JP2009037398A - Control program for controlling image forming apparatus, image forming apparatus, image forming method, and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control program for controlling an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming system that enables a user to easily obtain print outputs with desired density. <P>SOLUTION: A setting screen 100, including a tone curve setting part 110 for setting a tone curve used for the tone correction of image data and indicating an output density with respect to an input density and a print density setting part 120 for setting the print density used to print images based on the image data, is provided to the user. Tone curve setting and print density setting designated by the user via the setting screen 100 are accepted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control program for controlling an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming system.

  In order to obtain a print output desired by the user, a tone curve indicating the output density with respect to the input density is set based on the user's designation in a host device such as a PC (personal computer), and the set tone curve is used. There is a technique for performing gradation correction (γ correction) on image data (see Patent Document 1).

  By the way, in the adjustment by the tone curve, each pixel of the image data is binarized by a predetermined threshold value and converted into a 1-bit pixel. For this reason, there is a problem that one pixel of low density is skipped and is not printed, or a phenomenon that white portion is blackened (fogging) when printing a high density gradation image, and the image is crushed. was there.

  On the other hand, in an image forming apparatus such as a printer, there is a method of adjusting the print density used for printing by changing image forming conditions such as laser irradiation intensity. However, such print density adjustment affects the entire image printed on the paper. For this reason, there is a problem that if the density is increased in order to eliminate insufficient density, the entire image becomes darker. Conversely, if the density is decreased in order to eliminate excessive density, the entire image becomes thinner.

Therefore, in order to obtain a printed output having a desired density, the user must perform trial and error such as performing confirmation printing many times while setting the tone curve and printing density separately. Was difficult and cumbersome.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-69945

  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 control an image forming apparatus that enables a user to easily obtain a printed output having a desired density. A control program, an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming system are provided.

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

  (1) A control program for controlling an image forming apparatus, a tone curve setting unit for setting a tone curve indicating an output density with respect to an input density used for tone correction of image data, and an image based on the image data Procedure 1) for providing a user with a setting screen including a print density setting unit for setting a print density used for printing, and the tone curve setting and the printing designated by the user via the setting screen A control program for causing a computer to execute a process having a procedure 2) for receiving a density setting.

  (2) The process further includes a step 3) of displaying an image based on the image data before the tone curve setting and the print density setting are reflected in the setting screen, and the tone curve setting and the print density. And (4) displaying an image based on the image data after the setting is reflected in the setting screen.

  (3) The process further provides the user with a second setting screen including an additional density setting unit for setting a print density to be added at the time of printing with respect to the print density set in the print density setting unit. The control program according to (1) or (2) above, characterized by comprising a procedure 5).

  (4) A computer-readable recording medium on which the image processing program according to any one of (1) to (3) is recorded.

  (5) An image having a print setting device for making settings related to image printing based on image data, and an image forming device for printing an image based on the image data in accordance with information set by the print setting device The image forming apparatus in the forming system is used for tone curve setting information relating to setting of a tone curve indicating an output density with respect to an input density used for tone correction of image data, and for printing an image based on the image data. Receiving means for receiving print density setting information relating to print density setting from the print setting apparatus, storage means for storing the tone curve setting information and the print density setting information received by the receiving means, and the storage means The image based on the tone curve setting information and the print density setting information stored in An image forming apparatus comprising: the printing means for printing an image based on the over data, the.

  (6) An image having a print setting device for making settings related to image printing based on image data, and an image forming device for printing an image based on the image data in accordance with information set by the print setting device An image forming method executed by the image forming apparatus in a forming system, which is based on tone curve setting information relating to setting of a tone curve indicating an output density with respect to an input density used for tone correction of image data, and the image data Step 1) of receiving, from the print setting device, print density setting information relating to setting of print density used for image printing, and the tone curve setting information and the print density setting information received in step 1). Step 2) for storing in the storage means, and the tone curve setting stored in the storage means Image forming method characterized by having a step 3) for printing an image based on the image data based on broadcast and the print density setting information.

  (7) An image having a print setting device for making settings related to image printing based on image data, and an image forming device for printing an image based on the image data in accordance with information set by the print setting device In the forming system, the print setting device is used for tone correction of image data, and a tone curve setting unit for setting a tone curve indicating an output density with respect to an input density, and for printing an image based on the image data. A user interface for providing a user with a setting screen including a print density setting unit for setting a print density to be used; tone curve setting information relating to the tone curve setting and the print density received via the user interface; Transmitting means for transmitting print density setting information relating to settings to the image forming apparatus; The image forming apparatus receives the tone curve setting information and the print density setting information from the print setting apparatus, and receives the tone curve setting information and the print density setting information received by the receiving means. An image forming comprising: a storing unit that stores data; and a printing unit that prints an image based on the image data based on the tone curve setting information and the print density setting information stored in the storing unit. system.

