JP2009234237A - Image processing system, image processing apparatus, image processing method and program for executing its method by computer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely execute image processing in a saving mode of color material consumption without forgetting, when understanding that saving processing of the color material consumption is applied only by looking at printed output sheet. <P>SOLUTION: After creating a document by using the application 11 of a host PC 10, when executing a print by an operation display part 13, created document data are converted into PDL data by a printer driver 12, and is transmitted to a printer 20. A color material save mode in the operation display part 13 is set automatic or ON, and when a sheet information determining part 31 determines that a sheet cassette of exclusive sheet is installed in the printer 20, image processing is executed by a color material save processing part 24a, and the print is outputted by the color material save mode. A color material save message is inserted into image-processed image data in the color material save mode by a color material saving header insertion part 29a, and is outputted from a print output part 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program, and relates to an image processing system, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a method for performing image processing for saving color material consumption. It relates to the program to be executed.

  In addition to the normal output mode that generates and outputs a high-quality image, the conventional image forming apparatus has a color material save mode that saves the amount of color materials such as toner and ink and outputs them. There is a device. As an example of this color material saving mode, for example, if the setting is such that the color material consumption is 10% to 20% lower than the normal output, the character image can be read even if it is applied to a general office document. There is no problem with the image quality, and it is rare that a shortage of information occurs, such as by distinguishing colors by saving color materials even in graphic parts such as graphics. For this reason, it is possible to sufficiently envisage a case where the administrator performs collective management so that the degree of saving is not too large, and the output in this color material save mode is set as normal.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that executes a color material saving mode as necessary to form an image under a condition that saves color material more than usual. By executing the material saving mode, the amount of color material used can be saved.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-314783

  However, in such a conventional example, when the administrator saves the color material save mode as a normal setting, the user may not be conscious of outputting in the color material save mode. In addition, when the material outputted in the color material save mode is distributed as a conference material, the other party of the distribution destination cannot know unless he / she hears that it has been outputted in the color material save mode. There are several methods for saving color material consumption, such as a method of density conversion, a logical product of a dithered image and a thinning pattern, and a method of performing pulse width modulation and writing light amount control. However, since the image density is output at a lower level than usual, in cases where the output is not conscious of the output in the color material save mode, the output is performed simply by a device with poor performance that does not match the density setting. There was a problem that it might give a misunderstanding that it was made.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it can be seen that the color material consumption saving process has been performed only by looking at the printed output paper, and the image in the color material consumption saving mode is obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing system, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program that causes a computer to execute the method without fail to forget the processing.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image processing system according to claim 1 is a sheet for reading information from a dedicated output sheet to which information for setting a mode for saving color material consumption is added. Settings for setting an executable color material consumption saving mode based on the information reading device, the color material consumption saving mode specified by the user, and the information from the output paper read by the paper information reading device And an image processing device that performs image processing according to a color material consumption saving mode set by the setting device.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the first aspect, the information that clearly indicates that the image processing has been performed by the color material consumption saving mode set by the setting device is output. It is further characterized by further comprising an information insertion device for inserting the paper at a predetermined position on the paper surface.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the first or second aspect, in the mode for saving the color material consumption, the density of the color material to be used is reduced and output. To do.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the first or second aspect, the mode for saving the color material consumption outputs a reduced number of colors to be used.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the information that is added to the output paper and sets a mode for saving color material consumption is a visualized pattern or character string. It is configured.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the fifth aspect, the paper information reading device is configured to bar code information for setting a mode for saving color material consumption. It is characterized by comprising a barcode reader for reading.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image processing apparatus according to claim 7 is a sheet for reading information from a dedicated output sheet to which information for setting a mode for saving color material consumption is added. Setting for setting an executable color material consumption saving mode based on the information reading means, the color material consumption saving mode specified by the user, and the information from the output paper read by the paper information reading means. And image processing means for performing image processing in accordance with a color material consumption saving mode set by the setting means.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing device according to the seventh aspect, the information that clearly indicates that the image processing has been performed in the color material consumption saving mode set by the setting means is output. It further comprises information insertion means for inserting at a predetermined position on the surface of the paper.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the seventh or eighth aspect, in the mode for saving the color material consumption, the density of the color material to be used is reduced and output. To do.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the mode for saving the color material consumption outputs a reduced number of colors.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the information that is added to the output sheet and sets the mode for saving the color material consumption is a visible picture or character string. It is configured.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, the paper information reading unit is configured to bar code information for setting a mode for saving color material consumption. It is characterized by comprising a barcode reader for reading.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image processing method according to claim 13 is a sheet for reading information from a dedicated output sheet to which information for setting a mode for saving color material consumption is added. Setting for setting an executable color material consumption saving mode based on the information reading step, the color material consumption saving mode specified by the user, and the information from the output paper read in the paper information reading step And an image processing step for performing image processing according to the color material consumption saving mode set in the setting step.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 14 is a computer for executing the steps of the image processing method according to claim 13. It is a program.

