JP2008092312A - Image forming apparatus, image processing method and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus matching a color tone of print out form data with a color tone of variable data. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with a function for printing first image data and second image data in an overlapped manner. A first color profile and a second color profile to be used for each color conversion processing are set in the first image data and the second image data. There are provided a means for acquiring an instruction by a user whether or not the second color profile is used in place of the first color profile in the color conversion processing of the first image data and a means for converting the color of the first image data using the color profile according to the instruction and converting the color of the second image data using the second color profile. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a form overlay printing function, an image processing method, and an image processing program.

  Conventionally, form ruled lines, frequently used fixed forms, etc. are stored as form data, and this form data and variable data consisting of document data created by the application are combined (overlaid) to create the desired print. A function for obtaining a result (form overlay printing function) is known. However, when the form overlay printing function is used for color originals, if the color profiles applied to the color conversion processing of the form data and variable data are different from each other, the form data and variable data are printed in slightly different colors. There was a problem of being done.

On the other hand, it is a form overlay printing apparatus that performs composite printing of form data and variable data, stores printing conditions (printing color, etc.) for each page of variable data, and print conditions for each page according to the stored printing conditions. Has been proposed (see Patent Document 1 below). According to this printing apparatus, it is possible to perform form overlay printing while automatically changing the print color of the variable data for each page only by transmitting the variable data from the host device to the printing apparatus once. However, this technique is merely a technique for automatically changing the printing color of variable data in accordance with printing conditions designated in advance, and a difference in color tone between form data and variable data occurs due to a difference in color conversion processing. This does not solve the problem.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-105367.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of matching the color tone of printed form data with the color tone of variable data. Is to provide.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

  (1) An image forming apparatus having a function of superimposing and printing first image data and second image data, wherein the first image data and the second image data are subjected to respective color conversion processes. A first color profile and a second color profile to be used are set, and a user determines whether to use the second color profile instead of the first color profile for color conversion processing of the first image data. Means for obtaining an instruction; means for performing color conversion processing of the first image data using a color profile according to the instruction; and means for performing color conversion processing of the second image data using the second color profile; And an image forming apparatus.

  (2) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the first image data is form data, and the second image data is variable data.

  (3) A printing method for superimposing and printing first image data and second image data, wherein the first image data and the second image data are used for respective color conversion processes. A first color profile and a second color profile are set, and an instruction by a user is obtained as to whether or not the second color profile is used instead of the first color profile for color conversion processing of the first image data. Performing a color conversion process on the first image data using a color profile according to the instruction, and performing a color conversion process on the second image data using the second color profile. A printing method characterized by the above.

  (4) The printing method according to (3), wherein the first image data is form data, and the second image data is variable data.

  (5) A program for controlling an image forming apparatus having a function of superimposing and printing first image data and second image data, wherein the first image data and the second image data include: A first color profile and a second color profile for use in each color conversion process are set, and the second color profile is used instead of the first color profile for the color conversion process of the first image data. A procedure for obtaining an instruction by the user as to whether or not the image data is obtained, and a color conversion process of the first image data is performed using a color profile according to the designation, and the color of the second image data using the second color profile A program for causing the image forming apparatus to execute a procedure for performing conversion processing.

  (6) The program according to (5), wherein the first image data is form data, and the second image data is variable data.

  (7) A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to (5) or (6) is recorded.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the user can select whether or not to apply the color profile designated for the color conversion process of the variable data to the color conversion process of the form data when executing the form overlay printing. As a result, the color tone of the form data printed out can be matched with the color tone of the variable data.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a printing system to which an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system according to the present embodiment includes a PC 1 as a client apparatus and a printer 2 as an image forming apparatus, which are connected to each other via a communication network 3 so as to communicate with each other. Yes. Note that the types and the number of devices connected to the communication network 3 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. The PC 1 may be directly connected (locally connected) between the printer 2 and the device without going through the communication network 3.

  Here, the printer 2 includes a printer controller 21 and a printer engine 22 that are locally connected to each other. For this local connection, various local connection interfaces such as a serial interface such as USB and IEEE1394, a parallel interface such as SCSI and IEEE1284, and a wireless communication interface such as Bluetooth, IEEE802.11, HomeRF, and IrDA are used.

  Next, the configuration of each of the above devices will be described. However, each of the above devices may include a component other than the components described below, or may not include some of the components described below. Good. In addition, portions having similar functions in each device are described only for the first time in order to avoid duplication of description, and descriptions thereof are omitted for the second and subsequent times.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the PC 1 shown in FIG.

  The PC 1 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a hard disk 14, a display 15, an input device 16 and a network interface 17, which are connected to each other via a bus 18 for exchanging signals.

