JP4590430B2 - Image forming system and image forming program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine equipped with these functions, and more particularly to an image forming system capable of color printing and an image forming program.

  Conventionally, in a color image forming system such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine equipped with these functions, it is desirable for users who are not satisfied with the default color for an image after image forming processing. In order to reproduce the color tone, it is known to have a switching function for switching color conversion table data such as an ICC profile (for example, RGB profile or CMYK profile) to that stored in an HDD or the like in the image forming apparatus main body. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  The color conversion table data for switching includes, for example, the same color conversion table data as the color conversion table data stored in the HDD in the image forming apparatus main body by a developer of the color conversion table data using a personal computer. It is created by adding.

  Further, the color conversion table data for switching after creation is acquired as a part of download data, for example, using a personal computer (print server or the like) connected to the image forming apparatus via an electric communication line or the like. And can be stored (overwritten or the like) in an HDD or the like in the image forming apparatus main body.

  The download data can be obtained by, for example, storing the download data in a storage medium such as various memory cards / memory sticks in addition to the above-described method of obtaining the data by connecting to the Internet using a personal computer. It can be obtained by being inserted into a computer or image forming apparatus main body.

At this time, when downloading download data, there is also known a download function having detection means for detecting illegal data by looking at attribute information related to color conversion table data to be downloaded (see, for example, Patent Document 2). ).
JP 2003-244433 A JP 2003-296079 A

  However, in the image forming system configured as described above, when a color desired by the user is not obtained, a service person or the like downloads and acquires switching color conversion table data such as an ICC profile.

  At this time, for example, since a storage area having a relatively large capacity such as an HDD or a cache area is prepared in a GDI printer or the like, a color conversion table data having a large size is used.

  However, if the color conversion table data is downloaded as part of the download data as it is, a limited memory area is occupied, resulting in a reduction in processing speed.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system capable of suppressing a decrease in processing speed when downloading color conversion table data for switching.

  An image forming system according to the present invention is an image forming system that switches existing color conversion table data to switching color conversion table data included in download data, and stores the existing color conversion table data. Means, download data acquisition means for acquiring the download data, download data storage means for storing the download data acquired by the download data acquisition means, and setting the download data storage means when downloading the download data A comparison means for comparing the switching color conversion table data storage allowable size and the data size of the switching color conversion table data, and as a result of comparison by the comparison means, the switching color conversion table data storage allowable size Switching color conversion If towards the data size of the table data is large, characterized in that it comprises a data reducing unit for reducing the data size of the switching color conversion table data.

  At this time, it is preferable that the data reduction means includes a selection means for selecting the reduction size.

  It is preferable that image processing means for outputting the existing color conversion table data stored in the color conversion table data storage means and the switching color conversion table data stored in the download data storage means is provided. .

  Furthermore, the image forming program of the present invention is an image forming system for switching existing color conversion table data to switching color conversion table data included in download data, the color conversion table storing the existing color conversion table data A data storage step, a download data acquisition step for acquiring the download data, a download data storage step for storing the acquired download data, and a switching color conversion table data storage allowable size when downloading the download data, The comparison step for comparing the color conversion table data size for switching and the color conversion table data size for switching are reduced when the color conversion table data size for switching is larger than the allowable storage size of the color conversion table data for switching. De To execute a data reduction step, to a computer.

  The image forming system of the present invention can suppress a decrease in processing speed when downloading switching color conversion table data.

  Next, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a data format of a main part of download data used in the image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a main part of an image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) used in an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a routine in the image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Is an explanatory diagram of a display example of the display unit in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of reconstruction by the size calculation unit in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of sample data output in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is an explanatory diagram of the image.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of personal computers 3 connected to an image forming apparatus 1 such as a multifunction peripheral via a network line 2, and the personal computer. A print server 4 for processing the print data output from 3 is connected via the network line 2. The print server 4 also serves as an Internet server and is also connected to the Internet line 6 via the router 5.

  In the present embodiment, the print server 4 acquires the download data 7 through the Internet line 6 by the operation of a service person using any of the print server 4, the personal computer 3, and the image forming apparatus 1, for example. . The print server 4 (or the personal computer 3) also selects sample data SD that matches the content related to the image forming process (output) of the downloaded download data 7 from the plurality of sample data S stored in the image forming apparatus 1. Can be output to the image forming apparatus 1 by an external operation.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the download data 7 supports setting information for reproducing a hue desired by the user who actually uses the image forming apparatus 1 as a data format. In this form, as the essential data when downloading the download data 7, RGB and CMYK color space settings 71, the number of table grids 72, an object to be printed 73 such as a character table or a photographic image table, a switching color conversion It consists of table data 74.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an interface unit 11 for connection to the network line 2 (or connection to a storage medium), and an automatic document feeder (above the image forming apparatus 1). ADF) 12, a scanner unit 13 that reads a document set on ADF 12 when used as a copy function or a facsimile function, and an image based on print data output from personal computer 3 or image data read by scanner unit 13. An image processing unit 14 that executes a forming process, an HDD 15 that temporarily stores these data when performing image forming processing based on print data and image data, and various settings when used as a copying function, a facsimile function, and the like A panel switch type display unit 16 for performing various operations and a plurality of buttons for performing various operations in combination with the display unit 16. An operation unit 17 provided with a switch, a ROM 18 that stores the overall control program of the image forming apparatus 1, a RAM 19 that temporarily stores various settings (enlargement / reduction ratio, etc.) during image formation processing, And a control circuit 20 for controlling.