  According to the present invention, information from a dedicated output sheet to which information for setting a mode for saving color material consumption is added by the paper information reading device is read, and the color material consumption amount specified by the user by the setting device is saved. Based on the mode and information from the output paper read by the paper information reading device, an executable color material consumption saving mode is set, and the color material consumption saving mode set by the setting device is set. Image processing is performed by the image processing apparatus. In this way, since the color material consumption saving process is performed only when dedicated output paper is used, it can be seen that the color material consumption saving process is performed just by looking at the dedicated paper. Even if the user forgets to perform the color material consumption saving process, it is possible to set in advance that the apparatus side reads the information on the dedicated paper and automatically performs the color material consumption saving process. There is an effect.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image processing system, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program for causing a computer to execute the method will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
A feature of the image processing system according to the first embodiment is that a mode for saving color material consumption is provided, and information that is set so as to save and output color material consumption on output paper (recording paper) is provided. If the attached dedicated paper is set and an instruction to output in the color material consumption saving mode is given, print output with reduced color material consumption is performed using the dedicated paper.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a color material save mode setting screen in the operation display unit of FIG. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of a dedicated sheet in the color material saving mode including a pattern mark, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of the dedicated sheet including a footer in the color material saving mode. FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating an example of a dedicated sheet in the color material saving mode including a barcode, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a character portion of the picture mark in FIG. 3A, and FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a character part in the footer 3-2, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a conversion table in the color material saving processing unit in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is a printer γ correction in the γ correction unit in FIG. FIG. 8A is an example of a table, and FIG. 8A is an output when the color material save mode is OFF. FIG. 8-2 is a diagram showing an output example when the color material save mode is ON, FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the character portion of the header of FIG. 8-2, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image processing system according to the first embodiment.

  The image processing system shown in FIG. 1 includes a host computer (hereinafter also referred to as a host PC) 10 and a printer 20, and is connected to each other via a network or offline.

  The host PC 10 in FIG. 1 includes an application 11, a printer driver 12, an operation display unit 13, and the like. Here, the application 11 is a document creation application for creating and printing a document. The printer driver 12 converts a document created by the application 11 into data that can be interpreted by the printer 20 (for example, PDL: page description language). Here, it is assumed that the operation display unit 13 is a combination of a display unit (LCD) that displays a setting state of the host PC 10 and an operation screen, and an operation unit (touch panel) that performs an input operation based on the display contents. However, they may be configured separately.

  1 includes a command analysis unit 21, a color conversion unit 22, a black generation / under color removal unit 23, a color material save processing unit 24a, a γ correction unit 25, a bitmapping unit 26, and a pseudo halftone process. A unit 27, a bitmap memory unit 28, a color material saving header insertion unit 29a, a printer output unit 30, and a paper information determination unit 31.

  The command analysis unit 21 interprets the PDL data converted by the printer driver 12 and outputs object information (character / graphic / image), object position and size, color or monochrome, and signal value (K or RGB value). If it is a character, information such as a font is acquired as a drawing command. Further, information is also acquired as to whether the setting of the characteristic color material save mode in the first embodiment is ON or OFF.

  When the object is a color, the color conversion unit 22 and the black generation / under color removal unit 23 change from RGB to CMYK, which is a color signal corresponding to the color material, in the color conversion unit 22 and the black generation / under color removal unit 23. Perform the conversion. The color conversion unit 22 performs conversion to C′M′Y ′, and the black generation / under color removal unit 23 performs conversion to CMYK.

  When the color material save mode is set, the color material save processing unit 24a converts the CMYK values using the conversion table shown in FIG. For example, when the color material save mode setting is OFF, conversion by normal γ shown in FIG. 6 is performed (substantially no conversion). When the color material save mode is set to ON, conversion using the color material save γ shown in FIG. 6 is performed. As this color material save γ, a color material that is usually multiplied by a preset coefficient less than 1 is prepared.

  The γ correction unit 25 performs conversion using a γ conversion table in order to correct the γ characteristic of the printer. Here, correction is performed using the printer γ correction table shown in FIG.

  The bitmap unit 26 expands the drawing command into a bitmap image and generates a bitmap image.

  The pseudo halftone processing unit 27 performs pseudo halftone processing in which the number of bits is reduced and the density is expressed by area gradation using a plurality of dots. Here, it is assumed that dither processing for converting an image of 8 bits for each CMYK into 2 bits for each of CMYK is performed.

