JP2009048491A - Image processor and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor having a means for simultaneously setting and confirming image formation time and image quality and to provide an image processing method. <P>SOLUTION: In order to obtain both image formation time and image quality expected by a user, image formation time and an object image quality standard in each page can be set and displayed. In accordance with the setting of the object image quality standard, an estimated value of the image formation time is calculated and a display image is updated. In accordance with the setting of the image formation time, the object image quality standard is automatically set and the display image is updated. The image quality standard is set so as not to be automatically changed for each object. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method for adjusting time required for image formation and image quality.

  As an image processing apparatus for processing image data, there are a personal computer and a workstation. Then, image data composed of various objects (characters, paint, lines, photographs) is formed by application software that operates in such an image processing apparatus.

  As an image forming apparatus that forms and outputs the image data as an image, there are a printer, a facsimile, a copying apparatus, and a multi-function machine thereof. Examples of the image forming method include an inkjet recording method and an electrophotographic method, and an image is formed using an image forming material such as a recording liquid (ink) or toner.

  In such an image forming apparatus, the image quality of image formation and the speed of image formation are important.

  As an example, an inkjet recording method will be described. In this method, since droplets are ejected to form an image, if the droplet ejection cycle, recording scan, and recording medium conveyance speed are increased in order to increase the image formation speed, a problem occurs in image formation. This is due to the droplet discharge cycle, the recording scan, the speed limit of the recording medium conveyance, and the droplet receiving characteristics of the recording medium, and there is a limit to achieving both high-speed image formation and image quality.

  As an example of a defect due to high speed image formation, depending on the recording scanning speed and ejection characteristics of the head, if droplets are ejected at a predetermined period or more, the target droplet amount is not achieved, and it does not land at a predetermined position on the recording medium. As a result, unintended texture due to the lack of dot sizes and dust due to landing deviation occur. In order to speed up image formation without causing such a problem, there is a method of reducing the recording density (sparse dot arrangement).

  By the way, a user who uses the image forming apparatus expects that the image forming time is high speed and the quality of image forming is high.

  However, as described above, there is a limit to achieving both high speed image formation time and high quality image formation. The same applies to image forming apparatuses other than the ink jet recording system.

  Therefore, an image forming apparatus that presents an estimated image formation time before image formation has been proposed for the purpose of reducing user dissatisfaction with the image formation time.

  For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is an apparatus that estimates an image formation time based on a raster development time of a rendering command and displays the time.

  Similarly, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, there is an apparatus that estimates an image formation time based on image data and an image formation size and displays the time.

  Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 3, there is a display that displays the progress of image formation.

  On the other hand, as disclosed in Patent Document 4, there is an apparatus that displays image forming conditions before image formation for the purpose of reducing dissatisfaction with the user's image quality.

Also, as disclosed in Patent Document 5, there is a technique that changes the recording density and color processing according to the object type for the purpose of improving the image quality.
JP 2001-228988 A JP 2006-235068 A JP 9-290548 A JP 2005-182396 Patent No. 2940932

  However, in the image forming apparatus, the image processing apparatus, and the image processing method disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 5, it is difficult to achieve both the image forming time and the image quality expected by the user.

  In the image forming apparatus, the image processing apparatus, and the image processing method disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4, the image forming time expected by the user can be provided. However, it is difficult to provide the image quality expected by the user.

  Further, the image forming apparatus, the image processing apparatus, and the image processing method disclosed in Patent Document 5 can provide the image quality expected by the user. However, it is difficult to provide the image formation time expected by the user.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus and an image processing method having means capable of simultaneously setting and confirming image forming time and image quality.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a discriminating unit discriminating a type of an object forming an image, and an object image quality level for each object type or page discriminated by the discriminating unit. Object image quality level setting means for setting, calculation means for calculating an estimated value of image formation time according to a value set by the object image quality level setting means, and image formation time setting means for setting the image formation time It is an image processing apparatus having the above.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the value set by the object image quality level setting means, the value calculated by the calculation means, and the value set by the image formation time setting means And an interface unit that can be changed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, object recording density setting means for setting a recording density of an object in accordance with a value set by the object image quality level setting means, and the object And a recording scanning speed changing means for changing the recording scanning speed of each object area based on the recording density set by the recording density setting means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the interface unit can select for each object of each page to fix the recording density setting or the image quality level setting. It is characterized by.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, an arbitrary plurality of pages can be selected before starting image formation. Image formation is executed at the recording density of each object, which is set in whole or in part for each page.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus has means for displaying an image simulating the image quality equivalent to the recording density setting of each object before the start of image formation. And

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the image processing apparatus further comprises a calculation accuracy level setting means for setting a calculation accuracy level of the estimated image formation time.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a determination step of determining the type of an object forming an image, and an object image quality level setting step of setting an object image quality level for each type of object or page determined by the determination means. And an image processing method comprising: a calculation step of calculating an estimated value of the image formation time according to a value set by the object image quality level setting means; and an image formation time setting step of setting the image formation time. Features.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of simultaneously adjusting and confirming an image formation time and image quality, and forming an image while satisfying the expected image formation time and image quality. It is possible to provide.