  According to the present invention, the user can simultaneously set a tone curve and a print density as a pair, and the tone curve and the print density can be held in association with each other. As a result, low density pixels that cannot be output only by γ correction using the tone curve can be output by simultaneously adjusting the print density. In addition, high density pixels that are crushed only by γ correction using the tone curve can be output by simultaneously performing adjustment to lower the print density. In this way, the user can easily and quickly obtain a printed output having a desired density.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming system according to the present embodiment includes a PC 1 as a print setting device for performing settings relating to printing of image data, and an image forming device 4 that prints image data in accordance with information set by the PC 1. These are connected via a network 5 so that they can communicate with each other. Note that the PC 1 and the image forming apparatus 4 may be directly connected (locally connected) between devices without going through the network 5.

  The image forming apparatus 4 includes a printer controller 2 locally connected to each other and a printer 3 as a printing apparatus. 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 (registered trademark), IEEE802.11, HomeRF, and IrDA are used for this local connection. However, the printer controller 2 and the printer 3 may be connected via the network 5.

  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.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the hard disk 14 includes a document creation application for creating a document file, and PDL data described in a page description language (PDL) that allows the printer controller 2 to interpret the document file. A print job generation unit (printer driver) 141 for generating a print job by converting to a tone curve, and a tone curve / print density setting application for performing settings relating to a tone curve / print density application process (to be described later) performed by the printer controller 2 142 is installed. The tone curve / print density setting application 142 is used for tone correction of image data, and provides a tone curve generation unit 143 that provides a function of generating a tone curve indicating an output density with respect to an input density, and when the printer 3 prints image data. And a print density generation unit 144 for generating a specified print density. The functions of the print job generation unit 141 and the tone curve / print density setting application 142 are exhibited when the CPU 11 executes a corresponding program on the RAM 13.

  In the present invention, the term density is used as including the concept of brightness.

  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 network 5, and standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI are used.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer controller 2 of the image forming apparatus 4 shown in FIG.

  The printer controller 2 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a hard disk 24, a printer interface 25, and a network interface 26, which are connected to each other via a bus 27 for exchanging signals. Note that, among the above-described units of the printer controller 2, descriptions of portions having the same functions as those of the above-described units of the PC 1 are omitted to avoid duplication of description.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the ROM 22 stores a program of an image data generation unit 221 for translating a print job (PDL data) received from the PC 1 and generating image data in a bitmap format, and image data. A program of a tone curve application unit 222 that generates a binary image data by applying a tone curve, and a program of a print density application unit 223 that generates a print density to be applied to image data during printing by the printer 3; Is stored. The functions of the image data generation unit 221, the tone curve application unit 222, and the print density application unit 223 are exhibited when the CPU 21 executes corresponding programs on the RAM 23.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the RAM 23 has an area for the image data storage unit 231. The image data storage unit 231 temporarily stores the image data generated by the image data generation unit 221.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the hard disk 24 has respective areas for a tone curve storage unit 241 and a print density storage unit 242. The tone curve storage unit 241 stores tone curve setting information in the data received from the PC 1. The print density storage unit 242 stores print density setting information among the data received from the PC 1.

  The printer interface 25 is an interface for communicating with the locally connected printer 3.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the printer 3 of the image forming apparatus 4 shown in FIG. The printer 3 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an operation panel unit 34, a printing unit 35, and a controller interface 36, which are connected to each other via a bus 37 for exchanging signals. Of the parts of the printer 3, those parts having the same functions as those of the parts of the PC 1 are not described in order to avoid duplication.

  The ROM 32 stores a program for printing processing performed based on the image data received from the printer controller 2. More specifically, the printer 3 prints the image data to which the tone curve has been applied at the print density determined by the print density application unit 223. The printer 3 has a table that associates the print density setting information designated by the printer controller 2 with the actual print density at the time of printing.

  The operation panel unit 34 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 35 prints an image indicated by the image data received from the printer controller 2 on a recording medium such as paper using a known image forming process such as an electrophotographic process.

  The controller interface 36 is an interface for communicating with the locally connected printer controller 2.

