JP4721223B2 - Image forming apparatus, image processing apparatus, and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and an image forming system.

  Conventionally, in an image forming system using a host PC (Personal Computer) as an image processing apparatus and a printer as an image forming apparatus, the printer receives it to determine whether or not to obtain a desired print result. The generated print data is analyzed, the appearance state of the control code included in the print data is determined, and it is determined whether or not the print data can be correctly printed. As an image forming apparatus using such a method, an image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is known.

JP 2001-175443 A

  By the way, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is impossible to discriminate between print data of a printer description language using the same escape code or a different version of the same printer description language. For example, if the version of the printer description language used in the host PC is different from the version of the printer description language used in the printer, the printer cannot determine the difference, and the transmitted print data is used as it is. Since the printing process is performed using the printer description language used by itself, an incorrect conversion process is performed when converting the print data, and an image different from the image created by the host PC is displayed by the printer. There was a problem of being printed.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and even when different printer description languages are used in the image processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus, an erroneous image is displayed by the image forming apparatus. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and an image forming system capable of preventing printing.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes first image data generated in a predetermined image processing apparatus and the first image data generated based on the first image data. Receiving means for receiving second image data having a data format different from that of the image data; and converting means for converting the first image data received by the receiving means into the same format as the second image data; A collating unit that collates the second image data received by the receiving unit with the first image data converted into the same format as the second image data by the converting unit; And image forming means for forming an image based on the first image data on a predetermined recording medium based on the result of collation by.

  According to this configuration, the image forming unit collates the second image data generated by the image processing device with the data obtained by converting the first image data into the same format as the second image data by the converting unit. An image can be formed on the recording medium on the basis of the result collated by the means.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even when different printer description languages are used in the image processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus, it is possible to prevent an erroneous image from being printed by the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming system shown as a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied. The image forming system according to the first embodiment connects a host PC 200 as an image processing apparatus and a printer 100 as an image forming apparatus via a transmission path R1 formed by, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like. Configured.

  The printer 100 includes a printing mechanism 101 as an image forming unit that forms bitmap format data on a recording medium such as paper, and a conversion unit that converts PDL (Printer Description Language) format data to bitmap format data. A bitmap conversion unit 102, a PDL reception unit 103 that receives data in PDL format, an interface 104 as a reception unit, an image verification unit 105 as a verification unit that compares data in bitmap data format, and a bit An image receiving unit 106 that receives map format data, a display panel 107 serving as a notification guide, and a PDL buffer 150 that holds PDL format data.

  The printing mechanism 101 forms an image on a sheet based on the bitmap format data supplied from the bitmap conversion unit 102 and provides the image to the user.

  The bitmap conversion unit 102 converts the data in the PDL format held in the PDL buffer 150 based on an operation instruction, which will be described later, supplied from the image collation unit 105 into data in the bitmap format, and the image collation unit 105 or print Supply to mechanism 101.

  The PDL receiving unit 103 receives the data in the PDL format supplied from the interface 104 and supplies the received data to the PDL buffer 150.

  The interface 104 receives information transmitted from the host PC 200 via the transmission path R1, and supplies the received information to each unit based on a destination added to the received information. Specifically, the interface 104 supplies PDL format data to the PDL reception unit 103, and supplies bitmap format data to the image reception unit 106.

  The image collation unit 105 collates the bitmap format data supplied from the image reception unit 106 and the bitmap format data supplied from the bitmap conversion unit 102, and based on the comparison result, the bitmap conversion unit An operation instruction to be described later is supplied to 102, or data in PDL format held in the PDL buffer 150 is erased. The image matching unit 105 supplies the matching result to the display panel 107 based on the matching result.

  The image receiving unit 106 receives bitmap format data supplied from the interface 104, and supplies the received data to the image matching unit 105.

  The display panel 107 notifies the user of information by displaying predetermined information. Specifically, the display panel 107 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) device provided outside the printer 100, and the collation result by the image collation unit 105 is notified to the user on such a display panel 107. Is done.

  The PDL buffer 150 holds PDL format data supplied from the PDL receiving unit 103. Then, the data in the PDL format held in the PDL buffer 150 is referred to by the bitmap conversion unit 102 or erased based on a deletion command described later from the image collation unit 105.

  In addition, the host PC 200 performs a predetermined process so that the printer 100 can recognize the print target data generated by the application 201 and the print target data generated by the application 201 by a user operation. And a driver 202.

  The application 201 is, for example, word processing software or drawing software operated by the user. When the user issues a command to print the print target data, the application 201 supplies the print target data to the printer driver 202.

  The printer driver 202 converts the print target data generated by the application 201 into a predetermined format and transmits it to the printer 100. Such a printer driver 202 includes a PDL conversion unit 203 as a conversion unit that converts print target data into the PDL format, a buffer 204 that holds data in the PDL format supplied from the PDL conversion unit 203, and a PDL format A PDL transmission unit 205 as a first transmission unit for transmitting data to a printer, an image generation unit 207 as an image generation unit for generating bitmap format data from PDL format data held in the buffer 204, and an image An image transmission unit 208 as a second transmission unit that transmits the bitmap format data generated by the generation unit 207 to the printer 100 is provided.

  The PDL conversion unit 203 converts the print target data supplied from the application 201 into PDL format data and supplies the data to the buffer 210.

  The PDL format data stored in the buffer 204 is sequentially read by the PDL transmission unit 205 and the image generation unit 207, and the PDL format data read by the PDL transmission unit 205 is transferred to the printer 100 via the interface 206. Sent to.

  The image generation unit 207 generates bitmap format data based on the PDL format data read from the buffer 204 and supplies the data to the image transmission unit 208.

  The image transmission unit 208 transmits the bitmap format data generated by the image generation unit 207 to the printer 100 via the interface 206.

  The operation of the image forming system having the above configuration will be described in detail below.

  First, the operation of the host PC 200 when the user intends to print the print target data generated using the application 201 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the user issues a print instruction to print data to be printed using the application 201 and starts a series of operations, the printer driver 202 initializes the image generation unit 207 in step S1 and is stored in the image generation unit 207. Delete the bitmap data. This operation is performed before the image generation unit 207 reads PDL format data from the buffer 204.