  The bitmap memory unit 28 is a memory for accumulating one page of the bitmap image after the dither processing is performed by the pseudo halftone processing unit 27.

  The color material save header insertion unit 29a indicates that the color material save mode is set to automatic or ON, and when the dedicated paper is set in the paper cassette, the color material save mode is output to the image header in the color material save mode. Insert a fixed phrase. The fixed text to be inserted is prepared in advance with a bitmap image. It should be noted that the position at which the fixed sentence is inserted may be a footer or another predetermined position instead of the header, but will be described here as a header.

  The printer output unit 30 places the color material on paper based on the image data that has been dithered by the pseudo halftone processing unit 27 and has the color material saving header insertion unit 29a inserted therein, and displays the image. Output.

  The sheet information determination unit 31 reads information from a dedicated sheet to which information for output in a mode that saves color material consumption is added, and determines the information content. For example, the paper cassette of the printer 20 is equipped with a barcode reader for reading a barcode attached to a dedicated paper, and the paper information can be determined by reading the barcode. When the user presses the print button 134 (see FIG. 2) of the operation display unit 13 of the host PC 10, the result of recognition by the barcode reader (that a dedicated sheet for saving color material is loaded) is transmitted to the host PC 10 side. The output process control is performed so that the color material saving process is performed. As described above, the barcode reader as the paper information determination unit 31 is attached to the paper cassette of the printer 20. For example, a printer system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-160743 can be used as a technique for reading a barcode attached to a sheet and transmitting the signal.

  As another configuration example of the paper information determination unit 31, when information is written in a predetermined position on the dedicated paper, the information is directly recognized by reading the character with an OCR (optical reader) or the like. It may be what you do. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3-2 and 5, if a character string 42-1 “printed in the color material save mode” is entered at the bottom of the paper 40, the character string Can be conceived by using a dedicated scanner to determine the meaning of the character string 42-1 using OCR. In addition, as a configuration example that simplifies this, after imaging a predetermined area where a character string is supposed to be written, the black pixel density of the same area is calculated, and threshold processing is performed to write some characters. It can be determined that the special paper is inserted without reading the meaning of the characters.

  Further, as another configuration example of the paper information determination unit 31, instead of adding a barcode, an RFID tag (IC chip with antenna) is embedded in the printer paper, and the tag information is read using an RFID reader / writer. Also good. If the barcode is also printed on the back side of the paper, the visual redundancy can be considerably reduced. For example, the image forming system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-249499 proposes a system apparatus that recognizes a generation original when an RFID tag is embedded in printer paper and an output printed matter is an original. In the present invention, an RFID reader / writer that reads information from an RFID tag is used as the paper information determination unit 31, but it is used to determine whether or not the paper is a dedicated paper for setting a color material consumption saving mode.

  As another configuration example of the paper information determination unit 31, a part of the dedicated paper (for example, the upper left corner) is cut to prepare a paper cassette that can hold only paper of that shape. Then, it is determined whether or not the dedicated paper cassette is attached. For example, by adopting a mechanism that can mount the dedicated paper cassette only at a specific location, it can be easily determined whether or not the dedicated paper cassette is mounted.

  Next, a description will be given of a dedicated output sheet (dedicated sheet) for outputting in a mode that saves color material consumption used in the present invention, and a sheet cassette periphery that stores the sheet. First, as shown in FIG. 3A, the output paper 40 is printed with characters and pictures (pattern marks) that are known to be eco-friendly and eco-friendly by saving color material consumption. . This pattern mark may be printed as a thin watermark in order to effectively appeal ecology, but if an analysis device that directly reads the character by OCR is provided as described above, a character that is dark to some extent is printed. It is necessary to keep it.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 4B, the upper right corner of the output paper 40 is “Chicken friendly” so that it can be understood that the ecology specification is appealed and the save mode is recommended from the paper. A pattern mark (Eco Mark: environmental label of the Japan Environmental Association, etc.) containing the character string 41 is included. Also, as shown in FIGS. 3-2 and 5, a character string 42-1 “printed in the color material save mode” is inserted as a footer at the bottom of the output paper 40. Yes. Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, a bar code for recognizing that the output paper 40 is a dedicated paper is contained at an appropriate position (here, upper left).

  Thus, in the present invention, a sheet containing at least one of these marks, character strings, and bar codes is used as a dedicated sheet. Then, a paper cassette containing this special paper is prepared, and a paper cassette containing normal paper is also prepared at the same time in preparation for the case where the color material save mode OFF is selected by the user setting.

  In FIG. 3A, an example of using the Eco Mark of the Japan Environment Association as the design mark is shown. However, a blue angel mark of the German Federal Environment Agency or a design mark uniquely determined by the industry or a company is used. It is also possible to implement.

