JP2016063326A - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, program, and image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform appropriate gradation correction to achieve target glossiness and density.SOLUTION: A DFE (image processing apparatus) includes an acquisition part 51H, creation part 51I, correction part, and first output part. The acquisition part 51H acquires a density setting value and a glossiness setting value of a colored patch image formed on a recording medium by an image forming part on the basis of colored patch image data defining a colored patch image area where reference gradation values corresponding to a target density and target glossiness are set. The creation part 51I creates gradation correction information for correcting a gradation value of colored version data defining a colored area to which a colored toner is applied so that a density measured value and a glossiness measured value match with the target density and target glossiness. The correction part corrects the gradation value of the colored version data by using the gradation correction information. The first output part outputs the corrected colored version data to the image forming part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing device, an image processing method, a program, and an image processing system.

  The density of the pattern image formed by the image forming apparatus is measured, and using the measured density, the density when recorded on the recording medium corresponding to the gradation value of the image data to be printed becomes a desired density. A technique for correcting the gradation value of the image data is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, the amount of toner applied to a toner image formed on a transparent recording material is detected by detecting transmitted light transmitted through the transparent recording material, and image data is detected based on the detection result. A technique for correcting the tone value is disclosed.

  Here, there is a case where desired glossiness is given to the recording medium by applying toner to the recording medium. However, conventionally, there has been a problem that the gradation value considering the glossiness is not corrected, and the gradation correction according to the density and the glossiness is not appropriately performed.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention provides a colored patch image that defines a colored patch image area in which a reference gradation value corresponding to a target density and a target glossiness is set. An acquisition unit that acquires a density measurement value and a gloss measurement value of a colored patch image formed on a recording medium by an image forming unit based on the data; and the density measurement value and the gloss measurement value are the target density And a generation unit for generating gradation correction information for correcting the gradation value of the color plane data that defines a color area to which color toner is applied so as to match the target glossiness, and a level of the color plane data A correction unit that corrects the tone value using the gradation correction information; and a first output unit that outputs the corrected color plane data to the image forming unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform an appropriate gradation correction for realizing the target glossiness and density.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the color plane data. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of types of surface effects. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of gloss control plane data. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the gradation value selection table. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between a drawing object, coordinates, and gradation values. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of print data and patch print data. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of DFE. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the rendering processing unit. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of printing conditions. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of printing conditions. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of target density information. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of target glossiness information. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of the target density information. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example of target glossiness information. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of colored patch image data. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of clear patch image data. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of patch image data. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of tone correction information generation. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of tone correction information generation. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of tone correction information generation. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of tone correction information generation. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of the surface effect selection table. FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing the MIC and the image forming unit. FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of image processing executed by the DFE. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the image processing system. FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the server apparatus. FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the DFE. FIG. 29 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of image processing. FIG. 30 is a network configuration diagram in which two servers are provided on the cloud. FIG. 31 is a hardware configuration diagram.

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

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image processing system according to the present embodiment. The image processing system includes a host device 10, a printer control device (DFE: Digital Front End) 50 (hereinafter referred to as "DFE50"), and an interface controller (MIC: Mechanical I / F Controller) 60 (hereinafter referred to as "MIC60"). ) And the image forming unit 18.

  The DFE 50 corresponds to an image processing apparatus. The DFE 50 communicates with the image forming unit 18 via the MIC 60 and controls image formation in the image forming unit 18. The DFE 50 is connected to a host device 10 such as a PC (Personal Computer). The DFE 50 receives image data from the host device 10. The DFE 50 generates output data for the image forming unit 18 to form a toner image using the received image data, and transmits the output data to the image forming unit 18 via the MIC 60.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming unit 18 includes a printer 12, a glosser 14, and a low-temperature fixing device 16. The image forming unit 18 may be configured to include at least the printer 12, and may be configured not to include at least one of the glosser 14 and the low-temperature fixing device 16.

  The printer machine 12 is loaded with CMYK colored toner, special color toner, and white toner, and an image forming unit including a photoconductor, a charger, a developing device, and a photoconductor cleaner for each toner, and an exposure unit. A fixing device and a fixing device are installed. That is, the printer 12 is a known electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The glosser 14 and the low-temperature fixing device 16 function as a post-processing device.

  The special color toner is a transparent (colorless) clear toner containing no color material, or a glossy toner such as gold or silver. In addition, transparent (colorless) shows that the transmittance | permeability is 70% or more, for example. In this embodiment, a case where clear toner is used as the special color toner will be described as an example.

  The printer 12 receives output data from the DFE 50 via the MIC 60. In response to the image data included in the output data, the printer 12 irradiates a light beam from the exposure device to form a toner image corresponding to each toner on the photoconductor, and transfers this to a recording medium. Fixing is performed by heating and pressing at a temperature within a predetermined range (normal temperature) by a fixing machine. As a result, an image is formed on the recording medium. Since the configuration of the printer 12 is well known, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The recording medium is a medium on which an image is formed. The recording medium is, for example, a paper medium, synthetic paper, or vinyl paper, but is not limited thereto.

  The printer machine 12 includes a density measurement unit 20 and a gloss measurement unit 22. The density measuring unit 20 measures the density of the image formed on the recording medium. The density measuring unit 20 is a known density measuring device capable of measuring the density of an image. The glossiness measurement unit 22 measures the glossiness of the image formed on the recording medium. The glossiness measurement unit 22 is a known glossiness measuring device that can measure the glossiness of an image. The density measurement unit 20 and the gloss measurement unit 22 are connected to the DFE 50 directly or via the MIC 60, and output the measured density measurement value and the measured gloss measurement value to the DFE 50.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the density measuring unit 20 and the gloss measuring unit 22 are provided in the printer 12 will be described. However, the density measuring unit 20 and the gloss measuring unit 22 are configured to perform image processing. Any configuration included in the system may be used, and the configuration is not limited to the configuration provided in the printer 12. That is, the density measurement unit 20 and the gloss measurement unit 22 may be provided in the DFE 50, for example, or may be provided separately from the DFE 50 and the printer 12.

  The glosser 14 is controlled to be turned on or off by the on / off information specified by the DFE 50. When the glosser 14 is turned on, the image formed on the recording medium by the printer 12 is pressurized at a high temperature and high pressure, and after cooling, the recording medium on which the image is formed is peeled off from the main body. As a result, in the entire image formed on the recording medium, the total toner adhesion amount of each pixel to which a predetermined amount or more of toner adheres is uniformly compressed. The low-temperature fixing device 16 is equipped with an image forming unit including a photoreceptor for clear toner, a charger, a developing device, and a photoreceptor cleaner, an exposure device, and a fixing device for fixing the clear toner. The low-temperature fixing device 16 receives clear toner plane data used by the low-temperature fixing device 16 from the DFE 50 via the MIC 60. The low-temperature fixing device 16 forms a toner image by the clear toner using the received clear toner plate data, superimposes the clear toner image on the recording medium pressurized by the glosser 14, and is lower than usual by the fixing device. Fix to the recording medium by heating or pressing.

  Here, print data received by the DFE 50 from the host apparatus 10 will be described. The host device 10 generates print data using an image processing application installed in advance and transmits the print data to the DFE 50. In such an image processing application, it is possible to handle the image data of the special color version with respect to the image data in which the density value (referred to as the density value) of each color in each color plate such as the RGB version or the CMYK version is defined for each pixel It is. The special color plate is image data for attaching special color toner or special color ink, and is data that can be processed by the image forming unit 18 equipped with such special color toner or special color ink.

  In the present embodiment, the clear toner as the special color toner is used to form a surface effect that is a visual or tactile effect applied to the recording medium.

  For this reason, the image processing application of the host device 10 generates colored plane data and gloss control plane data for the input image data to be formed.

  Colored plane data is image data that defines a colored area to which colored toner is applied. Specifically, the color plane data is image data that defines color gradation values such as RGB and CMYK for each pixel. In the color plane data, one pixel is expressed by 8 bits according to the color designation by the user. As a result, a value of “0” to “255” is determined as the gradation value of each pixel. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the color plane data. In FIG. 2, a gradation value corresponding to the color designated by the user with the image processing application is assigned to each drawing object such as “A”, “B”, and “C”.

  Further, the gloss control plane data is used to control the adhesion of the clear toner according to the surface effect that is a visual or tactile effect to be applied to the paper. This is image data that identifies

  This gloss control plane data is represented by a gradation value in the range of “0” to “255” with 8 bits for each pixel similarly to the color plane data, and the type of surface effect is associated with this gradation value. (The gradation value may be expressed in 16 bits, 32 bits, or 0 to 100%). In addition, the same gradation value is set in a range where the same surface effect is desired to be applied regardless of the density of the clear toner actually attached. For this reason, the gloss control plane data can easily specify the area from the gloss control plane data as needed even if there is no data indicating the area. That is, the type of surface effect and the area to which the surface effect is applied are represented by the gloss control plane data (data representing the area may be added separately).

  The host device 10 generates the gloss control plane data in vector format by setting the type of surface effect for the drawing object designated by the user using the image processing application as a gradation value as the gloss control value for each drawing object. .

  Each pixel constituting the gloss control plane data corresponds to a pixel of the color plane data. In each image data (CMYK color plane data, gloss control plane data), the gradation value represented by each pixel is a pixel value. Both the color plane data and the gloss control plane data are configured in units of pages.

  The types of surface effects are roughly classified into those relating to the presence or absence of gloss, surface protection, watermarks with embedded information, and textures. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of types of surface effects. As illustrated in FIG. 3, there are roughly four types of surface effects relating to the presence or absence of gloss, and the specular gloss (PG: Premium Gloss) and solid gloss (G: Gloss) are in descending order of the degree of gloss (glossiness). ), Halftone dot mat (M: Matt), and matte (PM: Premium Matt). Hereinafter, the specular gloss may be referred to as “PG”, the solid gloss as “G”, the halftone dot mat as “M”, and the matte as “PM”.

