JP2009199522A - Image processor, image forming system, printer driver, and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor capable of changing a setting value of a print parameter related to a drawing instruction when a defect occurs in a print image to be printed. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor has: a setting item information storage means for storing setting information wherein setting item information of a lowest layer in a hierarchical structure with multiple pieces of setting item information about drawing structured therein is associated with a setting value of a print parameter related to an instruction about drawing; a setting item information presentation means for providing a user with multiple pieces of setting item information for every layer in the hierarchical structure and also providing the user with multiple pieces of setting item information related to a lower layer according to the setting item information selected in an upper layer; and a print setting control means for providing a print image generation means with a setting value of a print parameter corresponding to desired setting item information when the desired setting item information is selected from among one or more pieces of the setting item information of the lowest layer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image forming system, a printer driver, and an image processing program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a processing apparatus that issues a print request to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multi-function machine displays a preview of a print image indicating a print output result when the image forming apparatus prints out an image formed product There is a processing device to do. Thus, the user can confirm the print output result in advance before print output by confirming the print image preview-displayed in the processing apparatus.

  As the processing apparatus as described above, for example, those described in Patent Document 1 to Patent Document 3 are known.

  In the information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a spooler interprets a print command (GDI function) from a dispatcher, converts it into an intermediate code that can be easily processed in units of pages based on the interpretation result, and converts this into a spool file. The previewer displays the contents of the spool file as a preview. As a result, the user can correct the print layout or the like while viewing the output content displayed in the previewer.

  The print image display device described in Patent Document 2 displays a print option setting screen for setting print parameters when printing out an image formed product, and can be set when an event is detected for an arbitrary print parameter. Preview multiple print images created according to the value. When one of the displayed preview images is selected, the print image display device creates and updates a plurality of preview images according to values that can be set in finer increments. Then, the print image display device determines the set value when a preview image close to a desired print result is determined.

  The information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 3 converts designated data into print data that conforms to print setting information of the designated printing apparatus, and displays a first preview screen based on the print data. In addition, when a setting change instruction is input, the information processing apparatus displays a setting change dialog, allows the user to specify a printing apparatus, and further updates the print setting information of the printing apparatus according to the user's instruction. At the same time, print data that matches the updated print setting information is generated, and a second preview screen based on the print data is displayed together with the first preview screen before the setting is changed.

  However, in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, an enlargement / reduction parameter indicating the enlargement / reduction ratio (magnification) of an image at the time of print output, among print data parameters related to a print image displayed in preview, and the print direction Although the layout parameters such as the size of the medium (paper) can be changed, parameters related to the print command for drawing (for example, parameters related to “thick lines”, “resolution”, etc.) itself Cannot be changed.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, although it is possible to reflect individual setting contents unique to a device to print data related to a print image displayed as a preview, what kind of setting is desired by the user It is difficult to determine whether a print result to be obtained can be obtained, and it is difficult to accurately set a desired print result.

  By the way, in recent years, when a user who uses a printer feels a problem with a print image (picture to be printed) previewed before print output, the user performs work (such as a change operation) to solve the problem. Therefore, there is a demand for realization (or proposal) of an apparatus or system that automatically solves the problem.

As means for solving problems of software (program) on a computer, for example, those described in Patent Document 4 and Patent Document 5 are known. Those of these patent documents are not means for solving the problem of the image (pattern) to be printed.
JP 2001-067347 A JP 2006-268541 A JP 2006-277605 A JP 2000-138788 A JP 2006-065659 A

  The present invention provides an image processing apparatus, an image forming system, a printer driver, and an image processing program capable of changing a setting value of a print parameter related to a drawing command when a defect occurs in a print image to be printed. The purpose is to provide.

  Further, according to the present invention, when a defect occurs in the print image to be printed, the setting value of the print parameter related to the drawing command is changed without performing the print parameter changing operation by the user. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image forming system, and an image processing program.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a print image generation unit that generates a print image according to a set value of a given print parameter, and a plurality of setting item information related to drawing. A setting item information storage means for storing setting information in which the setting item information of the lowest layer in the hierarchical structure and the setting value of the print parameter relating to the drawing command are associated with each other Based on the setting information stored in the setting item information storage means, a plurality of setting item information is presented to the user for each layer of the hierarchical structure, and according to the setting item information selected in the upper layer Presented by the setting item information presenting means for presenting a plurality of setting item information related to the lower layer to the user, and the setting item information presenting means When desired setting item information is selected from one or more setting item information items in a lower layer, print setting control for giving the print image setting means a setting value of a print parameter corresponding to the desired setting item information And means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the display unit that displays a preview of the print image generated by the print image generation unit, and the layers presented by the setting item information presentation unit. And setting item information selecting means for selecting desired setting item information from the plurality of setting item information.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in the invention of the first or second aspect, the drawing image to be printed is compared with the printing image corresponding to the drawing image, and a defect is determined according to the comparison result. A failure determination processing unit that changes a setting value of a print parameter corresponding to the setting item information in which the occurrence of the failure occurs to a predetermined setting value, and the print image generation unit is changed by the failure determination processing unit The print parameter setting value is applied to generate a new print image, and the setting item information presentation unit inquires whether the new print image displayed on the display unit is a desired print image. Is displayed to the user, and the result of the inquiry indicates that the new print image is not the desired print image, Based on the setting information stored in the serial setting item information storage unit, carrying out presentation processing of the setting item information for each layer of the hierarchical structure, characterized in that.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the second or third aspect, the print setting control means includes two of the plurality of setting item information of the lowest layer presented by the setting item information presenting means. When the setting item information selection unit selects two or more setting item information, two or more print parameter setting values corresponding to the two or more setting item information are given to the print image generation unit, and the print The image generation unit generates a plurality of print images according to the setting values of the plurality of print parameters given from the print setting control unit, and the display unit previews the plurality of print images generated by the print image generation unit. And when the desired print image is selected from the plurality of print images displayed on the display means, the print setting control means It gives the set values of print parameters corresponding to the desired setting item information relating to the desired print image to the print image generating means, characterized in that.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the setting item information presenting means includes a content intended by a user for the print image previewed by the display means. Information indicating that a setting value of a predetermined print parameter is to be changed is presented, and when the information to be changed is selected by the setting item information selection unit, the hierarchical structure A plurality of setting item information of a predetermined layer is presented.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the invention of the fifth aspect, the setting item information presenting means displays the preview-displayed print image as information indicating that the set value of the predetermined print parameter is to be changed. Information indicating that the setting value of the print parameter applied at the time of generation of the print parameter is changed, and information indicating that the setting value of another print parameter different from the print parameter is changed, and the setting item information A plurality of setting item information of a predetermined layer in the hierarchical structure is presented when one of the two pieces of information to be changed is selected by the selection unit.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention described in claim 7 is a print image generation means for generating a print image, a drawing image instructed by an operating system, and the print image generation corresponding to the drawing image. An image comparison unit that compares the print image generated by the unit, a defect pattern detection unit that detects a defect pattern based on a result of comparison by the image comparison unit, and a defect pattern detected by the defect pattern detection unit Parameter determining means for determining print parameters to be solved, wherein the print image generating means generates a new print image by applying the print parameters determined by the parameter determining means. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image forming system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, which makes a print request for print data to be printed. And an image forming apparatus that performs print processing based on print data requested to be printed from the image processing apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the printer driver according to the present invention includes a print image generation process for generating a print image in accordance with a set value of a given print parameter, and a rendering content of an image intended by a user. A plurality of setting item information related to drawing for obtaining the image is layered, and the setting item information of the lowest layer in the layered hierarchical structure is associated with the setting value of the print parameter related to the command related to drawing Presenting a plurality of setting item information for each layer of the hierarchical structure based on the reading processing process for reading out the setting information from the setting item information storage means, and the setting information read out in the reading processing process, Setting item information presentation processing for presenting a plurality of setting item information related to lower layers according to setting item information selected in the layer When desired setting item information is selected from one or more setting item information items in the lowest layer presented in the setting item information presentation process, printing corresponding to the desired setting item information is performed. Causing a computer to execute a print setting control process for giving parameter setting values to the print image generation process, and a preview display process for causing the display means to display a preview of the print image generated by the print image generation process. It is characterized by that.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image processing program according to the present invention includes a print image generation process for generating a print image, a drawing image instructed by an operating system, and the print image corresponding to the drawing image. An image comparison process for comparing the print image generated by the generation process, a defect pattern detection process for detecting a defect pattern based on the result of the comparison by the image comparison process, and the defect pattern detection process A parameter determination process for determining a print parameter to solve the detected defect pattern; a new print image generation process for generating a new print image by applying the print parameter determined by the parameter determination process; To have the computer run And butterflies.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to change the setting value of the print parameter related to the drawing-related command when a problem has occurred in the print image to be printed.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select desired setting item information from among a plurality of setting item information for each layer presented by the setting item information presenting means in accordance with the print image displayed as a preview. it can.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the user determines that there is no need to change the changed print parameter with respect to the print image generated based on the print parameter setting value changed by the defect determination processing unit. Can reduce the work of the change operation by the user.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a desired print image is selected from a plurality of print images displayed in preview and having different print parameters related to a drawing-related command, a print result desired by the user is obtained. be able to.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the print image to be preview-displayed is not the print result desired by the user, the user can repeatedly perform the change operation so as to change the set value of the predetermined print parameter. it can.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the print image to be preview-displayed is not the print result desired by the user, the user can set the print parameter setting value applied at the time of generating the print image or the print The change operation can be repeatedly performed to change the setting values of other print parameters different from the parameters.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when a problem has occurred in the print image to be printed, the print parameter setting value related to the drawing command can be changed without performing the print parameter change operation by the user. Changes can be implemented.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when there is a defect in the print image to be printed, the print result desired by the user can be obtained by changing the set value of the print parameter related to the drawing-related command. Can do.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide software that changes the setting value of the print parameter relating to the drawing-related command when a defect occurs in the print image to be printed.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when there is a problem in the print image to be printed, the print parameter setting value of the print command related to the drawing command is not performed without the user performing the print parameter change operation. Software can be provided that allows changes to be made.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

  (Embodiment 1)

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 form an image forming system 1. In the first embodiment, the image processing apparatus 10 is, for example, a computer, and the image forming apparatus 20 is, for example, a printer (printing apparatus). Therefore, in the following description, the image processing apparatus 10 is referred to as a computer 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 is referred to as a printer 10.