The image form processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following aspects.
In order to achieve both the image formation time and the image quality expected by the user, the image formation time and the object for each page (characters, lines, paint, and photographs that make up the image) are set and displayed before image formation. It can be so. At this time, an estimated value of the image formation time is calculated and the display is updated according to the setting of the object image quality level. Further, the object image quality level is automatically set according to the setting of the image formation time, and the display is updated. Furthermore, it is possible to set so that the image quality level is not automatically changed for each object. In this way, the user himself / herself is provided with means capable of simultaneously setting and checking the image forming time and the image quality.

In order to achieve both the image formation time and the image quality expected by the user, the image formation time and the object for each page (characters, lines, paint, and photographs that make up the image) are set and displayed before image formation. It can be so.
At this time, an estimated value of the image formation time is calculated and the display is updated according to the setting of the object image quality level.
Further, the object image quality level is automatically set according to the setting of the image formation time, and the display is updated.
Furthermore, it is possible to set so that the image quality level is not automatically changed for each object.
In this way, the user himself / herself is provided with means capable of simultaneously setting and checking the image forming time and the image quality.
According to the above configuration, it is preferable that the recording scanning speed of the object region can be changed based on the image recording density for each object. Thereby, it is possible to form an image more efficiently, and as a result, it is possible to shorten the image formation time.

Moreover, it is preferable that the recording density of each object can be set for each page. This is because the object configuration is different for each page, that is, the object that the user places importance on is different. Thereby, the trouble of repeating image formation for each page can be saved.
Alternatively, it is preferable that the image quality level can be set for each page as the importance index of each object. This level is more preferably set by the user. For example, a text-centered page is set to a high character image quality level, and other objects are set to a low level. Further, it is preferable that the image formation density is set based on the image quality level.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the image formation time can be set in order to realize the image formation time expected by the user.
It is preferable to include means for setting and displaying the recording density setting or image quality level of each object for each page, and means for setting and displaying the image formation time.
In addition, the estimated image formation time is calculated and the display is changed according to the recording density setting of each object for each page or the change of the image quality level, and the recording of each object for each page is changed according to the change of the setting of the image forming time. It is preferable that the display is changed by setting the density setting or the image quality level.

Further, it is preferable that fixing the recording density setting or the image quality level setting can be selected for each object on each page. This is because if the recording density setting or the image quality level is automatically set according to the setting of the image formation time, the image quality expected by the user cannot be provided. For example, when it is desired to shorten the image formation time but to improve the image quality of only characters, the setting of the character image quality level or the recording density can be fixed.
In addition, in order for the user to check the image quality before image formation, it is possible to select any number of pages, and the entire or part of the selected pages can be set to the recording density of each object set for each page. It is preferable that an image can be formed.
Alternatively, an image imitating the image quality equivalent to the recording density setting of each object may be displayed. For example, a method is conceivable in which an image of each object for each recording density is captured in advance by a scanner or the like and displayed.

By the way, it is preferable that the calculation accuracy level of the estimated image formation time can be set. The reason for this will be described below. When the number of image formations is small, if the calculation time of the estimated image formation time is long, it itself becomes a waiting time for the user, resulting in dissatisfaction with the image formation time. Conversely, when the number of image formations is large, if the estimated level of the image formation time is low, the difference between the estimated value and the actual image formation time increases, and the user feels dissatisfied with the image formation time.
When the calculation accuracy of the estimated image formation time is low, the number of images formed and the average image formation time per image forming apparatus (for example, the average value PPM value of the number of images that can form a prescribed image per minute) ).

Further, when the calculation accuracy of the estimated image formation time is high, (A) the time from when the image forming apparatus receives an image formation command until it can start image formation, and (B) the image formation start to the image The time required for image formation on the recording medium until the end of formation, (C) the time required for image formation on the recording medium is calculated, and either or both of (A) and (B) are calculated according to the calculation accuracy setting And the sum of (C) is preferably calculated as the estimated image formation time.
Here, (A) as an example of the time from when the image forming apparatus receives an image forming command to when the image forming apparatus is ready to start image formation, (1) the return time from the standby state of the image forming apparatus and use by others There are a release time from the state, and (2) a conversion processing time from color continuous tone image data to an image formation control signal.
Further, (B) as an example of the time from the start of image formation to the end of image formation, irrespective of the image formation on the recording medium, (3) the time required for the maintenance operation for preventing droplet drying on the nozzle surface, (4) There is a time required for feeding and discharging a recording medium.
Further, it is preferable that the number of image formations is multiplied by the recording scan time for each page, and (C) the time required for image formation on the recording medium is obtained from the sum of them. For example, when four, three, and two images are formed on pages A, B, and C, respectively, the print scanning times required to form images A, B, and C are T_A, T_B, and T_C, respectively. The time required for image formation on the recording medium is represented by 4 × T_A + 3 × T_B + 2 × T_C.