  Next, the operation of the image processing system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, in accordance with the gist of the present invention, it is initially assumed that an automatic mode in which the color material saving mode is prioritized is set by the user. When printing is executed, information set on the dedicated paper is displayed on the host PC 10 side. It is assumed that the mode setting is performed in such a manner that the color material save mode setting is turned on as a result.

  First, after the user creates a document using the application 11 on the host PC 10 in FIG. 1, the user presses the print button 134 in the operation display unit 13 shown in FIG. 2 to select print execution (step S100). . Then, the created document data is converted into data (PDL) that can be interpreted by the printer 20 by the printer driver 12 and transmitted to the printer 20.

  In step S100, when the user selects print execution, a printer driver menu as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the screen of the host PC 10. Here, it is possible to select whether the color material save mode is ON132 or OFF133. The printer driver 12 describes in the converted PDL whether the color material save mode is set to ON 132, OFF 133, or automatic (meaning “color material save mode priority”) 131 (step). S101).

  If the automatic 131 is set in step S101, the mode is set based on the prepared paper information. For example, when both a normal paper cassette and a special paper cassette that recommends the save mode are prepared on the printer 20 side (YES in step S102), image processing for the save mode is performed and the special paper is used. The control to select and print out is selected. Of course, the same applies when only a cassette containing dedicated paper is prepared (YES in step S102).

  As described above, when the automatic 131 that prioritizes the color material save mode is set (step S101) and the dedicated paper is prepared in the paper cassette (step S102), the output is actually performed in the color material save mode. The user may be able to set on the printer driver from the operation display unit 13 whether to confirm with the user whether it is good or not to confirm automatically.

  In the case of the former setting to confirm with the user, although not shown in FIG. 10, before starting the process for the save mode, the text “Printing in the color material save mode. Are you sure?” Is displayed. It may be displayed on the operation display unit 13 of the host PC 10 to allow the user to select YES or NO, and only in the case of YES, the control for performing the save mode processing and printing out may be selected.

  As described above, when the user selects YES, or when the latter setting is performed automatically without confirmation from the user, the process proceeds to step S103, and print output control is performed in the color material save mode.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3-2 and 5, a character string 42-1 such as “printed in the color material save mode” is previously stored in the footer of the output paper. If it is, there is no need to insert the same information in the header, but if there is no such character string in advance, or if additional information is added, for example, “Reduce the color material by what percentage If there is information such as “Done”, it is meaningful to print the color material save message in a predetermined format by the color material save header insertion unit 29a of the printer 20 of FIG. 1 (step S104).

  In step S101, automatic is set in the color material save mode, and in step S102, a dedicated sheet is prepared in the cassette, but whether or not printing is actually performed in the color material save mode (in the color material save mode). It is meaningful to print a color material save message in order to confirm whether or not the user has selected YES when printing is confirmed (step S104).

  Thus, the output paper 40 output from the printer output unit 30 when the color material save mode is turned on (step S105) is as shown in FIG. That is, since the output paper 40 output from the printer output unit 30 when the color material saving mode is turned off (step S112) is FIG. 8-1, the character part 51, the graphic part 52, In each of the image portions 53, it can be seen that when the color material save mode is ON, the color material consumption is further reduced and the color portion is thinner. Further, in FIG. 8B, a header 50 indicating that the color material has been output in the color material save mode is printed. FIG. 9 shows an example of a character string 50-1 having a header of “output in the color material save mode”.

  In addition, even when ON is set in the color material save mode setting in step S101 of FIG. 10, if the dedicated sheet recommending the save mode is not prepared (NO in step S106), the print processing is performed. Can be displayed on the operation display unit 13 (step S108).

  On the other hand, if the color material save mode is set to OFF in step S101, and only dedicated paper is prepared (NO in step S109), the print process is interrupted (step S109). Similarly, it is possible to control to display a message prompting the preparation of a normal sheet (S110) (step S111). In step S110, it is also possible to arbitrarily set a processing flow for performing control such as printing in the save mode processing without interrupting the printing processing, as desired by the user.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the color material save mode is set and printed out, a picture or a fixed sentence indicating that the color material save mode is output at a predetermined position on the paper. Since it is printed on the dedicated paper inserted, it is possible to clearly indicate that the output has been made in the color material save mode to the user or the recipient. For this reason, there is no misunderstanding of the device performance with respect to the fact that the output is lowered and the density is reduced, and it can be externally shown that the output in the color material save mode contributes to the environmental improvement. Since the information corresponding to “Ecology” added to the output paper is a pattern that can be visualized (including pattern marks and barcodes) and character strings, the information that corresponds to “Ecology” on the paper set in the paper cassette Whether or not is added can be determined relatively easily. In particular, these patterns and character strings are highly visible, which prevents the user from setting paper in the paper cassette by mistake, and saves color materials for the output image. This is effective as information that allows the user to clearly recognize that the data has been output in the mode.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, by adopting the system configuration described above, it is possible to notify the print user of the existence of the color material save mode simply by mounting a paper cassette containing dedicated paper. In addition, it is possible to prevent a case where an operation error occurs in the color material save mode.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3-1 and Fig. 4, in addition to the design mark such as "Chikyu-friendly", "Our company aims to be a company that is friendly to Chikyu". May be collected from the user by adding the price to the sheet fee by printing the character string and printing the character string. In addition, by changing the part of “our company” to the name of a specific company that agrees with environmental improvement, it is possible to collect a fee equivalent to the image up of the company.

