JP2018187870A - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable easy ecological print processing of only a portion desired by a user when an image forming apparatus performs print processing based on data.SOLUTION: When an operation reception section receives an ecological print processing condition for designating a color image region in an image forming apparatus 1, a color image region detection section 14 detects the color image region in the image data in accordance with the ecological print processing condition. An object range detection section 13 defines the color image region detected by the color image region detection section 14 as an ecological print object range. A control section 11 causes a printing section 22 to perform ecological print processing in the ecological print object range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system, and more particularly to a technique for causing an image forming apparatus to perform eco print processing.

  In the image forming system, a technique has been proposed in which an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer issues an instruction to an image forming apparatus on a network to execute print processing in the image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus, a technique has been proposed in which eco-print processing is performed with a reduction in printing cost compared to normal print processing by reducing toner consumption.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a means for recognizing whether image data is in a character area or a photographic area, and eco print processing in a mask mode is set in the character area, and eco print in a light amount mode is set in the photographic area. A technique having means for setting processing has been proposed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 calculates toner consumption for each of a plurality of pixel attributes based on the value of each pixel in image data. A technique has been proposed for reducing the toner consumption amount for all of the plurality of pixel attributes when the total toner consumption amount exceeds a predetermined reference value.

JP 2001-034118 A JP 2014-044290 A

  However, with the conventional technology as described above, it is not possible for the image forming apparatus to eco-print only the portion desired by the user among the data to be printed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to easily perform eco-print processing only on a portion desired by a user when the image forming apparatus performs print processing based on data. Objective.

  An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention provides a first display unit, a first operation receiving unit that receives an operation instruction from a user, a data acquisition unit that acquires image data of a document, and a recording medium A normal printing process that does not reduce the printing cost, a printing unit that performs an eco-printing process with a printing cost lower than that of the normal printing process, and an eco-type that indicates the conditions in the eco-printing process for the image data. When the first display control unit that causes the first display unit to display the print processing condition and the first operation reception unit receive the specification of the eco print processing condition, A target range detection unit that detects an eco print target range that is a target of the eco print process according to print processing conditions, and the target range detection unit includes If it detects a printing target range for the EcoPrint scope, a first control unit to perform the eco printing process to the printing unit, in which comprises a.

  An image forming system according to another aspect of the present invention is an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is the image forming apparatus, and the information The image processing apparatus further includes a first communication unit that performs data communication with the processing device, wherein the information processing device includes a second display unit, a second operation reception unit that receives an operation instruction from a user, and the image formation A second communication unit that performs data communication with the apparatus, a display that prompts the user to specify document data to be printed by the image forming apparatus, and to specify the eco-print processing conditions for the document data. A second display control unit that causes the second display unit to perform the document data received by the second operation receiving unit in a printer language suitable for the image forming apparatus. A printer driver unit that creates a print job file that includes the print data and the eco-print processing conditions received by the second operation receiving unit, and the printer driver unit A second control unit that transmits the print job file from the second communication unit when the file is created, and the target range detection unit of the image forming apparatus includes the first communication unit. When the print job file is received, an eco print target range to be subjected to the eco print process in the print data is detected according to the eco print process condition included in the print job file.

  According to the present invention, when the image forming apparatus performs print processing based on data, it is possible to easily perform eco print processing only on a portion desired by the user.

1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the image forming apparatus. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document to be subjected to an eco print process. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of recording paper that has undergone eco-print processing in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process from (1) shown in FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. (A) And (B) is a figure explaining an example of the processing operation in the area | region size discrimination | determination part shown in FIG. (A) And (B) is a figure explaining an example of the processing operation in the area | region size discrimination | determination part shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of eco-printed recording paper in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing in an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process from (2) shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of recording paper that has been eco-printed in an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of recording paper that has been eco-printed in an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing in an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of recording paper that has been eco-printed in an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing in an image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of recording paper that has undergone eco-print processing in an image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the whole image forming system using the image forming apparatus which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 7th Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the principal part structure of information processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in information processing apparatus. It is the figure which showed an example of the display screen displayed on the display part of information processing apparatus. It is the figure which showed an example of the display screen displayed on the display part of information processing apparatus. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing in an image forming apparatus according to a seventh embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process from (3) shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process from (4) shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of recording paper that has undergone eco-print processing in an image forming apparatus according to a seventh embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment showing an image forming apparatus and an image forming system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

<First Embodiment>
With reference to FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be specifically described. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10. The control unit 10 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a dedicated hardware circuit, and the like, and controls overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a document reading unit 20, a document feeding unit 21, a printing unit 22, an image memory 23, an image processing unit 24, a display unit 30, a touch panel 31, an operation unit 32, a communication unit 33, and a storage unit. 34 is provided.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 performs a document reading operation, the document reading unit 20 optically reads an image of the document fed by the document feeding unit 21 and generates image data.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 performs an image forming operation (that is, a printing operation), a control unit (to be described later) of the control unit 10 controls a paper cassette (not shown) based on the image data generated by the document reading operation. The printing unit 22 is caused to execute a printing process on a recording sheet serving as a recording medium fed from the printer, and an image is formed on the recording sheet.

  The document reading unit 20 includes a reading mechanism (not shown) having a light irradiation unit, a CCD sensor, and the like under the control of the control unit 10. The document reading unit 20 irradiates the document with the light irradiating unit and receives the reflected light with the CCD sensor, thereby reading an image from the document and generating image data. The document reading unit 20 is an example of a data acquisition unit in the claims.

  The image memory 23 temporarily stores image data of a document image obtained by reading by the document reading unit 20, and temporarily stores data for print processing (print processing) to be printed by the printing unit 22. It is an area to do.

  The image processing unit 24 reads the image read by the document reading unit 20 from the image memory 23 and performs image processing. For example, the image processing unit 24 performs predetermined image processing such as shading correction in order to improve the quality after the image read by the document reading unit 20 is formed by the printing unit 22.

  The printing unit 22 forms an image such as image data read by the document reading unit 20. Specifically, when the printing unit 22 performs color printing, for example, the magenta image forming unit, the cyan image forming unit, the yellow image forming unit, and the black image forming unit of the printing unit 22 are: In each case, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum by charging, exposing, and developing processes based on the image composed of the respective color components constituting the printing data, and the toner image is intermediated by the primary transfer roller. Transfer onto a transfer belt (not shown).

  The toner images of the respective colors transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt with the transfer timing adjusted to form a color toner image. The secondary transfer roller is a recording in which the color toner image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt is conveyed through the conveyance path from the paper feeding unit at a nip portion between the intermediate transfer belt and the driving roller. Transfer to paper (not shown). Thereafter, the fixing unit fixes the toner image on the recording paper to the recording paper by thermocompression bonding (not shown). The recording paper on which the color image has been formed after completion of the fixing process is discharged to a discharge tray (not shown).

  In addition, the printing unit 22 performs normal printing processing that does not reduce the printing cost on the recording paper and eco-printing processing that reduces the printing cost compared to the normal printing processing under the control of the control unit. Do. For example, in the eco print process, for a monochrome image included in the image data or the like, the amount of black toner consumed is reduced by lowering the pixel value (that is, toner density) at the black pixel included in the monochrome image. The printing process is performed in a state where the image quality is reduced. In the eco print process, for a color image included in the image data or the like, the color toner is changed by changing the color image to a monochrome image or lowering the pixel value of the color pixel included in the color image. The printing process is performed in a state where the amount of consumption is reduced.

  The display unit 30 includes a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like. The display unit 30 is an example of a first display unit in the claims.

  A touch panel 31 is disposed on the front surface of the display unit 30. The touch panel 31 is a so-called resistive film type or electrostatic capacity type touch panel, and detects contact (touch) by the user on the touch panel 31 together with the contact position. When the touch panel 31 detects contact by the user, the touch panel 31 outputs a detection signal indicating the coordinate position of the contact point to the control unit 11 described later.

  The operation unit 32 is a hard key including, for example, a menu key for calling a menu, an arrow key for moving the focus of a GUI constituting the menu, a determination key for performing a confirmation operation on the GUI constituting the menu. The touch panel 31 and the operation unit 32 are an example of a first operation reception unit in the claims.

