JP2013184349A - Image forming apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that can properly reduce information amount more than needed for an image output size.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 forms an output image depending on an output size determined from the number of pixel and resolution of image data. The image forming apparatus includes: a reduction part 19 that reduces extra pixel when at least the number of pixel of image data exceeds the number of pixel in resolution required at minimum specified as an output image; and an intermediate data generation part 21 in which the formation of the output image is performed based on the image data having the extra pixel reduced.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a program for forming an output image with a size determined from an information amount and resolution of image data.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a digital multifunction peripheral or a printer, when print data is input from an information processing terminal or the like, the print data is analyzed and an image or the like is printed out (image formation).

  The image is printed at an output size based on the amount of information (number of pixels) and the resolution based on the width and height values of the image data included in the analyzed print data. It is known that the output size can be maintained at a desired size by increasing the resolution even when the amount of information of the image data increases.

  However, since the output image is viewed at a resolution higher than a certain level, there is a problem that the amount of information with respect to the output size increases more than necessary, and the image processing takes more time than necessary.

  This problem also occurs when the output size of the image becomes small, for example, when images of a plurality of pages are reduced and combined into one page during N-up printing.

  On the other hand, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a technique for thinning out and reducing the amount of image data information during reduced printing.

  However, such a technique cannot appropriately reduce an amount of information more than necessary with respect to the output size, and there is a limit to shortening the image processing time.

JP 2003-280839 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that the amount of information more than necessary with respect to the output size of the image cannot be appropriately reduced.

  The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that forms an output image with an output size determined from an information amount and resolution of image data in order to appropriately reduce an amount of information more than necessary with respect to the output size of the image. A reduction unit for reducing an excess amount of information when the information amount of image data is larger than an information amount at a minimum resolution required for an image to be equated with the output image, and the image data with the reduced information amount And an image forming unit that forms the output image based on the above.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately reduce an amount of information more than necessary with respect to the output size of an image, and it is possible to improve performance by shortening an image processing time when forming an output image.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus (first embodiment). FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1 (Example 1). 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus (second embodiment). 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus (third embodiment).

  For the purpose of appropriately reducing the amount of information that is larger than necessary for the output size of the image, at least the amount of information in the image data is larger than the amount of information at the minimum required resolution for the image that is equated with the output image This was achieved by reducing the amount of surplus information.

  Preferably, when there is an excessive amount of information, the user is instructed to execute reduction, and the reduction is selectively executed based on the execution instruction.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes at least a printer such as a digital multi-function peripheral having a print output function, and performs print output (image formation) by analyzing PDL data (page description language data) that is input print data. is there. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a transmission / reception unit 3, a printing unit 5, a storage unit 7, and a control unit 9.

  The transmission / reception unit 3 is an interface that transmits / receives data to / from the user terminal 11 such as an information processing apparatus through a network. PDL data can be received from the user terminal 11 via the transmission / reception unit 3.

  The printing unit 5 prints out (forms an image) on the paper based on the analysis of the received PDL data.

  The storage unit 7 is a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a hard disk that stores various control applications and data necessary for the control.

  The control unit 9 is a control element such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a software program to perform control and operations of each unit.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 9 executes the image processing program in the storage unit 7, whereby the analysis execution unit 13, the surplus determination unit 15, the reduction instruction reception unit 17, the reduction unit 19, and intermediate data generation The unit 21 is provided as a functional configuration.

  The analysis execution unit 13 reads and analyzes the PDL data upon activation. The analysis execution unit 13 can acquire the number of pixels (information amount) and resolution when image data (image data) such as drawings is included in the PDL data. From the acquired number of pixels and resolution, it is also possible to acquire the output size when the image is output on the paper.

  The surplus determination unit 15 determines surplus pixels that are larger than a predetermined threshold for the number of pixels acquired by the analysis execution unit 13. The threshold value is the number of pixels at the minimum necessary resolution for an image viewed at least as the output image (output image) output at the acquired number of pixels and resolution.

  Note that images to be seen include a same-view image having the same size as the output image of the image data and having no difference in appearance, an image that can be viewed at the same size, and a rough viewable image.

  The same-view image can be obtained at a certain resolution or higher when the resolution is increased in accordance with an increase in the number of pixels of the image data. In this case, the minimum necessary resolution means the lower limit.

  Since the visual limit is generally about 300 to 400 dpi, it is easy to obtain the same image as described above at a higher resolution. Within this range, the minimum resolution required for the same-view image can be set.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is only necessary that the final output image can be equated with the original output image, and the final output image is allowed to be slightly rough depending on the purpose of use of the user. Sometimes.