  A computer (image processing apparatus) 10 includes a printer driver 100, a storage unit 101, an input unit 102, and a display unit 103.

  The printer driver 100 transmits a print command to the printer (image forming apparatus) 20 in response to a print request from the application software 104.

  In the storage unit 101, a plurality of setting item information related to drawing is hierarchized, and setting item information of the lowest layer in the hierarchized hierarchical structure is associated with setting values of print parameters related to a command related to drawing It has a function of setting item information storage means for storing the set information. Details of the setting information will be described later.

  The input unit 102 inputs setting information to be set for the printer driver 100. The input unit 102 functions as a setting item information selecting unit that selects desired setting item information from a plurality of setting item information for each layer presented by a setting selection control unit (setting item information presenting unit) 130 described later. Have.

  The display unit 103 displays predetermined display information, for example, preview display information given from the printer driver 100.

  The printer driver 100 includes a driver main unit 110, a preview unit 120, a setting selection control unit 130, a print setting control unit 140, and an interface 150.

  The driver main unit 110 has a function of a print image generation unit that generates a print image according to setting values of one or a plurality of print parameters given from a print setting control unit (print setting control unit) 140 described later.

  The preview unit 120 has a function of a display unit that displays a preview of one or a plurality of print images generated by the driver main unit (print image generation unit) 130. That is, the preview unit 120 performs a preview according to the generated print image.

  In the first embodiment, the preview display by the preview unit 120 is performed by the display unit 103. Therefore, the function of the display means is realized by the cooperation of the display unit 103 and the preview unit 120.

  Based on the setting information stored in the storage unit (setting item information storage unit) 101, the setting selection control unit 130 presents a plurality of setting item information for each layer of the hierarchical structure to the user. It has a function of setting item information presenting means for presenting a plurality of setting item information related to the lower layer to the user according to the selected setting item information.

  The setting selection control unit (setting item information presenting means) 130 also has the following functions (1) and (2).

  (1) Information indicating that the print image previewed by the display unit of the preview unit 120 (display unit 103) is selected because it is not the content intended by the user, and information indicating that the set value of a predetermined print parameter is to be changed. At the same time, when the information to be changed is selected by the input unit (setting item information selecting means) 102, a plurality of setting item information of a predetermined layer in the hierarchical structure is presented.

  (2) Information indicating that the setting value of the predetermined print parameter is to be changed, information indicating that the setting value of the print parameter applied when generating the preview-displayed print image is changed, and the print parameter Information indicating that the setting values of other different printing parameters are to be changed, and one of the two information to be changed has been selected by the input unit (setting item information selection means) 102 Sometimes, a plurality of setting item information of a predetermined layer in the hierarchical structure is presented.

  In other words, if the user wants to confirm the print result before the user performs printing, the setting selection control unit 130 can obtain an appropriate print image by changing the setting when the print result desired by the user is not obtained. When it is desired to confirm whether or not, the user is presented with information for selecting an appropriate setting value.

  Then, when one or a plurality of desired setting item information is selected from the presented one or more setting item information of the lowest layer, the setting selection control unit 130 corresponds to the desired setting item information. Print parameter setting values are read from the storage unit 101, and desired setting items and print parameter setting values are output to the print setting control unit 140.

  When the desired setting item information is selected from the one or more setting item information of the lowest layer presented by the setting selection control unit (setting item information presenting unit) 130, the print setting control unit 140 It has a function of a print setting control unit that gives a setting value of a print parameter corresponding to desired setting item information to the driver main unit (print image generation unit) 110.

  In addition, the print setting control unit 140 receives two or more setting item information from among a plurality of setting item information in the lowest layer presented by the setting selection control unit (setting item information presenting means) 130 as an input unit (setting item information). When the selection means) 102 selects, the function of the print setting control means for providing the driver main part (print image generation means) 110 with the setting values of two or more print parameters corresponding to the two or more setting item information. Have.

  In other words, the print setting control unit 140 serving as the print setting control unit functions as a desired setting item information (single or plural of setting item information in the lowest layer) from the setting selection control unit (setting item information presenting unit) 130. The main part of the driver uses the desired setting item (single or plural setting items) and the print parameter setting value (single or plural print parameter setting values) corresponding to the plural desired setting item information) as the setting values related to the driver. Output to 110

  The print setting control unit 140 controls printer driver settings. Among the set print parameter setting values, the driver setting values are notified to the driver main unit 110, while the printer setting items are set. The value is notified to the printer 20 via the interface 150.

  The interface 150 is an interface that communicates with an external device such as the printer 20. For example, the interface 150 transmits a print command, a print parameter setting value related to the printer, and the like to the printer 20.

  The printer (image forming apparatus) 20 includes an interface 210, a print setting control unit 220, and a print control unit 230.

  The interface 210 is an interface that communicates with an external device such as the computer 10, and receives a print command from the computer 10 (the interface 150), print parameter setting values related to the printer, and the like.

  In addition, the interface 210 outputs print parameter setting values related to the printer to the print setting control unit 220 among the received data, and outputs a print command (print data) to the print control unit 230.

  The print setting control unit 220 saves print parameter setting values related to the printer from the interface 210 in a storage unit (memory) (not shown), and reads the setting values related to the printer from the storage unit (memory) during printing. Output to the print controller 230.

  The print control unit 230 performs control (print control) for printing on an image forming unit (not shown) based on the print command from the interface 210 and the print parameter setting value regarding the printer from the print setting control unit 220. To do.

  As a result, the image forming means (not shown) performs the image forming process based on the print command and the set value of the print parameter relating to the printer, and outputs a printed matter as a result of the image forming process (print process).

  Next, the setting information stored in the storage unit 101 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the setting information is a setting tree list 1100 in which phenomena and parameter setting values are associated with problems improved by various settings of the device driver.

  In this example, the setting tree list 1100 is divided into two as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, but this is only divided for the description of the drawings. The setting tree list 1100 is integrated into one.

  This setting tree list (setting information) 1100 includes user purpose items 1110, 1120, 1130, user final purpose 1140, driver setting items 1150, and driver setting values 1160.

  User purpose items (hereinafter referred to as “user purpose items”) 1110, 1120, 1130 and user final purpose (hereinafter referred to as “user final purpose”) 1140 can be regarded as a hierarchical structure. The purpose item 1110 is the highest layer, and the user final purpose 1140 is the lowest layer. The user final purpose 1140, which is the lowest layer, corresponds to the driver setting item 1150, and the driver setting item 1150 corresponds to the driver setting value 1160. In other words, the user final purpose 1140, which is the lowest layer, corresponds to the driver setting value 1160.

  In the setting tree list 1100 shown in FIG. 3, the setting items of the driver setting item 1150, for example, “convert all colors to black”, “perform black printing”, “smoothing process change”, “sharpness process change”. The setting values of the driver setting values 1160 corresponding to the setting items such as “thicken the thin line” and “gray compensation” are omitted (actually, the setting values are set).

  In the first embodiment, the setting item information is an item (corresponding to a node) set (defined) in each layer of the hierarchical structure. In the example shown in FIGS. A plurality of items in each layer of the purpose 1140, for example, “line is difficult to see” in the layer of the user purpose item 1110, “color printing” in the layer of the user purpose item 1120, “total” in the layer of the user purpose item 1130 These are items such as “change resolution” and “change resolution” in the layer of the user final purpose 1140.

  The user's purpose (setting item information) is set more finely as the layer is shifted from the user purpose item 1110 to the user final purpose 1140 (as the user purpose is broken down in order from the left of the setting tree list 1100). Has been. What is presented to the user by the setting selection control unit 130 is setting item information of each layer from the user purpose item 1110 to the user final purpose 1140.

  Therefore, when the setting selection control unit 130 presents the setting tree list 1100, that is, each layer of the hierarchical structure, the layer from which the setting item information is to be selected by the user is led to the layer of the user final purpose 1140. This means that setting items 1150 are guided. Therefore, when desired setting item information is selected from a plurality of setting item information related to the user final purpose 1140, the setting item of the driver setting item 1150 corresponding to the desired setting item information is determined and the setting is performed. A setting value of the driver setting value 1160 corresponding to the item is determined.

  In the first embodiment, “various device driver settings” in “problems improved by various device driver settings” in the setting tree list 1100 in the layer of the driver setting item 1150 shown in FIG. Setting items (corresponding to nodes) that are set (defined), such as “convert all colors to black”, “perform black printing”, “change sharpness processing”, and the like.

  “Phenomenon” is a malfunction of the print image (print result) when the preview-displayed print image is not the print result desired by the user. In the setting tree list 1100 (see FIG. 2), The contents of the setting item information indicated by reference numeral 1111 “the color as the image is not output” and the contents of the setting item information indicated by reference numeral 1112 “the line is difficult to see”.

  Further, the “parameter setting value” is a setting value set in the driver setting value 1160. In the setting tree list 1100 (see FIG. 3), a setting value such as “photo quality mode” or “200 dpi” is set. It is.

  Based on the setting tree list 1100 as described above, setting item information in the user object item 1110 in the highest layer “color as image is not output” 1111 is used as a base point for each layer up to the user final object 1140 in the lowest layer. By presenting a plurality of setting item information to the user and selecting desired setting item information in each layer, a phenomenon as a defect of the print image (print result), “color as image is not output” In order to solve the problem, driver setting items can be derived.