  Next, the application 201 supplies the print target data to the PDL conversion unit 203 in step S2, and the PDL conversion unit 203 to which the print target data is supplied converts the print target data into PDL format data in step S3. To do. Then, the PDL conversion unit 203 supplies the converted PDL format data to the buffer 204.

  Next, the image generation unit 207 reads the PDL format data held in the buffer 204 in step S4. The PDL format data read at this time is PDL format data in conversion units.

  Next, in step S5, the image generation unit 207 determines whether or not the read PDL format data is data of the specific area T1 to be converted to bitmap format data. Here, the specific area T1 is an arbitrary area designated in advance in the image data generated by the user using the application 201, as shown in FIG. The specific area T1 is preferably an area extending from the writing position of the image data in a direction in which, for example, characters forming the image data are arranged.

  If the image generation unit 207 determines in step S5 that the data in the PDL format read from the buffer 204 is data at a position corresponding to the specific area T1, the image generation unit 207 converts the data in the PDL format read in step S6. Generate bitmap-format data based on it. Although details will be described later, if there is further bitmap format data in the image generation unit 207, the image generation unit 207 displays the generated bitmap format data and the bitmap that exists in the image generation unit 207. Synthesize data with format.

  Thereafter, the image generation unit 207 determines whether or not all PDL format data held in the buffer 204 has been read in step S7. If the image generation unit 207 determines that all the data in the PDL format held in the buffer 204 has been read, the printer driver 202 executes the process of step S8.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the data in the PDL format read by the image generation unit 207 from the buffer 204 is not data at a position corresponding to the specific area T1, the image generation unit 207 determines in step S7 that the buffer 204 It is determined whether or not all the data in PDL format held in is read. If the image generation unit 207 determines that all the PDL format data stored in the buffer 204 has been read, the bitmap generation data generated by the image generation unit 207 is supplied to the image transmission unit 213. The printer driver 202 executes the process of step S8.

  If the image generation unit 207 determines in step S7 that the PDL format data stored in the buffer 204 has not been read, the image generation unit 207 stores the data in the buffer 204 again in step S5. The PDL format data is read out. On the other hand, if all the PDL format data held in the buffer 204 are read out and all the bitmap format data in the specific area T1 are combined and generated in step S6, the printer driver 202 The process of S8 is executed.

  Next, the PDL transmission unit 205 reads the data in the PDL format held in the buffer 204 in step S8, adds destination information destined for the PDL reception unit 103 of the printer 100 to the data in the PDL format, and adds an interface. The data is output to the transmission path R1 via 206.

  Next, the image transmission unit 208 adds destination information destined for the image reception unit 106 of the printer 100 to the bitmap format data supplied from the image generation unit 207 in step S <b> 9 and transmits the data via the interface 206. Outputting to the route R1, the printer driver 202 ends the series of processing.

  Next, the operation of the printer 100 that has received the data in the PDL format and the data in the bitmap format transmitted from the host PC 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the printer 200 receives the PDL format data and the bitmap format data at the interface 104 and starts a series of processing, the interface 104 refers to the destination information added to the PDL format data at step S10. The PDL format data is supplied to the PDL buffer 150.

  Next, in step S <b> 11, the interface 104 refers to the destination information added to the bitmap format data, and supplies the bitmap format data to the image receiving unit 106. Then, the image receiving unit 106 supplies the bitmap format data to the image matching unit 105.

  Next, in step S <b> 12, the image collation unit 105 supplies a predetermined operation instruction to the bitmap conversion unit 152 in response to the reception of the bitmap format data. The operation instruction supplied at this time is an instruction to the bitmap converter 102 to generate bitmap format data corresponding to the specific area T1 of the PDL format data held in the PDL buffer 150. is there.

  Next, in step S13, the bitmap conversion unit 102 reads PDL format data from the PDL buffer 150 in accordance with the operation instruction, and based on the read PDL format data, a bitmap of a location corresponding to the specific region T1. Generate format data. The bitmap format data generated here is supplied to the image matching unit 105.

  Next, in step S <b> 14, the image matching unit 105 determines the bitmap format data of the location corresponding to the specific area T <b> 1 generated by the bitmap conversion unit 102, and the bitmap format data supplied from the image reception unit 106. To determine whether or not they match. If the result of the determination is that they match, the process of step S15 is executed to convert all PDL format data into bitmap format data. If they do not match, the printing process is performed. In order to stop, the process of step S18 is executed.

  In step S <b> 15, the image matching unit 105 supplies an operation instruction to the bitmap conversion unit 102. At this time, the operation instruction supplied to the bitmap conversion unit 102 is an instruction to convert all PDL format data held in the PDL buffer 150 into bitmap format data.

  Next, in step S <b> 16, the bitmap conversion unit 102 reads PDL format data from the PDL buffer 150 according to the operation instruction, generates bitmap format data for the entire print area, and supplies the data to the printing mechanism 101. Thereafter, in step S17, the printing mechanism 101 prints the bitmap format data on paper, and the printer 100 ends a series of processing.

  On the other hand, in step S14, it is determined that the bitmap format data of the specific area T1 generated by the bitmap conversion unit 102 does not match the bitmap format data supplied from the image reception unit 106. In this case, the image collation unit 105 displays that fact on the display panel 107 in step S18. The information notified to the user through the display panel 107 here indicates that the printing process is stopped to the user, and that the data in the PDL format transmitted from the host PC 200 cannot be correctly printed by the printer 100. Information.

  Next, in step S <b> 19, the image matching unit 105 supplies a deletion instruction to the PDL buffer 150, and instructs to discard the PDL format data held in the PDL buffer 150.

  Next, in step S20, the PDL buffer 150 discards all PDL format data supplied from the PDL receiving unit 103 in response to the deletion instruction, and the printer 200 ends a series of processing.

  With the above operation, when the printer 100 determines that the data in the PDL format transmitted from the host PC 200 can be correctly printed based on the collation result of the image collation unit 105, the printer 100 performs the printing process as it is. On the other hand, if the PDL format data cannot be printed correctly, the printer 100 informs the user of this fact and cancels the printing process to erroneously convert the PDL format data transmitted from the host PC 200, resulting in garbled characters. It is possible to prevent a situation in which the data that causes the error is printed and provided to the user.