  Specular gloss and solid gloss are highly glossy.On the other hand, halftone mats and matte are for reducing glossiness.In particular, matte has a glossiness lower than that of normal paper. It is realized. In the figure, the specular gloss has a gloss Gs of 80 or more, the solid gloss is a solid gloss of a primary color or a secondary color, the halftone dot is a primary color and a gloss of 30%, and the matte is gloss. Degree of 10 or less. Further, the deviation of the glossiness is represented by ΔGs and is 10 or less. For each type of surface effect, a high density value is associated with a surface effect having a high degree of glossiness, and a low density value is associated with a surface effect that suppresses gloss. The intermediate density value is associated with a surface effect such as a watermark or texture. As the watermark, for example, a character or a background pattern is used. The texture represents a character or a pattern, and can provide a tactile effect as well as a visual effect. For example, a stained glass pattern can be realized with clear toner. For surface protection, mirror gloss or solid gloss is substituted. Note that which region of the image represented by the image data to be processed is to be given a surface effect and what kind of surface effect is to be given to that region is specified by the user via the image processing application. In the host device 10 that executes the image processing application, the gloss control plane data is generated by setting the gradation value corresponding to the surface effect specified by the user for the drawing object constituting the area specified by the user. The The correspondence between the gradation value and the type of surface effect will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of gloss control plane data. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the surface effect “PG (mirror gloss)” is given to the drawing object “ABC” and the surface effect “G (solid gloss)” is given to the drawing object “(rectangular figure)”. In this example, the surface effect “M (halftone matte)” is given to the drawing object “(circular figure)”. Note that the gradation value set for each surface effect is a gradation value determined corresponding to the type of surface effect in a gradation value selection table (see FIG. 5) described later.

  As described above, the gloss control plane data, which is the image data of the special color plane, is generated as a plane (plane) different from the color plane data by the image processing application of the host device 10. In the present embodiment, the case where each data format of the color plane data and the gloss control plane data is a PDF (Portable Document Format) format will be described. The host apparatus 10 integrates the image data (colored plane data and gloss control plane data) of each version of PDF to generate document data. Note that the data format of each plane of image data (colored plane data, gloss control plane data) is not limited to PDF, and any format can be used.

  Here, the image processing application of the host device 10 generates gloss control plane data by converting the type of surface effect designated by the user into a gradation value. Such conversion is performed with reference to a gradation value selection table stored in advance in the storage unit of the host device 10. The gradation value selection table is table data in which the type of surface effect is associated with the gradation value of gloss control plane data corresponding to the type of surface effect.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the gradation value selection table. In the example of FIG. 5, the gradation value of the gloss control plane data corresponding to the area for which “PG” (mirror gloss) is designated by the user is “250”, and the area for which “G” (solid gloss) is designated. The tone value of the gloss control plane data corresponding to is “230”, the tone value of the gloss control plane data corresponding to the area where “M” (halftone matte) is designated is “41”, and “ The gradation value of the gloss control plane data corresponding to the area designated “PM” (matte) is “15”.

  The gradation value selection table is the same data as the surface effect selection table (described later) stored in the DFE 50, and the control unit of the host device 10 acquires the surface effect selection table at a predetermined timing. It is generated (copied) from the surface effect selection table and stored in the storage unit. Here, in FIG. 5, an example of the gradation value selection table is shown in a simplified manner, but in reality, the gradation value selection table is the same table as the surface effect selection table of FIG. The surface effect selection table is stored in a storage server (cloud) on a network such as the Internet, and the control unit of the host device 10 acquires the surface effect selection table from the server, and from the acquired surface effect selection table. You may comprise so that it may produce | generate (copy). However, the surface effect selection table stored in the DFE 50 and the gradation value selection table stored in the storage unit of the host device 10 need to be the same data.

  Specifically, the image processing application of the host device 10 refers to the gradation value selection table shown in FIG. 5 and determines the gradation value (gloss control value) of the drawing object to which a predetermined surface effect is designated by the user. The gloss control plane data is generated by setting the value according to the type of the surface effect. For example, the user gives “PG” to the area where “ABC” is displayed, “G” to the rectangular area, and “M” to the circular area of the target image which is the color plane data shown in FIG. Assume that is specified. In this case, the host device 10 refers to the gradation value selection table, sets the gradation value of the drawing object (“ABC”) for which “PG” is designated by the user to “250”, and “G” By setting the gradation value of the designated drawing object (“rectangle”) to “230” and setting the gradation value of the drawing object (“circular”) for which “M” is designated to “41”, Generate gloss control plane data. The gloss control plane data generated by the host device 10 is data in a vector format expressed as a set of drawing objects indicating the coordinates of the points, the parameters of the lines and planes connecting the points, and the filling and special effects. It is. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the gloss control plane data as an image, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between the drawing object, coordinates, and gradation values in the gloss control plane data of FIG.

  The host device 10 generates print data including color plane data and print conditions (details will be described later). The print data includes first print data and second print data.

  The first print data is print data including colored plate data and printing conditions. The second print data is print data including color plane data, gloss control plane data, and print conditions.

  When the surface effect is designated by the user, the host device 10 generates gloss control plane data, and generates second print data including gloss control plane data, color plane data, and printing conditions. On the other hand, if the surface effect is not specified by the user, the host device 10 generates first print data including color plane data and printing conditions.

  Here, the density and glossiness of the image actually formed on the recording medium are different from the target density and target glossiness corresponding to the gradation value of each image data included in the print data. There is a case. Therefore, in the image processing system according to the present embodiment, the color patch image is printed, and the tone value correction (also referred to as gamma correction) may be performed using the density measurement value and the glossiness measurement value of the color patch image. Tone correction information (details will be described later) to be used.

  When the host device 10 receives a colored patch image formation instruction and a printing condition from the input unit according to an operation instruction of the input unit (not shown) by the user, the host device 10 receives the patch image formation instruction and the received printing condition. Are generated and output to the DFE 50. Details of the colored patch image and the printing conditions will be described later.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration example of print data (first print data, second print data) and patch print data. FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration example of the first print data. As shown in FIG. 7A, the first print data includes printing conditions and colored plate data. FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration example of the second print data. The second print data includes print conditions, color plane data, and gloss control plane data. FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration example of patch print data. As shown in FIG. 7C, the patch print data includes printing conditions and a colored patch image formation instruction.

  FIG. 7 shows an example in which JDF (registered trademark) (Job Definition Format) is used as the data format of the printing conditions, but the data format is not limited to JDF. Further, the print data and the patch print data may be converted into a page description language (PDL) such as PostScript, or may be in the PDF format as long as the DFE 50 is compatible.

  The DFE 50 receives print data (first print data or second print data) or patch print data from the host device 10. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the DFE 50. The DFE 50 includes a rendering processing unit 51, an si1 unit 52, a correction unit 53, an si2 unit 54, a halftone engine 55, a clear processing 56, an si3 unit 57, a first output unit 58, and a storage unit 59. And comprising.

  The rendering processing unit 51, the si1 unit 52, the correction unit 53, the si2 unit 54, the halftone engine 55, the clear processing 56, the si3 unit 57, and a part or all of the first output unit 58 are, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). ) Or the like, that is, it may be realized by software, may be realized by hardware such as IC (Integrated Circuit), or may be realized by using software and hardware together. May be.

  Each of the si1 unit 52, the si2 unit 54, and the si3 unit 57 has a function of separating image data (separate) and a function of integrating image data (integrate).

  An input unit 28 and a display unit 29 are connected to the DFE 50. The input unit 28 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The display unit 29 is a display device such as a display device.

  The rendering processing unit 51 receives print data or patch print data from the host device 10. When the print data is received, the rendering processing unit 51 interprets the print data in language, converts the color-format data in vector format into the raster format, and converts the color space expressed in RGB format or the like into the color space in CMYK format. It is converted into CMYK 8-bit color plane data. Further, the rendering processing unit 51 converts the gloss control plane data in the vector format into the raster format, and generates 8-bit gloss control plane data. Then, the rendering processing unit 51 outputs 8-bit CMYK color plane data and 8-bit gloss control plane data to the si1 unit 52.

  On the other hand, the rendering processing unit 51 executes patch image processing when receiving patch print data from the host device 10 (details will be described later).

  FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the rendering processing unit 51. The rendering processing unit 51 includes a receiving unit 51A, a determination unit 51B, a rendering unit 51C, a third output unit 51D, and a patch image processing unit 51F.

  A part or all of the reception unit 51A, the determination unit 51B, the rendering unit 51C, the third output unit 51D, and the patch image processing unit 51F is realized by causing a processing device such as a CPU to execute a program, that is, by software. Alternatively, it may be realized by hardware such as an IC, or may be realized by combining software and hardware.

  The accepting unit 51A accepts print data or patch print data from the host device 10. As described above, the print data is the first print data or the second print data. The first print data includes color plane data and printing conditions. The second print data includes color plane data, gloss control plane data, and print conditions. The patch print data includes printing conditions and a colored patch image formation instruction.

  The determination unit 51B determines whether the data received from the host device 10 is print data or patch print data. When the data received from the host device 10 is print data, the determination unit 51B outputs the print data to the rendering unit 51C. On the other hand, when the data received from the host device 10 is patch print data, the determination unit 51B outputs the patch print data to the patch image processing unit 51F.

  The rendering unit 51C interprets the color plane data included in the received print data in a language, converts the color plane data in the vector format into the raster format, and converts the color space expressed in the RGB format or the like into the color space in the CMYK format. It is converted into CMYK 8-bit color plane data. When the print data includes gloss control plane data, the rendering unit 51C converts the vector format gloss control plane data into a raster format to obtain 8-bit gloss control plane data.