  Similarly, a plurality of setting item information for each layer up to the user final purpose 1140 of the lowest layer is presented to the user based on the setting item information “Line is difficult to see” 1112 in the user purpose item 1110 of the highest layer. Thus, by selecting desired setting item information in each layer, it is possible to derive driver setting items in order to solve “a line is difficult to see”, which is a phenomenon as a defect of a print image (print result).

  Next, a printing parameter changing process related to a drawing command by the computer (image processing apparatus) 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the print parameter change processing.

  If the user wants to confirm the print result in advance before printing, if the user's desired print result is not obtained, whether or not an appropriate print image can be obtained by changing the print parameter setting. If the user wants to confirm, he / she operates the input unit 102 to select and instruct to confirm the print result (print image) on the setting screen displayed on the display unit 103 and provided by the printer driver 100. To do.

  Upon receiving an instruction to confirm the print result (print image) by the user, the printer driver 100 displays a preview system screen 300 as shown in FIG. 5 on the display unit 103 before printing as shown in FIG. (Step S101).

  The preview system screen 300 includes a preview area 310 and a setting item information presentation area 320 as shown in FIG.

  The preview area 310 is an area for displaying content to be previewed by the preview unit 120. Incidentally, the line segment indicated by reference numeral 311 is the previewed content (preview image).

  The setting item information presentation area 320 is an area for displaying a plurality of setting item information for each layer of the hierarchical structure presented by the setting selection control unit 130. Incidentally, reference numerals 322 and 323 correspond to the setting item information 1111 and the setting item information 1112 in the user purpose item 1110 which is the highest layer in the setting tree list 1100 shown in FIG. Buttons (a “color is not output as image” button and a “line is hard to see” button). A button denoted by reference numeral 321 is a button (“print” button) for instructing printing.

  In such a preview system screen 300, when the preview image 311 displayed in the preview area 310 is not the print image desired by the user, the user does not output the color as the image by operating the input unit 102. The button 322 or the “hard to see line” button 323 is selected. On the other hand, when the preview image (line segment) 311 displayed in the preview area 310 is a print image desired by the user, the “print” button 321 is selected by the operation of the input unit 102 by the user.

  Again, a description will be given with reference to FIG. In the printer driver 100, the setting selection control unit 130 determines whether or not an instruction that the image is a predetermined print image has been issued (step S102).

  Here, when the “print” button 321 is selected (pressed), it is determined that a predetermined print image has been instructed. On the other hand, a “color as image is not output” button 322 or “a line is visible” When the “difficult” button 323 is selected (pressed), it is determined that a predetermined print image is not instructed.

  When the setting selection control unit 130 determines in step S102 that the “color as image is not output” button 322 or the “line is difficult to see” button 323 is selected and a predetermined print image is not instructed, the selection is performed. The setting item information corresponding to the selected button is acquired from the storage unit 101 (step S103), and the print parameter (setting value) of the setting item is acquired from the storage unit 101 (step S104).

  The setting selection control unit 130 selects desired setting item information (single item) from the one or more setting item information items of the lowest layer (one or more setting item information items in the user final purpose 1140 that is the lowest layer). When a plurality of setting item information) is selected, the print parameter setting value (single or plural print parameter setting values) corresponding to the desired setting item information (single or plural setting item information) is stored. The data is read from the unit 101, and desired setting items and print parameter setting values are output to the print setting control unit 140.

  Here, FIG. 6 shows a state of the preview system screen 300 when one or more setting item information for the user final purpose 1140 (see FIG. 3), which is the lowest layer, is presented by the setting selection control unit 130. When any of the “change overall resolution” button 324, the “thicken thin line” button 325, and the “emphasize image outline” button 326 shown in FIG. 6 is selected (pressed). Means that desired setting item information is selected from one or more setting item information items in the user final purpose 1140 which is the lowest layer. Details of the preview system screen 300 in FIG. 6 will be described later.

  When the print setting control unit 140 gives the desired setting items and print parameter setting values from the setting selection control unit 130 to the driver main unit 110, the driver main unit 110 sets the setting items given from the print setting control unit 140. A print image is generated based on the print parameter setting values and output to the preview unit 120.

  In this case, the driver main unit 110 generates one print image based on a single set item information and a single print parameter set value, while a plurality of set item information and a plurality of print parameter corresponding to them. A plurality of print images are generated based on the set value, and one or more print images are output to the preview unit 120.

  Then, the preview unit 120 displays a preview in the preview area 310 of the preview system screen 300 displayed on the display unit 103 according to the received print image (step S105).

  Here, FIG. 7 shows a state of the preview system screen 300 when the button 325 in the preview system screen 300 shown in FIG. 6 is selected (pressed) by the operation of the input unit 102 by the user. Incidentally, the preview image 312 displayed in the preview area 310 of FIG. 7 is thicker than the preview image 311 displayed in the preview area 310 of FIG. 5 or FIG. Details of the preview system screen 300 of FIG. 7 will be described later.

  Note that the preview unit 120 displays previews for the number of print images received from the driver main unit 110 in the preview area 310 of the preview system screen 300 displayed on the display unit 103. In this case, as a method for displaying a plurality of previews by the preview unit 120, for example, (a) each of the plurality of previews is sequentially displayed in the preview area 310 at regular intervals, and (b) there are a plurality of previews. For example, the serial number is displayed in an area different from the area where the preview image is displayed in the preview area 310, and a preview corresponding to the designated number in the serial number is displayed in the preview area 310.

  By the way, the user determines whether or not the print image is a desired print image by looking at the preview screen (preview) in the preview area 310. To instruct (select) that the image is a desired image displayed in the setting information presentation area 320 of the preview system screen 300 (for example, the button 327 in FIG. 7). The unit 102 is operated to instruct (select) to repeatedly change the setting item displayed in the setting information presentation area 320 (for example, the button 328 or the button 329 in FIG. 7).

  Now, the setting selection control unit 130 determines whether or not it is instructed that the image is a desired print image (step S106), and in this step S106, for example, a “save setting and print” button 327 (see FIG. 7). ) Is selected, it is determined that the print image is a desired print image, and the setting items and print parameters related to the print image (preview image 312) displayed in the preview are displayed to the print setting control unit 140. Output.

  The print setting control unit 140 stores the setting items and print parameters from the setting selection control unit 130 in a storage unit (memory) (not shown) in the print setting control unit 140 (step S107).

  Note that the print setting control unit 140 gives a plurality of setting item information passed from the print selection control unit 130 and a plurality of print parameters corresponding thereto to the driver main unit 110 to generate a plurality of print images. In the previews corresponding to a plurality of print images, information indicating a desired preview selected by the user's operation of the input unit 102 is notified from the print selection control unit 130, so that the desired preview (print image) is displayed. The setting item information related to and the printing parameters corresponding to the setting item information are stored in a memory (not shown) in the print setting control unit 140.

  When the print setting control unit 140 storing the setting items and the print parameters in this way controls the driver main unit 110 to transmit a print command to the printer 20, the driver main unit 110 displays the print setting control unit. A print command (print data) is transmitted to the printer 20 via the interface 150 according to the control of 140 (step S108).

  In step S102, for example, if it is determined that a desired print image has been instructed by selecting (pressing) the “save setting and print” button 327 (see FIG. 7), step The process proceeds to S107.

  By the way, the print setting control unit 140 notifies the printer 20 of setting values related to the printer among the set values of the printing parameters that have been set, via the interface 150. Note that the setting values related to the printer driver have already been notified to the driver main unit 110 when generating a print image for preview display.

  Incidentally, the setting items and print parameters given from the print setting control unit 140 when the driver main unit 110 generates the desired print image are stored in a memory (not shown) in the print setting control unit 140. Same as setting items and print parameters. For this reason, the print command transmitted to the printer 20 has the same setting items and print parameters (setting items and print parameters related to the desired print image) stored in a memory (not shown) in the print setting control unit 140. Things are included.

  In the printer 20, the print setting control unit 220 saves the setting values related to the printer received via the interface 210 in a storage unit (memory) (not shown), and sets the settings related to the printer from the storage unit (memory) at the time of printing. The value is read and output to the print control unit 230.

  The print control unit 230 performs control (print control) for printing on an image forming unit (not shown) based on the print command from the interface 210 and the print parameter setting value regarding the printer from the print setting control unit 220. To do.

  By the way, in step S106, the setting selection control unit 130 does not select, for example, the “save setting and print” button 327 (see FIG. 7) but selects another button, so that a desired print image is obtained. If it is determined that the instruction to repeat the setting item change is determined (step S109).

  In step S109, the setting selection control unit 130 includes, for example, a “cancel setting and repeat change” button 328 (see FIG. 7) or a “save setting and repeat change” button 329 (see FIG. 7). If it is determined that the user has instructed that the print image is a desired print image, the process returns to step S103.

  On the other hand, the setting selection control unit 130, which has determined that it has not been instructed to repeat changing the setting item in step S109, determines that the setting item is not selected even though it is not a desired print image, and prints out. It is determined whether or not an instruction has been given (step S110).

  In step S110, for example, when it is determined that printing is instructed by selecting (pressing) the “save setting and print” button 327 (see FIG. 7), the process proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, for example, when it is determined that printing is not instructed because the “end” button 330 is selected (pressed), the print data is not transmitted to the printer 20, and this process ends.

  Next, regarding the print parameter changing process related to the drawing-related command by the computer (image processing apparatus) 10, refer to the setting tree list 1100 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the preview system screen 300 shown in FIGS. This will be specifically described.

  In the first embodiment, when the user visually confirms the print result before print output and a print image that is not a print error but is desired can be obtained, the setting tree shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is used. Regarding the list 1100, in order from the left of the setting tree list 1100 (in order from the upper layer to the lower layer), the user purpose items are broken down (from the user purpose item 1110 to the user purpose item 1140), and the list is shifted to the right ( By shifting to the lower layer), that is, by grasping the user objective item in more detail, the driver setting item 1150 is finally led.

