JP3900885B2 - Printing system and printing instruction apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing system using a network, a printing instruction apparatus and a printing control method used therefor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the spread of networks such as LAN (Local Area Network), a terminal device such as a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer) and a plurality of print processing devices (printers, copiers, etc.) are connected via a network. A printing system that outputs a print instruction from a terminal device to an arbitrary print processing apparatus and executes print output of image data by data communication via the network is used.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As a usage form of such a printing system, for example, when it is desired to print a large amount of image data held by a terminal device in a short time, the same image data may be transferred to a plurality of print processing devices and printed out in parallel. Conceivable. However, in the conventional printing system, when the same image data is transferred to a plurality of print processing devices, each print processing device prints out the image data with an image quality optimized by the own device. There is a problem that the image quality of the printed matter printed out differs depending on the print processing apparatus.
[0004]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to equalize image quality when printing the same image data in parallel using two or more print processing apparatuses. There is to plan.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The printing system according to the present invention is a printing system in which at least one print instruction apparatus and a plurality of print processing apparatuses are connected via a network, and the print instruction apparatus outputs an output destination of image data to be printed. When two or more print processing devices are selected from a plurality of print processing devices, the print processing device having the lowest image quality among the image quality information corresponding to the two or more print processing devices serving as output destinations The print instruction based on the image quality information is output to two or more print processing devices selected as output destinations, and each of the plurality of print processing devices connected to the network has a lower image quality function than the own device. It has quality information and color profile included in, when the printing instruction based on the image quality information of the most quality low print processing device is outputted from the print instruction device, corresponding to the image quality information of the print instruction That selects a color profile is to execute the printout performs color conversion of image data.
[0006]
In the printing system, when two or more print processing apparatuses are selected as output destinations of image data to be printed by the print instruction apparatus, image quality information corresponding to the two or more print processing apparatuses as the output destinations. A print instruction based on the image quality information of the print processing apparatus with the lowest image quality is output from the print instruction apparatus, and the print processing apparatus that receives this prints out image data according to the image quality information of the print instruction. As a result, the two or more print processing apparatuses selected as the output destinations of the image data print out the image data according to the common image quality information.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0008]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, one print instruction apparatus 1 and a plurality (three in the illustrated example) of print processing apparatuses 2, 3, and 4 are connected via a network 5. The print instruction apparatus 1 is constituted by, for example, a personal computer or a print server, and instructs each print processing apparatus 2, 3, 4 connected to the network 5 to print image data to be printed.
[0009]
The plurality of print processing apparatuses 2, 3, and 4 are constituted by, for example, network compatible printers, copiers, and the like, and have different image quality functions. Here, as an example, the print processing device 2 has the highest image quality function (high image quality function), the print processing device 3 has a lower image quality function (medium image quality function) than the print processing device 2, and the print processing device 4 has more than the print processing device 3. Also have a low image quality function (low image quality function). Each of the print processing apparatuses 2, 3, and 4 holds the image quality information and color profile of another apparatus having an image quality function lower than that of the own apparatus, in addition to the image quality information and color profile specific to the apparatus.
[0010]
That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, in addition to the image quality information and color profile F1 of the print processing apparatus 2, the print processing apparatus 2 has image quality information and color profile F2 of the print processing apparatus 3 having a lower image quality function than the self apparatus. In addition to the image quality information and the color profile F2, the print processing device 3 has image quality information and color profile F3 of the print processing device 4 as shown in FIG. It holds the image quality information and the color profile F3 of the print processing device 4 having a low function. Further, the print processing apparatus 4 has only the image quality information of the own apparatus and the color profile F3 as shown in FIG. 2C because there is no print processing apparatus having a lower image quality function than the own apparatus on the network 5. is doing.
[0011]
The image quality information of the print processing device includes at least one of a color reproduction range (Color Gamut), resolution, and number of gradations. The color reproduction range defines a color reproduction range (color gamut) that can be output by the print processing apparatus, and is shown as one color profile parameter. The resolution defines the ability to express details of an image that can be output by the print processing apparatus, and is represented by a value in units of dpi (dots per inch). The number of gradations defines the number of gradations that can be output by the print processing apparatus, and is indicated in the range of 2 to 256.
[0012]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color profile of the print processing apparatus. The illustrated color profile conforms to the profile format proposed by ICC (International Color Consortium) and is based on the concept of PCS (Profile Connection Space). The file structure mainly includes three items: a profile header (Profile Header), a tag table (Tag Table), and tag data (Tagged Data).
