JP2020075424A - Image forming apparatus, setting adjustment method, and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

To appropriately adjust print setting for printing a secret character concealed by a check sheet.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises: an adjustment information storage part 40 storing adjustment information AI obtained by associating the transmittance of a check sheet with an adjustment value to be used to adjust print setting during image formation; a mode selection part 31 selecting a secret mode for printing a secret character on a medium and a normal mode for printing no secret character on the medium; a transmittance acquisition part 32 acquiring the transmittance of the check sheet to be used to cover the medium when the secret mode is selected; a setting adjustment part 33 adjusting print setting of the secret character according to the adjustment information AI corresponding to the transmittance acquired by the transmittance acquisition part 32; and a printing part 34 performing printing according to the print setting adjusted by the setting adjustment part 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of printing a secret character, which is a character invisible when covered with a check sheet, on a medium, a setting adjusting method of the image forming apparatus, and a control program executed by the image forming apparatus. Regarding

  As a learning aid, make a character difficult to read by covering it with a check sheet that is the same color as the character, or cover it with a check sheet to make it difficult to read by overlaying a tint block on the character. Is proposed.

JP, 2006-82391, A

  It is difficult for a user to create a character that is invisible and hidden by a check sheet (hereinafter, referred to as a hidden character) by himself. This is because it is difficult to adjust various print settings so as to be suitable for the check sheet to be used (to be appropriately invisible).

  In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to appropriately adjust print settings for printing confidential characters hidden by a check sheet.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of printing a secret character, which is a character invisible by being covered with a check sheet having a predetermined transmittance, on a medium, An adjustment information storage unit that stores adjustment information in which a rate and an adjustment value used to adjust print settings during image formation are associated with each other; a secret mode that prints the secret character on the medium; A mode selection unit that selects a normal mode in which secret characters are not printed, and a transmittance acquisition unit that acquires the transmittance of the check sheet used to cover the medium when the confidential mode is selected, A setting adjustment unit that adjusts the print setting of the secret character according to the adjustment information corresponding to the transmittance acquired by the transmittance acquisition unit, and a printing unit that performs printing according to the print setting adjusted by the setting adjustment unit And

  Preferably, the transmittance acquisition unit acquires the transmittance of the check sheet based on the result of scanning the check sheet.

  Preferably, the adjustment information includes an adjustment value associated with the transmittance, the adjustment value being at least one of the thickness and the density of the secret character, and the setting adjustment unit includes the adjustment information corresponding to the transmittance. Accordingly, the print settings are adjusted so that at least one of the thickness and the density of the secret character changes.

  Suitably, the adjustment information includes at least one of an adjustment value of the thickness and the density of a normal character that is a character other than the secret character, which is associated with the transparency, According to the adjustment information corresponding to the rate, the print setting is adjusted so that at least one of the thickness and the density of the normal character changes.

  Preferably, the setting adjustment unit adjusts the print setting so that at least one of the thickness and the density of the normal character existing in the adjustment unit in which the secret character exists increases.

  Preferably, the adjustment information further includes an adjustment value of at least one of the thickness and the density of the character, which is associated with the brightness in the usage environment of the medium on which the secret character is printed, and the setting adjustment. The unit adjusts the print setting such that at least one of the thickness and the density of the character changes according to the brightness selected by the user.

  Preferably, the adjustment information further includes an adjustment value of at least one of thickness and density of the character, which is associated with proximity to a lighting device in a usage environment of the medium on which the secret character is printed. The setting adjustment unit adjusts the print setting such that at least one of the thickness and the density of the character changes according to the degree of proximity to the lighting device selected by the user.

  Preferably, the secret character is arranged in a tint block portion formed of a first secret character which is substantially in the same color as the check sheet and is made invisible by being covered with the check sheet, and a color different from the check sheet. And the second secret character which is made invisible when the tint block portion is covered with the check sheet and darkened.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes a preview unit that displays an image image when the medium to be printed by the printing unit is covered with the check sheet, and the setting adjustment unit includes the preview unit. After the image image is displayed, the correction of the print setting by the user is accepted and the adjusted adjustment value is stored in the adjustment information.

  Further, the setting adjustment method of the present invention is a setting adjustment method in an image forming apparatus capable of printing a secret character which is a character invisible by being covered with a check sheet having a predetermined transmittance on a medium, Selecting a secret mode in which the secret character is printed on the medium, a normal mode in which the secret character is not printed in the medium, and the method used to cover the medium when the secret mode is selected Acquiring the transparency of the check sheet, and adjusting print settings of the secret character according to adjustment information corresponding to the acquired transparency.

