JP2009171254A - Image forming device, image forming system, and image forming program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which can perform image forming with predetermined two colors by selecting an optional object. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device has a display means (display device 7) previewing inputted document data for which a gradation expression can be performed, an object selecting means (input device 8) selecting a predetermined object, a storage means (hard disk 2 and memory 11) storing at least one of color information of a selected object, position information, and information concerning an order of objects, a conversion means (controller 13) converting a predetermined range of the document data into monochrome gray scale data for which image forming can be performed by predetermined two colors based on stored information, and an image forming means (main printing portion 15) performing image forming with the predetermined two colors based on the monochrome gray scale data converted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a two-color printing apparatus (image forming apparatus) that can print out a predetermined two colors (for example, red and black) has been used for large-sized drawings such as A0 size.

  Such a two-color printing apparatus prints a predetermined object (text, figure, etc.) using any one of two colors (for example, red) as a spot color (spot color) in response to a request from a user or the like. Thus, the visibility of a predetermined object in a drawing or the like can be increased, and the appeal degree can be improved.

  By the way, document data including drawings and texts is often created as so-called full color data capable of gradation expression in consideration of print output by a full color printer or the like.

  Therefore, in order to print such full-color document data with a two-color printing apparatus, it is necessary to designate any object or area and convert or distribute it to monochrome grayscale data (binary data). .

  Various techniques for realizing this have been proposed.

  For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-240361, as means for enabling full-color input data to form a two-color image, a command for designating a full color with RGB values is switched between two colors within a certain range and drawn. Technology is disclosed. In this prior art, a plurality of color ranges can be registered, and the setting range can be switched according to the type of application or data.

  However, with this prior art, when printing in two colors, black and red, if the user does not accurately grasp the contents of the document data, the user knows which part will be red unless printing is actually performed. There is a difficulty that can not be. Further, if the two colors are switched only in the color range, the user may not be able to specify the range well if the user wants to change the predetermined color to red.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-197324 discloses a technique for converting input data, not RGB values, into grayscale data and printing two colors using a threshold value of gradation values. In this prior art, two-color printing can be performed by dividing the data into lighter data and darker data than the designated gradation value. In addition, an object to be divided into two colors can be designated for each object type (text, graphic, image, etc.).

However, this conventional technique has a disadvantage that when a plurality of drawing objects are determined to be the same object type of the same color, the colors cannot be specified by distinguishing them. In other words, if text is specified, all texts in the data are specified, so when there are multiple texts of the same color, it is not possible to make only any of those texts red.
JP 2002-240361 A JP 2001-197324 A

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an image forming program capable of easily and surely selecting an arbitrary object and performing image formation with two predetermined colors.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention provides a display unit for previewing input gradation-representable document data, and a predetermined object based on the display content of the display unit. Object selection means to be selected; storage means for storing at least one of color information, position information, information on the order of objects and information on the type of object selected by the object selection means; and storage in the storage means Conversion means for converting a predetermined range of the document data into monochrome gray scale data capable of forming an image with two predetermined colors based on the information being recorded, and the monochrome gray scale data converted by the conversion means based on the monochrome gray scale data And image forming means for forming an image with two predetermined colors.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a preview selection unit that selects whether or not to preview the document data by the display unit, and when the preview selection unit selects not to perform the preview. The converting means converts the entire document data into monochrome gray scale data capable of forming an image with two predetermined colors.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising an area designating unit that obtains position information of the object.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising the document data analyzing means for acquiring information relating to the order of the objects.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: the document data analyzing means for acquiring information relating to the type of the object.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the analysis unit obtains information related to the type of the object based on a command related to text data, image data, or graphic data included in the document data. .

  The image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that the display means displays the monochrome grayscale data converted by the conversion means in the predetermined two colors.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the two predetermined colors are red and black.

  An image forming system according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is connected to the one or more image forming apparatuses according to any one of the first to eighth aspects and the image forming apparatus via predetermined communication means. It is characterized by comprising one or more information processing devices.

  An image forming program according to the invention of claim 10 includes a display process for previewing input document data that can be expressed in gradation, an object selection process for selecting a predetermined object based on the display content of the display process, A storage process for storing at least one of color information of the object selected in the object selection process, position information, information on the order of the objects, and information on the type of the object; and the document data based on the stored information Conversion process for converting a predetermined range into monochrome grayscale data capable of forming an image with two predetermined colors, and image formation for forming an image with the predetermined two colors based on the monochrome grayscale data converted in the conversion process The process is executed by a computing means.

