JP2012098467A - Image processing system, image processing method, and program for performing image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system of sample printing for comparing the image qualities of printed materials in a case where printing is carried out by connecting a plurality of image processors and a case where printing is carried out by one image processor.SOLUTION: An image processing system to which the paper ejection part of a first image processor for printing with a chromatic coloring material and the paper feed part of a second image processor for printing with a transparent coloring material are connected comprises: first printing means and second printing means. In the first printing means, data for sample printing is selected from input data, the first image processor conveys to a second printer a piece of paper obtained in such a manner that data to be printed by the first image processor among the selected data is printed by transferring and fixing the chromatic coloring material, and the second image processor that has fed the conveyed paper prints the data to be printed by the second image processor among the selected data, by transferring and re-fixing the transparent coloring material. In the second printing means, the second image processor prints the selected data by transferring and fixing the chromatic coloring material and the transparent coloring material.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method for outputting an image using a special color toner.

  In recent years, there has been proposed an image processing apparatus that performs printing using a transparent toner (clear toner) that is one type of special color toner.

  The entire coat that prints clear toner on the entire printable area of the printing paper is printed with clear toner on the entire surface of the paper after printing with colored toners such as CMYK toner. Glossiness can be given to the entire surface of the paper.

  In addition, the partial coat printed with the clear toner on the designated area of the printable area of the printing paper should be partially printed with the clear toner on the paper after printing with the colored toner. Thus, it is possible to provide a glossiness and a decorative effect partially to the paper.

  When printing is performed using such clear toner, various expressions can be made, and the added value of the printed output is improved.

  In order to execute printing using the clear toner, a mechanism for fixing the color toner image and the clear toner image to the paper by one fixing after transferring the toner such as CMYK as the color toner and the clear toner to the paper. It is incorporated in an image processing apparatus. As a result, an output product using clear toner is created.

  However, a problem occurs when a configuration for performing printing using clear toner is added. For example, a problem relating to the toner loading amount occurs. More specifically, in the image processing apparatus, there is only a toner amount that can be fixed per unit area of the printing object (loading amount limitation). This is because it is necessary to transfer and fix the CMYK toner and the clear toner at a time. Therefore, in an area where CMYK toner is frequently used, there is a problem that the clear toner cannot be used sufficiently in order to suppress the toner amount within the applied amount limit.

  Therefore, it has been proposed to connect an image processing apparatus that performs printing using colored toner and an image processing apparatus that performs printing using clear toner, and to construct an image processing system that creates an output product using clear toner ( Patent Document 1). For example, for a user who uses clear toner, an image processing system in which an image processing apparatus that performs printing using colored toner (an apparatus in the previous stage) and an image processing apparatus that performs printing using clear toner (an apparatus in the subsequent stage) are connected. Is provided.

JP 2008-145595 A

  Of the image processing systems described above, if the image processing apparatus that performs printing using clear toner in the subsequent stage includes a configuration that prints colored toner, this apparatus alone can print using both colored toner and clear toner. Is possible.

  Therefore, when performing printing using colored toner and transparent toner, printing can be performed by connecting the former apparatus and the latter apparatus, and printing can also be performed by the latter apparatus alone.

  Here, comparing the case where the preceding apparatus has a four-drum engine using an independent developing drum for each color element and performs color printing, and the case where the latter apparatus performs color printing with one drum, The printing speed of the former device is faster.

  Therefore, when printing using both colored toner and clear toner is performed by the single-drum type subsequent apparatus alone, printing is performed by connecting the four-drum type preceding apparatus and the subsequent apparatus (hereinafter referred to as tandem printing). It is possible to print at a higher speed than printing with the latter apparatus alone.

  In addition, when printing is performed using colored toner and clear toner by the subsequent image processing apparatus alone, the clear toner cannot be sufficiently loaded in consideration of the loading amount in an area where the amount of colored toner is large. For this reason, there is a case where an amount of toner that can sufficiently exhibit the effect desired to be expressed by using the clear toner cannot be placed.

  However, when a small amount of printing is performed or when there is no concern about restriction on the amount of printing (not giving importance to print image quality), there may be a user's desire to reduce power consumption by performing printing using a subsequent apparatus.

  As described above, even if a system to which a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected is provided, a system to which the apparatuses are connected may be used or only a subsequent image processing apparatus may be used depending on a user's request.

  However, considering the loading amount as described above, the output quality when printing using the connected image processing apparatus is compared with the output quality when printing using only the subsequent image processing apparatus. May be different.

  Therefore, in an image processing system to which such an image processing apparatus is connected, sample printing is necessary in order to check whether or not an output object at the time of printing is reproduced according to the user's intention. The present invention provides a system for performing sample printing in such an image processing system.

  In the image processing system according to the present invention, a paper discharge unit of a first image processing apparatus that performs printing using a colored color material and a paper feeding unit of a second image processing apparatus that performs printing using a transparent color material are connected. An input unit for inputting data, a selection unit for selecting data to be sample printed from the data input by the input unit, and the first image processing apparatus by the selection unit. Of the data constituting the selected data, the data to be printed by the first image processing apparatus is printed by transferring and fixing the colored material, and the printed paper is conveyed to the second printing apparatus. Then, the second image processing apparatus that has fed the transported paper converts the data to be printed by the second image processing apparatus out of the data constituting the data selected by the selection means into the transparent color. Transfer material and fix again The first printing means for printing and the data selected by the selection means by the second image processing apparatus are printed by transferring the colored color material and the transparent color material and fixing the data once. And a second printing means.