  Then, the rendering unit 51C outputs 8-bit CMYK color plane data and 8-bit gloss control plane data to the si1 unit 52 (see FIG. 8).

  Upon receiving the patch print data, the patch image processing unit 51F executes patch image processing. The patch image processing includes color patch image printing control, tone correction information generation processing, and the like.

  The patch image processing unit 51F includes a second output unit 51G, an acquisition unit 51H, and a generation unit 51I.

  The second output unit 51G reads the patch image data corresponding to the printing conditions included in the received patch print data from the storage unit 59, and outputs it to the image forming unit 18 via the MIC 60.

  Here, data stored in the storage unit 59 will be described.

  The storage unit 59 stores printing conditions and target density information in association with each other in advance. The storage unit 59 stores the printing conditions and the target glossiness information in association with each other in advance. In addition, the storage unit 59 stores printing conditions and patch image data in association with each other in advance.

  First, printing conditions will be described. The printing condition indicates a condition when forming an image on a recording medium. In the present embodiment, the printing condition is information indicating various settings for the image forming unit 18. Specifically, the printing conditions include toner type information indicating the toner type used for image formation, and the order of application of toner of the toner type indicated by the toner type information on the recording medium.

  The toner type information is information indicating the type of toner used for image formation. The toner type information indicates, for example, colored toner and at least one of clear toner (special color toner) and white toner.

  The order of application is information indicating the order of application of toner of the type indicated by the toner type information to the recording medium. For example, the order of grant includes a first grant order, a second grant order, a third grant order, a fourth grant order, a fifth grant order, a sixth grant order, and a seventh grant order. The first application order indicates that colored toner is applied on the recording medium. The second application order indicates that the colored toner and the clear toner are applied on the recording medium in this order. The third application order indicates that colored toner is applied to one surface of the recording medium and white toner is applied to the other surface. The fourth application order indicates that the colored toner and the clear toner are applied to one side of the recording medium in this order, and the white toner is applied to the other side. The fifth application order indicates that colored toner and white toner are applied in this order on the recording medium. The sixth application order indicates that white toner and colored toner are applied in this order on the recording medium. The seventh application order indicates that white toner, colored toner, and clear toner are applied on the recording medium in this order.

  In addition, these provision orders are an example and the form containing a different provision order may be sufficient.

  Further, it is preferable that the printing conditions further include medium type information indicating the type of the recording medium to be image-formed. Moreover, it is preferable that the printing conditions further include measurement target surface information indicating the measurement target surfaces of density and glossiness.

  The medium type information indicates the type of recording medium that is an image formation target. In the present embodiment, the medium type information is a transparent transparent recording medium or an opaque opaque recording medium. The medium type information may further include information indicating another type. For example, color information indicating the color of the opaque recording medium (for example, a white recording medium, a recording medium having a color density equal to or higher than a threshold, a recording medium having a color density lower than the threshold, or the like) may be included.

  The measurement target surface is the same as the reading surface by the user of the image formed on the recording medium. The measurement target surface is, for example, a color toner forming side in the recording medium, a side opposite to the color toner in the recording medium, and the like.

  10 and 11 are explanatory diagrams of printing conditions.

  The printing conditions shown in FIG. 10A are the first application in which the medium type information indicating the type of the recording medium P to be image-formed indicates the transparent recording medium PA, and the application order forms the colored toner 74 on the recording medium P. In order. In the printing conditions shown in FIG. 10A, the measurement target surface is the transparent recording medium PA side (refer to the measurement direction M), and the toner type information used for image formation is colored toner (CMYK).

  In the printing conditions shown in FIG. 10B, the medium type information indicates the transparent recording medium PA, and the applying order is the second applying order in which the colored toner 74 and the clear toner 76 are formed on the recording medium P in this order. Further, the printing condition shown in FIG. 10B is that the measurement target surface is the transparent recording medium PA side (see the measurement direction M2) or the clear toner 76 side (see the measurement direction M1), and the toner type information used for image formation is Colored toner and clear toner.

  The printing conditions shown in FIG. 10C are the first application in which the medium type information indicating the type of the recording medium P to be image-formed indicates the opaque recording medium PB, and the application order forms the colored toner 74 on the recording medium P. In order. Further, in the printing condition shown in FIG. 10C, the measurement target surface is the colored toner 74 side (refer to the measurement direction M), and the toner type information used for image formation is the colored toner.

  In the printing conditions shown in FIG. 10D, the medium type information indicates the opaque recording medium PB, and the applying order is the second applying order in which the color toner 74 and the clear toner 76 are formed on the recording medium P in this order. 10D, the measurement target surface is the clear toner 76 side (see measurement direction M), and the toner type information used for image formation is colored toner and clear toner.

  In the printing conditions shown in FIG. 11A, the medium type information indicating the type of the recording medium P to be image-formed indicates the transparent recording medium PA, and the application order is that the colored toner 74 is applied to one surface of the recording medium P. The third application order indicates that the white toner 78 is applied to the other surface. In the printing conditions shown in FIG. 11A, the measurement target surface is the colored toner 74 side (refer to the measurement direction M), and the toner type information used for image formation is colored toner and white toner.

  In the printing condition shown in FIG. 11B, the medium type information indicates the transparent recording medium PA, and the application order indicates that the colored toner 74 and the white toner 78 are applied on the recording medium P in this order. In order. In the printing conditions shown in FIG. 11B, the measurement target surface is the transparent recording medium PA side (see measurement direction M), and the toner type information used for image formation is white toner and colored toner.

  In the printing conditions shown in FIG. 11C, the medium type information indicates the transparent recording medium PA, the applying order applies the colored toner 74 and the clear toner 76 to one side of the recording medium P in this order, and the other side. 4 is a fourth application order indicating that the white toner 78 is applied to the toner. Further, in the printing conditions shown in FIG. 11C, the measurement target surface is the clear toner 76 side (see measurement direction M), and the toner type information used for image formation is white toner, colored toner, and clear toner. .

  In the printing conditions shown in FIG. 11D, the medium type information indicating the type of the recording medium P to be image-formed indicates the opaque recording medium PB, and the order of application is white toner 78 and colored toner on the recording medium P. 74 is the 6th grant order which shows giving this order. In the printing conditions shown in FIG. 11D, the measurement target surface is the colored toner 74 side (refer to the measurement direction M), and the toner type information used for image formation is white toner and colored toner.

  In the printing conditions shown in FIG. 11E, the medium type information indicates the opaque recording medium PB, and the application order is the white toner 78, the colored toner 74, and the clear toner 76 on the recording medium P in this order. It is the 7th grant order which shows giving. Further, in the printing conditions shown in FIG. 11E, the measurement target surface is the clear toner 76 side (see measurement direction M), and the toner type information used for image formation is white toner, colored toner, and clear toner. .

  Note that the printing conditions shown in FIGS. 10 to 11 are merely examples, and various printing conditions can be set depending on the combination of the medium type information of the recording medium P, the application order, the toner type information, and the measurement target surface information. .

  In the present embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which the printing conditions include medium type information of recording medium P, order of application, toner type information, order of application, and measurement target surface information. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the toner type information included in the printing conditions includes at least colored toner.

  As described above, the storage unit 59 stores the printing conditions and the target density information in association with each other in advance. The storage unit 59 stores the printing conditions and the target glossiness information in association with each other in advance.

  The target density information is information that defines the relationship between the reference gradation value and the target density. The target density indicates a density to be obtained as a printing result when an image corresponding to the color plane data for which the corresponding reference gradation value is determined is formed on the recording medium under the corresponding printing conditions.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the target density information 80. FIG. 12 shows an example of target density information 80A for cyan (C) color plane data corresponding to the printing conditions shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the target density information 80A corresponds to each gradation value (reference gradation value) of the color plane data of cyan (C) when an image is formed under the printing conditions shown in FIG. The concentration to be obtained (target concentration) is defined. The storage unit 59 stores in advance target density information for each color plane data of CMYK in association with printing conditions.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12, the target density information 80 shows a directly proportional relationship. However, the target density information 80 is not limited to such a directly proportional relationship, and can be arbitrarily selected according to the user's preference, each color, and the device environment. It may be set.

  The target glossiness information is information that defines the relationship between the target density and the target glossiness. The target glossiness indicates the glossiness to be obtained when the corresponding target density is obtained as a printing result.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the target glossiness information 82. In FIG. 13, as an example, the glossiness (target glossiness) to be obtained corresponding to each density (target density) of cyan (C) when an image is formed under the printing conditions shown in FIG. 10 (A). Is defined. The storage unit 59 stores in advance target glossiness information for each color plane data of CMYK in association with printing conditions.

  If the printing conditions are different, the target density information 80 and the target glossiness information 82 show different relationships from those in FIGS.

  14 and 15 are diagrams showing other examples of the target density information 80 and the target glossiness information 82. FIG. 14 and 15 are explanatory diagrams of the target density information 80B and the target glossiness information 82B when the printing conditions are the printing conditions shown in FIG. 10B.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the printing conditions are the printing conditions shown in FIG. 10B, the target density information 80B is indicated by a diagram having a larger slope than the target density information 80A. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, when the printing conditions are the printing conditions shown in FIG. 10B, the target glossiness information 82B is shown by a line diagram having a smaller inclination than the target glossiness information 82A. It becomes.

  Returning to FIG. 9, the storage unit 59 stores the printing conditions and the patch image data in association with each other in advance. Note that the patch image processing unit 51F may generate patch image data.

  The patch image data includes at least colored patch image data. In the present embodiment, the patch image data corresponding to the printing conditions includes image data of the number corresponding to the type of toner indicated by the toner type information included in the corresponding printing conditions.