  When a plurality of print parameters (setting values) related to the driver setting value 1160 can be selected for one setting item related to the driver setting item 1150, a specific print parameter is selected.

  In the preview of the print image generated according to the setting item and the print parameter, since a plurality of previews can be displayed in the preview area 310, a plurality of print parameters can be selected. That is, the user can visually compare and confirm a plurality of previews corresponding to a plurality of print images created according to a plurality of print parameter settings (setting values).

  By the way, the above-described processing of step S105 of FIG. 4 is performed by the setting selection control unit 130 according to the setting tree list 1100, that is, an item that can be finally specified by the device driver (printer driver), that is, the driver setting item 1150. It is when led to. In this way, the setting value led to a value that can be specifically set by the setting selection control unit 130 is set as a driver setting value in the print setting control unit 140.

  In this case, for the driver setting item 1150 for which the print parameter can be specified, the print parameter specification is also led to the driver setting value 1160 that can be specifically set. For example, in the case of “resolution change” related to the driver setting item 1150, for example, “200 dpi”, “300 dpi”, and “600 dpi” can be specified functionally, but “300 dpi” and “300 dpi” are input according to the user input. It is possible to preview print images at two resolutions of “600 dpi”.

  In the case of “change image quality” related to the driver setting item 1150, “photo quality mode”, “presentation image quality mode”, “POP image quality mode”, and “Web image quality mode” can be specified. It is possible to preview the print image in the image quality mode.

  In the preview system screen 300 shown in FIG. 5, the setting item information presentation area 320 relates to the layer (top layer) of the user purpose item 1110 (user purpose item 1) of the setting tree list 1100 shown in FIG. A plurality of setting item information is presented. The preview area 310 displays a preview of the current print image (preview image 311).

  That is, in the setting item information presentation area 320 in FIG. 5, the “color as image is not output” button 321 and the “line is difficult to see” button 322 corresponding to the setting item 1111 and the setting item 1112 in FIG. Is displayed. By selecting these buttons, it is possible to select setting item information related to the top layer of the setting tree list 1100.

  In addition, when the user determines that the current print image (preview image 311) displayed as a preview in the preview area 310 may be used (the print parameters relating to the current print image may be set), the print corresponding to the print image is performed. A “print” button 321 is provided in the setting item information presentation area 320 so that a command (print data) can be printed.

  Here, when the user visually confirms the preview image 311 displayed in the preview area 310 and determines that “the line is difficult to see”, and selects (presses) the “hard to see line” button 323, the setting is performed. The selection control unit 130, on the condition that the “line is difficult to see” button 323 is selected (pressed), the next layer (second layer) in the setting tree list 1100, that is, the user purpose item 1120 ( A plurality of setting item information items related to the user's purpose item 2) are presented in the setting item information presentation area 320.

  A plurality of setting item information related to the layer of the user purpose item 1120 (user purpose item 2) of the setting tree list 1100 in FIG. 2, for example, each setting item of “color printing” and “monochrome printing” is set item information presenting area 320. Presenting the user to select a desired setting item from “color printing” and “monochrome printing”.

  Then, on the condition that the setting item of “color printing” or “monochrome printing” is selected, the setting selection control unit 130 is the next layer (third layer) of the setting tree list 1100, that is, the user purpose. A plurality of setting item information related to the item 1130 (the user's purpose item 3) is presented in the setting item information presentation area 320.

  As described above, the user may select the setting item of “color printing” or “monochrome printing”, but “color designation” or “monochrome” is included in the contents of the print settings designated by the user first. It is also possible to automatically transition to the next layer (in this example, the third layer) by determining which of “designation” is designated.

  Here, for the user purpose item 1120 (user purpose item 2), which is the second layer of the setting tree list 1100, for example, “color designation” is included in the print settings, so the setting item “color printing” is selected. When this is done (in this example, setting item information related to the second layer is not presented), the preview system screen 300 in FIG. 5 transitions to the preview system screen 300 in FIG.

  In the preview system screen 300 of FIG. 6, in the setting item information presentation area 320, a plurality of setting item information related to the user purpose item 1130 (user purpose item 3), for example, “change overall resolution”, “narrow” Corresponding to “weight line” and “I want to emphasize the outline of an image”, respectively, a “change overall resolution” button 324, a “thicken resolution” button 325, and an “emphasize image outline” button 326 Is presented.

  Here, when the user selects (presses) the “thicken thin line” button 325, the setting selection control unit 130 displays the user purpose item 1130 (user's purpose) corresponding to the “thicken thin line” button 325. It is recognized that the setting item “thicken thin line” in item 3) is selected.

  In the first embodiment, in the setting tree list 1100, each setting item of the user purpose item 1130 (user purpose item 3) as the third layer is paired with each setting item of the user final purpose 1140 as the lowest layer. In the case of 1 corresponding, it is assumed that the setting items of the user purpose item 1130 that is the third layer (user purpose item 3) and the setting items of the user final purpose 1140 that is the lowest layer are the same or equivalent. Processing is to be implemented.

  For example, the setting item “thicken thin line” of the user purpose item 1130 (user purpose item 3) which is the third layer and the “thin line” of the user final purpose 1140 which is the lowest layer (fourth layer). Since the setting item “final” has a one-to-one correspondence with the setting item (final purpose), when the setting item “thicken thin line” is selected, the final purpose “thicken thin line” It is considered to be selected.

  Therefore, when the setting selection control unit 130 considers that the final purpose “thin line is thick” of the user final purpose 1140 is selected, the driver setting item corresponding to the final purpose “thick line” is selected. A driver setting item (see FIG. 3) relating to “1150” relating to 1150 and a driver setting value (not shown) relating to a driver setting value 1160 corresponding to this driver setting item are acquired, and these driver setting items are obtained. (Print parameter) and driver setting value (print parameter setting value) are output to the print setting control unit 114.

  Then, when the print setting control unit 114 gives the driver setting item (print parameter) “thin line is thick” and the driver setting value (print parameter setting value) from the setting selection control unit 130 to the driver main unit 110, The driver main unit 110 generates a print image according to the driver setting items and driver setting values given from the print setting control unit 114. This print image is previewed by the preview unit 120.

  That is, the preview system screen 300 in FIG. 6 transitions to the preview system screen 300 in FIG. In the preview system screen 300 of FIG. 7, the preview area 310 displays a preview of a print image in which the driver setting item “thin line is thick” is enabled. In the setting item information presentation area 320, a “save setting and print” button 327, a “cancel setting and repeat change” button 328, and a “save setting and repeat change” button 329 are displayed. ing.

  If the user determines that the print image (preview image 312) previewed in the preview area 310 of FIG. 7 is acceptable, the user selects (presses) the “Save settings and print” button 327, and In order to save the setting contents related to the print image and further change the setting items of the printer driver, the “save setting and repeat change” button 329 is selected (pressed), and further the printer If the phenomenon is not improved despite the setting of the driver setting value of the driver setting item being enabled, or if it is determined that the effect is small, the “cancel setting and repeat change” button 328 is selected ( Press).

  When the “cancel setting and repeat change” button 328 or the “save setting and repeat change” button 329 is selected (pressed), the control of the printer driver 100 shows in FIG. The preview system screen 300 changes to the initial screen of the preview system screen 300 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the “save setting and print” button 327 is selected (pressed), the print setting control unit 114 notifies the driver setting item (print parameter) and driver setting value (from the setting selection control unit 130). The print parameter setting value) is stored in a memory (not shown) of the print setting control unit 114, and at the same time, a print command is transmitted to the printer 20 to the driver main unit 110. As a result, a print command (print data) is transmitted from the driver main unit 110 to the printer 20, and the printer 20 performs print processing based on the print command (print data).

  Incidentally, in the setting tree list 1100 shown in FIG. 3, the setting values in the driver setting value 1160 corresponding to the setting item “image quality change” in the driver setting item 1150 are “photo quality mode” and “presentation image quality”. There are four modes, “Mode”, “POP image quality mode”, and “Web image quality mode”. In this case, it is necessary to select only one type of setting value for the driver main unit 110. .

  As described above, there are a plurality of setting values of the driver setting value 1160 corresponding to the setting items of the driver setting item 1150, and it is necessary to select one setting value from among the plurality of setting values. If you do not know which image quality mode should be selected from among multiple image quality modes, or if you want to compare print images in each image quality mode, print images displayed in the preview system screen 300 and displayed in multiple image quality modes are displayed. By instructing the preview, a print image in each image quality mode can be generated by the driver main unit 110, and a plurality of print images can be displayed in the preview area 310 by the preview unit 120.

  Here, in order to preview print images in a plurality of image quality modes, when a plurality of driver setting values (print parameter setting values) to be compared are selected, in order to create a print image according to the driver setting values, The print setting control unit 140 stores the driver setting value notified by the setting selection control unit 130 and selected by the user in a memory (not shown) of the print setting control unit 140 and outputs it to the driver main unit 110. Next, the driver main unit 110 generates a print image according to the driver setting value, and performs a preview display via the preview unit 120. By executing this series of processes a number of times (a plurality of times) corresponding to the number of selected driver setting values, a plurality of print images can be displayed as a preview.

  In this case, when a desired print image is selected from a plurality of preview-displayed prints, the print setting control unit 140 is presented in the setting information presentation area 320 related to the selected desired print image. The print parameter setting value corresponding to the selected desired setting item information is stored in a memory (not shown) in the print setting control unit 140 and given to the driver main unit 110. As a result, a print result desired by the user can be obtained.

  Furthermore, when changing the setting value again after previewing and previewing again, the driver setting value (print parameter setting value) of the same driver setting item as the driver setting item (print parameter) related to the print image displayed in the preview is changed. If you reconfigure the driver setting items, the driver setting value (print parameter) of the driver setting item (print parameter) is different from the driver setting item (print parameter) related to the print image displayed in the preview. The setting value may also be changed.