(Second Embodiment)
The feature of the second embodiment is that, in the first embodiment, the example of the mode for saving the color material consumption is aimed at the environmental effect by saving the amount of the color material to be used. By limiting the number of colors to be reproduced, it aims at an environmental effect.

  As a specific example, for example, when a one-drum type printer is used, in order to reproduce an image in four colors of CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), it is necessary to form the image by rotating the drum four times. However, it is obvious that by reproducing it in two colors, it is possible to greatly omit the operation used for image reproduction and contribute to energy saving.

  Further, regardless of the one-drum type output device, if reproduction is performed with a small number of colors instead of reproducing with four colors, it can be expected that the life of each part of the device including the photosensitive drum is extended. Further, some printers have more than four colors equipped with light color materials and special colors. In this case, light color materials and special colors are generally more expensive to manufacture than ordinary color materials, and by not using them more than necessary, both environmental and user running costs are required. The effect can be expected.

  In the second embodiment, an example in which two-color printing is performed using black and another color selected from red, green, and blue will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a two-color print mode setting screen in the operation display unit of FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the character portion in the footer of FIG. 3-2, and FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the character portion of the header of FIG. 8-2.

  The basic configuration of the image processing system shown in FIG. 11 is substantially the same as that in FIG. 1, but some characteristic portions are different, so the configuration description of related portions is also different. Here, the configuration will be described with a focus on the components that are characteristic of the second embodiment, and redundant description of the same components as those in FIG. 1 will be omitted.

  First, in FIG. 11, the components of the two-color processing unit 24b and the two-color printing header insertion unit 29b are different from those in FIG. For this reason, image processing contents in the command analysis unit 21, the color conversion unit 22, the black generation / under color removal unit 23, and the color material save processing unit 24a are also different.

  The command analysis unit 21 interprets the PDL data converted by the printer driver 12 and, in addition to object information (character / graphic / image), etc., whether the setting of two-color printing is ON or OFF, and Information about which color is to be printed in two colors is also acquired. Here, in accordance with the gist of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 12, it is assumed that automatic 136 that initially gives priority to the two-color printing mode is set by the user. When the print button 134 is pressed and printing is performed, the information set for the dedicated paper is read by the paper information determination unit 31 and transferred to the host PC 10. As a result, the two-color printing setting is set to ON.

  When the object is a color, the color conversion unit 22 and the black generation / under color removal unit 23 change from RGB to CMYK, which is a color signal corresponding to the color material, in the color conversion unit 22 and the black generation / under color removal unit 23. Perform the conversion. The color conversion unit 22 performs conversion to C′M′Y ′, and the black generation / under color removal unit 23 performs conversion to CMYK. When the two-color printing setting is ON, black generation / undercolor removal for replacement with 100% K is performed.

[Black generation / under color removal processing for two-color printing]
K = min (C ′, M ′, Y ′)
C = C'-K
M = M'-K
Y = Y'-K
If the object is monochrome and not originally RGB but a single color (Gray) value is specified, C = M = Y = 0 and K = Gray are output.

  The two-color processing unit 24b calculates the density X2 of red, green, or blue and the density K2 of black by the following equations when the object is color and the setting of two-color printing is ON.

[Two-color processing for black and red two-color printing-(1)]
X2 = (3M + Y) / 4
K2 = K + C

[Two-color process for black and green two-color printing-(1)]
X2 = (C + Y) / 2
K2 = K + M

[Two-color processing for black and blue two-color printing-(1)]
X2 = (3C + M) / 4
K2 = K + Y

  In the above-described two-color printing of black and red, red and magenta hues are converted into red by weighting and adding M and Y when calculating the density X2. The same applies to the above-described two-color printing of black and blue. When the density X2 is calculated, C and M are weighted and added to convert them into blue with a blue and cyan hue as the center. ing.

  Also, the color is reduced by putting the value of X2 into the two colors used in CMY and setting the remaining one color component to zero. When red is specified in two-color printing, magenta (M2) and yellow (Y2), when green is specified, cyan (C2) and yellow (Y2), when blue is specified, cyan (C2) and magenta ( M2) will be the two colors used.

