JP2008219793A - Device and method for forming image, and image processing program and computer-readable storage medium storing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image-forming device which suppresses deterioration in the visibility and readability of characters even if a document described by a control code is scaled prior to forming an image, and also to provide an image processing method, an image processing program, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the image processing program. <P>SOLUTION: A character size calculation 305 extracts fonts and character sizes for each of characters used in the document, multiplies each extracted character size by a value for designating a magnification rate, and calculates the conversion character size of each corresponding character image. A character size determination section 309 gives specific information for specifying a character image becoming not more than a threshold to a font conversion section 307 when either conversion character size is not more than a corresponding threshold. The font conversion section 307 executes font conversion processing, based on the specific information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image from a document described by a control code, an image processing method, an image processing program, and a computer-readable storage medium that stores the image processing method. Relates to forming technology.

  When a document is output on paper using a printer, copier, or MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that is a combination of these, if the document contains small characters, characters in the output image In some cases, the image is too small or the distance between lines constituting the character image is narrowed, so that the visibility and readability of the character are impaired.

  By the way, in recent output environments such as offices, from the viewpoint of improving environmental awareness and cost reduction, as a measure to reduce output paper, reduced print that aggregates and outputs multiple document pages on a single sheet of paper (So-called Nin1 print) is encouraged. According to such a reduced print, the character image in the output image becomes smaller, and it may be difficult to read, particularly for users with low vision such as myopia and presbyopia.

  In response to such a situation, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-374400 (Patent Document 1), in a character area divided by an area dividing unit based on a character size detected by a character size detecting unit. A character scaling process unit that scales the characters of the character, a scaled character that has been scaled by the character scaling process unit, and an image of the non-character area divided by the area dividing unit An image output apparatus including an image composition unit that generates an image is disclosed.

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-260404 (Patent Document 2) has a lightness difference calculation means for obtaining a lightness difference between a character portion and a background portion other than the character portion of the character region, and the lightness difference is determined in advance. An image processing apparatus is disclosed that includes a correction unit that corrects at least one of brightness, saturation, and hue of at least one of a character portion and a background portion when it is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-209704 (Patent Document 3) discloses a readability determination step for determining readability of a character region using the extracted image data of the character region and image data of a peripheral region of the character region. An image processing method including a correction step for correcting image data in a character area when it is determined that readability is low is disclosed.
JP 2002-374400 A JP 2005-260404 A JP 2003-209704 A

  In recent years, in addition to a form in which a document is copied and output on paper, a form in which a document created using various applications operating on a personal computer is output on paper has become common. Such a document output from a personal computer to a printer or the like is generally described by a control code. Such a control code includes data for designating the font and character size of characters arranged in the document.

  The above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 to 3 only disclose image processing techniques for image data (for example, RGB image data) generated by reading a document with an image reading device or the like, and are described by control codes. It is not intended for a specific document. For this reason, there is still a problem that the visibility and readability of characters may be impaired when performing reduced printing or the like on a document described by control codes.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the purpose of the present invention is to improve the visibility of characters even when an image is formed after scaling a document described by a control code. And an image forming apparatus, an image processing method, an image processing program, and a computer-readable storage medium for storing the image processing program.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that forms an image from a document described by a control code, the control code including data specifying a page area of the document, at least an arrangement position in the page area, Character data specifying a font and a character size, and scaling factor specifying data indicating the correspondence between the size of the page area and the size of the image to be formed are included. The image forming apparatus according to this aspect includes a determination unit that determines whether or not a size that characterizes a character image formed based on character data belongs to a predetermined range, and a size that characterizes the character image in advance. Conversion means for converting the font of the designated character data into a different font when it is determined that it does not belong to the predetermined range.

  Preferably, the predetermined range is determined based on visual clarity in the character image.

  Preferably, the size characterizing the character image is calculated on the basis of the character size of the character data and the scaling factor designation data, and the judging means determines that the size characterizing the character image is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold corresponding to the font of the character data. If so, it is determined that it does not belong to a predetermined range.

  Further preferably, the size characterizing the character image is calculated based on the line width per unit character size of the font of the character data, the character size of the character data, and the scaling factor designation data, and the determining means is the size characterizing the character image. If is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that it does not belong to a predetermined range.

  Preferably, the conversion unit converts the font of the character data into a font with a narrower line width in accordance with the font before conversion.

  Further preferably, the conversion means converts the font of the character data into a font having a thicker line width in accordance with the font before conversion.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus according to this aspect further includes warning output means for outputting a warning about font conversion when it is determined that the size characterizing the character image does not belong to a predetermined range. Performs font conversion when an instruction to accept the warning is given.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus according to this aspect further includes a specifying unit that specifies a user who has requested the formation of an image from a document, and the determination unit has a predetermined range according to the user specified by the specifying unit. To change.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus according to this aspect includes a receiving unit that receives a control code transmitted from the outside of the device, a raster data generating unit that generates raster data based on the control code after font conversion by the converting unit, Output means for outputting an image based on the raster data.

  Preferably, the control code includes data for associating a plurality of page areas of the document with the same image.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method for forming an image from a document described by a control code, wherein the control code includes data specifying a page area of the document, and at least an arrangement position in the page area. , Font data, and character data designating the character size, and scaling factor designating data indicating the correspondence between the size of the page area and the size of the image to be formed. The image processing method includes a determination step of determining whether or not a size characterizing a character image formed based on character data belongs to a predetermined range, and a character characterizing size is predetermined. A conversion step of converting the font of the designated character data into a different font when it is determined not to belong to the range.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing program for forming an image from a document described by a control code, the control code including data specifying a page area of the document and at least an arrangement in the page area The image forming program includes character data designating the position, font, and character size, and scaling data specifying the correspondence between the page area size and the size of the image to be formed. The image forming program is formed based on the character data. A determination step for determining whether or not the size characterizing the character image belongs to a predetermined range, and when the size characterizing the character image is determined not to belong to the predetermined range The computer is caused to execute a conversion step of converting the font of the character data thus obtained into a different font.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium that stores the above-described image processing program.

  According to the present invention, even when an image is formed after scaling a document described by a control code, an image forming apparatus, an image processing method, and the like that can suppress the loss of character visibility and readability, In addition, an image processing program and a computer-readable storage medium storing the image processing program can be realized.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

[Embodiment 1]
(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a system including an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) equipped with the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be typically described. Note that the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to an MFP, and can be applied to a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and the like.

  Referring to FIG. 1, MFP 1 according to the present embodiment typically has a function as a printer and a function as a copying machine. The MFP 1 is configured to be connectable to personal computers PC1, PC2, and PC3 (hereinafter also collectively referred to as “personal computer PC”) via a network NW such as a LAN (Local Area Network). When a control code describing a document transmitted from the PC is received, an instruction and data included in the control code are interpreted to form an image of the document. Further, the MFP 1 can output the formed image on paper.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention, as will be described later, if there is a character in the document that may impair visibility and readability, in the process of forming the image, the font corresponding to the character is more visible or Convert to a highly readable font.

