “color matching off”, the Web browser 9 executes the process of step S24.

  Next, in step S24, the Web browser 9 determines whether or not the item displayed in the selection box 37 when the setting button 39 is selected is “contrast priority”. If the Web browser 9 determines that the item displayed in the selection box 37 is “contrast priority”, the Web browser 9 sets the setting parameter value smt as a value 1 in step S25, and the URL The set parameter value “smt = 1” is added to the information, and the series of processes is completed. On the other hand, when the Web browser 9 determines that the item displayed in the selection box 37 is not “contrast-oriented”, the Web browser 9 executes the process of step S26.

  Next, in step S26, the Web browser 9 determines whether or not the item displayed in the selection box 37 when the setting button 39 is selected is “emphasis on vividness”. If the web browser 9 determines that the item displayed in the selection box 37 is “focus on vividness”, the web browser 9 sets the setting parameter value smt as a value 2 in step S27, and A set parameter value “smt = 2” is added to the URL information, and a series of processing ends. On the other hand, when the Web browser 9 determines that the item displayed in the selection box 37 is not “focus on vividness”, the Web browser 9 executes the process of step S28.

  Next, in step S <b> 28, the Web browser 9 determines whether or not the item displayed in the selection box 37 when the setting button 39 is selected is “monitor 9300K”. If the Web browser 9 determines that the item displayed in the selection box 37 is “monitor 9300K”, the Web browser 9 sets the setting parameter value smt as the value 3 in step S29, and the URL A set parameter value “smt = 3” is added to the information, and the series of processing ends. On the other hand, when the Web browser 9 determines that the item displayed in the selection box 37 is not “monitor 9300K”, the Web browser 9 executes the process of step S30.

  Next, in step S30, the Web browser 9 adds a setting parameter value “smt = −1” to the URL information, assuming that the user has not selected any item when the setting button 39 is selected. End the process.

  Next, a detailed description will be given, with reference to FIG. 12, of a method in which the image forming apparatus 3 that has received the URL information including the setting parameter value smt generates reply HTML data.

  When the Web page transmission / reception unit 15 transmits URL information including the setting parameter value smt and a series of processes starts, the Web server 17 receives the URL information including the setting parameter value smt in step S31.

  Next, in step S32, the setting parameter acquisition unit 51 acquires the setting parameter value smt included in the URL information. The setting parameter value smt acquired here is stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53.

  Next, in step S33, the IP address acquisition unit 55 acquires the IP address of the information processing apparatus 1 from the TCP information included in the URL information.

  Next, in step S34, the setting parameter table reference unit 67 refers to the setting parameter table stored in the setting parameter table storage unit 65. In step S35, the IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit 55 is stored in the setting parameter table. Determine if it exists. If the IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit 53 exists in the setting parameter table, the setting parameter table description unit 69 overwrites the color adjustment setting item in the setting parameter table in step S36, and then the step. The process of S38 is executed. On the other hand, if the IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit 53 does not exist in the setting parameter table, the setting parameter table description unit 69 adds color adjustment setting items in the setting parameter table in step S37, and then step S38. Execute the process.

  Next, in step S38, the color adjustment setting screen forming unit 19 determines the color density of the image data stored in the sample image data storage unit 21 based on the setting parameter value and the gamma curve stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53. Then, the sample image data after color adjustment is created in HTML format.

  Next, in step S39, the Web server 17 transmits the HTML data for reply including the HTML data of the sample image data to the information processing apparatus 1, and ends the series of processes.

  Next, a series of operations when the image forming apparatus 3 receives image data in the image data receiving unit 57 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the image data transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 is received and a series of operations starts, the image forming apparatus 3 stores the image data in the image data storage unit 59 in step S41.

  Next, in step S42, the IP address acquisition unit 55 acquires the IP address of the information processing apparatus 1 from the TCP information included in the image data.

  In step S43, the image data editing unit 63 adds a header 77 to the image data 75 stored in the image data storage unit 59 to create print data 79a.

  Next, in step S44, the setting parameter table reference unit 67 refers to the setting parameter table stored in the setting parameter table storage unit 65. In step S45, the IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit exists in the setting parameter table. Judge whether to do. Here, when the IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit 53 exists in the setting parameter table, the image forming apparatus 3 executes the process of step S46.

  Next, in step S <b> 46, the image data editing unit 63 acquires the color adjustment command 81 stored in the color adjustment command storage unit 61. Here, the image forming apparatus 3 refers to the setting parameter value smt stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53 using the image data editing unit 63, generates a color adjustment command by a method to be described later, and the color adjustment command. Is stored in the color adjustment command storage unit 61.

