JP2011059445A - Image forming apparatus, method of forming preview image, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a preview function by which a print content and a print position of transparent toner are easy to be understood. <P>SOLUTION: Transparent image data and RGB image data are converted into resolutions of preview images by resolution conversion means 301 and 302. Also, gradation conversion is executed so that the RGB image data whose resolutions are converted become thin using a gradation conversion means 303. Then, the transparent image data outputted from the resolution conversion means 301 are synthesized to the RGB image data outputted from the gradation conversion means 303 by a synthesis means 304 so as to output the data to an image display device as preview image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a digital multi-function peripheral (MFP) that forms an image using a transparent color material in addition to a colored color material, and more particularly to an image display device that displays a preview image before printing. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a preview image generation method, and a program.

  Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, by using transparent toner in addition to CMYK toner, the output image is made glossy, irregular reflection of transmitted light is prevented, clear and highly saturated, and faithful to the original image. Various techniques for obtaining a simple projected image are known.

For example, a method is proposed in which a transparent component signal for a transparent toner image that overlaps a YMCK toner image is created, and the amount of transparent toner attached is controlled so that the total amount of each toner attached to the image area on the transfer paper is substantially uniform. (See Patent Document 1).
In addition, the area in which the color output image is formed is divided into a plurality of small areas, and the transparent color for each small area is determined according to the predicted amount of color material necessary for forming the color output image for each small area. Calculate the amount of superimposition of material.For small areas with a large amount of color color material, the amount of transparent color material is small, and for small areas with a small amount of color color material, There has also been proposed a method of increasing the amount of superimposition and giving an appropriate gloss to the entire output (see Patent Document 2).
Furthermore, it is also known to print a watermark image with a transparent toner for the purpose of preventing or suppressing forgery and guaranteeing the original (see Patent Document 3).

  As described above, printing using transparent toner is well known, but it is not easy to confirm this on a so-called preview screen. That is, in a digital multifunction peripheral such as a recent MFP (multifunction printer), a preview image of image data (an image displayed on an image display device before image printing) is displayed on a liquid crystal display of an operation unit or a screen of a host PC. ) A display function (hereinafter referred to as a preview function) is installed, and the user uses the preview function to check the image of the image data in advance before outputting image data to be printed or image data to be distributed over the network. can do. However, a preview image printed with colored toner and a preview image printed with transparent toner are difficult to separate on the screen.

To solve this problem, for example, a method is proposed in which the color of an image printed with CMYK toner at the transparent toner printing position is detected and a color that does not overlap with that color is displayed as a transparent toner display color in a preview. (See Patent Document 4).
However, if the image to be printed is an image having a large number of colors, there remains a problem that it is difficult to know in which part the transparent toner is printed. Also, it may be difficult for the user to change the display color of the transparent toner depending on the image.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily display the print content and print position of the transparent toner on the image display device of the image forming apparatus. .

(1) The present invention includes an image display device capable of displaying a preview image and capable of printing an image using a transparent color material. Image data input means for inputting image data to be printed with a color material, and image generation means for generating a preview image from the image data input from the image data input means, the image generation means, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the image area printed with the transparent color material generates an image to be highlighted as compared with the image area printed with a color material other than the transparent color material.
(2) The present invention is a method for generating a preview image in an image forming apparatus capable of printing an image using a transparent color material, and printing with image data printed with the transparent color material and a color material other than the transparent color material An image data input step for inputting the image data to be processed, and an image generation step for generating a preview image from the image data input from the image data input means. The image generation step includes the transparent color material. The preview image generation method is characterized in that an image area to be displayed is emphasized in comparison with an image area printed with a color material other than the transparent color material.
(3) The present invention provides a computer of an image forming apparatus that includes an image display device capable of displaying a preview image and is capable of image printing using a transparent color material. An image data input means for inputting image data to be printed with a color material other than the image data, and a program that functions as an image generation means for generating a preview image from the image data input from the image data input means. The generating means is a program that generates an image to be highlighted in comparison with an image area printed with a color material other than the transparent color material.