  Note that the PC 1, the printer controller 2, and the printer 3 may include components other than the above-described components, or some of the above-described components may not be included.

  Next, the operation of the image forming system in this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the PC 1. The algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is stored as a program in a storage unit such as the hard disk 14 of the PC 1, and is executed on the RAM 13 by the CPU 11 (the same applies to FIGS. 11, 12, 14, and 17).

  When setting the tone curve / print density, the tone curve / print density setting application 142 is started based on the user's operation (S101), and a setting screen for setting the tone curve / print density is displayed on the display 15. It is displayed (S102).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for performing settings relating to the tone curve / print density.

  A setting screen 100 shown in FIG. 10 includes a tone curve setting unit 110, a print density setting unit 120, an image display area before adjustment 130, an image display area after adjustment 140, an end button 150, a save button 160, a confirmation print button 170, and a selection. A button 180 is provided.

  The selection button 180 is a button for selecting image data to be adjusted. The image data selected using the selection button 180 may be predetermined data created in advance or may be arbitrarily created by the user.

  The tone curve setting unit 110 displays the tone curve 111, corrects the tone curve 111 based on the user's operation, and sets the corrected tone curve. The tone curve 111 displayed on the tone curve setting unit 110 can be corrected, for example, by the user dragging a point on the tone curve 111. In the tone curve 111 of FIG. 10, the horizontal axis indicates the input density, and the vertical axis indicates the output density.

  The print density setting unit 120 sets a print density used when printing an image based on the image data with the printer 3 based on a user operation. The print density setting unit 120 has a plurality of radio buttons that allow the user to select one of a plurality of levels of print density.

  The pre-adjustment image display area 130 is an area for displaying an image based on the image data before the tone curve setting and the print density setting are reflected. The post-adjustment image display area 140 is an area for simulating and displaying an image based on the image data after the tone curve setting and the print density setting are reflected.

  The end button 150 is a button for ending the tone curve / print density setting process. The save button 160 is a button for registering the set tone curve and print density for use in the printer controller 2. The confirmation print button 170 is a button for instructing confirmation printing of an image based on selected image data.

  In step S103, it is determined whether the tone curve or the print density has been changed on the setting screen 100 shown in FIG. When the tone curve or the print density is changed (S103: YES), an adjusted image display process for updating the image displayed in the adjusted image display area 140 is performed (S104). Details of the adjusted image display processing will be described later. On the other hand, if there is no change in tone curve or print density (S103: NO), the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S105, it is determined whether or not the save button 160 has been pressed on the setting screen 100 shown in FIG. When the save button 160 is pressed (S105: YES), processing for registering the set tone curve and print density is performed (S106). Details of the process for registering the tone curve and print density will be described later. If the save button 160 has not been pressed (S105: NO), the process proceeds to step S107.

  In step S107, it is determined whether or not the confirmation print button 170 has been pressed on the setting screen 100 shown in FIG. When the confirmation print button 170 is pressed (S107: YES), a process for confirming and printing an image based on the selected image data with the set tone curve and print density is performed (S108). Details of the processing for such confirmation printing will be described later. If the confirmation print button 170 has not been pressed (S107: NO), the process proceeds to step S109.

  In step S109, it is determined whether or not the end button 150 has been pressed on the setting screen 100 shown in FIG. When the end button 150 is pressed (S109: YES), the tone curve / print density setting process ends. If the end button 150 has not been pressed (S109: NO), the process returns to step S102.

  Next, the procedure of the adjusted image display process (S104) will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the tone curve set in the tone curve setting unit 110 is acquired (S201). Here, the tone curve is generated as a table indicating the density value of the image data after adjustment with respect to the density value of the image data before adjustment. Next, the print density set in the print density setting unit 120 is acquired (S202).

  Subsequently, adjusted image data, which is image data after the acquired tone curve and print density are reflected, is created (S203). That is, for the selected image data before adjustment, the density of the image data after adjustment with respect to the density of each pixel of the image data before adjustment is generated using the acquired tone curve. Next, final adjusted image data is created by multiplying the acquired print density (density amount:%) by the image data to which the tone curve has been applied.

  Then, an image based on the created adjusted image data is displayed in the adjusted image display area 140 (S204).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the procedure of the process for registering the tone curve and print density (S106) will be described.

  First, using the tone curve set in the tone curve setting unit 110, the tone curve generation unit 143 generates a storage tone curve (S301).

  Next, using the print density set in the print density setting unit 120, the print density generation unit 144 generates a print density for storage (S302).