  The communication unit 33 includes a communication module such as a LAN board. Under the control of the control unit 11 and the like, various data are exchanged with the information processing apparatus and the like through a network connected to the communication unit 33. Communicate. The communication unit 33 is an example of a first communication unit in the claims.

  The storage unit 34 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

  The control unit 10 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and governs the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 10 includes a control unit 11, a display control unit 12, a target range detection unit 13, and a color image region detection unit 14.

  The control unit 10 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU, or ASIC. The control unit 10 includes a control unit 11, a display control unit 12, a target range detection unit 13, and a color image region detection unit by executing a print execution program stored in the storage unit 34 and the like on the processor. 14 functions. Note that the control unit 11, the display control unit 12, the target range detection unit 13, and the color image region detection unit 14 may each be configured by a hardware circuit, regardless of the operation based on the print execution program. The same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise specified.

  The control unit 11 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The document reading unit 20, the document feeding unit 21, the printing unit 22, the image memory 23, the image processing unit 24, the display unit 30, and the touch panel 31. The operation unit 32, the communication unit 33, the storage unit 34, and the like are connected to perform drive control of these units. The control unit 11 is an example of a first control unit in the claims.

  The display control unit 12 performs display control of the display unit 30. Further, the display control unit 12 causes the display unit 30 to display the image data for specifying the eco print processing condition indicating the condition in the eco print processing. The display control unit 12 is an example of a first display control unit in the claims.

  When the first operation accepting unit accepts the specification of the eco print processing condition, the target range detection unit 13 performs eco print on the image data generated by the document reading unit 20 according to the eco print processing condition. An eco print target range to be processed is detected.

  The color image area detection unit 14 detects a color image area in the image data according to the eco print processing condition. For example, the color image area detection unit 14 detects a color image area in the image data by a known technique. That is, the color image area detection unit 14 determines the color pixels other than the black pixels by determining the pixel values of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black in the pixels included in the image data. The color image area composed of the color pixels is detected. Then, the target range detection unit 13 stores the color image region detected by the color image region detection unit 14 in the image memory 23 or the like as the eco print target range.

  In addition, when the target range detection unit 13 detects the eco print target range, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform the eco print process for the eco print target range. In other words, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform eco-print processing based on the data part of the eco-print target range detected by the target range detection unit 13 in the image data, and sets the data part other than the eco-print target range. The printing unit 22 is caused to perform the normal print processing based on the above.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be specifically described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the image forming apparatus. In the following description, a case where the original G shown in FIG. 5 is read by the original reading unit 20 and the eco print process is performed by the printing unit 22 will be mainly described. In FIG. 5, areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 surrounded by dotted lines are color image areas constituted by the color pixels, and these areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 are As indicated by a solid line in FIG. 5, it is included in a rectangular area (a square area including a square and a rectangle). Further, it is assumed that the areas P3, P4, P7, and P8 surrounded by dotted lines are text areas composed of black pixels (the same applies to the original G shown in FIG. 32).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the operation receiving unit has received a request for instructing execution of the eco print process by the user (S1). For example, when the display control unit 12 causes the display unit 30 to display the display unit 30 so as to prompt the user to perform a processing operation, as shown in FIG. 3, the eco print processing key 31A is designated by the user. It is determined whether or not a request for instructing execution of the eco print process has been made. If the touch panel 31 has not detected that the eco print processing key 31A has been designated (NO in S1), the control unit 11 does not proceed to S2, but sets the image forming apparatus 1 in a standby state.

  On the other hand, when it is detected that the eco print process key 31A is designated by the user and accepted by the touch panel 31 (YES in S1), the control unit 11 determines that execution of the eco print process is requested. Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the display control unit 12 causes the display unit 30 to perform a display prompting specification of the eco print processing condition (S2). That is, as shown in the display screen of FIG. 4, the display control unit 12 has a color image area key 31B, an area size designation key 31C, a rectangular area key 31D, and a text key 31E for allowing the user to designate eco-print processing conditions. The font size designation key 31F and the range designation key 31G are displayed on the display unit 30. However, in this embodiment, as described later, when the color image area key 31B is designated, the control unit 11 determines that the eco print processing condition is designated by the user. In addition, the area size designation key 31C, the rectangular area key 31D, the text key 31E, the font size designation key 31F, and the range designation key 31G are respectively set to the eco print processing condition by the user in the second to sixth embodiments. (Details will be described later).

  Then, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the operation receiving unit has received designation of the eco print processing condition by the user (S3). For example, if the touch panel 31 does not detect that the color image area key 31B has been designated on the display screen shown in FIG. 4 (NO in S3), the control unit 11 does not proceed to S4. The image forming apparatus 1 is set in a standby state.

  On the other hand, when the touch panel 31 detects that the color image region key 31B is designated by the user (YES in S3), the control unit 11 determines that the color image region is designated as the eco print processing condition. Then, the color image area detection unit 14 reads the image data of the original G read by the original reading unit 20 from the image memory 23, and determines a known color image area, for example, a color pixel in the image data. By determining, an area composed of the color pixels is detected as a color image area (S4). As a result, in the original G shown in FIG. 5, the color image area detection unit 14 detects the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6.

  Subsequently, the target range detection unit 13 detects the color image regions P1, P2, P5, and P6 detected by the color image region detection unit 14 as the eco print target range (S5).

  Then, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform a printing process based on the image data of the original G (S6). That is, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform the eco print process based on the data portions of the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 that are the eco print target range, and the areas other than the eco print target range. That is, the normal print processing based on the data portions of the text areas P3, P4, P7, and P8 is performed by the printing unit 22. As a result, in the recording paper P shown in FIG. 6, the eco-print process is performed in the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 surrounded by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Thus, the images in the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 are printed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the eco print processing condition specifying the color image area is received by the operation receiving unit, the color image area detecting unit 14 performs the color image in the image data according to the eco print processing condition. Detect areas. The target range detection unit 13 sets the color image region detected by the color image region detection unit 14 as an eco print target range. The control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform the eco print process for the eco print target range. As described above, in the present embodiment, unlike the above-described conventional example, when the image forming apparatus 1 performs print processing based on data, it is possible to easily perform eco-print processing only on a portion desired by the user.

Second Embodiment
Next, an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a region size determination unit 15 is provided in the control unit 10. The area size determination unit 15 determines the size of the color image area detected by the color image area detection unit 14.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the target range detection unit 13 determines that the region size determination unit 15 determines that the eco print processing condition includes a set value for the size of the color image region. When the size of the color image area is equal to or larger than the set value, a color image area equal to or larger than the set value is set as an eco print target range. In addition, when the size of the color image region determined by the region size determination unit 15 is less than the set value, the target range detection unit 13 does not set the color image region less than the set value as the eco print target range. For this reason, the control unit 11 causes a normal print process to be performed for a color image area less than the set value.

  Next, the processing operation in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing from (1) shown in FIG.

  When the control unit 11 determines in S3 whether the operation accepting unit has accepted the designation of the eco print processing condition, the region size designation key 31C is designated on the display screen shown in FIG. If the touch panel 31 has not detected this (NO in S3), the image forming apparatus 1 is set in a standby state without proceeding to S4.

  On the other hand, when the touch panel 31 detects that the area size designation key 31C has been designated by the user (YES in S3), the control unit 11 designates a color image area as the eco print processing condition, and further displays the color image area. It is determined that the size is specified. Then, the color image area detection unit 14 reads out the image data of the original G read by the original reading unit 20 from the image memory 23, and discriminates color pixels other than black pixels in the image data. A color image area is detected (S4). Thus, the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 are detected by the color image area detection unit 14 in the original G shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the display control unit 12 causes the display unit 30 to perform a display prompting the user to specify a setting value for the size of the color image region (S7). That is, as shown in the display screen of FIG. 10, the display control unit 12 displays a designation column 31C1 for the user to designate the size of the color image area and a pull-down menu 31C2 for designating a unit in the size. Display on the unit 30. Then, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the operation accepting unit has accepted designation of a setting value for the size of the color image area by the user (S8). For example, the control unit 11 indicates that the touch panel 31 indicates that the magnitude value has been designated by the user using a numeric keypad (not shown) in the designation field 31C1 on the display screen shown in FIG. If not detected (NO in S8), the image forming apparatus 1 is set in a standby state without proceeding to S9.