A preferred configuration of the image processing apparatus having the above-described aspect will be described below.
The configuration of the image processing apparatus described below is not limited to this, and can be modified within a range that does not depart from the gist and within a range that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art.
As an example of the configuration of the image processing apparatus described below, an inkjet recording apparatus is applied to the image forming unit.
In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the application to the image forming unit is not limited to the ink jet recording apparatus, and an electrophotographic system or a thermal system may be used.

An example of the configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus applied to the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an entire mechanism unit of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory plan view of an essential part of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view illustrating the head configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional explanatory view of the conveying belt of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

  This ink jet recording apparatus has an image forming unit 2 and the like inside the apparatus main body 1, and a paper feed tray 4 on which a large number of recording media (hereinafter referred to as “paper”) 3 can be stacked below the apparatus main body 1. The sheet 3 fed from the sheet feeding tray 4 is taken in, and a required image is recorded by the image forming unit 2 while the sheet 3 is conveyed by the conveying mechanism 5, and then mounted on the side of the apparatus main body 1. The paper 3 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 6.

  In addition, the ink jet recording apparatus includes a duplex unit 7 that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 1. When performing duplex printing, the sheet 3 is transported in the reverse direction by the transport mechanism 5 after completion of one-surface (front surface) printing. The sheet is taken into the duplex unit 7 and reversed, and the other side (back side) is sent to the transport mechanism 5 again as a printable side. After the other side (back side) printing is completed, the sheet 3 is discharged to the discharge tray 6.

  Here, the image forming unit 2 slidably holds the carriage 13 on the guide shafts 11 and 12, and moves the carriage 13 in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper 3 (main scanning) by a main scanning motor (not shown). . The carriage 13 is equipped with a recording head 14 composed of a droplet discharge head in which nozzle holes 14n (see FIG. 3) as a plurality of discharge ports for discharging droplets are arranged. The ink cartridge 15 for supplying the ink is detachably mounted. Note that a sub tank may be mounted in place of the ink cartridge 15 so that ink is replenished and supplied from the main tank to the sub tank.

  Here, as the recording head 14, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, droplets that eject ink droplets of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk). Although four independent inkjet heads 14y, 14m, 14c, and 14k, which are ejection heads, are used, a configuration in which one or a plurality of heads having a plurality of nozzle rows that eject ink droplets of each color may be used. The number of colors and the order of arrangement are not limited to this.

  As the ink jet head constituting the recording head 14, a thermal actuator that utilizes a phase change caused by film boiling of a liquid using a piezoelectric actuator such as a piezoelectric element or an electrothermal transducer such as a heating resistor, or a metal phase change caused by a temperature change is used. Shape memory alloy actuators, electrostatic actuators using electrostatic force, and the like can be used as energy generating means for ejecting ink.

  As the electrothermal conversion element, it is possible to use an electrothermal conversion element having a non-linear characteristic in which the resistance value hardly changes even when a low voltage is applied and the resistance value greatly changes when a voltage of a certain level or more is applied.

  In an electrothermal conversion element having a linear characteristic, when a plurality of heat generating means are selectively driven, noise voltage is applied to the non-selected heat generating means, energy is wasted, and the drive voltage is affected to affect the ink. There is a possibility that the ejection amount changes and affects the recorded image. In particular, in an inkjet recording head that applies voltages to a plurality of vertical wirings and a plurality of horizontal wirings and selectively drives heating means arranged in a matrix at intersections of the vertical wirings and the horizontal wirings, the driving process In this case, a voltage lower than the driving voltage may be applied to the non-selected heat generating means. If this voltage is in the forward direction, unnecessary heat generation occurs in the non-selected heat generating means. If unnecessary heat is generated and heat is accumulated, if it is heated when it is ejected, it will generate more heat than specified, and as a result, an excessive amount of ink will be ejected. As a result, the ink discharge amount varies from nozzle to nozzle.

  However, if an electrothermal conversion element having non-linear characteristics is used, even if a voltage lower than the driving voltage such as noise is applied to the heating means, unnecessary heat generation does not occur. Graininess and gradation are improved. Moreover, since unnecessary heat generation can be prevented, waste of energy can be prevented.