[0013]
The tag data includes various parameters for color conversion. In this tab table, three types of color reproduction methods (styles) of “perceptual”, “colorimetric”, and “saturation” are prepared. In general, “perceptual” is used for photographic images, “colorimetric” is used for logos, and “saturation” is used for computer graphic images. In these three color reproduction systems, color data is converted from a device-independent color space to a device-dependent color space using color conversion data corresponding to each of the color reproduction methods. For example, device-independent color data represented by L * a * b * is obtained by 3 × 3 matrix operation, data conversion by a one-dimensional LUT (lookup table), data conversion by a three-dimensional LUT, and one-dimensional LUT. After data conversion, the data is converted into YMCK color data dependent on the device. Tag data also includes “gamut Data”, “media White Data”, “Copyright Data”, and the like. Among these, “gamut Data” is data indicating the color reproduction range of the print processing apparatus, and the color reproduction range of the print processing apparatus is defined using this data.
[0014]
Incidentally, the color profile shown in FIG. 3 includes data used when converting color data from a device-independent color space to a device-dependent color space (the former), and color data from a device-dependent color space to a device-independent color space. Both of the data (the latter) used when converting to the dependent color space are held, but when the image data is output by the print processing apparatus, the color conversion is performed using only the former data.
[0015]
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the print instruction apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the output destination selection unit 11 selects an output destination of image data to be printed from among a plurality (three in this embodiment) of print processing apparatuses 2, 3, 4 connected to the network 5. Is for. When two or more print processing devices are selected as output destinations of image data by the output destination selection unit 11, the image quality selection unit 12 has the highest image quality among the image quality information corresponding to the two or more print processing devices. Image quality information of a print processing apparatus with a low image quality is selected, and includes, for example, an image quality information acquisition unit 13, an image quality comparison unit 14, and an image quality determination unit 15.
[0016]
When two or more print processing devices are selected as output destinations of image data by the output destination selection unit 11, the image quality information acquisition unit 13 displays image quality information corresponding to the two or more print processing devices on the network 5. It is acquired by information communication via The image quality comparison unit 14 compares the image quality information of each print processing apparatus acquired by the image quality information acquisition unit 13. The image quality determination unit 15 prints the image with the lowest image quality based on the comparison result of the image quality comparison unit 14. The image quality information of the processing device is determined as image quality information to be applied at the time of printing.
[0017]
The print instruction unit 16 outputs a print instruction for image data to be printed to the print processing apparatus selected by the output destination selection unit 11. In the print processing unit 16, when two or more print processing devices are selected as the output destination of the image data by the output destination selection unit 11, image quality selection is performed for the two or more selected print processing devices. A print instruction based on the image quality information selected by the unit 12 is output.
[0018]
Next, a processing procedure when printing image data using the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, description will be made on the assumption that the print instruction apparatus 1 holds (stores) image data to be printed. However, other than this, for example, a scanner connected to the network 5 or the like It is also possible to designate image data read by an image reading apparatus (not shown) as a printing target.
[0019]
First, in the print instruction apparatus 1, it is repeatedly determined whether or not an instruction to print out image data is given by the user (step S1). For example, a print output execution instruction by the user is displayed on a display screen of the print instruction apparatus 1 by using a processing content menu, and the user can print using an input device (keyboard, mouse, etc.) attached to the print instruction apparatus 1 from the menu. This is done by selecting a process.
[0020]
When a print output execution instruction is given, the print instruction apparatus 1 determines whether or not two or more print processing apparatuses have been selected as output destinations of image data to be printed (step S2). . At that time, the print processing apparatus as the output destination is selected by the user using the output destination selection unit 11 described above. Specifically, for example, a list of print processing apparatuses that can be selected as output destinations of image data is displayed on the display screen of the print instruction apparatus 1, and the user uses the input device to select a desired one. This is done by selecting a print processing device.
[0021]
Here, when one print processing apparatus is selected as the output destination of the image data, a print instruction is output to the print processing apparatus together with the image data to be printed from the print instruction apparatus 1 (step S3). ). This print instruction is issued by the print instruction unit 16 described above. As a result, the print processing apparatus that has received the print instruction from the print instruction apparatus 1 executes print output of the image data with the image quality optimized by the own apparatus (step S4).