  In the first embodiment, the image generation unit 207 generates bitmap format data by determining whether or not the region affected by the PDL format data overlaps the specific region T1. Once, the image generation unit 207 is used to generate bitmap format data based on all the PDL format data held in the buffer 204, and the image transmission unit 208 generates only the specific area T1 from the bitmap format data. Bit map data may be extracted and transmitted to the image transmission unit 208.

  In the first embodiment, the image generation unit 207 is initialized immediately after the generation of the print instruction. Naturally, however, the image generation unit 207 is initialized together with the completion of the print instruction previously performed. May be.

  In the first embodiment, the image collating unit 105 collates the bitmap format data supplied from the image receiving unit 106 with the bitmap format data supplied from the bitmap conversion unit. However, when the bitmap converter 102 generates bitmap format data from the PDL format data, the PDL format data transmitted from the host PC 200 to the printer 100 is a random number when the image is adjusted according to the printer. When the image is generated by irreversible compression including elements, there may be a situation where it is not determined that the collation results in the image collation unit 105 are completely the same. In that case, the judgment criterion of the image collation unit 105 can be set to whether or not the coincidence rate of the collation result exceeds a predetermined threshold instead of the complete coincidence of both.

  In the first embodiment, the collation result by the image collation unit 105 is notified to the user using the display panel 107 of the printer 100. However, the collation result is transmitted from the printer 100 to the host PC 200, and the user is notified. The verification result may be notified.

  Hereinafter, a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail. In the image forming system according to the second embodiment, since there is a portion having the same configuration as that of the image forming system according to the first embodiment, the image forming system according to the first embodiment is used for that portion. The detailed description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming system according to the second embodiment connects a host PC 400 as an image processing apparatus and a printer 300 as an image forming apparatus through a transmission path R2 formed by a LAN or the like, for example. Connected and configured.

  The printer 300 includes a printing mechanism 101, a bitmap conversion unit 302 as a conversion unit that converts data in PDL (Printer Description Language) format into bitmap format data, a PDL reception unit 103, an interface 104, and a bitmap. An image collation unit 305 as a collation unit that compares data in the data format, a comparison data reception unit 314 that receives comparison data described later, a display panel 107, and a PDL buffer 150 are provided.

  The bitmap conversion unit 302 converts the data in the PDL format held in the PDL buffer 150 into a bitmap based on an operation instruction to be described later supplied from the image matching unit 305 and position information supplied from the comparison data receiving unit 314. The data is converted into format data and supplied to the image collating unit 305 or an exposure unit (not shown) of the printing mechanism 101.

  The image collation unit 305 collates the bitmap format data supplied from the comparison data reception unit 314 with the bitmap format data supplied from the bitmap conversion unit 302, and performs bitmap conversion based on the comparison result. An operation instruction to be described later is supplied to the unit 102, or the data in the PDL format held in the PDL buffer 150 is deleted.

  The comparison data receiving unit 314 holds comparison data, which will be described later, transmitted from the host PC 400 via the interface 104, and supplies a bitmap format data map included in the comparison data to the image matching unit 305. Further, the comparison data receiving unit 314 supplies position information (described later) included in the comparison data to the bitmap conversion unit 302.

  The host PC 400 includes an application 201 and a printer driver 402 that performs predetermined processing so that the printer 100 can recognize print target data generated by the application 201.

  The printer driver 402 converts the print target data generated by the application 201 into a predetermined format and transmits it to the printer 300. Such a printer driver 402 includes a PDL conversion unit 203, a buffer 204, a PDL transmission unit 205, an image generation unit 415 that generates bitmap format data from the PDL format data held in the buffer 204, An area table management unit 416 that measures the influence area of bitmap format data, an adding unit that adds position information to be described later to the bitmap format data, and transmits it to the printer 300, and comparison data as a second transmission unit A transmission unit 417.

  The image generation unit 415 generates bitmap format data based on the PDL format data read from the buffer 204, and among the bitmap format data, stores bitmap format data corresponding to a rendering area described later. This is supplied to the area table management unit 416. The image generation unit 415 supplies the generated bitmap format data to the comparison data transmission unit 417.

  The area table management unit 416 stores an area table to be described later. Further, the region table management unit 416 updates the table value of the region table described later based on the bitmap format data supplied from the image generation unit 415. Further, the table value of the region table updated here is supplied to the comparison data transmission unit 417 as position information described later.

  The operation of the image forming system having the above configuration will be described in detail below.

  First, the operation of the host PC 400 when the user intends to print the print target data generated using the application 201 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When a user issues a print instruction to print data to be printed using the application 201 and a series of processes starts, the printer driver 402 initializes the image generation unit 415 in step S21 and is stored in the image generation unit 415. Delete the bitmap data. This operation is performed before the image generation unit 415 reads PDL format data from the buffer 204.

  Next, in step S22, the printer driver 402 initializes the table value of the area table management unit 416, and resets all count values of the area table to 0.

  Next, the application 201 supplies the print target data to the PDL conversion unit 203 in step S23, and the PDL conversion unit 203 supplied with the print target data converts the print target data into data in the PDL format in step S24. To do. Then, the PDL conversion unit 203 supplies the converted PDL format data to the buffer 204.

  Next, the image generation unit 415 reads the PDL format data held in the buffer 204 in step S25. The PDL format data read at this time is PDL format data in conversion units.

  Next, in step S26, the image generation unit 415 generates bitmap format data based on the read PDL format data.

  Next, in step S <b> 27, the image generation unit 415 extracts a drawing area Tm that is affected by data in the PDL format from all the printing areas. Specifically, among the printable areas, the drawing area Tm influenced by the data in the PDL format is obtained by dividing the printable area T3 into orthogonal plane coordinates as shown in FIGS. An area where an image is actually formed among a plurality of areas to be formed. In the figure, the straight line L1 is drawn over a plurality of divided areas near the center of the printable area T3. In this case, the drawing area Tm extracted by the image generation unit 415 is the area T4, It becomes area | region T5 and area | region T6.