(MFP configuration)
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view schematically showing a hardware configuration of MFP 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a color tandem MFP will be described as a representative example. However, the printing method is not limited to a specific configuration, and may be another color method or a monochrome method. .

  In the color tandem MFP 1, four color toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are sequentially superimposed to form a color image. More specifically, four image forming units corresponding to the respective colors are arranged in series along an intermediate transfer belt that is an intermediate transfer member, and the toner images of the corresponding colors formed by the respective image forming units are intermediate transferred. Transfer (primary transfer) to the belt. By this primary transfer, a multicolor image in which the toner images of the respective colors are superimposed is formed on the intermediate transfer belt, and then the formed multicolor image is transferred to a sheet as a printing medium (secondary transfer). Is done. The multicolor image transferred to the paper is output as a document image through a fixing process.

  Referring to FIG. 2, MFP 1 includes an image reading unit 10, a paper transport unit 20, an image forming unit 30, and a paper storage unit 40.

  The image reading unit 10 is a part for causing the MFP 1 to function as a copying machine. A loading table 3 for setting a document, a document table glass 11, and a document set on the loading table 3 are placed on the document table glass 11. A conveyance unit 2 that automatically conveys one sheet at a time and a discharge table 4 for discharging a read document are included. Further, the image reading unit 10 includes a scanner (not shown), and the scanner is translated with respect to the document glass 11 by a scan motor (not shown). The scanner also has an exposure lamp that illuminates the document, a reflection mirror that changes the direction of the reflected light from the document, a mirror that changes the optical path from the reflection mirror, a lens that collects the reflected light, and the color that is determined by the wavelength of the reflected light. A half mirror that reflects or transmits reflected light to guide the reflected light to two photoelectric conversion elements, and a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) that generates an electric signal according to the received reflected light (both are (Not shown).

  The document transported by the transport unit 2 is set on the document table glass 11, and the scanner is exposed and scanned by moving in parallel with the document table glass 11. The reflected light from the document is converted into an electrical signal by the photoelectric conversion element and input to the image forming unit 30.

  The image forming unit 30 includes an intermediate transfer belt 31 that is an intermediate transfer member, and yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) that are arranged along the intermediate transfer belt 31 at predetermined intervals. The image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K (hereinafter also collectively referred to as “image forming units 21”) corresponding to the toners of the respective colors are opposed to the photoconductors constituting the image forming units 21 via the intermediate transfer belt 31. Transfer rollers 25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K (hereinafter also collectively referred to as “transfer rollers 25”). The intermediate transfer belt 31 is suspended by a plurality of rollers 32, 33, and 34 so as to maintain a predetermined tension, and the rollers 32, 33, and 34 rotate counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow A), respectively. Thus, it rotates in the same direction at a predetermined speed.

  Each image forming unit 21 has yellow, magenta, and yellow obtained by performing predetermined image processing on an image signal based on a document transmitted from the personal computer PC or an image signal input from the image reading unit 10. Digital signals corresponding to cyan and black colors are provided. Then, in each image forming unit 21, the exposure device outputs a laser beam to the photoconductor based on the corresponding digital signal, so that the surface of the photoconductor that has been uniformly charged in advance is exposed to correspond to each color image. An electrostatic latent image is formed. Thereafter, a developing bias voltage is applied to the developing roller, and a potential difference is generated between the developing roller and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor. In the state where the potential difference is generated, a charged toner is supplied to form a toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor. The toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member is transferred by the transfer roller 25 to the intermediate transfer belt 31 that is an intermediate transfer member. Such a process is called primary transfer.

  Further, the image forming unit 30 fixes a roller 35 that faces the roller 34 via a paper conveyance path, a fixing device 36 that fixes a toner image transferred to the paper, and a paper that has been subjected to fixing processing by the fixing device 36. A roller 37 for conveying to the paper discharge tray 38 and a sensor 39 for reading the toner adhesion amount from the test pattern transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 31 at the time of image stabilization control are included. The toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31 by the above-described primary transfer is transferred to the paper S in the conveyance process by pressing between the rollers 34 and 35. Such a process is called secondary transfer. The toner image secondarily transferred to the paper is fixed on the paper by the fixing device 36 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 38.

  The paper storage unit 40 includes a paper feed cassette 41 that stores the paper S that is a printing medium. The paper transport unit 20 includes a roller 42 for transporting the paper S from the paper feed cassette 41 and the paper S as an image forming unit. 30 and a roller 43 for transporting to 30.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration in MFP 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the functional configuration of MFP 1 includes a memory unit 101, a communication interface unit 103, a printer controller 105, and a printer engine 107. The communication interface unit 103 is typically a part for transmitting and receiving data to and from the personal computer PC (FIG. 1) via the network NW, and controls, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) card and the same. Including driver software. The printer engine 107 is a part for performing print processing using the hardware configuration described above, and includes a control device for controlling the operation of each unit in addition to the hardware configuration described above. The printer controller 105 executes predetermined image processing on a control code given via the communication interface unit 103 or the like, or image data read by the image reading unit 10, and is used for print processing by the printer engine 107. Generated image data. The memory unit 101 stores data and programs necessary for executing image processing in the printer controller 105.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the printer controller 105 and the memory unit 101 implement image processing according to the present invention.

(Configuration of personal computer)
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of personal computer PC according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 4, personal computer PC temporarily stores a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201 that executes various programs including an operating system (OS) and data necessary for the CPU 201 to execute the program. A memory unit 213 that stores data and a hard disk unit (HDD: Hard Disk Drive) 211 that stores programs executed by the CPU 201 in a nonvolatile manner are included. The programs stored in the HDD 211 are read from a flexible disk 217a or a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) 215a by the FDD drive 217 or the CD-ROM drive 215, respectively.

  The CPU 201 receives an instruction from the user via the input unit 209 including a keyboard and a mouse, and outputs a screen output generated by executing the program to the display unit 205. The CPU 201 transmits / receives data to / from each device connected to the network NW (FIG. 1) including the MFP 1 via the communication interface unit 207 including a LAN card. Further, the above-described units exchange data with each other via the internal bus 203.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration in personal computer PC according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 5, application 251 and printer driver 255 that causes MFP 1 to execute functions such as printing are installed in hard disk unit 211 (FIG. 4) of personal computer PC. There is a GDI (Graphic Device Interface) 253 as an interface for enabling drawing processing by the printer driver 255.