  Specifically, the patch image data includes colored patch image data when the toner type information included in the corresponding printing condition includes colored toner. In addition, the patch image data includes clear patch image data when clear toner is included in the toner type information included in the corresponding printing conditions. The patch image data includes white patch image data when the toner type information included in the corresponding printing condition includes white toner.

  For this reason, for example, when the toner type information included in the corresponding printing condition includes colored toner, clear toner, and white toner, the patch image data corresponding to the printing condition includes colored patch image data, clear patch image Data, white patch image data.

  The colored patch image data is image data that defines a patch image area in which a reference gradation value corresponding to the target density and target glossiness is set. The reference gradation values corresponding to the target density and the target gloss level are the target density information (for example, see FIG. 12) and the target gloss level information (for example, FIG. 13) corresponding to the printing conditions corresponding to the colored patch image data. Reference).

  Specifically, the colored patch image data is image data in which different reference gradation values are defined for each of the plurality of colored patch image regions. The colored patch image data is patch image data formed with colored toner. In the present embodiment, the colored patch image data includes a colored patch image area that defines different reference gradation values for each color of CMYK.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the colored patch image data 71. Note that the patch image data 71 shown in FIG. 16 is an example of the colored patch image data 71 formed with colored toner corresponding to the printing conditions including the first application order (applying colored toner on the recording medium).

As shown in FIG. 16, the color patch image data 71 includes a cyan plurality of colored patches image area _70C of _{(C) (70 1 C~70 n} C (n is an integer)), a plurality of colored magenta (M) Patch image area 70M (70 ₁ M to 70 _n M (n is an integer)), a plurality of yellow (Y) colored patch image areas 70Y (70 ₁ Y to 70 _n Y (n is an integer)), and black ( K) a plurality of colored patch image regions 70K (70 ₁ K to 70 _n K (n is an integer)).

Different reference gradation values are defined for each colored patch image region. In the example shown in FIG. 16, each of the colored patch image area 70 ₁ C, the colored patch image area 70 ₁ M, the colored patch image area 70 ₁ Y, and the colored patch image area 70 ₁ K has the highest gradation value ( For example, a gradation value “255”) is set. Further, in each of the rightmost colored patch image area 70 _n C, the colored patch image area 70 _n M, the colored patch image area 70 _n Y, and the colored patch image area 70 _n K in FIG. A value (for example, a gradation value “0”) is set. In FIG. 16, the reference gradation value is set in advance so that the gradation value decreases from the leftmost to the rightmost colored patch image region 70.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the clear patch image data 73. It should be noted that the clear patch image data 73 shown in FIG. 17 includes the second application order (see FIGS. 10B and 10D), the fourth application order (see FIG. 11C), and the seventh application order (see FIG. FIG. 11E shows an example of clear patch image data 73 corresponding to the printing conditions including FIG.

  The clear patch image data 73 includes a plurality of clear patch areas 72. The clear patch area 72 is defined as an area that overlaps the colored patch image areas 70C, 70M, 70Y, and 70K (see FIG. 16) in the colored patch image data 71, and a predetermined gradation value is defined. In the clear patch area 72, for example, a gradation value “255” is defined. Note that the gradation value of the clear patch area 72 can be changed as appropriate according to an operation instruction of the input unit 28 by the user.

  FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the patch image data 77. Note that the example shown in FIG. 18 is an example of the patch image data 77 when the toner type information included in the corresponding printing conditions includes colored toner, clear toner, and white toner.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 18, the patch image data 77 includes, for example, colored patch image data 71, clear patch image data 73, and white patch image data 75. The white patch image data 75 is data in which the entire area corresponding to the recording medium P to be formed is defined as a white patch area, and the gradation value “255” is defined in the white patch area.

  As described above, the patch image data 77 includes only the colored patch image data 71 or includes the colored patch image data 71 and the clear patch image data 73 according to the corresponding printing conditions. 71 and white patch image data 75, or may include colored patch image data 71, clear patch image data 73, and white patch image data 75.

  Returning to FIG. 9, as described above, the second output unit 51 </ b> G reads the patch image data corresponding to the printing conditions included in the received patch print data from the storage unit 59. Then, the second output unit 51G outputs the patch output data including the printing conditions and the patch image data to the image forming unit 18 via the MIC 60.

  Note that the second output unit 51G may generate patch image data according to the printing conditions included in the received patch print data, and output the patch image data to the image forming unit 18.

  Upon receiving the patch output data, the printer 12 of the image forming unit 18 prints an image (a colored patch image or a colored patch image, at least one of a clear patch image and a white patch image) according to the patch print data. It is formed on the recording medium P according to the conditions.

  Therefore, the recording medium P includes at least one of a colored patch image corresponding to the colored patch image region, or a clear patch image and a white patch image corresponding to the colored patch image and the clear patch region, in the patch output data. It is formed according to printing conditions.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, on the recording medium P, the colored patch images 62C, 62M, and 60Y corresponding to the colored patch image regions 70C, 70M, 70Y, and 70K according to the printing conditions. , 60K is formed. Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, the recording medium P has colored patch images 62C, 62M, 60Y, and 60K corresponding to the colored patch image areas 70C, 70M, 70Y, and 70K, depending on the printing conditions. The white patch image 66 corresponding to the white patch area and the clear patch image 64 corresponding to the clear patch area 72 are formed in an overlapping manner.

  The acquisition unit 51H acquires the density measurement value and the glossiness measurement value of the colored patch image formed on the recording medium P from the density measurement unit 20 and the glossiness measurement unit 22.

  Specifically, when the color patch image or the color patch image and at least one of the clear patch image and the white patch image are formed on the recording medium P according to the printing conditions, the density measuring unit 20 and the glossiness The measurement unit 22 measures the density and the glossiness of the colored patch image from the measurement target surface side indicated by the measurement target surface information included in the printing conditions.

  For example, when the printing condition is the printing condition shown in FIG. 10B, the density measurement unit 20 and the gloss measurement unit 22 can detect the density and gloss of the colored patch image from the clear toner 76 side or the transparent recording medium PA side. Measure each of

  The density measuring unit 20 and the glossiness measuring unit 22 measure the density and glossiness of each of the plurality of colored patch images corresponding to each of the plurality of colored patch image regions having different reference gradation values. Then, the measured density measurement value and gloss measurement value of each of the plurality of colored patch images are transmitted to the rendering processing unit 51 of the DFE 50. The acquisition unit 51H of the rendering processing unit 51 receives the density measurement value and the glossiness measurement value, thereby acquiring the density measurement value and the glossiness measurement value.

  The generation unit 51I determines the tone value of the color plane data that defines the color region to which the color toner is applied so that the density measurement value and the glossiness measurement value acquired by the acquisition unit 51H match the target density and the target glossiness. Tone correction information for correcting the image is generated.

  The gradation correction information is information used for correction processing for improving the gradation reproducibility of an image. This correction process may be referred to as gamma correction. In other words, the gradation correction information is information used when the gradation value of the color plane data is corrected so as to improve gradation reproducibility in the correction unit 53 described later.

  Specifically, the generation unit 51I first reads the printing conditions corresponding to the colored patch image data used for forming the colored patch image formed on the recording medium P on which the density measurement value and the gloss measurement value are measured. For example, the generation unit 51I reads the printing condition by reading the printing condition included in the patch output data output by the second output unit 51G immediately before acquiring the density measurement value and the glossiness measurement value from the acquisition unit 51H. .

  Next, the generation unit 51I reads target density information and target glossiness information corresponding to the read printing conditions from the storage unit 59. For example, it is assumed that the generation unit 51I reads the target density information 80A illustrated in FIG. 12 and the target glossiness information 82A illustrated in FIG.

  Then, the generation unit 51I matches the relationship between the density measurement value acquired by the acquisition unit 51H and the reference gradation value with the relationship set in the target density information 80A corresponding to the printing condition, and the target density and gloss measurement. The gradation correction information for correcting the gradation value of the color plane data is generated so that the relationship with the value matches the relationship defined in the target glossiness information 82A corresponding to the printing condition. Then, the generation unit 51I stores the generated gradation correction information in the storage unit 59 in association with the printing conditions.

  The gradation correction information is information that defines the relationship between the input gradation value as the gradation value of the color plane data and the corrected output gradation value. The gradation correction information may be any information that defines these relationships, and may be a table, a mathematical expression, or a straight line or a curve.

  19 to 22 are explanatory diagrams of the generation of gradation correction information.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the density measurement value of each color patch image of cyan (C) acquired by the acquisition unit 51H and the reference gradation value of the color patch image area corresponding to each color patch image of cyan (C) Is represented by a diagram 84. In FIG. 19, the target density information 80A is the same as the target density information 80A in FIG.

  In this case, the generation unit 51I corrects the gradation value of the color data of cyan (C) so that the relationship between the density measurement value and the reference gradation value (line 84) indicates the target density information 80A. The first correction information 85 is calculated.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20, the glossiness of each color patch image of cyan (C) acquired by the acquisition unit 51H and the reference gradation of the color patch image area corresponding to each color patch image of cyan (C) It is assumed that the relationship between values is represented by a diagram 86. Here, as shown in FIG. 21A, it is assumed that the generation unit 51I reads the target glossiness information 82A for cyan (C) corresponding to the printing condition (similar to FIG. 13).

  In this case, the generation unit 51I uses the relationship indicated by the target glossiness information 82A (see FIG. 21A) as the relationship between the glossiness measurement value and the reference gradation value (diagram 86) (FIG. 21B). The second correction information 87 indicating the relationship between the reference gradation value taking into account the glossiness measurement value and the target density is calculated.

  Then, as illustrated in FIG. 22, the generation unit 51I calculates the third correction information 88 using the target density information 80A, the first correction information 85, and the second correction information 87.