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, the color information of the object selected by the object selecting means, the position information, the information related to the order of the objects, and the type of the object Since the predetermined range of the document data is converted into monochrome grayscale data that can form an image with two predetermined colors based on at least one of the information on the information, any object can be easily and reliably selected and the predetermined two Image formation can be performed with colors.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the preview selection unit selects not to perform the preview, the entire document data is imaged in two predetermined colors as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. Since it is converted into formable monochrome grayscale data, the printing method can be switched according to the situation, and convenience can be improved.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select an arbitrary object more reliably than in the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select an arbitrary object more reliably than in the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select an arbitrary object more reliably than in the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select an arbitrary object more reliably than in the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, it is possible to check the color distribution state of the object before printing, and the convenience can be improved.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to perform image formation in which a predetermined object is emphasized as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, the color information, the position information, the information related to the order of the objects, and the information related to the types of the objects selected by the object selecting means Based on at least one of the above, a predetermined range of document data is converted into monochrome grayscale data capable of forming an image with two predetermined colors, so that any object can be easily and reliably selected with two predetermined colors. Image formation can be performed.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the present configuration is not provided, the color information, the position information, the information related to the order of the objects, and the information related to the types of the objects selected by the object selecting means. Based on at least one of the above, a predetermined range of document data is converted into monochrome grayscale data capable of forming an image with two predetermined colors, so that any object can be easily and reliably selected with two predetermined colors. Image formation can be performed.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment as an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. In addition, since description here is the best form by which this invention is implemented, this invention is not limited to the said form.

  An image forming system S1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming system S1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system S1 is connected to a viewing apparatus V1 configured by an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer via a network such as a LAN or a communication line L such as a local cable. The printer (two-color printing apparatus) PR1 as an apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, a case is shown in which one viewing device V1 and one printer PR1 are connected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more devices may be connected. An image input device (such as a scanner) having a network function may be connected.

  The printing method of the two-color printer PR1 is not particularly limited.

  Further, in the present embodiment, it is configured as a separate device from the viewing device V1, but the printer PR1 itself may be equipped with the viewing device V1.

  In FIG. 1, a viewing device V1 includes a display device 7 configured by a liquid crystal display panel or the like for previewing, an input device 8 configured by a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse, a hard disk 2 and a memory that constitute storage means. 11, a CPU that performs various arithmetic processes, an interface 9 including a USB port, a network port, and the like that transmits and receives data to and from the printer PR1 via the communication line L, and a data bus that connects the devices. Etc.

  The hard disk 2 stores an operation system (OS) 5, an application 4 as software that has a printing function and generates document data, and a program and data such as a printer driver 3 that controls the printer PR1. Yes.

  The printer PR1 includes an interface 12 including a USB port and a network port that transmits and receives data to and from the viewing device V1 via a communication line L, and a data processing that includes a microcomputer and processes document data. A main unit (controller) 13 and a main printing unit 15 including a printer engine and the like.

  In the image forming system configured as described above, for example, when two-color printing (red and black printing) using red and black is performed, full-color input data is displayed on the display device 7.

  When the user wants to print a certain object in red (red printing), the user selects the object to be red printed on the display device 7 with the input device 8.

  The information on the selected object is notified to the printer PR1 by the viewing device V1. The printer PR1 specifies which object in the input data is to be printed in red from the object information, and pastes the image in the page memory for red in the memory 11. Other drawing objects perform red-black printing by pasting an image on the page memory for black in the memory 11.

  Here, the processing procedure of the two-color printing process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2 and the explanatory diagram of FIG.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 2, when the two-color printing process is started, it is determined in step S100 whether to preview the document data.

  If “No”, the process proceeds to step S101 to convert the entire document data into grayscale data. In step S102, two-color printing of red and black is performed based on the grayscale data, and the process is terminated. .

  On the other hand, if “Yes” is determined in step S100, the process proceeds to step S103, the document data is previewed on the display device 7, and the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, it is determined whether a red print object has been selected.

  If “No”, the process proceeds to step S101 and the above-described processing is performed.

  In the case of “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S107.

  Here, an example of object selection will be described with reference to the explanatory diagram of FIG.

  FIG. 3A illustrates the display state of the document data on the display device 7. In FIG. 3A, the display screen is divided into six regions (segments) E1 to E6 by boundary lines indicated by chain lines.

  Here, the object OB1 displayed in the area E1 is graphic data representing a circular graphic, and is displayed in blue (blue: B) on the display screen, for example.