  Then, the generated storage tone curve and storage print density are transmitted to the printer controller 2 as data relating to printing (S303).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing for registering the tone curve and print density in the printer controller 2. The algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 is stored as a program in a storage unit such as the hard disk 24 of the printer controller 2, and is executed on the RAM 23 by the CPU 21 (the same applies to FIGS. 15 and 18).

  First, it waits until data related to printing is received (S401: NO).

  When data related to printing is received from the PC 1 (S401: YES), it is determined whether or not a storage tone curve exists in the received data related to printing (S402). When it is determined that a storage tone curve exists (S402: YES), the storage tone curve is stored in the tone curve storage unit 241 (S403). On the other hand, when it is determined that the storage tone curve does not exist (S402: NO), the process proceeds to step S404.

  In step S404, it is determined whether or not the storage print density exists in the received print-related data. When it is determined that the storage print density exists (S404: YES), the storage print density is stored in the print density storage unit 242 (S405). On the other hand, if it is determined that the print density for storage does not exist (S404: NO), the process proceeds to step S406.

  In step S406, it is determined whether there is data to be printed, that is, printing data, in the received data relating to printing. If it is determined that print data exists (S406: YES), print data processing is performed (S407). That is, the image data generation unit 221 generates bitmap format image data based on the print data and stores the image data in the image data storage unit 231. The generated image data is transmitted to the printer 3 for printing.

  Next, the procedure of the confirmation printing process (S108) will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the tone curve generation unit 143 generates a tone curve for confirmation printing using the tone curve set in the tone curve setting unit 110 (S501).

  Next, using the print density set in the print density setting unit 120, the print density generation unit 144 generates a print density for confirmation printing (S502).

  Subsequently, the print job generation unit 141 creates a print job for confirmation printing (S503). The confirmation print job includes the generated confirmation print tone curve and confirmation print density. The created confirmation print job is transmitted to the printer controller 2 (S504).

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing for confirmation printing in the printer controller 2.

  First, it waits until data related to printing is received (S601: NO).

  When data related to printing is received from the PC 1 (S601: YES), it is determined whether the received data related to printing is a confirmation print job (S602). If it is determined that the print job is not a confirmation print job (S602: NO), the process for confirmation print ends.

  When it is determined in step S602 that the print job is a confirmation print job (S602: YES), the image data generation unit 221 generates bitmap format image data based on the print data included in the confirmation print job, and The data is stored in the data storage unit 231 (S603).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a confirmation print tone curve exists in the confirmation print job (S604).

  If it is determined that a confirmation printing tone curve exists (S604: YES), the confirmation printing tone curve is applied to the image data generated in step S603 (S605). Here, the tone curve application unit 222 applies the confirmation print tone curve to the image data to generate binary image data, which is stored in the image data storage unit 231. On the other hand, if it is determined that the tone curve for confirmation printing does not exist (S604: NO), the process proceeds to step S606.

  In step S606, it is determined whether the print density for confirmation printing exists in the confirmation print job.

  When it is determined that the print density for confirmation printing exists (S606: YES), the print density application unit 223 generates the print density used for the confirmation print on the printer 3 by using the print density for confirmation print. (S607). On the other hand, if it is determined that the print density for confirmation printing does not exist (S606: NO), the process proceeds to step S608.

  Subsequently, the print density used in the printer 3 is transmitted to the printer 3 (S608). Further, the image data to which the confirmation printing tone curve is applied, that is, the binary image data stored in the image data storage unit 231 in step S605 is transmitted to the printer 3 (S609).

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing for confirmation printing in the printer 3.

  First, it waits until data related to printing is received (S701: NO).

  If data related to printing has been received from the printer controller 2 (S701: YES), the process proceeds to step S702.

  In step S702, when the print density used by the printer 3 is received from the printer controller 2, the printer print density is set based on the received print density. Here, the setting of the print density is adjusted by changing image forming conditions such as laser irradiation intensity.

  Subsequently, when image data to which the confirmation printing tone curve is applied, that is, binary image data is received from the printer controller 2, an image based on the binary image data is printed on a recording medium such as paper (S703). ).

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing for normal printing in the PC 1.

  First, it waits until there is a print instruction from the user (S801: NO). For example, when a print button on a print setting screen (not shown) (corresponding to a second setting screen) (not shown) displayed on the display 15 is pressed, the user issues a print instruction.

  If there is a print instruction from the user (S801: YES), the print job generation unit 141 creates a print job for normal printing (S802).