  The application 251 in the present embodiment is an application that can create or edit a document to be printed, and typically includes a document creation application and a spreadsheet application. In addition, the document in this Embodiment means the thing containing at least a character, and may contain the graphic and the image in addition to the character.

  The printer driver 255 is a program for creating a control code for causing the MFP 1 to print a document created or edited by the application 251 and for requesting the MFP 1 to perform print processing. When the application 251 receives a print instruction from the user by operating the input unit 209 (FIG. 4) of the personal computer PC, the application 251 sends a control command corresponding to the print instruction to the GDI 253 together with the created or edited document to be printed. Send.

  The GDI 253 interprets the control command transmitted from the application 251, and in accordance with the control command, sends data indicating a document to be printed together with a control command for causing the display unit 205 (FIG. 4) to perform predetermined drawing. Transmit to the printer driver 255.

  The printer driver 255 generates a control code describing the document to be printed so that the MFP 1 forms an image corresponding to the document transmitted from the application 251. The control code is a language that describes the layout of characters and graphics in the document, and is typically a page description language (PDL). Examples of such a page description language include PS (PostScript) and PCL (Printer Control Language). In the present invention, the method of creating the control code in the printer driver 255 is not limited to a specific method, and a general method performed by a normal printer driver can be adopted.

  The personal computer PC further includes a data communication application 257 that controls data communication via the network NW. The control code created by the printer driver 255 is transmitted to the MFP 1 by the data communication application 257.

  Also, in the hard disk unit 211 (FIG. 4) of the personal computer PC, as will be described later, a warning output application 259 that performs drawing to warn the user of the execution of font conversion before font conversion in image formation in the MFP 1 is performed. Is installed. When the data communication application 257 receives a warning output command from the MFP 1, the warning output data is transferred to the GDI 253, and the GDI 253 transmits a control command for rendering a warning output screen to the warning output application 259. Also, when an instruction from the user is given to the screen drawn by the warning output application 259, a control command corresponding to the instruction from the user is transmitted from the warning output application 259 to the GDI 253, and the data communication application 257 The user control command is transmitted to the MFP 1.

(Reduced print)
In personal computer PC according to the present embodiment, the user can set a reduced print (so-called Nin1 print) for collecting and outputting a plurality of document pages on a single sheet of paper. Specifically, on the setting screen of at least one of the printer driver 255 and the application 251, the reduced print can be selected according to the setting operation from the user by operating the input unit 209 (FIG. 4).

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating 2-in-1 printing, which is an example of reduced printing.
Referring to FIG. 6, on the application 251 of the personal computer PC, the user creates or edits a document in units of pages (P.1, P.2, P.3, etc.), while the MFP 1 displays two pages. Are output on the paper as the same image. Note that the number of page areas allocated in the same image can be arbitrarily set.

  Such reduced printing is realized by incorporating scaling factor specifying data indicating the correspondence between the size of the page area of the document and the size of the image to be formed in the MFP 1 into the control code. That is, the control code incorporates data for designating a page area corresponding to a document created or edited by the application 251 and the above-described scaling factor designation data. Then, the value for specifying the variable magnification is changed by the application 251 or the printer driver 255 according to the reduced print setting. By using such a control code, a request for drastically changing the layout such as reduced printing can be easily realized.

(Control code configuration)
FIG. 7 shows an example of the structure of the control code according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that a control code for describing a document is a kind of programming language, and its structure has a relatively high degree of freedom. For this reason, the control code to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. 7, and any other structure can be adopted.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the control code according to the present embodiment describes a control data portion 501 in which setting data such as a document layout is described, and the substance of each object laid out on an image such as a character or graphic. Object data portion 503.

  The control data part 501 includes, for example, a common setting data part 501a describing setting data common to one printing process (print job), and a page setting data part 501b for setting a layout on each page.

  The common setting data section 501a includes a “paper feed tray” for designating a paper feed cassette, a “print paper size” for designating a paper size for printing an image, and the number of pages to be collected on one sheet. Data such as “Nin1 designation” for designating the image, “resolution” for designating the resolution of the image to be printed on the paper, and “print direction” for designating the correspondence between the image direction and the paper direction. included.

  The page setting data portion 501b includes “page area designation” for designating the area of each page and “magnification / magnification designation” for designating the correspondence between the size of the page area and the size of the image to be formed. In addition, “coordinates” for designating the arrangement position of each object in the page area are designated in association with information for identifying each object. Further, when a plurality of pages are described in the document, “page break” is also designated.

  On the other hand, the object data unit 503 includes, for example, a text object unit 503a that defines characters in the document, a graphic object unit 503b that defines graphics in the document, and an image object unit 503c that defines images in the document. Including.

  The text object portion 503a includes a “font” that specifies the character type, a “character size” that specifies the character size, a “starting point coordinate” that specifies the character placement position, and a “character code” that indicates the output character itself. And the like. The graphics object portion 503b includes “start point coordinates” and “end point coordinates” for specifying lines constituting the graphics, “thickness” for specifying the thickness of the lines, and the like. Further, the graphics object portion 503b may include designation of a straight line or a curve, designation of color, filling, and the like. In the image object portion 503c, “bitmap data” indicating image data is incorporated.

  Here, “point (pt) number” is generally used to designate “character size” of the text object portion 503a. The number of points means a unit of the size of the point type. In the American style, one point corresponds to 0.351 millimeters, and in the Dido style, it corresponds to 0.376 millimeters. The number of points specified by the “character size” means the size in the page area defined by the control code, and the size of the corresponding character image in the formed image is “character size”. The number of points specified by does not necessarily match. This is because a document enlarged or reduced in accordance with the above-described “magnification designation” is formed as an image. Therefore, the size of the character image in the formed image is determined by the product of “character size” and “magnification / magnification designation” designated for the character.

  Note that the present invention performs processing on characters in a document, and can be applied to a document that does not include the graphics object unit 503b and the image object unit 503c.

(Font conversion processing)
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a size that characterizes a character image within a predetermined range before the image is formed in order to prevent the visibility and readability of the character image in the document from being impaired. Determine whether or not. When it is determined that the size characterizing the character image does not belong to the predetermined range, the image forming apparatus converts the font for the character corresponding to the character image into a different font.

  Here, the “predetermined range” for comparing the sizes characterizing the character image is determined based on the visual clarity of the character image in the formed image. In other words, the “predetermined range” is a sensory condition that is determined assuming a user who sees the character image, and is experimentally or empirically depending on the age and sex of the user. It is determined.

  In addition, “size characterizing a character image” means a feature amount that greatly affects the visibility and readability of the character image. In the first embodiment, as an example, the character image that appears in the formed image is displayed. Use text size. That is, in the first embodiment, whether or not the converted character size obtained by multiplying the “character size” designated for the character by “magnification / magnification designation” belongs to a predetermined range. Determine whether.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of the execution result of the font conversion process executed by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 8A shows an image formed from a document before font conversion, and FIG. 8B shows an image formed after font conversion is performed on the document shown in FIG. 8A. .