[Two-color processing for black and red two-color printing-(2)]
C2 = 0
M2 = X2
Y2 = X2

[Two-color processing for black and green two-color printing-(2)]
C2 = X2
M2 = 0
Y2 = X2

[Two-color process for black and blue two-color printing-(2)]
C2 = X2
M2 = X2
Y2 = 0

  When the object is monochrome or when the two-color printing setting is OFF, C2 = C, M2 = M, Y2 = Y, and K2 = K are output.

  When the setting for two-color printing is ON, the two-color printing header insertion unit 29b inserts a fixed phrase indicating that the image has been output by two-color printing in the header of the image. The fixed sentence to be inserted is prepared as a bitmap image. For example, a character string 50-2 “output by two-color printing” as shown in FIG. 14 is an example of a fixed phrase, and is inserted into the header 50 of FIG. 8-2.

  Further, the dedicated output sheet 40 used in the second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 3-1 to 3 which is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the characters printed on the footer 42 in FIG. 3-2 include a character string 42-2 “printed in the two-color print mode” shown in FIG. For this reason, when the character string 42-2 shown in FIG. 13 is entered in advance, it is not necessary to insert the same information into the header 50, but it is particularly meaningful when such a character string is not contained. is there.

  In addition, when the automatic display 136 that prioritizes the two-color printing is set using the operation display unit 13 shown in FIG. 12 and the dedicated paper is prepared in the paper cassette, it is confirmed whether or not the two-color printing is actually performed. In this sense, the display is also effective. For example, when it is set to print after confirming with the user whether or not printing is possible with two-color printing, this display can confirm that the user has selected YES.

  Next, the operation of the image processing system according to the second embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, when the user first sets automatic 136 to prioritize the two-color printing mode and presses the print button 134 to execute printing, the information set for the dedicated paper is determined as the paper information determination. The unit 3 reads the data, transfers it to the host PC 10, and sets the two-color printing setting to be ON. Regarding the operation flow of the second embodiment, referring to FIG. 10 in the first embodiment, “color material save mode” is read as “two-color print mode”, and “color material save message” is changed to “2”. This can be explained by replacing it with “color print message”.

  First, after the user creates a document using the application 11 on the host PC 10 in FIG. 1, the user presses the print button 134 on the operation display unit 13 shown in FIG. 12 to select print execution (see step S100). ). Then, the created document data is converted into data (PDL) that can be interpreted by the printer 20 by the printer driver 12 and transmitted to the printer 20.

  When the user selects to execute printing (see step S100), a printer driver menu as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the screen of the host PC 10. Here, it is possible to select whether the two-color printing mode is set to ON 137 or OFF 138, and two colors of black and red, black and green, and black and blue are used for two-color printing. The default is set to black and red. The printer driver 12 describes in the converted PDL whether the setting of the two-color printing mode is ON 137, OFF 138, or automatic (meaning “two-color printing priority”) 136 (step S101). reference). The PDL also describes which color is to be printed in two colors.

  If the automatic 136 is set (see step S101), the mode is set based on the prepared paper information. For example, when both a normal paper cassette and a special paper cassette that recommends two-color printing are prepared on the printer 20 side (see step S102: YES), image processing for the two-color printing mode is performed. Then, the control for selecting the dedicated paper and printing it out is selected. Of course, the same applies to the case where only a cassette containing dedicated paper is prepared (YES in step S102).

  As described above, when the automatic 136 that prioritizes the two-color printing mode is set (see step S101) and the dedicated paper is prepared in the paper cassette (see step S102), the two-color printing mode is actually used. The user may be able to set on the printer driver from the operation display unit 13 whether to confirm to the user whether to output or not to confirm automatically.

  In the case of the former setting to be confirmed by the user, before starting the processing for two-color printing, the text “Printing in two-color printing mode. Are you sure?” Is displayed on the operation display unit 13 of the host PC 10. The user may select “YES” or “NO”, and only in the case of “YES”, the control for performing print processing by performing the processing for two-color printing may be selected.

  As described above, when the user selects YES, or when the latter setting is performed automatically without confirmation from the user, the print output control is performed in the two-color print mode (see step S103).

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3-2 and 13, a character string 42-2 such as “two colors are printed on this paper” is included in the footer of the output paper in advance. In this case, it is not necessary to insert the same information into the header. However, if there is no character string in advance, the two-color printing header insertion unit 29b of the printer 20 in FIG. It is meaningful to print the material save message (see step S104).

  In addition, when automatic is set in the color material save mode (see step S101) and a dedicated sheet is prepared in the cassette (see step S102), whether or not printing is actually performed in the two-color printing mode (two-color printing). It is meaningful to print a two-color print message in order to confirm whether or not the user has selected YES when printing in the mode (see step S104).