  Specifically, the generation unit 51I corrects the gradation value so that the relationship indicated by the first correction information 85 that is correction information that does not take glossiness into account indicates the relationship indicated by the second correction information 87. The third correction information 88 is calculated.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 22, the third correction information 88 is calculated based on the relationship indicated by the first correction information 85 so as to indicate an intermediate relationship with the relationship indicated by the second correction information 87. Indicated. However, the adoption ratio of the first correction information 85 and the second correction information 87 may be adjusted or arbitrary adjustment may be made according to an operation instruction of the input unit 28 by the user. Further, after holding a plurality of third correction information 88, the third correction information 88 to be finally used may be changed according to an arbitrary region on the image.

  Then, the generating unit 51I uses the relationship between the reference gradation value and the density indicated by the target density information 80A and the calculated third correction information 88, and is indicated by the target density information 80A corresponding to each density. The reference gradation value is set to the gradation value of the color plane data (that is, the input gradation value), and the reference gradation value indicated by the third correction information 88 corresponding to each density is corrected to the gradation value (that is, output). Gradation correction information L, which is a gradation value), is generated.

  Specifically, in the example illustrated in FIG. 22, the gradation correction information L includes the gradation value B1 corresponding to the density A1 in the target density information 80A and the gradation value B2 corresponding to the density A1 in the third correction information 88. This is information for correction. In the example shown in FIG. 22, the gradation correction information L includes a gradation value B′1 corresponding to the density A′1 in the target density information 80A and a level corresponding to the density A′1 in the third correction information 88. This is information for correcting the tone value B′2. That is, the gradation correction information L is information for correcting the gradation value corresponding to each density in the target density information 80A to the gradation value corresponding to each density in the third correction information 88.

  In other words, the tone correction information L can be said to be tone correction information for correcting the tone value of the color plane data in order to realize the target glossiness and the target density.

  Then, the generation unit 51I generates the gradation correction information L in the same manner for each of magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). Then, the generation unit 51I stores the gradation correction information L of each of these CMYK in the storage unit 59 in association with the printing conditions.

  Note that the gradation correction information L may be referred to as a gamma correction curve or a gamma correction table. 19 to 22, each relationship (target density information 80 </ b> A, first correction information 85, third correction information 88, second correction information 87, etc.) will be described using graphs for conceptual description. However, these relationships may be realized as a table having discrete values, and the data format is not limited.

  Since the tone correction information is generated as described above, the tone correction information generated by the generation unit 51I can be said to be tone correction information in consideration of both density and glossiness.

  Returning to FIG. 8, the rendering unit 51 outputs the 8-bit CMYK color plane data and the 8-bit gloss control plane data generated to the si1 unit 52.

  The si1 unit 52 outputs 8-bit color plane data of CMYK to the correction unit 53 and outputs 8-bit gloss control plane data to the clear processing 56. Here, the DFE 50 converts the gloss control plane data in vector format output from the host apparatus 10 into gloss control data in raster format. As a result, the DFE 50 outputs, to the clear processing 56, gloss control plane data in which the type of surface effect for the drawing object designated by the user through the image processing application is set as a gradation value in pixel units.

  CMYK 8-bit color plane data is input to the correction unit 53 via the si1 unit 52. In addition, the correction unit 53 acquires a printing condition included in the print data received by the rendering processing unit 51. Then, the correction unit 53 reads gradation correction information corresponding to the printing conditions from the storage unit 59. As described above, the gradation correction information is gradation correction information corresponding to the printing conditions, and is information for correcting the gradation value of the color plane data in order to realize the target glossiness and the target density. is there.

  Then, the correction unit 53 corrects the gradation value of the CMYK 8-bit color plane data (that is, gamma correction) using the read gradation correction information.

  The correction unit 53 may further perform a toner total amount restriction process in addition to the gradation correction. The total amount restriction is a process of restricting the CMYK 8-bit color plane data after gradation correction because there is a limit to the amount of toner that can be loaded on the printer 12 in one pixel on the recording medium P. . Incidentally, when printing exceeds the total amount regulation, the image quality deteriorates due to transfer failure or fixing failure. In the present embodiment, only related gamma correction is described.

  The si2 unit 54 outputs the CMYK 8-bit color plane data subjected to gradation correction by the correction unit 53 to the clear processing 56 as data for generating an inverse mask (described later). The halftone engine 55 receives CMYK 8-bit color plane data after gradation correction via the si2 unit 54. The halftone engine 55 performs halftone processing for converting the input color plane data into a data format of color plane data such as 2 bits for each of CMYK for output to the printer 12. Colored plane data such as 2 bits for each CMYK is output. Note that 2 bits are an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  The clear processing 56 receives the 8-bit gloss control plane data converted by the rendering processing unit 51 via the si1 unit 52, and the CMYK 8-bit color planes subjected to gradation correction by the correction unit 53. Data is input via the si2 unit 54.

  The clear processing 56 stores a surface effect selection table in advance.

  The surface effect selection table indicates the correspondence between the gradation value, which is a gloss control value indicating the surface effect, and the type of the surface effect, and control information regarding the post-processing machine according to the configuration of the image processing system, 4 is a table showing a correspondence relationship between clear toner plane data used in the printer 12 and clear toner plane data used in the post-processing machine.

  Although the configuration of the image processing system may be variously different, in the present embodiment, the glosser 14 and the low-temperature fixing device 16 are connected to the printer 12 as a post-processing device (see FIG. 1). For this reason, the control information regarding the post-processor according to the configuration of the image processing system is on / off information indicating whether the glosser 14 is on or off. The clear toner plate data used in the post-processing device includes clear toner plate data used in the low-temperature fixing device 16.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of the surface effect selection table. The surface effect selection table includes, for each configuration of different image processing systems, control information related to the post-processing machine, clear toner plane data 1 used in the printer 12 and clear toner plane data 2 used in the post-processing machine, and gradation. It can be configured to show a correspondence between values and types of surface effects. FIG. 23 illustrates a data configuration corresponding to the configuration of the image processing system according to the present embodiment. In the correspondence relationship between the types of surface effects and the gradation values shown in the figure, each type of surface effect is associated with each range of gradation values. Further, each type of surface effect is associated with the density ratio (density ratio) converted from the representative value (representative value) of the gradation value range in units of 2%. Specifically, a surface effect (specular gloss and solid gloss) that gives gloss is associated with a range of gradation values (“212” to “255”) in which the density ratio is 84% or more. A surface effect (halftone matte and matte) that suppresses gloss is associated with a gradation value range (“1” to “43”) in which the rate is 16% or less. Further, a surface effect such as a texture or a background pattern watermark is associated with a range of gradation values in which the density ratio is 20% to 80%.

  More specifically, taking the surface effect selection table of FIG. 23 as an example, for example, specular gloss (PG: Premium Gloss) is associated with the gradation values of “238” to “255” as the surface effect. Among these, for each of three ranges of gradation values “238” to “242”, gradation values “243” to “247” and gradation values “248” to “255”, respectively. Different types of specular gloss are associated.

  Also, the solid values (G: Gloss) are associated with the gradation values “212” to “232”, and among these, the gradation values “212” to “216”, “217”. Different types of solid glossiness are associated with four ranges of tone values of “221”, “222” to “227”, and “228” to “232”. Yes.

  Also, halftone dots (M: Matt) are associated with the gradation values “23” to “43”, and among these, gradation values “23” to “28”, “29” ”To“ 33 ”,“ 34 ”to“ 38 ”, and“ 39 ”to“ 43 ”are associated with different types of halftone mats. It has been. Further, the gradation values “1” to “17” are associated with matte (PM), among which the gradation values “1” to “7”, “8”. Different types of matte are associated with the three ranges of tone values of “12” and “13” to “17”. These different types of the same surface effect have different formulas for obtaining clear toner plane data used in the printer 12 and the low-temperature fixing device 16, and the operations of the printer main body and the post-processing device are the same. Note that a gradation value of “0” is associated with no surface effect.

  FIG. 23 also shows on / off information indicating whether the glosser 14 is turned on or off, the clear toner plate data 1 used in the printer 12, and the clear toner used in the low-temperature fixing device 16 corresponding to the gradation value and the surface effect. The contents of the plate data 2 are shown. For example, when the surface effect is specular gloss, it is indicated that the glosser 14 is turned on, and the clear toner plane data 1 used in the printer 12 represents an inverse mask (described later in detail). It is indicated that there is no clear toner plane data 2 used in 16.

  Note that the example shown in FIG. 23 is an example in which the region in which the specular effect is designated as the surface effect corresponds to the entire region defined by the image data.

  Further, when the gradation value is “228” to “232” and the surface effect is solid gloss, it is indicated that the glosser 14 is turned off, and the image of the clear toner plane data 1 used in the printer 12 is indicated. The data is an inverse mask 1 and it is indicated that there is no image data of the clear toner plane data 2 used in the low-temperature fixing device 16.

  Note that the inverse mask 1 may be any one represented by any one of formulas (1) to (4) described later. Since the glosser 14 is off and the total amount of toner to be smoothed is different, the surface unevenness increases due to the specular gloss, and as a result, a solid gloss with a low gloss level is obtained due to the specular gloss. When the surface effect is a halftone mat, it is indicated that the glosser 14 is turned off, and the clear toner plane data 1 used in the printer 12 represents a halftone (halftone dot). It is indicated that there is no clear toner plane data 2 used in the low-temperature fixing device 16. Further, when the surface effect is matte, it is indicated that the glosser 14 may be turned on or off, and the clear toner plane data 1 used in the printer 12 is not used, but is used in the low-temperature fixing device 16. Clear toner plane data 2 is shown to represent a solid mask. The said solid mask is calculated | required by following formula (2), for example.