On the other hand, the control unit 11 confirms that, for example, a value of “0.5” is designated in the designation field 31C1 by the user, and further, the pull-down menu 31C2 is pressed to designate “cm ² ”. If it is detected that the touch panel 31 has received the image (YES in S8), it is determined that a color image area of 0.5 cm ² or more is designated as the eco print processing condition. Then, the region size determination unit 15 determines the sizes of the color image regions P1, P2, P5, and P6 detected by the color image region detection unit 14 (S9).

  Subsequently, the region size determination unit 15 determines whether there are two or more color image regions whose sizes have been determined (S10). When the area size determination unit 15 determines that there is one color image region whose size has been determined (NO in S10), the target range detection unit 13 determines that the size of the color image region is the above-described size. It is determined whether or not the set value is greater than or equal to the value specified in S8 (S11). Thereafter, when the target range detection unit 13 determines that the size of the color image area is less than the set value (NO in S11), the target range detection unit 13 determines that the color image area does not correspond to the eco print target range, The process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the size of the color image area is equal to or larger than the set value (YES in S11), the target range detection unit 13 detects the color image area as an eco print target range (S12). Then, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform the eco print process based on the data portion of the color image area detected as the eco print target range in S12, and the above normal based on the data portion of the area other than the eco print target range. The printing section 22 is caused to perform the printing process (S13).

  When the area size determination unit 15 determines that there are two or more color image areas whose sizes have been determined (YES in S10), the distance between the two adjacent color image areas is determined in advance. It is determined whether the distance is smaller than the determined distance (S14). If the area size determination unit 15 determines that the distance between the two adjacent color image areas is smaller than the predetermined distance (YES in S14), the two color image areas are determined as one color. The image area is determined (S15). On the other hand, if the area size determination unit 15 determines that the separation distance between two adjacent color image areas is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance (NO in S14), the two color image areas are determined as one color image area. It is determined not to be a color image area but to be two color image areas independent from each other (S16).

  Here, with reference to FIG. 11 to FIG. 12, the processing operation of S14 to S16 in the region size determination unit 15 will be specifically described. FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are diagrams for explaining an example of the processing operation in the area size determination unit shown in FIG. 12A and 12B are diagrams illustrating an example of the processing operation in the area size determination unit illustrated in FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that a dimension of 101 pixels is set as the predetermined distance.

  In FIG. 11A, for example, there are four yellow pixel blocks CA1 made up of 100 yellow pixels, four in the vertical direction and four in the horizontal direction, for a total of 16 pixels. The area size determining unit 15 determines these 16 yellow pixel blocks CA1 as one yellow color image area. Further, for example, when there are four magenta pixel blocks CA2 made up of 100 magenta pixels in the vertical direction and four in the horizontal direction in FIG. The unit 15 determines these 16 magenta pixel blocks CA2 as one magenta color image region. Further, for example, when there are four cyan pixel blocks CA3 composed of 100 cyan pixels in the vertical direction and eight in the horizontal direction, a total of 32 pixels adjacent to each other, the region size determination is performed. The unit 15 determines these 32 cyan pixel blocks CA3 as one cyan color image region. Further, when the area size determination unit 15 determines that the determined yellow, magenta, and cyan color image areas exist without providing any gaps, the yellow, magenta, and cyan color image areas. Are determined as one color image region. For this reason, the target range determination unit 13 detects the one color image region as an eco print target range. Then, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform eco-print processing based on the data portion of the one color image area. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11B, in each of the yellow, magenta, and cyan color image regions, for example, an eco-print process in which the consumption amount of the corresponding color toner is reduced is performed and printed. The

  Further, in FIG. 12A, for example, four yellow pixel blocks CA1 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction and two in the horizontal direction in FIG. Seven yellow pixel blocks CA1 that are three adjacent in the vertical direction to the pixel block CA1 are 100 pixel void pixels blocks (that is, a black pixel block or a toner of any color) shown in FIG. In other words, the area size determination unit 15 uses the four and seven yellow pixel blocks CA1 as one yellow color image. Determined as an area. Further, the area size determination unit 15 determines that the separation distance between the four yellow pixel blocks CA1 and the seven yellow pixel blocks CA1 is smaller than the dimension of the gap pixel block K, that is, a predetermined distance. These four and seven yellow pixel blocks CA1 are determined as one yellow color image region.

  In FIG. 12A, for example, one magenta pixel block CA2 and four magenta pixel blocks CA2 that are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction and that are adjacent to the lower end of the magenta pixel block CA2 above the lower end. On the other hand, when eight magenta pixel blocks CA2 adjacent in the horizontal direction are present via the gap pixel block K, the region size determination unit 15 determines each of these one and eight pieces. The magenta pixel block CA2 is determined as one magenta color image area. Further, when the region size determination unit 15 determines that the separation distance between one magenta pixel block CA2 and eight magenta pixel blocks CA2 is smaller than a predetermined distance, these one and eight The magenta pixel block CA2 is determined as one magenta color image area.

  In FIG. 12A, for example, eight cyan pixel blocks CA3 adjacent in the horizontal direction, and sixteen cyan pixel blocks CA3 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction and eight in the horizontal direction, When the space pixel block K exists via the gap pixel block K, the region size determination unit 15 determines each of the 8 and 16 cyan pixel blocks CA3 as one cyan color image region. Further, when the region size determination unit 15 determines that the separation distance between the eight cyan pixel blocks CA3 and the sixteen cyan pixel blocks CA3 is smaller than a predetermined distance, the region size determination unit 15 determines these eight and sixteen pixel blocks CA3. The cyan pixel block CA3 is determined as one cyan color image region.

  Further, when the area size determination unit 15 determines that the determined yellow, magenta, and cyan color image areas exist at a separation distance smaller than a predetermined distance from each other, the yellow, magenta, and cyan color image areas are determined. And the color image area of cyan are discriminated as one color image area. For this reason, the target range determination unit 13 detects the one color image region as an eco print target range. Then, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform eco-print processing based on the data portion of the one color image area. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12B, in each of the yellow, magenta, and cyan color image areas, for example, an eco-print process in which the consumption amount of the corresponding color toner is reduced is performed and printed. The

  Returning to FIG. 9, the region size determination unit 15 determines whether or not the separation processing of the separation distances for all the color image regions is completed (S17). If the area size determination unit 15 determines that the separation distance determination process has not been completed for all color image areas (NO in S17), the process returns to S14 and repeats the process.

  On the other hand, if the area size determination unit 15 determines that the separation distance determination process for all the color image areas has been completed (YES in S17), the process proceeds to S11. For example, for the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 detected in S4, the target range detection unit 13 determines that the area size is such that the distance between the two color image areas is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance. When the determination unit 15 determines, it is determined whether or not the sizes of the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 determined in S9 are equal to or larger than the set value specified in S8 (S11). Thereafter, the target range detection unit 13 determines, for example, that the size of the color image area P1 is less than the set value, and further determines that the sizes of the color image areas P2, P5, and P6 are greater than or equal to the set value. If it discriminate | determines, color image area P2, P5, and P6 will be detected as an eco-print object range (S12). Then, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform eco-print processing based on the data portions of the color image areas P2, P5, and P6 detected as the eco-print target range in S12, and the area outside the eco-print target range. The normal print processing based on the data portion is performed by the printing unit 22 (S13). As a result, in the recording paper P shown in FIG. 13, in the color image areas P2, P5, and P6 surrounded by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 13, the eco print process is performed, for example, in black monochrome color. Images in the color image areas P2, P5, and P6 are printed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when an eco print processing condition specifying a color image region having a size equal to or larger than a set value is received by the operation receiving unit, the color image region detecting unit 14 performs the eco print processing condition. Accordingly, a color image region in the image data is detected. The area size determination unit 15 determines the size of the detected color image area. The target range detection unit 13 detects a color image region having a size equal to or larger than a set value according to the eco print processing condition, and sets it as an eco print target range. The control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform the eco print process for the eco print target range. As described above, in the present embodiment, unlike the above-described conventional example, when the image forming apparatus 1 performs print processing based on data, it is possible to easily perform eco-print processing only on a portion desired by the user.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The description of the same configuration as that of the second embodiment is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the rectangular area detection unit 16 is provided in the control unit 10. For example, the rectangular area detection unit 16 performs pattern matching on the image data from the document reading unit 20 using an image indicating a predetermined rectangle stored in the storage unit 34 or the like. The rectangular area is detected from the image data. The color image area detection unit 14 detects a color image area included in the rectangular area detected by the rectangular area detection unit 16, and the area size determination unit 15 detects the color image area detected by the color image area detection unit 14. (That is, the size of the color image area included in the rectangular area detected by the rectangular area detection unit 16).