  The control circuit (CPU) 20 performs control related to the entire image forming process based on various control programs stored in the ROM 18. The ROM 18 also stores a control program related to the control of the image forming system of the present embodiment, and the control circuit 20 that executes this control program constitutes a microcomputer. Further, the image data and the like when executing the image forming process are stored in the HDD 15, but may be stored in the RAM 19. Further, the RAM 19 (or HDD 15) is executed by the control circuit 20 by replacing a part of the control program related to the control of the image forming system of the present invention with the control program stored in the ROM 18. For this reason, the image forming system of the present embodiment constitutes a microcomputer including the RAM 19 (or HDD 15).

  The display unit 16 can display various setting information for operating the image forming apparatus 1 and can use the display as a panel switch. In the present embodiment, the display unit 16 displays a start button, a reset button, etc. (both not shown) for starting download of the download data 7 as the mode selection switch.

  The ROM 18 includes a color conversion unit 181 that performs color conversion processing of the color conversion table data, a color conversion table data storage area 182 that stores existing color conversion table data, a sample data storage area 183 that stores a plurality of sample data S, which Sample data selection unit 184 for selecting whether to output sample data S, size calculation unit 185 for calculating the reduction size when the color conversion table data for switching is reduced, table data for reconstructing the table data according to the reduction size A reconstruction unit 186 is provided.

  The RAM 19 stores a download data storage area 191 for storing the download data 7 as it is, a storage allowable size value storage area 192 for storing a size value of a storage allowable size of the switching color conversion table data 74, and a switching color conversion table data 74. The color conversion table data storage area 193 for switching is stored. The data stored in each of these areas 191 to 193 is deleted when the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off. Accordingly, in the case where the image forming apparatus 1 is a multi-function machine having a facsimile function, the main power supply is not basically turned off and may be stored in the RAM 19. However, for example, the scanner unit 13 is not provided. In the case of an image forming apparatus that is supposed to turn off the main power source such as a printer dedicated machine, each of the areas 191 to 193 may be secured in the HDD 15 instead of the RAM 19, and the data backed up in the HDD 15 is stored in the main power source. It is also possible to configure so as to be expanded in the RAM 19 each time the is turned on.

  Next, an example of control according to the present embodiment by the control circuit 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S1)
In step S1, the control circuit 20 starts the mode by setting the mode with a download execution mode button (not shown) displayed on the display unit 16, and downloads by pressing the download execution button displayed with the mode selection. As a standby state for data 7, the process proceeds to step S2.

(Step S2)
In step S2, the control circuit 20 acquires the download data 7 through the interface unit 11, stores the acquired download data in the download data storage area 191 as it is, and proceeds to step S3. The download data 7 may be acquired by the serviceman or the like, for example, the download data 7 acquired by the print server 4 via the Internet line 6 on the network via the network line 2 and the interface unit 11, or an interface Download data stored in various memory card / memory sticky data 74 media inserted in the unit 11 may be acquired. Further, when the acquired download data 7 is stored in the download data storage area 191, the control circuit 20 does not set the download data 7 as switching color conversion table data used in the color conversion unit 181 of the ROM 18 at this time.

(Step S3)
In step S 3, the control circuit 20 determines the data size of the switching color conversion table data 74 included in the acquired download data 7 and the storage allowable size of the switching color conversion table data 74 set in the storage allowable size value storage area 192. If the data size of the switching color conversion table data 74 is larger than the storage allowable size of the switching color conversion table data 74 set in the storage allowable size value storage area 192, the process proceeds to step S4. If the data size of the switching color conversion table data 74 is smaller than the allowable storage size of the switching color conversion table data 74 set in the allowable storage size value storage area 192, the process skips to step S9.

(Step S4)
In step S4, as shown in FIG. 5, the control circuit 20 displays a message that the data size of the switching color conversion table data 74 is larger than the allowable storage size value on the display unit 16, and selects a reduced size. A selection button is displayed to move to step S5. In the present embodiment, the display unit 16 uses a standard button 161 for reducing the reduction size to a standard size, a high image quality button 162 for reducing the reduction size with a high image quality, and switching color conversion table data. A cancel (end) button 163 to cancel is displayed.

(Step S5)
In step S5, the control circuit 20 confirms whether or not the selected reduced size is the standard size. If the selected reduced size is the standard size, the process proceeds to step S6. If the selected reduced size is the high quality size, the control circuit 20 proceeds to step S8. Migrate to

(Step S6)
In step S6, when the standard is selected, the control circuit 20 causes the size calculation unit 185 to calculate the number of grids and the data size of the color conversion table data to be reconstructed in accordance with the color conversion table data storage allowable size. The process proceeds to S7.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, when the downloaded switching color conversion table data 74 is a 6 × 6 = 36 color table (actually, it is an RGB profile, it is a three-dimensional matrix). The reduced color conversion table data for switching is 5 × 5 = 25 color conversion table data for switching.