  Further, the control program of the present invention can print a secret character, which is a character invisible by being covered with a check sheet having a predetermined transmittance, on a medium, and the transparency of the check sheet and an image. A control program executed in an image forming apparatus including an adjustment information storage unit that stores adjustment information associated with an adjustment value used to adjust print settings at the time of formation, the image forming apparatus comprising: A mode selecting unit for selecting a secret mode for printing the secret character, a normal mode for not printing the secret character on the medium, and a mode selector for covering the medium when the secret mode is selected. A transparency acquisition unit that acquires the transparency of the check sheet; a setting adjustment unit that adjusts the print setting of the secret character according to the adjustment information corresponding to the transparency acquired by the transparency acquisition unit; It functions as a printing unit that executes printing according to the print settings adjusted by the adjusting unit.

  The present invention may also be specified as an invention relating to a computer-readable non-transitory computer readable medium in which the above-mentioned control program is recorded.

  According to the present invention, the print settings for printing the confidential characters hidden by the check sheet are appropriately adjusted.

It is a sectional view showing a compound machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a scan operation in the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a network block diagram which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing an electric structure of a control device of a compound machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing a logical configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart of print control processing according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart of print control processing according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a table of adjustment information regarding secret characters according to an embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a table of adjustment information regarding normal characters according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a table of adjustment information according to a use environment concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a table of adjustment information according to a use environment concerning one embodiment of the present invention. 5 is an image image showing only a printed sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is an image image showing a state in which a check sheet is put on a printed sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is an image image after correction of print settings according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a multifunction device 1 (Multifunction Peripheral, MFP) that is provided with a print function, a copy function, a fax function, a data transmission / reception function, and the like. To do. Hereinafter, for convenience, the front side of the paper surface of FIG. 1 will be described as the front side (front side) of the multifunction machine 1.

1. Overall Configuration of Multifunction Device (Image Processing Device) As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 1 includes a device body 2 having a substantially box shape. In the lower part of the apparatus main body 2, a paper feed cassette 3 is detachably housed as a paper feed unit for housing the paper M inside the multifunction machine 1. The sheet M is an example of a medium. On the right side of the apparatus main body 2, a manual feed tray 4 is openably and closably provided as a paper feed unit for storing the paper M (on which the paper M is placed) outside the multifunction machine 1. A paper discharge tray is provided in the paper discharge space above the apparatus body 2. The paper feed cassette 3, the manual feed tray 4, and the paper discharge tray are used to convey the paper M on which an image is formed in an image forming unit 12 in the apparatus main body 2, which will be described later.

  An image reading device 5 that reads a read object such as a document and outputs scan data (for example, image data) is provided on the upper portion of the device body 2. The image reading device 5 includes a reading box 5a having a substantially box shape, a reading surface 5b made of platen glass on the upper surface of the reading table 5a, a scanner section 5c and a paper sensor arranged below the image reading device 5, respectively. 5d and a light source 5e.

  Above the image reading device 5, a document feeding unit 6 including an automatic document feeding device (Auto Document Feeder, ADF) for feeding a document to the image reading device 5 is provided. Further, the document feeding section 6 is attached so as to be openable and closable as a cover member that covers the platen glass of the image reading device 5.

  The scanner unit 5c is configured to output scan data by scanning a reading target placed on the reading surface 5b. The object to be read by the scanner unit 5c is not limited to a sheet-shaped recording medium such as an original, and includes, for example, a transparent check sheet C (for example, a red transparent underlay) used during learning. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the check sheet C is placed on the reading surface 5b. The scanner unit 5c executes the scanning operation while moving in the direction A.

  The paper sensor 5d detects the size of the reading target placed on the reading surface 5b. The light source 5e moves together with the scanner unit 5c and irradiates the reading target with light.

  Further, the operation display unit 7 (display unit) is attached to the front side of the apparatus main body 2. The operation display unit 7 includes, for example, operation keys such as a ten-key pad, a start key, a system menu key, a transmission key, a copy key, and a confirmation key, and a display such as a touch panel to set the number of prints and print density. Accepts setting input from the user.