  In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the target range detection unit 13 determines that the region size determination unit 15 determines that the set value for the size of the color image region is included in the eco print processing condition. When the size of the color image area is equal to or larger than the set value, a color image area equal to or larger than the set value is set as an eco print target range. In addition, when the size of the color image region determined by the region size determination unit 15 is less than the set value, the target range detection unit 13 does not set the color image region less than the set value as the eco print target range. For this reason, the control unit 11 causes a normal print process to be performed for a color image area less than the set value.

  Next, a processing operation in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing from (2) shown in FIG.

  When the control unit 11 determines in S3 whether the operation accepting unit has accepted the designation of the eco print processing condition, the designation of the rectangular area key 31D has been performed on the display screen shown in FIG. Is not detected by the touch panel 31 (NO in S3), the image forming apparatus 1 is set in a standby state without proceeding to S41.

  On the other hand, when the touch panel 31 detects that the rectangular area key 31D is designated by the user (YES in S3), the control unit 11 designates a color image area included in the rectangular area as the eco print processing condition, It is determined that the size of the image area is designated. The rectangular area detection unit 16 reads the image data of the original G read by the original reading unit 20 from the image memory 23, and performs pattern matching on the image data to obtain a rectangular shape from the image data. A region is detected (S41). Subsequently, the color image area detection unit 14 detects a color image area by discriminating color pixels other than black pixels in the rectangular area detected by the rectangular area detection unit 16 (S4). As a result, in the original G shown in FIG. 5, the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 included in the rectangular area are detected by the color image area detection unit.

  Subsequently, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the display control unit 12 causes the display unit 30 to perform a display prompting the user to specify a set value for the size of the color image region (S42). That is, as shown in the display screen of FIG. 10, the display control unit 12 displays a designation column 31C1 for the user to designate the size of the color image area and a pull-down menu 31C2 for designating a unit in the size. Display on the unit 30. Then, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the operation accepting unit has accepted designation of a set value for the size of the color image region by the user (S43). For example, the control unit 11 indicates that the touch panel 31 indicates that the magnitude value has been designated by the user using a numeric keypad (not shown) in the designation field 31C1 on the display screen shown in FIG. If not detected (NO in S43), the image forming apparatus 1 is set in a standby state without proceeding to S9.

On the other hand, the control unit 11 confirms that, for example, a value of “0.5” is designated in the designation field 31C1 by the user, and further, the pull-down menu 31C2 is pressed to designate “cm ² ”. When it is detected that the touch panel 31 has received the image (YES in S43), it is determined that a color image area of 0.5 cm ² or more is designated as the eco print processing condition. Then, the region size determination unit 15 determines the sizes of the color image regions P1, P2, P5, and P6 detected by the color image region detection unit 14 (S9).

  Subsequently, the region size determination unit 15 determines whether there are two or more color image regions whose sizes have been determined (S10). When the area size determination unit 15 determines that there is one color image region whose size has been determined (NO in S10), the target range detection unit 13 determines that the size of the color image region is the above-described size. It is determined whether or not the set value is greater than or equal to that specified in S8 (S44). Thereafter, when the target range detection unit 13 determines that the size of the color image area is less than the set value (NO in S44), the target range detection unit 13 determines that the color image area does not correspond to the eco-print target range, The process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the size of the color image area is equal to or larger than the set value (YES in S44), the target range detection unit 13 detects the color image area as the eco print target range (S12). Then, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform the eco print process based on the data portion of the color image area detected as the eco print target range in S12, and the above normal based on the data portion of the area other than the eco print target range. The printing section 22 is caused to perform the printing process (S13).

  When the area size determination unit 15 determines that there are two or more color image areas whose sizes have been determined (YES in S10), the distance between the two adjacent color image areas is determined in advance. It is determined whether the distance is smaller than the determined distance (S14). If the area size determination unit 15 determines that the distance between the two adjacent color image areas is smaller than the predetermined distance (YES in S14), the two color image areas are determined as one color. The image area is determined (S15). On the other hand, if the area size determination unit 15 determines that the separation distance between two adjacent color image areas is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance (NO in S14), the two color image areas are determined as one color image area. It is determined not to be a color image area but to be two color image areas independent from each other (S16).

  Subsequently, the area size determination unit 15 determines whether or not the separation distance determination process for all the color image areas is completed (S17). If the area size determination unit 15 determines that the separation distance determination process has not been completed for all color image areas (NO in S17), the process returns to S14 and repeats the process.

  On the other hand, if the area size determination unit 15 determines that the separation distance determination process for all color image areas has been completed (YES in S17), the process proceeds to S44. For example, for the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 detected in S4, the target range detection unit 13 determines that the area size is such that the distance between the two color image areas is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance. When the determination unit 15 determines, it is determined whether or not the sizes of the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 determined in S9 are equal to or larger than the set value specified in S43 (S44). Thereafter, the target range detection unit 13 determines, for example, that the size of the color image region P1 is less than the set value, and further determines that the sizes of the color image regions P2, P5, and P6 are greater than or equal to the set value. If it discriminate | determines, color image area P2, P5, and P6 will be detected as an eco-print object range (S12). Then, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform eco-print processing based on the data portions of the color image areas P2, P5, and P6 detected as the eco-print target range in S12, and the area outside the eco-print target range. The normal print processing based on the data portion is performed by the printing unit 22 (S13). As a result, in the recording paper P shown in FIG. 17, the eco-print process is performed in the color image areas P2, P5, and P6 surrounded by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Images in the color image areas P2, P5, and P6 are printed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when an eco print processing condition that specifies a color image area that is included in the rectangular area and has a size equal to or larger than the set value is received by the operation reception unit, the eco print processing condition Accordingly, the rectangular area detector 16 detects a rectangular area in the image data, and the color image area detector 14 detects a color image area included in the detected rectangular area. The area size determination unit 15 determines the size of the detected color image area. The target range detection unit 13 detects a color image region that is included in the rectangular region and has a size equal to or larger than the set value according to the eco print processing condition, and sets it as the eco print target range. The control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform the eco print process for the eco print target range. As described above, in the present embodiment, unlike the above-described conventional example, when the image forming apparatus 1 performs print processing based on data, it is possible to easily perform eco-print processing only on a portion desired by the user.

<Fourth embodiment>
An image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described. The difference between the present embodiment and the first to third embodiments is that, in the present embodiment, an area other than the color image area is set as an eco print target range. Note that a description of the same configurations as those in the first to third embodiments is omitted.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the target range detection unit 13 is a region other than the color image region detected by the color image region detection unit 14 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 7, or FIG. Is the above-mentioned eco-print target range.

  That is, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 11 detects the eco print processing condition when the touch panel 31 detects that the text key 31E is designated by the user on the display screen illustrated in FIG. Judge that text is specified. Then, the color image area detection unit 14 detects a color image area, as in the first, second, or third embodiment. Thereafter, the target range detection unit 13 sets a region other than the detected color image region as the eco print target range in the image data. For example, the target range detection unit 13 detects text regions P3, P4, P7, and P8, which are regions other than the color image region, as the eco-print target range in the original G shown in FIG.

  Then, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform ecoprint processing based on each data portion of the text areas P3, P4, P7, and P8 that are the ecoprint target range, and the area other than the ecoprint target range, That is, the normal print processing based on the data portions of the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 is performed by the printing unit 22. As a result, on the recording paper P shown in FIG. 18, the eco print process is performed in the text areas P3, P4, P7, and P8 surrounded by the two-dot chain line in FIG. The text in the text areas P3, P4, P7, and P8 is printed in a state in which is reduced.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the target range detection unit 13 sets a region other than the color image region detected by the color image region detection unit 14 as the eco print target range. The control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform the eco print process for the eco print target range. As described above, in the present embodiment, unlike the above-described conventional example, when the image forming apparatus 1 performs print processing based on data, it is possible to easily perform eco-print processing only on a portion desired by the user.