  In an image processing system in which a plurality of image processing devices are connected, a sample print is output when printing is performed using a plurality of image processing devices and when only a single image processing device is used. Image quality can be easily compared.

It is a block diagram of a system. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a printing process including data for performing printing using clear toner. 3 is an example of a printer driver screen. It is an example of a sample print detailed setting screen. It is a flow at the time of sample printing execution. It is a flow of automatic sample print data selection. It is the flow which showed the exchange between PC and an image processing apparatus. It is an example of a tandem print mode setting screen. This is a flow when printing is performed only by the second image processing apparatus. This is a flow for automatically switching to printing only by the second image processing apparatus when a trouble occurs. It is a block diagram of the connected image processing apparatus. It is a block diagram of a 2nd image processing apparatus.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system in this embodiment. The first image processing apparatus 101 that performs printing using a colored color material such as CMYK toner and the second image processing apparatus 121 that performs printing using a clear toner such as a transparent color material in addition to the colored toner are networked. 120 is connected.

  Further, the toner used in the first image processing apparatus 101 is not limited to the color toner, and may be a monochrome toner or the like. Similarly, the toner used in the second image processing apparatus 121 is not limited to the clear toner, and may be a special color toner such as gold or silver, a light color toner, or the like.

  The clear toner is a transparent recording agent having a feature of adding a transparent image. When clear toner is used, it is possible to express a special texture such as a glossy feeling or glossy feeling that is different from printing performed using only colored toner.

  Furthermore, the apparatus constituting the image processing system is not limited to the image processing apparatus, and may be an image processing apparatus having the following configuration.

  In order to perform tandem printing, the paper discharge unit 114 of the first image processing apparatus 101 that is the preceding image processing apparatus and the paper feeding unit 126 of the second image processing apparatus 121 that is the subsequent image processing apparatus are connected to the connection unit 136. Connected through.

  The paper discharged from the first image processing apparatus 101 is conveyed and can be automatically fed by the second image processing apparatus 121. Here, the image processing apparatus refers to an apparatus that realizes a plurality of functions such as copying, printer, and FAX by a single unit. The PC 138 is connected to the first image processing apparatus 101 via the network 137. A driver 139 in the PC 138 recognizes the first image processing apparatus 101 and the second image processing apparatus 121 as one system using colored toner and clear toner, and transmits print data.

  In the system shown in FIG. 1, printing using colored toner and clear toner can be performed with a single instruction. The clear toner can be printed on the entire surface of the paper, and can also be printed limited to specific color data or objects at the time of print processing or copy processing.

  The first image processing apparatus 101 using colored toner will be described in detail. The network I / F 119 receives print data and transmits raster images and control data described later. The controller 102 includes a CPU 103, a renderer 109, and an image processing unit 111. The interpreter 104 of the CPU 103 interprets the PDL portion of the received print data and generates intermediate language data (color) 105. The renderer 109 generates a raster image 110 from the generated intermediate language data (color) 105. The image processing unit 111 performs image processing on the raster image 110 and the image read by the scanner 116. A printer 112 connected to the controller 102 is a printer that forms output data on paper using colored toners such as CMYK. The printer 112 includes a paper feed unit 113 that feeds paper and a paper discharge unit 114 that discharges paper on which output data is formed. In addition, it has a fixing unit (not shown) for fixing the toner transferred onto the paper. The display device 115 displays a UI indicating an instruction to the user and the state of the first image processing device 101. The scanner 116 is a scanner including an auto document feeder. The scanner 116 irradiates a bundled or single original image with a light source (not shown), forms an original reflection image on a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD sensor with a lens, and outputs a raster-like image reading signal from the solid-state image sensor. Obtained as image data. The input device 117 is an interface for receiving input from the user. The storage device 118 stores data processed by the controller 102.

  The interpreter 104 generates intermediate language data (clear) 106 in addition to the intermediate language data (color) 105 when the print data includes data instructed to print using clear toner. Processing using a named profile will be described as an example of a method for instructing (clearing instruction) to perform printing using clear toner. When a specific character string is used when specifying an input color on the application side, a named profile corresponding to the character string is selected. A clear instruction can be made by designating that the character string is to use clear toner by the driver 139 of the PC 138. The interpreter 104 creates intermediate language data (clear) 106 by extracting only the part instructed to clear and creating a layer. The soft renderer 107 converts the intermediate language data (clear) 106 into a raster image 108. The first image processing apparatus 101 transmits the raster image 108 generated as described above to the second image processing apparatus 121 via the network 120. Although the named profile is mentioned as the clear instruction method, any method may be used as long as the clear raster image 108 can be generated. In addition, the first image processing apparatus 101 transmits control data 140 to the second image processing apparatus 121 via the network 120. Here, the control data 140 is information such as the number of sheets, paper size, media type, and finisher settings set by the user via the driver 139.