  An intermediate transfer belt 10 is installed between a plurality of rollers at the center of the apparatus main body 2. Below the intermediate transfer belt 10, an exposure device 11 including a laser scanning unit (LSU) is provided. Four image forming units 12 are provided for each color of toner (for example, four colors of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black) along the lower surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10.

  Each image forming unit 12 is provided with a rotatable photoconductor drum, and a charger, a developing unit, a primary transfer unit, a cleaning device, and a charge eliminator are provided around the photoconductor drum. Are arranged in the order of processes. A secondary transfer unit 13 is provided at the right end of the intermediate transfer belt 10, and the secondary transfer unit 13 is configured by a part of the right end side of the intermediate transfer belt 10 and a secondary transfer roller. A cleaning device for cleaning the intermediate transfer belt 10 is provided at the left end of the intermediate transfer belt 10. Each image forming unit 12 is an element that executes image formation on a recording medium such as the paper M based on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 5c.

  A conveyance path 15 for the sheet M is provided on the right side of the apparatus main body 2. A sheet feeding mechanism 16 including a sheet feeding roller and the like is provided in the upstream portion of the transport path 15 in correspondence with the sheet feeding cassette 3. The secondary transfer unit 13 described above is provided in the middle portion of the transport path 15. The transport path 15 is connected to the manual feed tray 4 on the downstream side of the paper feed cassette 3 and on the upstream side of the secondary transfer unit 13. A paper feed mechanism 17 including a paper feed roller is provided near the manual feed tray 4. A fixing device is provided on the downstream side of the transport path 15, and a paper discharge port is provided on the downstream end of the transport path 15. The apparatus body 2 also includes a control device 20 that controls each unit of the multifunction machine 1.

2. Outline of Image Forming Operation Next, the image forming operation of the above-described multifunction peripheral 1 will be described. When the multifunction device 1 is powered on, the control device 20 executes initialization of various parameters. In the multifunction device 1, when print data is input from the image reading device 5 or an external computer and a print start instruction is issued, an image forming operation is performed as described below under the control of the control device 20. It

  First, the control device 20 creates output image data to be subjected to an image forming process based on the print data and various print settings. Then, under the control of the control device 20, in each image forming unit 12, the photoconductor drum is charged by the charger and then exposed by the exposure device 11 based on the output image data. An electrostatic latent image is formed on.

  The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum is developed into a toner image of each color by the developing device. The toner image on the photosensitive drum is primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 by the primary transfer portion. The above-described operation is sequentially repeated by the four image forming units 12 to form a full-color toner image (color toner image) on the intermediate transfer belt 10. The color toner image is supplied to the secondary transfer portion 13 at a predetermined secondary transfer timing by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 10.

  On the other hand, the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 3 or the manual feed tray 4 is taken out by the paper feed mechanism 16 or the paper feed mechanism 17 and conveyed on the conveyance path 15. Then, the sheet on the transport path 15 is transported to the secondary transfer portion 13 at the above-described predetermined secondary transfer timing. In the secondary transfer portion 13, the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 10 is secondarily transferred onto a sheet. The sheet to which the color toner image is secondarily transferred is conveyed to the downstream side in the conveying path 15, the color toner image is fixed on the sheet by the fixing device, and then the sheet is discharged from the sheet discharge port to the sheet discharge tray. ..

3. Network Configuration The network configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming system S of the present embodiment includes the multi-function peripheral 1, the user terminal U, and the communication network CN.

  The multifunction machine 1 is an image forming apparatus capable of printing a secret character CL, which is a character invisible when covered with a check sheet C having a predetermined transmittance T, on a sheet M. The user terminal U is a terminal device used by a user to issue a print instruction to the multi function peripheral 1, and is, for example, a personal computer in which a driver of the multi function peripheral 1 is installed. The communication network CN is, for example, a closed network (company network), and is constructed by, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The communication network CN is connected to the internet IN via a gateway server (not shown), and the internet IN is connected to an external server ES in which the information of the check sheet C is stored.

  The communication network CN and the Internet IN described above comply with a predetermined communication protocol, for example, the TCP / IP protocol suite, and each node (multifunction device 1, user terminal U, external server ES, etc.) has an identifier such as an IP address. Has been assigned. The multi-function peripheral 1 can be connected to the Internet IN via the communication network CN.