[0022]
As a specific example, when the print processing apparatus 3 is selected as the output destination of image data, a print instruction is output from the print instruction apparatus 1 to the print processing apparatus 3. As a result, the print processing apparatus 3 prints out the image data sent from the print instruction apparatus 1 with an image quality optimized by the own apparatus (print processing apparatus 3). In this print processing, the print processing apparatus 3 performs color conversion of the image data using the color profile of the own apparatus so as to make the best use of the color reproduction range of the own apparatus, and the converted image data is converted into the own apparatus. Print out according to the resolution and gradation characteristics of the.
[0023]
On the other hand, when two or more print processing apparatuses are selected as output destinations of image data, a transmission request for image quality information is made from the print instructing apparatus 1 to each selected print processing apparatus, and each response is a response. The image quality information transmitted (returned) from the print processing apparatus is acquired by the print instruction apparatus 1 (step S5). The image quality information acquisition process is performed by the image quality information acquisition unit 13 described above.
[0024]
Next, in the print instruction apparatus 1, the image quality information of the print processing apparatus with the lowest image quality (hereinafter referred to as the lowest image quality) is obtained from the image quality information acquired from each print processing apparatus by the image quality comparison unit 14 and the image quality determination unit 15 described above. Information) is selected (step S6). Thereafter, the print instruction apparatus 1 outputs a print instruction based on the minimum image quality information to each of the previously selected print processing apparatuses (two or more print processing apparatuses selected as output destinations of the image data). (Step S7). The printing instruction is output by the printing instruction unit 16 described above.
[0025]
On the other hand, each print processing apparatus that has received a print instruction from the print instruction apparatus 1 executes print output of image data according to the minimum image quality information so as to match the minimum image quality information selected in step S6. (Step S8).
[0026]
As a specific example, when two print processing apparatuses 2 and 4 are selected as output destinations of image data, the image quality information of the two print processing apparatuses 2 and 4 is acquired by the print instruction apparatus 1. In this case, since the image processing function of the print processing device 4 is lower than that of the print processing device 2, the print instruction device 1 selects the image quality information of the print processing device 4 as the minimum image quality information, and prints out according to the minimum image quality information. Is output to each of the print processing apparatuses 2 and 4. As a result, the print processing apparatus 2 executes print output of image data according to the image quality information corresponding to the print processing apparatus 4, and the print processing apparatus 4 executes print output according to the image quality information of the own apparatus.
[0027]
That is, when the resolution of the print processing device 2 is 600 dpi and the resolution of the print processing device 4 is 300 dpi, the print processing devices 2 and 4 print out image data at a resolution of 300 dpi. As a result, output images having the same resolution can be obtained in the respective print processing apparatuses 2 and 4. If the print processing apparatus 2 has 256 gradations and the print processing apparatus 4 has 2 gradations, the print processing apparatuses 2 and 4 can store image data in 2 gradations. Print out. As a result, an output image having the same number of gradations can be obtained in each of the print processing apparatuses 2 and 4. When the color reproduction range of the print processing device 2 is wider than the color reproduction range of the print processing device 4, the print processing devices 2 and 4 print out image data using the color profile of the print processing device 4, respectively. . As a result, an output image having the same color can be obtained in each of the print processing apparatuses 2 and 4.
[0028]
As a result, the image data to be printed is printed out with the same image quality by the two print processing apparatuses 2 and 4 having different image quality functions, so that the image quality of the printed material is made uniform. In particular, in recent years, since the opportunity to print color image data has increased, low image quality is ensured so that the color reproduction ranges of the print processing apparatuses 2 and 4 selected as output destinations of the image data are equal. In order to suppress the difference in color between the print processing apparatuses, it is very useful to perform color conversion with a color profile matched to the print processing apparatus 4 and print it out.
[0029]
As described above, according to the printing system according to the present embodiment, when two or more print processing apparatuses are selected as the output destination of the image data to be printed in the print instruction apparatus 1, the print process that is the output destination is selected. A print instruction based on the image quality information of the print processing apparatus with the lowest image quality is output from the image quality information corresponding to the apparatus, and the image quality suitable for the print processing apparatus with the lowest image quality is received by each printing apparatus device receiving this print instruction. The print output is executed according to the information.
[0030]
By adopting such a system configuration, when image data to be printed is printed out in parallel by two or more print processing apparatuses, the image quality is the lowest among the two or more print processing apparatuses. By applying the image quality information of the print processing device, print output is executed by the two or more print processing devices. Therefore, when the same image data is output by two or more print processing apparatuses having different image quality functions, the image quality of the printed matter printed and output by each print processing apparatus can be made uniform.