  An object OB2 that extends over the areas E1, E2, E4, and E5 represents image data (raster image).

  In the areas E2 and E5, text data T1 (for example, green (green) G) composed of a character string is displayed.

  Furthermore, the object OB3 displayed in the area E6 is graphic data representing a rhombus, and is displayed in blue (blue: B) on the display screen, for example.

  Here, by the operation of the input device 8, the circle (color is any of R, G, B) and red only in the segment of the area E1, and the text data (color is any of R, G, B) are red. Select an object under the condition that

  According to the above conditions, in the example of FIG. 3A, the object OB1 and the text data T1 are red, and the other objects OB2 and OB3 are black.

  This selection information is notified to the controller 13 and is printed out as a printed matter 200 as shown in FIG.

  In the example of (b), two-color printing is performed in which the upper left object OB1 'and the text T1' are red and the others are black corresponding to the selection process described above.

  Returning to the description of the processing procedure of the flowchart of FIG. 2, in step S107, the color information (any of R, G, B) of the selected object and the object type (graphic data, image data, text data, etc.) are stored. Then, the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S108, it is determined whether the selection of the red print object is completed. If “No”, the process returns to step S107, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S109.

  In step S109, the controller 13 is notified of the color information of the selected object (in the example of FIG. 3, object OB1 and text data T) and the type of object (in the example of FIG. 3, object OB1 is graphic data, etc.), and in step S105. Proceed to

  In step S105, the start of printing is instructed. In step S106, the controller 13 converts the information into grayscale data based on the located information, and then proceeds to step S102 to execute two-color printing.

  As a result, a printed product 200 as shown in FIG. 3B can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily and accurately select an object to be printed in red according to a user request, and it is possible to improve convenience.

  Next, the process procedure of the object determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S200, an object to be red-printed is selected, and the process proceeds to step S201.

  In step S201, the color information (RGB value) of the object and the type of the object are determined, and the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, the viewing device V1 determines whether or not the position information of the object falls within a certain area (E1 to E6 in FIG. 3B). If “Yes” (FIG. If the object OB1 is within the area E1), the process proceeds to step S203, and one segment area is stored as the position information of the object, and the process proceeds to step S205.

  On the other hand, in the case of “No” (when the object OB2 extends over a plurality of areas in FIG. 3A), the process proceeds to step S204 to store a plurality of segment areas in which the object completely fits. Then, the process proceeds to step S205.

  In step S205, color information, object type, and position information are stored in the memory 11 as red print object information, and the process ends.

  Here, FIGS. 5A and 5B show an object acquisition method.

  For example, if the objects OB10, 20, and 30 that the user wants to print in red cannot be specified only by the color information and the object type, for example, if there are objects in the input data that are the same color and the same object type, the color information and the object The object selected by the user cannot be specified by the type alone.

  In order to reliably specify the object, the position information is notified to the printer PR1.

  The position information is notified by segment information indicating that the coordinate information is roughly within a certain range.

  When the object extends over a plurality of segments OB10, 20, 30 (E1 to E6), all the segments including the object are set as position information.

  The printer PR1 determines that only objects that span all segments of the position information are objects to be printed in red.

  Next, the processing procedure of the two-color printing process executed by the printer PR1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S300, the document data is input, and the process proceeds to step S301 to determine whether or not the two-color printing process is performed.

  In the case of “No”, the process proceeds to step S307, the object is pasted on the black page memory in the memory 11, and the process proceeds to step S308.

  In the case of “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S302, the document data is analyzed, and the process proceeds to step S303.

  In step S303, it is determined whether or not the object type has been selected. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S307, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S304, it is determined whether the color information matches. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S307, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S305.

  In step S305, it is determined whether or not the position information matches the drawing position. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S307, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S306.

  In step S306, the object is pasted to the red page memory in the memory 11, and the process proceeds to step S308.

  In step S308, it is determined whether or not all data has been completed. If “No”, the process returns to step S302. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S309 to execute the printing process and the process ends. To do.

  As a result, the printed matter 200 as shown in FIG. 3B can be printed out.

  Next, another object acquisition method will be described with reference to the explanatory diagram of FIG.

  For example, when the user cannot identify the object to be red-printed only by the color information and the object type, the printer PR1 is notified of what drawing object of the input data the object to be red-printed is instead of the segment information.

  When analyzing the input data, the printer PR1 counts the drawing objects, and determines that the object with the notified number (second object OB2 in FIG. 7) is an object to be printed in red.