4. Control Device With reference to FIG. 4, the control device 20 included in the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the control device 20 and its related elements. Schematically, the control device 20 is electrically connected to each unit of the multifunction peripheral 1 to control the functions of the multifunction peripheral 1, for example, the reading operation in the image reading device 5 and the image forming operation by the image forming unit 12 and the like. .. Further, the control device 20 analyzes the scan data output from the scanner unit 5c.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a memory 22 including a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a flash memory, and an element. It includes a bus 23 used for signal transmission between devices, an interface 24 that serves as a contact point with each part of the multifunction machine 1, and a network (N / W) adapter 25 that serves as a contact point with the communication network CN.

  The CPU 21 executes arithmetic processing based on the control program and control data stored in the memory 22. The memory 22 stores a control program, control data, and the like used for arithmetic processing (control flow processing described later) by the CPU 21. The memory 22 also temporarily stores the calculation result of the CPU 21 and the like.

  The bus 23 interconnects the CPU 21, the memory 22, the interface 24, and the N / W adapter 25. The interface 24 is electrically connected to each part of the multi-function peripheral 1 (for example, the image reading device 5, the document conveying part 6, the exposure device 11, the image forming part 12 and the like). The N / W adapter 25 is connected to the communication network CN.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a logical configuration realized by the multi-function peripheral 1 (in particular, the control device 20) will be described. The multifunction device 1 includes a control unit 30 that is a functional block configured by software by the operation of the control device 20, and a storage unit 40 that is logically configured by the memory 22. The storage unit 40 stores the adjustment information AI in which the transmittance T of the check sheet C and the adjustment value AV used for adjusting the print setting PS at the time of image formation are associated with each other. That is, the storage unit 40 has a function as an adjustment information storage unit.

  The control unit 30 includes, as functional blocks, a mode selection unit 31, a transmittance acquisition unit 32, a setting adjustment unit 33, a printing unit 34, and a preview unit 35. The mode selection unit 31 has a secret mode in which the secret character CL is printed on the paper M and a normal mode in which the secret character CL is not printed on the paper M (that is, the normal character RL that is a character other than the secret character CL is printed). select. The transmittance acquisition unit 32 acquires the transmittance T of the check sheet C used to cover the paper M when the confidential mode is selected.

  The setting adjustment unit 33 adjusts the print setting PS of the secret character CL according to the adjustment information AI corresponding to the transmittance T acquired by the transmittance acquisition unit 32. The print unit 34 performs printing (image forming processing) according to the print setting PS adjusted by the setting adjustment unit 33. The preview unit 35 displays the image image I when the sheet M printed by the printing unit 34 is covered with the check sheet C. The above functional blocks are realized by the CPU 21 executing the control program stored in the memory 22.

5. Print control processing (setting adjustment processing)
Next, the print control process (setting adjustment process) of the present invention will be described. Schematically, the print setting PS is adjusted based on the transmittance T of the check sheet C, and printing is executed. The details are as follows.

  6 and 7 are a series of flowcharts of the print control process of this embodiment. When print data is input to the multifunction device 1 in step S100, the mode selection unit 31 selects the above-mentioned confidential mode (check sheet mode) or normal mode based on an instruction from the user (step S102). When the normal mode is selected, the printing unit 34 performs printing in the normal mode, and the print control process ends (step S104).

  On the other hand, when the confidential mode is selected in step S102, the scanner unit 5c of the image reading device 5 scans the check sheet C placed on the reading surface 5b and outputs the scan result. Then, the transmittance acquisition unit 32 acquires the transmittance T of the check sheet C based on the scan result (pixel data obtained by the scan) (step S106).

  Next, the setting adjustment unit 33 adjusts the print setting PS according to the adjustment information AI corresponding to the acquired transmittance T (step S108). The adjustment information AI is a matrix-shaped information element that associates the transmittance T of the check sheet C with the adjustment values AV of the thickness and density of the characters (the secret character CL and the normal character RL). FIG. 8 is an example of the adjustment information AI regarding the secret character CL (for example, red character), and FIG. 9 is an example of the adjustment information AI regarding the normal character RL (for example, black character). Each row of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 corresponds to the type of a plurality of check sheets C that are generally used.

  More specifically, in step S108, the setting adjustment unit 33 changes the thickness and density of the characters (the secret character CL and the normal character RL) according to the adjustment information AI (adjustment value AV) corresponding to the transmittance T. Then, the print setting PS is adjusted. The setting adjustment unit 33 may adjust the print setting PS for only one of the secret character CL and the normal character RL, or may adjust the print setting PS for only one of the character thickness and the density. Can be adopted.