  Next, the second image processing apparatus 121 using clear toner will be described in detail. The network I / F 135 is connected to the network I / F 119 via the network 120 and transmits / receives data between the first image processing apparatus 101 and the second image processing apparatus 121. The controller 122 includes a CPU 123 and an image processing unit 124. A printer 125 connected to the controller 122 is a printer that forms output data on paper using clear toner. The printer 125 includes a paper feeding unit 126 that feeds paper and a paper discharge unit 127 that discharges paper on which output data is formed. The image forming apparatus further includes a fixing unit (not shown) that fixes the toner transferred onto the paper. The paper feed unit 126 is connected to the paper discharge unit 114 via the connection unit 136, and automatically feeds the paper discharged from the first image processing apparatus 101. The finisher 128 has functions such as sorting and stapling. The paper discharge unit 127 of the printer 125 and the paper supply unit 129 of the finisher 128 are connected, and after performing processing designated by the user such as sorting and stapling, the output is performed using the paper discharge unit 130. Since the display device 131, the scanner 132, the input device 133, and the storage device 134 are the same as those in the first image processing apparatus 101, description thereof is omitted.

  The second image processing apparatus 121 receives the raster image 108 and the control data 140 from the first image processing apparatus 101, processes the raster image 108 using the image processing unit 124, and uses the control data 140 to perform the printer 125. And the finisher 128 are controlled.

  In the data flow described above, raster data (clear) is transmitted from the controller of the first image processing apparatus 101 to the controller of the second image processing apparatus 121. This is because the intermediate language data is rendered in the first image processing apparatus 101. However, if there is a clear renderer in the controller of the second image processing apparatus 121, the intermediate language data (clear) is transmitted from the first image processing apparatus 101 to the second image processing apparatus 121, and the second Raster data (clear) may be generated by the image processing apparatus 121. In this case, intermediate language data (clear) is not rendered in the first image processing apparatus 101.

  The controller 122 of the second image processing apparatus has a configuration necessary for rendering data for printing using colored toner and data for printing using clear toner into a bitmap. It has (not shown). Therefore, the second image processing apparatus 121 can independently process the print data input from the PC 138 or the first image processing apparatus 101 and perform printing using colored toner and clear toner.

  Next, a flow when print processing is executed from the PC 138 using the driver 139 in the system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. A program related to the processing from step S201 to step S213 is stored in the storage device 118 of the first image processing apparatus 101, and is called by the RAM and executed by the CPU 103. A program relating to the processing from step S214 to step S218 is stored in the storage device 134 of the second image processing apparatus 121, and is called by the RAM and executed by the CPU 123. First, in step S201, the controller 102 acquires print data sent from the PC 138. As described above, the PC 138 can give a clear instruction to a specific color or object by associating it with a named profile when sending print data. Next, the CPU 103 refers to a named profile or the like in the print data to be processed, and determines in step S202 whether or not the data is to be printed using clear toner. If the data is not data to be printed using clear toner, the interpreter 104 creates intermediate language data (color) 105 in step S203. In step S204, the renderer 109 performs rendering to create a raster image 110. In step S205, the image processing unit 111 executes image processing. In step S206, the printer 112 outputs image data on paper using CMYK colored toner. In step S207, the CPU 103 transmits control data 140 to the controller 122 of the second image processing apparatus 121 via the network I / F 119. In the second image processing apparatus 121, paper feed and paper discharge processing is performed with reference to the control data 140 in step S214. Here, clear toner is not used. Finally, in step S217, the finisher 128 performs paper feeding and output based on the control data 140. Here, when processing such as sorting is designated in the control data 140, the finisher 128 performs processing according to the instruction.

  If it is determined in step S202 that the data is to be printed using clear toner, the interpreter 104 generates intermediate language data (color) 105 and intermediate language data (clear) 106 in step S208. In step S209, the renderer 109 renders the intermediate language data (color) 105 to generate a raster image 110. In step S210, the image processing unit 111 performs image processing. In step S211, the printer 112 outputs image data on paper using CMYK colored toner. In step S <b> 212, the CPU 103 transmits control data 140 to the controller 122 of the second image processing apparatus 121 via the network I / F 119. On the other hand, in step S 213, the soft renderer 107 renders the intermediate language data (clear) 106 to generate a raster image 108, and transmits it to the second image processing device 121. In step S <b> 215, the second image processing apparatus 121 performs paper feeding with reference to the control data 140. On the other hand, in step S218, the image processing unit 124 performs image processing on the raster image 108. In step S216, the printer 125 prints out the image data using clear toner on the fed paper. Finally, in step S217, the finisher 128 feeds and outputs based on the control data 140. As described above, by using the first image processing apparatus 101 and the second image processing apparatus 121, it is possible to print out using the CMYK colored toner and the clear toner with a single instruction from the driver 139.

  Further, when the second image processing apparatus 121 has a controller equivalent to that of the first image processing apparatus 101, the second image processing apparatus 121 can receive print data from the PC and process it.

  In other words, intermediate language data (color) and intermediate language data (clear) are generated in the second image processing apparatus 121, and printing is performed using data and clear toner necessary for printing using colored toner. Generate the data required for Therefore, the processing of S208 to S213 is performed in the second image processing apparatus 121. In this case, a program related to the processing from step S201 to step S213 is also stored in the storage device 134 of the second image processing apparatus 121, and is called by the RAM and executed by the CPU 123.

  Further, data necessary for printing using colored toner is first data, and data necessary for printing using clear toner is second data.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the printing system illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

  The paper discharge unit of the first image processing apparatus 1115 (101 in FIG. 1) that performs printing using colored toner and the paper feed of the second image processing apparatus 1117 (121 in FIG. 2) that performs printing using clear toner. The parts are connected via a connection part.