  Here, the inverse mask is for uniformizing the total adhesion amount of the CMYK toner and the clear toner on each pixel constituting the region to which the surface effect is applied. Specifically, image data obtained by adding all density values represented by pixels constituting the target area in the CMYK color plane data and subtracting the added value from a predetermined value is an inverse mask. For example, the above inverse mask is represented by the following formula (1).

Clr = 100− (C + M + Y + K) However, when Clr <0, Clr = 0
... Formula (1)

  In Expression (1), Clr, C, M, Y, and K represent density ratios converted from gradation values in the respective pixels for the clear toner and the C, M, Y, and K toners, respectively. is there. That is, according to the formula (1), the total adhesion amount obtained by adding the adhesion amount of the clear toner to the total adhesion amount of the C, M, Y, and K toners is obtained for all the pixels constituting the target area to which the surface effect is applied. Set to 100%. When the total adhesion amount of C, M, Y, and K toners is 100% or more, the clear toner is not adhered, and the density ratio is set to 0%. This is because the portion where the total adhesion amount of each toner of C, M, Y, and K exceeds 100% is smoothed by the fixing process. In this way, by making the total adhesion amount on all the pixels constituting the target area to which the surface effect is given to be 100% or more, there is no surface unevenness due to the difference in the total toner adhesion quantity in the target area. As a result, gloss due to regular reflection of light occurs. However, some inverse masks are obtained by other than the equation (1), and there can be a plurality of types of inverse masks.

For example, the inverse mask may be one in which clear toner is uniformly attached to each pixel. The inverse mask in this case is also referred to as a solid mask, and is represented by the following formula (2).
Clr = 100 Formula (2)

  Note that among the pixels to which the surface effect is applied, there may be a pixel associated with a density rate other than 100%, and there may be a plurality of solid mask patterns.

  For example, the inverse mask may be obtained by multiplying the background exposure rate of each color. The inverse mask in this case is expressed by, for example, the following formula (3).

  Clr = 100 × {(100−C) / 100} × {(100−M) / 100} × {(100−Y) / 100} × {(100−K) / 100} (3)

  In the above formula (3), (100−C) / 100 indicates the background exposure rate of C, (100−M) / 100 indicates the background exposure rate of M, and (100−Y) / 100 is Y indicates the background exposure rate of (100−K) / 100 indicates the background exposure rate of K.

  Further, for example, the inverse mask may be obtained by a method that assumes that the halftone dot of the maximum area ratio regulates smoothness. The inverse mask in this case is expressed by, for example, the following formula (4).

  Clr = 100−max (C, M, Y, K) (4)

  In the above equation (4), max (C, M, Y, K) indicates that the density value of the color indicating the maximum density value among CMYK is a representative value.

  In short, the inverse mask may be any one expressed by any one of the above formulas (1) to (4).

  Returning to FIG. 8, the clear processing 56 generates clear toner plane data by referring to the surface effect selection table using the gloss control plane data received from the si1 unit 52.

  Specifically, the clear processing 56 determines the surface effect on the gradation value represented by each pixel constituting the gloss control plane data. The clear processing 56 determines whether the glosser 14 is turned on or off according to the determination, and generates an inverse mask or a solid mask as appropriate using the received CMYK 8-bit color data. 2-bit clear toner plane data for adhering toner is appropriately generated. Then, the clear processing 56 appropriately generates the clear toner plane data 1 used in the printer 12 and the clear toner plane data 2 used in the low temperature fixing device 16 according to the determination result of the surface effect, and outputs these. At the same time, on / off information indicating whether the glosser 14 is on or off is output. As a result, clear toner plane data having a gloss effect as intended by the user is generated.

  The si3 unit 57 outputs CMYK 2-bit color plane data after halftone processing, 2-bit clear toner plane data generated by the clear processing 56, and printing conditions received together with the color plane data. The data is output to the first output unit 58. The first output unit 58 outputs the received output data to the image forming unit 18 via the MIC 60.

  Note that the clear processing 56 may not generate at least one of the clear toner plane data used in the printer 12 and the clear toner plane data used in the low-temperature fixing device 16 in some cases. Therefore, when the clear toner plane data generated by the clear processing 56 is integrated by the si3 unit 57 and both clear toner plane data are not generated by the clear processing 56, the si3 unit 57 receives 2 bits of CMYK. The output data including the color plane data and the printing conditions are output to the first output unit 58. The first output unit 58 outputs the received output data to the image forming unit 18 via the MIC 60.

  That is, the first output unit 58 outputs the output data including the CMYK 2-bit color plane data corrected by the correction unit 53 and converted into 2-bits, the printing conditions, and the clear toner plane data as appropriate. The image is output to the image forming unit 18 via the MIC 60.

  When the toner type information included in the printing condition includes white toner, the first output unit 58 outputs output data further including white toner plate data stored in the storage unit 59 via the MIC 60. Output to the forming unit 18. In the white toner plane data, the white area having the gradation value “255” is designated as the entire area corresponding to the recording medium P. The white toner plane data is converted by the halftone engine 55 into a format in which each pixel is represented by 2 bits.

  Further, the first output unit 58 outputs output data further including on / off information for the glosser 14 output from the clear processing 56 to the image forming unit 18 via the MIC 60.

  FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing the MIC 60 and the image forming unit 18.

  The MIC 60 is connected to the DFE 50 and the image forming unit 18 (see FIG. 1). The MIC 60 receives patch output data and output data. Specifically, the MIC 60 receives patch output data including the printing conditions and patch image data from the second output unit 51G of the rendering processing unit 51. Further, the MIC 60 receives output data from the first output unit 58.

  The MIC 60 outputs the received patch output data or output data to the image forming unit 18.

  The image forming unit 18 includes a printer 12, a glosser 14, and a low-temperature fixing device 16. The image forming unit 18 includes a conveyance path 30 that conveys the recording medium P and a reverse conveyance path 32 that reversely conveys the recording medium P. In detail, the printer 12 is configured to transfer a plurality of known electrophotographic photosensitive members, a transfer belt to which a toner image formed on the photosensitive member is transferred, and a toner image on the transfer belt to a recording medium P. And a fixing device for fixing the toner image on the recording medium P to the recording medium P. In the example shown in FIG. 24, the printer 12 includes a photoreceptor for forming a color image with each color toner of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), and white The case where a photoconductor for forming a white image with toner and a photoconductor for applying clear toner is shown. Although not shown, the printer 12 includes a toner cassette that stores each of these toners (CMYK colored toner, white toner, and clear toner), a developer that supplies these toners to the photoconductor, and the like. Is provided.

  The recording medium P is transported through the transport path 30 by a transport mechanism (not shown), so that the positions where the printer 12, the glosser 14, and the low-temperature fixing device 16 are provided are transported in this order. Then, after processing is performed sequentially by these devices and image formation and a surface effect are imparted, the device is transported through the transport path 30 by a transport mechanism (not shown) and discharged to the outside of the image forming unit 18.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 24, the switching unit 24, the density measurement unit 20, and the gloss measurement unit 22 are arranged in the conveyance direction along the conveyance path 30 of the recording medium P of the printer 12, the glosser 14, and the low-temperature fixing device 16. It is provided on the downstream side. Note that the density measurement unit 20 and the glossiness measurement unit 22 may be provided in the printer 12.

  The switching unit 24 is a mechanism that reverses the recording medium P. For example, when it is necessary to reverse the recording medium P such as double-sided printing, the switching unit 24 reverses the recording medium P based on the printing conditions, and transports the recording medium P again through the reverse transport path 32. Return to the position corresponding to the upstream side of the photosensitive member in the path 30.

  When receiving the patch output data, the MIC 60 outputs each image data (colored patch image data, clear patch image data, white patch image data) included in the patch output data and printing conditions to the printer 12. Further, the MIC 60 reads the measurement target surface information from the printing conditions included in the patch output data, and sends the measurement target surface measurement instruction indicated by the measurement target surface information to the switching unit 24, the density measurement unit 20, and the gloss measurement unit. 22 to output. Further, the MIC 60 outputs the printing conditions included in the patch output data to the switching unit 24.

  As described above, the patch output data may not include at least one of clear patch image data and white patch image data. According to the received printing conditions, the printer 12 has images (colored patch image, clear patch image, white patch image) according to the received image data (colored patch image data, clear patch image data, white patch image data). In accordance with the order of application included in the printing conditions, the toner (color toner, white toner, clear toner) indicated by the toner type information included in the printing conditions is recorded on the recording medium P of the type indicated by the medium type information included in the printing conditions. ).

  Therefore, a colored patch image 62 (see FIG. 16), a clear patch image 64, and a white patch image 66 (see FIG. 18) are formed on the recording medium P in accordance with the printing conditions as shown in FIGS. The

  When the recording medium P on which the colored patch image, the white patch image, and the clear patch image are formed is transported to the positions of the density measuring unit 20 and the gloss measuring unit 22 according to the printing conditions, the density measuring unit 20 and The glossiness measurement unit 22 measures the density and glossiness of the colored patch image from the measurement target surface side indicated by the measurement target surface information included in the printing conditions. Then, the density measuring unit 20 and the glossiness measuring unit 22 transmit the density measurement value and the glossiness measurement value, which are detection results, to the rendering processing unit 51 of the DFE 50.

  On the other hand, when receiving the output data, the MIC 60 distributes each image data (colored plane data, clear toner plane data) included in the output data to the corresponding device and controls the post-processing machine. More specifically, the MIC 60 outputs the CMYK color plane data and the printing conditions included in the output data to the printer 12, and when there is clear toner plane data used in the printer 12, this is also the printer 12. Output to. The MIC 60 uses the on / off information included in the output data to turn the glosser 14 on or off, and outputs clear toner plane data used by the low-temperature fixing device 16 to the low-temperature fixing device 16. The glosser 14 may switch between a fixing path and a non-fixing path according to the on / off information. The low-temperature fixing device 16 may switch on or off or switch the route similar to the glosser 14 depending on the presence or absence of clear toner plane data.