  In step S <b> 28, the image generation unit 415 reflects the extracted information related to the region forming the drawing region Tm extracted in this way in the region table. The area table is a table that holds the number of influences on the actual image when the printable area T3 is divided as described above. In such a region table, each time extraction information is supplied from the image generation unit 415, a numerical value 1 is added to a count value corresponding to a region included in the extraction information. This count value indicates the number of superimposed images. For example, if the data in the PDL format held in the buffer 204 is image data formed by combining a background image and a character image, the background image and the character Since the two images are superimposed, the count value is 2. By counting the count value in this manner, the count value of the region that has a large number of times of affecting the actual image increases, while the count value of the region that does not affect the image is kept low. It will be.

  In step S29, the image generation unit 415 generates bitmap format data based on the PDL format data. In this case, as in the first embodiment, the generated bitmap format data and the bitmap format data existing in the image generation unit 415 are combined, and the combined bitmap format data is combined. The data is supplied to the comparison data transmission unit 417.

  Next, in step S30, the image generation unit 415 determines whether all PDL format data held in the buffer 204 has been read. If the image generation unit 415 determines that all the PDL format data held in the buffer 204 has been read, the printer driver 202 executes the process of step S31. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S30 that the image generation unit 415 has not read all the data in the PDL format held in the buffer 204, a step is performed to read out the data in the PDL format held in the buffer 204. The process of S25 is executed.

  Next, the PDL transmission unit 205 reads the data in the PDL format held in the buffer 204 in step S31, adds destination information destined for the PDL reception unit 103 of the printer 300 to the data in the PDL format, and the interface 206 To the transmission path R2.

  Next, in step S32, the comparison data transmission unit 417 refers to the table value of the region table, and extracts a part of the bitmap format data supplied from the image generation unit 415 based on the reference result. Specifically, the comparison data transmission unit 417 first identifies an area having the largest count value among the count values represented in the table value. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, based on the extraction result by the image generation unit 415, if the count value of the region T5 is the largest value in the printable region T3, the region T5 is the comparison data transmission unit 417. Extracted by And the comparison data transmission part 417 extracts the positional information on area | region T5 based on this extraction result. For example, if the region T5 is a region at a position of (X, Y) = (2, 2) based on the orthogonal plane coordinates formed in the printable region T3, the position extracted by the comparison data transmission unit 417 The information is information including a coordinate value of (2, 2). The position information extracted in this way is transmitted to the printer 300 in step S33 as comparison data together with the extracted bitmap format data.

  Next, the operation of the printer 300 that has received the data in the PDL format transmitted from the host PC 400 and the comparison information will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the printer 300 receives the data in the PDL format and the comparison information at the interface 104 and starts a series of processes, the interface 104 refers to the destination information added to the data in the PDL format in step S41, and The formatted data is supplied to the buffer 150.

  Next, the interface 104 supplies the comparison data to the comparison data receiving unit 314 in step S42. Then, the comparison data receiving unit 314 supplies position information of the comparison information to the bitmap conversion unit 302 and supplies bitmap format data to the image matching unit 305.

  Next, in step S43, the image collation unit 305 supplies a predetermined operation instruction to the bitmap conversion unit 302 in response to the reception of the bitmap format data. The operation instruction supplied at this time is a part of the bitmap format data extracted by the comparison data transmission unit 417 among the PDL format data held in the PDL buffer 150 to the bitmap conversion unit 302. This is an instruction to generate bitmap format data.

  Next, in step S44, the bitmap conversion unit 302 reads PDL format data from the PDL buffer 150 according to the operation instruction, and based on the read PDL format data and the positional information supplied from the comparison data receiving unit 314. Thus, bitmap format data is generated at a location corresponding to the region T5. Specifically, the bitmap conversion unit 302 refers to the position information (2, 2) and specifies the position of the region T5 by the same method as when the position information is created. Then, the bitmap conversion unit 302 generates bitmap format data of the specified region T5 and supplies the data to the image matching unit 305.

  Next, in step S <b> 45, the image matching unit 305 displays the bitmap format data at the location corresponding to the region T <b> 5 generated by the bitmap conversion unit 302, the bitmap format data supplied from the comparison data reception unit 314, and the like. To determine whether or not they match. If the result of the determination is that they match, the process of step S46 is executed to convert all PDL format data into bitmap format data. If they do not match, print processing is performed. In order to stop, the process of step S49 is executed.

  In step S <b> 46, the image matching unit 305 supplies an operation instruction to the bitmap conversion unit 302. At this time, the operation instruction supplied to the bitmap conversion unit 302 is an instruction to convert all PDL format data held in the PDL buffer 150 into bitmap format data.

  Next, in step S 47, the bitmap conversion unit 302 reads PDL format data from the PDL buffer 150 in accordance with the operation instruction, generates bitmap format data for the entire print area, and supplies the data to the printing mechanism 101. Thereafter, in step S48, the printing mechanism 101 prints the bitmap format data on paper, and the printer 100 ends a series of processing.

  On the other hand, in step S45, the bitmap format data corresponding to the region T5 generated by the bitmap conversion unit 302 does not match the bitmap format data supplied from the comparison data receiving unit 314. If it is determined, the image collation unit 105 displays that fact on the display panel 107 in step S49. The information notified to the user through the display panel 107 here indicates that the printing process is stopped for the user and that the data in the PDL format transmitted from the host PC 400 cannot be correctly printed by the printer 300. Inform.

  Next, the image collating unit 305 supplies a deletion instruction to the PDL buffer 150 and instructs to discard the data in the PDL format held in the PDL buffer 150.

  Next, the PDL buffer 150 discards all PDL format data supplied from the PDL receiving unit 103 in response to the deletion instruction, and the printer 300 ends a series of processing.

  As described above, in the image forming system according to the second embodiment, an area table is created based on the extraction result by the image generation unit 415, and position information is generated based on the area table. This position information changes according to the image generated by the user included in the print target data. Even when the image generated by the user is displayed only in a small area of the printable area, for example, the area is extracted by the image generation unit 415, and the extraction result is displayed as the image collation unit 305. By using this for the collation work, it is possible to increase the probability of this collation work.