  The first image processing apparatus 1115 has a copy function, a printer function, and a FAX function. In FIG. 11, the first image processing apparatus 1115 includes a scanner 1101 and a document feeder (DF) 1102. Further, the first image processing apparatus 1115 includes a print engine (1119, 1120) for color four-color drum printing using a developing drum independent for each color element, and a paper feed deck 1114.

First, a reading operation performed mainly by the scanner 1101 will be described. When a document is set on the document table and read, the document is set on the document table 1107 and the DF 1102 is closed. Then, after the open / close sensor 1130 detects that the document table is closed, the reflection-type document size detection sensors 1131 to 1135 in the housing of the scanner 1101 detect the set document size. Starting from this size detection, the original is irradiated with the light source 1110, the image is read by the 1113 through the reflector 1111 and the lens 1112, and then converted into a digital signal, and then converted into a laser recording signal by performing desired image processing. Is done. The converted recording signal is stored in a memory in the controller of the first image processing apparatus 1115. (The data is stored in the storage device 118 in the controller 102 in the first image processing apparatus 101 described in FIG. 1).
When a document is set on the DF 1102 and read, the document is placed face up on the tray of the document setting unit 1103 of the DF 1102. Then, the document presence / absence sensor 1104 detects that the document has been set, and the document feed roller 1105 and the conveyance belt 1106 are rotated to convey the document, and the document is placed at a predetermined position on the document table 1107. Is set. Thereafter, the image is read in the same manner as reading on the platen and stored in the memory in the controller.

  When the reading is completed, the conveyor belt 1106 rotates again to send the document to the right side of the drawing, and is discharged to the document discharge tray 1109 via the discharge roller 1108 on the discharge side. When there are a plurality of documents, the document is discharged from the document table to the right side of the drawing, and simultaneously, the next document is fed from the left side via the feed roller 1105, and the next document is continuously read. To be done. The above is the operation of the scanner.

  Next, a printing operation performed mainly by the printer will be described. The recording signal (print image data) once stored in the memory in the controller is transferred to the printer (printer 112 shown in the figure), and the laser recording unit uses four colors of Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, and Black. It is converted into recording laser light. Then, each color photoconductor 1119 is irradiated to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor. Then, toner development is performed with the toner supplied from the toner cartridge 1120, and the visualized image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 1121. Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 1121 rotates in the clockwise direction, and the recording paper fed from the paper cassette 1122 or the paper feed deck 1114 through the paper feed conveyance path 1123 comes to the secondary transfer position 1124. Then, the image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 1121 to the recording paper. The recording paper to which the image has been transferred is fixed with toner by a fixing device 1128 by pressure and heat. Then, after being transported through the paper discharge transport path, the paper is discharged onto the face-up side tray 1127.

  In the case of double-sided printing, after passing through the fixing device 1128, the flapper 1126 switches the conveyance path, and then the sheet is switched back and the recording sheet is sent downward, and then again passes through the double-sided printing sheet conveyance path 1125 to the secondary transfer position. 1124 to realize double-sided operation.

  Thereafter, the sheet enters the conveyance path 1147 in the intermediate buffer unit 1116 via the side tray 1127 and waits for the sheet to be fed by the image processing apparatus 1117.

  The intermediate buffer unit 1116 corresponds to the connection unit 136 in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, this intermediate buffer can wait for one sheet of paper, but it is also possible to employ a configuration in which the maximum number of standby sheets is two or more.

An outline of the second image processing apparatus 1117 is shown in FIG.
The second image processing apparatus 1117 includes a print engine (1148, 1149) for print recording that is a one-drum system that performs clear toner printing and colored toner printing, and a finisher 1118.

  Details of this apparatus are shown in FIG.

  The recording signal (print image data) once stored in the memory in the controller 122 of FIG. 1 is transferred to the printer 125 and converted into recording laser light by the laser recording unit.

  The converted laser light is sent to the second image processing apparatus 1117, and M, C, Y, BK, and CL image signals are sent to the laser driver 1151.

  The laser driver 1151 modulates and drives the semiconductor laser 1152 according to the transmitted image signal. The laser beam scans on the photosensitive drum 1156 via the polygon mirror 1153, the f-θ lens 1154, and the mirror 1155.

  Here, as with reading, both main scanning and sub-scanning are written at a resolution of 600 dpi (dots / inch). The rotary developing device 1157 includes a magenta developing unit 1158, a cyan developing unit 1159, a yellow developing unit 1160, a black developing unit 1161, and a clear (transparent) developing unit 1162. Then, the five developing units 1158 to 1162 alternately come into contact with the photosensitive drum 1156, and the electrostatic development formed on the photosensitive drum is developed with toner of each color.

  The transfer drum 1163 receives the sheet fed from the first image processing apparatus 1115 in FIG. 11 and supplied from the conveyance path 1147 of the intermediate buffer (connection unit) or the sheet fed from the sheet cassette 1129 through the conveyance path 1136. It is wound around a transfer drum 1163. Then, the developed image on the photosensitive drum is transferred to a sheet.

  In this way, after the five colors M, C, Y, Bk and clear (transparent) are sequentially transferred, the paper passes through the fixing unit 1164 and is discharged after the toner is fixed on the paper. .