  The CPU 11 performs control of each part and various arithmetic processes according to the program. The ROM 12 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 13 temporarily stores programs and data as a work area. The hard disk 14 stores various programs including an operating system and various data.

  Here, the hard disk 14 includes an application for creating a document file, and print data (hereinafter referred to as “PDL data”) described in a page description language (PDL) in which the printer 2 can interpret the document file. A printer driver is also installed. The printer driver has a function of setting print output conditions and the like in addition to a print instruction for a document created using an application. The printer driver includes a program for performing these settings and instructions.

  The display 15 is an LCD, a CRT display, or the like, and is used for displaying various types of information. The input device 16 includes a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and is used for inputting various information.

  The network interface 17 is an interface for communicating with other devices via the communication network 3, and standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI are used.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer controller unit 21 in the printer 2 shown in FIG.

  The printer controller unit 21 includes a CPU 211, a ROM 212, a RAM 213, a hard disk 214, an RIP unit 215, an engine interface 216, a network interface 217, and a color conversion processing unit 218, which are connected via a bus 219 for exchanging signals. Are connected to each other.

  The RIP unit 215 performs rasterization processing (RIP: Raster Image Processing) for translating PDL data received from the PC 1 and developing it into a bitmap format. However, the RIP may be performed by executing a program stored in the ROM 212 or the hard disk 214.

  The engine interface 216 is an interface for communicating with the locally connected printer engine 22.

  The color conversion processing unit 218 performs color conversion processing of PDL data using a designated color profile. However, the color conversion process may be performed by executing a program stored in the ROM 212 or the hard disk 214. A method for specifying a color profile in this embodiment will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer engine 22 of the printer 2 shown in FIG. The printer engine 22 includes a CPU 221, a ROM 222, a RAM 223, an operation panel unit 224, a printing unit 225, and a controller interface 226, which are connected to each other via a bus 227 for exchanging signals.

  The ROM 222 stores a program for printing a rasterized image expanded into bitmap format image data on a recording medium such as transfer paper. The operation panel unit 224 includes a touch panel, a numeric keypad, a start button, a stop button, and the like, and is used for displaying various information and inputting various instructions. The printing unit 225 prints various color image data on a recording material such as paper using a known image forming process such as an electrophotographic process. The controller interface 226 is an interface for communicating with the locally connected printer controller 21.

  Next, a procedure for performing form overlay printing using the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described.

<Register form data>
The user creates form data using various applications on the PC 1 and registers the data in the printer controller 21 in advance. A method for registering form data will be described in detail.

  The created form data is converted into PDL data by a printer driver included in the PC 1 and transmitted to the printer controller 21. Here, a command such as “Form Storage = ON” is given in the data so that the printer controller 21 can identify that the PDL data to be transmitted is form data. Such a command is given to the PDL data when the user performs settings for form data registration on a UI (user interface) screen provided by the printer driver.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a UI screen displayed on the display 15 of the PC 1 for performing such setting. When the user checks the “form registration” check box 41 on the form menu screen 4 in FIG. 5, a predetermined command for registering form data is given to the PDL data by the printer driver.

  When the printer controller 21 recognizes the command, it stores the transmitted PDL data in the hard disk 214 as form data. On the other hand, if the command is not recognized, that is, if the “form registration” check box 41 is not checked in the form menu screen 4 of FIG. 5, the transmitted PDL data is processed as a normal print job. The

  Further, when the user selects a color profile to be applied to the color conversion process of the form data, for example, “Profile = Japan Color” is included in the PDL data so that the printer driver 21 can identify the color profile specified by the user. Command is given. Such a command is given to the PDL data when the user selects a profile on the UI provided by the printer driver. FIG. 6 shows an example of a UI screen displayed on the display 15 of the PC 1 for the user to make such a selection.

  In the color menu screen 5 of FIG. 6, when the user selects a desired profile from the pull-down menu 51 of “profile to be used”, the profile to be applied to the color conversion processing of the form data is specified, and the printer driver A predetermined command is given in the PDL. If the user does not select a profile on the color menu screen 5 in FIG. 6, a default profile recommended by the printer driver is automatically selected, and a command corresponding to this profile is given. Become.

  In the present embodiment, the profile means a CMYK simulation profile used for converting RGB image data into CMYK image data. As a representative example of such a profile, “Japan Color” generally used in Japan is used. ”And“ SWOP (Specifications Web Offset Publications) ”that are common in the United States.

  However, in the present invention, the profile is not limited to the CMYK simulation profile, but is applied when an RGB source profile, which is a profile applied when creating RGB image data, and when an output device such as a printer outputs a color image. Output profile, which is a device-specific profile.