  In this embodiment, the table value is initialized after the image generation unit 415 is initialized. However, the initialization operation of the image generation unit 415 and the initialization operation of the table value may be performed in reverse. good.

  In this embodiment, the value 1 is added to the table value corresponding to the area indicated by the drawing area Tm based on the extraction result by the image generation unit 415, but the area indicated by the drawing area Tm is specified in some form. For example, the table value other than the table value corresponding to the drawing area Tm may be changed, or the value of the row or column that intersects the target area may be changed. Further, in this case, since the coordinates of the bitmap format data to be printed are divided into equal intervals, the width and height of the region can be set as long as the host PC 400 and the printer 300 have the same value. The height information need not be transmitted together with the position information. On the other hand, it is possible to change the width or height of the region, but when changing, it is necessary to include the width and height information in the position information.

  In addition, the area where the position information extracted by the comparison data transmission unit 417 is displayed on the printable area T3 and the area specified by the bitmap conversion unit 302 based on the position information must be the same area. It is not necessary to specify the drawing area Tm by using rows and columns on the printable area T3 as in the above, and the division is more than three dimensions by adding elements such as the dot density and the number of mixed colors at the time of printing. It is also possible to perform.

  In this embodiment, only the bitmap format data is used to specify the area to be transmitted as the comparison data. However, the method for identifying the area to be transmitted as the comparison data is not limited to a printed error message or dust. It may be based on information on whether or not the area is easily printed.

  Hereinafter, a third embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail. In the image forming system according to the third embodiment, there is a portion having the same configuration as that of the image forming system according to the first embodiment, and thus the image forming system according to the first embodiment is described in this regard. The detailed description is abbreviate | omitted with the same code | symbol.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the image forming system according to the third embodiment connects a host PC 600 as an image processing apparatus and a printer 500 as an image forming apparatus through a transmission path R3 formed by, for example, a LAN. Connected and configured.

  The printer 500 includes a printing mechanism 101, a bitmap conversion unit 102, a PDL reception unit 103, an interface 504, an image verification unit 505 as a verification unit that compares data in bitmap data format, and a bitmap format. An image receiving unit 106 that receives data, a display panel 107, a PDL buffer 150 that holds data in PDL format, and a result transmission unit 518 as a transmission unit are provided.

  The image collation unit 505 collates the bitmap format data supplied from the image reception unit 106 and the bitmap format data supplied from the bitmap conversion unit 102, and based on the comparison result, the bitmap conversion unit An operation instruction to be described later is supplied to 102, and the data in the PDL format held in the PDL buffer 150 is deleted. The image matching unit 505 supplies the matching result to the display panel 107 and the result transmission unit 518 based on the matching result.

  The result transmission unit 518 adds destination information whose destination is a result reception unit of the host PC 600 described later to the collation result supplied from the image collation unit 505, and outputs the result to the transmission / reception route R 3 via the interface 504.

  The host PC 600 includes a printer driver 602 and an application 201.

  The printer driver 602 converts the print target data generated by the application 201 into a predetermined format and transmits it to the printer 500. Such a printer driver 202 includes a PDL conversion unit 503, a buffer 204, a PDL transmission unit 205, an image generation unit 207, and an image transmission unit 208 as conversion means for converting print target data into PDL format data. And a result receiving unit 621 that receives the collation result from the interface 606, and an availability setting unit 622 as a determination unit that determines whether the printer 500 can be used based on the collation result.

  The operation of the image forming system having the above configuration will be described in detail below.

  First, the operation of the host PC 600 when the user intends to print the print target data generated using the application 201 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When a print instruction is issued by the user and the host PC 600 starts a series of processing, the application 201 supplies print target data to the PDL conversion unit 503 in step S61.

  In step S <b> 62, the PDL conversion unit 503 determines whether or not the printer 500 can be used. This availability setting is performed based on the collation result transmitted from the printer 500 at the time of previous printing, for example. As will be described in detail later, if the data in both bitmap formats do not match, the printer 500 is determined to be unusable, and if the data in both bitmap formats match, the printer 500 is determined to be usable. .

  If it is determined in step S62 that the printer 500 cannot be used, the printer driver 602 requests the user to determine whether to forcibly perform printing in step S63. When the user makes a response indicating that the forced printing is not performed, the printer driver 602 ends the series of processes. On the other hand, if the user makes a response to perform forced printing, the process of step S64 is started to continue the normal process.

  If it is determined in step S62 that the printer 500 is usable, the printer driver 602 starts the process in step S64 to continue the normal process.

  Next, in step S <b> 64, the printer driver 602 initializes the image generation unit 207 and erases the bitmap format data stored in the image generation unit 207. This operation is performed before the image generation unit 207 reads PDL format data from the buffer 204.

  Next, the PDL conversion unit 503 converts the print target data supplied from the application 201 in step S65 into data in the PDL format. Then, the PDL conversion unit 503 supplies the converted PDL format data to the buffer 204.

  Next, the image generation unit 207 reads the PDL format data held in the buffer 204 in step S66. The PDL format data read at this time is PDL format data in conversion units.

  Next, in step S67, the image generation unit 207 determines whether or not the read PDL format data is data of the specific area T1 to be converted to bitmap format data. If the image generation unit 207 determines that the data in the PDL format read from the buffer 204 is data at a position corresponding to the specific area T1, the bitmap format based on the read data in the PDL format in step S68. Generate data for When bitmap format data exists in the image generation unit 207, the image generation unit 207 combines the generated bitmap format data with the bitmap format data existing in the image generation unit 207.

  Thereafter, in step S69, the image generation unit 207 determines whether all PDL format data held in the buffer 204 has been read. If the image generation unit 207 determines that all data in the PDL format held in the buffer 204 has been read, the printer driver 602 executes step S70. On the other hand, if the image generation unit 207 determines that all the PDL format data held in the buffer 204 has not been read, the process again in step S66 to read the remaining PDL format data from the buffer 204. Execute the process.

  Next, the PDL transmission unit 205 reads the data in the PDL format held in the buffer 204 in step S70, adds destination information destined for the PDL reception unit 103 of the printer 500 to the data in the PDL format, and creates an interface. The data is output to the transmission path R3 via 606.