  Further, the resistance value of each electrothermal conversion element of the recording head can be measured, and the drive voltage applied to each electrothermal conversion element can be adjusted based on the resistance value. In particular, when the recording head is lengthened, the resistance value of the electrothermal conversion element for each nozzle tends to vary, and as a result, the amount of ejected ink varies. However, by adjusting the applied voltage by feeding back the resistance value of each electrothermal resistance element, it is possible to eject ink droplets of a target size.

  Furthermore, when a thermal recording head is used, a protective layer may be provided on the electrothermal conversion element (discharge energy generator). By providing the protective layer, erosion by ink, kogation (burning of ink components) and cavitation (destruction due to impact when bubbles shrink) do not directly act on the electrothermal conversion element. Since the electrothermal conversion element is not damaged, the life of the electrothermal conversion element can be extended.

  The sheets 3 in the sheet feeding tray 4 are separated one by one by a sheet feeding roller (half moon roller) 21 and a separation pad (not shown), are fed into the apparatus main body 1, and are fed into the transport mechanism 5.

  The transport mechanism 5 guides the fed paper 3 along the guide surface 23 a and guides the paper 3 fed from the duplex unit 7 along the guide surface 23 b and the paper 3. A conveying roller 24 that conveys, a pressure roller 25 that presses the sheet 3 against the conveying roller 24, a guide member 26 that guides the sheet 3 toward the conveying roller 24, and a sheet 3 that is returned during duplex printing, And a pressing roller 28 that presses the paper 3 fed from the conveying roller 24.

  Further, the transport mechanism 5 charges the transport belt 33 between the drive roller 31 and the driven roller 32 and the transport belt 33 so that the recording head 14 transports the paper 3 while maintaining the flatness of the paper 3. A charging roller 34 that is opposed to the charging roller 34, a guide member 35 (not shown) that guides the conveying belt 33 at a portion facing the image forming unit 2, and a conveying belt 33. A cleaning roller made of a porous material or the like, which is a cleaning means for removing the recording liquid (ink) adhering to the recording medium.

  Here, the conveyance belt 33 is an endless belt, and is stretched between the driving roller 31 and the driven roller (tension roller) 32 so as to circulate in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 (paper conveyance direction). It is composed.

  The transport belt 33 can be configured as a single layer, or as shown in FIG. 4, a two-layer configuration of a first layer (outermost layer) 33a and a second layer (back layer) 33b, or a configuration of three or more layers. For example, the transport belt 33 is a surface layer that is a sheet adsorbing surface formed of a pure resin material having a thickness of about 40 μm that is not subjected to resistance control, for example, ETFE pure material, and resistance control by carbon using the same material as the surface layer. It consists of the back layer (medium resistance layer, earth layer) performed.

  The charging roller 34 is disposed so as to come into contact with the surface layer of the transport belt 33 and to rotate following the rotation of the transport belt 33. A high voltage is applied to the charging roller 34 in a predetermined pattern from a high voltage circuit (high voltage power source) (not shown).

  Further, on the downstream side from the transport mechanism 5, a paper discharge roller 38 for sending the paper 3 on which an image is recorded to the paper discharge tray 6 is provided.

  In the image forming unit configured as described above, the conveyor belt 33 circulates in the direction of the arrow and is positively charged by coming into contact with the charging roller 34 to which a high potential applied voltage is applied. In this case, the charging roller 34 is charged at a predetermined charging pitch by switching the polarity at predetermined time intervals.

  Here, when the paper 3 is fed onto the conveying belt 33 charged at this high potential, the inside of the paper 3 is in a polarized state, and the electric charge having the opposite polarity to the electric charge on the conveying belt 33 is connected to the belt 33 of the paper 3. The charge on the belt 33 and the charge on the transported paper 3 are electrostatically attracted to each other, and the paper 3 is electrostatically attracted to the transport belt 33. . In this way, the sheet 3 strongly adsorbed to the transport belt 33 is calibrated for warpage and unevenness, and a highly flat surface is formed.

  Therefore, the recording belt 14 is moved around the conveyor belt 33 and the recording head 14 is driven in accordance with the image signal while the carriage 13 is moved and scanned in one direction or in both directions, as shown in FIGS. As shown, a droplet 14i is ejected (jetted) from the recording head 14, and ink droplets, which are droplets, are landed on the stopped paper 3 to form dots Di, thereby recording one line. After the predetermined amount of paper 3 is conveyed, the next line is recorded. Upon receiving a recording end signal or a signal that the trailing edge of the paper 3 reaches the recording area, the recording operation is completed. FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the dot Di formation portion of FIG.

  The sheet 3 on which the image is recorded in this manner is discharged to the discharge tray 6 by the discharge roller 38.

Next, an outline of the control unit of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This figure is an overall block diagram of the control unit.