  In step S47, the image data editing unit 63 generates print data 79b. Specifically, the image data editing unit 63 generates the header 77 and stores it in the area A3 of the storage unit 73, and stores the image data 75 stored in the image data storage unit in the area A2 of the storage unit 73. The image data editing unit 63 stores the color adjustment command 81 stored in the area A1 in the area A4, stores the image data 75 stored in the area A2 in the area A4, and the header 77 stored in the area A3. Is stored in the area A4 to combine these pieces of information, and the print data 79b is stored in the area A4.

  In step S <b> 48, the image data editing unit 63 supplies the print data 79 b stored in the area A <b> 4 of the storage unit 73 to the printing unit 71. Then, the printing unit 71 performs color adjustment of the image data 75 based on the color adjustment command 81 included in the print data 79b, prints the image data after the color adjustment on the paper P, and the image forming apparatus 3 performs a series of operations. End the process.

  If the setting parameter table reference unit 67 determines in step S45 that the IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit does not exist in the setting parameter table, the color adjustment of the image data cannot be performed. Is printed as it is.

  Next, how the image data editing unit 63 generates a color adjustment command will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The image data editing unit 63 starts a series of operations with reference to the setting parameter value smt stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53. When a series of operations starts, in step S51, the image data editing unit 63 determines whether or not the setting parameter value smt stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53 is a value -1. If the setting parameter value smt is -1, the image data editing unit 63 ends the series of processes without generating a color adjustment command. On the other hand, when the image data editing unit 63 determines that the setting parameter value smt stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53 is not value-1, the image data editing unit 63 executes the process of step S52.

  Next, in step S52, the image data editing unit 63 determines whether or not the setting parameter value smt stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53 is 0. If the setting parameter value smt is 0, the image data editing unit 63 generates a color matching off mode PDL command as a color adjustment command in step S53, and the series of processing ends. On the other hand, when the image data editing unit 63 determines that the setting parameter value smt stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53 is not 0, the image data editing unit 63 executes the process of step S54.

  Next, in step S54, the image data editing unit 63 determines whether or not the setting parameter value smt stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53 is 1. If the setting parameter value smt is 1, the image data editing unit 63 generates a contrast priority mode PDL command as a color adjustment command in step S55, and the series of processing ends. On the other hand, when the image data editing unit 63 determines that the setting parameter value smt stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53 is not the value 1, the image data editing unit 63 executes the process of step S56.

  Next, in step S56, the image data editing unit 63 determines whether or not the setting parameter value smt stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53 is a value 2. If the setting parameter value smt is 2, the image data editing unit 63 generates a vividness emphasis mode PDL command as a color adjustment command in step S57, and the series of processing ends. On the other hand, when the image data editing unit 63 determines that the setting parameter value smt stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53 is not the value 2, the image data editing unit 63 executes the process of step S58.

  In step S55, the image data editing unit 63 generates a monitor 9300K mode PDL command as a color adjustment command, assuming that the setting parameter value smt stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53 is 3, and a series of processing. Exit.

  As described above, in the image forming system according to the first embodiment, since the color adjustment of the image data can be performed using the Web browser 9 provided in the information processing apparatus 1, the printer driver 13 has a color adjustment setting function. Even when there is no image, it is possible to print a high-quality image with color adjustment.

  Further, before the image data is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1, the sample image data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 3 to the information processing apparatus 1 and displayed as a preview for the user. It is possible to prevent a situation in which the attributes of the image printed on the top are different.

  Hereinafter, a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail.

  Since the image forming system according to the second embodiment has a portion having the same configuration as that of the image forming system according to the first embodiment, the same reference numeral as that of the first embodiment is assigned to the portion. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.

  The image forming system according to the second embodiment includes a generation unit that generates a gamma curve, and generates a color adjustment command based on the generated gamma curve.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, the image forming system is configured by connecting the information processing apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 103 via the LAN 3.

  The image forming apparatus 103 includes a Web server 17, a color adjustment setting screen forming unit 19, a setting parameter acquisition unit 51, a setting parameter storage unit 53, an IP address acquisition unit 55, an image data reception unit 57, and image data. A storage unit 59, an image data editing unit 63, a setting parameter table reference unit 67, a setting parameter table description unit 69, a printing unit 71, a storage unit 73, and a color adjustment command generation unit 105 that generates a color adjustment command. A gamma curve generation unit 107 that generates a gamma curve, and a setting parameter table storage unit 109 that stores a setting parameter table.