  In the former case, this can be done by changing the saved driver setting items and driver setting values.

  On the other hand, in the latter case, it is necessary to determine whether driver setting items and driver setting values set later can coexist with the driver setting items and driver setting values set first. For example, if you want to change the image quality mode first, then change the driver setting value of the driver setting item again and print in monochrome, set the driver setting value of the driver setting item together with the change of the image quality mode. I can't do it. On the other hand, it is possible to first change the image quality mode and then change the smoothing process.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the user is allowed to check the preview-displayed print image (print result) via the preview system screen, and a plurality of setting item information related to drawing is hierarchized. Print parameters related to drawing commands when there is a problem with the print image to be printed by presenting and selecting multiple setting item information for each layer in the specified setting tree list (hierarchical structure information) The setting value (setting value of the printer driver) of (setting item of the printer driver) can be changed.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the user is allowed to check the preview-displayed print image (print result) via the preview system screen, and the setting tree in which a plurality of setting item information related to drawing is hierarchized. Since multiple setting item information for each layer of the list (hierarchical structure information) is presented and selected, if the user determines that there is a problem with the print image to be printed before printing In addition, by simply selecting desired setting item information from a plurality of setting item information presented via the preview system screen, printing parameters (printer driver setting items) related to drawing commands can be appropriately printed. The parameters can be easily changed, and a desired print image (print result) can be obtained.

  (Embodiment 2)

  FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 8, the image processing apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 form an image forming system 2.

  The image processing apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment has a configuration in which an automatic determination unit 160 is added to the image processing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. In the constituent elements shown in FIG. 8, the same reference numerals are given to the portions that perform the same functions as the constituent elements shown in FIG.

  In the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, when the user wants to confirm the print result in advance before printing, when the print result desired by the user is not obtained, the print parameter is set. When it is desired to check whether or not an appropriate print image can be obtained by changing the setting of the setting, a setting screen displayed on the display unit 103 and provided by the printer driver 100, that is, confirming the print result (print image) is displayed. The user confirms and confirms the confirmation on the preview system screen by operating the input unit 102.

  FIG. 9 shows a configuration of a preview system screen 300A according to the second embodiment. This preview system 300A is configured by adding a “automatic repair” button 410 and a “preview repair” 420 to the preview system screen 300 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  When the “automatic repair” button 410 is selected (pressed), the printer driver 100 does not perform an operation for changing the setting value of the print parameter corresponding to the setting item information in which the failure has occurred. It is designed to change (repair) automatically. Here, this processing is referred to as “automatic repair processing”.

  When the “repair by preview” button 420 is selected (pressed), the printer driver 100 changes the setting value of the print parameter corresponding to the setting item information in which the failure has occurred according to the change operation by the user ( It is changed (repaired) based on setting item information and print parameter setting values). Here, this processing is referred to as “repair processing by preview”.

  In this example, in order to perform the repair processing by the preview, the user selects (presses) the “repair by preview” button 420, and then the “color as image does not output” button 322 or “the line is visible”. The “difficult” button 323 is selected (pressed). The subsequent processing is the same as the printing parameter changing processing of the first embodiment shown in FIG. That is, the processing from step S103 to step S110 of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 4 is performed.

  In the second embodiment, the user selects (presses) the “automatic repair” button 410 and the “repair by preview” button 420 as necessary to perform automatic repair processing and preview repair processing. In combination, the change (restoration) processing for the setting value of the print parameter corresponding to the setting item information in which the problem has occurred can be performed. Details of this processing will be described later.

  Again, a description will be given with reference to FIG. The automatic determination unit 160 includes a drawing image to be printed, that is, a drawing image 105 instructed by an operating system (hereinafter referred to as “OS”), a printing image corresponding to the drawing image, that is, a printing image given from the driver main unit 110. And a function of defect determination processing means for changing the setting value of the print parameter corresponding to the setting item information in which the defect has occurred to a predetermined setting value according to the comparison result. That is, the automatic determination processing unit 160 performs the above-described automatic repair process.

  The automatic determination unit (defect determination processing unit) 160 that has changed the setting value of the print parameter corresponding to the setting item information in which the defect has occurred to a predetermined setting value, the setting item information and the setting value of the printing parameter (predetermined value) Is notified to the print setting control unit 140.

  The print setting control unit 140 stores the setting item information and print parameter setting values notified from the automatic determination unit 160 in a memory (not shown) in the print setting control unit 140 and outputs them to the driver main unit 110. To do.

  The driver main unit 110 generates a new print image based on the setting item information and the print parameter setting value output from the print setting control unit 140, and outputs the new print image to the preview unit 120. The preview unit 120 previews a new print image from the driver main unit 110.

  In addition to the setting tree list 1100 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the storage unit 101 also stores information indicating an inquiry as to whether or not the new print image is a desired print image.

  In addition to the function of the setting item presentation unit in the first embodiment, the setting selection control unit 130 determines whether the new print image displayed by the display unit of the preview unit 120 (display unit 103) is a desired print image. When the inquiry about whether or not is presented to the user and the result of the inquiry indicates that the new print image is not the desired print image, the setting stored in the storage unit (setting item information storage unit) 101 Based on the information (setting tree list), it also has a function of setting item information presenting means for performing a setting item information presenting process for each layer of the hierarchical structure.

  Specifically, as in the case of the first embodiment, the setting selection control unit 130 presents information indicating the inquiry read from the storage unit 101 in the setting item information presentation area 320 of the preview system screen 300A. Setting item information for each layer of the hierarchical structure based on the setting tree list 1100 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) as setting information read from the storage unit (setting item information storage means) 101 is set as setting item information on the preview system screen 300A. Present it in the presentation area 320.

  Here, the information indicating the inquiry means a “print” button 321. When the “print” button 321 is selected (pressed), it is determined that the new print image is a desired print image. On the other hand, when the “color as image is not output” button 322 or the “line is difficult to see” button 323 is selected (pressed), it is determined that the new print image is not the desired print image. It has become.

  In addition, when the “automatic repair” button 410 is selected (pressed), the setting selection control unit 130 instructs the automatic determination unit 160 to perform the above-described automatic repair process.

  In the second embodiment, a failure that can be avoided by finally changing a driver setting is targeted for processing, and a means for changing the final driver setting is automatically determined (automatic repair processing) or determined by preview ( (Repair processing by preview) can be selected.

  It would be ideal if all of the driver setting items could be automatically analyzed and corrected for print image defects (printer driver). However, the driver setting items indicate that the user has a print image defect. Since there may be a setting item that is a target for repairing the recognized failure, the setting items of the driver that can be automatically determined are limited.

  For example, it is possible to easily determine whether the thickness of the line, the strength of the image contour, etc. is a problem by using a general image analysis method. On the other hand, regarding the color reproducibility, it is impossible to automatically make judgments based on the user's subjectivity such as “I want to make it a little brighter” or “I want to make it thinner overall”.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, setting items that can be automatically determined and setting items that require a preview are divided, and those that can be automatically determined are automatically detected and corrected for defects in the print image. On the other hand, for setting items that cannot automatically detect and correct print image defects, the user is allowed to change the setting items while visually checking the print image displayed in the preview. . Alternatively, although the setting item related to the print image has been automatically corrected, it is determined by the user's visual confirmation with respect to the print image previewed after the correction processing that the defect still exists in the correction processing result. If it is determined that the content is not intended by the user, the setting item is changed while the user visually confirms the preview-displayed print image.

  That is, in the second embodiment, by the determination (automatic determination) related to the “automatic repair process” in the automatic determination unit 160, the driver setting item and the driver setting item are changed from the user setting item of the highest layer in the setting tree list 1100. Even when the setting value is derived, the driver setting of the print image in which a problem has occurred is automatically analyzed by analyzing the print image created in the driver main unit 110 or the print image previewed by the preview unit 120. Change the value to the correct driver setting. Specifically, as described above, when the user designates the “automatic repair” button 410 on the preview system screen, the “automatic repair process” in the automatic determination unit 160 is performed.

  In the second embodiment, the user designates the “repair by preview” button 420 in the preview system screen, and further corresponds to the setting item information in each layer of the setting tree list 1100 such as the “hard to see” button 323. By specifying (selecting) a button to be displayed, a preview of the print image based on the specified setting item information (corresponding driver setting item and printer setting value) is displayed one by one, and the preview is displayed to the user. The setting value of the driver for repairing the fault can be changed according to the result of visual confirmation of the displayed print image.

  Next, a printing parameter changing process related to a drawing command by the computer (image processing apparatus) 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the print parameter change processing.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 10 is the same as the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 except that step S101 and step S102 are changed to step S201 and step S202 (processing contents are changed), and step S203 and step S204 are added. The processing procedure is as follows.

  In other words, if the user wants to check the print result in advance before printing, if the print result desired by the user is not obtained, whether or not an appropriate print image can be obtained by changing the print parameter setting. If the user wants to confirm whether or not to confirm the print result (print image), he / she selects the confirmation to be performed on the setting screen displayed on the display unit 103 and provided by the printer driver 100 by operating the input unit 102. Then instruct.

  Upon receiving an instruction to confirm the print result (print image) by the user, the printer driver 100 displays a preview system screen 300A as shown in FIG. 9 on the display unit 103 before printing as shown in FIG. (Step S201).

  In such a preview system screen 300A, if the preview image 311 displayed in the preview area 310 is not the print image desired by the user, the “automatic repair” button 410 and the user can operate the input unit 102, and One of the “repair by preview” buttons 420 is selected (pressed). On the other hand, when the preview image (line segment) 311 displayed in the preview area 310 is a print image desired by the user, the button 321 is selected by operating the input unit 102 by the user.

  Again, a description will be given with reference to FIG. In the printer driver 100, the setting selection control unit 130 determines whether or not an instruction that the image is a predetermined print image has been issued (step S202).