  The control unit 100 includes a CPU 101 that controls the entire apparatus, a ROM 102 that stores programs executed by the CPU 101 and other fixed data, a RAM 103 that temporarily stores image data, and the like, while the apparatus is powered off. Also, a non-volatile memory (NVRAM) 104 for holding data and an ASIC 105 for processing image processing for performing various signal processing and rearrangement and other input / output signals for controlling the entire apparatus are provided.

  The control unit 100 includes an I / F 106 for transmitting / receiving data and signals to / from the host 90 which is an image processing apparatus such as a personal computer, and a head drive control unit 107 for driving and controlling the recording head 14. The head driver 108, a main scanning motor driving unit 111 for driving the main scanning motor 110, a sub scanning motor driving unit 113 for driving the sub scanning motor 112, and a subsystem driving unit (for driving the subsystem motor) (Not shown), an environmental sensor 118 for detecting environmental temperature and / or environmental humidity, an I / O 116 for inputting detection signals from various sensors (not shown), and the like.

  The control unit 110 is connected to an operation panel 117 for inputting and displaying information necessary for the apparatus. Further, the control unit 100 performs on / off switching and output polarity switching control of the high voltage circuit (high voltage power supply) 114 that applies a high voltage to the charging roller 34.

  Here, the control unit 100 receives print data including image data from the host 90 side such as a data processing device such as a personal computer, an image reading device such as an image scanner, and an imaging device such as a digital camera via a cable or a network. Received by the I / F 106. It should be noted that the print data generation output for the control unit 100 is performed by the printer driver 91 according to the present invention on the host 90 side.

  Then, the CPU 101 reads and analyzes the print data in the reception buffer included in the I / F 106, performs data rearrangement processing by the ASIC 105, and transfers the image data to the head drive control unit 107. Note that the conversion of print data for image output into bitmap data is performed by developing the image data into bitmap data by the printer driver 91 on the host 90 side and transferring it to this apparatus as described above. For example, font data may be stored in the ROM 102.

  When the head drive control unit 107 receives image data (dot pattern data) corresponding to one line of the recording head 14, the dot pattern data for one line is serialized to the head driver 108 in synchronization with the clock signal. Data is sent out, and a latch signal is sent to the head driver 108 at a predetermined timing.

  The head drive control unit 107 includes a ROM (can be configured by the ROM 102) storing pattern data of a drive waveform (drive signal) and D / A-converted D of drive waveform data read from the ROM. A waveform generation circuit including an A converter and a drive waveform generation circuit including an amplifier and the like are included.

  The head driver 108 also receives a clock signal from the head drive control unit 107 and serial data as image data, and a latch circuit that latches the register value of the shift register using a latch signal from the head drive control unit 107. A level conversion circuit (level shifter) that changes the output value of the latch circuit, an analog switch array (switch means) that is controlled to be turned on / off by the level shifter, and the like, and controls on / off of the analog switch array. In this way, a required drive waveform included in the drive waveform is selectively applied to the actuator means of the recording head 14 to drive the head.

  In the present invention, it is also possible to perform printing without providing a margin for at least a part of the edge of the print medium.

  At that time, in order to print the edge portion, ink is inevitably discharged to the outside of the print medium. This means that even if ink is ejected so that it is printed just to the edge of the print medium, the ink is actually landed at the ideal landing position due to the feed error of the print medium transport system, carriage drive error, etc. There are many cases where it is not possible to make a margin. For this reason, printing is performed wider than ideal considering the error of the printing position, and ink is inevitably discharged out of the print medium.

  At this time, the ink that protrudes from the print medium does not contribute to recording, and thus wastes ink. Therefore, I want to reduce the amount of protruding ink as much as possible.

  As a method of reducing the protruding ink, for example, there is a method of increasing the conveyance accuracy of the print medium. By increasing the conveyance accuracy and reducing the projected area, it is possible to reduce unnecessary projected ink. Specifically, when printing the edge of the print medium, it is possible to increase the conveyance accuracy by making the feed of the print medium minute.

  Next, an example of an image processing apparatus including a printer driver on the host side that transfers image data to form an image by the image forming unit will be described with reference to FIG.

  The printer driver 91 of the data processing apparatus processes the image data 130 given from application software or the like by the image processing unit 120. The image processing unit 120 is a CMM (Color Management Module) processing unit 131 that performs conversion from a color space for monitor display to a color space for a recording apparatus (RGB color system → CMY color system). A BG / UCR (Black Generation / Under Color Removal) processing unit 132 that performs generation / under color removal, a γ correction unit 133 that performs input / output correction reflecting characteristics of the recording device and user's preference, and the resolution of the recording device A zooming unit 134 that performs enlargement processing, and a halftone processing unit 135 that includes a multi-value / low-value matrix that replaces image data with a pattern arrangement of dots ejected from the printing apparatus are included.