  The color adjustment command generation unit 105 generates a color adjustment command based on the gamma curve generated by the gamma curve generation unit 107. The color adjustment command generated here is stored in the area A4 of the storage unit 73.

  The gamma curve generation unit 107 generates a gamma curve based on the gamma value stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53 by a method described later.

  The color adjustment screen transmitted from the image forming apparatus 103 to the information processing apparatus 1 is a screen as shown in FIG.

  On the color adjustment setting screen 111, an address bar 35, a color adjustment box 113, a setting button 39, and a preview display area 41 are displayed. Here, the color adjustment box 113 is an area in which the user inputs the gamma value of each color while referring to the monitor 11, and the cyan gamma value input box 115 for inputting the cyan gamma value and the magenta gamma value are input. A magenta gamma value input box 117, a yellow gamma value input box 119 for inputting a yellow gamma value, and a black gamma value input box 121 for inputting a black gamma value are provided.

  The gamma value input to the color adjustment box 113 is added to the URL information as the setting parameter value c, and is transmitted from the Web page transmission / reception unit 15 to the image forming apparatus 3. The URL information including the setting parameter information is, for example, “http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/BMLinks/print/setting?c=n1&m=n2&y=n3&k=n4” (gamma value of each color of n1 to n4) Represented as: When such URL information is transmitted to the Web server 17, the setting parameter acquisition unit 51 refers to the character string corresponding to the setting parameter information from the URL information and stores the setting parameter value c in the setting parameter storage unit 53. .

The gamma curve generation unit 107 refers to the setting parameter value c stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53 and generates a gamma curve based on the gamma value n included in the setting parameter value c. Specifically, the gamma curve is calculated based on the formula D _out = D _In ⁿ . Here, D _In represents the image density of the image data, D _out represents the image density of the image printed on the paper, and the value n represents the gamma value. For example, in the above equation, gamma curves in the case of gamma value n = 0.5, gamma value n = 1.0, and gamma value n = 1.8 are shown in FIGS. . When the gamma value n = 0.5, the low density portion of the color density of each color on the paper P shows a higher value than the low density portion of each color of the image data. Further, when the gamma value n = 1.0, the color density of each color on the paper P and the color density of each color of the image data show substantially the same value. When the gamma value n = 1.8, the low density portion of the color density of each color on the paper P shows a lower value than the low density portion of each color of the image data.

  The setting parameter table storage unit 109 stores a setting parameter table D and a setting parameter table E as shown in FIGS. The setting parameter table D stores the IP address of the information processing apparatus 1 and the gamma value input by the user in association with each other. For example, “http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/BMLinks/print/setting? C = 1.8 & m = 1.0 & y = 1.0 & k = 1.8” from the information processing apparatus assigned the IP address “123.45.67.90” When the URL information is transmitted, the IP address acquisition unit 55 acquires the IP address of the information processing apparatus, and the setting parameter acquisition unit 51 sets the setting parameter value “c = 1.8 & m = 1.0 & y = 1” from the URL information. 0.0 & k = 1.8 "is acquired and the setting parameter value" c = 1.8 & m = 1.0 & y = 1.0 & k = 1.8 "is stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53. Then, as shown in the setting parameter table D and the setting parameter table E, the setting parameter table description unit 69 adds the IP address “123.45.67.90” to the IP address column and further stores it in the setting parameter storage unit 53. Based on the set parameter value “c = 1.8 & m = 1.0 & y = 1.0 & k = 1.8”, the value 1.8 is added to the cyan column of the IP address “123.45.67.90”, and the magenta column The value 1.0 is added to the yellow column, the value 1.0 is added to the yellow column, and the value 1.8 is added to the black column. If the IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit 55 already exists on the setting parameter table, the setting parameter table description unit 69 uses the same process to set the gamma value n corresponding to the IP address. Overwrite.

  Hereinafter, the operations of the information processing apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 103 having the above-described configurations will be described in detail. Detailed description of the same operation as that of the first embodiment is omitted.

  First, the operations of the information processing apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 103 when the user tries to print image data will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When a series of operations starts, the information processing apparatus 1 requests HTML format data of the color adjustment setting screen 33 from the Web server 17 in step S61. This request is made by inputting the URL information of the Web server 17 into the address bar 35 of the Web browser 9.