  Next, the setting adjustment unit 33 inquires of the user terminal U whether or not to increase the thickness of the normal character RL existing in the line (within the adjustment unit) in which the secret character CL is present (step S110). In addition, in step S110, the setting adjustment unit 33 may further inquire about the number of lines for increasing the thickness of the normal character RL. Further, the setting adjustment unit 33 may control the thickness of the normal character RL in units of a plurality of lines or units of a predetermined rectangular area, not in units of one line. That is, an arbitrary unit can be adopted as the unit for adjusting the thickness of the normal character RL.

  When the response from the user terminal U is NO, step S112 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S114. On the other hand, when the response from the user terminal U in step S110 is YES, the setting adjustment unit 33 thickens the normal character RL (for example, thickens it by 10%) in accordance with the instruction from the user in step S112. The setting adjustment unit 33 may increase the density of the normal character RL (for example, increase it by 10%) instead of or in addition to increasing the thickness of the normal character RL. That is, the setting adjustment unit 33 adjusts the print setting PS such that at least one of the thickness and the density of the normal character RL existing in the adjustment unit in which the secret character CL exists is increased.

  Next, the setting adjustment unit 33 inquires of the user terminal U whether or not to adjust the print settings PS according to the usage environment of the paper M (check sheet C) (step S114). The setting adjustment unit 33 inquires of the user terminal U about the brightness in the usage environment (quite dark / dark / normal / bright / quite bright), and informs the lighting fixture in the usage environment of the paper M (check sheet C). Queries the proximity (whether the lighting is close or not).

  If the response from the user terminal U is NO, step S116 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S118. On the other hand, if the response from the user terminal U in step S114 is YES, in step S116, the setting adjustment unit 33 causes the adjustment information AI according to the use environment (brightness or proximity to the lighting fixture) selected by the user. Referring to, the print setting PS is adjusted so that the thickness and density of the characters (the secret character CL and the normal character RL) change. Note that either the thickness or the density may be adjusted.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the adjustment information AI further includes the thickness of the character (the secret character CL and the normal character RL) associated with the brightness in the usage environment of the paper M and the proximity to the lighting fixture. And the density adjustment value AV. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, it is preferable that the setting adjustment unit 33 adjusts the print setting PS such that the darker the brightness in the environment of use and the closer the lighting fixture is, the larger the character thickness and density are. Is.

  By the way, the secret character CL is substantially the same color as the check sheet C (for example, red), and the first secret character CL1 which is invisible by being covered with the check sheet C and the color different from the check sheet C (for example, purple). ), The second secret character CL2 that is made invisible by being darkened by being covered with the check sheet C and being covered with the check sheet C. The second secret character CL2 is preferably configured with a color (for example, green) different from that of the first secret character CL1.

  In step S118, the setting adjustment unit 33 detects whether or not the tint block portion P exists in the print target range. When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern portion P exists, the setting adjustment unit 33 detects whether or not the second hidden character CL2 exists in the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern portion P in step S120. When the second secret character CL2 exists in the tint block portion P, the setting adjustment unit 33 determines in step S122 whether the second secret character CL2 is visible through the check sheet C.

  When all of the above steps S118 to S122 are YES, the setting adjustment unit 33 transmits a message requesting the user terminal U to input a new density of the tint block portion P in step S124. Then, the setting adjusting unit 33 changes the density of the tint block portion P according to the density indicated in the reply message. On the other hand, if any of the above steps S118 to S122 is NO, the control unit 30 skips step S124 and advances the process to step S126.

  In step S126, the preview unit 35 displays the image image I of the printed paper M on the preview screen based on the print settings PS adjusted in the above steps. The preview screen is displayed on the screen of the user terminal U, for example. FIG. 12 is an image image I showing only the sheet M after printing. FIG. 13 is an image image I showing a state in which the print sheet M is covered with the check sheet C. While the secret character CL indicating the answer on the first line of FIG. 13 is concealed, the secret character CL indicating the answer is sufficiently concealed (invisible) on the second, fifth, and sixth lines. It has not been.

  The setting adjustment unit 33 receives the correction of the print setting PS by the user after the image image I is displayed. That is, when the correction from the user is accepted in step S128, the setting adjustment unit 33 corrects the print setting PS for the current print processing, and in step S130, the adjusted adjustment value AV is set as the adjustment information AI. It is reflected (stored in the adjustment information AI). FIG. 14 is an image image I after the print setting PS is corrected. In FIG. 14, the secret character CL is sufficiently concealed (invisible).