  In particular, when the output size is reduced, such as Nup printing (aggregated printing) or reduced printing, it may be difficult to clearly recognize the image in the first place, so that an error is likely to be allowed.

  In such a case, the number of pixels at the minimum resolution required for the image that can be viewed is set as a threshold value. The threshold value in this case can be lowered as compared with the case of the same-view image depending on the output format and the purpose of use of the user.

  Pixels exceeding the threshold value can be determined as surplus pixels more than necessary than the number of pixels originally necessary for the output size determined from the number of acquired pixels and resolution.

  The reduction instruction receiving unit 17 causes the user to select whether or not to perform reduction when there are surplus pixels in the image data. This selection is performed by transmitting a selection request to the user terminal 11 side via the transmission / reception unit 3.

  Specifically, when a selection request is received on the user terminal 11 side, a reduction execution instruction is accepted through screen display by a printer driver or the like. The received execution instruction is input to the image forming apparatus 1 via the transmission / reception unit 3.

  The reduction unit 19 executes the reduction of surplus pixels from the image data based on the reduction execution instruction. The reduction is performed by sampling such as downsampling, and the number of pixels of the image is thinned out. The image data thus reduced is used for generating intermediate data.

  In this embodiment, the reduction of excess pixels may be referred to as simplification.

  The intermediate data generation unit 21 generates intermediate data based on the analysis of PDL. When generating the intermediate data, if the surplus pixels are reduced from the image data as described above, the image data after the reduction is applied.

From the intermediate data, final output data is generated through drawing processing, screen processing, and the like. This output data is transferred to the printing unit 5 and printed out. Accordingly, the intermediate data generation unit 21 is configured to realize an image forming procedure and form an output image based on image data in which the excess pixels are reduced.
[Operation of Image Forming Apparatus]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

  The flowchart of FIG. 2 starts when the image forming apparatus 1 receives PDL data.

  In step S1, “analysis of PDL data” is performed. In this process, analysis of the PDL data received by the analysis execution unit 13 is started, and the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S <b> 2, a process of “Is the number of pixels of the image data greater than or equal to a threshold?” That is, the surplus determination unit 15 determines the presence / absence of surplus pixels larger than the threshold with respect to the number of pixels of the image data obtained through the analysis.

  If there is a surplus pixel, the process proceeds to step S3. If there is no surplus pixel, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S3, a process of “Do you want to perform simplified printing?” Is executed. In this process, the reduction instruction accepting unit 17 transmits a selection request to the user terminal 11 side, and accepts whether or not simplified printing is performed to the user, that is, whether or not there is a reduction execution instruction.

  When performing simplified printing, an execution instruction is output from the user terminal 11 and the process proceeds to step S4. When not performed, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S4, “reduction of surplus pixels” is performed. That is, the reduction unit 19 reduces excess pixels through sampling or the like for image data in accordance with an execution instruction from the user.

  Thus, step S4 is completed, and the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, “application of reduced image data” is performed. In this process, intermediate data is generated by the intermediate data generation unit 21 by applying the image data from which the excess pixels are reduced. Thereafter, final output data is generated from the intermediate data, the output data is transferred to the printing unit 5, and the process proceeds to step S7.

  On the other hand, in step S6, “application of the original image” is performed. In this process, the intermediate data generation unit 21 generates intermediate data by applying original image data based on the analysis of PDL data. Also in this case, the output data generated from the intermediate data is transferred to the printing unit 5 as in step S5, and the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, “print output” is performed. In other words, the printing unit 5 forms an image on the paper from the received output data, and performs printout.

Thus, when there are surplus pixels in the image data, it is possible to perform printing output with a simplified image, but when there are no surplus pixels, normal printing output can be performed.
[Effect of Example 1]
The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment is an image forming apparatus 1 that forms an output image with an output size determined from the number of pixels and resolution of image data. A reduction unit 19 that reduces excess pixels when there are more pixels than the minimum required resolution, and an intermediate data generation unit 21 that forms an output image based on the image data from which the excess pixels are reduced I have.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to appropriately reduce more pixels than necessary for the output size of the image, and it is possible to improve the performance by shortening the image processing time when forming the output image.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a surplus determination unit 15 that determines whether or not there are surplus pixels, and a reduction instruction reception unit 17 that receives a reduction execution instruction when there are surplus pixels. Excess pixel reduction is executed based on the execution instruction.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to execute printing of a simplified image by reducing excess pixels according to the user's intention.