  Next, an image processing procedure executed by the DFE 50 will be described. FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of image processing executed by the DFE 50.

  First, the accepting unit 51A accepts print data or patch print data from the host device 10 (step S100). Next, the determination unit 51B determines whether or not the data received from the host device 10 is patch print data (step S102).

  When the data received from the host device 10 is patch print data (step S102: Yes), the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, the second output unit 51G reads patch image data corresponding to the printing conditions included in the received patch print data from the storage unit 59 (step S104). Then, the second output unit 51G outputs the patch output data including the read patch image data and the printing conditions to the image forming unit 18 via the MIC 60 (Step S106).

  The image forming unit 18 that has received the patch output data forms a colored patch image on the recording medium P from the colored patch image data included in the patch output data in accordance with the printing conditions included in the patch output data, and sets the printing conditions. Accordingly, at least one of the white patch image and the clear patch image is formed on the recording medium P. Depending on the printing conditions, as described above, at least one of the white patch image and the clear patch image may not be formed.

  Then, the density measurement unit 20 and the gloss measurement unit 22 measure the density and gloss of the colored patch image formed on the recording medium P from the measurement target surface side indicated by the measurement target surface information included in the printing conditions. Then, the density measurement value and the gloss measurement value are output to the rendering processing unit 51.

  Next, the acquisition unit 51H acquires a density measurement value and a glossiness measurement value from the density measurement unit 20 and the glossiness measurement unit 22 (step S108).

  Next, the generation unit 51I sets the target density information 80 and the target glossiness information 82 corresponding to the density measurement value and the glossiness measurement value acquired in step S108 and the printing conditions included in the patch print data acquired in step S100. Is used to generate gradation correction information (step S110).

  Next, the generation unit 51I stores the generated gradation correction information in the storage unit 59 in association with the printing conditions (step S112), and ends this routine.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S102 that print data has been received (step S102: No), the process proceeds to step S114.

  In step S144, the rendering processing unit 51 interprets the color plane data included in the print data, converts the color plane data in the vector format into the raster format, and converts the color space expressed in the RGB format or the like into the CMYK format. Conversion to a color space generates CMYK 8-bit color plane data (step S114).

  Next, the correction unit 53 reads gradation correction information corresponding to the printing conditions included in the print data received in step S100 from the storage unit 59 (step S116). Then, the correction unit 53 corrects the gradation values of the CMYK 8-bit color plane data generated in step S114 using the read gradation correction information (step S118).

  Next, the halftone engine 55 performs halftone processing on the corrected CMYK 8-bit color plane data and generates CMYK 2-bit color plane data (step S120).

  Next, when the gloss control plane data is included in the print data received in step S100 (step S122: Yes), the clear processing 56 generates clear toner plane data from the gloss control plane data (step S124). ). Then, the process proceeds to step S126. On the other hand, if the print data received in step S100 does not include gloss control plane data (step S122: No). Proceed to step S126.

  In step S126, the first output unit 58 obtains the printing conditions included in the print data received in step S100, the CMYK 2-bit color plane data generated in step S120, and the clear toner plane data in step S124. If generated, output data including clear toner plane data is output to the image forming unit 18 via the MIC 60 (step S126). Then, this routine ends.

  As described above, the DFE 50 (image processing apparatus) of the present embodiment includes the acquisition unit 51H, the generation unit 51I, the correction unit 53, and the first output unit 58. The acquisition unit 51H is a color patch image formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit based on the color patch image data that defines the color patch image region in which the reference gradation value corresponding to the target density and the target glossiness is set. The density measurement value and the glossiness measurement value are obtained. The generation unit 51I corrects the gradation value of the color plane data that defines the color area to which the color toner is applied so that the density measurement value and the glossiness measurement value match the target density and the target glossiness. Key adjustment information is generated. The correction unit 53 corrects the gradation value of the color plane data using the gradation correction information. The first output unit 58 outputs the corrected color plane data to the image forming unit 18.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, not only the density of the colored patch image but also the glossiness is measured, and tone correction information is generated using the density measurement value and the glossiness measurement value. Then, the gradation value of the color plane data is corrected using the generated gradation correction information. For this reason, it is possible to perform gradation correction that takes into account the effect of the gloss of the recording medium P itself.

  Therefore, the DFE 50 (image processing apparatus) according to the present embodiment has an effect that it is possible to perform appropriate gradation correction for realizing the target glossiness and density.

  Further, in the DFE 50 of the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the stability of print quality.

  In the present embodiment, the tone correction information is generated using the density measurement value and the glossiness measurement value, so that the medium type of the recording medium P that is an image forming target is the transparent recording medium PA. However, it is possible to perform gradation correction in consideration of the effect of the gloss of the transparent recording medium PA itself.

  Further, the DFE 50 according to the present embodiment forms a patch image on the recording medium P using patch image data corresponding to the printing conditions. Then, tone correction information corresponding to the printing conditions is generated using the glossiness measurement value and the density measurement value of the formed colored patch image. Then, the gradation value of the color plane data is corrected using the gradation correction information corresponding to the printing condition of the color plane data.

  For this reason, in addition to the above effects, the DFE 50 according to the present embodiment can perform appropriate gradation correction for realizing a target glossiness and density according to printing conditions.

  For this reason, for example, the medium type of the recording medium P to be formed is not limited to the transparent recording medium PA, and even when the recording medium P is the opaque recording medium PB, gradation correction according to the printing conditions is performed. be able to.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the toner type information included in the printing conditions includes a toner type indicating white toner and includes an application order indicating that the white toner 78 is to be formed on the recording medium P, the recording medium P includes In accordance with the application order, white toner 78 and colored toner 74 are applied (see FIG. 11). Then, glossiness measurement and density measurement are performed using a patch image formed on the recording medium P using the white toner 78 and the colored toner 74 to generate gradation correction information.

  As described above, the white toner 78 functions as a base layer of the color toner 74 by applying the color toner 74 and the like after applying the white toner 78 to the recording medium P. For this reason, it is possible to perform tone correction of the color plane data under printing conditions that are not easily affected by the material of the recording medium P. Therefore, in the DFE 50 of this embodiment, in addition to the above effects, gradation correction can be performed while suppressing the influence of the material of the recording medium P.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the type of the recording medium P indicated by the medium type information included in the printing conditions is the opaque recording medium PB, the gloss measurement and the patch image formed on the opaque recording medium PB are performed. Density measurement is performed to generate gradation correction information. Here, when the opaque recording medium PB is, for example, dark color paper (high density color paper), there has been a problem that the density of a glossy or CMYK colored image is difficult to stabilize. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since gradation correction information corresponding to the printing conditions is generated, in addition to the above effects, gradation correction that further suppresses the influence of the material of the recording medium P can be performed. In addition, by forming the white toner 78 as a base layer on the recording medium P, it is possible to further perform gradation correction while suppressing the influence of the material of the recording medium P.

  In the present embodiment, the generation unit 51I has been described with reference to the case where the gradation correction information corresponding to the printing conditions is generated and stored in the storage unit 59 in association with the printing conditions. However, the generation unit 51I generates gradation correction information corresponding to all of a plurality of types of printing conditions with different conditions, and stores them in the storage unit 59 as gradation correction information corresponding to all types of printing conditions. Also good.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the DFE 50 is configured to generate gradation correction information. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

  That is, any one of a plurality of processes performed by one apparatus may be performed by one or more other apparatuses connected to the one apparatus via a network.

  As an example, in the image processing system according to the present embodiment, a part of the DFE function is mounted on a server device on the network.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the image processing system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 26, the image processing system of the present embodiment includes a host device 10, a DFE 3050, an MIC 60, a printer 12, a glosser 14, a low-temperature fixing device 16, and a server device 3060 on the cloud. It has. Post-processing devices such as the glosser 14 and the low-temperature fixing device 16 are not limited to these.

  In this embodiment, the DFE 3050 is connected to the server device 3060 via a network such as the Internet. In the present embodiment, the generation unit 51I in the rendering processing unit 51 of the DFE 50 according to the first embodiment is provided in the server device 3060.

  The connection configuration of the host device 10, DFE 3050, MIC 60, printer 12, glosser 14, and low-temperature fixing device 16 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  First, the server device 3060 will be described. FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the server device 3060 according to this embodiment. The server device 3060 mainly includes a storage unit 3070, a generation unit 3062, and a communication unit 3065.

  The storage unit 3070 is a storage medium such as an HDD or a memory, and stores data similar to that of the storage unit 59 of the first embodiment.

  The communication unit 3065 exchanges various data and requests with the DFE 3050. More specifically, the communication unit 3065 receives the density measurement value and the glossiness measurement value from the DFE 3050 or the density measurement unit 20 and the glossiness measurement unit 22. In addition, the communication unit 3065 transmits the generated gradation correction information to the DFE 3050.

  The generation unit 3062 performs the same processing as the generation unit 51I of the first embodiment, and generates gradation correction information according to the printing conditions.

  Next, the DFE 3050 will be described. FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the DFE 3050 according to the present embodiment. The DFE 3050 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a rendering processing unit 3051, an si1 unit 52, a correction unit 53, an si2 unit 54, a halftone engine 55, an si3 unit 57, and a first output unit 58. Prepare. The si1 unit 52, the correction unit 53, the si2 unit 54, the halftone engine 55, the si3 unit 57, and the first output unit 58 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The DFE 3050 of this embodiment includes a rendering processing unit 3051 instead of the rendering processing unit 51 of the first embodiment. The rendering processing unit 3051 has the same configuration as the rendering processing unit 51 of the first embodiment except that the generation unit 51I is provided in the server device 3060.