  Here, if the “print” button 321 is selected (pressed), it is determined that a predetermined print image has been instructed. On the other hand, an “automatic repair” button 410 and a “preview repair” button 420 are determined. If any one of the buttons is selected (pressed), it is determined that no instruction is given for a predetermined print image.

  In step S202, the setting selection control unit 130 detects that any one of the “automatic repair” button 410 and the “preview repair” button 420 is selected (pressed), and performs a predetermined print image. If it is determined that no instruction is given, it is determined whether there is an instruction to determine automatically (step S203).

  Here, the instruction to determine automatically means that the “automatic repair” button 410 is selected (pressed).

  If the setting selection control unit 130 detects in step S203 that the “automatic repair” button 410 has been selected (pressed) and determines that an automatic determination is instructed, the setting selection control unit 130 determines that the automatic determination unit 160 Instruct to execute the above-described automatic repair process.

  Upon receiving the instruction, the automatic determination unit 160 compares the drawing image (drawing image to be printed) 105 instructed from the OS with the printing image corresponding to the drawing image, that is, the printing image given from the driver main unit 110. At the same time, according to the comparison result, the setting value of the print parameter corresponding to the setting item information in which the problem has occurred is changed to a predetermined setting value (step S204).

  Then, when the automatic determination unit 160 notifies the print setting control unit 140 of the result of performing the automatic repair process as described above, that is, the setting item information and the print parameter setting value (predetermined setting value), the print setting is performed. The control unit 140 gives the setting item information and the print parameter setting value (predetermined setting value) from the automatic determination unit 160 to the driver main unit 110.

  The driver main unit 110 generates a print image based on the setting items and print parameter setting values given from the print setting control unit 140 and outputs the print image to the preview unit 120.

  Then, the preview unit 120 displays a preview in the preview area 310 of the preview system screen 300A displayed on the display unit 103 in accordance with the received print image (step S105). In step S105, under the control of the printer driver 100, the preview system screen 300A shown in FIG. 9 is changed to the preview system screen 300A shown in FIG.

  Subsequent processes are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In step S203, the setting selection control unit 130 that has detected that the “repair by preview” button 420 has been selected (pressed) and has determined that no automatic determination is instructed proceeds to step S103. After step S103, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed. In this case, the preview system screen 300A shown in FIG. 9 changes to the preview system screen 300 shown in FIG. 6, and further changes to the preview system screen 300 shown in FIG.

  That is, during the automatic repair process, the preview system screen changes from the content shown in FIG. 9 to the content shown in FIG. On the other hand, during the repair process by preview, the preview system screen changes from the content shown in FIG. 9 to the content shown in FIG. 6, and further changes to the content shown in FIG.

  In any repair processing, a “cancel setting and repeat change” button 328 (see FIGS. 7 and 11) on the preview system screen 300 shown in FIG. 7 or the preview system screen 300A shown in FIG. Alternatively, when the “save settings and repeat changes” button 329 (see FIGS. 7 and 11) is selected, the respective preview system screens transition to the preview system screens shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the user wants to confirm the print result in advance before printing, when the user cannot obtain the desired print result, an appropriate print image can be obtained by changing the print parameter setting. When it is desired to confirm whether or not the print image is to be printed, a desired print result for the print image can be obtained by combining the “automatic repair process” and the “repair process by preview”.

  In the second embodiment, the accuracy of the analysis (automatic analysis) related to “automatic repair processing” can be improved by analyzing the print image before detecting the defect of the print image. .

  For example, a photographic image, a presentation image, or a WEB based on information such as a color image or a monochrome image based on a print setting initially set by the user, or information such as the name of application software that issues a print instruction. Whether it is an image or the like can be analyzed in advance for printing applications.

  Furthermore, since the image quality setting cannot be selected in the case of a monochrome image, the automatic determination regarding the image quality can be omitted. As a result, the setting items of the driver that can change the settings for the monochrome image are limited, so that the processing time of the automatic repair process can be shortened. In addition, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determination (automatic determination) related to automatic repair processing. Furthermore, even if it can be determined in advance that the target of the automatic repair process is a photographic image, the setting items of the driver can be limited to some extent. For example, the picture quality setting is set to “photo” and the smoothing process is set to “valid”. This makes it easier to make decisions.

  In the second embodiment, the following three methods (A) to (C) can be cited as a method of combining “automatic repair processing” and “preview repair processing”.

  (A) A method in which a setting item of a driver that is a target of “automatic repair processing” and a setting item of a driver that is a target of “repair processing by preview” are separated in advance.

  (B) A method in which “automatic repair processing” is first attempted, and “preview repair processing” is performed in a limited manner for the purpose of assisting or approaching the user's request. According to this method, the accuracy of the “automatic repair process” can be improved by analyzing the print image in advance before the “automatic repair process”. In this case, the driver setting item whose setting value has been changed by the “automatic repair process” is notified to the user at any time to check whether the direction of failure repair is different from the user's intention. As a result, the print result intended by the user can be obtained reliably and quickly.

  (C) As shown in the example of the preview system screen 300A of FIG. 9, an automatic failure repair button, for example, “automatic repair” is displayed in the preview system screen so that “automatic repair process” and “repair process by preview” can be selected. ”Button 410, and a method of providing“ repair by preview ”420. This method can arbitrarily change the setting items of the driver in the “restoration process by preview”, and thus it can be said that the method (1) can be customized by the user.

  FIG. 12 shows a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

  The image processing apparatus 10 includes a CPU 11, a storage device 12 such as a hard disk, a ROM 13, a RAM 14, an input device 15, a display device 16, and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “communication I / F”) 17.

  The storage device 12 includes an OS (operating system) 12A, a printer driver 100 (see FIGS. 1 and 8), application software 104 (see FIGS. 1 and 8) that creates data to be printed and issues a print request, and a preview system. It stores preview system screen data corresponding to each of the screen 300 (see FIGS. 5 to 7) and the preview system screen 300A (see FIGS. 9 and 11).

  The storage device 12 corresponds to the storage unit 101 shown in FIG. 1 and also stores a setting tree list 1100 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  The above-described printer driver 100 as software includes software (program) corresponding to the above-described processing procedure (see FIGS. 4 and 10) and at least the following processing steps (1) to (5). Is included.

  (1) A print image generation process for generating a print image in accordance with a given print parameter setting value. This process is executed by the driver main unit 110.

  (2) A plurality of setting item information relating to drawing for obtaining the drawing contents of the target image of the user is hierarchized, and the setting item information of the lowest layer in the hierarchized hierarchical structure and an instruction relating to drawing A reading process for reading out setting information associated with the setting values of the printing parameters related to the item from the setting item information storage unit (storage unit 101). This process is executed by the setting selection control unit 130.

  (3) Based on the setting information read out in the reading process, a plurality of setting item information is presented for each layer of the hierarchical structure, and in the lower layer according to the setting item information selected in the upper layer A setting item information presentation process for presenting a plurality of setting item information. This process is executed by the setting selection control unit 130.

  (4) When desired setting item information is selected from one or more setting item information items in the lowest layer presented in the setting item information presentation process, printing corresponding to the desired setting item information A print setting control process for giving parameter setting values to the print image generation process. This process is executed by the print setting control unit 140.

  (5) A preview display process for displaying the print image generated by the print image generation process on the display means. This process is executed by the preview unit 120.

  The ROM 13 is a read-only memory, and stores parameters, data, and the like necessary for the print parameter change processing related to the drawing-related command by the image processing apparatus 10.

  The RAM 14 is a read / write memory as needed, and stores the OS 12A, application software 104, printer driver 100, setting tree list 1100, preview system screen data read from the storage device 12, parameters and data read from the ROM 13.

  The RAM 14 also stores the following data (1) to (6) and information.

  (1) A print image generated by the driver main unit 110.

  (2) A print image previewed by the preview unit 120.

  (3) A plurality of setting item information (user purpose items) for each layer of the hierarchical structure related to the setting tree list 1100 presented by the setting selection control unit 130.

  (4) Selection result information such as setting item information selected by the user operating the input device 15 described later on the preview system screen 300 (preview system screen 300A).

  (5) Driver setting items and driver setting values stored by the print control setting control unit 140.

  (6) Print command (print data) generated by the driver main unit 110, that is, data (PDL data) described in a page description language.

  The display device 16 corresponds to the display unit 103 (see FIGS. 1 and 8) and displays a preview system screen 300 (preview system screen 300A).

  The input device 15 corresponds to the input unit 102 (see FIGS. 1 and 8), and selects a desired button from a plurality of buttons on the preview system screen 300 (preview system screen 300A) displayed on the display device 16. (Press).

  The communication I / F 17 exchanges data with the interface 150 of the printer driver 100, and transmits, for example, a print command, a print parameter setting value related to the printer, and the like from the interface 150 to the printer 20.

  The CPU 11 implements the functions of the printer driver 100 by reading the OS 12A and the printer driver 100 from the storage device 12 into the RAM 14 and executing them. The functions of the printer driver 100 are the functions of the constituent elements 110 to 150 in the example shown in FIG. 1, and the functions of the constituent elements 110 to 160 in the example shown in FIG.

  In addition, the CPU 11 reads the setting tree list 1100 and the preview system screen data from the storage device 12 to the RAM 14 in a state where the OS 12A and the printer driver 100 are stored in the RAM 14, thereby changing the print parameters related to the drawing-related commands. (See FIGS. 4 and 10).

  In the present specification, a printer driver as software has been described as an embodiment of recording in a storage device such as a hard disk as a recording medium. However, the printer driver can also be provided as follows.

  That is, the printer driver may be stored in the ROM, and the CPU may load the printer driver from the ROM to the main storage device and execute it.