  When there is no correction by the user in step S128 or when step S130 ends, the printing unit 34 performs printing (image forming processing) according to the print setting PS. As a result, the sheet M on which the secret character CL is printed is generated.

6. Technical Effects of the Present Embodiment As described above, the multifunction device 1 (image forming apparatus) of the present embodiment follows the adjustment information AI corresponding to the transmittance T of the check sheet C in the secret mode for printing the secret character CL. The print setting PS of the secret character CL is adjusted. According to the above configuration, the print setting PS for printing the secret character CL is appropriately adjusted so as to match the transmittance T of the check sheet C that the user wants to use. As a result, the printed secret character CL is properly concealed by the check sheet C.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the transmittance acquisition unit 32 acquires the transmittance T of the check sheet C based on the scan result of the check sheet C. According to the above configuration, the transmittance T is calculated based on the result of scanning the actual check sheet C, so that the value becomes more accurate.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the setting adjustment unit 33 adjusts the print setting PS according to the adjustment information AI corresponding to the transmittance T so that at least one of the thickness and the density of the secret character CL changes. According to the above configuration, the thickness and the density of the secret character CL can be adjusted according to the transmittance T, so that the readability and the concealability of the secret character CL can be adjusted.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the setting adjustment unit 33 adjusts the print setting PS according to the adjustment information AI corresponding to the transmittance T so that at least one of the thickness and the density of the normal character RL changes. According to the above configuration, in addition to the secret character CL, the thickness and density of the normal character RL can be adjusted according to the transmissivity T, so that the readability and confidentiality of the normal character RL can be adjusted.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the setting adjustment unit 33 adjusts the print setting PS so that at least one of the thickness and the density of the normal character RL existing in the adjustment unit in which the secret character CL exists is increased. .. According to the above configuration, the check sheet C is adjusted so as to increase the thickness and density of the normal character RL around the hidden character CL whose visibility is reduced. Therefore, the readability of the normal character RL hidden in the check sheet C is improved. Is improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the setting adjustment unit 33 causes the characters (the secret character CL and the normal character RL) to be thick according to the brightness in the usage environment of the paper M on which the secret character CL is printed and the proximity to the lighting device. The print setting PS is adjusted so that at least one of the height and the density changes. According to the above configuration, the thickness and density of the character are adjusted according to the usage environment, so that the readability and confidentiality of the character are set more appropriately.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the secret character CL is composed of the first secret character CL1 which is substantially the same color as the check sheet C and which is invisible by being covered with the check sheet C, and a color different from the check sheet C. The second secret character CL2 is arranged inside the tint block portion P, and the tint block portion P is covered with the check sheet C to be invisible by darkening. According to the above configuration, since a plurality of types of concealment methods are realized, user convenience is further improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, after the image image I when the sheet M is covered with the check sheet C is displayed, the correction of the print setting PS is accepted, and the adjusted adjustment value AV is stored in the adjustment information AI. It According to the above configuration, the print setting PS can be appropriately modified based on the image image I as a preview, and the modified adjustment value AV is saved, so that the modified value (user set value) can be stored later. It can be reused.

7. Modifications The above-described embodiment may be modified in various ways. The following is a modification of the embodiment. Two or more aspects arbitrarily selected from the embodiment and the modified examples can be appropriately merged unless they contradict each other.

  In the embodiment described above, the storage unit 40 stores the adjustment information AI. In another form, the adjustment information AI may be stored on the cloud, for example, in the external server ES. The control unit 30 of the multifunction device 1 can access the external server ES via the Internet IN and acquire the adjustment information AI.

  In the above-described embodiment, the transmittance acquisition unit 32 acquires (calculates) the transmittance T of the check sheet C based on the actual scan result. However, the transmittance T in the adjustment information AI selected by the user (user terminal U) may be acquired by the transmittance acquisition unit 32 as the transmittance T of the check sheet C.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the configuration of the present invention is applied to the multi-function peripheral 1 which is an example of the image processing apparatus has been described, but in another different embodiment, another image processing apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile. Alternatively, the configuration of the present invention may be applied to another image processing system including such another image processing apparatus.

  Since the above description of the embodiments describes the preferred embodiments of the multifunction machine 1 according to the present invention, various technically preferable restrictions may be attached, but the technical description of the present invention is not limited thereto. The scope is not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise stated as limiting the invention. Further, the constituent elements in the embodiments of the present invention described above can be appropriately replaced with existing constituent elements and the like, and various variations including combinations with other existing constituent elements are possible. The description of the embodiments of the present invention does not limit the content of the invention described in the claims.