  In addition, for example, in the case where the visibility of the output image is significantly reduced due to reduction, for example, it is possible to improve the visibility of the output image by applying the original image data even if there are surplus pixels. Become.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the reduction of the surplus pixels can be easily and reliably performed by thinning out the pixels of the image data.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, since the configuration of the image forming apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment, description will be given with reference to FIG.

  In this embodiment, when surplus pixels are reduced, an output image is selectively formed using original image data before reduction.

  That is, the reduction instruction receiving unit 17 of the present embodiment causes the user to select whether or not to perform separate sheet printing with the original image data when performing simplified printing (reduction of surplus pixels).

  This can be realized by receiving an instruction to execute separate sheet printing in the same manner as receiving an instruction to execute reduction. In response to this execution instruction, the user terminal 11 generates PDL data for separate sheet printing.

  The intermediate data generation unit 21 generates intermediate data for separate sheet printing to which the original image data is applied based on the interpretation of the PDL data for separate sheet printing.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. The flowchart of FIG. 3 is the same as the flowchart of FIG. 2 of the first embodiment except that the separate sheet printing is performed. For this reason, only the portion related to the separate sheet printing will be described in detail.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 3, when the user selects the simplification process, the process proceeds from step S4 to step S21.

  In step S21, a process of “Do not perform separate sheet printing?” Is performed. In this process, when the execution instruction for the simplification process is received, the user terminal 11 further receives the execution instruction for the separate sheet printing.

  If separate sheet printing is not performed, the process proceeds to step S4. If separate sheet printing is performed, the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S22, "separate sheet printing process" is performed. In this process, apart from the simplification process, the intermediate data generation unit 21 generates intermediate data based on the interpretation of the PDL data for separate sheet printing. From the intermediate data, output data is generated as in step S5 of the first embodiment, and the output data is passed to the printing unit 5.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S7, and separate sheet printing is performed using the original image data. It should be noted that characters or the like indicating the separate sheet printing are displayed on the output image by the separate sheet printing.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the intermediate data generation unit 21 causes the output image to be formed, the output image is selectively formed separately from the original image data.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to confirm the output image based on the original image data according to the user's intention while realizing the print output of the simplified image by reducing the surplus pixels. For this reason, user convenience can be improved.

  In addition, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, since the configuration of the image forming apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment, description will be given with reference to FIG.

  This embodiment is executed when the reduction of excess pixels is a predetermined amount or more.

  That is, the surplus determination unit 15 also determines whether or not the number of surplus pixels is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount when the number of pixels of the image data exceeds a set threshold value. This predetermined amount can be set according to, for example, the image processing capability.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. The flowchart in FIG. 4 is obtained by adding step S31 after step S2 to the flowchart in FIG. For this reason, only step S31 will be described in detail.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 3, when the number of pixels of the image data is greater than or equal to the threshold, the process proceeds from step S2 to step S31.

  In step S31, a process of “is the number of surplus pixels greater than or equal to a predetermined amount?” Is performed. In this process, as described above, the surplus determination unit 15 determines whether or not the surplus pixels exceeding the threshold value are equal to or larger than a predetermined amount.

  If it is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount, the process proceeds to step S3, and simplified printing is performed through the following processing. On the other hand, if it is less than the predetermined amount, normal print output is performed through steps S6 and S7.

  In this embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the performance can be further improved.

  In other words, when the number of surplus pixels is slightly larger than the threshold value, there is a possibility that the performance may be deteriorated if simplified printing is performed.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, in such a case, it is possible to perform normal print output instead of simplified printing, and to improve performance.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 15 Surplus determination part 17 Reduction instruction reception part 19 Reduction part 21 Intermediate data generation part (image formation part)

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus that forms an output image with an output size determined from the information amount and resolution of image data,
A reduction unit that reduces an excess information amount when the information amount of the image data is larger than the information amount at the minimum resolution required for the image to be equated with the output image;
An image forming unit that forms the output image based on the image data in which the information amount is reduced;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A surplus determination unit that determines the presence or absence of the surplus information amount; and a reduction instruction reception unit that receives an instruction to execute the reduction when there is the surplus information amount;
The reduction unit executes the reduction based on the execution instruction;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The reduction is performed by thinning out the information of the image data.
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
The reduction is performed when the surplus information amount is a predetermined amount or more.
An image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The image forming unit selectively forming the output image based on the original image data when the output image is formed;
An image forming apparatus. In an image forming program for forming an output image with an output size determined from the information amount and resolution of image data,
A reduction procedure for reducing the amount of surplus information when at least the amount of information of the image data is greater than the amount of information at the minimum resolution required for an image to be equated with the output image;
An image forming program for causing a computer to execute an image forming procedure for forming the output image based on the image data with the reduced amount of information.