  Here, the processing procedure of the two-color printing process when the above-described object acquisition method is adopted will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S400, the document data is input, and the process proceeds to step S401, where it is determined whether the two-color printing process is performed.

  If “No”, the process proceeds to step S408, the object is pasted to the black page memory in the memory 11, and the process proceeds to step S409.

  In the case of “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S402, the document data is analyzed, and the process proceeds to step S403.

  In step S403, the drawing object is incremented for each object type, and the process proceeds to step S404.

  In step S404, it is determined whether or not an object type has been selected. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S408, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S405.

  In step S405, it is determined whether the color information matches. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S408, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S406.

  In step S406, it is determined whether or not the count numbers match. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S408, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S407.

  In step S407, the object is pasted to the red page memory in the memory 11, and the process proceeds to step S409.

  In step S409, it is determined whether or not all data has been completed. If “No”, the process returns to step S402. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S410 to execute the printing process and the process ends. To do.

  As a result, the printed matter 200 as shown in FIG. 3B can be printed out.

  Next, a method for notifying the printer PR1 of two-color printing information will be described with reference to the explanatory diagram of FIG.

  As methods for notifying the printer PR1 of the two-color printing information, two methods (A) and (B) in FIG. 9 are conceivable.

  In the method of FIG. 9A, the color information, the object type, the position information, or the drawing order are pasted to the input data and notified to the printer PR1 (controller 13) together.

  In the method of FIG. 9B, the printer printer PR1 (controller 13) is notified as control data separately from the input data.

  As described above, according to the image forming system S1 according to the present embodiment, the document data is confirmed in advance in the preview, and the color is changed (for example, changed to red) simply by selecting a desired object. The part to be emphasized can be easily and accurately set, and convenience can be improved.

  Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not limited to the disclosed technology. Should not be considered. That is, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed restrictively based on the description in the above embodiment, but should be construed according to the description of the scope of claims. All modifications within the scope of the claims and the equivalent technology are included.

  When using a program, it can be provided via a network or stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  The image forming apparatus, the image forming system, and the image forming program according to the present invention can be applied to a two-color printer using an ink jet method or the like.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system S1 according to a first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a 2 color printing process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of selection of an object. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an object determination process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the acquisition method of an object. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a 2 color printing process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the acquisition method of an object. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a 2 color printing process. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method for notifying two-color printing information to the printer PR1.

Explanation of symbols

S1 Image Forming System V1 Viewing Device (Information Processing Device, Display Unit)
PR1 printer (image forming device)
2 Hard disk (storage means)
6 CPU
7 Display device (display means)
8 Input device (object selection means, preview selection means, area designation means)
9 Interface 10 Data bus 11 Memory (memory means)
12 Interface 13 Controller (Data processing unit: Conversion means)
15 Main printing section (image forming means)
200 Printed product L Communication line

Claims (10)

Display means for previewing input gradation-representable document data;
Object selection means for selecting a predetermined object based on the display content of the display means;
Storage means for storing at least one of color information of the object selected by the object selection means, position information, information on the order of the objects, and information on the type of the object;
Conversion means for converting a predetermined range of the document data into monochrome grayscale data capable of forming an image with two predetermined colors based on information stored in the storage means;
Image forming means for forming an image with the predetermined two colors based on the monochrome grayscale data converted by the converting means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Preview selection means for selecting whether or not to preview the document data by the display means;
The conversion means converts the entire document data into monochrome grayscale data capable of forming an image with two predetermined colors when the preview selection means selects not to perform a preview. The image forming apparatus according to 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an area specifying unit that acquires position information of the object.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an analysis unit that analyzes the document data to acquire information related to the order of the objects.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an analysis unit that analyzes the document data to acquire information related to the type of the object.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the analysis unit acquires information related to the type of the object based on a command related to text data, image data, or graphic data included in the document data.   7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the monochrome grayscale data converted by the conversion unit in the predetermined two colors.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the two predetermined colors are red and black. One or more image forming apparatuses according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and
One or more information processing apparatuses connected to the image forming apparatus via predetermined communication means;
An image forming system comprising: A display process for previewing input document data that can express gradation,
An object selection process for selecting a predetermined object based on the display content of the display process;
A storage process for storing at least one of color information of the object selected in the object selection process, position information, information on the order of the objects, and information on the type of the object;
A conversion process for converting a predetermined range of the document data into monochrome grayscale data capable of forming an image with two predetermined colors based on stored information;
An image forming process for forming an image with the predetermined two colors based on the monochrome grayscale data converted in the conversion process;
An image forming program that causes a computing means to execute the above.