  Referring to FIG. 8A, document 500 before font conversion, that is, document 500 transmitted from personal computer PC to MFP 1 includes, for example, three types of characters 521, 523, and 525 having different fonts and character sizes. Yes. For example, the characters 521 and 523 are designated as “Mincho”, and the character 525 is designated as “Gothic”. The character sizes of the characters 521 and 525 are specified to be relatively small compared to the character size of the character 523.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the minimum readable character size of Japanese characters, the font, and the age. The characteristics shown in FIG. 9 are based on the data described in JIS S0032: 2003 “Design Guidelines for Considering the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities—Visual Display Objects—Method for Estimating Minimum Readable Character Size of Japanese Characters”. See that document.

  Referring to FIG. 9, it is shown that the minimum readable character size of Mincho type is larger than that of Gothic type for many adults (over 20 years old). For many adults, this means that the visibility and readability of the Gothic font are relatively higher than those of the Mincho font for the same character size. According to FIG. 9, if the character size of the character image designated as “Mincho” is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value, it is converted into “Gothic” and a character image (image) is formed. It can be said that it is desirable.

  Therefore, for example, among the characters included in the document 500 shown in FIG. 8A, the character 521 designated as “Mincho” and having a relatively small character size belongs to a predetermined range. If it is determined that the font does not exist, the font is converted from “Mincho” to “Gothic” to generate a document 500A, and an image as shown in FIG. 8B is formed from this document 500A. Comparing FIG. 8 (a) and FIG. 8 (b), it can be seen that the character 521 is “Mincho” while the converted character 531 is “Gothic”.

(Functional configuration related to font conversion processing)
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration for realizing font conversion processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. These functions are realized by the printer controller 105 and the memory unit 101 of the MFP 1.

  Referring to FIG. 10, the functions for realizing image processing are control code reception unit 301, separation unit 303, character size calculation unit 305, font conversion unit 307, character size determination unit 309, and determination criterion storage. A unit 311, a warning output unit 313, a raster data generation unit 315, a font storage unit 317, a transmission buffer unit 319, and a raster data transmission unit 321.

  The control code receiving unit 301 receives a document to be printed described by the control code from the personal computer PC connected to the network NW via the communication interface unit 103 (FIG. 3). Then, the control code received by the control code receiving unit 301 is given to the separation unit 303.

  The separation unit 303 analyzes the control code and separates the control data corresponding to the control data unit 501 (FIG. 7) and the object data corresponding to the object data unit 503 (FIG. 7). Then, the control data is given to the character size calculation unit 305, the raster data generation unit 315, and the raster data transmission unit 321, respectively. On the other hand, the object data is further analyzed by the separation unit 303 and separated into data corresponding to the text object unit 503a, the graphic object unit 503b, and the image object unit 503c, respectively. Of these separated data, the text object is given to the character size calculation unit 305 and the other data is given to the raster data generation unit 315.

  The character size calculation unit 305 analyzes the text object transmitted from the separation unit 303 and extracts a font and a character size for each character used in the document. Then, the character size calculation unit 305 multiplies each of the extracted character sizes by a scaling factor designation value included in the control data from the separation unit 303 to obtain a character size (hereinafter referred to as “conversion”) of each corresponding character image. (Also referred to as “character size”). Further, the character size calculation unit 305 adds the font information corresponding to the calculated converted character size and gives it to the character size determination unit 309, and transfers the text object given from the separation unit 303 to the font conversion unit 307 as it is. To do.

  The character size determination unit 309 compares each converted character size given from the character size calculation unit 305 with a threshold value corresponding to the corresponding font.

  The determination criterion storage unit 311 stores respective threshold values corresponding to fonts that can be used in the document, and corresponds to the reference request from the character size determination unit 309 specifying the font. Returns the threshold value. In addition, the criterion storage unit 311 also stores the correspondence of fonts related to font conversion. The font correspondence relationship defines at least one conversion candidate font in association with a conversion target font. Here, each threshold value and font correspondence stored in the criterion storage unit 311 can be arbitrarily set by the user via a selection operation unit of the MFP 1 and a setting screen on the personal computer PC (not shown). Also good. Note that the criterion storage unit 311 may be configured in association with a font storage unit 317 described later.

  If any converted character size is equal to or smaller than the corresponding threshold value, the character size determination unit 309 gives specific information for identifying a character image that is equal to or smaller than the threshold value to the font conversion unit 307. That is, the character size determination unit 309 identifies character data that may impair visibility and readability among the character images in the formed image, and notifies the font conversion unit 307 of the character data.

  If the specific information from the character size determination unit 309 is given, the font conversion unit 307 converts the font of the corresponding character data into a different font based on the specific information. Prior to this font conversion, the font conversion unit 307 notifies the warning output unit 313 of the execution of font conversion.

  The warning output unit 313 warns the user in advance that an image is formed based on the document after font conversion. This is because the user may need the same paper output as the document image displayed on the display of the personal computer PC. Specifically, the warning output unit 313 identifies the personal computer PC that has transmitted the control code to the MFP 1 based on a transmission source network address (typically, an IP (Internet Protocol) address) of the control code. A warning output command is transmitted to the personal computer PC. Then, the data communication application 257, the GDI 253, and the warning output application 259 shown in FIG. 5 work together to display a warning screen on the display of the personal computer PC.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen 401 displayed on the display of the personal computer PC.

  Referring to FIG. 11, when the user knows that font conversion is scheduled to be executed by displaying warning screen 401 and approves the font conversion, user selects “Yes” button 403 with a mouse or the like. If the font conversion is not accepted, the “No” button 405 is selected with a mouse or the like. By this user selection operation, a user instruction command is returned to the warning output unit 313 via the data communication application 257 (FIG. 5).

  Referring to FIG. 10 again, the warning output unit 313 notifies the font conversion unit 307 of the user instruction command given from the personal computer PC (data communication application 257). If this notification is a user's consent instruction, the font conversion unit 307 executes the font conversion process, and otherwise does not execute the font conversion process.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing contents of font conversion in the font conversion unit 307. 12A shows a part of the text object corresponding to the document 500 shown in FIG. 8A, and FIG. 12B shows the text object corresponding to the document 500A shown in FIG. 8B. A part of

  Referring to FIG. 12A, a text object corresponding to a document 500 includes a description 511 for specifying a font, a description 512 for specifying a character size, a description 513 for specifying a start point coordinate, and characters to be displayed. And a description 514 that designates. The description 514 may use a character code (for example, ASCII code) corresponding to the character.