1 Multi-function machine (image processing device)
30 control unit 31 mode selection unit 32 transmittance acquisition unit 33 setting adjustment unit 34 printing unit 35 preview unit 40 storage unit (adjustment information storage unit)
AI Adjustment information C Check sheet CL Secret character RL Normal character

Claims (11)

An image forming apparatus capable of printing a secret character, which is a character invisible by being covered with a check sheet having a predetermined transmittance, on a medium,
An adjustment information storage unit that stores adjustment information that associates the transmittance of the check sheet with an adjustment value used to adjust print settings during image formation,
A mode selecting unit for selecting a secret mode for printing the secret character on the medium and a normal mode for not printing the secret character on the medium;
A transmissivity acquisition unit that acquires the transmissivity of the check sheet used to cover the medium when the confidential mode is selected;
A setting adjustment unit that adjusts the print setting of the secret character according to the adjustment information corresponding to the transmittance acquired by the transmittance acquisition unit;
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a print unit that performs printing according to the print settings adjusted by the setting adjustment unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmittance acquisition unit acquires the transmittance of the check sheet based on a scan result of the check sheet. The adjustment information includes an adjustment value associated with the transmittance and at least one of the thickness and the density of the secret character,
2. The setting adjustment unit adjusts the print setting so that at least one of the thickness and the density of the secret character changes according to the adjustment information corresponding to the transmittance. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The adjustment information includes at least one of an adjustment value of thickness and density of a normal character that is a character other than the secret character, which is associated with the transparency.
The said setting adjustment part adjusts the said print setting so that at least one of the thickness and density of the said normal character may change according to the said adjustment information corresponding to the said transmittance | permeability. The image forming apparatus described.   The setting adjustment unit adjusts the print setting such that at least one of the thickness and the density of the normal character existing in the adjustment unit in which the secret character exists increases. Item 4. The image forming apparatus according to item 4. The adjustment information further includes an adjustment value of at least one of the thickness and the density of the character, which is associated with the brightness in the usage environment of the medium on which the secret character is printed.
2. The setting adjustment unit adjusts the print setting so that at least one of the thickness and the density of the character changes according to the brightness selected by the user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5. The adjustment information further includes an adjustment value of at least one of thickness and density of the character, which is associated with proximity to a lighting device in a use environment of the medium on which the secret character is printed,
The setting adjustment unit adjusts the print setting such that at least one of the thickness and the density of the character changes in accordance with the degree of proximity to the lighting device selected by the user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The secret character is arranged in a tint block portion formed of a first secret character having a color substantially the same as that of the check sheet and being invisible by being covered with the check sheet, and the tint block portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a part includes a second secret character that is covered with the check sheet and invisible by darkening. Further comprising a preview unit for displaying an image image when the medium printed by the printing unit is covered with the check sheet,
2. The setting adjustment unit receives the correction of the print setting by the user after the preview unit displays the image image, and stores the corrected adjustment value in the adjustment information. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. A setting adjustment method in an image forming apparatus capable of printing a secret character, which is a character hidden by being covered with a check sheet having a predetermined transmittance, on a medium,
Selecting a secret mode in which the secret character is printed on the medium, and a normal mode in which the secret character is not printed in the medium,
Acquiring the transmittance of the check sheet used to cover the medium when the secret mode is selected;
Adjusting the print setting of the secret character according to the acquired adjustment information corresponding to the transparency, the setting adjustment method. It is possible to print a secret character that is a character invisible by being covered with a check sheet having a predetermined transmittance on a medium, and to adjust the transmittance of the check sheet and print settings at the time of image formation. A control program executed in an image forming apparatus including an adjustment information storage unit that stores adjustment information associated with an adjustment value used for
The image forming apparatus,
A mode selecting unit for selecting a secret mode for printing the secret character on the medium and a normal mode for not printing the secret character on the medium;
A transmissivity acquisition unit that acquires the transmissivity of the check sheet used to cover the medium when the confidential mode is selected;
A setting adjustment unit that adjusts the print setting of the secret character according to the adjustment information corresponding to the transmittance acquired by the transmittance acquisition unit;
A control program that functions as a printing unit that executes printing according to the print settings adjusted by the setting adjustment unit.

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