  The printer driver may be stored and distributed in a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, MO (magneto-optical disk), flexible disk, or the like. In this case, after the image processing apparatus installs the printer driver recorded on the recording medium, the CPU executes the printer driver. As an installation destination of the printer driver, there is a memory such as a RAM or a storage device such as a hard disk. Then, the image processing apparatus loads and executes the printer driver stored in the storage device in the main storage device as necessary.

  Furthermore, the image processing apparatus is connected to a computer such as a server apparatus or a host computer via a communication line (for example, the Internet), and after the image processing apparatus downloads the printer driver from the server apparatus or the computer, A printer driver may be executed. In this case, download destinations of the printer driver include a memory such as a RAM and a storage device (recording medium) such as a hard disk. The image processing apparatus loads the printer driver stored in the storage device into the main storage device and executes it as necessary.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the operational effects of the first embodiment described above can be expected.

  In addition, according to the second embodiment, by executing “automatic repair process” and “preview repair process”, the printing parameters (in relation to the drawing-related command changed by “automatic repair process”) ( When the user does not need to change the setting item of the printer driver in order to solve the problem of the print image, it is possible to reduce the work of the user's change operation for solving the problem of the print image.

  (Embodiment 3)

  FIG. 13 shows a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 13, the image processing apparatus 50 and the image forming apparatus 60 form the image forming system 3.

  In the third embodiment, the image processing apparatus 50 is, for example, a computer, and the image forming apparatus 60 is, for example, a printer (printing apparatus). Therefore, in the following description, the image processing apparatus 50 is referred to as a computer 50, and the image forming apparatus 60 is referred to as a printer 60.

  The computer (image processing apparatus) 50 and the printer (image forming apparatus) 60 are connected via a communication line such as a network or a communication cable such as a USB cable or a parallel cable.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the computer 50 includes an image processing unit 500, a GDI 501 that outputs a drawing instruction command to the image processing unit 500, and a communication unit 502 that communicates with the printer 60.

  The GDI 501 is a graphic device interface (Graphic Device Interface).

  The image processing unit 500 includes a GDI drawing image generation unit 510, a first buffer 520, a print command generation unit 530, a print image generation unit 540, a second buffer 550, a comparison unit 560, a detection unit 570, and a correspondence determination unit 580. have.

  A drawing instruction command output from the GDI 501 is input to each of the GDI drawing image generation unit 510 and the print command generation unit 530.

  The GDI drawing image generation unit 510 generates a drawing image (GDI drawing image) based on a drawing instruction command from the GDI 501 and stores the generated GDI drawing image in the first buffer 520.

  The print command generation unit 530 generates a print command based on the drawing instruction command from the GDI 501 and outputs it to the print image generation unit 540. Here, the print command indicates a page description language (PDL).

  The print image generation unit 540 generates a print image based on the print command from the print command generation unit 530, compresses the generated print image, and stores the compressed print image in the second buffer 550. Here, the print image is an image such as a bitmap that can be visualized.

  The print image generation unit 540 has a function of print image generation means for generating a print image.

  The comparison unit 560 compares the GDI drawing image stored in the first buffer 520 with the print image stored in the second buffer 550.

  Further, when performing the comparison process, the comparison unit 560 obtains a difference between the two images at the bitmap level, and lists an area with a certain difference or more. The list is a data set of start and end points.

  Further, the comparison unit 560 extracts a representative object from each obtained difference area, and adds feature data to the extracted object. For example, when a line object is extracted, the line thickness, length, pattern (practice, broken line), etc. are extracted as data. Since each data here is different between the GDI drawing image and the print image, each image is extracted.

  Further, the comparison unit 560 outputs the object and feature data extracted as described above to the detection unit 570 as a comparison result.

  The comparison unit 560 includes an OS (operating system), that is, a GDI drawing image generated by the GDI image generation unit 510 based on a drawing instruction command specified by the GDI 501 and a print image generated by the print image generation unit (print image generation unit) 540. It has the function of the image comparison means which compares.

  The detection unit 570 matches the comparison result output from the comparison unit 560 with the defect data stored in the detection unit 570 and outputs the matching result to the correspondence determination unit 580.

For example, the following object data as a comparison result is matched with the following line thickness defect threshold data.
Object data =
(Object, GDI drawing image line thickness, print image line thickness)
= (Line, 6pt, 2pt)
Line thickness defect threshold data =
(Object, print image line thickness / GDI drawing image image line thickness) = (line, 0.5 or more)

  In this example, since the data of the comparison result exceeds the threshold value, it is determined as a malfunction. The determination content of this defect (in this example, the line is thin) is output to the correspondence determination unit 580.

  The detection unit 570 has a function of a defect pattern detection unit that detects a defect pattern based on the result of comparison by the comparison unit (image comparison unit) 560.

  Based on the determination content of the defect from the detection unit 570 (in this example, the line is thin), the response determination unit 580 instructs to apply the setting item “thicken the thin line” as a countermeasure against the defect. Is output to the print command generation unit 530.

  The correspondence determination unit 580 has a function of a parameter determination unit that determines a print parameter so as to solve the defect pattern detected by the detection unit (defect pattern detection unit) 570.

  Then, the print command generation unit 530 generates a print command based on the drawing instruction command from the GDI 501 and the instruction (countermeasure) from the correspondence determination unit 580.

  The print image generation unit 540 generates a print image based on the print command, and transmits this as print data to the printer 60 via the communication unit 502. Note that the print image generation unit (print image generation unit) 540 applies a print parameter determined by the correspondence determination unit (parameter determination unit) 580 to generate a new print image.

  Thus, the printing process is executed by the printer 60 based on the print data.

  In the third embodiment, the comparison unit 560, the detection unit 570, and the correspondence determination unit 580 correspond to the automatic determination unit 160 of the second embodiment, and the print command generation unit 530 and the print image generation unit 540 are the embodiments. The GDI drawing image generated by the GDI drawing image generation unit 510 corresponds to the drawing main image 110 of the second embodiment.

  Next, a printing parameter changing process related to a drawing command by the computer (image processing apparatus) 50 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the print parameter change processing.

  The third embodiment is different from the first or second embodiment in that the image processing unit 500 does not perform a print parameter changing operation by the user and the image processing unit 500 sets a print parameter setting value related to a drawing-related command. The changes are to be implemented.

  When the GDI 501 outputs a drawing instruction command to the GDI drawing image generation unit 510 and the print command generation unit 530, the print command generation unit 530 generates a print command (PDL) based on the drawing instruction command from the GDI 501 ( In step S301), this is output to the print image generation unit 540, and the print image generation unit 540 generates a print image (bitmap) based on the print command from the print command generation unit 530 (step S302). The generated print image is compressed and stored in the second buffer 550 (step S303).

  Further, the GDI drawing image generation unit 510 generates a GDI drawing image based on a drawing instruction command from the GDI 501 (step S304), and stores the generated GDI drawing image in the first buffer 520 (step S305).

  Here, it is assumed that the print image has the contents shown in FIG. 15A and is stored in the second buffer 550. On the other hand, the GDI drawing image has the contents shown in FIG. 15B and is stored in the first buffer 520.

  The print image and the GDI drawing image have the same contents. For example, each of the line segment 541, the line segment 542, and the line segment 543 shown in the print image (see FIG. 15A) is a GDI drawing. This corresponds to the line segment 511, line segment 512, and line segment 513 shown in the image (see FIG. 15B). However, the line segment 543 of the print image is thinner than the line segment 513 of the GDI drawing image.

  The comparison unit 560 reads the GDI drawing image (see FIG. 15B) from the first buffer 520 and also reads the print image (see FIG. 15A) from the second buffer 550. The print image is compared (step S306), and the comparison result is output to the detection unit 570.

  In this case, as described above, the comparison unit 560 obtains a difference at the bitmap level between the two images of the GDI drawing image and the print image, lists areas with a certain difference or more, and does this. A representative object is extracted from each difference area obtained in this way, and feature data is added to the extracted object.

  Then, the comparison unit 560 outputs the object and feature data extracted as described above to the detection unit 570 as a comparison result.

  The detection unit 570 matches the comparison result output from the comparison unit 560 with the defect data stored in the detection unit 570 (step S307), and outputs the matching result to the correspondence determination unit 580. .

  In this example, the result of this matching is, for example, “the line segment 543 of the print image is thin”.

  Correspondence determination unit 580 determines whether or not it is a failure that can be handled based on the determination content of the failure from detection unit 570 (step S308). Is determined (step S309), and an instruction to apply the countermeasure is output to the print command generation unit 530.

  In this example, the correspondence determining unit 580 determines that the problem is a problem that can be dealt with based on the determination content of the problem “the line segment 543 of the print image is thin”, and “ To the print command generation unit 530, and outputs an instruction to the effect that this countermeasure should be applied, for example, that “thicken the thin line” should be applied.

  The print command generation unit 530 generates a print command based on the drawing instruction command from the GDI 501 and the instruction (countermeasure) from the correspondence determination unit 580 (step S310), and the print command is generated as a print image generation unit 540. Output to.

  The print image generation unit 540 generates a print image based on the print command from the print command generation unit 530 (step S311), and transmits this as print data to the printer 60 via the communication unit 502 (step S312). Thus, the printing process is executed by the printer 60 based on the print data.

  Note that the print image generated in step S311 has been changed from the content shown in FIG. 15A to the same content as the GDI drawing image shown in FIG. 15B. This is because the setting values of the driver setting items related to the print image shown in FIG. 15A are the setting values of the driver setting items related to the print image having the same contents as the GDI drawing image shown in FIG. Means changed.

  FIG. 16 illustrates a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 50 according to the third embodiment.

  The image processing apparatus 50 includes a CPU 51, a storage device 52 such as a hard disk, a ROM 53, a RAM 54, a buffer 55, an input device 56, a display device 57, and a communication I / F 58.

  The storage device 52 stores an OS (operating system) 52A, image processing software (image processing program) 52B, application software 52C that creates data to be printed and issues a print request, and the like.