  Next, the image transmission unit 208 adds destination information destined for the image reception unit 106 of the printer 500 to the bitmap format data supplied from the image generation unit 207 in step S71, and transmits the data via the interface 206. Output to route R3.

  Next, the printer driver 602 determines whether or not a collation result has been transmitted from the result transmission unit of the printer 500 in step S72. The printer driver 602 repeats this determination until the collation result is transmitted. When the collation result is transmitted from the printer 500 to the result receiving unit 621 via the interface 606, the result receiving unit 621 supplies the collation result to the availability setting unit 622 in step S73.

  Next, in step S74, the usability setting unit 622 determines whether or not the printer can be used based on the collation result. Specifically, if the contents of the collation result are contents indicating that the data in both bitmap formats match, the availability setting unit 622 displays the determination result that the printer 500 is usable in step S75 as PDL. The data is supplied to the conversion unit 503, and the printer driver 602 ends a series of processing. Here, when a determination result indicating that the printer 500 is usable is supplied to the PDL conversion unit 503, it is reflected in the determination result when the printer driver 602 next determines the availability setting.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S74, if the content of the collation result indicates that the data in both bitmap formats do not match, the availability setting unit 622 determines in step S76 that the printer 500 is unusable. Is supplied to the PDL conversion unit 503, and the printer driver 602 ends the series of processing.

  Next, the operation of the printer 100 that has received the data in the PDL format and the data in the bitmap format transmitted from the host PC 600 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the printer 500 receives PDL format data and bitmap format data at the interface 504 and starts a series of processes, the interface 504 refers to the destination information added to the PDL format data in step S81. The PDL format data is supplied to the PDL buffer 150.

  Next, in step S <b> 82, the interface 504 refers to the destination information added to the bitmap format data, and supplies the bitmap format data to the image receiving unit 106. Then, the image receiving unit 106 supplies the bitmap format data to the image matching unit 505.

  In step S <b> 83, the image matching unit 505 supplies a predetermined operation instruction to the bitmap conversion unit 102 in response to reception of bitmap format data. The operation instruction supplied at this time is an instruction to the bitmap converter 102 to generate bitmap format data corresponding to a specific area of the PDL format data held in the PDL buffer 150. .

  Next, in step S84, the bitmap conversion unit 102 reads the data in the PDL format from the PDL buffer 150 according to the operation instruction, and the bitmap format of the location corresponding to the specific area based on the read PDL format data. Generate data for The bitmap format data generated here is supplied to the image matching unit 505.

  Next, in step S <b> 85, the image matching unit 505 obtains the bitmap format data corresponding to the specific area generated by the bitmap conversion unit 102 and the bitmap format data supplied from the image reception unit 106. Collation is performed, and it is determined whether or not both match. If the result of the determination is that they match, the process of step S86 is executed to convert all PDL format data into bitmap format data. If they do not match, the print processing is performed. In order to cancel, the process of step S90 is executed.

  In step S86, the image collation unit 505 supplies an operation instruction to the bitmap conversion unit 102, and also supplies a collation result indicating that the data in both bitmap formats match to the result transmission unit 518. At this time, the operation instruction supplied to the bitmap conversion unit 102 is an instruction to convert all PDL format data held in the PDL buffer 150 into bitmap format data.

  Next, in step S 87, the bitmap conversion unit 102 reads PDL format data from the PDL buffer 150 in accordance with the operation instruction, generates bitmap format data for the entire print area, and supplies the data to the printing mechanism 101. Thereafter, in step S88, the printing mechanism 101 prints the bitmap format data on paper.

  Next, the result transmission unit 518 adds destination information destined for the result receiving unit 621 to the collation result supplied from the image collation unit 505 in step S89, and uses the collation result with the destination information added as an interface. Then, the data is supplied to the host PC 600 through 504.

  On the other hand, in step S85, it is determined that the bitmap format data of the specific area T1 generated by the bitmap conversion unit 102 does not match the bitmap format data supplied from the image reception unit 106. In this case, the image collation unit 505 displays the fact on the display panel 107 in step S90 and supplies the collation result to the result transmission unit 518. The information notified to the user through the display panel 107 here indicates that the printing process is stopped to the user, and that the data in the PDL format transmitted from the host PC 600 cannot be correctly printed by the printer 100. Inform.

  Next, the image collation unit 505 supplies a deletion instruction to the PDL buffer 150 in step S91, and instructs to discard the data in the PDL format held in the PDL buffer 150.

  Next, in step S <b> 92, the PDL buffer 150 discards all the PDL format data supplied from the PDL receiving unit 103 in response to the deletion instruction supplied from the image matching unit 505. After that, the result transmission unit 518 transmits the collation result to the host PC 600 by the method described above in step S89, and the image forming system ends a series of processes.

  As described above, according to the image forming system according to the third embodiment, in addition to the effects of the image forming system according to the first embodiment, the printer 500 is generated based on the received data in the PDL format. The verification result of the bitmap format data and the received bitmap format data can be returned to the host PC 600. The host PC 600 that has received the collation result makes a print propriety determination based on the collation result. When the next print target data is supplied to the printer driver 602, the print propriety determination is reflected to the user. By notifying, generation of useless print data can be eliminated.

  Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail. In the image forming system according to the fourth embodiment, since there is a portion having the same configuration as that of the image forming system according to the third embodiment, the image forming system according to the third embodiment is described in this regard. The detailed description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  In the image forming system according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a host PC 700 as an image processing apparatus and a printer 500 as an image forming apparatus are connected via a transmission path R4 formed by, for example, a LAN. Connected and configured.

  The host PC 700 also includes a printer driver 702 and an application 201.

  The printer driver 702 converts the print target data generated by the application 201 into a predetermined format and transmits it to the printer 500. Such a printer driver 702 includes a PDL conversion unit 703, a buffer 204, a PDL transmission unit 205, an image generation unit 207, and an image transmission unit 208 as conversion means for converting print target data into PDL format data. A result receiving unit 621 that receives the collation result from the interface 606, and an appropriate printer description language is selected based on the collation result supplied from the printer 500, and the printer description language to be used by the PDL conversion unit 703 is selected. A PDL selection unit 726 for switching to the printer description language, and a usability setting unit 622.