  Subsequently, the normal print density is set for the print job (S803). Here, the print density for normal printing is acquired based on the user's designation on the print setting screen.

  Then, the normal print job in which the normal print density is set is transmitted to the printer controller 2 (S804).

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing for normal printing in the printer controller 2.

  First, it waits until data related to printing is received (S901: NO).

  When data related to printing is received from the PC 1 (S901: YES), it is determined whether or not the received data related to printing is a normal print job (S902). If it is determined that the print job is not a normal print job (S902: NO), the process for normal printing ends.

  If it is determined in step S902 that the print job is a normal print job (S902: YES), the image data generation unit 221 generates bitmap format image data based on the print data included in the normal print job, and The data is stored in the data storage unit 231 (S903).

  Subsequently, the tone curve is read from the tone curve storage unit 241 onto the RAM 23 (S904). Then, the read registered tone curve is applied to the image data generated in step S903 (S905). Here, the tone curve application unit 222 applies the registered tone curve to the image data to generate binary image data, which is stored in the image data storage unit 231.

  Subsequently, the print density is read from the print density storage unit 242 onto the RAM 23 (S906). Then, using the registered print density read from the print density storage unit 242 and the normal print density set for the normal print job, the print density application unit 223 uses the printer 3 for normal printing. A print density is generated (S907). Here, the print density used during normal printing by the printer 3 is given by the sum of the registered print density read from the print density storage unit 242 and the normal print density set for the normal print job. It is done. That is, the normal printing print density set for the normal print job corresponds to the print density to be added at the time of printing with respect to the set registered print density.

  Subsequently, the print density used in the printer 3 is transmitted to the printer 3 (S908). Then, the image data to which the registered tone curve read from the tone curve storage unit 241 is applied, that is, the binary image data stored in the image data storage unit 231 in step S905 is transmitted to the printer 3 (S909).

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing for normal printing in the printer 3.

  First, it waits until data related to printing is received (S1001: NO).

  If data related to printing has been received from the printer controller 2 (S1001: YES), the process proceeds to step S1002.

  In step S1002, when the print density used in the printer 3 is received from the printer controller 2, the printer print density is set based on the received print density.

  Subsequently, when image data to which the registered tone curve is applied, that is, binary image data is received from the printer controller 2, an image based on the binary image data is printed on a recording medium such as paper (S1003).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the tone curve setting unit 110 for setting the tone curve indicating the output density with respect to the input density used for tone correction of the image data, and used for printing an image based on the image data. A setting screen 100 including a print density setting unit 120 for setting the print density is provided to the user. Then, the tone curve setting and the print density setting designated by the user via the setting screen 100 are accepted.

  Therefore, the user can set the tone curve and the print density at the same time as a pair, and the tone curve and the print density can be held in association with each other. As a result, low density pixels that cannot be output only by γ correction using the tone curve can be output by simultaneously adjusting the print density. In addition, high density pixels that are crushed only by γ correction using the tone curve can be output by simultaneously performing adjustment to lower the print density. In this way, the user can easily and quickly obtain a printed output having a desired density.

  In the present embodiment, an image based on the image data before the tone curve setting and the print density setting are reflected is displayed in the setting screen 100, and the image after the tone curve setting and the print density setting are reflected. An image based on the data is displayed in the setting screen 100. Therefore, since the user can perform the setting operation while observing the reflection result of the tone curve and the print density in the image data, the user can obtain a print output having a desired density more easily and quickly. Become.

  In the present embodiment, the user is provided with a second setting screen including an additional density setting unit for setting a print density to be added at the time of printing with respect to the print density set in the print density setting unit 120. . Therefore, there is an advantage that fine adjustment of the light and shade can be made based on the set registered print density.

  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, the above embodiment has been described assuming density adjustment in the case of monochrome (grayscale) image data. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to color image data. It is. In the case of color image data, for example, it is possible to adjust the overall density with a tone curve that adjusts all color components together. As the color system, for example, CMYK mode, RGB mode, or the like can be used.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 4 is divided into the printer controller 2 and the printer 3 and is locally connected to each other. However, the printer controller 2 may be included in the printer 3. .

  In the above embodiment, a printer is used as the printing apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to a printing apparatus such as an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) and a copying machine.

  In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the tone curve / print density setting application for performing settings related to the tone curve / print density application processing performed by the printer controller 2 is installed in the PC 1. The entire image forming system including the PC 1 as the print setting apparatus and the image forming apparatus 4 functions as an image processing apparatus. However, the present invention can also be applied to a case where, for example, a tone curve / print density setting application is installed in the MFP, and a GUI screen for performing settings related to tone correction processing is displayed on the operation panel unit of the MFP. The MFP alone functions as an image processing apparatus.