  In step S <b> 62, the image forming apparatus 103 generates a color adjustment setting screen 111 using the color adjustment setting screen forming unit 19. Specifically, the color adjustment setting screen forming unit 19 uses the HTML image data of the sample image data stored in the sample image data storage unit 21 using the pre-adjustment image generation unit 23 under the instruction of the Web server 17. The color adjustment selection box creation unit 29 is used to generate the HTML data of the color adjustment box 113, the setting value transmission unit 31 is used to generate the HTML data of the setting button 39, and these HTMLs are generated. The HTML data of the color adjustment setting screen 111 is generated by combining the format data.

  Next, in step S <b> 63, the image forming apparatus 103 uses the Web server 17 to transmit HTML format data of the color adjustment setting screen 111 generated by the color adjustment setting screen forming unit 19 to the information processing apparatus 1.

  Next, in step S <b> 64, the information processing apparatus 1 receives the HTML format data of the color adjustment setting screen 111 using the web page transmission / reception unit 15, and sends the color adjustment setting screen 33 to the monitor 11 via the web browser 9. indicate. The user then inputs a cyan gamma value input box 115, a magenta gamma value input box 117, a yellow gamma value input box 119, and a black gamma value input while referring to the color adjustment box 113 of the color adjustment setting screen 111 displayed on the monitor 11. Enter a gamma value in the box 121. At this time, for example, it is assumed that the value 1.8 is input as the gamma value n to all the input boxes.

  When the gamma value n is input by the user and the setting button 39 is selected, in step S65, the Web page transmission / reception unit 15 includes the setting parameter information corresponding to the input gamma value n in the URL information to form an image. To the device 103. Specifically, the URL information transmitted here is “http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/BMLinks/print/setting? C = 1.8 & m = 1.8 & y = 1.8 & k = 1.8”.

  Next, in step S66, the image forming apparatus 103 creates HTML-format data for reply. The HTML data for reply is data including data obtained by adjusting the color density of the sample image data stored in the sample image storage unit 21 according to the gamma curve based on the gamma value n. The HTML data for reply is generated by the color adjustment setting screen forming unit 19. Specifically, the color adjustment setting screen forming unit 19 performs color adjustment of the sample image data stored in the sample image data storage unit 21 using the image adjustment unit 25, and performs color adjustment using the adjusted image generation unit 27. The adjusted sample image data is generated.

  Next, in step S <b> 67, the image forming apparatus 103 transmits HTML data for reply to the information processing apparatus 1 using the Web server 17.

  Next, the information processing apparatus 1 uses the Web page transmission / reception unit 15 to receive HTML data for reply. In step S <b> 68, the information processing apparatus 1 displays the color-adjusted sample image data included in the received HTML format data as the color-adjusted sample image 49 in the preview display area 41.

  When the user refers to the sample image 47 and the sample image 49 displayed in the preview display area 41 and issues a command to print the image data created by the user, in step S69, the information processing apparatus 1 The image data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 3 using the driver 13.

  Next, the image forming apparatus 3 receives the image data in the image data receiving unit 57, prints an image based on the image data on the paper P in step S70, and ends the series of processes.

  Next, a method in which the image forming apparatus 103 that has received the URL information including the gamma value n generates reply HTML data will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the Web page transmission / reception unit 15 transmits URL information including the setting parameter value smt and a series of processes starts, the Web server 17 receives the URL information including the gamma value n in Step S71. Specifically, the URL information received at this time is “http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/BMLinks/print/setting? C = 1.8 & m = 1.8 & y = 1.8 & k = 1.8”.

  Next, in step S72, the setting parameter acquisition unit 51 acquires the gamma value n included in the URL information. The gamma value n acquired here is stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53. Specifically, at this time, the setting parameter storage unit 53 stores “gamma value nc = 1.8”, “gamma value nm = 1.8”, “gamma value ny = 1.8”, “gamma value nk = 1”. .8 "is stored.

  Next, in step S73, the IP address acquisition unit 55 acquires the IP address of the information processing apparatus 1 from the TCP information included in the URL information.

  Next, in step S74, the setting parameter table reference unit 67 refers to the setting parameter table stored in the setting parameter table storage unit 65. In step S75, the IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit 55 is stored in the setting parameter table. Determine if it exists. If the IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit 53 exists in the setting parameter table, the setting parameter table description unit 69 overwrites the gamma value n of the setting parameter table in step S36, and then in step S78. Execute the process. On the other hand, if the IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit 53 does not exist in the setting parameter table, the setting parameter table description unit 69 adds the gamma value of the setting parameter table in step S77, and then performs the process of step S88. Execute.