  The PDL selection unit 726 stores a plurality of versions of the printer description language in advance. For example, if the collation result transmitted from the printer 500 indicates that the data in both bitmap formats does not match, A printer description language that matches the specification version of the printer 500 is selected with reference to the collation result, and the selection result is supplied to the PDL conversion unit 703 and the availability setting unit 722. The host PC 700 selects a printer description language that conforms to the specification version of the printer 500 based on the collation result transmitted from the printer 500 using such a PDL selection unit 726. Since the printer description language selected by the PDL selection unit 726 can be used in the conversion work of the PDL conversion unit 703 at the next printing, data in a suitable PDL format is transmitted to the printer 500 at the next printing. It becomes possible to do.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming system having the above-described configuration will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

  When a print instruction is issued by the user and a series of processing is started, the application 201 supplies print target data to the PDL conversion unit 703 in step S101.

  In step S <b> 102, the PDL conversion unit 703 determines whether or not the printer 500 can be used. This availability determination is performed based on the collation result transmitted from the printer 500 at the time of the previous printing.

  If it is determined in step S102 that the printer 500 cannot be used, the printer driver 702 requests the user to determine whether to forcibly perform printing in step S103. If the user makes a response indicating that forced printing is not performed, the printer driver 702 ends a series of processes. On the other hand, when the user makes a response to perform forced printing, the process of step S104 is started to continue the normal process.

  Next, in step S <b> 104, the PDL selection unit 726 sets a selection remaining number indicating the number of types of printer description languages that can be supported by the PDL conversion unit 703 in the availability setting unit 722.

  Next, in step S <b> 105, the PDL selection unit 726 determines whether a specific version of the printer description language is defaulted for the printer 500. If the PDL selection unit 726 determines that the default setting has not been made, in step S106, the PDL selection unit 726 selects the latest version of the printer description language, and the PDL conversion unit 703 selects the selection result. The process of step S108 is executed to continue the series of processes.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 that the default setting has been made as a result of the determination by the PDL selection unit 726, the PDL selection unit 726 selects the printer description language of the specification version that has been set in default in step S107. Then, the PDL conversion unit 703 is notified of the selection result, and the process of step S108 is executed to continue the series of processes.

  Next, in step S <b> 108, the printer driver 702 initializes the image generation unit 207, and erases the bitmap format data stored in the image generation unit 207. This operation is performed before the image generation unit 207 reads PDL format data from the buffer 204.

  Next, in step S109, the PDL conversion unit 203 converts the print target data supplied from the application 201 into data in the PDL format using the specification version of the printer description language selected by the PDL selection unit. Then, the PDL conversion unit 203 supplies the converted PDL format data to the buffer 204.

  Next, in step S110, the image generation unit 207 reads PDL format data held in the buffer 204. The PDL format data read at this time is PDL format data in conversion units.

  Next, in step S111, the image generation unit 207 determines whether the read PDL format data is data of the specific area T1 to be converted to bitmap format data. If the image generation unit 207 determines that the data in the PDL format read from the buffer 204 is data at a position corresponding to the specific region T1, the image format generation unit 207 is a bitmap format based on the read data in the PDL format in step S112. Generate data for When bitmap format data exists in the image generation unit 207, the image generation unit 207 combines the generated bitmap format data with the bitmap format data existing in the image generation unit 207.

  Thereafter, in step S113, the image generation unit 207 determines whether all PDL format data held in the buffer 204 has been read. If the image generation unit 207 determines that all data in the PDL format held in the buffer 204 has been read, the printer driver 702 executes the process of step S114. On the other hand, if the image generation unit 207 determines that all the data in the PDL format held in the buffer 204 has not been read, the process again in step S110 in order to read the remaining data in the PDL format from the buffer 204. Execute the process.

  Next, the PDL transmission unit 205 reads the data in the PDL format held in the buffer 204 in step S114, adds destination information destined for the PDL reception unit 103 of the printer 500 to the data in the PDL format, and then adds an interface. The data is output to the transmission path R4 via 206.

  Next, the image transmission unit 208 adds destination information destined for the image reception unit 106 of the printer 500 to the bitmap format data supplied from the image generation unit 207 in step S115 and transmits the data via the interface 206. Output to route R4.

  Next, the printer driver 702 determines whether or not a collation result has been transmitted from the result transmission unit 518 of the printer 500 in step S116. The printer driver 702 repeats this determination until a collation result is transmitted. When the collation result is transmitted from the printer 500 to the result reception unit 621 via the interface 606, the result reception unit 621 supplies the collation result to the PDL selection unit 726 in step S117.

  In step S118, the PDL selection unit 726 determines whether the printer 500 can be used based on the comparison result. This determination is made based on whether or not the content of the collation result is that the data in both bitmap formats match. Specifically, if the content of the collation result indicates that the data in both bitmap formats match, the availability setting unit 622 determines in step S118 that the printer 500 can be used, and the determination result. Is supplied to the PDL conversion unit 503.

  Next, in step S119, the PDL selection unit 726 sets the specification version of the currently selected printer description language as a default setting.

  Next, in step S120, the availability setting unit 722 sets the availability setting to be usable, and the host PC 700 ends a series of processing.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S118 that the printer 500 is unusable, the PDL selection unit 726 selects a version of the printer description language different from the specification version of the currently used printer description language.

  For the printer description language, the verification order is set for each specification version. For example, when the default setting is not made, as shown in FIG. Every time the ranking goes up, it becomes an old version of the printer description language. On the other hand, when the default setting is made, as shown in FIG. 16 (b), the default ranking of the printer description language for the version of the printer description language is the first. Become a language.