<Fifth Embodiment>
Next, an image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 19, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a text detection unit 17 is provided in the control unit 10. The text detection unit 17 detects text by performing OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing on the image data. Further, the control unit 10 is provided with a font size determination unit 18. The font size determination unit 18 determines the font size of the text detected by the text detection unit 17 using a known technique.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the target range detection unit 13 determines the font of the text determined by the font size determination unit 18 when the eco print processing condition includes a size value for the font size of the text. When the size is equal to or larger than the size value, text having a font size equal to or larger than the size value is set as the eco print target range. Further, when the font size of the text determined by the font size determination unit 18 is less than the size value, the target range detection unit 13 does not set the text less than the size value as the eco print target range. For this reason, the control part 11 performs a normal print process about the text below a size value.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 20, a processing operation in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the fifth embodiment will be specifically described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the image forming apparatus in the fifth embodiment.

  When the control unit 11 determines in S3 whether or not the operation accepting unit has accepted the designation of the eco print processing condition, the font size designation key 31F is designated on the display screen shown in FIG. If the touch panel 31 does not detect this (NO in S3), the image forming apparatus 1 is set in a standby state without proceeding to S4.

  On the other hand, when the touch panel 31 detects that the font size designation key 31F is designated by the user (YES in S3), the control unit 11 designates the text as the eco print processing condition, and further designates the text font size. Judge that. Then, the text detection unit 17 reads the image data of the original G read by the original reading unit 20 from the image memory 23, and performs the OCR process on the image data to detect the text (S20). ). As a result, text areas P3, P4, P7, and P8 are detected by the text detection unit 17 in the original G shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, for example, as shown in FIG. 21, the display control unit 12 causes the display unit 30 to display a message that prompts the user to specify a size value for the font size of the text (S21). That is, the display control unit 12 causes the display unit 30 to display the designation field 31F1 for the user to designate the font size, as shown in the display screen of FIG. Then, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the operation accepting unit has accepted designation of a size value for the font size of the text by the user (S22). For example, on the display screen shown in FIG. 21, the control unit 11 indicates that the font size value to be designated has been input by the user using a numeric keypad not shown in the designation column 31F1. If 31 has not been detected (NO in S22), the image forming apparatus 1 is set in a standby state without proceeding to S23.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 11 detects that the touch panel 31 accepts that, for example, a value of “48 pt” has been input to the designation field 31F1 by the user (YES in S22), the eco print process It is determined that text having a font size of 48 pt or more is designated as a condition. Then, the font size determination unit 18 determines the font size of the text for each text area P3, P4, P7, and P8 detected by the text detection unit 17 using a known technique (S23). ).

  Subsequently, the target range detection unit 13 determines whether the font size of the determined text is greater than or equal to the size value specified in S22 (S24). Thereafter, when the target range detection unit 13 determines that the font size of the text is less than the size value (NO in S24), the target range detection unit 13 determines that the text does not fall within the ecoprint target range, and the process will be described later. Proceed to S26.

  On the other hand, when the target range detection unit 13 determines that the font size of the text is equal to or larger than the size value (YES in S24), the target range detection unit 13 detects the text as an eco print target range (S25). Then, the target range detection unit 13 determines whether or not the processing in S24 has been completed for all the texts whose font size has been determined in S23 (S26). Subsequently, if the target range detection unit 13 determines that the process of S24 has not been completed for all texts (NO in S26), the process returns to S24 and repeats the process.

  On the other hand, if the target range detection unit 13 determines that the processing of S24 has been completed for all texts, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform print processing based on the image data of the document G (S27). For example, when the target range detection unit 13 determines that the font size of the text region P3 is greater than or equal to the size value, and further determines that the font sizes of the text regions P4, P7, and P8 are less than the size value. The text region P3 is detected as an eco-print target range. Then, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform the eco print process based on the data portion of the text area P3 detected as the eco print target range, and the normal unit based on the data portion of the area other than the eco print target range. The printing unit 22 performs the printing process. As a result, in the recording paper P shown in FIG. 22, in the text region P3 surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 22, the eco-print process is performed and the consumption of black toner is reduced. The text in the text area P3 is printed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when an eco print processing condition for designating text having a font size equal to or larger than the size value is received by the operation receiving unit, the text detection unit 17 performs the above image printing according to the eco print processing condition. Detect text in data. The font size determination unit 18 determines the font size of the detected text. The target range detection unit 13 detects text having a font size equal to or larger than the size value in accordance with the eco-printing process condition and sets it as an eco-print target range. The control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform the eco print process for the eco print target range. As described above, in the present embodiment, unlike the above-described conventional example, when the image forming apparatus 1 performs print processing based on data, it is possible to easily perform eco-print processing only on a portion desired by the user.

<Sixth Embodiment>
Next, an image forming apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 23 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the target range detection unit 13 sets the designated range as the eco print target range when the eco print processing condition includes the designated range of the eco print target range.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 24, the processing operation in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the sixth embodiment will be specifically described. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the image forming apparatus in the sixth embodiment.

  When the control unit 11 determines in S3 whether or not the operation accepting unit has accepted the designation of the eco print processing condition, the designation of the range designation key 31G has been performed on the display screen shown in FIG. Is not detected by the touch panel 31 (NO in S3), the image forming apparatus 1 is set in a standby state without proceeding to S4.

  On the other hand, when the touch panel 31 detects that the range designation key 31G is designated by the user (YES in S3), the control unit 11 determines that the designated range is designated as the eco print processing condition. Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 25, the display control unit 12 causes the display unit 30 to perform a display prompting the designation of the designated range (S30). For example, as shown in the display screen of FIG. 25, the display control unit 12 displays a check field 31G1 on the display unit 30 so that the user can designate “the upper half of the page”. Similarly, as shown in the display screen of FIG. 25, the display control unit 12 displays a check field 31G2 on the display unit 30 so that the user can designate “lower half of the page”. Similarly, as shown in the display screen of FIG. 25, the display control unit 12 allows the user to specify “others” such as “10 cm from the top of the page”, for example, using a numeric keypad (not shown). A check field 31G3 is displayed on the display unit 30.

  Then, on the display screen shown in FIG. 25, for example, the control unit 11 detects whether any one of the check fields 31G1 to 31G3 is designated by the user, thereby determining whether or not the designated range has been designated. A determination is made (S31). If the touch panel 31 has not detected that any one of the check fields 31G1 to 31G3 has been designated by the user (NO in S31), the control unit 11 does not proceed to S32 but keeps the image forming apparatus 1 in a standby state. And

  On the other hand, if any one of the check columns 31G1 to 31G3, for example, the check column 31G1 is designated and detected by the touch panel 31 (YES in S31), the control unit 11 designates the designated range. Judge that it was broken. Then, the target range detection unit 13 acquires the specified range, that is, “upper half of the page” as the specified range (S32), and detects the acquired “upper half of the page” as the ecoprint target range. (S5).

  Then, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform a printing process based on the image data of the original G (S6). That is, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform eco-print processing based on the data portion of the “upper half of the page” that is the eco-print target range, so that the area other than the eco-print target range, that is, the “lower half of the page” The printing section 22 is caused to perform the above-described normal print processing based on the data portion. As a result, in the recording paper P shown in FIG. 26, a color image region P1 surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 26, which is located in the upper half of the page (a portion above the arrow H shown in FIG. 26). Eco print processing is performed in P2 and P5 and text areas P3 and P4.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the eco print processing condition including the specified range is received by the operation receiving unit, the target range detecting unit 13 sets the specified range as the eco print target range. The control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform the eco print process for the eco print target range. As described above, in the present embodiment, unlike the above-described conventional example, when the image forming apparatus 1 performs print processing based on data, it is possible to easily perform eco-print processing only on a portion desired by the user.

  In addition to the above description, the image forming apparatus 1 may be configured by appropriately combining the first to sixth embodiments.

<Seventh embodiment>
Next, an image forming system using the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, a case where the image forming apparatus 1 that combines the first, second, fifth, and sixth embodiments is used will be described as an example. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the entire image forming system using the image forming apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 28 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 29 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the information processing apparatus.