An embodiment that suitably implements the image processing apparatus having the above-described configuration will be described below.
The following terms can be constructed and modified by those skilled in the art within the scope not departing from the gist, with various modifications and substitutions.
In the embodiment described below, the image formation time and the image quality level can be set and displayed before image formation, and they are linked to each other.
In the embodiment described below, the user can set and confirm the image formation time and the image quality at the same time. Thus, the main purpose is to provide the image forming time and image quality expected by the user.

First, the processing procedure of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of setting and displaying the image forming time and the image quality level of each object in the image processing apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the image data 130 for image formation is determined, the object image quality level setting unit 202 sets the image quality level of the object which is an object importance index.

  This setting may be set for each page or the same setting for all pages. Further, it may be set automatically based on the ratio of objects constituting the page, or may be set by the user.

  For example, a text-centered page is set to a high character image quality level, and other objects are set to a low level. In addition, it is possible to select whether to fix the image quality level of each object. Details will be described later. For example, when it is desired to fix the character image quality to a high quality on a character-centered page, the image quality fixed setting is enabled. An example of this setting is shown in FIG.

  Next, the object recording density setting unit 203 sets the object recording density for each page based on the object image level setting for each page set by the object image level setting unit 202.

  Based on the object recording density set for each page and other image forming conditions, the image forming time estimating unit 204 calculates an estimated value of the image forming time. This calculation method will be described later.

  These settings and numerical values are displayed on the image forming condition display unit 205 so that the user can check the recording density or image quality level of each object for each page and the predicted image forming time. The image forming condition display unit corresponds to, for example, a display device connected to the host 90 such as a data processing device such as a personal computer, an image reading device such as an image scanner, or an imaging device such as a digital camera. An example of the display is shown in FIG.

  Here, when adjusting the predicted image forming time, the image forming time setting unit 201 adjusts the predicted image forming time. An example of the user interface for this adjustment is shown in FIG. When this setting is changed, the process returns to the object image quality level setting unit 202, and the object image quality level is calculated and automatically set so as to satisfy the image formation time setting. However, as described above, when the fixed image quality setting of an object is valid, the recording density of the object is fixed.

  At this time, in order for the user to check the image quality before image formation, it is possible to select any plural pages, and the recording density of each object in which all or part of the selected pages are set for each page It is preferable that image formation is possible with

  Alternatively, an image imitating the image quality equivalent to the recording density setting of each object may be displayed. For example, a method is conceivable in which an image of each object for each recording density is captured in advance by a scanner or the like and displayed.

  The image recording density and image data of each object for each page are transmitted to the image processing unit 203. The image processing unit 203 executes the processing described with reference to FIG. Finally, the control unit 100 receives dot arrangement data and image forming conditions from the image processing unit 203, and executes image formation based on the received data.

Next, estimation of image formation time in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of image formation time estimation.

  The image formation time estimation unit 204 starts calculating the image formation time estimation. When the calculation accuracy of the image formation time estimation is low, a value obtained by multiplying the number of image formations by the PPM value (average value of the number of images that can form a prescribed image per minute) is used as the estimated value.

  Further, highly accurate image formation time estimation will be described with reference to FIG. The vertical direction in this figure represents time, and the arrow represents processing time relating to image formation. The condition is when two pages of images are formed one by one.

When the user instructs an image formation command, the image formation time estimation unit 204 starts calculating the image formation time estimation. In this example, the estimated image formation time 308 is the standby time / other person's use time 300 (the return time from the standby time of the image forming apparatus and the time until the other person's use is completed), the paper feed (first sheet) 302, and the image formation. Calculated based on time (first sheet) 303, sheet discharge (first sheet) 304, paper feed (second sheet) 305, image formation time (second sheet) 306, sheet ejection (second sheet) 307. . Attention should be paid to the following two points.
(1) Since the image forming apparatus and the image processing apparatus are separated in the embodiment of the present invention, the standby time / other person use time 300 and the image data conversion time 301 are not a simple sum.
(2) In the embodiment of the present invention, in the case of continuous image formation, paper discharge and paper feed are performed in parallel, so the paper discharge (first sheet) 304 and paper feed (second sheet) 305 are not a simple sum. .
For (1), the longer one of the standby time / others use time 300 or the image data conversion time 301 is used. In FIG. 9, the standby time / other person use time 300 takes longer than the image data conversion time 301, so the standby time / other person use time 300 is used. However, if the image data conversion time 301 takes more time, the image data conversion time 301 is used.
With regard to (2), a time period from the start of paper discharge (first sheet) 304 to the start of paper feed (second sheet) 305 is prepared in advance, and paper discharge (first sheet) 304 is performed. And a time required for sheet feeding (second sheet) 305 are available. As another method, a time period from the start of paper feed (second sheet) 305 to the end of paper discharge (first sheet) 304 may be prepared in advance. The time from the start of feeding to the start of sheet feeding (second sheet) 305 may be prepared in advance.
Except for these two points, the sum of the processing time and the mechanism operation time is used to calculate the estimated image formation time 308.