  Returning to FIG. 11, the conveyance of the paper discharge will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 12, after the toner is transferred and fixed on the paper, the paper is transported through the paper delivery path, and then the face-down center tray 1144, the paper exit 1143 to the finisher by switching back, or the face up. Is discharged to the side tray 1140. (However, the side tray 1140 is a discharge port that can discharge paper only when the finisher 1118 is not mounted). The flappers 1142 and 1141 are for switching the transport path in order to switch these discharge ports. In the case of double-sided printing, after passing through the fixing device 1139, the flapper 1141 switches the conveyance path, and then the sheet is switched back and the recording sheet is fed downward, and again passes through the double-sided printing sheet conveyance path 1137 to the secondary transfer position. 1138 to realize double-sided operation.

  Next, operations performed by the finisher 1118 will be described. The finisher 1118 performs post-processing on the printed paper according to the function designated by the user. Specifically, it has functions such as stapling (1 place / 2 places binding), punching (2 holes / 3 holes), and bookbinding saddle stitching. The image processing apparatus 1117 has two paper discharge trays 1145, and the recording paper that has passed through the paper discharge outlet 1143 to the finisher 1118 has a paper discharge tray for each copy, printer, FAX function, for example, depending on the user setting. Sorted. The saddle tray 1146 is sorted when saddle folding or stapling is performed by bookbinding or the like.

  The first image processing apparatus 1115 shown in FIG. 11 uses a four-drum engine to transfer each toner. On the other hand, the second image processing apparatus 1117 shown in FIG. 12 prints all toners using a one-drum engine. Therefore, in the second image processing apparatus 1117, the drum rotation speed increases as the type of toner used for printing increases, so the first image processing apparatus 1115 is faster than the second image processing apparatus 1117 in printing speed. Is early.

  Therefore, in the tandem printing in which both the colored toner and the clear toner are printed by the latter apparatus alone and the tandem printing is performed by connecting the former apparatus and the latter apparatus, the latter is faster in printing speed.

  When the first image processing apparatus 1115 that is the preceding apparatus and the second image processing apparatus 1117 that is the succeeding apparatus are connected and used, printing is performed using colored toner in the preceding apparatus, and the paper is printed on the succeeding apparatus. And printing using clear toner.

  In this case, after the colored toner is transferred and fixed by the former apparatus, the clear toner is transferred and fixed again by the latter apparatus, and the printing is completed.

  By connecting the two image processing apparatuses in this way, two-pass printing in which toner transfer and fixing are performed twice is performed.

  On the other hand, when printing using colored toner and clear toner in the latter apparatus, the colored toner and clear toner are transferred and fixed in the latter apparatus, and printing is completed. In this case, one-pass printing in which toner transfer and fixing are performed once in the subsequent image processing apparatus is performed.

  Next, sample printing (trial printing) in the tandem system will be described with reference to FIG.

  3 is an example of a screen of the printer driver 139. Since the individual functions are the same as those of a general printer driver, description thereof is omitted here. When the sample print button 301 is pressed, a sample print detail setting dialog 400 shown in FIG. 4 is opened. A check box 302 is used to select a sample printing mode. When sample printing is executed without checking the box 302, only sample printing when tandem printing is performed is executed. When sample printing is executed with a check in 302, both sample printing when tandem printing is performed on the same output target data and sample printing when printing is performed using only the second image processing apparatus are executed. , The output products of both can be compared. Details of the tandem print mode setting button 303 will be described later.

  FIG. 4 shows a sample print details setting dialog 400. The sample print detailed setting dialog 400 is displayed on the screen when the sample print button 301 of the printer driver 300 is pressed. Reference numeral 401 denotes a check box for selecting target data for sample printing. When all the data of the document to be printed is sample printed, the all data check box 402 is selected. When only the data arbitrarily selected by the user is sample-printed, the check box 403 is selected.

  At this time, a thumbnail or the like of arbitrarily selected data may be displayed to the user.

  When the sample data is automatically selected by the image processing apparatus, the check box 404 is selected. A text box 405 is used when sample print target data is arbitrarily input. Since the initial state is grayed out, input is not possible, but when the check box 403 is selected, it becomes active and input is possible. As the input method, there are a method of inputting data numbers for recognizing individual data by separating them with commas and a method of inputting a range by separating them with hyphens. Reference numeral 406 denotes a check box for selecting a parameter for automatically selecting sample print data. 406 is grayed out in the initial state and cannot be selected, but when the check box 404 is selected, it becomes active and input becomes possible. A check box 407 is checked when it is desired to automatically select data having the maximum amount of colored toner applied.

  In this way, the data processing apparatus automatically selects the data with the largest amount of colored toner applied by selecting the data on which the clear toner is not applied most from the data to be printed. This is a case where it is desired to compare the image quality when printing with 1 pass and when printing with 2 passes.

  In general, in the case of one-pass printing in an image processing apparatus, there is an upper limit on the amount of toner per unit area that can be added on the same paper. The clear toner cannot be loaded more than the difference in the amount of colored toner from the applied amount limit value. Therefore, since a small amount of clear toner can be placed on an area where a large amount of colored toner is placed, there is a case where a sufficient effect of the clear toner cannot be obtained in this area.

  However, in the case of printing with a tandem system, it is possible to perform two-pass printing in which toner is transferred and fixed, and then the toner is transferred and fixed again. Therefore, by using the clear toner in the second transfer and fixing, the clear toner can be placed without considering the amount of placement, and thus the effect of the clear toner can be obtained more easily than the one-pass printing.

  Therefore, if the data to which the clear toner is not applied most due to the applied amount is selected from the output target data, it becomes easier to compare the image quality of the sample printing, and the image quality of the printed matter formed by the two types of image processing methods. It becomes easy to compare.