  Next, in step S88, the color adjustment setting screen forming unit 19 adjusts the color density of the image data stored in the sample image data storage unit 21 according to the gamma curve based on the gamma value n stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53. Then, HTML-format data is created from the color-adjusted sample image data.

  Next, in step S79, the Web server 17 transmits the HTML data for return including the HTML data of the sample image data to the information processing apparatus 1, and ends the series of processes.

  Next, a series of operations when the image forming apparatus 103 receives image data in the image data receiving unit 57 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the image data transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 is received and a series of operations starts, the image forming apparatus 103 stores the image data in the image data storage unit 59 in step S81.

  Next, in step S82, the IP address acquisition unit 55 acquires the IP address of the information processing apparatus 1 from the TCP information included in the image data.

  In step S83, the image data editing unit 63 adds a header 77 to the image data 75 stored in the image data storage unit 59 to create print data 79a.

  Next, in step S84, the setting parameter table reference unit 67 refers to the setting parameter table stored in the setting parameter table storage unit 65. In step S85, the IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit exists in the setting parameter table. Judge whether to do. Here, when the IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit 53 exists in the setting parameter table, the image forming apparatus 3 executes the process of step S86.

  In step S86, the gamma curve generation unit 107 generates a gamma curve corresponding to each color based on the gamma value n stored in the setting parameter storage unit 53.

  Next, in step S <b> 87, the image data editing unit 63 generates a color adjustment command based on the gamma curve generated by the gamma curve generation unit 107 and stores it in the area A <b> 1 of the storage unit 73.

  In step S88, the image data editing unit 63 generates print data 79b. Specifically, the image data editing unit 63 stores the color adjustment command 81 stored in the area A1 in the area A4, stores the image data 75 stored in the area A2 in the area A4, and stores it in the area A3. The information is combined by storing the header 77 in the area A4, and the print data 79b is stored in the area A4.

  Next, in step S <b> 89, the image data editing unit 63 supplies the print data 79 b stored in the area A <b> 4 of the storage unit 73 to the printing unit 71. Then, the printing unit 71 performs color adjustment of the image data 75 based on the color adjustment command 81 included in the print data 79b, prints the image data after the color adjustment on the paper P, and the image forming apparatus 103 performs a series of operations. End the process.

  If the setting parameter table reference unit 67 determines in step S85 that the IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit does not exist in the setting parameter table, the color adjustment of the image data cannot be performed. Is printed as it is.

  As described above, in the image forming system according to the second embodiment, since the color adjustment of the image data can be performed using the Web browser 9 provided in the information processing apparatus 1, the printer driver 13 has a color adjustment setting function. Even when there is no image, it is possible to print a high-quality image with color adjustment. Further, since the image forming apparatus 103 includes the gamma curve generation unit 107 that generates a gamma curve, the range of color adjustment can be expanded, and an image with higher image quality can be printed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the above-described embodiment, detailed description has been given as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that prints image data input from an information processing apparatus. However, an inkjet printer, a thermal printer, a facsimile apparatus, or a copying machine is also used. It goes without saying that it is available.

  In the above-described embodiment, the detailed description has been given using the color density as the attribute information to be adjusted using the Web browser 9, but the attribute that can be adjusted using the present invention is limited to the color density. It is not something that can be done.

  In the above-described embodiment, the detailed description has been given using the image forming apparatus that performs color printing. However, the present invention is also applicable to an image forming apparatus that performs monochrome printing.

  In the above-described embodiment, the Web server 17 is used as the transmitting unit and the receiving unit. However, a Gopher or FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server may be used.