  The image processing software (image processing program) 52B includes software (program) corresponding to the above-described processing procedure (see FIG. 14) and includes at least the following processing steps (1) to (5). .

  (1) A print image generation process for generating a print image. This process is executed by the print image generation unit 530.

  (2) An image comparison process for comparing a drawing image designated by the operating system with a print image corresponding to the drawing image and generated by the print image generation process. This process is executed by the comparison unit 560.

  (3) A defect pattern detection process for detecting a defect pattern based on the result of comparison in the image comparison process. This process is performed by the detection unit 570.

  (4) A parameter determination process for determining a print parameter to solve the defect pattern detected by the defect pattern detection process. This process is executed by the correspondence determining unit 580.

  (5) A new print image generation process for generating a new print image by applying the print parameters determined in the parameter determination process. This process is executed by the print image generation unit 530.

  The ROM 53 stores data (failure threshold value data) indicating a threshold value serving as a reference for determining whether or not there is a problem with the thickness, length, pattern (practice, broken line), etc. of the line related to the print image. Yes.

  The RAM 54, the OS 52A read from the storage device 12, the image processing software (image processing program) 52B, and the defect threshold data read from the ROM 53 are stored.

  The buffer 55 functions as the first buffer 520 and the second buffer 550 shown in FIG. 12, and stores a GDI drawing image and a print image.

  The display device 57 displays display information (document creation screen corresponding to the application software 52C) for creating a document and display information (print setting screen) for print setting for print target data (document). .

  The input device 56 designates application software 52C and inputs predetermined input information such as creation of a document and an instruction to print the document.

  The communication I / F 58 is an interface that transmits and receives data to and from the printer 60. For example, the communication I / F 58 transmits print data (PDL data) to the printer 60.

  The CPU 51 reads the OS 52A and the image processing software (image processing program) 52B from the storage device 52 into the RAM 54 and executes them to thereby generate a GDI drawing image generation unit 510, a print command generation among the components of the image processing unit 500. Functions of the unit 530, the print image generation unit 540, the comparison unit 560, the detection unit 570, and the correspondence determination unit 580 are realized.

  In the third embodiment, image processing software (image processing program) 52B as software corresponding to the image processing unit 100 excluding the first buffer 520 and the second buffer 550 is adopted as a printer driver. Also good. Further, the image processing software (image processing program) 52B employs at least functions corresponding to the print command generation unit 530 and the print image generation unit 540 as a printer driver and functions corresponding to other components as modules. Also good.

  In the present specification, the image processing program (image software) as software has been described as an embodiment of recording in a storage device such as a hard disk as a recording medium. However, the image processing program can also be provided as follows. It is.

  That is, the image processing program may be stored in the ROM, and the CPU may load the image processing program from the ROM to the main storage device and execute it.

  The image processing program may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, MO (magneto-optical disk), flexible disk, or the like for distribution. In this case, after the image processing apparatus has installed the image processing program recorded on the recording medium, the CPU executes the image processing program. As an installation destination of the image processing program, there is a memory such as a RAM or a storage device such as a hard disk. The image processing apparatus loads the image processing program stored in the storage device into the main storage device and executes it as necessary.

  Further, the image processing apparatus is connected to a computer such as a server apparatus or a host computer via a communication line (for example, the Internet), and after the image processing apparatus downloads the image processing program from the server apparatus or the computer, This image processing program may be executed. In this case, download destinations of the image processing program include a memory such as a RAM and a storage device (recording medium) such as a hard disk. Then, the image processing apparatus loads the image processing program stored in the storage device into the main storage device and executes it as necessary.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, when a defect occurs in the print image to be printed, the print parameter related to the drawing command is not performed without the user performing the print parameter changing operation. The set value can be changed.

  In other words, when the user feels a defect in the pattern to be printed, the defect can be solved without bothering the user. This means that the image processing apparatus can self-resolve drawing problems.

  The present invention can be applied to an image processing apparatus that provides print data to a printing apparatus that prints a monochrome image or a color image.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a setting tree list (list 1/2) according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a setting tree list (list 2/2) according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a print parameter change process related to a command related to drawing by the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a preview system screen (initial screen) according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a preview system screen (screen after transition) according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a preview system screen (screen after transition) according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a preview system screen (initial screen) according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a print parameter change process related to a command related to drawing by the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the preview system screen (screen after a transition) concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing device according to a third embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a print parameter change process related to a drawing-related command by the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print image and a drawing image according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 3. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 3 Image forming system 10, 50 Image processing device 11, 51 CPU
12, 52 Storage device 13, 53 ROM
14,54 EAM
15, 56 Input device 16, 57 Display device 17, 58 Communication interface 20, 60 Printer 52B Image processing program 55 Buffer 100 Printer driver 101 Storage unit 102 Input unit 103 Display unit 110 Driver main unit 120 Preview unit 130 Setting selection control unit 140 Print setting control unit 150 Interface 160 Automatic determination unit 300, 300A Preview system screen 310 Preview area 320 Setting item information presentation area 500 Image processing unit 510 GDI drawing image generation unit 520 First buffer 530 Print command generation unit 540 Print image generation unit 550 Second buffer 560 Comparison unit 570 Detection unit 580 Correspondence determination unit 1100 Setting tree list

Claims (10)

Print image generation means for generating a print image in accordance with a set value of a given print parameter;
Setting information in which a plurality of setting item information related to drawing is hierarchized, and setting item information in the lowest layer of the hierarchized hierarchical structure is associated with setting values of printing parameters related to commands related to drawing Setting item information storage means for storing
Based on the setting information stored in the setting item information storage means, a plurality of setting item information is presented to the user for each layer of the hierarchical structure, and the lower order is set according to the setting item information selected in the upper layer. Setting item information presenting means for presenting a plurality of setting item information related to the layer to the user;
When desired setting item information is selected from one or more setting item information of the lowest layer presented by the setting item information presenting means, the setting value of the print parameter corresponding to the desired setting item information Print setting control means for providing the print image generation means with
An image processing apparatus comprising: Display means for displaying a preview of the print image generated by the print image generation means;
Setting item information selecting means for selecting desired setting item information from a plurality of setting item information for each layer presented by the setting item information presenting means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The drawing image to be printed is compared with the printing image corresponding to the drawing image, and the setting value of the printing parameter corresponding to the setting item information in which the defect has occurred is set to a predetermined setting value according to the comparison result. A defect determination processing means for changing to
The print image generation means includes
Apply a print parameter setting value after being changed by the defect determination processing means to generate a new print image,
The setting item information presenting means includes
The inquiry about whether or not the new print image displayed on the display means is a desired print image is presented to the user, and the result of the inquiry indicates that the new print image is not the desired print image. In this case, based on the setting information stored in the setting item information storage means, the setting item information is presented for each layer of the hierarchical structure.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus. The print setting control means includes
When the setting item information selecting unit selects two or more setting item information among the plurality of setting item information items in the lowest layer presented by the setting item information presenting unit, the two or more setting item information items are included. A set value of two or more corresponding print parameters is given to the print image generation means;
The print image generation means includes
Generating a plurality of print images in accordance with a set value of a plurality of print parameters given from the print setting control means;
The display means includes
A plurality of print images generated by the print image generation means are preview-displayed;
The print setting control means includes
When a desired print image is selected from a plurality of print images displayed on the display unit, a print parameter setting value corresponding to the desired setting item information related to the desired print image is set to the print image. Give to the generation means,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus. The setting item information presenting means includes
The print image previewed by the display means is selected because it is not the content intended by the user, and presents information to change the setting value of a predetermined print parameter,
When the setting item information selection means selects the information to be changed, presents a plurality of setting item information of a predetermined layer in the hierarchical structure;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus. The setting item information presenting means includes
The information indicating that the setting value of the predetermined print parameter is to be changed is different from the information indicating that the setting value of the print parameter applied at the time of generating the print image displayed as the preview is changed. In addition to presenting information to change other print parameter settings,
Presenting a plurality of setting item information of a predetermined layer in the hierarchical structure when any one of the two change information is selected by the setting item information selecting means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5. Print image generation means for generating a print image;
Image comparison means for comparing a drawing image designated by the operating system with a print image corresponding to the drawing image and generated by the print image generation means;
A defect pattern detecting means for detecting a defect pattern based on a result of comparison by the image comparing means;
Parameter determining means for determining a print parameter to solve the defect pattern detected by the defect pattern detecting means;
Have
The print image generation means includes
Applying a print parameter determined by the parameter determination means to generate a new print image;
An image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a print request for print data to be printed is made;
An image forming apparatus that performs print processing based on print data requested to be printed from the image processing apparatus;
An image forming system comprising: A print image generation process for generating a print image according to a set value of a given print parameter;
A plurality of setting item information related to drawing for obtaining the drawing contents of the target image of the user is hierarchized, and printing related to the setting item information of the lowest layer in the hierarchized hierarchical structure and a command related to drawing A reading process for reading out setting information associated with parameter setting values from the setting item information storage means;
Based on the setting information read in the reading process, a plurality of setting item information is presented for each layer of the hierarchical structure, and a plurality of items related to the lower layer according to the setting item information selected in the upper layer Setting item information presentation process for presenting setting item information;
When desired setting item information is selected from one or more setting item information items in the lowest layer presented in the setting item information presentation process, setting of print parameters corresponding to the desired setting item information A print setting control process for giving a value to the print image generation process;
A preview display process for displaying the print image generated by the print image generation process on a display unit;
A printer driver characterized by causing a computer to execute. A print image generation process for generating a print image;
An image comparison process for comparing a drawing image designated by the operating system with a print image corresponding to the drawing image and generated by the print image generation process;
A defect pattern detection process for detecting a defect pattern based on a result of comparison by the image comparison process;
A parameter determination process for determining a print parameter to solve the defect pattern detected by the defect pattern detection process;
A new print image generation process for generating a new print image by applying the print parameters determined in the parameter determination process;
An image processing program for causing a computer to execute.

Images