  For such a text object, the font conversion unit 307 realizes font conversion by replacing the description content of the description 511 with the description content designating another font. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12 (b), the description content “/ Mincho-Medium” (meaning the Mincho of normal thickness) in the description 511 is changed to “/ Gothic-Medium” ( It is replaced with the normal Gothic meaning).

  Referring to FIG. 10 again, the text object subjected to the font conversion process by font conversion unit 307 and the image object and graphic object separated by separation unit 303 are transmitted to raster data generation unit 315. A raster data generation unit 315 generates raster data (typically, a bitmap image corresponding to a toner image of each color) indicating an image corresponding to a document in which each object is arranged according to control data given from the separation unit 303. To the transmission buffer unit 319. Here, the raster data generation unit 315 refers to the font storage unit 317 and generates raster data of a character image corresponding to the font specified by the description of the text object.

  The font storage unit 317 stores data that defines the outline of characters of each font, and responds with corresponding data in response to a request from the raster data generation unit 315.

  The raster data generated by the raster data generation unit 315 is temporarily stored (buffered) in the transmission buffer unit 319 and then transmitted from the raster data transmission unit 321 to the printer engine 107 (FIG. 2).

(Font conversion processing)
When the character size of the character image is reduced, the degree of reduction in visibility and readability varies depending on the type of font. That is, even if the converted character size is the same, the visibility and readability differ if the font type is different. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a threshold for determining whether or not font conversion is necessary is set in association with the font.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a font conversion process executed by the character size determination unit 309 and the font conversion unit 307.

  Referring to FIG. 13, as an example, assuming that font storage unit 317 stores three types of fonts F1, F2, and F3, threshold values TH1, TH2, and TH3 are associated with each font. It is stored in the criterion storage unit 311 (FIG. 10).

  Then, the character size determining unit 309 compares the threshold value corresponding to the designated font with the converted character size for each character data. For example, when the font F2 is designated for the character A and the converted character size for the character A is equal to or less than the corresponding threshold value TH2 (reference numeral 601), the font designated by the font conversion unit 307 is designated as the character A. F2 is converted to font F1 (reference numeral 603).

  In contrast, the font B3 is designated for the character B, the converted character size for the character B is equal to or less than the corresponding threshold value TH3 (reference numeral 605), and corresponds to the fonts F1 and F2, respectively. If it is larger than the threshold values TH1 and TH2, the font F3 can be converted into either of the fonts F1 and F2. Therefore, when there are a plurality of conversion candidate fonts, it is preferable to determine the conversion priority in advance.

  Therefore, data indicating the correspondence relationship between the font to be converted and the font to be converted is stored in the determination criterion storage unit 311 in advance. Then, the font conversion unit 307 determines a conversion destination font in accordance with the correspondence stored in the determination criterion storage unit 311. This correspondence can be determined based on various evaluation criteria. As an example, the margin of the converted character size is maximized with respect to the threshold value corresponding to the conversion destination font. Correspondence can be determined. When such a correspondence relationship is defined, the deviation of the converted character size with respect to the threshold value TH1 is larger for the character B shown in FIG. 13 than the deviation of the converted character size with respect to the threshold value TH2. The font F3 of the character B is preferentially converted to the font F1.

  Further, the correspondence may be determined by paying attention to the difference in line width in each font. Here, the line width of a font means the representative thickness of the constituent parts (straight line part, curved part, etc.) of each character contained in the font, and the character image that affects the visibility and readability of the character It is also an example of the size characterizing. When the converted character size of the character image is relatively small, in a font with a relatively thin line width, the density of a part of the character may be reduced and character blurring may occur. In a thick font, adjacent constituent parts of characters may be integrated to cause collapse of characters. Therefore, the correspondence relationship may be defined so that the font is converted into a font having a narrower line width than the font or a font having a larger line width in accordance with the line width of the font to be converted.

  As shown in FIG. 13, if the font F1 is designated for the character C and the converted character size for the character C is equal to or less than the corresponding threshold value TH1 (reference numeral 611), the font is converted to any font. However, the corresponding threshold value cannot be satisfied. In such a case, font conversion may not be executed.

(flowchart)
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a specific example of processing executed in printer controller 105 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14 is realized by the printer controller 105 reading and executing a program stored in the memory unit 101 and controlling each function shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 10 and 14, when control code receiving section 301 receives a document to be printed described by the control code from personal computer PC (FIG. 1) (step S101), separating section 303 performs control. The code is analyzed, and the control code is separated into control data, a text object, a graphic object, and an image object (step S103).

  Subsequently, the character size calculation unit 305 analyzes the text object separated by the separation unit 303, and for each character Wi (0 ≦ i ≦ n) used in the document, the font Fi (0 ≦ i ≦ n). n) and the character size Pi (0 ≦ i ≦ n) are extracted (step S105). Here, n is the number of groups obtained by grouping the characters used in the document according to the designated character size and font. Then, the character size calculation unit 305 multiplies each extracted character size Pi by the value of the scaling factor designation M included in the control data separated by the separation unit 303, and the character Wi used in the document. The converted character size CPi (0 ≦ i ≦ n) is calculated for each of the above (step S107). That is, converted character size CPi = character size Pi × variable magnification designation M.

  The character size determining unit 309 determines whether or not the converted character size CPi is equal to or less than the corresponding threshold value TH (Fi) (step S109). If the converted character size CPi is equal to or smaller than the corresponding threshold value TH (Fi) (YES in step S109), the font conversion unit 307 converts the font # to be converted based on a predetermined correspondence relationship. Fi is determined (step S111), and it is determined whether or not the converted character size CPi is larger than the threshold value TH (#Fi) of the conversion destination font #Fi (step S113). When converted character size CPi is larger than threshold value TH (#Fi) (YES in step S113), font conversion unit 307 determines conversion from font Fi to font #Fi for character Wi ( Step S115). The processes in steps S109 to S115 described above are repeatedly executed for all characters Wi (step S117).

  After the processing for all the characters Wi is executed (YES in step S117), if font conversion for any character Wi is determined in step S115 (YES in step S119), the font The conversion unit 307 outputs a warning about font conversion to the personal computer PC (step S121). In response to this warning, when an approval instruction is given from the personal computer PC (ie, the user) (YES in step S123), the font conversion unit 307 executes the font conversion determined in step S115 (step S125). ).

  On the other hand, if font conversion for any character Wi has not been determined in step S115 (NO in step S119), or if an approval instruction has not been given from the personal computer PC (in step S123). In the case of NO), the font conversion unit 307 does not execute the font conversion and maintains the text object included in the received control code.

  Further, the raster data generation unit 315 generates raster data based on the text object output from the font conversion unit 307 and the image object and graphic object separated by the separation unit 303 (step S127). The raster data transmission unit 321 transmits the raster data generated by the raster data generation unit 315 to the printer engine 107 (step S129), and the printer engine 107 executes print processing (step S131).