  According to the present invention, an image area printed with a transparent color material can be displayed with emphasis over an image area printed with a color material other than the transparent color material. Therefore, when the image is displayed using the preview function, the print content and print position of the transparent toner are easy to understand.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an MFP according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the image data accumulate | stored in HDD. It is a functional block diagram which shows the production | generation method of the preview image of 1st embodiment. It is a gradation conversion LUT diagram of an output image with respect to an input image. 5A is a diagram showing an image obtained by performing gradation conversion on RGB image data, FIG. 5B is a diagram showing transparent image data, and FIG. 5C is a diagram in which transparent image data and RGB image data are synthesized. It is a figure which shows an image. It is a functional block diagram which shows the production | generation method of the preview image of 2nd embodiment. FIG. 7A is a diagram showing RGB image data of the second embodiment, FIG. 7B is a diagram showing transparent image data of the second embodiment, and FIG. 7C is a diagram of RGB image data and transparent image data. It is a figure which shows the image data after a synthesis | combination. 8A is a diagram showing RGB image data, FIG. 8B is a diagram showing transparent image data displayed larger than the transparent image data in FIG. 7B, and FIG. 8C is a diagram after combining RGB image data and transparent image data. It is a figure which shows the image data. It is a functional block diagram which shows the production | generation method of the preview image of 3rd embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer, facsimile, scanner, copy, or MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) combining these functions according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 1, an MFP 10 controls a reading device 101 as image input means, image data processing devices 102 and 104, a bus control device 103, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 105 as storage means for storing image data, and the MFP 10 as a whole. A central processing unit (CPU) 106, a memory 107, a plotter I / F device 108, a plotter device 109 for printing out image data, an operation display device 110 as a function selection means for the user to select a function for using the image data, and an external Line I / F device 111 that exchanges image data with a facsimile (FAX) 115 of the network, and an external I / F device for network distribution that exchanges image data with an external personal computer (PC) 116 112, S.M. B. (South Bridge) 113, ROM (Read Only Memory) 114, and the like.

  For example, the reading device (scanner) 101 converts 8-bit digital image data of each color of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) from the density information of the document obtained by scanning the document at a resolution of 600 dpi. This is a device that generates and outputs to the image data processing device 102.

  The image data processing device 102 is a device that performs necessary image processing on the digital image data generated by the reading device 101 and outputs it to the bus control device 103.

  The bus control device 103 is a data bus control device that exchanges various data such as image data and control commands necessary in the MFP 10.

  The HDD 105 stores digital image data read by the reading device 101, digital image data image-processed by the image data processing device 102, digital image data image-processed by the image data processing device 104, and supplementary information thereof. A mass storage device for storage.

  The image data processing device 104 is a device that performs necessary image processing on the digital image data processed by the image data processing device 102 or the digital image data read from the HDD 105 and outputs the processed image data to the bus control device 103. is there.

  The line I / F device 111 is a device that is connected via the telephone line between the MFP 10 and the FAX 115 outside the device, and exchanges image data.

  The external I / F device 112 is connected to the MFP 10 and a PC 116 outside the device via a network such as Ethernet (registered trademark), and inputs / outputs various control data and image data.

  S. B. Reference numeral 113 denotes a general-purpose circuit for a bridge function of a bus called a South Bridge.

  The plotter I / F device 108 receives digital image data of CMYK 4 colors [C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), K (black)]] sent from the CPU 106, and Output to a dedicated interface.

  Upon receiving digital image data for four colors of CMYK, the plotter device 109 is an apparatus that outputs an image to transfer paper by an electrophotographic process using a laser beam.

The operation display device 110 is a part that performs an interface between the MFP 10 and a user. The operation display device 110 is an LCD (liquid crystal display) that performs display for prompting various states and operation methods of the MFP 10 and a group of switches that detect input instructions from the user. And is configured.
The LCD can display output image data output from the plotter 109 or a preview image of output image data output via the line I / F device 111 or the external I / F device 112. Further, the switch group is provided with a key switch for selecting a “preview function” for displaying a preview image, a key switch for instructing input of a magnification for scaling the displayed preview image, and the like.

The CPU 106 is a microprocessor for controlling the entire MFP 10.
The CPU 106 that controls the operation of the entire system executes various processes based on programs stored in the ROM 114 that is used as a main storage device of the system.
The memory 107 is a volatile memory used for temporarily storing programs and intermediate processing data when the CPU 106 controls the MFP 10.
The ROM 114 implements the storage medium of the present invention, and is a memory that stores a program and the like when the CPU 106 controls the MFP 10.
The CPU 106 that controls the operation of the entire system executes various processes based on programs stored in the ROM 114 that is used as a main storage device of the system.

  The storage medium includes not only ROM 114 but also various optical disks such as CD (Compact Disk) -ROM and DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), various magnetic disks such as various magneto-optical disks and flexible disks, and various semiconductor memories. Format media can be used. Further, a program may be downloaded from a network such as the Internet via the external I / F device 112 and installed in the HDD 105. In this case, the storage device that stores the program in the server on the transmission side is also a storage medium in the present invention. Note that the program may operate on a predetermined OS (Operating System), and in that case, the OS may perform execution of some of various processes described later. Further, it may be included as a part of a group of program files that constitute predetermined application software or OS.