<Execution of form overlay printing>
When form data is registered in the printer controller 21 in this way, the user can execute form overlay printing by superimposing the registered form data and document data as variable data. Hereinafter, a method for executing form overlay printing will be described in detail.

  The document data is created on an arbitrary application of the PC 1, converted into PDL data by the printer driver, and then transmitted to the printer controller 21. Here, a command such as “Form Overlay = ON” is added to the data so that the printer controller 21 can recognize that the transmitted PDL data is variable data for form overlay printing. . Such a command is given to the PDL data by the printer driver when the user checks the “execute form overlay printing” check box 41 on the form menu screen 4 of FIG. 5, for example.

  Further, the user can select a form to be used for form overlay printing by using the pull-down menu 42 of the “form list”, and can specify a color profile to be used for color conversion processing of the form data by using the “profile” radio button 43. it can. These will be described in detail below. As in the case of form data registration, the user can select a color profile to be used for color conversion processing of document data from the pull-down menu 51 on the color menu screen 5 in FIG.

  Selection of a form used for form overlay printing is performed by the user selecting a desired form from the pull-down menu 42 of the “form list”. The pull-down menu 42 shows the file name of the form data registered in the printer controller 21 in the above procedure.

  Designation of a color profile used for color conversion of form data is executed by the user operating a “profile” radio button 43 including “use form profile” and “use document profile”. That is, when the “use form profile” radio button 43 is pressed, the color profile selected by the pull-down menu 51 of FIG. 6 at the time of form registration is the radio button 43 “use document profile”. In this case, the color profile selected by the pull-down menu 51 of FIG. 6 when executing the form overlay printing is used for the color conversion process of the form data.

  Further, the color profile selected by the pull-down menu 51 of FIG. 6 is used for the color conversion processing of the document data when the form overlay printing is executed.

  In the present embodiment, the user operates the radio button 43 in FIG. 5 to specify the color profile to be applied to the form data. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the user can By operating the radio button 43, a color profile applied to the document data may be designated.

  Next, an outline of the operation of the PC 1 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the PC 1 in the present embodiment. Note that the algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is stored as a control program in a storage unit such as the hard disk 14 of the PC 1 and is read out to the RAM 13 and executed by the CPU 11 when the operation starts.

  In FIG. 7, first, the PC 1 creates document data as variable data by an arbitrary application (S101). It is assumed that the form data is registered in advance in the printer controller 21 by the above procedure.

  Next, the PC 1 obtains a form overlay printing instruction from the user using the “execute form overlay printing” check box 41 in FIG. 5 (S102). At this time, the PC 1 also acquires information related to various settings when executing form overlay printing. That is, information relating to the form used for form overlay printing is acquired from the pull-down menu 42 of “form list” in FIG. 5, and information relating to the color profile used for color conversion processing of form data is obtained using the radio button 43 of “profile”. Further, information on the color profile used for the color conversion processing of the document data is acquired by the pull-down menu 51 of FIG.

  Subsequently, the PC 1 converts the document data into PDL data in the printer driver, but simultaneously gives the PDL data commands corresponding to the form overlay printing instruction and various setting information acquired in S102 (S103).

  The PC 1 transmits the PDL data generated in S103 to the printer controller 21 and ends the process (S104).

  Next, an outline of the operation of the printer controller 21 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the printer controller 21 in the present embodiment. The algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is stored as a control program in a storage unit such as the ROM 211 of the printer controller 21, read out to the RAM 213 and executed by the CPU 211 at the start of operation.

  In FIG. 8, first, the printer controller 21 receives PDL data from the PC 1, that is, variable data converted into PDL data in S103 (S201). Then, the printer controller 21 analyzes various commands given to the received PDL data (S202). The commands here are those given by the printer driver in S103 of FIG.

  Subsequently, based on the command analysis result in S202, it is determined whether or not a command (for example, “Form Overlay = ON”) corresponding to the designation of form overlay printing is given in the PDL data (S203).

  If the command is given (YES in S203), the form data used for form overlay printing is recognized based on the command analysis result in S202, and the form data is read from the hard disk 214 or RAM 213 and prepared. (S204).

  The printer controller 21 performs color conversion processing of the form data prepared in S204, and further performs bitmap processing (S205). Here, a color profile corresponding to the selection result of the “profile” radio button 43 on the form menu screen 4 in FIG. 5 is applied to the color conversion processing of the form data.