  Next, the estimated time of each processing time and mechanism operation time will be described.

  Regarding the standby time / other-user usage time 300, the standby time is a return time from the power saving state or the like, and a predetermined value is used. Also, the usage time of others can be predicted by acquiring the usage status of others via a network or the like. Alternatively, an average image device use time per image forming command may be used. Alternatively, there is a method of notifying the use time of others and notifying the user that the image forming apparatus is in use and it takes time to form an image.

  The image data conversion time 301 will be described. This time varies depending on the recording capacity and processing speed of the image processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus, and the type of image data. However, in consideration of recent processing speeds and storage capacities, the estimation of this time is of a level that does not bother the user. If this calculation takes time, the image data condition that takes the longest processing time may be calculated in advance in the environment of the user's image processing apparatus and image forming apparatus, and used.

  The paper feed time and paper discharge time will be described. These times vary depending on the paper, but the values are fixed values. Therefore, these times may be calculated and used as fixed values.

  The image forming time will be described. This time is the time required to form an image on the paper. This varies depending on the recording scanning speed and scanning distance. The recording scanning speed is set to a predetermined speed depending on the resolution and head driving conditions. That is, the scanning distance is determined by the number of scans, the paper size, and the presence or absence of data on the image. Therefore, the image formation time can be calculated from the scanning speed and the scanning distance. For example, when an image is formed by scanning the scanning distance L_a at the scanning speed V_a and the scanning distance L # b at the scanning speed V_b, the image forming time can be calculated by L_a / V_a + V_b / L_b.

  A second embodiment for suitably implementing the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As described above, the image forming unit applied to the image processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied is a serial head system. However, the present invention can also be applied to a recording system called a line head system as shown in FIG. The line head has nozzle rows in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction, and the length of the nozzle rows is equal to the paper width.

  Here, as the recording head 14, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, droplets that eject ink droplets of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk). Although four independent inkjet heads 14y, 14m, 14c, and 14k, which are ejection heads, are used, a configuration in which one or a plurality of heads having a plurality of nozzle rows that eject ink droplets of each color may be used. The number of colors and the order of arrangement are not limited to this.

  In addition, as an inkjet head constituting the recording head 14, a thermal actuator that utilizes a phase change caused by film boiling of a liquid using a piezoelectric actuator such as a piezoelectric element or an electrothermal transducer such as a heating resistor, and a metal phase change caused by a temperature change. A shape memory alloy actuator using an electrostatic force, an electrostatic actuator using an electrostatic force, or the like can be used as an energy generating means for ejecting ink.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve both the image formation time and image quality expected by the user even in the line head system.

A third embodiment in which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is suitably implemented will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 11. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining an example of an embodiment of the present invention in an image forming apparatus having a copy function.

  As described above, an example of the ink jet recording apparatus of the image forming unit to which the present invention is applied is a form used as a so-called printer function. That is, the control unit 100 receives print data including image data from the host 90 side such as a data processing device such as a personal computer, an image reading device such as an image scanner, and an imaging device such as a digital camera via a cable or a network. The print data is generated and output to the control unit 100 by the printer driver 91 according to the present invention on the host 90 side.

  By the way, the present invention can be applied not only to such a printer function but also to a copy function. As an example for realizing the copy function, an image reading device such as an image scanner, an image processing device having a processing function equivalent to that of the printer driver 91, and an image forming unit having the functions of the ink jet recording device described with reference to FIGS. Think.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the processing procedure of an image processing apparatus having a copy function for carrying out the present invention. First, the image reading unit 401 reads an image. The image reading unit 401 corresponds to an image reading device such as an image scanner. Next, the read image is separated into objects (characters, lines, paintings, photographs) by the image area separation processing unit 402. At this point, RGB image data for each object is obtained.

  The subsequent processing is as described above. However, the interface unit as shown in FIG. 10 that performs image formation time, image level setting or recording density setting for each object, and image quality fixed setting for each object is attached to or built in a display device (for example, an LCD). Monitor) and input device (for example, touch panel, switch, button).

  According to the present embodiment, the image forming time and the image quality expected by the user can be compatible in the copy function.