Hereafter, the part which concerns on the characteristic of this invention is demonstrated.
When printing using transparent toner, when CMYKT or RGBT (T is for transparent toner) image data is input from the PC 116 outside the MFP 10, the image data is stored in the HDD 105 and then printed. It is also possible to print RGB images scanned by the reading apparatus 101 and accumulated in the HDD 105 with CMYK toner, and images inputted from the PC 116 and accumulated in the HDD 105 to be printed with transparent toner.
Next, preview image data is generated from the image data stored in the HDD 105, and the preview image is displayed on the screen of the operation display device 110.

First Embodiment FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of image data stored in the HDD 105.
FIG. 2A is RGB (or CMYK) image data, which is an image composed of characters 201, line drawings 202, and photographs 203. FIG. 2B is transparent image data, which is an image in which an area to be printed with transparent toner is black and an image that is not printed with transparent toner is white. The rectangular area 204 is at the same image position as the photograph 203, and is printed by adding gloss to the area of the photograph 203 with transparent toner.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a preview image generation method according to this embodiment.
In the following description, FIG. 2A is an RGB image in which pixel values of each color are represented by 8 bits (0 to 255), and (R, G, B) = (0, 0, 0) is black. In FIG. 2B, a black pixel value which is an area to be printed with transparent toner is set to 0, and a white pixel value which is an area not to be printed with transparent toner is set to 255.
In FIG. 3, resolution conversion means 301 and 302 convert transparent image data and RGB image data to the resolution of the preview image, respectively. Since this resolution conversion means may use a known technique, its details are omitted.
The gradation converting unit 303 performs gradation conversion so that the RGB image data is thinned. This gradation conversion can be performed by performing conversion using RUT (look-up table) shown in FIG. 4 for each of RGB.

  FIG. 4 is a gradation conversion LUT diagram of the output image with respect to the input image. As shown in FIG. 4, when (R, G, B) = (0, 0, 0) is black, the input (0, 0, 0) is output (200, 200, 200). The output is thin.

FIG. 5A is an image obtained by performing gradation conversion on an image obtained by converting the resolution of the RGB image data of FIG. 2A, and is an overall thin image.
A synthesizing unit 304 (FIG. 3) synthesizes the transparent image data (FIG. 5B) output from the resolution converting unit 301 with the RGB image data (FIG. 3A) output from the gradation converting unit 303, and preview image data (FIG. 3). 5C).
Here, as a synthesis method, the smaller value (darker one) of the RGB data and the transparent image data is output.

In the image of FIG. 5C, the area of the character 501 and the line drawing 502 where the transparent toner is not printed is displayed lightly, and only the area of the photograph 503 where the transparent toner is printed is displayed darkly. Can be previewed in an easy-to-understand manner.
It should be noted that it is desirable to have a configuration having mode selection means so that the user can select the display mode of the preview image from the key switch of the operation display device 110. In the first display mode, only an image printed with CMYK toner (for example, the image in FIG. 2A) is displayed, and in the second display mode, an image (for example, FIG. 2) in which the transparent toner image described in the present embodiment is emphasized. 5C) may be displayed.

Second Embodiment FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a preview image generation method according to this embodiment. Note that the resolution conversion units 601 and 602 are the same as the resolution conversion units 301 and 302 of FIG. 3 of the first embodiment described above.
In FIG. 6, a gradation conversion unit 603 performs gradation conversion on an image obtained by converting the resolution of transparent image data. Next, using the gradation conversion LUT (FIG. 4), the pixel value 0 (black) in the area where the transparent toner (FIG. 2B) is printed is converted into, for example, a pixel value 50 (FIG. 7B). As a result, the area where the transparent toner is printed is converted from black to dark gray.
Similar to the first embodiment described above, the gradation conversion means 604 performs gradation conversion so that the image obtained by converting the resolution of the RGB image data in FIG. 2A becomes thinner (FIG. 7A).
The synthesizing unit 605 synthesizes the transparent image data (FIG. 7B) output from the tone converting unit 603 and the RGB image data (FIG. 7A) output from the tone converting unit 604, as preview image data (FIG. 7C). Output.