  The means and method for performing various processes in the image forming 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, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. 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 showing an overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of PC shown by FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a print job generation unit and a tone curve / print density setting application. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer controller of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an image data production | generation part, a tone curve application part, and a printing density application part. It is a figure which shows an image data storage part. It is a figure which shows a tone curve storage part and a printing density storage part. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process in PC. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting screen for performing the setting regarding a tone curve / print density. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the image display process after adjustment (S104). It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process (S106) for registration of a tone curve and printing density. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for registering a tone curve and print density in a printer controller. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process (S108) for confirmation printing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing for confirmation printing in a printer controller. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing for confirmation printing in a printer. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process for normal printing in PC. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing for normal printing in a printer controller. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for normal printing in a printer.

Explanation of symbols

1 PC,
2 Printer controller,
3 Printer,
4 image forming apparatus,
5 network,
11, 21, 31 CPU,
12, 22, 32 ROM,
13, 23, 33 RAM,
14, 24 hard disk,
15 display,
16 input devices,
17, 26 Network interface,
18, 27, 37 bus,
25 Printer interface,
34 Operation panel section
35 Printing Department,
36 Controller interface,
100 setting screen,
110 Tone curve setting section,
111 tone curve,
120 print density setting section,
130 Image display area before adjustment,
140 Image display area after adjustment,
231 Image data storage unit,
241 Tone curve storage,
242 Print density storage unit.

Claims (7)

A control program for controlling an image forming apparatus,
A tone curve setting unit for setting a tone curve indicating an output density with respect to an input density used for tone correction of image data, and a print density for setting a print density used for printing an image based on the image data Providing a user with a setting screen including a setting unit 1),
A procedure 2) of receiving the tone curve setting and the print density setting designated by the user via the setting screen;
A control program for causing a computer to execute a process having The process further includes
A procedure 3) of displaying an image based on the image data before the tone curve setting and the print density setting are reflected in the setting screen;
A step 4) of displaying an image based on the image data after the tone curve setting and the print density setting are reflected in the setting screen;
The control program according to claim 1, comprising: The process further includes
Procedure 5) for providing the user with a second setting screen including an additional density setting unit for setting a print density to be added at the time of printing with respect to the print density set in the print density setting unit 5)
The control program according to claim 1, further comprising:   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the image processing program of any one of Claims 1-3. In an image forming system comprising: a print setting device for performing settings related to image printing based on image data; and an image forming device for printing an image based on the image data according to information set by the print setting device The image forming apparatus,
Tone curve setting information relating to setting of a tone curve indicating output density with respect to input density used for tone correction of image data, and print density setting information relating to setting of print density used for printing an image based on the image data, Receiving means for receiving from the print setting device;
Storage means for storing the tone curve setting information and the print density setting information received by the receiving means;
Printing means for printing an image based on the image data based on the tone curve setting information and the print density setting information stored in the storage means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: In an image forming system comprising: a print setting device for performing settings related to image printing based on image data; and an image forming device for printing an image based on the image data according to information set by the print setting device An image forming method executed by the image forming apparatus,
Tone curve setting information relating to setting of a tone curve indicating output density with respect to input density used for tone correction of image data, and print density setting information relating to setting of print density used for printing an image based on the image data, Receiving from the print setting device 1);
Storing the tone curve setting information and the print density setting information received in step 1) in a storage unit;
Step 3) of printing an image based on the image data based on the tone curve setting information and the print density setting information stored in the storage unit;
An image forming method comprising: An image forming system comprising: a print setting device for performing settings related to image printing based on image data; and an image forming device for printing an image based on the image data in accordance with information set by the print setting device. There,
The print setting device
A tone curve setting unit for setting a tone curve indicating an output density with respect to an input density used for tone correction of image data, and a print density for setting a print density used for printing an image based on the image data A user interface for providing a user with a setting screen including a setting unit;
Transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus the tone curve setting information relating to the tone curve setting and the print density setting information relating to the print density setting received via the user interface;
The image forming apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving the tone curve setting information and the print density setting information from the print setting device;
Storage means for storing the tone curve setting information and the print density setting information received by the receiving means;
Printing means for printing an image based on the image data based on the tone curve setting information and the print density setting information stored in the storage means;
An image forming system comprising:

Images