[0031]
In the above-described embodiment, the print instruction apparatus 1 includes the image quality information acquisition unit 13. However, other than this, for example, as shown in FIG. It is good also as a structure provided with the information storage part 17. FIG. In the configuration of the print instruction apparatus 1, image quality information of each of the print processing apparatuses 2, 3, 4 connected to the network 5 is stored in the image quality information storage unit 17 in advance, and two or more image data output destinations are stored. Is selected by the output destination selection unit 11, the image quality information stored in the image quality information storage unit 17 corresponding to the selected print processing device is compared by the image quality comparison unit 14. Based on the comparison result, the image quality determination unit 15 selects (determines) the minimum quality information, so that the same effect as described above can be obtained.
[0032]
In the above embodiment, when two or more print processing apparatuses are selected as output destinations of image data, each selected print processing apparatus uses the color profile of the own apparatus or another apparatus. Although color conversion processing is performed, the present invention is not limited to this.
[0033]
That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the configuration of the print instruction apparatus 1 includes an image quality information storage unit 17 that stores image quality information corresponding to a plurality of print processing apparatuses 2, 3, and 4 connected to the network 5, and A profile storage unit 18 that stores color profiles corresponding to the print processing devices 2, 3, and 4, and a color conversion unit 19 that performs color conversion of image data using the color profiles stored in the profile storage unit 18 are provided. The color profile corresponding to the minimum image quality information selected by the image quality information selection function by the image quality comparison unit 14, the image quality determination unit 15 and the image quality information storage unit 17 is read from the profile storage unit 18, and the color conversion unit 19 Conversion processing may be performed. According to such a configuration, it is not necessary to give each print processing device 2, 3, 4 a color profile. Therefore, it can be effectively used when a low-quality print processing apparatus having no color profile is connected to the network 5 and used.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when two or more print processing devices are selected as output destinations of image data to be printed, the image quality information (most common to the two or more print processing devices is the most common). The image data is printed out according to the image quality information of the print processing apparatus with low image quality. Thus, when the same image data is printed out in parallel using two or more print processing apparatuses, the image quality of the printed matter printed out by each print processing apparatus can be made uniform.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating possession information of a print processing apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color profile of the print processing apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a first configuration example of a print instruction apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for printing image data using a printing system.
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating a second configuration example of the print instruction apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating a third configuration example of the print instruction apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Print instruction apparatus, 2, 3, 4 ... Print processing apparatus, 5 ... Network, 11 ... Output selection part, 12 ... Image quality selection part, 13 ... Image quality information acquisition part, 14 ... Image quality comparison part, 15 ... Image quality determination part , 16 ... print instruction unit, 17 ... image quality information storage unit, 18 ... profile storage unit, 19 ... color conversion unit

Claims (4)

A printing system in which at least one print instruction device and a plurality of print processing devices are connected via a network,
The print instructing device, when two or more print processing devices are selected from the plurality of print processing devices as an output destination of image data to be printed, two or more print processing as output destinations Printing instructions based on the image quality information of the print processing apparatus having the lowest image quality among the image quality information corresponding to the apparatus are output to two or more print processing apparatuses selected as the output destinations;
Each of the plurality of print processing devices connected to the network has image quality information and a color profile provided in another device having a lower image quality function than the own device , and printing based on the image quality information of the print image processing device having the lowest image quality When the instruction is output from the print instruction apparatus, a color profile corresponding to image quality information of the print instruction is selected, color conversion of the image data is performed, and print output is executed.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the image quality information includes at least one of a color reproduction range, a resolution, and the number of gradations. A print instruction device connected to a network together with a plurality of print processing devices,
Profile storage means for storing color profiles corresponding to the plurality of print processing devices;
When two or more print processing devices are selected as output destinations of image data to be printed, the image quality information of the print processing device with the lowest image quality among the image quality information corresponding to the two or more print processing devices. Image quality selection means for selecting
A color conversion unit that reads a color profile corresponding to the image quality information selected by the image quality selection unit from the profile storage unit and performs a color conversion process on the image data;
Print instruction means for outputting a print instruction based on the image quality information selected by the image quality selection means to two or more print processing apparatuses selected as the output destination;
A printing instruction apparatus comprising:   The print instruction apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image quality information includes at least one of a color reproduction range, a resolution, and the number of gradations.

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