Here, the synthesis method is represented by the following calculation formula. R ′, G ′, and B ′ are the combined data (T is the pixel value of the transparent image, and R, G, and B are the pixel values of the respective R, G, and B images).
R ′ = T + R-255
G '= T + G-255
B '= T + B-255
However, when R ′, G ′, and B ′ are less than 0, 0 is output.

  In the image of FIG. 7C, the area of the character 701 and the line drawing 702 where the transparent toner is not printed is displayed lightly, and only the area of the photograph 703 where the transparent toner is printed is displayed darkly. Further, since the area of the photograph 703 has gradation, the contents of the RGB image in the area where the transparent toner is printed can also be known.

  8A is the same RGB image data as FIG. 2A, and FIG. 8B is transparent image data, but the area 804 where the transparent toner is printed is larger than the photograph 803 in FIG. 8A. When such an image is input, the preview image is as shown in FIG. 8C, and it can be seen that the sizes of the preview display area 807 and the area 808 do not match (in FIG. 8, the sizes of the areas 803 and 804). (In order to clearly indicate that the distance is different, we replaced each one with a different shaded area). That is, it can be seen from the preview displayed image that the area 804 where the transparent toner is printed and the area of the photograph 803 do not match.

By adopting the configuration of the present embodiment, it becomes easy to understand whether or not the size and position of the area where the transparent toner is printed are appropriate.
In this embodiment, the pixel value 0 (black) in the area to be printed with the transparent toner is converted into the pixel value 50 (gray) by the gradation conversion unit 603. The pixel value to be converted is the screen of the operation display device. An appropriate value may be set according to the characteristics. Specifically, there is a sufficient density difference displayed between the areas 805 and 806 where the transparent toner is not printed and the area 808 where the transparent toner is printed in FIG. 8C, and the gradation is expressed to some extent in the area 808. It may be set so that.

Third Embodiment FIG. 9 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating a preview image generation method according to the present embodiment. The resolution conversion units 901 and 902 are the same as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment.
In FIG. 9, the color conversion means 903 makes the area where the transparent toner is printed a chromatic color and the area where the transparent toner is not printed is an achromatic color with respect to an image obtained by converting the resolution of the RGB image data (FIG. 2A). Convert color to.
In the area where the transparent toner is not printed, that is, the area of the pixel value 255 of the image obtained by converting the resolution of the transparent image data (FIG. 2B), the image is converted to (R, G, B) = (Y, Y, Y). Here, Y is a value converted from RGB to a luminance signal, and is obtained by, for example, the following calculation formula.
Y = 0.299R + 0.587G + 0.114B

In the area where the transparent toner is printed, that is, in the area of the pixel value 0 of the image obtained by converting the resolution of the transparent image data in FIG. 2B, it is converted to (R, G, B) = (255, X, X). Here, X is a value obtained by the following calculation formula.
X = INT (Y / α)
Here, INT () means that the decimal point is rounded down to an integer. For example, when α is 2, in the area where the transparent toner is printed, the RGB image data is (R, G, B) = (0, 0, 0) when (R, G, B) = (0, 0, 0) black. G, B) = (255, 0, 0). When the RGB image data is white (R, G, B) = (255, 255, 255), it is converted into a light red color (R, G, B) = (255, 127, 127).
That is, it is converted into a gradation value corresponding to the value of the RGB image data with a red hue.

With the above configuration, an area where the transparent toner is not printed is previewed with an achromatic color, and in the area where the transparent toner is printed, a chromatic color having a specific hue (red in this embodiment) and a gradation corresponding to RGB image data. Preview with values.
Therefore, in the preview display image, the area where the transparent toner is printed and the area where the transparent toner is not printed can be clearly identified.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... MFP, 101 ... Reading apparatus, 102, 104 ... Image data processing apparatus, 103 ... Bus control apparatus, 105 ... HDD, 106 ... CPU, 107 ... Memory, 108 ... Plotter I / F device, 109 ... Plotter device, 110 ... Operation display device, 111 ... Line I / F device, 112 ... External I / F device, 113 ... S . B. , 114... ROM, 115... FAX, 116.