  The PDL selection unit 726 selects a different printer description language every time it is determined in step S118 that the printer 500 is unusable. This selection process is performed by a printer description that can be supported by the PDL conversion unit 703. It is performed as many times as the number of languages. Then, after determining that the printer 500 is unusable, the PDL selection unit 726 selects the number of unverified printer description languages among the printer description languages that can be supported by the PDL conversion unit 703. Manage as. Then, after it is determined in step S118 that the printer 500 is unusable, the PDL selection unit 726 manages the remaining selection remaining number by subtracting the value 1 from this selection remaining number. When the predetermined number of verifications are completed and the remaining number of selections becomes 0, that is, when verification is completed for all printer description languages that can be supported by the PDL conversion unit 703, the PDL selection unit 726 It is determined that the printer 500 cannot be used with a printer description language that the PDL conversion unit 703 can handle. These processes are performed as follows.

  If the PDL selection unit 726 determines in step S118 that the printer 500 is unusable, the PDL selection unit 726 subtracts the value 1 from the selection remaining number in step S121.

  Next, in step S122, the PDL selection unit 726 determines whether or not the remaining selection number is 0 or more. If the remaining selection number is 0, the PDL selection unit 726 determines that the verification for all printer description languages that can be supported by the PDL conversion unit 703 has been completed. Then, the PDL selection unit 726 notifies the availability setting unit 722 of this fact.

  Next, in step S123, the availability setting unit 722 sets the printing availability setting to unavailable, and the host P700 ends a series of processing.

  On the other hand, if the PDL selection unit 726 determines in step S122 that the remaining selection number is 0 or more, in step S123, the PDL selection unit 726 sets the next rank of the printer description language of the currently used version. The selected version of the printer description language is selected, and the process of step S108 is performed again.

  With the above operation, the specification version of the printer description language is switched based on the collation result transmitted from the printer 500, and this is repeated, so that the conversion process by the PDL conversion unit 703 is optimal for the printer 500. It is possible to use a printer description language.

1 is a block diagram of an image forming system shown as a first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of host PC when it is going to print printing object data. It is a figure which shows the example of the paper printed by a printer. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the printer which received the data transmitted from host PC. It is a block diagram of an image forming system shown as a second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of host PC when it is going to print printing object data. It is a figure which shows the example of the paper printed by a printer. It is a figure which shows the example of the paper printed by a printer. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the printer which received the data transmitted from host PC. It is a block diagram of an image forming system shown as a third embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of host PC when it is going to print printing object data. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the printer which received the data transmitted from host PC. It is a block diagram of an image forming system shown as a fourth embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of host PC when it is going to print printing object data. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of host PC when it is going to print printing object data. It is a figure which shows the example of the table stored in the PDL selection part. It is a figure which shows the example of the table stored in the PDL selection part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Printer 101 Printing mechanism 102 Bitmap conversion part 103 PDL receiving part 104 Interface 105 Image collation part 106 Image receiving part 107 Display panel 150 PDL buffer 152 Bitmap conversion part 200 Printer 201 Application 202 Printer driver 203 PDL conversion part 204 Buffer 205 PDL Transmission unit 206 Interface 207 Image generation unit 208 Image transmission unit 210 Buffer 213 Image transmission unit 300 Printer 302 Bitmap conversion unit 305 Image collation unit 314 Comparison data reception unit 402 Printer driver 415 Image generation unit 416 Area table management unit 417 Comparison data transmission Unit 500 printer 503 PDL conversion unit 504 interface 505 image collation unit 518 result transmission unit 602 printer dry 606 interface 621 result receiving unit 622 availability setting unit 702 the printer driver 703 PDL conversion unit 722 availability setting unit 726 PDL selector

Claims (11)

Reception for receiving first image data generated in a predetermined image processing apparatus and second image data generated based on the first image data and having a data format different from that of the first image data. Means,
Conversion means for converting the first image data received by the reception means into the same format as the second image data;
Collating means for collating the second image data received by the receiving means with the first image data converted into the same format as the second image data by the converting means;
Image forming means for forming an image based on the first image data on a predetermined recording medium based on a result of matching by the matching means;
An image forming apparatus. The second image data received by the receiving means is data obtained by extracting a part of an image included in the first image data;
Position information indicating which part of the first image data corresponds to the second image data is added to the second image data,
The converting means converts the portion corresponding to the position information of the first image data received by the receiving means with reference to the position information into the same format as the second image data;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image forming unit stops an operation of forming an image based on the first image data on the recording medium based on a collation result by the collating unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The converting means stops the operation of converting the first image data received by the converting means in the receiving means into the same format as the second image data based on the collation result by the collating means. ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. Providing an informing means for informing a user of a collation result by the collating means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. Comprising a transmission means for transmitting a result of collation by the collation means to the image processing apparatus;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. Conversion means for converting print target data generated in a predetermined application into first image data in a predetermined format;
Image generating means for generating second image data in a format different from the first image data based on the first image data converted by the converting means;
First transmission means for transmitting the first image data converted by the conversion means to an image forming apparatus;
Second transmission means for transmitting the second image data generated by the image generation means to the image forming apparatus ;
Receiving means for receiving a collation result of the first image data and the second image data transmitted from the image forming apparatus;
Determining means for determining whether the first image data converted by the converting means can be recognized by the image forming apparatus based on the collation result received by the receiving means ;
An image processing apparatus. The image generating means extracts a part of an image included in the first image data to generate the second image data;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 7. Adding means for adding position information indicating to which part of the first image data the second image data generated by the image generation means corresponds to the second image data; ,
The second transmission means transmits the second image data to which the position information is added to the image forming apparatus;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 8. The converting means converts the print target data into the first image data using a predetermined printer description language;
  Selecting means for selecting the printer description language used in the converting means based on a determination result by the determining means;
  The image processing apparatus according to claim 7. First conversion means for converting print target data generated in an application into first image data in a predetermined format;
  Generating means for generating second image data having a data format different from that of the first image data, based on the first image data converted by the converting means;
  First transmission means for transmitting the first image data converted by the conversion means;
  An image processing apparatus comprising: a second transmission unit configured to transmit the second image data generated by the generation unit;
  Receiving means for receiving the first image data transmitted from the first transmitting means and the second image data transmitted from the second transmitting means;
  Second conversion means for converting the first image data received by the reception means into the same format as the second image data;
  Collating means for collating the second image data received by the receiving means and the first image data whose format has been converted by the second converting means;
  An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image based on the first image data on a predetermined recording medium based on a collation result by the collating unit;
  An image forming system.