  An image forming system 100 illustrated in FIG. 27 includes an image forming apparatus 1 and an information processing apparatus 2. In the image forming system 100, the image forming apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 transmit and receive data such as print job files and messages through a network N such as an intranet or the Internet.

  As shown in FIG. 28, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the control unit 10 includes a target range detection unit 13, a color image region detection unit 14, a region size determination unit 15, and a text detection unit 17. And a font size determination unit 18.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment not only stores image data of a document read by the document reading unit 20 but also print data included in a print job file received from the information processing apparatus 2 by the communication unit 33. Execute the eco print process. In other words, in the present embodiment, when the communication unit 33 receives a print job file, the target range detection unit 13 performs the eco print processing target with the print data according to the eco print processing conditions included in the print job file. Detect the eco print target range. Then, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform the eco print process for the eco print target range.

  Further, as will be described later, the print data is data obtained by converting document data into print data composed of a printer language suitable for the image forming apparatus 1 in the information processing apparatus 2, and the print data is well known. As described above, the attribute information indicating the color image area and the size of the color image area and the text and the attribute information indicating the font size are attached. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the color image area detection unit 14 detects a color image area based on the received print data. The text detector 17 detects text based on the received print data. Further, the area size determination unit 15 determines the size of the detected color image area based on the received print data. In addition, the font size determination unit 18 determines the font size of the detected text based on the received print data.

  In FIG. 29, the information processing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment is, for example, a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet PC, a personal computer, or the like. The information processing apparatus 2 includes a control unit 70, an operation unit 80, a display unit 81, a touch panel 82, a communication unit 83, and an HDD 84. These units can transmit / receive data or signals to / from each other via a CPU bus. The control unit 70 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU, or ASIC. The control unit 70 functions as a control unit 71 and a display control unit 72 when a print request program stored in the HDD 84 or the like is executed by the processor. Note that the control unit 71 and the display control unit 72 of the control unit 70 may each be configured by a hardware circuit, regardless of the operation based on the print request program. The same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise specified. Further, the processor functions as the printer driver unit 73 by executing the printer driver PD stored in the HDD 84.

  The control unit 71 governs overall operation control of the information processing apparatus 2. The control unit 71 is an example of a second control unit in the claims.

  The display control unit 72 performs display control of the display unit 81. In addition, the display control unit 72 causes the display unit 81 to perform display for prompting specification of document data to be subjected to print processing in the image forming apparatus 1 and specification of the eco print processing condition for the document data. The display control unit 72 is an example of a second display control unit in the claims.

  Further, the control unit 71 is connected to the document data stored in the HDD 84 or the outside of the information processing apparatus 2, for example, the communication unit 83 through the network N in response to a user operation on the operation unit 80 or the touch panel 82. Document data is read from a server (not shown).

  The document data is, for example, a file created by an application such as a word processor, spreadsheet software, or drawing software executed by the information processing apparatus 2, or image data such as jpeg or PDF. However, this document data is not in a format suitable for the image forming apparatus 1 and its printing, and cannot be used directly for printing processing in the image forming apparatus 1.

  The printer driver unit 73 converts the document data designated by the user into the print data composed of a printer language suitable for the image forming apparatus 1 in accordance with a user operation instruction received by an operation receiving unit described later, and the print A print job file including data and an eco print processing condition received by an operation receiving unit described later is created.

  In addition, when the printer driver unit 73 creates a print job file, the control unit 71 causes the communication unit 83 to transmit the print job file to the image forming apparatus 2 through the network N.

  The operation unit 80 includes a keyboard with a hard key, a mouse, a pointing device, and the like. The operation unit 80 is input with document data to be printed, an instruction for specifying printing conditions, and the like.

  The display unit 81 includes a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like. The display unit 81 displays an instruction input screen or the like such as the eco print processing condition in the image forming apparatus 1 under the control of the display control unit 72. The display unit 81 is an example of a second display unit in the claims.

  A touch panel 82 is disposed on the front surface of the display unit 81. The touch panel 82 is a so-called resistive film type or capacitive type touch panel, and detects a user's contact (touch) on the touch panel 82 together with the contact position. When the touch panel 82 detects contact by the user, the touch panel 82 outputs a detection signal indicating the coordinate position of the contact point to the control unit 71 or the like. The operation unit 80 and the touch panel 82 are examples of a second operation reception unit in the claims.

  The communication unit 83 includes a communication module such as a LAN board. Under the control of the control unit 71 and the like, various communication with the image forming apparatus 1 and the like is performed between the communication unit 83 and the network N connected to the communication unit 83. Send and receive data.

  An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 84 is a large-capacity storage device that stores the above application and document data created by the application. The HDD 84 stores a printer driver PD in advance.

  Next, the operation of the image forming system 100 of the present embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  First, a print job file creation process in the information processing apparatus 2 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the information processing apparatus.

  In the information processing apparatus 2, as shown in FIG. 30, the control unit 71 determines whether or not the operation receiving unit has received a request for instructing execution of the eco print process by the user (S51). For example, when the display control unit 72 causes the display unit 81 to display the display unit 81 to prompt the user to execute the eco print process, as shown in FIG. 31, the eco print tab key 82a is designated by the user. It is determined whether or not a request for instructing execution of the eco print process has been made. If the touch panel 82 has not detected that the eco print tab key 82a has been designated (NO in S51), the control unit 71 sets the information processing apparatus 2 in a standby state without proceeding to S52.

  On the other hand, when it is detected that the eco print tab key 82a is designated by the user and accepted by the touch panel 82 (YES in S51), the control unit 71 determines that execution of the eco print process is requested. Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 31, the display control unit 72 causes the display unit 81 to display the document data to be printed and to prompt the user to specify the eco print processing conditions for the document data. (S52). That is, the display control unit 72 causes the display unit 21 to display the designation field 82b for designating the document data, as shown in the display screen of FIG. Then, the control unit 71 determines whether or not document data to be printed is designated by the user (S53). If the touch panel 82 has not detected that the designation field 82b has been designated (NO in S53), the control unit 71 does not proceed to S54 but sets the information processing apparatus 2 in a standby state.

  On the other hand, when it is detected that the designation field 82b is designated by the user and accepted by the touch panel 82 (YES in S53), the control unit 71 determines that the document data designation process has been requested. Then, the control unit 71 causes the display unit 81 to display file names of document data stored in advance in the HDD 84, for example, “sentence 1.pdf”, “sentence 2.txt”, and “sentence 3.pdf” ( Not shown). For example, when the control unit 71 detects that “text 1.pdf” is specified by the user and received by the touch panel 82, the document data of the “text 1.pdf” is specified as the specified document data. As shown in FIG. 31, the control unit 71 displays the file name “sentence 1.pdf” of the specified document data in the specification field 82b.

  Further, as shown in the display screen of FIG. 31, the display control unit 72 displays an image indicating that the user has operated so that “all pages” and “target range designation” can be designated by the user. Are displayed on the display unit 81, respectively. Further, as shown in the display screen of FIG. 31, the display control unit 72 displays an image for indicating that the user has operated in order to allow the user to designate “color image area” and “text”. Check columns 82e and 82f to be displayed are displayed on the display unit 81, respectively.

  Further, as shown in the display screen of FIG. 31, the display control unit 72 is operated by the user so that the user can designate “all color image areas” and “color image areas larger than the specified size”. Check fields 82e1 and 82e2 for displaying an image for indicating this are displayed on the display unit 81, respectively. Further, as shown in the display screen of FIG. 31, the display control unit 72 includes a designation field 82e3 for the user to designate the size of the color image area using a numeric keypad or the like not shown, and a unit for the size. A pull-down menu 82e4 for designating is displayed on the display unit 81. In the following description, as shown in the display screen of FIG. 31, a value of “0.5” is designated in the designation field 82e3, and “cm2” is designated by the pull-down menu 82e4.

  Further, as shown in the display screen of FIG. 31, the display control unit 72 indicates that the user has operated to make it possible to designate “all text” and “text larger than the designated font size”. Check fields 82f1 and 82f2 for displaying images for the display are displayed on the display unit 81, respectively. Further, as shown in the display screen of FIG. 31, the display control unit 72 causes the display unit 81 to display a designation field 82f3 for the user to designate the size of the font size using a numeric keypad not shown. In the following description, it is assumed that a value of “48 pt” is designated in the designation field 82f3 as shown in the display screen of FIG.