  Therefore, in this size calculation, the size of the color conversion table data for switching can be reduced by simply folding the grid points of the table, not by calculation for complicated reduction processing.

  As a result, the number of colors used for color conversion by the color conversion unit 181 decreases, the image quality decreases, and the greater the degree of reduction, the greater the reduction in image quality.

(Step S7)
In step S7, the control circuit 20 reconstructs the switching color conversion table data 74 with reference to the reduced size of the switching color conversion table data, and proceeds to step S9. At this time, the switching color conversion table data 74 in the download data storage area 191 in which the download data 7 is stored as it is is deleted because the area is released.

(Step S8)
In step S8, the control circuit 20 reconstructs the switching color conversion table data 74 based on the size of the existing color conversion table data based on the selection of high image quality, and proceeds to step S9. At this time, the switching color conversion table data 74 in the download data storage area 191 in which the download data 7 is stored as it is is deleted because the area is released.

(Step S9)
In step S <b> 9, the control circuit 20 controls the sample selection unit 184 so that the sample data S that matches the reconstructed switching color conversion table data 74 is stored in the sample data storage area 183. Select and move to step S10.

(Step S10)
In step S10, the control circuit 20 performs color conversion on the selected sample data S by the color conversion unit 181 and then transmits the converted sample data S to the image processing unit 14 before correction (existing) color. The sample data SD is output (image forming process) based on the conversion table data, and the process proceeds to step S11.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of such sample data S. The downloaded switching color conversion table data 74 can be set as a grid-like color space such as RGB / CMYK. Therefore, by replacing RGB → CMYK of the ICC profile described above, an RGB image (FIG. 7A) is provided on the input side, and a CMYK image (FIG. 7B) is provided on the output side. These samples can be selected from RGB images and CMYK images. The sample data S here is preferably color patch data that can be used for color measurement later.

(Step S11)
In step S11, the control circuit 20 uses the color conversion table data 74 for switching after being downloaded and reconstructed as the color conversion table data used in the color conversion unit 181 after the output of the sample data before correction (existing) is completed. The switching is set and the process proceeds to step S12.

(Step S12)
In step S12, the control circuit 20 performs color conversion on the selected sample data S by the color conversion unit 181 and then transmits the converted sample data S to the image processing unit 14 for reconstruction (after correction). The sample color SD is output (image forming process) using the switching color conversion table data 74, and the reconstructed switching color conversion table data 74 is stored in the switching color conversion table data storage area 193. Exit.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of sample data SD after output. FIG. 8A shows an image before correction based on the sample data S output in step S10, and FIG. 8B shows sample data S output in step S12. It is the image after correction based on.

  The control circuit 20 confirms the output results of the two types of sample data SD before and after the correction by a serviceman or the like. If the user does not like the output result, the control circuit 20 can loop to step S5. 16 shows a reset button and a switch execution button.

1 is an explanatory diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the data format of the principal part of the download data used for the image forming system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of an image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) used in an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a routine flowchart in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a display of the display part in the image forming system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a reconstruction by the size calculation part in the image forming system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 4A and 4B show examples of sample data output in an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 2 shows an example of a sample data output image in an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is an image before correction based on sample data SD output in step S10, and (B) is a sample output in step S12. It is the image after correction based on data SD.

Explanation of symbols

11: Interface section (download data acquisition means)
19 ... RAM (downloaded data storage area / switching color conversion table data storage area)
20 ... Control circuit (comparison means)
182 ... Color conversion table data storage area (color conversion table data storage means)
185 ... Size calculation section (data reduction means)

Claims (4)

An image forming system for switching existing color conversion table data to switching color conversion table data included in download data,
Color conversion table data storage means for storing the existing color conversion table data;
Download data acquisition means for acquiring the download data;
Download data storage means for storing download data acquired by the download data acquisition means;
Comparison means for comparing the switching color conversion table data storage allowable size set in the download data storage means with the data size of the switching color conversion table data when downloading the download data;
Data that reduces the data size of the color conversion table data for switching when the data size of the color conversion table data for switching is larger than the allowable storage size of the color conversion table data for switching as a result of comparison by the comparison means Reduction means,
An image forming system comprising:   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the data reduction unit includes a selection unit that selects a reduction size of the data reduction unit.   An image processing means for outputting the existing color conversion table data stored in the color conversion table data storage means and the switching color conversion table data stored in the download data storage means is provided. The image forming system according to claim 1. An image forming system for switching existing color conversion table data to switching color conversion table data included in download data,
A color conversion table data storage step for storing the existing color conversion table data;
A download data acquisition step for acquiring the download data;
A download data storage step for storing the acquired download data;
A comparison step of comparing the switching color conversion table data storage allowable size and the switching color conversion table data size when downloading the download data;
A data reduction step for reducing the switching color conversion table data size when the switching color conversion table data size is larger than the switching color conversion table data storage allowable size;
Forming program for causing a computer to execute.

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