An output image as shown in FIG. 8 is obtained by the series of processes described above.
According to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, when a document created using an application that runs on a personal computer is to be output as an image, the character image corresponding to the character in the document belongs to a predetermined range. Whether it is present or not is determined in advance. If it is determined that the image does not belong to the predetermined range, an image is formed after being converted into a font with higher visibility and readability. Therefore, even when reduced printing such as Nin1 is performed, it is possible to suppress the loss of character visibility and readability.

(First modification)
As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, in the above-described first embodiment, each character is grouped according to character size and font, and the configuration for determining whether font conversion is performed for each group is exemplified. You may make it divide into a group based only on either one. For example, if the converted character size is less than the corresponding threshold value for any one of the characters specified for a certain font, the font specified for that character Conversion may be performed.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an example of the execution result of the font conversion process executed by the image forming apparatus according to the first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15A shows an image formed from a document before font conversion as in FIG. 8A, and FIG. 15B shows font conversion for the document shown in FIG. The image formed after execution is shown.

  Of the characters included in the document 500 shown in FIG. 15A, if the converted character size of the character 521 designated as “Mincho” is less than or equal to the corresponding threshold, “Mincho” May be configured to convert the fonts of all the characters designated as “”. According to such a configuration, font conversion is executed for the character 523 in addition to the character 521. As a result, in the document 500B shown in FIG. 15B, the characters 521 and 523 are converted into “Gothic” characters 531 and 533, respectively. Further, similarly to the above-described example, grouping may be performed according to character size.

  As described above, the font conversion process can be further speeded up by further simplifying the grouping.

(Second modification)
The visibility and readability of characters depend on the user's sensuality, and as shown in FIG. 9 described above, the minimum readable character size of Japanese characters increases with age. Therefore, it is desirable to change the conditions for determining whether or not to execute font conversion according to the user's ability to visually recognize and read the characters.

  Therefore, in the second modification of the first embodiment, a configuration will be described in which a user who has requested image formation is specified, and conditions relating to font conversion are changed according to the specified user. As an example, the configuration for changing the determination condition based on the age of the user is illustrated.

  As an example, the function of specifying the user who requested the image formation is incorporated in the determination criterion storage unit 311A shown in FIG. More specifically, information for specifying the age of each user is stored in advance in association with the network address (typically, the IP address) of the personal computer PC that the user mainly uses. Based on the network address of the transmission source of the code, the user who transmitted the control code is specified.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic functional configuration for specifying a user who has requested image formation.

  Referring to FIG. 16, determination criterion storage unit 311A includes a user definition table 701, threshold storage units 721A and 721B, and a calendar process 723. The user definition table 701 stores the user's birth year in advance in association with the IP address of the personal computer PC.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure in the user definition table 701.
Referring to FIG. 17, user definition table 701 includes a field 703 for storing identification information of personal computer PC connected to MFP 1, and a field 705 for storing the IP address of personal computer PC in association with each identification information. A field 707 for storing the birth year of the user who uses the personal computer PC, and a field 709 for dynamically generating the current age of the user.

  With reference to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the criterion storage unit 311A acquires the IP address of the personal computer PC that is the transmission source based on the control code received by the control code receiving unit 301 (FIG. 10). The user corresponding to the IP address is identified as the user who requested image formation. Here, in order to obtain the current year (for example, the year), the calendar process 723 is called, and the data in the field 709 in the user definition table 701 is dynamically updated or generated. That is, the age of each user is calculated based on the difference between the current year and the user's birth year. Then, the determination criterion storage unit 311A selects one of the threshold storage units 721A and 721B according to the calculated age of each user, and sets the threshold stored in the character size determination unit. Reply to 309 (FIG. 10).

  In addition, according to the relationship between the minimum readable character size of Japanese characters, font, and age shown in FIG. 9, a threshold value for users under 39 years old and a threshold value for users over 40 years old are set. Is considered practical. In addition, by setting “zero” as the threshold value for the user under 39 years old, the above font conversion process can be invalidated for the user under 39 years old. Thereby, it can also comprise so that only the user 40 years or older may perform the above-mentioned font conversion process. In addition, you may comprise so that a threshold value may change continuously according to more threshold values or a user's age.

  As described above, according to the second modification of the first embodiment, conditions such as visibility and readability that vary greatly depending on the user's sensation can be set relatively flexibly.

[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the configuration using the character size (converted character size) of the character image appearing in the formed image is exemplified as an example of “size characterizing the character image”. In contrast, Embodiment 2 of the present invention exemplifies a configuration that uses the line width of a character image that appears in a formed image. Since the hardware configuration of MFP 1 and personal computer PC is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  As described above, the line width can be defined as a representative thickness of each character component included in each font, which is one of the sizes characterizing character images that affect the visibility and readability of characters. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the converted character size obtained by multiplying the “character size” designated for the character by “magnification / magnification designation” and the “per unit character size” of the corresponding font. By multiplying by “line width”, “line width of character image” is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the calculated “line width of character image” belongs to a predetermined range.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram for describing a determination process related to the execution of the font conversion process according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 shows a graph showing the correspondence between the converted character size and the line width.

  Referring to FIG. 18, MFP 2 stores in advance the line width per unit character size in association with each of fonts F1, F2, and F3. The line width per unit character size corresponds to the slopes a (F1), a (F2), and a (F3) of the characteristic lines corresponding to the fonts shown in FIG. That is, the line width of a character image having a certain converted character size is a value on the vertical axis corresponding to the converted character size on the characteristic line of the corresponding font.

  If the line width of the character image calculated according to the characteristic line is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value TH, it is determined that the character image does not belong to a predetermined range, and the font of the character corresponding to the character image is Converted to a different font. In the second embodiment, the line width (absolute value) of the character image is calculated based on the characteristic line determined for each font, and then the necessity of font conversion is determined. There is no necessity to set the value for each font. For this reason, in the second embodiment, regardless of the font type, a common threshold value TH is used to determine whether or not it belongs to a predetermined range.

  As an example, if the line width of the character image corresponding to the character D specified in the font F2 is equal to or less than the threshold value TH (reference numeral 631), the font of the character D is from the specified font F2 to the font F1 or Converted to F3. Here, the font of the character D is converted into any of the fonts F1 and F3 according to a preset correspondence relationship. As in the first embodiment, this correspondence relationship is defined so as to be converted into a font with a thinner line width or a thicker line width according to the line width of the font to be converted. The

  On the other hand, if the line width of the character image corresponding to the character E designated as the font F2 is larger than the threshold value TH (reference numeral 633), the font of the character E is maintained as the designated font F2. Is done.