  A check box 408 is selected when data having the largest area occupied by image data is automatically selected and sample printing is desired. When tandem printing is performed, printing using colored toner is performed on the first image processing apparatus side, and printing using clear toner is performed on the second image processing apparatus side. However, when printing is performed only by the second image processing apparatus 121, printing using colored toner and printing using clear toner are printed on the second image processing apparatus side.

  That is, when automatically selecting the data with the largest area occupied by the image data, the image quality of the data with the largest area of the image data in which the difference appears noticeably differs because the image quality is slightly different depending on the individual characteristics of the image processing apparatus. Select when you want to compare.

  As described above, when automatically selecting data to be sample-printed, thumbnails or the like of the selected data may be displayed to the user.

  Next, a flow when the sample printing process is executed from the PC 138 using the driver 139 in the system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. A program relating to the processing shown in this flowchart is stored in the storage device 118 of the first image processing apparatus 101, and is called by the RAM and executed by the CPU 103. First, in step S <b> 501, the controller 102 receives a sample print instruction from the PC 138. In step S502, a sample printing mode is determined. This is a selection result of the above-described sample print mode setting check box 302. If it is selected, the process proceeds to step S504. If it is not selected, the process proceeds to step S503. In step S503, normal sample printing is executed.

  Normal sample printing in the system of this embodiment is sample printing for a case where an output target is tandemly printed. Since the detailed flow is the same as the flow shown in FIG. 2, description thereof is omitted, but one copy is printed by setting at the time of sample printing.

  Subsequently, when it is determined in step 502 that the check box “output sample print result of only subsequent stage” in 302 of FIG. 3 is set, the process proceeds to step S504. Then, a more detailed mode determination is performed. The determination in step S504 proceeds to step S505 when all the data is selected in the check box 401 for selecting target data for sample printing described above with reference to FIG. If any data is selected, the process proceeds to step S510. If automatic selection is selected, the process proceeds to step S507. Next, execution of sample printing will be described. Step S505 is a flow for performing sample printing of all data in the document to be printed. First, an image of all data is generated, and sample printing is performed in step S506. Detailed description of the processing shown in steps S505 and S506 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Step S507 is a flow for automatically selecting sample data on the image processing apparatus side. In order to search all data, first, in S507, an image of all data is generated. In step S508, data for sample printing is searched. Step S508 is a subroutine process, which will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. The data selected in step S508 is sample printed in step S509. A detailed description of the sample printing will be described later with reference to FIG. Subsequently, step S510 is a flow for sample printing of arbitrary data selected by the user. In step S510, the user-specified data number input in the text box 405 is acquired, and image generation is performed only for the corresponding data. In step S511, sample printing is performed on the image generated in step S510. A detailed description of the sample printing will be described later with reference to FIG. Further, before executing these sample printings, information (such as data thumbnails) relating to the data to be sample printed may be displayed to the user. This is the end of the sample printing flow.

  Next, a flow when the image processing apparatus automatically selects sample print target data in the system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. A program relating to the processing shown in this flowchart is stored in the storage device 118 of the first image processing apparatus 101, and is called by the RAM and executed by the CPU 103. The processing of this flowchart is the details of the subroutine processing in step S508. First, in step S601, automatic selection of sample print data starts. In step S602, the automatic selection mode is determined. The mode determined here acquires the result selected by the image processing apparatus using the automatic sample print data selection check box 406.

  If the data check box 407 with the maximum amount of colored toner is selected, the process proceeds to step S603, and if the data check box 408 with the largest occupied area of image data is selected, the process proceeds to step S609.

  First, a process when the data check box 407 with the maximum amount of colored toner applied is selected will be described. Steps S603 to S608 are a loop process, and are repeated until all the data in the document is processed. In step S604, the densities of Y, M, C, and K toners are extracted from the image data developed in the storage device 118 in step S507. In step S605, the amount of applied toner is totaled. In step S606, the amount of applied toner calculated in step S605 is compared with the value held in the internal variable stored in the storage device 118. If it is larger than the held value, the process proceeds to step S607. Keep the new value in the variable. In step S608, it is determined whether processing has been completed up to the final data. If not, processing returns to S603 and processing of the next data is started. Since the data held in the internal variables is determined at the stage where all data have been processed, sample printing is executed in step S509. As a result, of the input data, the data with the largest amount of colored toner applied can be identified, and this data is determined as sample printing target data. Furthermore, when the data determined here is displayed to the user and the user is not satisfied with the displayed data as the sample print target, the next data with the largest amount of colored toner may be displayed as a candidate.

  Further, control may be performed so that data that does not include more clear toner than a preset value is not set as sample print target data.

  Next, processing when the data check box 408 with the largest occupied area of image data is selected will be described. Steps S609 to S613 are a loop process, and the process is repeated until all the data in the document is processed. In step S610, the occupation area of the image object is calculated from the image data developed in the storage device 118 in step S507. In general, when printing is performed, the image area and the character string area are separately managed in order to perform different image processing. Therefore, only the area occupied by the image area is extracted and the area is calculated. In step S611, the area calculated in step S610 is compared with the value held in the internal variable stored in the storage device 118. If the value is larger than the held value, the process proceeds to step S612 and the internal variable is new. Holds the value. In step S613, it is determined whether the process has been completed up to the final data. If not, the process returns to S609 to start processing the next data. Since the data held in the internal variables is determined at the stage where all data have been processed, sample printing is executed in step S509.