  Next, image processing in the image processing system according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 29 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of image processing in the present embodiment.

  First, the second output unit 51G (see FIG. 9) in the rendering processing unit 3051 of the DFE 3050 executes output processing for outputting the patch output data to the image forming unit 18 in the same manner as in the first embodiment (Step S1). S200). Next, the acquisition unit 51H (see FIG. 9) acquires the glossy measurement value and the density measurement value of the colored patch image in the same manner as in the first embodiment (step S202).

  Next, the acquiring unit 51H transmits the acquired glossiness measurement value and density measurement value and the corresponding printing conditions to the server device 3060 (step S204).

  The generation unit 3062 of the server device 3060 generates gradation correction information corresponding to the received printing conditions in the same manner as the generation unit 51I of the first embodiment (step S206). Then, the communication unit 3065 transmits the generated gradation correction information and the printing conditions to the DFE 3050 (Step S208).

  The rendering processing unit 3051 stores the received gradation correction information in the storage unit 59 in association with the received printing conditions (step S210).

  Note that the processing of the clear processing 56, the halftone engine 55, and the like is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the gradation correction information is generated by the server device 3060 on the cloud. For this reason, in this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, even when there are a plurality of DFE 3050, gradation correction information can be generated and updated in a lump. It will be convenient for the person.

  In this embodiment, the generation unit 3062 is provided in the single server device 3060 on the cloud, and the gradation correction information is generated by the server device 3060. However, the present invention is not limited to this. is not.

  For example, two or more server devices may be provided on the cloud, and each of the above processes may be distributed and executed by two or more server devices. FIG. 30 is a network configuration diagram in which two servers (a first server device 3860 and a second server device 3861) are provided on the cloud. In the example of FIG. 30, the first server device 3860 and the second server device 3861 are configured to perform the generation processing of gradation correction information in a distributed manner. In addition, the form of distribution to each server apparatus of each process can be performed arbitrarily.

  That is, if a minimum configuration is provided in the DFE 3050, a part or all of the processing performed by the DFE 3050 may be concentrated on a single server device on the cloud or distributed among a plurality of server devices. Can be done arbitrarily.

  In other words, as in the above-described example, any one of a plurality of processes performed by one device can be performed by one or more other devices connected to the one device via a network.

  In addition, in the case of the above-mentioned “configuration performed by one or more other devices connected to one device via a network”, data (information) generated by processing performed by one device is transferred from one device to another. The configuration includes data input / output processing performed between one device and another device, such as processing to output to the device, processing to input the data to another device, and between other devices. .

  That is, in the case where there is one other device, the configuration includes data input / output processing performed between the one device and the other device. When there are two or more other devices, the one device and the other device The configuration includes data input / output processing between other devices such as between the devices and between the first other device and the second other device.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of server devices such as the server device 3060 or the first server device 3860 and the second server device 3861 are provided on the cloud. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the server device 3060 or a plurality of server devices such as the first server device 3860 and the second server device 3861 may be provided on any network such as an intranet.

  The hardware configuration of the host device 10, the DFEs 50 and 3050, the server device 3060, the first server device 3860, and the second server device 3861 according to the above-described embodiment will be described. FIG. 31 is a hardware configuration diagram of the host device 10, the DFEs 50 and 3050, and the server device 3060. The host device 10, DFE 50, 3050, server device 3060, first server device 3860, and second server device 3861 store a control device 2901 such as a CPU that controls the entire device, various data, and various programs as a hardware configuration. Main storage device 2902 such as ROM and RAM, auxiliary storage device 2903 such as HDD for storing various data and various programs, input device 2905 such as keyboard and mouse, and display device 2904 such as display device are mainly used. It has a hardware configuration using a normal computer.

  An image processing program (including an image processing application; the same applies hereinafter) executed by the DFEs 50 and 3050, the server device 3060, the first server device 3860, and the second server device 3861 according to the above-described embodiment is an installable format or An executable file is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) and provided as a computer program product.

  Further, the image processing program executed by the DFE 50, 3050, the server device 3060, the first server device 3860, and the second server device 3861 according to the above embodiment is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet. You may comprise so that it may provide by downloading via a network. In addition, the image processing program executed by the DFE 50, 3050, the server device 3060, the first server device 3860, and the second server device 3861 according to the above embodiment is provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Also good.

  Further, the image processing program executed by the DFE 50, 3050, the server device 3060, the first server device 3860, and the second server device 3861 of the above-described embodiment may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like. Good.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, you may delete some components from all the components shown by the said embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined. Various modifications are possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image processing system is configured to include the host device 10, DFE 50, 3050, MIC 60, printer 12, glosser 14, and low-temperature fixing device 16, but is not limited thereto. For example, the DFE 50, the MIC 60, and the printer 12 may be integrally formed to constitute a single image forming apparatus, or may be formed as an image forming apparatus that includes the glosser 14 and the low-temperature fixing device 16. It may be.

  In the image processing system according to the above-described embodiment, an image is formed using a plurality of CMYK colored toners, but an image may be formed using a single color toner.

  In the above-described embodiment, the MIC 60 is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The processing and functions performed by the MIC 60 described above may be provided to other devices such as the DFE 50, and the MIC 60 may not be provided.

18 Image forming unit 20 Density measuring unit 22 Glossiness measuring unit 50 DFE
51G Second output unit 51H Acquisition unit 51I Generation unit 53 Correction unit 58 First output unit 59 Storage unit

JP 2012-32714 A

Claims (11)

Density measurement value of the colored patch image formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit based on the colored patch image data defining the colored patch image area in which the reference gradation value corresponding to the target density and the target glossiness is set And an acquisition unit for acquiring glossiness measurement values;
A gradation for correcting the gradation value of the color plane data that defines the colored region to which the colored toner is applied so that the density measurement value and the gloss measurement value coincide with the target density and the target gloss. A generation unit for generating correction information;
A correction unit that corrects the gradation value of the color plane data using the gradation correction information;
A first output unit that outputs the corrected color plane data to the image forming unit;
With
Image processing device. A storage unit that stores in advance target density information that defines a relationship between the reference gradation value and the target density, and target glossiness information that defines a relationship between the target density and the target glossiness;
The generator is
The relationship between the reference gradation value and the density measurement value matches the relationship defined in the target density information, and the relationship between the target density and the gloss measurement value is a relationship defined in the target gloss information. Generating the gradation correction information for correcting the gradation value of the color plane data so as to match
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The storage unit
Patch image data including the colored patch image data, the target density information, and the target glossiness information are stored in advance in association with printing conditions,
The image processing apparatus
A receiving unit that receives the colored patch image formation instruction and the printing condition;
A second output unit that outputs the patch image data corresponding to the received printing condition to the image forming unit when the forming instruction is received;
With
The generator is
The relationship between the reference gradation value and the measured density value matches the relationship set in the target density information corresponding to the received printing condition, and the relationship between the target density and the measured glossiness value is Generating the gradation correction information for correcting the gradation value of the color plane data so as to coincide with the relationship set in the target glossiness information corresponding to the received printing condition, Store them in the storage unit in association with each other,
The correction unit is
Using the gradation correction information corresponding to the printing conditions at the time of image formation of the color plane data, the gradation value of the color plane data is corrected.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2.   4. The image according to claim 3, wherein the printing condition includes toner type information indicating a toner type of toner used for image formation, and a toner application order of the toner type indicated by the toner type information on the recording medium. 5. Processing equipment.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing condition includes the toner type information indicating each of a color toner and a special color toner as the toner type.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing condition includes the toner type information indicating a color toner and at least one of a special color toner and a white toner as the toner type.   7. The print condition according to claim 4, wherein the printing condition includes the toner type information, the application order, and medium type information indicating a type of the recording medium on which an image is to be formed. Image processing device. The printing condition includes measurement target surface information indicating a measurement target surface of density and glossiness,
The acquisition unit
The density measurement value and the glossiness measurement measured from the measurement target surface side indicated by the measurement target surface information included in the printing condition of the colored patch image formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a value is acquired. Density measurement value of the colored patch image formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit based on the colored patch image data defining the colored patch image area in which the reference gradation value corresponding to the target density and the target glossiness is set And obtaining glossiness measurements;
A gradation for correcting the gradation value of the color plane data that defines the colored region to which the colored toner is applied so that the density measurement value and the gloss measurement value coincide with the target density and the target gloss. Generating correction information;
Correcting the gradation value of the color plane data using the gradation correction information;
Outputting the corrected color plane data to the image forming unit;
An image processing method including: Density measurement value of the colored patch image formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit based on the colored patch image data defining the colored patch image area in which the reference gradation value corresponding to the target density and the target glossiness is set And obtaining glossiness measurements;
A gradation for correcting the gradation value of the color plane data that defines the colored region to which the colored toner is applied so that the density measurement value and the gloss measurement value coincide with the target density and the target gloss. Generating correction information;
Correcting the gradation value of the color plane data using the gradation correction information;
Outputting the corrected color plane data to the image forming unit;
A program that causes a computer to execute. Density measurement value of the colored patch image formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit based on the colored patch image data defining the colored patch image area in which the reference gradation value corresponding to the target density and the target glossiness is set And an acquisition unit for acquiring glossiness measurement values;
A gradation for correcting the gradation value of the color plane data that defines the colored region to which the colored toner is applied so that the density measurement value and the gloss measurement value coincide with the target density and the target gloss. A generation unit for generating correction information;
A correction unit that corrects the gradation value of the color plane data using the gradation correction information;
A first output unit that outputs the corrected color plane data to the image forming unit;
An image processing apparatus comprising:
The image forming unit;
An image processing system.

Images