1 is a block diagram of an image forming system shown as a first embodiment. 2 is a block diagram of a color adjustment setting screen forming unit provided in the image forming apparatus of the image forming system. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color adjustment setting screen displayed on the information processing apparatus of the image forming system. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the list box of the same color adjustment setting screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting parameter table memorize | stored in the setting parameter table memory | storage part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of print data. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of print data. It is a figure which shows the example of a gamma curve. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining operations of the information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus when the user tries to print image data. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the method a web browser determines a setting parameter value. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a method in which an image forming apparatus that has received URL information including a setting parameter value generates HTML data for reply. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a series of operations when the image forming apparatus receives image data in an image data receiving unit. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the method in which an image data edit part produces | generates a color adjustment command. It is a block diagram of an image forming system shown as a second embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color adjustment setting screen displayed on the information processing apparatus of the image forming system. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the gamma curve produced | generated in a gamma curve production | generation part. It is a figure which shows the example of the gamma curve produced | generated in a gamma curve production | generation part. It is a figure which shows the example of the gamma curve produced | generated in a gamma curve production | generation part. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting parameter table memorize | stored in the setting parameter table memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting parameter table memorize | stored in the setting parameter table memory | storage part. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining operations of the information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus when the user tries to print image data. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a method in which an image forming apparatus that has received URL information including a setting parameter value generates HTML data for reply. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a series of operations when the image forming apparatus receives image data in an image data receiving unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing apparatus 3 Image forming apparatus 5 Network 7 Image data transmission part 9 Web browser 11 Monitor 13 Printer driver 15 Web page transmission / reception part 17 Web server 19 Color adjustment setting screen formation part 21 Sample image data storage part 23 Image adjustment part before adjustment 25 Image adjustment unit 27 Adjusted image generation unit 29 Color adjustment selection box creation unit 31 Setting value transmission unit 33 Color adjustment setting screen 35 Address bar 37 Selection box 39 Setting button 41 Preview display area 43 List box 45 Pull-down button 47 Sample image 49 Sample image 51 Setting parameter acquisition unit 53 IP address acquisition unit 53 Setting parameter storage unit 55 Address acquisition unit 57 Image data reception unit 59 Image data storage unit 61 Color adjustment command storage unit 63 Image data edition Unit 65 setting parameter table storage unit 67 setting parameter table reference unit 69 setting parameter table description unit 71 printing unit 73 storage unit 79a print data 79b print data 81 color adjustment command 83 stacker 87 paper feed roller 89 registration rollers 91C, 91M, 91Y, 91K developing devices 93C, 93M, 93Y, 93K transfer roller 95 conveying device 97 fixing device 99 fixing roller 101 pressure roller 103 image forming device 105 color adjustment command generating unit 107 gamma curve generating unit 109 setting parameter table storage unit 111 color adjustment setting Screen 113 Color adjustment box 115 Cyan gamma value input box 117 Magenta gamma value input box 119 Yellow gamma value input box 121 Black gamma value input box

Claims (8)

Transmitting means for transmitting attribute input information for inputting attribute information, which can be displayed on the information browsing means provided in the information processing apparatus;
Receiving means for receiving attribute information returned in response to the attribute input information transmitted by the transmitting means;
Image data receiving means for receiving image data generated in the information processing apparatus;
Adjusting means for adjusting the attribute of the image data received by the image data receiving means based on the attribute information received by the receiving means;
Image forming means for forming an image based on the image data whose attributes are adjusted by the adjusting means on a predetermined recording medium;
An image forming apparatus. First identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the information processing device included in the attribute information received by the reception means;
Storage means for associating and storing the identification information of the information processing apparatus acquired by the first identification information acquisition means and the attribute information;
Second identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the information processing device included in the image data received by the image data reception means;
Comparing means for comparing the identification information of the information processing apparatus stored in the storage means with the identification information of the information processing apparatus acquired in the second identification information acquisition means,
The adjusting means adjusts the attribute of the image data received by the image data receiving means based on the comparison result of the comparing means based on the attribute information stored in the storage means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Sample storage means for storing image data of a predetermined sample image;
Sample image adjustment means for adjusting the attribute of the sample image stored in the sample storage means based on the attribute information;
Sample transmitting means for transmitting image data of the sample image whose attributes have been adjusted in the sample image adjusting means in a data format that can be displayed by the information browsing means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The reply attribute information is information relating to the color density of the image data received by the image data receiving means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The adjusting means adjusts the color density of the image data received by the image data receiving means based on the information on the color density and a predetermined gamma curve;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. Comprising generating means for generating the gamma curve based on the attribute information;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5. The image data relates to an image composed of a plurality of colors,
The attribute information includes information on color density for each color of the plurality of colors,
The image forming unit forms an image composed of the plurality of colors on the recording medium;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. Information browsing means capable of browsing predetermined information;
Display information receiving means for receiving information to be displayed on the information browsing means;
Input information transmitting means for transmitting information input to the information browsing means;
An information processing apparatus having image data generation means for generating image data; and transmission means for transmitting attribute request information requesting input of attribute information that can be displayed on the information browsing means to the display information receiving means;
Receiving means for receiving attribute reply information sent back from the input information sending means in response to the attribute input information sent by the sending means;
Image data receiving means for receiving the image data generated by the image data generating means;
Adjusting means for adjusting the attribute of the image data received by the image data receiving means based on the attribute information received by the receiving means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data, the attribute of which has been adjusted by the adjusting unit, on a predetermined recording medium;
An image forming system.