  As a result, of the input data, which data has the largest occupied area of the image data is determined, and this data is determined as sample printing target data. Further, when the data determined here is displayed to the user and the user is not satisfied with the displayed data as a sample print target, data having the next largest occupied area of image data may be displayed as a candidate.

  This completes the detailed description of the subroutine processing in step S508.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a description will be given of sample printing in tandem printing and a flow when performing sample printing only with the second image processing apparatus in the system of this embodiment.

  Step S701 is executed by the printer driver 139 installed in the PC 138. A program related to the processing from step S702 to step S706 is stored in the storage device 118 of the first image processing apparatus 101, and is called by the RAM and executed by the CPU 103. A program relating to the processing from step S707 to step S708 is stored in the storage device 134 of the second image processing apparatus 121, and is called by the RAM and executed by the CPU 123. In step S701, sample print target data is input from the printer driver 139. At this time, PDL data for printing and various print modes and sample mode 710 set by the painter driver are transferred to the image processing apparatus 101 which is the first image processing apparatus of the tandem system. Subsequently, in step S702, various mode determinations are performed. This is processing such as step S502, step S504, and step S602 described above, and detailed description thereof is omitted here. In step S701, data for sample printing is selected. This is processing such as step S505, step S508, and step S510 described above, and detailed description thereof is omitted here. In step S703, an image necessary for printing using colored toner is generated. This is data for performing print processing on the first image processing apparatus 101 side during tandem printing. In step S704, the first image processing apparatus 101 performs print processing using the image data generated in step S703. The sheet printed in step S <b> 704 is sent to the sheet feeding unit 126 of the second image processing apparatus 121 through the connection unit 136. In step S705, data necessary for printing using clear toner is created. This is data for performing clear printing by the second image processing apparatus 121 during tandem printing. The image data 711 generated in step S705 is sent to the second image processing apparatus 121.

  Incidentally, the processing order of step S704 and step S705 may be reversed or may be processed in parallel.

  In step S707, the second image processing apparatus 121 prints the color printing data 711 sent from the first image processing apparatus 101 from the paper discharge unit of the first image processing apparatus 101 and has been printed with colored toner. Print on paper. In this way, sample printing that has been tandem printed is completed. Further, the printing in step S704 and the printing in step S707 are combined to form the first printing.

  Subsequently, the flow proceeds to a sample printing flow for only the second image processing apparatus 121. In step S706, image data necessary for performing printing using colored toner and image data necessary for performing printing using clear toner are generated. The generated data 712 is sent to the second image processing device 121. The image generation of the data 712 may be performed by the second image processing apparatus 121 by receiving data received from the first image processing apparatus 101 or the printer driver.

  In step S708, the second image processing apparatus 121 performs printing using colored toner and printing using clear toner. At this time, printing is performed by feeding a blank sheet from the normal sheet feeding unit 126.

  In this way, sample printing in which the output target is printed only by the second image processing apparatus 121 is completed. The printing in step S708 is referred to as second printing.

  As described above, when this embodiment is used, when performing printing using colored toner and transparent toner, the sample printing result when tandem printing is performed and the sample printing result when printing is performed by the second image processing apparatus alone. Can be output. Therefore, the user can compare the image quality by comparing these two types of actually printed sample print results, and can selectively output an image having a more preferable image quality.

  Next, a description will be given of print modes that can be selected by the user in response to the result of sample printing of this embodiment.

  FIG. 8 shows a print execution mode selection dialog 800 in the image processing system of this embodiment. When the tandem print mode setting button 303 shown in FIG. 3 is pressed, a print execution mode selection dialog 800 is opened.

  A check box 801 is a mode for executing tandem printing. This mode is selected when the user determines that the quality of printing by only the second image processing apparatus 121 is insufficient as a result of the sample printing of this embodiment.

  A check box 802 is a mode in which printing is executed only by the second image processing apparatus 121 which is the subsequent image processing apparatus. This mode is selected when it is determined that the print quality of only the second image processing apparatus 121 is sufficient as a result of the sample printing of this embodiment.

  The check box 803 performs tandem printing during normal operation, but only when the first image processing apparatus 101 at the preceding stage has trouble and the printing operation cannot be continued, only the second image processing apparatus 121 at the subsequent stage. In this mode, printing is continued. For example, this mode is preferably performed by tandem printing as a result of the sample printing of this embodiment, but is selected when it is desired to continue printing without an operator such as at night.

  The operation when the tandem printing check box 801 is selected has been described with reference to FIG.

  Next, an operation when the check box 802 is selected in the second image processing apparatus 121 will be described with reference to FIG. Step S901 is executed by the printer driver 139 installed in the PC 138. A program related to the processing from step S902 to step S903 is stored in the storage device 118 of the first image processing apparatus 101, and is called by the RAM and executed by the CPU 103. A program relating to the processing in step S904 is stored in the storage device 134 of the second image processing apparatus 121, and is called by the RAM and executed by the CPU 123. First, in step S901, print data to be output is input from the printer driver 139. At this time, PDL data for printing and various printing modes and tandem printing modes 910 set by the painter driver are transferred to the image processing apparatus 101 which is the first image processing apparatus of the tandem system. Subsequently, in step S902, tandem print mode determination is performed. Here, a case where the check box 802 is selected will be described. In step S903, image data necessary for printing using colored toner and image data necessary for printing using clear toner are generated. As before, the image data may be generated not by the first image processing apparatus 101 but by the second image processing apparatus 121.