  That is, when the radio button 43 of “use form profile” is selected, the color profile selected by the pull-down menu 51 at the time of form registration is read from the hard disk 214, and this color profile is converted into color of the form data. It will be applied to processing. On the other hand, when the radio button 43 “Use document profile” is selected, the color profile selected by the pull-down menu 51 when executing the form overlay printing is used instead of the color profile selected when the form is registered. This color profile is applied to the color conversion process of the form data. For example, when form overlay printing is executed, if “use document profile” radio button 43 is selected on form menu screen 4 and “SWOP” is selected from pull-down menu 51 on color menu screen 5, when form registration is performed Regardless of which color profile is selected, the SWOP is read from the hard disk 214, and the SWOP is applied to the color conversion process of the form data.

  Subsequently, the printer controller 21 performs a color conversion process on the received document data, and further performs a bitmap process (S206). Here, in the color conversion process of the document data, the color profile selected by the pull-down menu 51 of FIG. 6 is used when executing the form overlay printing.

  Further, the printer controller 21 performs a process (form overlay process) for superimposing the form data and document data in the bitmap format generated in S205 and S206, respectively (S207). It transmits to an engine and a process is complete | finished (S209).

  If it is determined in S203 that a command corresponding to the designation of form overlay printing is not given (NO in S203), normal printing of the transmitted PDL data is performed, and the printer controller 21 Then, color conversion processing and bitmap processing are performed on the data (S208), and the generated bitmap data is transmitted to the printer engine 22, and then the processing ends (S209). Note that the color profile selected by the pull-down menu 51 of FIG. 6 at the time of printing is used for the color conversion processing in S208.

  Finally, an outline of the operation of the printer engine 22 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the printer engine 22 in the present embodiment.

  The algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is stored as a control program in the ROM 221 of the printer engine 22 and is read out to the RAM 223 and executed by the CPU 221 when the operation starts.

  The printer engine 22 receives the bitmap data transmitted by the printer controller 21 in S209 (S301), and ends the process after printing the data (S302).

  As described above, according to the printer 2 of the present embodiment, whether or not the user applies the color profile designated for the color conversion process of the document data to the color conversion process of the form data when executing the form overlay printing. Thus, the color tone of the printed form data can be matched with the color tone of the variable data.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the printer is described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming apparatus may be a multifunction peripheral device (MFP) having various functions. It may be.

  The means and method for performing various processes in the printing system of the present embodiment can be realized by either a dedicated hardware circuit or a programmed computer. The program may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred to and stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk. The program may be provided as a single application software, or may be incorporated into the software of the device as one function of the device.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of PC in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer controller in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer engine in FIG. 1. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen provided by a printer driver. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen provided by a printer driver. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a process of PC. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a printer engine. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a printer controller.

Explanation of symbols

1 PC,
11 CPU,
12 ROM,
13 RAM,
14 hard disk,
15 display,
16 input devices,
17 network interface,
18 Bus,
2 printer,
21 Printer controller,
211 CPU,
212 ROM,
213 RAM,
214 hard disk,
215 RIP part,
216 engine interface,
217 network interface,
218 color conversion processing unit,
219 bus,
22 Printer engine,
221 CPU,
222 ROM,
223 RAM,
224 operation panel section,
225 printing section,
226 controller interface,
227 bus,
3 communication network,
4 Form menu screen,
41 check box,
42 pull-down menu,
43 radio buttons,
5 Color menu screen,
51 Pull-down menu.

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus having a function of superimposing and printing first image data and second image data,
In the first image data and the second image data, a first color profile and a second color profile for use in each color conversion process are set,
Means for obtaining an instruction by a user as to whether or not to use the second color profile instead of the first color profile for color conversion processing of the first image data;
Means for performing color conversion processing of the first image data using a color profile according to the instruction, and performing color conversion processing of the second image data using the second color profile. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first image data is form data, and the second image data is variable data. A printing method for overlaying and printing first image data and second image data,
In the first image data and the second image data, a first color profile and a second color profile for use in each color conversion process are set,
Obtaining an instruction by a user as to whether or not to use the second color profile instead of the first color profile for color conversion processing of the first image data;
Performing color conversion processing of the first image data using a color profile according to the instruction, and performing color conversion processing of the second image data using the second color profile. How to print.   The printing method according to claim 3, wherein the first image data is form data, and the second image data is variable data. A program for controlling an image forming apparatus having a function of superimposing and printing first image data and second image data,
In the first image data and the second image data, a first color profile and a second color profile for use in each color conversion process are set,
A procedure for obtaining an instruction by a user as to whether or not to use the second color profile instead of the first color profile for color conversion processing of the first image data;
A procedure for performing color conversion processing of the first image data using a color profile according to the designation and performing color conversion processing of the second image data using the second color profile for the image forming apparatus. A program to be executed.   6. The program according to claim 5, wherein the first image data is form data, and the second image data is variable data.   A computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to claim 5 or 6 is recorded.