  As described above, when the two-color printing mode is set to ON and the dedicated paper is set, the printer output unit 30 prints the two colors and outputs them.

  Even when ON is set in the color material save mode setting (see step S101), if a dedicated sheet recommending the two-color printing mode is not prepared (NO in step S106), printing is performed. After the process is interrupted (see step S107), a message that prompts the user to prepare a dedicated sheet can be displayed on the operation display unit 13 (see step S108).

  On the contrary, when the two-color printing mode is set to OFF (see step S101), and only the dedicated paper is prepared (NO in step S109), the print processing is interrupted (see step S109). Similarly, it is possible to control to display a message for prompting preparation of a normal sheet (see step S111). In step S110, a processing flow for printing in the two-color printing mode without interrupting the printing process can be arbitrarily set according to the user's desire.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, when a mode for reproducing with a small number of colors such as two-color printing is set, the image is output in a mode for reproducing with a small number of colors at a predetermined position of the image. Since it is printed on a sheet with a picture or a fixed sentence showing the effect, it can be clearly shown to the user or the other party of the distribution destination that it has been output in a mode that reproduces with a small number of colors. For example, even if the original color difference between adjacent pixels becomes small and the joints where the hue changes become unsmooth, the device performance will not be misunderstood and output in 2-color printing mode. By doing so, it can be shown externally that it contributes to environmental improvement.

  In addition, according to the second embodiment, by adopting the above system configuration, there is a mode in which a print user can reproduce with a small number of colors just by mounting a paper cassette containing dedicated paper. In addition, it is possible to prevent a case where an operation error occurs in the two-color printing mode.

(Third embodiment)
In the first and second embodiments, the printer connected to the host PC has been described. However, in the third embodiment, the present invention is applied to a copying machine.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The copying machine 60 of FIG. 15 newly includes a scanner input unit 33, a scanner γ correction unit 34, a filter processing unit 35, a copy color conversion unit 36, and the color material saving processing unit 24a in the first embodiment. A combination with the color material saving header insertion unit 29a and a combination of the two-color processing unit 24b and the two-color printing header insertion unit 29b in the second embodiment can be selected.

  The operation display unit 32 of the copier 60 can be set by the user from a menu displayed on the operation display unit 32 such as a color material save mode and two-color printing. For example, the color material save mode setting screen is the same as that shown in FIG. 2, and it is possible to select and set the color material save mode ON 132 and OFF 133 and the automatic 131 that prioritizes the color material save mode. When the automatic 131 is set, a mode is set according to the paper set in the paper cassette based on the determination information from the paper information determination unit 31, and the set mode is displayed on the operation display unit 13. Is displayed. Since the operation when the color material save mode is set is also the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  The setting screen for the two-color printing mode is the same as that in FIG. 12, and the operation mode thereof is also the same as that in the second embodiment, so that the description thereof is omitted.

  The scanner input unit 33 reads an RGB signal by irradiating the original of the copying machine 60. The read RGB signal is a signal depending on the characteristics of the scanner.

   The scanner γ correction unit 34 corrects the γ characteristic of the scanner and performs conversion using a γ conversion table.

   The filter processing unit 35 corrects the MTF characteristics of the scanner input unit 33 to enhance the sharpness of characters, and moire generated by interference between the halftone original and the output pseudo halftone processing unit 27. A smoothing filter process is performed for suppression.

  The copy color conversion unit 36 converts the RGB signal depending on the characteristics of the scanner input unit 33 into a CMYK signal that is a color signal corresponding to the color material.

  The other components are the same as those of the printer 20 in FIGS. 1 and 11, and thus the description of the configuration is omitted. In the third embodiment, the operation display unit 32 in the copying machine 60 displays the operation according to ON / OFF of the color material save mode set by the paper information determination unit 31 or ON / OFF of the two-color printing mode. The unit 32 selects any one of the color material saving processing unit 24a and the color material saving header insertion unit 29a, or the two-color processing unit 24b and the two-color printing header insertion unit 29b. Processing is performed and output from the printer output 30.

  The processing from the black generation / undercolor removal unit 23 to the γ correction unit 25 in the printer 20 is performed in units of objects, but the copying machine 60 is different in that it is performed in units of pixels.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, even when the present invention is applied to a copying machine, either the color material saving mode or the two-color printing mode for reproducing with a smaller number of colors is set. Then, it is printed on a sheet of paper with a picture and a fixed phrase indicating that it has been output in each mode at a predetermined position of the image, so it can be output to the user or the recipient of the distribution destination in color material saving or two-color printing mode This is a case where the user can clearly indicate that the device performance has been avoided, misunderstand the device performance, inform the user that these modes exist, and cause the user who knows the presence to make an operation error. Can be prevented in advance.