(Functional configuration related to font conversion processing)
FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration for realizing font conversion processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 19, the function for realizing the image processing according to the present embodiment is the same as the function configuration for realizing the font conversion processing according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. Instead, a line width calculation unit 331, a line width characteristic storage unit 333, a line width determination unit 335, and a threshold value storage unit 337 are provided. Since other parts are the same as the corresponding parts in FIG. 10, detailed description will not be repeated.

  The line width calculation unit 331 multiplies each converted character size given from the character size calculation unit 305 by the “line width per unit character size” of the corresponding font to correspond to each character used in the document. The line width of the character image to be calculated is calculated. The line width characteristic storage unit 333 stores the line width per unit character size in association with each font, and the line width calculation unit 331 refers to the line width characteristic storage unit 333, Get the line width per unit character size of each font. Here, the line width per unit character size stored in the line width characteristic storage unit 333 can be arbitrarily set by the user via a selection operation unit of the MFP 1 (not shown) or a setting screen on the personal computer PC. Alternatively, it may be configured in association with the font storage unit 317.

  The line width determination unit 335 compares the line width of the character image corresponding to each character calculated by the line width calculation unit 331 with the threshold value stored in advance in the threshold value storage unit 337. If the line width of any character image is equal to or smaller than the threshold value, the line width determining unit 335 gives specific information for identifying the character image that is equal to or smaller than the threshold value to the font converting unit 307. . That is, the line width determination unit 335 identifies character data that may impair visibility and readability from the character images in the formed image, and notifies the font conversion unit 307 of the character data. Here, the threshold value stored in the threshold value storage unit 337 is the same as the above-described line width characteristic storage unit 333 via the selection operation unit of the MFP 1 or a setting screen on the personal computer PC (not shown). May be set arbitrarily.

  If the specific information from the line width determination unit 335 is given, the font conversion unit 307 converts the font of the corresponding character data into a different font based on the specific information. Since other processes of font conversion unit 307 are the same as those described above, detailed description will not be repeated.

(flowchart)
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a specific example of processing executed in the printer controller according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 20 is realized by the printer controller reading and executing a program stored in the memory unit or the like, and controlling each function shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, when control code receiving section 301 receives a document to be printed described by the control code from personal computer PC (FIG. 1) (step S201), separating section 303 performs control. The code is analyzed, and the control code is separated into control data, a text object, a graphic object, and an image object (step S203).

  Subsequently, the character size calculation unit 305 analyzes the text object separated by the separation unit 303, and for each character Wi (0 ≦ i ≦ n) used in the document, the font Fi (0 ≦ i ≦ n). n) and character size Pi (0 ≦ i ≦ n) are extracted (step S205). Here, n is the number of groups obtained by grouping the characters used in the document according to the designated character size and font. Then, the character size calculation unit 305 multiplies each extracted character size by the value of the scaling factor designation M included in the control data separated by the separation unit 303 to obtain the character Wi used in the document. The converted character size CPi (0 ≦ i ≦ n) for each is calculated (step S207). That is, converted character size CPi = character size Pi × variable magnification designation M.

  Further, the line width calculation unit 331 multiplies each of the converted character sizes CPi (0 ≦ i ≦ n) by the line width a (Fi) per unit character size of the corresponding font Fi to obtain a character image corresponding to each character. Each line width CLWi (0 ≦ i ≦ n) is calculated (step S209). That is, line width CLWi = converted character size CPi × line width a (Fi) per unit character size.

  The line width determining unit 335 determines whether or not the line width CLWi of the character image is equal to or less than the threshold value TH (step S211). If the line width CLWi is equal to or smaller than the threshold value TH (YES in step S221), the font conversion unit 307 determines the conversion destination font #Fi based on a predetermined correspondence (step S21). S213). Further, the line width CLWi (#Fi) of the character image after font conversion for the character Wi is calculated based on the line width a (#Fi) per unit character size of the conversion destination font #Fi, and the font conversion unit A step S307 determines whether or not the calculated line width CLWi (#Fi) of the character image after font conversion is larger than the threshold value TH (step S215).

  If the line width CLWi (#Fi) of the character image after font conversion is larger than the threshold value TH (YES in step S215), the font conversion unit 307 changes the font Wi from the font Fi to the font #Fi. Is determined (step S217). The processes in steps S211 to S217 described above are repeatedly executed for all characters Wi (step S219).

  After the processing for all the characters Wi has been executed (YES in step S219), if font conversion for any character Wi has been determined in step S217 (YES in step S221), the font The conversion unit 307 outputs a warning about font conversion to the personal computer PC (step S223). In response to this warning, when an approval instruction is given from the personal computer PC (that is, the user) (YES in step S225), the font conversion unit 307 executes the font conversion determined in step S217 (step S217). S227).

  On the other hand, in step S217, if font conversion for any character Wi has not been determined (NO in step S221), or if an approval instruction is not given from the personal computer PC (in step S225). In the case of NO), the font conversion unit 307 does not execute the font conversion and maintains the text object included in the received control code.

  Further, the raster data generation unit 315 generates raster data based on the text object output from the font conversion unit 307 and the image object and graphic object separated by the separation unit 303 (step S229). Then, the raster data transmission unit 321 transmits the raster data generated by the raster data generation unit 315 to the printer engine 107 (step S231), and print processing is executed by the printer engine 107 (step S233).

  The configuration shown in the first and second modifications of the first embodiment of the present invention described above can also be applied to the second embodiment of the present invention. Details of applying these configurations are the same as those described above, and thus detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention, when a document created using an application that runs on a personal computer is to be output as an image, the character image corresponding to the character in the document belongs to a predetermined range. Whether it is present or not is determined in advance. If it is determined that the image does not belong to the predetermined range, an image is formed after being converted into a font with higher visibility and readability. Therefore, even when reduced printing such as Nin1 is performed, it is possible to suppress the loss of character visibility and readability.

[Other embodiments]
In the first and second embodiments described above, the case where the processing according to the present invention is executed by the printer controller 105 of the MFP 1 has been described, but the printer driver 255 executed by the personal computer PC is shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. The above processing may be executed by the printer driver 255. In that case, the created raster data is transmitted from the personal computer PC to the MFP 1, and the MFP 1 executes print processing based on the raster data.

  Alternatively, the printer driver 255 of the personal computer PC is provided with at least a part of the functions shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 14, and at least a part of the processes (corresponding to the functions) is performed. It may be executed by the printer driver 255 of the personal computer PC. In that case, the printer controller 105 of the MFP 1 has at least the remaining functions. Then, the intermediate data created by the processing by the printer driver 255 of the personal computer PC is transmitted from the personal computer PC to the MFP 1, and the remaining processing of the above processing is executed by the printer controller 105 of the MFP 1 to obtain raster data. Created. By adopting such a configuration, the same effect can be obtained even when the MFP 1 is a printer having a simple configuration that does not include an interpreter for creating bitmap information.