  Then, the control unit 71 determines whether or not all pages are designated as the target range of the eco print process by detecting whether or not the check field 82c is designated by the user on the display screen shown in FIG. (S54). Subsequently, when it is detected that the check field 82c is designated by the user and accepted by the touch panel 82 (YES in S54), the control unit 71 indicates that all pages have been designated as the target range of the eco print process. to decide. Then, the control unit 71 determines whether or not other processing conditions are designated in the eco print process by detecting whether or not the check field 82e or 82f is designated by the user (S55).

  If the touch panel 82 does not detect that the check field 82e or 82f has been designated by the user (NO in S55), the control unit 71 sets the information processing apparatus 2 in a standby state without proceeding to S58. . On the other hand, if the touch panel 82 detects that the check field 82e or 82f is designated by the user (YES in S55), the control unit 71 proceeds to S58 described later.

  In S54, when the control section 71 detects that the check field 82d is designated by the user and is accepted by the touch panel 82 (NO in S54), the designated range is designated as the target range of the eco print process. Judge that it was done. Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 32, the display control unit 72 causes the display unit 81 to perform a display prompting the designation of the designated range (S56).

  Subsequently, the control unit 71 determines whether or not the designation range is designated by the user on the display screen of FIG. 32 (S57). If the touch panel 82 has not detected that the specified range has been specified by the user (NO in S57), the control unit 71 sets the information processing apparatus 2 in a standby state without proceeding to S58.

  On the other hand, if the touch panel 82 detects that the designated range is designated by the user (YES in S57), the control unit 71 includes the designated range in the eco print processing condition. For example, when a range from the position indicated by the arrow H1 to the position indicated by the arrow H2 in FIG. 32 is specified on the display screen of FIG. 32, the control unit 71 sets the range as the specified range.

  The printer driver unit 73 converts the document data designated in S53 into the print data, and includes the print data and the eco print processing conditions designated in S54 and S55 or S57. A print job file is created (S58).

  Thereafter, the control unit 71 causes the communication unit 83 to transmit the print job file created by the printer driver unit 73 to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network N (S59).

  Next, the eco print process in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the image forming apparatus in the seventh embodiment. FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the processing from (3) shown in FIG. FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the processing from (4) shown in FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, as illustrated in FIG. 33, the control unit 11 determines whether the communication unit 33 has received a print job file from the information processing apparatus 2 through the network N (S71). If the communication unit 33 has not received the print job file (NO in S71), the control unit 11 sets the image forming apparatus 1 in a standby state without proceeding to S72.

  On the other hand, if the communication unit 33 has received the print job file (YES in S71), the control unit 11 determines whether the print job file includes the eco print processing condition (S72). When determining that the eco print processing condition is not included (NO in S72), the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform the normal print processing based on the print data included in the print job file (S78). ).

  On the other hand, when the control unit 11 determines that the eco print processing condition is included (YES in S72), the eco print process condition includes a condition for specifying all pages without including the specified range. It is determined whether or not (S73). When determining that the condition for designating all pages is included (YES in S73), the control unit 11 determines whether or not a color image area is designated in the eco print processing condition (S74). . If the control unit 11 determines that the color image area is not specified in the eco print processing condition (that is, the text is specified in the eco print processing condition) (NO in S74), the process will be described later. The process proceeds to S90.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 11 determines that the color image region is designated in the eco print processing condition (YES in S74), the color image region detection unit 14 is included in the print job file received in S71. Based on the print data, a color image area in the print data is detected (S75). As a result, in the original G shown in FIG. 32, the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 are detected by the color image area detection unit.

  Subsequently, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the set value of the color image area is specified in the eco print processing condition (S76). When the control unit 11 determines that the set value of the color image area is not designated (NO in S76), the target range detection unit 13 detects the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 detected in S75. Is detected as the eco-print target range (S77).

  Then, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform a printing process based on the print data (S78). That is, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform the eco print process based on the data portions of the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 that are the eco print target range, and the areas other than the eco print target range. That is, the normal print processing based on the data portions of the text areas P3, P4, P7, and P8 is performed by the printing unit 22. As a result, as shown in the recording paper P in FIG. 6, the eco-print process is performed in the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 surrounded by the two-dot chain line, for example, in black monochrome color. Images in the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 are printed.

  Further, when the control unit 11 determines that the set value of the color image area is designated (YES in S76), the area size determination unit 15 determines the color image detected in S75 based on the print data. The sizes of the regions P1, P2, P5, and P6 are determined (S79).

  Subsequently, the region size determination unit 15 determines whether there are two or more color image regions whose sizes have been determined (S80). When the area size determination unit 15 determines that there is one color image region whose size has been determined (NO in S80), the target range detection unit 13 determines that the size of the color image region is the above-described size. It is determined whether or not it is equal to or greater than the set value specified in S8 (S81). Thereafter, when the target range detection unit 13 determines that the size of the color image area is less than the set value (NO in S81), the target range detection unit 13 determines that the color image area does not correspond to the eco-print target range, The process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the size of the color image area is equal to or larger than the set value (YES in S81), the target range detection unit 13 detects the color image area as the eco print target range (S82). Then, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform the eco print process based on the data portion of the color image area detected as the eco print target range in S82, and the normal unit based on the data portion of the area other than the eco print target range. The printing section 22 is caused to perform the printing process (S83).

  When the area size determination unit 15 determines that there are two or more color image areas whose sizes have been determined (YES in S80), a separation distance between two adjacent color image areas is determined in advance. It is determined whether or not the distance is smaller than (S84). If the area size determination unit 15 determines that the distance between two adjacent color image areas is smaller than a predetermined distance (YES in S84), the two color image areas are determined as one color. The image area is determined (S85). On the other hand, if the area size determination unit 15 determines that the separation distance between two adjacent color image areas is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance (NO in S84), the two color image areas are converted into one color image area. It is determined not to be a color image area, but to two color image areas independent from each other (S86).

  Then, the area size determination unit 15 determines whether or not the separation distance determination process for all the color image areas has been completed (S87). If the area size determination unit 15 determines that the separation distance determination process has not been completed for all the color image areas (NO in S87), the process returns to S84 and repeats the process.

  On the other hand, if the area size determination unit 15 determines that the separation distance determination process for all color image areas has been completed (YES in S87), the process proceeds to S81. For example, for the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 detected in S75, the target range detection unit 13 determines the area size when the separation distance between the two color image areas is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance. When the determination unit 15 determines, it is determined whether or not the sizes of the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 determined in S79 are equal to or larger than the set value specified in S78 (S81). Thereafter, the target range detection unit 13 determines, for example, that the size of the color image area P1 is less than the set value, and further determines that the sizes of the color image areas P2, P5, and P6 are greater than or equal to the set value. If it discriminate | determines, color image area P2, P5, and P6 will be detected as an eco-print object range (S82). Then, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform eco-print processing based on the data portions of the color image areas P2, P5, and P6 detected as the eco-print target range in S82, so that the area outside the eco-print target range. The normal print processing based on the data portion is performed by the printing unit 22 (S83). As a result, as shown on the recording paper P in FIG. 13, in the color image areas P2, P5, and P6 surrounded by the two-dot chain line, the eco-print process is performed, and the color is, for example, black and white. Images in the image areas P2, P5, and P6 are printed.

  Further, when the control unit 11 determines that the text is designated by the eco print processing condition (NO in S74), the text detection unit 17 is based on the print data included in the print job file received in S71. Then, a text area (area other than the color image area) in the print data is detected (S90). As a result, text regions P3, P4, P7, and P8 are detected by the text detection unit 17 in the original G shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a size value for the font size of the text is specified in the eco print processing condition (S91). When the control unit 11 determines that the size value is not designated (NO in S91), the target range detection unit 13 determines the text regions P3, P4, P7, and P8 detected in S90, as follows. The eco-print target range is detected (S92).