Japanese Patent No. 3146367 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-55089 JP 2004-12880 A JP 2008-145784 A

Claims (15)

In an image forming apparatus provided with an image display device capable of displaying a preview image and capable of image printing using a transparent color material,
Image data input means for inputting image data printed with a transparent color material and image data printed with a color material other than the transparent color material;
Image generating means for generating a preview image from the image data input from the image data input means,
The image generating apparatus generates an image in which an image area printed with the transparent color material is highlighted as compared with an image area printed with a color material other than the transparent color material. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image generation unit generates a preview image in which an image area printed with the transparent color material is displayed darker on the image display device than an image area printed with a color material other than the transparent color material. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
The image generation unit displays a preview image of an image area printed with a color material other than the transparent color material on the image display device so as to be lighter than a preview image of an image area printed with the transparent color material. In addition, gradation conversion processing means for gradation conversion of image data of an image area printed with a color material other than the transparent color material,
An image forming apparatus for generating an image to be displayed on the image display device by combining image data printed with a transparent color material and image data after gradation conversion processing by the gradation conversion means . The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
The image generating means includes
A first gradation conversion process for converting image data printed with the transparent color material into a predetermined gradation;
Image data of an image area printed with a color material other than the transparent color material is displayed so as to be displayed lighter on the image display device than a preview image of the image image area printed with a color material other than the transparent color material. A second gradation conversion process for gradation conversion,
An image forming apparatus for generating an image to be displayed on the image display device by combining the image data after the first gradation conversion processing and the image data after the second gradation conversion processing. . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image generation means generates an image in which an image area printed with the transparent color material is a chromatic color and an image area printed with a color material other than the transparent color material is displayed in an achromatic color. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.
An image forming apparatus, wherein an image area printed with the transparent color material is expressed in gradation with a chromatic color having a predetermined hue. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The image display device includes:
A first display mode for displaying both the transparent color material and an image printed using a color material other than the transparent color material;
A second display mode for displaying only an image printed using a color material other than the transparent color material,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a mode selection unit capable of selecting the first display mode and the second display mode by a user. A method for generating a preview image in an image forming apparatus capable of printing an image using a transparent color material,
An image data input step for inputting image data to be printed with a transparent color material and image data to be printed with a color material other than the transparent color material;
An image generation step of generating a preview image from the image data input from the image data input means,
The method of generating a preview image, wherein the image generating step generates an image in which an image area printed with the transparent color material is highlighted as compared with an image area printed with a color material other than the transparent color material . A method for generating a preview image in an image forming apparatus capable of image printing using the transparent color material according to claim 8,
Generating a preview image, wherein the image generating step generates an image in which an image area printed with the transparent color material is displayed darker than an image area printed with a color material other than the transparent color material Method. A method for generating a preview image in an image forming apparatus capable of image printing using the transparent color material according to claim 9.
In the image generation step, an image printed with a color material other than the transparent color material so as to be displayed lighter on the image display device than a preview image of an image area printed with a color material other than the transparent color material The image display device performs gradation conversion processing for gradation conversion of image data of a region, and synthesizes image data printed with a transparent color material and image data after gradation conversion processing by the gradation conversion means A method for generating a preview image, characterized by generating an image displayed on the screen. A method for generating a preview image in an image forming apparatus capable of image printing using the transparent color material according to claim 9.
A first gradation conversion process for converting the image data printed with the transparent color material into a predetermined gradation in the image generation step; and a preview image of an image area printed with a color material other than the transparent color material Performing a second gradation conversion process for performing gradation conversion on image data of an image region printed with a color material other than the transparent color material so that the image display device is displayed lighter than the image display device,
An image displayed on the image display device is generated by combining the image data after the first gradation conversion processing and the image data after the second gradation conversion processing. Generation method. A method for generating a preview image in an image forming apparatus capable of image printing using the transparent color material according to claim 8,
The image generation means generates an image in which an image area printed with the transparent color material is a chromatic color and an image area printed with a color material other than the transparent color material is displayed in an achromatic color. To generate a preview image. A method for generating a preview image in an image forming apparatus capable of image printing using the transparent color material according to claim 12,
A method for generating a preview image, characterized in that an image region printed with the transparent color material is expressed in gradation with a chromatic color having a predetermined hue. A method for generating a preview image in an image forming apparatus capable of printing an image using the transparent color material according to any one of claims 8 to 13.
The image display step includes a first display mode for displaying both the transparent color material and an image printed using a color material other than the transparent color material, and printing using a color material other than the transparent color material. A second display mode for displaying only the image to be displayed,
A method for generating a preview image, wherein the user can select the first display mode and the second display mode. An image forming apparatus having an image display device capable of displaying a preview image and capable of printing an image using a transparent color material,
Image data input means for inputting image data printed with a transparent color material and image data printed with a color material other than the transparent color material;
A program that functions as image generation means for generating a preview image from image data input from the image data input means,
The image generating means generates an image in which an image area printed with the transparent color material is highlighted compared to an image area printed with a color material other than the transparent color material.

Images