  The generated data 911 is sent to the second image processing device 121. In step S904, the second image processing apparatus 121 performs colored toner printing and clear toner printing. At this time, printing is performed by feeding a blank sheet from the normal sheet feeding unit 126. In this way, printing of only the second image processing apparatus 121 is completed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, an operation when printing is continued only with the second image processing apparatus 121 when the first image processing apparatus 101 has a trouble will be described. A program relating to the processing shown in this flowchart is stored in the storage device 118 of the first image processing apparatus 101, and is called by the RAM and executed by the CPU 103. First, occurrence of a trouble is detected in step S1001. Here, the trouble includes a slight trouble such as a jam and a serious trouble such as a device failure, and the first image processing apparatus 101 cannot continue printing. In step S1002, it is checked whether the print check box 803 is selected in the second image processing apparatus 121 when a trouble occurs. If it is selected, the process proceeds to step S1003. If it is not selected, the process proceeds to step S1004.

  In step S1003, printing is continued only by the second image processing apparatus 121. Since the printing of only the second image processing apparatus 121 has been described with reference to FIG. 9, it is omitted here. In step S1003, printing is continued only by the second image processing apparatus 121. When the trouble that has occurred in the first image processing apparatus 101 is resolved by the operator to continue printing, the printer returns to tandem printing. In step S1004, when a trouble occurs, the printing check box 803 is not selected in the second image processing apparatus 121. Therefore, the printing operation is stopped until the trouble is solved by the operator.

  As described above, sample printing is performed using this embodiment.

  Therefore, for the same data, a print obtained by performing two-pass printing by tandem printing in which the preceding image processing device and the succeeding image processing device are connected to each other and the succeeding image processing device alone are used for printing. It is possible to clearly compare the difference in image quality between printed materials obtained by performing the one-pass printing.

  In addition, power consumption can be reduced for a user who is permitted to perform printing using only the subsequent image processing apparatus. Further, even when a trouble occurs in the preceding image processing apparatus among the connected image processing apparatuses, downtime can be reduced by continuing printing with the succeeding image processing apparatus alone.

(Other examples)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (15)

In an image processing system in which a paper discharge unit of a first image processing apparatus that performs printing using a colored color material and a paper feeding unit of a second image processing apparatus that performs printing using a transparent color material are connected.
An input means for inputting data;
Selecting means for selecting data for sample printing from the data input by the input means;
Of the data constituting the data selected by the selection means by the first image processing apparatus,
Data to be printed by the first image processing apparatus is printed by transferring and fixing the colored material, and the printed paper is conveyed to a second printing apparatus,
A second image processing apparatus that feeds the conveyed paper;
Of the data constituting the data selected by the selection means,
First printing means for printing data to be printed by the second image processing apparatus by transferring the transparent color material and fixing the data again;
A second printing unit that prints the data selected by the selection unit by the second image processing device by transferring the colored color material and the transparent color material and fixing the data once;
An image processing system. Outputting the input data by the first printing means;
Output by the second printing means,
2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein when a trouble occurs in the first image processing apparatus, a display for selecting whether to output by the second printing unit is performed.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the data selected by the selection unit is data selected in advance by a user.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the data selected by the selection unit is data having a maximum applied amount of the colored material among the input data.   2. The control according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so that data having an amount of the colored color material applied that is larger than a preset value is not subjected to data selected as sample printing by the selection unit. Image processing system.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the data selected by the selection unit is data having a maximum area occupied by an image in the input data.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein a display for selecting data to be sample printed by a user from data input by the input unit is performed. Controls an image processing system to which a paper discharge unit of a first image processing apparatus that performs printing using a colored color material and a paper feeding unit of a second image processing apparatus that performs printing using a transparent color material are connected. A method,
An input step for entering data;
A selection step for selecting data for sample printing from the data input in the input step;
Of the data constituting the data selected in the selection step by the first image processing apparatus,
Data to be printed by the first image processing apparatus is printed by transferring and fixing the colored material, and the printed paper is transported to the second printing apparatus, and the transported paper is fed. The second image processing apparatus prints data to be printed by the second image processing apparatus among the data constituting the data selected in the selection step by transferring the transparent color material and fixing it again. A first printing step;
Image processing comprising: a second printing step in which the second image processing apparatus prints the data selected in the selection step by transferring the colored color material and the transparent color material and fixing the data once. How to control the system. Whether to output the input data in the first printing step or in the second printing step;
9. The control method for an image processing system according to claim 8, wherein when a trouble occurs in the first image processing apparatus, a display for selecting whether to output in the second printing step is performed.   9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the data selected in the selection step is data selected in advance by a user.   9. The method of controlling an image processing system according to claim 8, wherein the data selected in the selection step is data having a maximum applied amount of the colored material among the input data.   9. The control unit according to claim 8, wherein the control is performed so that data having an amount of the colored color material applied that is larger than a preset value is not subjected to data selected as sample printing in the selection step. Control method of the image processing system.   9. The control method for an image processing system according to claim 8, wherein the data selected in the selection step is data having a maximum area occupied by an image in the input data.   9. The control method for an image processing system according to claim 8, wherein a display for selecting data to be sample printed by the user from the data input in the input step is performed.   The program for making a computer perform the method of Claim 8.

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