  A fourth embodiment for suitably implementing the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As described above, in the example of the ink jet recording apparatus of the image forming apparatus having the copy function to which the present invention is applied, an image processing function equivalent to the printer driver 91 is mounted on the image forming apparatus. However, a configuration in which this image processing apparatus is mounted as a printer driver 91 in the host 90 and data can be transmitted to and received from the control unit 100 via the I / F 106 via a cable or a network is also conceivable. That is, the image forming apparatus has a copy function for processing image data and control signals transmitted to the control unit 100 by a host 90 (hereinafter referred to as an image processing apparatus).

  The processing procedure of this embodiment is the same as that of FIG. However, these processes are distributed by the image forming apparatus and the image processing apparatus.

  The image reading unit 401 mounted on the image forming apparatus reads an image, transmits the image data to the image processing apparatus, and the image area separation processing unit 402 separates the image into objects (characters, lines, painting, and photographs). At the same time, the image forming time, image level setting or recording density setting for each object, and image quality fixed setting for each object are set by a display device (for example, LCD monitor) and an input device (for example, touch panel, switch, button) on the image forming apparatus side. The display is updated according to this setting. This update is realized by transmitting and receiving necessary information between the image forming apparatus and the image processing apparatus. The image forming apparatus transmits / receives only information necessary for display, and the image processing apparatus performs calculations necessary for image formation time estimation and recording density automatic setting.

  Finally, the image processing apparatus receives a copy start command on the image forming apparatus side, forms image data and a control signal, and transmits this signal to the control unit 100 by the I / F 106 via a cable or a net. Be started.

  According to the present embodiment, the image forming time and image quality expected by the user can be made compatible in the copy function as in the third embodiment. Further, compared to the third embodiment, it is not necessary to mount the image processing apparatus in the image forming unit, and the cost and installation area of the image forming unit can be suppressed.

  In the present invention, the above-described image processing apparatus and image processing method can be constituted by the apparatus, a program for realizing the method, or a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  Storage media include flexible disks, CD-ROMs, magneto-optical disks, IC cards, ROM cartridges, punch cards, printed materials printed with codes such as bar codes, and computer internal storage devices (memory such as RAM and ROM). ) And external storage devices can be used. Moreover, the aspect as a program supply apparatus which supplies the said computer program to a computer via I / F (communication path) mentioned above is also included.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a mechanism unit of an ink jet recording apparatus used as an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a plan view of relevant parts of a serial head system and a line head system used as an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view illustrating a head unit configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus used as an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the conveyance belt of the inkjet recording device used as an example of the image forming apparatus to which this invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing with which it uses for description of recording operation | movement by the inkjet recording device used as an example of the image forming apparatus to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the control part used as an example of the image forming apparatus to which this invention is applied. 1 is a block diagram functionally illustrating an example of a configuration of a printer driver used as an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the image process part which implement | achieves this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of image formation time estimation in the image processing part which concerns on this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting and displaying an image formation time and an image quality level of each object in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming unit having a copy function in an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Control part 130 Image data 201 Image formation time setting part (Image formation time setting means)
202 Object image quality level setting unit (object image quality level setting means)
203 Object recording density setting unit (object recording density setting means)
204 Image formation time estimation unit (calculation means)
205 Image forming condition display section (interface unit)
206 Image processing unit 308 Estimated image formation time 300 Standby time / other person use time 301 Image data conversion time 302 Paper feed (first sheet)
303 Image formation time (first image)
304 Paper discharge (first sheet)
305 Paper feed (2nd sheet)
306 Image formation time (2nd sheet)
307 Paper discharge (second sheet)
401 Image reading unit 402 Image area separation processing unit (discrimination means)

Claims (8)

Discriminating means for discriminating the type of object forming the image;
Object image quality level setting means for setting the object image quality level for each type of object or page determined by the determination means;
Calculating means for calculating an estimated value of image formation time according to the value set by the object image quality level setting means;
An image processing apparatus comprising image forming time setting means for setting an image forming time. A value set by the object image quality level setting means;
A value calculated by the calculating means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an interface unit that displays and can change a value set by the image forming time setting unit. Object recording density setting means for setting the recording density of the object in accordance with the value set by the object image quality level setting means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a recording scanning speed changing unit that changes a recording scanning speed of each object region based on the recording density set by the object recording density setting unit. The interface unit is
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein fixing the recording density setting or the image quality level setting is selectable for each object on each page. Before starting image formation, it is possible to select any multiple pages,
5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image formation is executed on the whole or part of the selected page at a recording density of each object set for each page. 6.   6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising means for displaying an image simulating the image quality equivalent to the recording density setting of each object before the start of image formation.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a calculation accuracy level setting unit that sets a calculation accuracy level of the estimated image formation time. A discriminating step for discriminating the type of object forming the image;
An object image quality level setting step for setting an object image quality level for each object type or page determined by the determination means;
A calculation step of calculating an estimated value of the image formation time according to the value set by the object image quality level setting means;
And an image forming time setting step for setting the image forming time.

Images