  In addition, the MFP 1 or the personal computer PC is connected to another device such as a server, and among the configurations shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 19, a criterion storage unit 311, a line width characteristic storage unit 333, and a threshold storage unit 337 are included. The MFP 1 or the personal computer PC may be configured to acquire or store necessary data from the other device as necessary.

  Furthermore, it is possible to provide a program for causing a computer to function as an image forming apparatus and executing the processing shown in FIG. Such a program is stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a flexible disk attached to the computer, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a memory card. And stored as a program product. Alternatively, the program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk built in the computer. A program can also be provided by downloading via a network.

  The program according to the present invention is a program module that is provided as a part of a computer operating system (OS) and calls necessary modules in a predetermined arrangement at a predetermined timing to execute processing. Also good. In that case, the program itself does not include the module, and the process is executed in cooperation with the OS. A program that does not include such a module can also be included in the program according to the present invention.

  The program according to the present invention may be provided by being incorporated in a part of another program. Even in this case, the program itself does not include the module included in the other program, and the process is executed in cooperation with the other program. Such a program incorporated in another program can also be included in the program according to the present invention.

  The provided program product is installed in a program storage unit such as a hard disk and executed. Note that the program product includes the program itself and a storage medium in which the program is stored.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a system including an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view showing an outline of a hardware configuration of an MFP according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration in the MFP according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic hardware constitutions of the personal computer according to Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the general | schematic functional structure in the personal computer according to Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows 2 in 1 printing which is an example of reduction printing. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the control code according to Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the execution result of the font conversion process performed by the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the minimum readable character size of a Japanese character, a font, and age. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure which implement | achieves the font conversion process according to Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the warning screen displayed on the display of a personal computer. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing content of the font conversion in a font conversion part. It is a figure for demonstrating the font conversion process performed by the character size determination part and a font conversion part. It is a flowchart which shows the specific example of the process performed in the printer controller according to Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the execution result of the font conversion process performed by the image forming apparatus according to the 1st modification of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the general function structure for specifying the user who requested | required formation of an image. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure in a user definition table. It is a figure for demonstrating the judgment process which concerns on execution of the font conversion process according to Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure which implement | achieves the font conversion process according to Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the specific example of the process performed in the printer controller according to Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 MFP, 2 conveyance part, 3 loading stand, 4 discharge stand, 10 image reading part, 11 manuscript table glass, 20 paper conveyance part, 21, 21Y, 21M, 21C, 21K image forming unit, 25, 25Y, 25M, 25C , 25K transfer roller, 30 image forming unit, 31 intermediate transfer belt, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 42, 43 roller, 36 fixing device, 38 paper discharge tray, 39 sensor, 40 paper storage unit, 41 paper feed Cassette, 101 memory unit, 103 communication interface unit, 105 printer controller, 107 printer engine, 201 CPU, 203 internal bus, 205 display unit, 207 communication interface unit, 209 input unit, 211 hard disk unit (HDD), 213 memory unit, 215 CD-ROM drive, 215a D-ROM, 217 FDD drive, 217a flexible disk, 251 application, 255 printer driver, 257 data communication application, 259 warning output application, 301 control code reception unit, 303 separation unit, 305 character size calculation unit, 307 font conversion unit, 309 Character size determination unit, 311, 311A determination criterion storage unit, 313 warning output unit, 315 raster data generation unit, 317 font storage unit, 319 transmission buffer unit, 321 raster data transmission unit, 331 line width calculation unit, 333 line width Characteristic storage unit, 335 line width determination unit, 337 value storage unit, 401 warning screen, 403, 405 button, 500, 500A, 500B document, 501 control data unit, 501a common setting data unit, 501b Page setting data part, 503 object data part, 503a text object part, 503b graphics object part, 503c image object part, 511, 512, 513, 514 description, 521, 523, 525, 531 characters, 701 user definition table, 703 , 705, 707, 709 Field, 721A, 721B Threshold storage, 723 Calendar process, NW network, PC, PC1, PC2, PC3 Personal computer, S paper.

Claims (13)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image from a document described by a control code,
The control code is
Data specifying the page area of the document;
At least character data designating the arrangement position, font, and character size in the page area;
Scaling ratio designating data indicating the correspondence between the size of the page area and the size of the image to be formed,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Determining means for determining whether or not a size characterizing a character image formed based on the character data belongs to a predetermined range;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a conversion unit configured to convert a font of the designated character data into a different font when it is determined that a size characterizing the character image does not belong to the predetermined range.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined range is determined based on visual clarity of the character image in the image. The size characterizing the character image is calculated based on the character size of the character data and the scaling factor designation data,
3. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein if the size characterizing the character image is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold corresponding to the font of the character data, the determination unit determines that the character image does not belong to the predetermined range. The image forming apparatus described. The size characterizing the character image is calculated based on the line width per unit character size of the font of the character data, the character size of the character data, and the scaling factor designation data,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the character image is not belonging to the predetermined range if a size characterizing the character image is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit converts the font of the character data into a font having a narrower line width in accordance with the font before conversion.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit converts the font of the character data into a font having a thicker line width in accordance with a font before conversion. A warning output means for outputting a warning about font conversion when it is determined that the size characterizing the character image does not belong to the predetermined range;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit performs font conversion when an approval instruction for the warning is given. Further comprising identifying means for identifying a user who has requested the formation of the image from the document;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit changes the predetermined range according to a user specified by the specifying unit. Receiving means for receiving the control code transmitted from outside the apparatus;
A raster data generation unit that generates raster data based on the control code after font conversion by the conversion unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit that outputs an image based on the raster data.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control code includes data for associating a plurality of the page areas of the document with the same image. An image processing method for forming an image from a document described by a control code,
The control code is
Data specifying the page area of the document;
At least character data designating the arrangement position, font, and character size in the page area;
Scaling ratio designating data indicating the correspondence between the size of the page area and the size of the image to be formed,
The image processing method includes:
A determination step of determining whether or not a size characterizing a character image formed based on the character data belongs to a predetermined range;
A conversion step of converting a font of the designated character data into a different font when it is determined that a size characterizing the character image does not belong to the predetermined range. An image processing program for forming an image from a document described by a control code,
The control code is
Data specifying the page area of the document;
At least character data designating the arrangement position, font, and character size in the page area;
Scaling ratio designating data indicating the correspondence between the size of the page area and the size of the image to be formed,
The image forming program includes:
A determination step of determining whether or not a size characterizing a character image formed based on the character data belongs to a predetermined range;
Image processing that causes a computer to execute a conversion step of converting a font of the designated character data into a different font when it is determined that a size characterizing the character image does not belong to the predetermined range program.   A computer-readable storage medium that stores the image processing program according to claim 12.

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