  Note that the programs executed by the image processing system and the image processing apparatus according to the first to third embodiments are incorporated in advance in a ROM (not shown) or the like provided in the host PC 10, the printer 20, or the copying machine 60. Provided.

  A program executed by the image processing system and the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). For example, the program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

  Furthermore, the program executed by the image processing system or the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. . Further, the program executed by the image processing system or the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The program executed by the image processing system and the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the above-described units (the operation display unit 13, the color material saving processing unit 24a, the two color processing unit 24b, and the color material saving header insertion unit 29a. The module configuration includes a two-color printing header insertion unit 29b, a paper information determination unit 31, and an operation display unit 32). As actual hardware, a CPU (processor) (not shown) downloads programs from the ROM. By reading and executing, the above-described units are loaded onto the main storage device, and the operation display unit 13, the color material saving processing unit 24a, the two color processing unit 24b, the color material saving header insertion unit 29a, and two color printing are used. A header insertion unit 29b, a paper information determination unit 31, and an operation display unit 32 are generated on the main storage device.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the setting screen of the color material save mode in the operation display part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of exclusive paper of the color material save mode containing the pattern mark. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dedicated sheet containing a footer in a color material save mode. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dedicated sheet in a color material saving mode containing a barcode. It is an enlarged view of the character part of the pattern mark of FIGS. It is an enlarged view of the character part in the footer of FIG. 3-2. It is a figure which shows the example of a conversion table in the color material save process part of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer γ correction table in the γ correction unit of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the example of an output at the time of color material save mode OFF. It is a figure which shows the example of an output at the time of color material save mode ON. It is an enlarged view of the character part of the header of FIG. 8-2. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the image processing system concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image processing system concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the setting screen of the 2 color printing mode in the operation display part of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the character part in the footer of FIG. 3-2. It is an enlarged view of the character part of the header of FIG. 8-2. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image processing apparatus concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Host PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Application 12 Printer driver 13 Operation display part 20 Printer 21 Command analysis part 22 Color conversion part 23 Black generation / under color removal part 24a Color material saving process part 25 γ correction part 26 Bit map conversion part 27 Pseudo halftone processing part 28 bits Map memory section 29a Color material saving header insertion section 30 Printer output section 31 Paper information determination section

Claims (14)

A paper information reading device that reads information from a dedicated output paper to which information for setting a mode for saving color material consumption is added;
A setting device for setting an executable color material consumption saving mode based on a user-specified color material consumption saving mode and information from the output paper read by the paper information reading device;
An image processing device that performs image processing according to a color material consumption saving mode set by the setting device;
An image processing system comprising:   An information insertion device is further provided for inserting information that clearly indicates that image processing has been performed in the color material consumption saving mode set by the setting device at a predetermined position on the paper surface of the output paper. The image processing system according to claim 1.   3. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein in the mode for saving the color material consumption, the density of the color material to be used is reduced and output.   3. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the mode for saving the color material consumption is performed by reducing the number of colors to be used.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information that is added to the output paper and sets a mode that saves color material consumption is configured with a visible picture or character string.   6. The image according to claim 5, wherein the paper information reading device is constituted by a bar code reader that reads the bar code and sets information for setting a mode for saving color material consumption. Processing system. Sheet information reading means for reading information from a dedicated output sheet to which information for setting a mode for saving color material consumption is added;
A setting means for setting an executable color material consumption saving mode based on a user-specified color material consumption saving mode and information from the output paper read by the paper information reading means;
Image processing means for performing image processing according to the color material consumption saving mode set by the setting means;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The apparatus further comprises information insertion means for inserting, at a predetermined position on the paper surface of the output paper, information clearly indicating that image processing has been performed in the color material consumption saving mode set by the setting means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the mode for saving the color material consumption is performed by reducing the density of the color material to be used.   9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the mode for saving the color material consumption is performed by reducing the number of colors used.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the information added to the output sheet and configured to set a mode for saving color material consumption is configured with a visible picture or character string.   12. The image according to claim 11, wherein the paper information reading unit is configured by a bar code reader that reads information for setting a mode for saving color material consumption into a bar code and reading the bar code. Processing equipment. A paper information reading step for reading information from a dedicated output paper to which information for setting a mode for saving color material consumption is added;
A setting step for setting an executable color material consumption saving mode based on the color material consumption saving mode designated by the user and the information from the output paper read in the paper information reading step;
An image processing step for performing image processing according to the color material consumption saving mode set in the setting step;
An image processing method comprising:   A computer-executable program for causing a computer to execute each step of the image processing method according to claim 13.

Images