  Then, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform a printing process based on the print data (S93). That is, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform ecoprint processing based on each data portion of the text areas P3, P4, P7, and P8 that are the ecoprint target range, and the areas other than the ecoprint target range. That is, the normal print processing based on the data portions of the color image areas P1, P2, P5, and P6 is performed by the printing unit 22. As a result, as shown on the recording paper P in FIG. 18, in the text regions P3, P4, P7, and P8 surrounded by the two-dot chain line, the eco print process is performed, and the consumption amount of black toner is reduced. The text in the text areas P3, P4, P7, and P8 is printed in a reduced state.

  When the control unit 11 determines that the size value is specified (YES in S91), the font size determination unit 18 determines the text areas P3 and P4 detected in S90 based on the print data. , P7, and P8, the font size of each text is determined (S94).

  Subsequently, the target range detection unit 13 determines whether or not the font size of the determined text is greater than or equal to the size value specified in S91 (S95). Thereafter, when the target range detection unit 13 determines that the font size of the text is less than the size value (NO in S95), the target range detection unit 13 determines that the text does not fall within the ecoprint target range, and the process will be described later. Proceed to S97.

  On the other hand, when the target range detection unit 13 determines that the font size of the text is greater than or equal to the size value (YES in S95), the target range detection unit 13 detects the text as an eco print target range (S96). Then, the target range detection unit 13 determines whether or not the processing of S95 has been completed for all the texts whose font size has been determined in S94 (S97). Subsequently, if the target range detection unit 13 determines that the process of S95 has not been completed for all texts (NO in S97), the process returns to S95 and repeats the process.

  On the other hand, if the target range detection unit 13 determines that the process of S95 has been completed for all texts, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform print processing based on the print data (S93). For example, when the target range detection unit 13 determines that the font size of the text region P3 is greater than or equal to the size value, and further determines that the font sizes of the text regions P4, P7, and P8 are less than the size value. The text region P3 is detected as an eco-print target range. Then, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform the eco print process based on the data portion of the text area P3 detected as the eco print target range, and the normal unit based on the data portion of the area other than the eco print target range. The printing unit 22 performs the printing process. As a result, as shown on the recording paper P in FIG. 22, in the text region P3 surrounded by the two-dot chain line, the eco-print process is performed and the text is reduced in a state where the consumption amount of black toner is reduced. The text in the area P3 is printed.

In addition, when the target range detection unit 13 determines that the specified range is included in the eco print processing condition (NO in S73), the target range detection unit 13 acquires the specified range from the eco print processing condition (S100). Then, the target range detection unit 13 detects the acquired designated range as the eco print target range (S77). Thereafter, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform a printing process based on the print data (S78). That is, the control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform ecoprint processing based on the data portions of the color image areas P5 and P6 and the text areas P4 and P7, which are ecoprint target ranges (designated ranges). The printing unit 22 is caused to perform the normal print processing based on the data portions of the color image areas P1 and P2 and the text areas P3 and P8 outside the range. As a result, in the recording paper P shown in FIG. 36, the eco-print process is performed on the color image areas P5 and P6 and the text areas P4 and P7 surrounded by the two-dot chain line in FIG. The image in the color image areas P5 and P6 and the text in the text areas P4 and P7 are printed in a state where the toner consumption amount is reduced.

  As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, when the communication unit 33 receives a print job file from the information processing apparatus 2, the target range detection unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 1 includes the eco print processing condition included in the print job file. Accordingly, the eco print target range to be subjected to the eco print process with the print data included in the print job file is detected. The control unit 11 causes the printing unit 22 to perform the eco print process for the detected eco print target range. As described above, in the present embodiment, unlike the above-described conventional example, when the image forming apparatus 1 performs print processing based on data, it is possible to easily perform eco-print processing only on a portion desired by the user.

<Modified Embodiment>
In the seventh embodiment, the printer driver unit 73 creates a print job file including the print data and the eco print processing conditions, and transmits the print job file to the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the target range detection unit 13 detects the eco print target range that is the target of the eco print processing with the print data in accordance with the eco print processing conditions included in the print job file. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the printer driver unit 73 converts document data to be subjected to print processing into print data created according to the eco print processing conditions, that is, eco print processing. A print job file including print data including the received data is created and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 may perform print processing based on the print job file from the printer driver unit 73 without detecting the eco-print target range. In this case, in the image forming apparatus 1, the target range detection unit 13, the color image region detection unit 14, the region size determination unit 15, the text detection unit 17, and the font size determination unit 18 are unnecessary.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment using FIGS. 1 to 36 are only one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration and processing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 11 Control part (1st control part)
12 Display control unit (first display control unit)
13 target range detection unit 14 color image region detection unit 15 region size determination unit 16 rectangular region detection unit 17 text detection unit 18 font size determination unit 20 document reading unit 22 printing unit 30 display unit (first display unit)
31 Touch panel (first operation reception unit)
32 Operation unit (first operation reception unit)
33 Communication unit (first communication unit)
2 Information processing device 71 Control unit 72 Display control unit (second display control unit)
73 Printer Driver Unit 80 Operation Unit (Second Operation Accepting Unit)
81 Display unit (second display unit)
82 Touch panel (second operation reception unit)
83 Communication unit (second communication unit)
100 Image forming system

Claims (8)

A first display unit;
A first operation receiving unit that receives an operation instruction from a user;
A data acquisition unit for acquiring image data of a document;
A printing unit that performs a normal print process that does not reduce the print cost on the recording medium and an eco-print process that reduces the print cost than the normal print process;
A first display control unit for causing the first display unit to perform display for prompting specification of an eco print processing condition indicating a condition in the eco print processing for the image data;
A target range detection unit that detects an ecoprint target range to be a target of the ecoprint process in accordance with the ecoprint process condition when designation of the ecoprint process condition is received in the first operation reception unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a first control unit that causes the printing unit to perform the eco-printing process for the eco-print target range when the target range detection unit detects the eco-print target range. In the image data, by determining a color pixel, a color image region detection unit that detects a region constituted by the color pixel as a color image region;
An area size determination unit that determines the size of the color image area detected by the color image area detection unit;
When the eco-print processing condition includes a setting value for the size of the color image area, the target range detection unit determines that the size of the color image area determined by the area size determination unit is the setting. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the value is equal to or larger than the value, a color image region equal to or larger than the set value is set as the eco print target range. A rectangular area detecting unit for detecting a rectangular area from the image data;
The color image area detection unit detects the color image area included in the rectangular area detected by the rectangular area detection unit;
The area size determination unit determines the size of the color image area included in the rectangular area detected by the rectangular area detection unit,
When the eco-print processing condition includes a set value for the size of the color image region, the target range detection unit determines that the size of the color image region determined by the region size determination unit is the set value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the value is equal to or larger than the value, a color image region equal to or larger than the set value is set as the eco print target range.   When the color image area detection unit detects two color image areas and the separation distance between the two color image areas is smaller than a predetermined distance, the area size determination unit detects the two color image areas. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an image area is discriminated as one color image area.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the target range detection unit sets a region other than the color image region in the image data as the eco print target range according to the eco print processing condition. A text detection unit that detects text by performing OCR processing on the image data;
A font size determination unit for determining the font size of the text detected by the text detection unit,
The target range detection unit, when the size of the text font size is included in the eco-print processing condition, the font size of the text determined by the font size determination unit is greater than or equal to the size value The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a text having a font size equal to or larger than the size value is set as the eco print target range.   7. The target range detection unit according to claim 1, wherein when the eco print processing condition includes a designated range of the eco print target range, the designated range is set as the eco print target range. The image forming apparatus described in 1. An image forming system including an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus,
The image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a first communication unit that performs data communication with the information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A second display;
A second operation receiving unit that receives an operation instruction from the user;
A second communication unit that performs data communication with the image forming apparatus;
A second display control unit for causing the second display unit to perform a display prompting specification of document data to be subjected to print processing in the image forming apparatus and specification of the eco-print processing conditions for the document data; When,
The document data received by the second operation receiving unit is converted into print data in a printer language suitable for the image forming apparatus, and the print data and the eco print received by the second operation receiving unit are converted. A printer driver that creates a print job file that includes processing conditions;
A second control unit that, when the printer driver unit creates the print job file, causes the print job file to be transmitted from the second communication unit;
When the first communication unit receives the print job file, the target range detection unit of the image forming apparatus is configured to output the eco data in the print data according to the eco print processing condition included in the print job file. An image forming system for detecting an eco print target range to be subjected to print processing.